1. An information providing device is provided with:

a communication unit that can communicate with an in-vehicle communication device of each of the plurality of electric vehicles or a terminal device of a user;

a reception unit that stores, in a storage unit, vehicle notification information that is received by the communication unit and that includes vehicle identification information, position information, and information indicating a state of charge of each of the one or more electric vehicles;

a determination unit that determines whether or not matching between the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the electric vehicle that requires charging is established, based on the vehicle notification information and power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the vehicle notification information received from the electric vehicle that requires charging; and a process for the preparation of a coating,

and a management unit that moves the electric vehicle that requires charging to the vicinity of the electric vehicle that does not require charging when the determination unit determines that the matching between the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the electric vehicle that requires charging is established.

2. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,

when a state in which power supply to another vehicle is permitted is included in the power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not require charging, the determination section determines whether matching between the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the electric vehicle that requires charging is established;

when the power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not require charging includes a state in which power supply to another vehicle is not permitted, the determination unit does not determine whether or not the electric vehicle that does not require charging matches the electric vehicle that requires charging.

3. An information providing method executed by an information providing apparatus having a communication unit that can communicate with an in-vehicle communication device of each of a plurality of electric vehicles or a terminal device of a user, the information providing method comprising:

and a storage unit that stores vehicle notification information received by the communication unit, the vehicle notification information including vehicle identification information, position information, and information indicating a charging state of each of one or more electric vehicles, the vehicle notification information being received from an electric vehicle that does not need to be charged, the vehicle notification information being based on the vehicle notification information and power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not need to be charged, and the vehicle notification information received from an electric vehicle that needs to be charged, the vehicle notification information being stored in the storage unit.

4. A computer-readable medium storing a program executed by an information providing apparatus provided with a communication unit communicable with an in-vehicle communication device of each of a plurality of electric vehicles or a terminal device of a user, the program causing the information providing apparatus to execute:

storing, in a storage portion, vehicle notification information that is received by the communication portion and that includes vehicle identification information, position information, and information showing a state of charge of each of the one or more electric vehicles, and,

determining whether a match between the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the electric vehicle that requires charging is established based on the vehicle notification information and the power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the vehicle notification information received from the electric vehicle that requires charging,

when it is determined that the matching between the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the electric vehicle that requires charging is established, the electric vehicle that requires charging is moved to the vicinity of the electric vehicle that does not require charging.

Background

In recent years, Electric vehicles having an Electric motor driven by a secondary Battery (Battery) such as a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) have become widespread.

The electric vehicle can be charged by a shared charging station installed on the street, in addition to the home. However, when the charging station is crowded, the queue may need to wait for a long time. Therefore, a technique for charging electric vehicles has been proposed (see, for example, patent document 1).

[ Prior Art document ]

(patent document)

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-126234

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

Since charging between electric vehicles requires time, the waiting time of two drivers may be long depending on the charging rate of the secondary battery of the charging target.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and a computer-readable medium storing a program for improving convenience of charging between electric vehicles.

[ means for solving problems ]

The information providing apparatus, the information providing method, and the computer-readable medium storing the program according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) An information providing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a communication unit that can communicate with an in-vehicle communication device of each of the plurality of electric vehicles or a terminal device of a user; a reception unit that stores, in a storage unit, vehicle notification information that is received by the communication unit and that includes vehicle identification information, position information, and information indicating a state of charge of each of the one or more electric vehicles; a determination unit that determines whether or not matching between the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the electric vehicle that requires charging is established, based on the vehicle notification information and power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the vehicle notification information received from the electric vehicle that requires charging; and a management unit that moves the electric vehicle that requires charging to the vicinity of the electric vehicle that does not require charging when the determination unit determines that the matching between the electric vehicle that does not require charging and the electric vehicle that requires charging is established.

(2) In the aspect (1), when the power supply permission information received from the electric vehicle that does not need to be charged includes a state in which power supply to another vehicle is permitted, the determination unit determines whether or not matching between the electric vehicle that does not need to be charged and the electric vehicle that needs to be charged is established; when the power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not require charging includes a state in which power supply to another vehicle is not permitted, the determination unit does not determine whether or not the electric vehicle that does not require charging matches the electric vehicle that requires charging.

(3) An information providing method according to an aspect of the present invention is executed by an information providing apparatus including a communication unit that is communicable with an in-vehicle communication device of each of a plurality of electric vehicles or a terminal device of a user, the information providing method including:

and a storage unit that stores vehicle notification information received by the communication unit, the vehicle notification information including vehicle identification information, position information, and information indicating a charging state of each of one or more electric vehicles, the vehicle notification information being received from an electric vehicle that does not need to be charged, the vehicle notification information being based on the vehicle notification information and power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not need to be charged, and the vehicle notification information received from an electric vehicle that needs to be charged, the vehicle notification information being stored in the storage unit.

(4) A computer-readable medium according to an aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable medium storing a program that is executed by an information providing apparatus including a communication unit that is communicable with an in-vehicle communication device of each of a plurality of electric vehicles or a terminal device of a user, the program causing the information providing apparatus to execute:

and a storage unit that stores vehicle notification information received by the communication unit, the vehicle notification information including vehicle identification information, position information, and information indicating a charging state of each of one or more electric vehicles, the vehicle notification information being received from an electric vehicle that does not need to be charged, the vehicle notification information being based on the vehicle notification information and power supply availability information received from the electric vehicle that does not need to be charged, and the vehicle notification information received from an electric vehicle that needs to be charged, the vehicle notification information being stored in the storage unit.

(Effect of the invention)

According to (1) to (4), the convenience of charging between the electric vehicles can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system 1 including an information providing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of an electric vehicle 200 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the vehicle information 151.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the user information 152.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the vehicle notification information 153.

Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing steps of the power supply matching service executed in the information providing system 1 of the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing steps of the power supply matching service executed in the information providing system 1 of the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and a computer-readable medium storing a program according to the present invention will be described below.

[ information providing System 1]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information providing system 1 including an information providing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The information providing system 1 includes: an information providing device 100, electric vehicles 200-1 to 200-n (n > 2), a terminal device 300 used by one or more users U, and one or more electric vehicles 200U used by the users U. Here, one or more electric vehicles 200U are included in the electric vehicles 200-1 to 200-n, and are vehicles used by one or more users U.

In the information providing system 1, the information providing device 100, the electric vehicles 200-1 to 200-n, the one or more terminal devices 300, and the one or more electric vehicles 200u are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network NW. The Network NW includes the internet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a public line, a provider device, a private line, a wireless base station, and the like. In the present embodiment, the electric vehicles 200-1 to 200-n travel or stop near the information providing apparatus 100, or stop in a parking lot near the information providing apparatus 100.

[ electric vehicle 200]

Next, the electric vehicles 200-1 to 200-n will be described. In the following description, any one of the electrically powered vehicles 200-1 to 200-n is referred to as "electrically powered vehicle 200" or "electrically powered vehicle", "vehicle", etc., without reference.

The electric vehicle 200 included in the information providing system 1 is a moving body such as four wheels. The electric vehicle 200 is an electric vehicle that runs by driving a motor with electric power stored in a battery (secondary battery) or a hybrid vehicle that can be driven by a motor.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electric vehicle 200 of the embodiment. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of an electric vehicle 200 that is not an autonomous vehicle. In addition, some or all of the electric vehicles 200-1 to 200-n may be autonomous vehicles.

As shown in fig. 2, electric vehicle 200 includes motor 212, drive wheel 214, brake device 216, vehicle sensor 220, and Power Control Unit (PCU) 230, and electric vehicle 200 includes battery 240, battery sensor 242, vehicle-mounted communication device 250, navigation device 260, charging interface 270, and connection circuit 272.

The motor 212 is, for example, a three-phase alternating current motor. The rotor of the motor 212 is coupled to a drive wheel 214. The motor 212 outputs power generated from the supplied electric power to the drive wheels 214. Further, when electrically powered vehicle 200 decelerates, motor 212 generates electric power using kinetic energy possessed by electrically powered vehicle 200.

The braking device 216 includes, for example: the brake system includes a caliper, a cylinder that transmits hydraulic pressure to the caliper, and an electric motor that generates hydraulic pressure in the cylinder. The braking device 216 may include the following means: the hydraulic pressure generated by operating the brake pedal is transmitted to the hydraulic cylinder via the master cylinder. The brake device 216 is not limited to the above-described structure, and may be an electronically controlled hydraulic brake device that transmits the hydraulic pressure of the master cylinder to the cylinder.

The vehicle sensor 220 includes an accelerator pedal opening sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a brake pedal depression amount sensor. An accelerator opening sensor is an example of an operation element that receives an acceleration command from a driver. The accelerator opening degree sensor is attached to an accelerator pedal (corresponding to an accelerator pedal of a fuel-fired vehicle), detects an operation amount of the accelerator pedal, and outputs the detected operation amount of the accelerator pedal to the control portion 236 as an accelerator opening degree. The vehicle speed sensor includes, for example, a wheel rotation speed sensor mounted on each wheel and a speed computer, integrates the wheel rotation speeds measured by the wheel rotation speed sensors to calculate the speed (vehicle speed) of the electric vehicle, and outputs the speed to the control unit 236. The brake pedal depression amount sensor is attached to the brake pedal, detects the operation amount of the brake pedal, and outputs the detected operation amount of the brake pedal to the control unit 236 as a brake depression amount.

PCU 230 includes a converter 232, a Voltage Control Unit (VCU) 234, and a Control Unit 236. Note that fig. 2 shows an example of a structure in which these components are integrated as PCU 230. Some or all of these components may be disposed in a dispersed manner inside electric powered vehicle 200.

The converter 232 is, for example, an AC-DC (alternating current-direct current) converter. The dc-side terminal of the converter 232 is connected to the dc link DL. A battery 240 is connected to the dc link DL via a VCU 234. The converter 232 converts the ac power generated by the motor 212 into dc power and outputs the dc power to the dc link DL.

The VCU 234 is, for example, a DC-DC (direct current-direct current) converter. The VCU 234 boosts the electric power supplied from the battery 240 and outputs the boosted electric power to the dc link DL.

The control unit 236 includes, for example, a motor control unit, a brake control unit, a battery/VCU control unit, and the like. The motor control unit, the brake control unit, and the battery/VCU control unit may be replaced with separate control devices, for example, control devices such as a motor ECU (electronic control unit), a brake ECU, and a battery ECU.

The motor control unit controls the motor 212 based on the output of the vehicle sensor 220. The brake control unit controls the brake device 216 based on the output of the vehicle sensor 220. The battery/VCU control unit calculates a State Of Charge (SOC) Of battery 240 based on an output Of battery sensor 242 mounted on battery 240, and outputs the SOC calculation result to VCU 234 and on-vehicle communication device 250. SOC is an example of information indicating the state of charge of battery 240. The VCU 234 increases the voltage of the dc link DL in accordance with an instruction from the battery/VCU control unit.

Battery 240 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. Battery 240 stores electric power introduced from charger 274 outside electric powered vehicle 200, and discharges electric power to cause electric powered vehicle 200 to travel.

The navigation device 260 includes, for example, a GNSS receiver 262, a navigation control device 264, and a display device 266. The GNSS receiver 262 measures the position of the vehicle (the position of the electric vehicle 200) based on radio waves from GNSS (global navigation satellite system) satellites (for example, GPS (global positioning system) satellites). The navigation control device 264 includes, for example, a CPU and various storage devices, and controls the entire navigation device 260. The storage device stores map information (navigation map). A navigation map is a map in which roads are represented by nodes and links.

The navigation control device 264 refers to the navigation map and determines a route to the destination based on the position of the electric vehicle 200 measured by the GNSS receiver 262. Here, the destination may be specified by using, for example, position information of the electric vehicle 200 included in the electric power supply disclosure notification (described later). The navigation control device 264 may transmit the position and destination of the electric vehicle 200 to a navigation server (not shown) using the in-vehicle communication device 250, and acquire a route returned from the navigation server. The path may include: information on a position where an electric vehicle 200 of a user who is permitted to supply power (hereinafter, also referred to as "power supply-side electric vehicle") is parked in a parking lot, and the like. The navigation control device 264 outputs information on the route determined by any of the above methods to the display device 266.

The display device 266 displays information corresponding to the control of the navigation control device 264. The display device 266 displays a navigation screen based on information output from the navigation control device 264. On the display device 266, for example, a route or the like by which the electric vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as "electric vehicle on the power receiving side") 200 of the user who has requested charging navigates to the vicinity of the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side is displayed. Furthermore, GNSS receiver 262 outputs the positioning result of the position of electric vehicle 200, that is, the position information to on-vehicle communication device 250.

The battery sensor 242 includes, for example: sensors such as current sensors, voltage sensors, and temperature sensors. The battery sensor 242 detects, for example, a current value, a voltage value, and a temperature of the battery 240. The battery sensor 242 outputs information indicating the detected current value, voltage value, and temperature to the control unit 236 and the in-vehicle communication device 250. The battery sensor 242 may include a plurality of sensors such as a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a temperature sensor. When a plurality of sensors are provided, the battery sensor 242 may include a battery sensor identifier in the information on the display current value, the voltage value, and the temperature output to the control unit 236. The battery sensor identifier is an identifier that can identify a plurality of sensors provided in the electric vehicle 200. The battery sensor identifier may also be represented by, for example, a predetermined alphanumeric number.

The in-vehicle communication device 250 includes a wireless module for connecting to the internet, WAN, LAN, public line, provider device, private line, wireless base station, and the like. The in-vehicle communication device 250 acquires information indicating the current value, the voltage value, and the temperature output from the battery sensor 242. Further, in-vehicle communication device 250 acquires the calculation result of the SOC output by control unit 236. The in-vehicle communication device 250 acquires the position information of the electric vehicle 200 output by the GNSS receiver 262. The in-vehicle communication device 250 acquires the battery identification information stored as the internal information.

When the user performs an operation of openly permitting power supply to the terminal device 300, the in-vehicle communication device 250 creates a power supply disclosure notification to the information providing device 100, the power supply disclosure notification including: the vehicle information system includes vehicle identification information, vehicle notification information indicating a charging state of the vehicle and vehicle position information, and power supply availability information. The vehicle position information also includes, for example, information indicating the parking position of the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side in the parking lot. The power supply propriety information is information showing whether or not the supply of power is permitted. When the user allows the supply of electric power to another electric vehicle, the state of the power supply propriety information is set to "ON". The power supply disclosure notification may include information indicating power supply conditions such as a stop time, a charging method, and a usage fee of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the power supply-side electric vehicle 200 shows a case of "an electric vehicle that does not require charging".

In addition, when the user performs an operation of requesting charging on the terminal device 300, the in-vehicle communication device 250 creates a charging request notification to the information providing device 100, the charging request notification including: vehicle notification information including vehicle identification information, information showing a charging state of the vehicle, vehicle position information, and information requesting charging. In the present embodiment, the power-reception-side electric vehicle 200 shows one case of "an electric vehicle that requires charging".

The in-vehicle communication device 250 transmits the created power supply disclosure notification or charging request notification to the information providing device 100 via the network NW shown in fig. 1.

Charging interface 270 is provided toward the outside of the vehicle body of electric vehicle 200. Charging interface 270 is connected to charger 274 via charging cable 276. The charging cable 276 is provided with a first plug 275 and a second plug 277. First plug 275 is connected to charger 274 and second plug 277 is connected to charging interface 270. The electric power supplied from charger 274 is supplied to charging interface 270 via charging cable 276. Charger 274 is an example of a charging device. Further, the charging cable 276 includes a signal cable attached to the power supply cable. The signal cable mediates communication between the electric vehicle 200 and the charger 274. Therefore, a power connector and a signal connector are provided on the first plug 275 and the second plug 277, respectively.

Connection circuit 272 is provided between charging interface 270 and battery 240. Connection circuit 272 transfers a current, such as a direct current, introduced from charger 274 via charging interface 270. Connection circuit 272 transmits the direct current to battery 240.

[ information providing apparatus 100]

The information providing apparatus 100 is an apparatus that provides a power supply matching service between the electric vehicle 200 that has transmitted the power supply disclosure notification and the electric vehicle 200 that has transmitted the charging request notification. The functions of the information providing apparatus 100 are realized by, for example, a personal computer, a server, an industrial computer, and the like.

As shown in fig. 1, the information providing apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 110, a reception unit 120, a determination unit 130, a management unit 140, and a storage unit 150.

The communication section 110 is realized by a communication module. Specifically, the communication unit 110 is configured by a device that performs wired communication. The communication unit 110 may be configured by a wireless device supporting a wireless communication technology such as LTE (registered trademark) and wireless LAN. Communication unit 110 communicates between terminal device 300 of user U and on-vehicle communication device 250 included in electric powered vehicle 200 via network NW.

When the power supply disclosure notification output from the communication unit 110 is acquired, the reception unit 120 outputs the acquired power supply disclosure notification to the determination unit 130. The reception unit 120 acquires vehicle identification information, information indicating the state of charge of the vehicle, and vehicle position information included in the vehicle notification information of the acquired power supply public notification, associates these pieces of information with each other, and stores the information as vehicle notification information 153 (described later) of the storage unit 150. The reception unit 120 executes the same processing when receiving the charging request notification from the communication unit 110.

The determination unit 130 determines whether or not matching between the electric vehicle on the power supply side and the electric vehicle on the power reception side is established based on the electric power supply public information transmitted from the electric vehicle on the power supply side and the charge request notification transmitted from the electric vehicle on the power reception side. The detailed function of the determination unit 130 is described below.

When determination unit 130 determines that the electric vehicle on the power supply side and the electric vehicle on the power reception side are established, management unit 140 moves the electric vehicle on the power reception side to the vicinity of the electric vehicle on the power supply side. The detailed functions of the management unit 140 are described below.

The storage unit 150 is implemented by a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a flash Memory, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), and the like. The storage unit 150 stores map information (navigation map) in addition to, for example, vehicle information 151, user information 152, and vehicle notification information 153, which will be described later. In addition, some or all of the information may be stored in a storage device connected to the network NW.

Here, specific examples of the vehicle information 151, the user information 152, and the vehicle notification information 153 stored in the storage unit 150 will be described.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the vehicle information 151. The vehicle information 151 is information in a table format that associates vehicle identification information of the electric vehicle 200 with an address of an in-vehicle communication device mounted on the electric vehicle 200. An example of the address of the in-vehicle communication device is an IP address. These pieces of information are registered when the electric vehicle 200 is introduced into the information providing system 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the user information 152. The user information 152 is information in the form of a table that associates a user ID, vehicle identification information of the electric vehicle 200 used by the user corresponding to the user ID, and a contact address of the user corresponding to the user ID. An example of a user's contact address is an email address. These pieces of information are registered when the user starts using the electric vehicle 200.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the vehicle notification information 153. The vehicle notification information 153 is information in a table form that associates vehicle identification information of the electric vehicle 200, information showing the state of charge of the electric vehicle 200, and vehicle position information of the electric vehicle 200. The vehicle position information of the electric vehicle 200 is represented by, for example, the longitude and latitude of map information (navigation map). Information indicating the state of charge of electrically powered vehicle 200 is represented by, for example, the SOC (state of charge) of battery 240 mounted on electrically powered vehicle 200.

The reception Unit 120, the determination Unit 130, and the management Unit 140 are realized by a hardware processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) executing a program (software) stored in the storage Unit 150. Some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware (including a Circuit Unit) such as a Large Scale Integrated Circuit (LSI), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), or may be realized by cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (storage device including a non-transitory storage medium) such as a Hard Disk Drive (Hard Disk Drive; HDD) or a flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or a CD-ROM, and installed by setting the storage medium in the Drive device.

[ terminal device 300]

The terminal device 300 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like held by a user. In the terminal device 300, an application, a browser, or the like for using the information providing system 1 is started to support various functions and actions. An example of the terminal device 300 is a smartphone, and it is assumed that an application has been started.

[ operation of information providing System 1]

Fig. 6 and 7 are sequence diagrams showing steps of the power supply matching service executed in the information providing system 1 of the embodiment.

First, with reference to a timing chart shown in fig. 6, the following items are described: in the information providing system 1, the information providing device 100 receives a power supply disclosure notification from one or more electric vehicles 200.

In the electric vehicles 200-1 to 200-n, a user who has been permitted to supply power to another vehicle performs an operation of publicly permitting power supply via the terminal device 300. When an operation of openly permitting power supply is performed by a user, a power supply disclosure notification to the information providing apparatus 100 is created, the power supply disclosure notification including: the vehicle identification information, the information indicating the charging state of the vehicle, the vehicle position information, the vehicle notification information, and the power supply availability information (state ON) are included (step S1).

The terminal device 300 transmits the created power supply disclosure notification to the information providing device 100 (step S2).

In the information providing apparatus 100, the communication section 110 receives a power supply disclosure notification from a user who has permitted power supply (step S3).

In the information providing apparatus 100, the communication unit 110 outputs the received power supply disclosure notification to the reception unit 120. The reception unit 120 acquires the power supply disclosure notification output from the communication unit 110, acquires the vehicle identification information, the information indicating the state of charge of the vehicle, and the vehicle position information included in the vehicle notification information of the acquired power supply disclosure notification, and acquires the power supply availability information. The reception unit 120 stores the acquired vehicle identification information, the information indicating the state of charge of the vehicle, the vehicle position information, and the power supply availability information in association with each other as the vehicle notification information 153 of the storage unit 150 (step S4). Further, when one or more electric vehicles 200 on the power supply side exist, the power supply disclosure notification is transmitted by each electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side, respectively. At this time, the information providing apparatus 100 performs the same processing as steps S1 to S4 on the power supply disclosure notification transmitted from the corresponding electric vehicle 200.

Next, with reference to the sequence diagram shown in fig. 7, a description will be given of steps when the information providing apparatus 100 receives a charge request notification from a user in the information providing system 1. Here, matching between electric vehicle 200U of user U who requests charging and electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side will be described.

The user U who requests charging performs an operation of requesting charging from another electric vehicle 200 via the terminal device 300. The terminal device 300 creates a charging request notification including the vehicle notification information of the electric vehicle 200U and the information requesting charging, which is transmitted to the information providing device 100, when an operation requesting charging is performed by the user U (step S11).

The terminal device 300 transmits the created charging request notification to the information providing device 100 (step S12).

In the information providing apparatus 100, the communication unit 110 receives the charging request notification transmitted from the terminal apparatus 300 (step S13).

In the information providing apparatus 100, the communication unit 110 outputs the received charge request notification to the reception unit 120. The reception unit 120 acquires the charge request notification output from the communication unit 110, and acquires the vehicle identification information, the information indicating the charge state of the vehicle, and the vehicle position information included in the vehicle notification information of the acquired charge request notification. The reception unit 120 associates the acquired vehicle identification information, the information indicating the state of charge of the vehicle, and the vehicle position information with each other, and stores the information as the vehicle notification information 153 of the storage unit 150 (step S14). The vehicle notification information 153 is stored as information of the electric vehicle 200u that requests charging, based on the vehicle identification information assigned to each electric vehicle 200.

In information providing apparatus 100, determination unit 130 determines whether or not matching between power supply-side electric vehicle 200 and power reception-side electric vehicle 200u is established, based on the power supply disclosure information of power supply-side electric vehicle 200 and the charge request notification of power reception-side electric vehicle 200u (step S15).

Further, when the power supply availability information included in the power supply disclosure notification of the electric vehicle 200 ON the power supply side includes a state (ON) in which power supply to another vehicle is permitted, the determination section 130 performs determination as to whether or not the electric vehicle 200 ON the power supply side and the electric vehicle 200u ON the power receiving side match. On the other hand, when the power supply availability information included in the power supply disclosure notification of the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side includes a state (OFF) in which power supply to another vehicle is not permitted, the determination section 130 does not perform determination as to whether matching of the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side and the electric vehicle 200u on the power receiving side is established.

Determination unit 130 calculates the distance between power-receiving-side electric vehicle 200u and power-supplying-side electric vehicle 200 based on vehicle position information acquired from vehicle notification information 153 of power-supplying-side electric vehicle 200. When the calculated distance is equal to or less than the threshold, the determination unit 130 determines that one of the matching conditions is satisfied.

When the SOC (charging rate) is equal to or greater than the SOC threshold value based on the information indicating the state of charge acquired from the vehicle notification information 153 of the electric vehicle 200 on the same power supply side, the determination unit 130 determines that the other one of the matching conditions is satisfied. The SOC threshold value is determined in consideration of ensuring a required minimum SOC in the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side after electric power has been supplied to the electric vehicle 200u on the power reception side.

The determination unit 130 determines the fitting of the vehicles, for example, whether or not the specifications, charging methods, and the like of the battery 240 mounted on the electric vehicle 200 match, and determines that the matching between the two vehicles is established when these conditions match. Further, when there are a plurality of electric vehicles 200 on the power supply side, matching with the electric vehicle 200u on the power reception side is performed for each electric vehicle 200. When matching is established for a plurality of electric vehicles 200, the determination unit 130 selects one of the electric vehicles 200. For example, the electric vehicle 200 closest to the electric vehicle 200u on the power receiving side may be selected, or the electric vehicle 200 having the highest SOC (charging rate) may be selected. Determination unit 130 selects an electric vehicle 200 that is entrusted with power supply from among one or more electric vehicles 200 for which matching is established (step S16). Hereinafter, the electrically powered vehicle 200 that is entrusted with power feeding is also referred to as "electrically powered vehicle 200 on the power feeding side".

The management unit 140 acquires the vehicle notification information of the power reception-side electric vehicle 200u, the vehicle notification information of the power supply-side electric vehicle 200, the map information stored in the storage unit 150, and the like, and specifies, based on these pieces of information, a place where the power reception-side electric vehicle 200u and the power supply-side electric vehicle 200 merge, for example, a parking space (merging place) adjacent to the power supply-side electric vehicle 200 in a parking lot, and creates a merging guidance notification including the position information of the place (step S17).

The management unit 140 outputs the created fusion guidance notification to the communication unit 110. The communication unit 110 transmits the junction guidance notification output from the management unit 140 to the electric vehicle 200u on the power receiving side (step S18). Note that, although not shown, the management unit 140 transmits a notification to the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side to the effect that the electric vehicle 200u on the power reception side reaches the vicinity.

After that, the navigation device 260 of the electric vehicle 200u that has requested the charging guides the driver to the parking space that is the junction point based on the position information and the like included in the junction guide notification. Thus, the driver of the power receiving-side electric vehicle 200u can perform power supply between the electric vehicles by parking the vehicle in the parking space adjacent to the power supplying-side electric vehicle 200. The power supply may be performed by using the charging cable 276 (see fig. 2) or by using wireless power supply.

According to the information providing apparatus 100 of the above-described embodiment, the user who is permitted to supply power can park the vehicle in a parking lot or the like in advance, thereby supplying power to another electric vehicle using his own idle time. In addition, the user who requests charging can immediately obtain power supply from a vehicle with a high charging rate without waiting at the charging station but in a nearby parking lot or the like. Therefore, in the information providing apparatus 100 of the embodiment, the convenience of charging between the electric vehicles can be improved.

In the information providing apparatus 100 of the embodiment, when the power supply availability information included in the power supply disclosure notification of the power supply-side electric vehicle includes a state (OFF) in which power supply to another vehicle is not permitted, the determination section 130 does not determine whether or not there is a match between the power supply-side electric vehicle and the power receiving-side electric vehicle. Therefore, in the information providing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress a problem that the electric vehicle on the power receiving side is erroneously guided to the vicinity of the electric vehicle that does not permit power supply.

While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made, and they are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. The effects described in the embodiments are not limited to the most preferable effects produced by the present disclosure, and are not limited to the contents described in the embodiments.

When the power supply disclosure notification received from the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side includes information showing the usage fee as the power supply condition, the information providing apparatus 100 may transmit the information to the terminal apparatus 300 of the user who requests charging, and determine matching only when agreement is obtained.

In the wireless power supply, when the electric vehicle 200 on the power supply side moves to another location, in the information providing apparatus 100, a new electric vehicle 200 that is entrusted with power supply may be selected, and a junction guidance notification for joining the electric vehicle 200 may be transmitted to the electric vehicle 200u on the power reception side.

In the wireless power supply process, when a person passes between the vehicles, power transmission may be temporarily stopped. The passage of a person between vehicles can be detected by a peripheral detection device (e.g., a human body sensor, etc.) provided on any one of the electric vehicles.

When determining a match, determination unit 130 of information providing apparatus 100 refers to information indicating the state of charge of the vehicle, and determines that one of the conditions for the match is not satisfied when the SOC of the vehicle is lower than the SOC threshold value. However, in the hybrid vehicle, even when the SOC is low, the engine may be driven to supply power to another vehicle. At this time, a user of the hybrid vehicle who desires to supply electric power to another vehicle transmits a power supply disclosure notification including information instructing the driving of the engine to supply power. Thus, even when the SOC is lower than the SOC threshold value, the determination unit 130 establishes one of the conditions for determining the matching state of charge of the vehicle, and the possibility that the corresponding vehicle is selected as the electric vehicle on the power supply side is increased.

Reference numerals

1 information providing system

100 information providing device

110 communication part

120 receiving unit

130 determination unit

140 management part

150 storage unit

200-1 to 200-n, 200, 200u electric vehicle

240 storage battery

250 vehicle-mounted communication device

260 navigation device

300 terminal device

NW network