Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1 to 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Japanese Patent Pub. No.: JP2021056595A assigned to AISIN and filed in 2021.
AISIN discloses “…1. A charging system for a vehicle equipped with a battery, the charging system
comprising:
a first vehicle and a second vehicle; and
a server, wherein:
the first vehicle acquires power supply information about a power supply status of power supplied to the first vehicle by at least one charger of a plurality of chargers disposed to charge the battery, and transmits the power supply information to the server; and (See FIG. 1 where the server can track which vehicles can charge with what stations and to avoid other stations that are abnormal As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system 2 according to the present embodiment includes a server device (information providing device) 1 included in the information distribution center 3 and a navigation device 5 which is a communication (guidance) terminal mounted on the vehicle 4. And basically have. Further, the server device 1 and the navigation device 5 are configured to be able to send and receive electronic data to and from each other via the communication network 6. Instead of the navigation device 5, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer may be used.
Further, the vehicle 4 is a vehicle equipped with at least a motor as a drive source and an in-vehicle battery 7 as a means for supplying electric power to the motor as the drive source, and the in-vehicle battery 7 can be charged in the charging facility. Make it a possible vehicle. Applicable vehicles include electric vehicles (hereinafter referred to as EV vehicles) that use only a motor as a drive source, and hybrid vehicles that use both a motor and an engine as a drive source, especially plug-in hybrid vehicles (hereinafter, PHV vehicles). There is).
Here, the server device 1 collects various information from the vehicle 4 and the charging facility, and by statisticizing the collected information, determines (detects) a defect of the charging facility (charger) particularly provided in the charging facility. Do. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a problem with the interface with the user in the charging facility provided in the charging facility. Then, the server device 1 provides various information based on the determination result of the above-mentioned defect. For example, information that identifies a charging facility that is determined to have a problem with the interface is distributed, or a route that prevents the charging facility that is determined to have a problem in the route search process from being selected as a stopover as described later. And deliver the searched route. Details will be described later.
Further, the server device 1 executes the route search in response to the request of the navigation device 5. Specifically, when a destination is set in the navigation device 5 or when re-searching (reroute) a route, it is necessary to search for a route such as a departure point or a destination from the navigation device 5 to the server device 1. The information is transmitted together with the route search request (however, in the case of re-search, the information about the destination does not necessarily have to be transmitted). Then, the server device 1 that has received the route search request performs a route search using the map information possessed by the server device 1 and specifies a recommended route from the departure point to the destination. After that, the specified recommended route is transmitted to the requesting navigation device 5. Then, the navigation device 5 provides the user with information on the received recommended route, sets the recommended route as the guide route, and performs movement guidance according to the guide route. As a result, even if the map information possessed by the navigation device 5 at the time of route search is an old version of the map information or the navigation device 5 does not have the map information itself, the latest version of the map possessed by the server device 1 It is possible to provide a recommended route to an appropriate destination based on the information.
Further, the server device 1 is for a charging facility that charges the vehicle-mounted battery 7 when the energy (remaining power amount) stored in the vehicle-mounted battery 7 is insufficient for the energy required for traveling to the destination. It is also selected in consideration of the availability of the charging facility and the troubles that occur in the charging facility, and the recommended route to the destination with the selected charging facility as the transit point is also searched.
However, the above-mentioned route search process does not necessarily have to be performed by the server device 1, and the navigation device 5 may perform the route search process as long as it has map information. Further, in that case, when selecting the charging facility as the transit point, it is desirable to acquire the information on the malfunction of the charging facility from the server device 1.
Further, the server device 1 is communicably connected to the charging facility management server 8 that manages charging facilities all over the country. The charging facility management server 8 monitors the availability of the charging space provided in the charging facility to be managed. Furthermore, it also has information on the location of the charging facility, the maximum charging time, the available time zone, the usage fee, the compatible vehicle type, and the like. Then, the charging facility management server 8 appropriately transmits information such as the current vacancy state of the charging space of the charging facility and other charging facilities in response to a request from the server device 1 as described later. The information about the charging facility acquired from the charging facility management server 8 is used for selecting the charging facility when performing a route search in the server device 1 and for determining (detecting) a malfunction of the charging facility provided in the charging facility as described later. Be done.)
the server determines health of the at least one charger based on the power supply information received from the first vehicle, and provides health information about the health of the at least one charger to a user of the first vehicle or the second vehicle, or users of the first vehicle and the second vehicle”. (See FIG. 8 where a defect in the charging equipment can be stored by the server and provided to the user that the display is broken or this charged has an abnormality. Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change.
Then, when it is determined that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or more and there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port is less than the threshold value (S22: YES). That is, when there is a vehicle in which the vehicle-mounted battery 7 is not charged even though the user intends to charge the vehicle-mounted battery 7, the process proceeds to S23. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power supply port has been opened for a predetermined time or longer and there is no data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port is less than the threshold value (S22: NO), that is, when there is no vehicle in which the vehicle-mounted battery 7 is not charged even though the user intends to charge the vehicle-mounted battery 7, the process proceeds to S23.
Subsequent processing of S23 to S29 is executed for each data corresponding to the determination condition of S22. Then, after executing the processes of S23 to S29 for all the data corresponding to the determination condition of S22, the defect determination processing program is terminated.
First, in S23, the CPU 21 acquires from the collection information DB 14 the position coordinates at which the vehicle opens the power supply port in the data to be processed.)
AISIN discloses “…2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the health information includes location information of the at least one charger.” (Further, the server device 1 is communicably connected to the vehicle 4 traveling in various parts of the country via the navigation device 5 and the like. Then, the server device 1 collects information on the usage history of the charging facility from the vehicle 4 that uses the charging facility. The usage history includes opening and closing of the power supply port of the vehicle 4, change in the remaining amount of the in-vehicle battery 7 before and after opening and closing of the power supply port, the traveling route of the vehicle, information on the charging facility in the navigation device 5, and the search history of the route. There is. The collected usage history of the charging facility is used for determining (detecting) a malfunction of the charging facility provided in the charging facility as described later.
In addition, the communication network 6 includes a large number of base stations located all over the country and a communication company that manages and controls each base station, and the base stations and communication companies are connected to each other by wire (optical fiber, ISDN, etc.) or wirelessly. It is configured by connecting. Here, the base station has a transceiver (transmitter / receiver) and an antenna for communicating with the navigation device 5. Then, while the base station performs wireless communication between the communication companies, it becomes the terminal of the communication network 6 and relays the communication of the navigation device 5 within the range (cell) of the radio wave of the base station to the server device 1. Has a role to play.
Subsequently, the configuration of the server device 1 in the information providing system 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 1 includes a server control ECU 11, a server-side map DB 12 as an information recording means connected to the server control ECU 11, a charging facility DB 13, a collection information DB 14, a free history DB 15, and a server. A side communication device 16 is provided.
The server control ECU 11 (electronic control unit) is an electronic control unit that controls the entire server device 1, and is used as a computing device, a CPU 21 as a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to the RAM 22 and the control program, the information collection processing program (FIG. 7), the defect determination processing program (FIG. 8), the defect resolution determination processing program (FIG. 10), etc., which will be described later, are read from the recorded ROM 23 and ROM 23. It is provided with an internal storage device such as a flash memory 24 for storing the program. The server control ECU 11 has various means as a processing algorithm together with the ECU of the navigation device 5 described later. For example, the charging facility information acquisition means acquires the availability of the charging facility provided in the charging facility for the charging facility capable of charging the in-vehicle battery 7 that supplies electric power to the drive source of the vehicle. The usage history acquisition means acquires the usage history of the vehicle using the charging facility. The failure determination means determines a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging facility based on the availability of the charging facility and the usage history of the vehicle.
On the other hand, the server-side map DB 12 is a storage means for storing server-side map information, which is the latest version of map information registered based on external input data and input operations. Here, the server-side map information is composed of various information necessary for route search, route guidance, and map display, including the road network. For example, network data including nodes and links indicating the road network, link data related to roads (links), node data related to node points, intersection data related to each intersection, point data related to points such as facilities, and map display for displaying a map. It consists of data, search data for searching a route, search data for searching a point, and the like.
In addition, the charging facility DB 13 is a storage means for storing various information related to charging facilities located all over the country. Here, the "charging facility" is a facility capable of charging the in-vehicle battery 7 included in the vehicle 4, has a stop space for stopping the vehicle, and further has an operation panel and an operation panel around the stop space. Generally, a charging facility consisting of a cable or the like connected to the vehicle is installed. In addition to the dedicated facility for charging the vehicle, the charging facility may be provided in a part of the parking lot of a commercial facility such as a shopping mall, a car dealership, a coin parking lot, or the like.
Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the charging facility DB 13. As shown in Fig. 3, for charging facilities located all over the country, the facility ID, facility name (or the name of the other facility if it is provided in a part of another facility), the location of the charging facility, and the upper limit of charging. Stores information about time. Here, the "charging upper limit time" indicates the upper limit time that can be charged by one charge predetermined in the charging facility, and even if the in-vehicle battery 7 is not fully charged, it is basically charged for more than the upper limit time. It cannot be done continuously.
For example, in the charging facility DB 13 shown in FIG. 3, there is a charging facility in the parking lot of "○○ mall" at the position coordinates (x1, y1), and the upper limit of charging time is 2 hours. Information about the charging facility other than the above information (for example, the number of charging spaces, usage fee, available time zone, compatible vehicle type, etc.) may be stored in the charging facility DB 13.
On the other hand, the collected information DB 14 is a storage means for storing information regarding the usage history of the charging facility collected from the vehicle 4 using the charging facility. Here, as the usage history of the charging facility collected from the vehicle, the opening / closing of the power supply port of the vehicle 4, the change in the remaining amount of the in-vehicle battery 7 before and after the opening / closing of the power supply port, the traveling route of the vehicle (the position coordinates of the vehicle). History), information about the charging facility in the navigation device 5, route search history, and the like.
Here, FIG. 4 shows an example of information on the usage history stored in the collected information DB 14, particularly the change in the remaining amount of the in-vehicle battery 7 before and after the opening / closing of the power supply port of the vehicle 4 and the opening / closing of the power supply port. It is a figure. As shown in FIG. 4, the collected information DB 14 contains the position coordinates of the vehicle 4 opening and closing the power supply port in the past, the time when the power supply port was opened, the date and time when the power supply port was opened and closed, and the power supply. The remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening the mouth and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port are stored in association with the ID for identifying the vehicle. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the time when the vehicle with ID “A” opened and closed the power supply port at 9:00:03 on November 2 (x1, y1) and the power supply port was opened. It is stored in "T1" that the SOC value at the time of opening the power supply port was "S1" and the SOC value at the time of closing the power supply port was "S2". Similarly, information on other usage histories is stored below.
Further, the free history DB 15 is a storage means for storing the history of the free state of the charging space of the charging facilities nationwide. Here, as described above, the server device 1 is communicably connected to the charging facility management server 8 that manages the charging facilities all over the country, and the charging facility management server 8 sets the current vacancy state of the charging space of the charging facility. Obtain from as appropriate. In the vacancy history DB 15, the vacancy status of each charging facility nationwide in the past acquired from the charging facility management server 8 is stored in association with the date and time.
Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information regarding the history of the vacancy state of the charging facility stored in the vacancy history DB 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the vacancy history DB 15 stores whether or not there is a vacancy in the charging space for each charging facility and each date and time. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, for the charging facility with the facility ID “10001”, there is a vacancy in the charging space from 9:00:00 to 9:00:04: 00 on November 2, and after 9:00:05: 00. It is remembered that the charging space was full. Similarly, the history of availability of other charging facilities is also stored. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the free state is stored every minute, but the free state may be stored at shorter intervals or longer intervals.
On the other hand, the server-side communication device 16 is a communication device for communicating with the navigation device 5 and the charging facility management server 8 of each vehicle 4 via the communication network 6. In addition to the navigation device 5, traffic consisting of traffic information such as traffic congestion information, regulation information, and traffic accident information transmitted from an Internet network, a traffic information center, for example, a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center, etc. It is also possible to receive information.
Next, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 5 mounted on the vehicle 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment includes a current position detection unit 31 that detects the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 5 is mounted, a data recording unit 32 in which various data are recorded, and a data recording unit 32. A navigation ECU 33 that performs various arithmetic processes based on the input information, an operation unit 34 that accepts operations from the user, and a liquid crystal display 35 that displays a map around the vehicle, information on the traveling route, etc. to the user. A speaker 36 that outputs voice guidance regarding route guidance, a DVD drive 37 that reads a DVD as a storage medium, and a communication module 38 that communicates between an information distribution center 3 and an information center such as a VICS center. .. Further, the navigation device 5 is connected to the battery remaining amount meter 39 mounted on the vehicle 4 via an in-vehicle network such as CAN.
Hereinafter, each component of the navigation device 5 will be described in order.
The current position detection unit 31 includes a GPS 41, a vehicle speed sensor 42, a steering sensor 43, a gyro sensor 44, and the like, and can detect the current position, direction, vehicle running speed, current time, and the like of the vehicle. .. Here, in particular, the vehicle speed sensor 42 is a sensor for detecting the moving distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, generates a pulse according to the rotation of the drive wheel of the vehicle, and outputs the pulse signal to the navigation ECU 33. Then, the navigation ECU 33 calculates the rotation speed and the moving distance of the drive wheels by counting the generated pulses. It is not necessary for the navigation device 5 to include all of the above four types of sensors, and the navigation device 5 may include only one or a plurality of of these sensors.
Further, the data recording unit 32 reads a hard disk (not shown) as an external storage device and a recording medium, a map information DB 45, a usage history DB 46, a predetermined program, etc. recorded on the hard disk, and outputs predetermined data to the hard disk. It is equipped with a recording head (not shown) that is a driver for writing. The data recording unit 32 may be configured by a flash memory, a memory card, or an optical disk such as a CD or DVD instead of the hard disk. Further, in the present embodiment, since the server device 1 searches for the route to the destination as described above, the map information DB 45 may be omitted.
Here, the map information DB 45 is, for example, link data related to a road (link), node data related to a node point, search data used for processing related to route search or change, facility data related to a facility, and a map for displaying a map. It is a storage means that stores display data, intersection data for each intersection, search data for searching a point, and the like.
Further, the usage history DB 46 is a storage means for storing information regarding the usage history of the charging facility when the vehicle has used the charging facility in the past. The usage history of the charging facility includes the opening and closing of the power supply port of the vehicle, the change in the remaining amount of the in-vehicle battery 7 before and after the opening and closing of the power supply port, the traveling route of the vehicle (history of the position coordinates of the vehicle), and the navigation device 5. There is information about charging facilities and a history of route searches. The information regarding the usage history of the charging facility stored in the usage history DB 46 is appropriately transmitted to the server device 1 as probe information together with the current position of the vehicle and the like.
On the other hand, the navigation ECU (electronic control unit) 33 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire navigation device 5, and is a computing device, a CPU 51 as a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 51 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to being used as a RAM 52 for storing route data when a route is searched for, a control program, and a ROM 53 and ROM 53 in which an information collection processing program (FIG. 7) described later is recorded are read. It is provided with an internal storage device such as a flash memory 54 for storing a program.
The operation unit 34 is operated when inputting a starting point as a traveling start point and a destination as a traveling end point, and is composed of a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as various keys and buttons. Then, the navigation ECU 33 controls to execute various corresponding operations based on the switch signals output by pressing each switch or the like. The operation unit 34 can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 35. It can also be configured by a microphone and a voice recognition device.
In addition, the liquid crystal display 35 has a map image including roads, traffic information, operation guidance, operation menus, key guidance, guidance information along the guidance route (scheduled travel route), news, weather forecast, time, mail, and television. Programs etc. are displayed.
Further, the speaker 36 outputs voice guidance for guiding the traveling along the guidance route (scheduled traveling route) and traffic information guidance based on the instruction from the navigation ECU 33.
The DVD drive 37 is a drive capable of reading data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or a CD. Then, based on the read data, music and video are reproduced, the map information DB 45 is updated, and the like. A card slot for reading and writing a memory card may be provided instead of the DVD drive 37.
Further, the communication module 38 is a communication device for receiving traffic information, weather information, etc. transmitted from a traffic information center, for example, a VICS center or other external center, and corresponds to, for example, a mobile phone or a DCM. It also includes a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device that communicates between vehicles and a road-to-vehicle communication device that communicates with a roadside unit. It is also used to send and receive probe information and distribution information to and from the server device 1.
Further, the battery remaining amount meter 39 is a sensor for detecting the amount of remaining energy of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 of the vehicle on which the navigation device 5 is mounted.
Subsequently, the information collection processing program executed by the server device 1 and the navigation device 5 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the information collection processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the information collection processing program is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 200 msec intervals) after the ACC power supply (accessory power supply) of the vehicle is turned on, and searches for information on the current position of the vehicle 4 and the usage history of the charging facility. This is a program collected by the server device 1 as information. The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 below are stored in the RAM 22 and ROM 23 of the server device 1 or the RAM 52 and ROM 53 of the navigation device 5 and are stored in the CPU 21 or It is executed by the CPU 51.
First, the information collection processing program executed by the navigation device 5 will be described.
In step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 51 transmits the current position coordinates of the vehicle detected by the current position detection unit 31 to the server device 1 as probe information together with the “vehicle ID” that identifies the source vehicle. To do.
Next, in S2, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a search operation for searching for any charging facility has been performed in the navigation device 5. Here, the search operation for searching the charging facility includes an operation for searching for information on the charging facility (for example, location, name, business hours, etc.) and an operation for searching for a route with the charging facility as the destination or waypoint. .. Further, it is desirable to include the case where the search operation for searching the charging facility is performed not by the navigation device 5 but by the mobile terminal (smartphone) possessed by the user.
Then, when it is determined that the search operation for searching for one of the charging facilities has been performed in the navigation device 5 (S2: YES), the content of the search operation for the charging facility performed by the user is transmitted to the vehicle of the transmission source. Is transmitted to the server device 1 as probe information together with the “vehicle ID” that identifies the above (S3). On the other hand, when it is determined that the search operation for searching for any charging facility is not performed in the navigation device 5 (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S4.
In S4, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the power supply port is opened / closed (the door covering the power supply port is opened and then closed) in the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 5. Here, the power supply port is a place where the connector of the charging cable of the charging equipment is connected when charging the in-vehicle battery 7 in the vehicle, and the door can be opened and closed by the operation of the user. Then, the door is normally closed, and the door is opened (a state in which the connector of the charging cable can be connected) when charging is performed at the charging facility. Further, the opening and closing of the power supply port is detected based on the information acquired via the in-vehicle network such as CAN.
Then, when it is determined that the power supply port has been opened / closed in the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 5 (S4: YES), the process proceeds to S5. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power supply port is not opened / closed in the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 5 (S4: NO), the information collection processing program is terminated. After that, the processes after S1 are repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 200 msec intervals).
In S5, the CPU 51 uses the position coordinates of the vehicle 4 to open and close the power supply port, the time when the power supply port is opened, the date and time when the power supply port is opened and closed, and the remainder of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time when the power supply port is opened. The amount (SOC) value and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time when the power supply port is closed are transmitted to the server device 1 as probe information together with the “vehicle ID” that identifies the source vehicle. The remaining amount of the in-vehicle battery 7 is obtained from the battery remaining amount meter 39 via the CAN. After that, the information collection processing program is terminated.
In the present embodiment, the processing of S1 to S5 is executed by the navigation device 5, but another on-board unit or vehicle control ECU included in the vehicle 4 may perform the processing.
Next, the information collection processing program executed in the server device 1 will be described.
First, in S11, the CPU 21 determines whether or not probe information is transmitted from each vehicle 4 traveling nationwide.
Then, when it is determined that the probe information is transmitted (S11: YES), the transmitted probe information is received (S12). Then, the CPU 21 cumulatively stores the received probe information in the collection information DB 14 (S13). The probe information received in S12 includes information on the usage history of the charging facility for the vehicle 4 that has used the charging facility. Specifically, the opening and closing of the power supply port of the vehicle 4, the change in the remaining amount of the in-vehicle battery 7 before and after the opening and closing of the power supply port, the traveling route of the vehicle (history of the position coordinates of the vehicle) before and after the opening and closing of the power supply port, and the power supply port. Information about the charging facility in the navigation device 5 after opening and closing, the search history of the route, and the like.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the probe information is not transmitted (S11: NO), the process proceeds to S14.
In S14, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the charging facility management server 8 transmits information regarding the availability of the charging space of the charging facility. For example, the charging facility management server 8 transmits the availability of each charging facility nationwide at the present time to the server device 1 every minute.
Then, when it is determined that the charging facility management server 8 transmits information on the free state of the charging space of the charging facility (S14: YES), the transmitted information on the free state of the charging space of the charging facility is received. Then, the received information regarding the availability of the charging space of the charging facility is cumulatively stored in the availability history DB 15 (S15). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the free history DB 15 stores the history of the free state of the charging space of the charging facilities nationwide. After that, the information collection processing program is terminated. The availability of the charging facility may be obtained directly from each charging facility via the network without going through the charging facility management server 8.
Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.)
AISIN discloses “…3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the server determines a level of the health of the at least one charger based on the power supply information about the at least one charger”. (see FIG. 8 that provides Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change.)
AISIN discloses “….4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the server determines the level of the health of the at least one charger based on a history of the power supply information about the at least one charger. (see FIG. 7-8 that recites Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change.)
AISIN discloses “…5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the server provides the health information including usage information about usage of the at least one charger to the user of the first vehicle or the second vehicle, or the users of the first vehicle and the second vehicle, based on the level of the health of the at least one charger”. (See FIG. 7-8 where Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change.)
AISIN discloses “….6. A vehicle comprising:
a battery that is able to be charged by a charger provided outside the vehicle; and a sensor for detecting power supply information about a power supply status of power supplied by the charger to the vehicle, wherein the power supply information is transmitted to a server.(see FIG. 1-8 and Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change.)
AISIN discloses “…7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the server determines health of the charger based on the power supply information received from the vehicle, and provides health information about the health of the charger to a user of the vehicle or another vehicle, or users of the vehicle and the other vehicle”. (See FIG. 7-8 and claims 1-3 where Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change.)
ASIN discloses “…8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle receives, from the server, health information about health of the other charger based on power supply information about the other charger received by the server from the other vehicle”. (see fig. 8 where Next, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change. )
AISIN discloses “..9. A server that transmits and receives information to and from a first vehicle and a second vehicle, each of the first vehicle and the second vehicle being a vehicle in which a battery is charged by a charger, wherein the server receives, from the first vehicle, power supply information about a power supply status of power supplied to the first vehicle by at least one charger that is able to charge the battery, determines health of the at least one charger based on the power supply information, and provides health information about the health of the at least one charger to a user of the first vehicle or the second vehicle, or users
of the first vehicle and the second vehicle. (See FIG. 1-8 and whereNext, a defect determination processing program to be executed in the server device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the defect determination processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the defect determination processing program is executed after a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the time when the previous program was executed, and the information collected from the vehicle or the charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7) is statistic. This is a program that determines (detects) a defect in the charging equipment (charger) that the charging facility is equipped with.
In this embodiment, a defect related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment is determined (detected). The "problems related to the interface with the user in the charging equipment" include, for example, the trouble that the user cannot properly perform the operation (reception) for starting charging in the charging equipment, the charging equipment and the vehicle. There is a problem that the connection cannot be made properly. More specifically, there is a problem with the operation panel or display screen that accepts user operations in the charging equipment (for example, the operation panel is worn or dirty and the buttons cannot be identified, the display screen is tanned and cannot be seen, etc.). , If the user cannot perform the operation to start charging, or if there is a problem with the connector part of the charging cable that connects the charging equipment and the vehicle (for example, the terminal is damaged), the charging cable is attached to the vehicle. This applies when the connection cannot be made correctly.
First, in S21, the CPU 21 collects information from the vehicle or charging facility in the above-mentioned information collection processing program (FIG. 7), and among the information stored in the collected information DB 14 and the free history DB 15, the current time (that is, the time when statistics are performed). Information collected during the period (aggregation period) from to to a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) before is extracted and statistic. Specifically, when the power supply port is opened and closed in the vehicle 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the position coordinates where the power supply port is opened and closed, the time when the power supply port is opened, and the power supply port The data is obtained by associating the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of opening and the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 at the time of closing the power supply port as one unit. In addition, in each data, the travel route of the vehicle after the power supply port is closed, and when the search operation for searching the charging facility after the power supply port is closed is performed by the user, the search for the charging facility performed by the user is performed. The content of the operation is also linked.
Further, in S21, the CPU 21 uses the position coordinates of opening and closing the power supply port and the charging facility DB13 to indicate the charging facility where the vehicle opens and closes the power supply port (that is, the charging facility where the vehicle stops to charge the in-vehicle battery 7). ) Is specified, and the vacancy information of the charging facility in the time zone when the power supply port is open is extracted from the vacancy history DB 15 and linked.
Next, in S22, based on the statistical result of S21, the CPU 21 has a power supply port opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) or more during the aggregation period (for example, within 24 hours), and is mounted on a vehicle before and after the opening of the power supply port. It is determined whether or not there is data in which the amount of change in the remaining amount (SOC) value of the battery 7 is less than the threshold value. Here, the condition that the power supply port is opened for a predetermined time or longer in the determination process of S22 is that the user has an intention to charge the in-vehicle battery 7 of the vehicle. is there. Therefore, for example, when the power supply port is opened against the intention of the user due to an operation error or the like, the power supply port is immediately closed, and thus NO is determined in S22.
Further, the threshold value that is the determination condition of S22 is, for example, 1 kWh, but the value can be changed as appropriate. It may be 5% of the capacity of the in-vehicle battery 7. Further, it may be a condition that the remaining amount (SOC) value of the vehicle-mounted battery 7 before and after the opening of the power supply port does not change. )
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 101 as being directed to an abstract idea.
Step 1: Are the claims are directed to an article, machine, manufacturing an article or a process. Claims 1 and 9 are directed to a server and a vehicle and are statutory.
This is a statutory class of subject matter.
Step 2: The claims recited an abstract idea. Abstract ideas can be grouped as a mathematical concept, a mental process, and certain methods of organizing human activity can be an abstract idea. The claims recite determining a first or a charger state and outputting a message when there is a difference in a state. This is an abstract idea. A human can determine that a charger is not working and note this for other users and then provide an alert. A second user may hear that the charging station does not charge any vehicles and move on to another location.
Step 2a: Do the claims have an integration into a practical application, or an additional element or combination that imposes a meaningful limit of the judicial exception such that the claim is more than a drafting effort to monopolize the exception. These can include improvements to a technology, reducing or transforming an article to a different state or thing (MPEP 2106.05c), applying or using the judicial exception in some meaningful way beyond linking the use to a particular technological environment such that the claim is more than a drafting effort to monopolize the exception (see MPEP 2106.05€ and Vanda memorandum). Also limitations that are not indicative include adding the words apply it, or more mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a computer, adding insignificant extra solution activity or a general linking or a field of use or a technological environment. The claims do not recite any practical application.
Step 2b is the combination of the steps unconventional? Limitations of an inventive concept include improvements to the functioning of a computer, applying using a machine with the judicial exception, reducing the article to a different thing, applying the judicial exception in a meaningful way.
Improvements can pertain to improvement in the functioning of the computer itself or a computer functionality.
Well understood, routine and conventional changes are excluded under step 2a. See MPEP 2106.04(a).
Improvements can be found in McRo where animation tasks were held to be improvements v. Affinity labs. The feature that leads to the improvement must be in the claim.
A claim limitation can integrate a judicial exception by implementing the exception with a particular machine or manufacture that is integral to the claim. See MPEP 2106.05(b). A generic computer that is specifically programmed does not automatically overcome the exception and it must integrate the judicial exception.
A claim limitation can integrate a judicial exception by using or applying the judicial exception beyond general linking the use to a particular technological environment such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the invention.
(For Example 37 of the USPTO Guidance: A method rearranging icons on a GUI by tracking the icons are selected or the amount of memory allocated to the icon, and then ranking the icons, and then placing those icons that are the most used next to or closest to the start icon of the computer based on the amount of use. Step 1 does this claim fall into a statutory category? Yes, the claim recites a method and a series of steps and is a process. Step 2A prong 1: is there a judicial exception recited and the specific limitations and if they are within the groupings of abstract ideas within the claim. Yes, the claims are directed to an abstract idea, of a method of organizing human activity or a mental process or a process of a concept in the human mind. The nominal recitation of a processor does not take it out of the mental process grouping. Step 2A prong 2. Is the judicial exception or combination provided claimed in a manner that provides meaningful limits on the judicial exception that is more than an attempt to draft around the judicial exception. Are they integrated into a practical application of the improvement. Yes, as a whole the mental process is integrated into a practical application of the mental process. Therefore, the claim is eligible versus performing Step 2B as there is no inventive concept recited).
For example, Example 38, organizing patient records, Step 1: the claim is directed to a process and a series of steps; Step 2A it recites an abstract idea of organizing activity. Step 2A prong two: Is there any additional element or combination of elements that recite more than the judicial exception or is more than an attempt to draft around the judicial exception. The claims recite 1. Storing, 2. Remote access, 3. Converting by a content server, automatically generating a message, and transmitting data. This combination of additional elements integrate the abstract idea into a practical application and the combination of elements recite an improvement over the prior art systems by allowing remote systems to share information in real time in a standardized format. Step 2A is no and the claim is eligible).
For example, example 38 claim 2 step 2a prong one the claims recite 1. Storing providing access and messaging. This is a method of organizing human activity. The claims recite performance of claim limitations using generic computer components but does not preclude the claim limitation from being in the certain methods of organizing human activity; this claim 2 recites an abstract idea; Step 2a, prong 2; are there any additional elements that apply on or rely on the judicial exception in a manner that provides meaningful limitations? The claims recite storing information on a memory in a network based storage devices. The claim as a whole does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application as they do not impose meaningful limits on the abstract idea as the components are at a high level of generality. Step 2B are there elements or combination of elements that are more than the abstract of idea. The claims recite networked memory. This is implementing the abstract idea on a generic computer. Step 2B is no the claim does not provide the inventive concept and is not significantly more than the abstract idea and the claim is not eligible).
The claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more. Claim(s) 1-20 is/are directed to the general idea of tracking a position of two objects. The method is directed to tracking a position of a user and then tracking a position of a vehicle and then determining when they are within a predetermined distance and then selecting a driver for the user based on the location data. This is a mere abstract idea that is being applied on a general purpose computer. The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because the only elements found are general purpose computers which is not significantly more than the abstract idea. The claim is directed to a movement vector and a second movement vector and then a matching of the coordinates to select one vehicle from another. This is an abstract idea. This may be performed mathematically or using a pen and paper and using the x, y, z, coordinates of the user and then a number of x, y, z coordinates of a number of vehicles and then seeing which is the closest based on a movement of each. Then a selection may be made based on the distance and time and speed.
The next step is to determine what elements are significantly more than the abstract idea. The only element found is a general purpose computer that displays a map of broken chargers. See Alice and Electric Power Group v Alstom S.A. (Fed Cir, 2015-1778, 8/1/2016) that recites “the claims in this case fall into a familiar class of claims “directed to” a patent-ineligible concept. The focus of the asserted claims, as illustrated by claim 12 quoted above, is on collecting information, analyzing it, and displaying certain results of the collection and analysis. We need not define the outer limits of “abstract idea,” or at this stage exclude the possibility that any particular inventive means are to be found somewhere in the claims, to conclude that these claims focus on an abstract idea— and hence require stage-two analysis under § 101.
Information as such is an intangible. See Microsoft Corp. v. AT & T Corp., 550 U.S. 437, 451 n.12 (2007); Bayer AG v. Housey Pharm., Inc., 340 F.3d 1367, 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2003). Accordingly, we have treated collecting information, including when limited to particular content (which does not change its character as information), as within the realm of abstract ideas. See, e.g., Internet Patents, 790 F.3d at 1349; OIP Techs., Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 788 F.3d 1359, 1363 (Fed. Cir. 2015); Content Extraction & Transmission LLC v. Wells Fargo Bank, Nat’l Ass’n, 776 F.3d 1343, 1347 (Fed. Cir. 2014); Digitech Image Techs., LLC v. Elecs. for Imaging, Inc., 758 F.3d 1344, 1351 (Fed. Cir. 2014); CyberSource Corp. v. Retail Decisions, Inc., 654 F.3d 1366, 1370 (Fed. Cir. 2011). In a similar vein, we have treated analyzing information by steps people go through in their minds, or by mathematical algorithms, without more, as essentially mental processes within the abstract-idea category. See, e.g., TLI Commc’ns, 823 F.3d at 613; Digitech, 758 F.3d at 1351; SmartGene, Inc. v. Advanced Biological Labs., SA, 555 F. App’x 950, 955 (Fed. Cir. 2014); Bancorp Servs., L.L.C. v. Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada (U.S.), 687 F.3d 1266, 1278 (Fed. Cir. 2012); CyberSource Corp. v. Retail Decisions, Inc., 654 F.3d 1366, 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2011); SiRF Tech., Inc. v. Int’l Trade Comm’n, 601 F.3d 1319, 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2010); see also Mayo, 132 S. Ct. at 1301; Parker v. Flook, 437 U.S. 584, 589–90 (1978); Gottschalk v. Benson, 409 U.S. 63, 67 (1972). And we have recognized that merely presenting the results of abstract processes of collecting and analyzing information, without more (such as identifying a particular tool for presentation), is abstract as an ancillary part of such collection and analysis. See, e.g., Content Extraction, 776 F.3d at 1347; Ultramercial, Inc. v. Hulu, LLC, 772 F.3d 709, 715 (Fed. Cir. 2014)”.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JEAN PAUL CASS whose telephone number is (571)270-1934. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm; Saturday 10 am to 12 noon.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Scott A. Browne can be reached at 571-270-0151. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/JEAN PAUL CASS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3666
Prosecution Insights