DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
DEVICE FOR PROVIDING ELECTRIC-MOVING-BODY INFORMATION AND
METHOD FOR PROVIDING ELECTRIC-MOVING-BODY INFORMATION
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a device for
providing electric-moving-body information and a method
for providing electric-moving-body information, and
particularly, a technique for providing useful information
to a user of an electric-moving-body.
Background Art
[0002]
It is interesting for a user of an electric-movingbody,
for example, an electric vehicle (EV) to determine
whether a desired action can be executed with a current
residual amount of battery (referred to as a state of
charge (SOC)) (for example, to determine whether the
electric-moving-body can reach a destination). In
particular, in current technology, there are restrictions
in the amount of electric power capable of being
accumulated in a battery or efficient charging of the
battery. Accordingly, whether a user’s desired action can
3
be executed is important information when actually driving
an electric vehicle.
[0003]
PTL 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2010-210271) discloses a technique for
determining whether an electric vehicle can reach a
destination with a current SOC with high accuracy. In the
technique disclosed in PTL 1, the amount of electric power
consumed by vehicle auxiliary devices is estimated based
on environment information on a path from a current place
to a destination, and it is determined whether the
electric vehicle can reach the destination in
consideration of the amount of electric power consumed by
the vehicle auxiliary devices.
[0004]
PTL 1 discloses a technique for calculating an SOC
after reaching a destination in a case where it is
determined that an electric vehicle can reach the
destination, and calculating a distance capable of being
traveled by the electric vehicle with an SOC after
reaching the destination. By displaying a value obtained
by adding the distance capable of being traveled by the
electric vehicle with the SOC after reaching the
destination to a distance of a path from a current place
to the destination on a display as a travelable distance,
4
it is possible to easily cause a driver to recognize a
suitable charging time after the electric vehicle reaches
the destination, to thereby enhance convenience.
[0005]
However, according to reviews of the inventors, a
technique for displaying a travelable distance obtained by
adding the distance capable of being traveled by the
electric vehicle with the SOC after reaching the
destination and the distance of the path from the current
place to the destination has problems to be improved in
view of providing more useful information for
determination of actions capable of being executed after
reaching the destination.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0006]
[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2010-210271
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to
provide a device for providing electric-moving-body
information and a method for providing electric-movingbody
information capable of providing more useful
5
information for determination of actions capable of being
executed after reaching a destination to a user.
Solution to Problem
[0008]
According to an aspect of the invention, there is
provided a device for providing electric-moving-body
information that provides information relating to an
electric-moving-body, including: a calculation unit that
calculates, with respect to a state of charge (SOC) of the
electric-moving-body at a specific point, a plurality of
reachable points capable of being reached by the electricmoving-
body in a case where the electric-moving-body
departs from a destination after the electric-moving-body
reaches the destination from the specific point; and a
display data generation unit that generates display data
for displaying a reachable range display screen where the
plurality of reachable points is visually recognizable.
[0009]
It is preferable that a closed curve that passes
through the plurality of reachable points is displayed on
the reachable range display screen. Here, it should be
noted that the closed curve also includes a combination of
line segments. Further, in a case where two of the
plurality of reachable points have different distances
with respect to the destination, the closed curve is drawn
6
so as not to become a circle.
[0010]
It is preferable that paths from the destination to
the plurality of reachable points are displayed on the
reachable range display screen. Further, it is preferable
that a path from the departure point to the destination is
displayed on the reachable range display screen. In
addition, it is preferable that an inner portion of the
closed curve is displayed with a color tone different from
that of an outer portion of the closed curve on the
reachable range display screen.
[0011]
In an embodiment, the calculation unit determines a
plurality of next destinations to surround the destination,
sets the destination as a next departure point, performs a
traveling simulation for simulating traveling of the
electric-moving-body from the next departure point to the
next destinations, and calculates the plurality of
reachable points as points capable of being reached in a
case where the electric-moving-body departs from the next
departure point on a path for reaching each of the
plurality of next destinations from the next departure
point. In this case, it is preferable that the
calculation unit calculates an SOC of the electric-movingbody
at the destination and determines the plurality of
7
next destinations so that distances between the
destination and the plurality of next destinations depend
on the SOC of the electric-moving-body at the destination.
[0012]
Further, the calculation unit may perform the
traveling simulation using a road network model that
represents a road network using nodes indicating
intersections and links indicating roads that connect the
nodes. Furthermore, the calculation unit may determine a
plurality of next destination ranges to surround the
destination, and may determine a node included in each of
the next destination ranges as the next destination. In
this case, it is preferable that the calculation unit
calculates an SOC of the electric-moving-body at the
destination and determines the plurality of next
destination ranges so that a distance between the
destination and each of the plurality of next destination
ranges depends on the SOC of the electric-moving-body at
the destination. Further, in a case where a node of the
road network model is not included in a specific next
destination range among the plurality of next destination
ranges, the calculation may adjust the size and/or the
position of the specific next destination range.
[0013]
In an embodiment, the calculation unit may set the
8
destination as a next departure point, may determine a
plurality of next destinations to surround the destination,
may perform a traveling simulation for simulating
traveling of the electric-moving-body from the next
departure point to the next destinations using a road
network model that represents a road network using nodes
indicating intersections and links indicating roads that
connect the nodes, and may calculate the plurality of
reachable points as points capable of being reached in a
case where the electric-moving-body departs from the next
departure point on a path for reaching each of the
plurality of next destinations from the next departure
point. Here, in determination of the plurality of next
determinations, the calculation unit may set a plurality
of next destination ranges to surround the destination,
may determine, with respect to a next destination range
where at least one node of the road network model is
included among the plurality of next destination ranges,
the at least one node as the next destination, may change
a road-absent next destination range set in a region where
a road is not present among the plurality of next
destination ranges to include the at least one node of the
road network model to determine a changed next destination
range, and may determine a node included in the changed
next destination range as the next destination. In this
9
case, it is preferable that the calculation unit
determines a virtual reachable position disposed between
the next destination and a position of the road-absent
next destination range in a case where it is determined
through the traveling simulation that the electric-movingbody
can reach the next destination determined from the
changed next destination range from the next departure
point. Further, it is preferable that the calculation
determines the closed curve so that the closed curve
passes through the plurality of reachable points and the
virtual reachable position.
[0014]
Each of the plurality of reachable points may be
calculated as a point where the SOC of the electricmoving-
body becomes a specific value.
[0015]
Further, as an example, “the specific point” is a
current place position where the electric-moving-body is
currently positioned, and the SOC of the electric-movingbody
provided to the calculation unit is a current SOC of
the electric-moving-body.
[0016]
According to another aspect of the invention, there
is provided a method for providing electric-moving-body
information for providing information relating to an
10
electric-moving-body, including: a step of calculating,
with respect to a state of charge (SOC) of the electricmoving-
body at a specific point, a plurality of reachable
points capable of being reached by the electric-movingbody
in a case where the electric-moving-body departs from
a destination after the electric-moving-body reaches the
destination from the specific point; and a step of
generating display data for displaying a reachable range
display screen where the plurality of reachable points is
visually recognizable.
[0017]
In an embodiment, it is preferable that the step of
calculating the plurality of reachable points includes a
step of determining a plurality of next destinations to
surround the destination, a step of setting the
destination as a next departure point, and a step of
performing a traveling simulation for simulating traveling
of the electric-moving-body from the next departure point
to the next destinations. In this case, it is preferable
that the plurality of reachable points are calculated as
points capable of being reached in a case where the
electric-moving-body departs from the next departure point
on a path for reaching each of the plurality of next
destinations from the next departure point, through the
traveling simulation.
11
[0018]
According to still another aspect of the invention,
there is provided a program used for providing information
relating to an electric-moving-body. The program causes a
calculation unit to execute a step of calculating, with
respect to a state of charge (SOC) of the electric-movingbody
at a specific point, a plurality of reachable points
capable of being reached by the electric-moving-body in a
case where the electric-moving-body departs from a
destination after the electric-moving-body reaches the
destination from the specific point; and a step of
generating display data for displaying a reachable range
display screen where the plurality of reachable points is
visually recognizable.
[0019]
According to the device for providing electricmoving-
body information, the method for providing
electric-moving-body information, and the program
according to the invention, it is possible to provide more
useful information for determination of actions capable of
being executed after reaching a destination to a user.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0020]
Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a
12
configuration of an EV management system that functions as
a device for providing electric-moving-body information
according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of a host computer provided in an EV
management center in the embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of a traffic flow simulator in the
embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an
example of a road network model.
Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating
data processing using the host computer in the embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating data processing
using the traffic flow simulator in the embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of
setting of a next destination range in the embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of
setting of a next destination in the embodiment.
Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of
calculation of a reachable point in the embodiment.
Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
reachable range display screen in the embodiment.
Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of
the reachable range display screen in the embodiment.
13
Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating still another
example of the reachable range display screen in the
embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a
problem of underestimation of a reachable range which may
occur in a case where a next destination range is set in
an area (for example, the sea) where a road is not present
in the embodiment.
Fig. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a
method of solving the problem of underestimation of the
reachable range in the embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[0021]
Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a
configuration of an EV management system 10 that functions
as a device for providing electric-moving-body information
according to an embodiment of the invention. The EV
management system 10 includes a host computer 1 provided
in an electric vehicle management center (EVC), and a
traffic flow simulator 2.
[0022]
The host computer 1 includes a function of detecting
and managing a state of an electric-moving-body which is
an electric vehicle 3 in this example, and a function of
14
providing a variety of information relating to the
electric vehicle 3 to a user of the electric vehicle 3 (EV
user). Specifically, the host computer 1 communicates
with the electric vehicle 3 through a wireless
communication network 5, and collects probe information
from the electric vehicle 3. Here, the probe information
refers to information indicating a state of each electric
vehicle 3, and for example, includes information
indicating a state of charge (SOC) or position information
indicating a current position of each electric vehicle 3.
[0023]
In addition, the host computer 1 is connected to be
able to communicate with a user terminal 4 operated by the
EV user through a network 6. As the user terminal 4, for
example, a personal computer 4a may be used, or a portable
terminal 4b such as a mobile phone or a smart phone may be
used. The host computer 1 receives a request from the
user terminal 4, and provides information relating to the
electric vehicle 3 associated with the request to the user
terminal 4. As described later in detail, in this
embodiment, the host computer 1 is configured to provide
information relating to whether the electric vehicle 3 can
reach a destination to the user terminal 4, and to
transmit display data for displaying a reachable range
display screen indicating a range capable of being reached
15
by the electric vehicle 3 to the user terminal 4 after the
electric vehicle 3 reaches the destination.
[0024]
The traffic flow simulator 2 is a computer used for
performing a traveling simulation of the electric vehicle
3. Through the traveling simulation of the electric
vehicle 3, determination of whether the electric vehicle 3
can reach the destination is performed, and after the
electric vehicle 3 reaches the destination, a range
capable of being reached when the electric vehicle 3
departs from the destination using the destination as a
next departure point is calculated.
[0025]
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of the host computer 1. The host computer 1
includes a calculation unit 11, an input unit 12, a
display unit 13, an external interface 14, and a storage
unit 15. The calculation unit 11 performs a variety of
data processing for managing the electric vehicle 3, and a
variety of data processing for providing information
relating to the electric vehicle 3 to the user terminal 4.
As the calculation unit 11, for example, one or plural
central processing units (CPUs) may be used. The input
unit 12 is operated by a manager of the host computer 1,
and receives data input through a variety of operations.
16
The display unit 13 displays various images according to
an operation of the host computer 1. The input unit 12
and the display unit 13 function as a man-machine
interface of the host computer 1.
[0026]
The external interface 14 is an interface for being
connected to external communication means (for example,
the wireless communication network 5 and the network 6).
The host computer 1 performs communication with the
traffic flow simulator 2, the electric vehicle 3, and the
user terminal 4 through the external interface 14.
[0027]
The storage unit 15 stores a program for operating
the calculation unit 11, and stores a variety of data
necessary for data processing using the calculation unit
11. In this embodiment, EV management server software 16
and EV information providing server software 17 are
installed in the storage unit 15, and an EV management
database 18 is stored in the storage unit 15.
[0028]
The EV management server software 16 is a program
for causing the host computer 1 to function as an EV
server that manages the electric vehicle 3. The EV
management server has a function of collecting probe
information from the electric vehicle 3 and storing the
17
collected probe information of each electric vehicle 3 and
a vehicle ID of each electric vehicle 3 in the EV
management database 18 so that the collected probe
information and the vehicle ID are associated with each
other.
[0029]
The EV information providing server software 17 is a
program for causing the host computer 1 to function as an
EV information providing server that provides the
information relating to the electric vehicle 3 to the user
terminal 4. In this embodiment, the EV information
providing server includes a function of providing
information indicating whether the electric vehicle 3 can
reach a destination to the user terminal 4 and
transmitting display data for displaying a reachable range
display screen indicating a range capable of being reached
by the electric vehicle 3 after reaching the destination
to the user terminal 4. The EV information providing
server may be provided as a Web server.
[0030]
The host computer 1 may not only be provided as a
single computer, but may also be provided as a series of
computing resources (a network, a server, a storage, and
an application) that realize ground computing.
[0031]
18
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of the traffic flow simulator 2. The
traffic flow simulator 2 includes a calculation unit 21,
an input unit 22, a display unit 23, an external interface
24, and a storage unit 25. The calculation unit 21
performs a variety of data processing for performing a
traveling simulation of the electric vehicle 3. As the
calculation unit 21, for example, one or plural central
processing units (CPUs) may be used. The input unit 22 is
operated by a manager of the traffic flow simulator 2, and
receives data input through a variety of operations. The
display unit 23 displays various images according to an
operation of the traffic flow simulator 2. The input unit
22 and the display unit 23 function as a man-machine
interface of the traffic flow simulator 2.
[0032]
The external interface 24 is an interface for being
connected to external communication means. The traffic
flow simulator 2 performs communication with the host
computer 1 through the external interface 24.
[0033]
The storage unit 15 stores a program for operating
the calculation unit 21, and stores a variety of data
necessary for data processing using the calculation unit
21. In this embodiment, in the storage unit 15, a traffic
19
flow simulation program 26 is installed, and a road
network model 27 is stored.
[0034]
The traffic flow simulation program 26 is a program
for causing the calculation unit 21 to execute a traveling
simulation of the electric vehicle 3. Through the
traveling simulation using the traffic flow simulation
program 26, determination of whether the electric vehicle
3 can reach a destination is performed, and after the
electric vehicle 3 reaches the destination, a range
capable of being reached when the electric vehicle 3
departs from the destination using the destination as a
next departure point is calculated. Here, the traffic
flow simulation program 26 (including the electric vehicle
3) includes a function of simulating a traffic flow
generated when multiple vehicles travel on a road.
Accordingly, in a situation where a traffic flow is
present, it is possible to determine whether the electric
vehicle 3 can reach a destination. Further, in a
situation where the traffic flow is present, after the
electric vehicle 3 reaches the destination, it is possible
to calculate a reachable range when the electric vehicle 3
departs from the destination using the destination as a
next departure point.
[0035]
20
The road network model 27 is a model obtained by
simulating a road network, and is used in a traveling
simulation using the traffic flow simulation program 26.
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating content of the
road network model 27. The road network model 27 includes
links 28 and nodes 29, and represents a road network using
the links 28 and the nodes 29. The node 29 indicates an
intersection, and the link 28 indicates a road that
connects two intersections (that is, a road that connects
the nodes 29). Information indicating a structure of a
road (for example, information indicating the number of
lanes, the presence or absence of a right-turn or leftturn
lane, the number thereof, and the like) is set in
each link 28. Further, information indicating a structure
of an intersection (information indicating the presence or
absence of installation of a traffic signal, or the like)
is set in the node 29. In addition, an elevation may be
set in each node 29. Here, a slope of a road
corresponding to the link 28 connecting two nodes 29 may
be determined from a difference between elevations of two
adjacent nodes 29. By determining the slope of the road
corresponding to the link 28, it is possible to precisely
calculate electric energy consumed by the electric vehicle
3 when traveling the road. Furthermore, the weather (fine,
rainy, and snowy), and the temperature may be set in the
21
road network model 27. This enables estimation of
electric energy consumed by a vehicle auxiliary machine
(an air conditioner, a heater, a wiper, or the like)
mounted on the electric vehicle 3, and contributes to
precise calculation of electric energy consumed by the
electric vehicle 3.
[0036]
Similar to the host computer 1, the traffic flow
simulator 2 may not only be provided as a single computer,
but may also be realized as a series of computing
resources (a network, a server, a storage, and an
application) that realize ground computing.
[0037]
Subsequently, an operation of the EV management
system 10 of this embodiment, particularly, data
processing in the host computer 1 and the traffic flow
simulator 2 will be described. In this embodiment, the EV
information providing server operated by the host computer
1 provides information indicating whether the electric
vehicle 3 can reach a destination from a departure point
(which may be a current place) to a user terminal 4 of an
EV user. In addition, the EV information providing server
performs an operation of providing display data for
displaying a reachable range display screen that displays
a range capable of being reached by the electric vehicle 3
22
after the electric vehicle 3 reaches a destination and
then departs from the destination using the destination as
a next departure point to the user terminal 4. The user
terminal 4 receives the display data, and displays the
reachable range display screen.
[0038]
One feature of the reachable range display screen is
that a point (hereinafter, referred to as a “reachable
point”) confirmed as a point capable of being reached by
the electric vehicle 3 when departing from a destination
using the destination as a next departure point through a
traveling simulation of the traffic flow simulator 2 is
generated to be visually recognizable. For example, the
reachable point may be determined as a point where the SOC
of a battery becomes a specific value (which may be 0%) in
a case where the electric vehicle 3 reaches a destination,
and then, departs from the destination to reach each
reachable point. In an embodiment, the specific value is
set to 0% (that is, the SOC of the battery is zero). In
this case, the reachable point is defined as a nonelectricity
point which is a point where the SOC of the
battery of the electric vehicle 3 becomes zero (that is,
the SOC becomes 0%) in a case where the electric vehicle 3
reaches a destination, and then, departs from the
destination using the destination as a next departure
23
point again. An example of the reachable range display
screen is shown in Fig. 11 (details thereof will be
described later).
[0039]
According to the reachable range display screen,
after the electric vehicle 3 reaches a destination, when
the electric vehicle 3 wants to move again, an EV user can
recognize in detail a range capable of being reached from
the destination. This is useful for determination of an
action capable of being executed by the EV user after the
electric vehicle reaches the destination.
[0040]
Hereinafter, an operation of the host computer 1 as
the EV information providing server will be described in
detail. Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example
of the operation of the host computer 1 as an EV
information providing server.
[0041]
The user terminal 4 has a function of transmitting a
reachability determination request 41 for asking whether
the electric vehicle 3 can reach a destination to the host
computer 1 according to an operation of an EV user. In a
case where the EV information providing server is a Web
server, such a function may be realized by accessing a Web
site provided by the EV information providing server using
24
a Web browser of the user terminal 4. The reachability
determination request 41 includes user information and
destination information indicating a destination. The
user information includes a vehicle ID for specifying the
electric vehicle 3. Further, in a case where a user
desires to know whether the electric vehicle 3 can reach a
destination with respect to a current position of the
electric vehicle 3 (the current place position) and a
current SOC, the reachability determination request 41 may
include information indicating the user’s desire. Further,
in a case where the electric vehicle 3 positioned at a
specific departure point position at a specific departure
time point departs from the departure point position with
a specific SOC, and in a case where the user desires to
know whether the electric vehicle 3 can reach a
destination, the reachability determination request 41 may
include information indicating the user’s desire,
departure time point information indicating the departure
time point, departure point information indicating a
departure point position, and SOC information indicating
the specific SOC. For example, in a case where the user
desires to know whether the electric vehicle 3 can reach a
destination after performing full charge at a specific
charging station, the reachability determination request
41 is generated to include a departure point position
25
indicating the position of the charging station and SOC
information indicating that the SOC is 100%.
[0042]
If the host computer 1 receives the reachability
determination request 41, the host computer 1 performs
input information processing 31. Specifically, in the
input information processing 31, the EV management
database 18 is retrieved using the vehicle ID included in
the user information of the reachability determination
request 41, and latest probe information 43 of the
electric vehicle 3 corresponding to the vehicle ID is
acquired. In Fig. 5, user information used for retrieval
of the EV management database 18 is indicated by reference
numeral 42. The acquired latest probe information 43
includes information indicating a current SOC of the
electric vehicle 3 and current place information
indicating a current position of the electric vehicle 3.
In the input information processing 31, a simulation
request 44 including information acquired in the input
information processing 31 (that is, the reachability
determination request 41 and the latest probe information
43) is generated, and the simulation request 44 is
provided for a simulation input data generation process 32.
[0043]
In the simulation input data generation process 32,
26
input data 45 having a data format suitable for the
traffic flow simulator 2 is generated based on the
simulation request 44. The input data 45 includes
departure point information indicating the position of a
departure point, destination information indicating the
position of a destination, and SOC information indicating
the SOC of the electric vehicle 3 at the departure point.
The input data 45 is transmitted to the traffic flow
simulator 2.
[0044]
Here, a method of generating the input data 45
varies according to content of the reachability
determination request 41 included in the simulation
request 44. In a case where the reachability
determination request 41 indicates that a user desires to
know whether the electric vehicle 3 can reach a
destination with respect to a current position of the
electric vehicle 3 (current place position) and a current
SOC, departure point information is generated to indicate
the current position of the electric vehicle 3 shown in
the latest probe information, and SOC information of the
input data 45 is generated to indicate an SOC shown in the
latest probe information. That is, the input data 45 for
requesting to determine whether the electric vehicle 3 can
reach a destination with a current SOC using the position
27
of a current position of the electric vehicle 3 as a
departure point is generated. On the other hand, in a
case where the reachability determination request 41
indicates that a user desires to know whether the electric
vehicle 3 can reach a destination with respect to a
specific position of the electric vehicle 3 (departure
point position) and a specific SOC, departure point
information is generated to indicate the specific position,
and SOC information of the input data 45 is generated to
indicate the specific SOC. That is, in a case where the
specific position is a departure point and the SOC of the
electric vehicle 3 is the specific SOC at the departure
point, the input data 45 for requesting to determine
whether the electric vehicle 3 can reach the destination
is generated.
[0045]
The traffic flow simulator 2 performs a traveling
simulation based on the transmitted input data 45, and
returns simulation result data 46 indicating the traveling
simulation result to the host computer 1. In the
traveling simulation, the road network model 27 stored in
the storage unit 25 of the traffic flow simulator 2 is
used.
[0046]
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processes using
28
the traffic flow simulator 2. First, a traveling
simulation is performed (step S01), and in a case where an
SOC at a departure point indicated by departure point
information is an SOC indicated by SOC information, it is
determined whether the electric vehicle 3 can reach a
destination indicated by destination information from the
departure point (step S02). In a case where it is
determined that the electric vehicle 3 cannot reach the
destination in the traveling simulation, a point (nonelectricity
point) where the SOC of the battery of the
electric vehicle 3 becomes 0% is recorded (step S09), and
the simulation result data 46 is generated to include
information indicating that the electric vehicle 3 cannot
reach the destination and non-electricity point
information indicating the non-electricity point. The
non-electricity point information may include a traveling
time necessary for traveling from the departure point to
the non-electricity point. In this case, the information
indicating that the electric vehicle 3 cannot reach the
destination and the non-electricity point obtained in the
traveling simulation are displayed on the user terminal 4.
[0047]
On the other hand, in a case where it is determined
that the electric vehicle 3 can reach the destination,
processes of steps S03 to S08 are performed. In the
29
processes of steps S03 to S08, after the electric vehicle
3 reaches the destination, a process of calculating a
point (that is, a reachable point) capable of being
reached when the electric vehicle 3 departs from the
destination using the destination as a next departure
point is performed. Here, the number of reachable points
calculated in steps S03 to S08 is plural, and the plural
reachable points are calculated to be positioned in
various directions with respect to the destination and to
surround the destination. Hereinafter, the processes of
steps S03 to S08 will be described.
[0048]
First, a destination indicated by destination
information of the input data 45 is set as a departure
point (next departure point) in the next traveling
simulation (step S03). Further, plural next destination
ranges are set to surround the next departure point (that
is, the destination indicated by the departure point
information of the input data 45). Here, the next
destination range refers to a range of a position to be
set as a destination in the next traveling simulation. It
should be noted that the next destination range is
automatically set by the traffic flow simulator 2 and is
not designated by a user. As understood from the
following description of the processes, the next
30
destination range is only a range set for selecting a
destination which is provisionally set for calculation of
a reachable point. Here, the number of the set next
destination ranges may be variably adjusted by a user.
[0049]
Fig. 7 shows an example of the next destination
ranges set in step S03. In step S01, a traveling
simulation for determining whether the electric vehicle 3
can reach a destination 52 from a departure point 51 is
performed. In step S02, it is determined that the
electric vehicle 3 can reach the destination 52 from the
departure point 51 at a path 53.
[0050]
In this case, plural next destination ranges 54 are
set in a radial pattern to surround the periphery of the
destination 52 (that is, next departure point). Here, the
next destination ranges 54 are set at positions that are
sufficiently separated from the next departure point and
are not considered as positions in the next destination
ranges from the next departure point capable of being
reached by the electric vehicle 3. In an embodiment, the
next destination range 54 may be set in a circle or a
regular polygon having a certain size. In the example
shown in Fig. 7, each next destination range 54 is set as
a circle of which the center is positioned on a circle 60
31
centering around the destination 52. Here, the radius of
the circle 60 is determined based on the SOC of the
electric vehicle 3 at the destination 52, and is set to be
sufficiently larger than the length of a line segment
corresponding to a travelable distance expected from the
SOC of the electric vehicle 3 at the destination 52. Most
simply, the radius of the circle 60 may be determined by
multiplying the SOC of the electric vehicle 3 at the
destination 52 by a predetermined coefficient.
[0051]
Subsequently, it is determined whether a node 29 of
the road network model 27 is present in each next
destination range 54 (step S05). In a case where a next
destination range 54 where the node 29 is not present is
present, adjustment is performed with respect to the next
destination range 54 (step S06). The adjustment of the
next destination range 54 is performed by changing the
size or position of the next destination range 54. For
example, in a case where the next destination range 54 is
set as a circle, the adjustment of the next destination
range 54 may be performed by changing the position of the
center of the circle and/or the radius of the circle.
Further, in a case where the next destination range 54 is
set as a regular polygon, the adjustment of the next
destination range 54 may be performed by changing the
32
position of the center of the regular polygon and/or the
distance from the center of the regular polygon to an apex.
The adjustment of the next destination range 54 is
repeatedly performed until each next destination range 54
is set so that at least one node 29 is included in each
next destination range 54.
[0052]
After the next destination range 54 is determined so
that at least one node 29 is included in each next
destination range 54, as shown in Fig. 8, a next
destination 55 is determined with respect to each next
destination range 54 (step S07). In a case where only a
single node 29 is present in a certain next destination
range 54, the node 29 is determined as the next
destination 55. On the other hand, in a case where plural
nodes 29 are present in a certain next destination range
54, one node 29 among the plural nodes 29 is selected as
the next destination 55. As a result, the next
destination 55 is also determined to surround the
destination 52 (next departure point).
[0053]
Subsequently, a traveling simulation for simulating
traveling of the electric vehicle 3 from a next departure
point (that is, the destination 52) to the next
destination 55 is performed (step S08). As an SOC at a
33
next departure point, the SOC of the electric vehicle 3 at
the destination 52 obtained in the traveling simulation in
step S01 is used.
[0054]
Here, in step S04, since the next destination ranges
are determined at positions that are sufficiently
separated from the next destination, in the traveling
simulation of step S08, a non-electricity point (a point
where an SOC is 0%) is to be determined between the next
departure point and the next destination. A point on a
path from the next departure point to the non-electricity
point is a point for which it is determined that the
electric vehicle 3 can reach the point when the electric
vehicle 3 departs from the destination using the
destination as a next departure point. Any one point on
the path from the next departure point to the nonelectricity
point (including the non-electricity point and
excluding the next departure point) is calculated as a
“reachable point”.
[0055]
The reachable point may be determined as the nonelectricity
point, or may be determined as a point where
the SOC becomes a specific value (for example, 20%).
Further, the reachable point may be determined as a point
to which the electric vehicle 3 can reciprocate from a
34
next destination (that is, a point that the electric
vehicle 3 reaches when the electric vehicle 3 departs from
the next destination, from which the electric vehicle 3
returns to the next destination). Further, the reachable
point may be determined as a point on a path from the next
departure point to the non-electricity point, which is a
point that the electric vehicle 3 reaches at a time point
when a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes)
elapses after the electric vehicle 3 departs from the next
departure point. Furthermore, the reachable point may be
determined as a point on a path from the next departure
point to the next non-electricity point, which is a point
that the electric vehicle 3 reaches at a time point when
the electric vehicle 3 travels by a predetermined travel
distance after departing from the next departure point.
[0056]
Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of
reachable points 57 determined with respect to each next
destination 55. A reachable point passing through a path
56 from the next departure point (that is, the destination
52) is determined as each reachable point 57. In the
traveling simulation of step S08, the path 56 for reach
each reachable point 57 from the next departure point is
specified, and a travel time and/or a travel distance
necessary for reaching each reachable point 57 from the
35
next departure point is also calculated.
[0057]
The reachable point 57 calculated by the traveling
simulation of step S08, and information relating thereto
(for example, an SOC at the reachable point 57, the path
56 capable of reaching each reachable point 57 from the
next departure point, and a travel time necessary for
reaching each reachable point 57 from the next departure
point) are recorded (step S09), and thus, the processes of
the traffic flow simulator 2 are completed.
[0058]
Further, a result of the processes of the traffic
flow simulator 2 is returned to the host computer 1 as
simulation result data 46. The simulation result data 46
includes information indicating whether the electric
vehicle 3 can reach a destination indicated by destination
information from a departure point indicated by departure
point information. In addition, the simulation result
data 46 includes reachable point data indicating reachable
points (after the electric vehicle 3 reaches the
destination, points for which it is determined that the
electric vehicle 3 can reach the point when the electric
vehicle 3 departs from the destination using the
destination as a next departure point). Furthermore, the
simulation result data 46 may include information relating
36
to the reachable point 57 (for example, the SOC at the
reachable point 57, the path 56 capable of reaching each
reachable point 57 from the next departure point, and the
travel time necessary for reaching each reachable point 57
from the next departure point). The simulation result
data 46 may include information indicating the position of
the next destination 55 set in step S07.
[0059]
Returning to Fig. 5, if the simulation result data
46 is returned to the host computer 1, a map display
process 33 of generating display data 47 for displaying a
reachable range display screen is performed. Here, as
described above, the reachable range display screen is a
screen for displaying ranges capable of being reached by
the electric vehicle 3 when the electric vehicle 3 departs
from the destination using the destination as a next
departure point after the electric vehicle 3 reaches the
destination. The display data 47 is transmitted to the
user terminal 4, and the reachable range display screen
corresponding to the display data 47 is displayed on the
user terminal 4.
[0060]
Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
reachable range display screen. In the reachable range
display screen in Fig. 10, the departure point 51, the
37
destination 52, the path 53 that connects the departure
point 51 to the destination 52, the reachable points 57,
and a boundary line 58 are shown. In the example shown in
Fig. 10, the boundary line 58 is indicated as a closed
curve that passes through the reachable points 57 and
surrounds the destination 52 (that is, a next departure
point). Most simply, the closed curve used as the
boundary line 58 may be formed by connecting line segments
that connect adjacent reachable points 57. Further, the
closed curve used as the boundary line 58 may be drawn as
an arbitrary approximate curve, for example, a Bezier
curve using the reachable point 57 as a control point.
The order of the Bezier curve may be appropriately
determined in consideration of the accuracy of the
boundary line 58 or the number of reachable points 57. In
Fig. 10, the boundary line 58 is formed by connecting
curves that connect the adjacent reachable points 57, in
which each curve is formed by connecting plural segment
lines.
[0061]
Further, reachable ranges capable of being reached
from a next departure point may be displayed on the
reachable range display screen. In this case, an inner
portion of the boundary line 58 may be displayed with a
color tone different from that of an outer portion of the
38
boundary line 58 to display the reachable ranges.
[0062]
It is not essential that the boundary line 58 is
displayed. If a sufficient number of reachable points 57
are displayed, a user may recognize reachable ranges
capable of being reached from a next departure point, in
reality. Further, only the boundary line 58 is displayed,
and a mark indicating each reachable point 57 may not be
displayed. Even in this case, the reachable point 57 may
be visually recognized as a position where a road that
forms each path 56 and the boundary line 58 intersect.
[0063]
Fig. 11 shows another example of the reachable range
display screen. As shown in Fig. 11, the next
destinations 55 determined in step S07 may be displayed on
the reachable range display screen. Here, as described
above, since the next destinations 55 are points which are
automatically set by the traffic flow simulator 2 (which
are not points set by a user), it should be noted that a
necessity that the next destination 55 is displayed is
small.
[0064]
Fig. 12 shows still another example of the reachable
range display screen. In the traveling simulation of step
S08 according to this embodiment, with respect to each
39
non-electricity point, plural reachable points may be
determined between a next departure point and the nonelectricity
point under different conditions, and may be
displayed on the reachable range display screen. In this
case, reachable points corresponding to the same condition
may be connected by a closed curve, and thus, the
reachable ranges may be displayed as a chart similar to a
radar chart on the reachable range display screen. As
parameters used for determination of the reachable points,
an SOC, a time elapsed after departing from a next
departure point, and a traveling distance after departing
from the next departure point may be used.
[0065]
In the example of Fig. 12, in a traveling simulation,
a point where an SOC is a first value (for example, 10%)
is determined as a reachable point 571, and a point where
an SOC is a second value (for example, 20%) different from
the first value is determined as a reachable point 572.
Latitude and longitude information of the reachable points
571 and 572 is stored in the storage unit 25 of the traffic
flow simulator 2. A boundary line 581 is indicated by a
closed curve that passes through the reachable point 571,
passes through the reachable point 57, and surrounds the
destination 52 (that is, a next departure point).
Similarly, a boundary line 582 is indicated by a closed
40
curve that passes through the reachable point 572, and
surrounds the destination 52 (that is, the next departure
point). In the example shown in Fig. 12, reachable points
are calculated with respect to two SOC values, but
reachable points may be calculated with respect to three
or more SOC values.
[0066]
The same reachable range display screen may be
generated with respect to a time elapsed after the
electric vehicle 3 departs from a next departure point.
With reference to the example shown in Fig. 12, a point
where a time elapsed after the electric vehicle 3 departs
from a next departure point is a first value (for example,
one hour) is determined as a reachable point 571, and a
point where the elapsed time is a second value (for
example, 45 minutes) different from the first value is
determined as a reachable point 572. Further, the same
reachable range display screen may be generated with
respect to a travel distance after the electric vehicle 3
departs from a next departure point. A point where a
travel distance after the electric vehicle 3 departs from
a next departure point is a first value (for example, 20
kilometers) is determined as a reachable point 571, and a
point where a travel distance is a second value (for
example, 15 kilometers) different from the first value is
41
determined as a reachable point 572.
[0067]
Through the above processes, the data processing
performed in the host computer 1 and the traffic flow
simulator 2 for displaying the reachable range display
screen on the user terminal 4 is completed.
[0068]
According to the operation of the EV management
system 10 according to the above-described embodiment, it
is possible to provide information indicating whether the
electric vehicle 3 can reach a destination to a user, and
to provide a reachable range display screen for displaying
ranges capable of being reached by the electric vehicle 3
to the user when the electric vehicle 3 departs from a
destination using the destination as a next departure
point after the electric vehicle 3 reaches the destination.
A reachable point for which it is determined that the
electric vehicle 3 can reach the point through a
simulation based on an actual travel path and an actual
travel state is displayed on the reachable range display
screen, which is more useful for determining actions
capable of being executed after reaching a destination.
[0069]
It should be noted that since plural reachable
points are obtained through a traveling simulation, linear
42
distances from a destination (a next departure point) may
not be identical. That is, two reachable points among the
plural reachable points may have different linear
distances from the destination. In such a case, a closed
curve that forms the boundary line 58 is not displayed as
a circle. In a method of simply calculating a reachable
distance in a case where an electric vehicle departs from
a destination based on the SOC after the electric vehicle
reaches the destination (without a simulation), it is not
possible to specifically calculate a reachable point, and
for example, it is possible to display ranges capable of
being reached by an electric vehicle when the electric
vehicle departs from a destination after the electric
vehicle reaches the destination only as a circle. In this
way, in this embodiment, in consideration of an actual
travel path and an actual travel state, a reachable range
display screen indicating a more specific reachable range
is obtained. This contributes to providing more useful
information for determination of actions capable of being
taken after reaching a destination to a user.
[0070]
In calculation of the reachable points 57 and
generation of the reachable range display screen according
to the above-described procedure, in step S04, in a case
where the next destination range 54 is set in an area (for
43
example, the sea) where a road is not present, reachable
range may be displayed to be narrower than original
reachable ranges from a next departure point. Fig. 13 is
a diagram illustrating such a problem.
[0071]
For example, in Fig. 13, it is assumed that a next
destination range 54A is set on the sea. In this case,
since a node 29 of the road network model 27 is not
present in the next destination range 54A, it is necessary
to adjust a next destination range in steps S05 and S06.
Further, as a result of adjustment of the next destination
range, as shown in Fig. 13, the next destination range may
be set at a position which is between the next destination
range 54A which is first set and a next departure point
(that is, a destination 52) and is in the vicinity of the
coastline. In such a case, a next destination 55A
corresponding to the next destination range 54A may not be
sufficiently separated from the next departure point (that
is, the destination 52), and a result that an electric
vehicle may reach the next destination 55A from the next
departure point may be obtained through a traveling
simulation of step S08.
[0072]
Here, if it is determined that the next destination
55A is a reachable point and a boundary line 58 is
44
determined using the next destination 55A and an adjacent
reachable point 57A, underestimation of the reachable
point may occur. This is because a region capable of
being originally reached from the next departure point may
be included in an region 59 inside a triangle in which the
adjacent reachable point 57A, the center of the next
destination range 54A, and the next destination 55A are
apexes.
[0073]
Fig. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a
method of solving the problem of underestimation of a
reachable range in the embodiment. It is assumed that a
next destination range is set between a next destination
range 54A which is first set and a next departure point
(that is, a destination 52), a next destination 55A is
selected from the next destination range, and a result
that an electric vehicle can reach the next destination
55A from the next departure point is obtained through a
traveling simulation of step S08. In this case, a virtual
reachable position 61 is set to a position between the
next destination 55A and the position of the next
destination range 54A which is first set, more
specifically, a position on a line segment 62 that
connects the next destination 55A and the position of the
next destination range 54A which is first set (for example,
45
in a case where the next destination range 54A is a circle
or a regular polygon, the position of a center 54Aa
thereof). It is preferable that the virtual reachable
position 61 is determined so that a distance L between
the virtual reachable position 61 and the next destination
55A satisfies the relationship of the following equation
(1): L={L1/(SOCo2-SOCd2)}SOCD2 ...(1). Here, L1
represents a traveling distance along a path 56A from the
destination 52 (next departure point) to the next
destination 55A, SOCo2 represents an SOC at the destination
52 calculated in a traveling simulation of step S01, and
SOCd2 represents an SOC at the next destination 55A
calculated in a traveling simulation of step S08.
[0074]
In this case, the boundary line 58 may be determined
as a curve (closed curve) that passes through the virtual
reachable position 61 and an adjacent reachable point 57A.
In Fig. 13, a case where a portion 58a between the
adjacent reachable point 57A and the virtual reachable
position 61 in the boundary line 58 is formed by a line
segment that connects the reachable point 57A and the
virtual reachable position 61 is shown. The portion 58a
of the boundary line 58 may be a curve.
[0075]
By determining the virtual reachable position 61 and
46
the boundary line 58 in this way, it is possible to reduce
underestimation of a reachable range. Specifically,
according to the above-described method of determining the
virtual reachable position 61 and the boundary line 58, a
region 63 of a triangle in which the adjacent reachable
point 57A, the next destination 55A, and the virtual
reachable position 61 are apexes is shown as an inner area
of the boundary line 58 (that is, a reachable region).
The region 63 is a region considered to be really
reachable, and accordingly, by causing the region 63 to be
included as an inner area of the boundary line 58, it is
possible to reduce underestimation of a reachable range.
In a case where a result is obtained that it is possible
to reach the next destination 55A through the traveling
simulation of step S08, it is not necessary to calculate
the virtual-reachable position 61 and determine the
boundary line 58 according to such a procedure.
[0076]
Hereinbefore, the embodiments of the invention have
been specifically described, but the invention is not
limited to the above-described embodiments. It is obvious
to those skilled in the art that the invention may be
modified into various forms.
[0077]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a
47
configuration in which the host computer 1 and the traffic
flow simulator 2 perform data processing using separate
hardware resources is shown, but the host computer 1 and
the traffic flow simulator 2 may be provided as a system
that uses the same hardware resource.
[0078]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a
configuration in which the reachable range display screen
is generated using the host computer 1 and the traffic
flow simulator 2 is shown, but an operation performed in
the host computer 1 and the traffic flow simulator 2 may
be performed by a different device (for example, a
navigation device) as long as the different device has a
sufficient operational capability. Here, as described in
this embodiment, in a case where the traffic flow
simulator 2 is used, by performing a simulation of a
traffic flow generated as multiple vehicles (including the
electric vehicle 3) travel a road, it is possible to
determine whether the electric vehicle 3 can reach a
destination in a situation where the traffic flow is
present. In addition, in this embodiment, it is possible
to generate a reachable range display screen for
displaying ranges capable of being reached when the
electric vehicle 3 departs from the destination using the
destination as a next departure point after the electric
48
vehicle 3 reaches the destination in a situation where the
traffic flow is present. It is useful to provide more
accurate information.
[0079]
Further, in the above-described embodiments, an
example in which an electric vehicle is used as an
electric-moving-body is described, but it should be noted
that the invention may be applied to an electric-movingbody
such as a battery-operated motorcycle in which a
battery is mounted therein and driving wheels are driven
using electricity accumulated in the battery.
49

Claims
[Claim 1]
A device for providing electric-moving-body
information that provides information relating to an
electric-moving-body, comprising:
calculation means for calculating, with respect to a
state of charge (SOC) of the electric-moving-body at a
specific point, a plurality of reachable points capable of
being reached by the electric-moving-body in a case where
the electric-moving-body departs from a destination after
the electric-moving-body reaches the destination from the
specific point; and
display data generation means for generating display
data for displaying a reachable range display screen where
the plurality of reachable points is visually recognizable.
[Claim 2]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 1,
wherein a closed curve that passes through the
plurality of reachable points is displayed on the
reachable range display screen.
[Claim 3]
50
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 2,
wherein in a case where two of the plurality of
reachable points have different distances with respect to
the destination, the closed curve is not a circle.
[Claim 4]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein paths from the destination to the plurality
of reachable points are displayed on the reachable range
display screen.
[Claim 5]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 4,
wherein a path from the specific point to the
destination is displayed on the reachable range display
screen.
[Claim 6]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 3,
wherein an inner portion of the closed curve is
displayed with a color tone different from that of an
51
outer portion of the closed curve on the reachable range
display screen.
[Claim 7]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the calculation means determines a plurality
of next destinations to surround the destination, sets the
destination as a next departure point, performs a
traveling simulation for simulating traveling of the
electric-moving-body from the next departure point to the
next destinations, and calculates the plurality of
reachable points as points capable of being reached in a
case where the electric-moving-body departs from the next
departure point on a path for reaching each of the
plurality of next destinations from the next departure
point.
[Claim 8]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 7,
wherein the calculation means calculates an SOC of
the electric-moving-body at the destination, and
determines the plurality of next destinations so that
distances between the destination and the plurality of
52
next destinations depend on the SOC of the electricmoving-
body at the destination.
[Claim 9]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 7,
wherein the calculation means performs the traveling
simulation using a road network model that represents a
road network using nodes indicating intersections and
links indicating roads that connect the nodes, and
the calculation means determines a plurality of next
destination ranges to surround the destination, and
determines a node included in each of the next destination
ranges as the next destination.
[Claim 10]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 9,
wherein the calculation means calculates an SOC of
the electric-moving-body at the destination, and
determines the plurality of next destination ranges so
that a distance between the destination and each of the
plurality of next destination ranges depends on the SOC of
the electric-moving-body at the destination.
53
[Claim 11]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 9,
wherein in a case where a node of the road network
model is not included in a specific next destination range
among the plurality of next destination ranges, the
calculation means adjusts the size and/or the position of
the specific next destination range.
[Claim 12]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 2,
wherein the calculation means sets the destination
as a next departure point, determines a plurality of next
destinations to surround the destination, performs a
traveling simulation for simulating traveling of the
electric-moving-body from the next departure point to the
next destinations using a road network model that
represents a road network using nodes indicating
intersections and links indicating roads that connect the
nodes, and calculates the plurality of reachable points as
points capable of being reached in a case where the
electric-moving-body departs from the next departure point
on a path for reaching each of the plurality of next
destinations from the next departure point,
54
in determination of the plurality of next
destinations, the calculation means sets a plurality of
next destination ranges to surround the destination,
determines, with respect to a next destination range where
at least one node of the road network model is included
among the plurality of next destination ranges, the at
least one node as the next destination, changes a roadabsent
next destination range set in a region where a road
is not present among the plurality of next destination
ranges to include the at least one node of the road
network model to determine a changed next destination
range, and determines a node included in the changed next
destination range as the next destination,
the calculation means determines a virtual reachable
position disposed between the next destination and a
position of the road-absent next destination range in a
case where it is determined through the traveling
simulation that the electric-moving-body can reach the
next destination determined from the changed next
destination range from the next departure point, and
the calculation means determines the closed curve so
that the closed curve passes through the plurality of
reachable points and the virtual reachable position.
[Claim 13]
55
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein each of the plurality of reachable points is
calculated as a point where the SOC of the electricmoving-
body becomes a specific value.
[Claim 14]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein the specific point is a current place
position where the electric-moving-body is currently
positioned, and
wherein the SOC of the electric-moving-body provided
to the calculation means is a current SOC of the electricmoving-
body.
[Claim 15]
The device for providing electric-moving-body
information according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the calculation means determines a plurality
of next destinations to surround the destination, sets the
destination as a next departure point, performs a
traveling simulation for simulating traveling of the
electric-moving-body from the next departure point to the
next destinations, and calculates a plurality of specific
56
condition reachable points among the plurality of
reachable points, which are points capable of being
reached in a case where the electric-moving-body departs
from the next departure point on a path for reaching each
of the plurality of next destinations from the next
departure point and respectively satisfying different
conditions, and
wherein a first closed curve that passes through a
plurality of first specific condition reachable points
satisfying a first condition among the different
conditions among the plurality of specific condition
reachable points and a second closed curve that passes
through a plurality of second specific condition reachable
points satisfying a second condition among the different
conditions among the plurality of specific condition
reachable points are displayed on the reachable range
display screen.
[Claim 16]
A method for providing electric-moving-body
information for providing information relating to an
electric-moving-body, comprising:
a step of calculating, with respect to a state of
charge (SOC) of the electric-moving-body at a specific
point, a plurality of reachable points capable of being
57
reached by the electric-moving-body in a case where the
electric-moving-body departs from a destination after the
electric-moving-body reaches the destination from the
specific point; and
a step of generating display data for displaying a
reachable range display screen where the plurality of
reachable points is visually recognizable.
[Claim 17]
The method for providing electric-moving-body
information according to claim 16,
wherein the step of calculating the plurality of
reachable points includes
a step of determining a plurality of next
destinations to surround the destination,
a step of setting the destination as a next
departure point, and
a step of performing a traveling simulation for
simulating traveling of the electric-moving-body from the
next departure point to the next destinations, and
wherein the plurality of reachable points are
calculated as points capable of being reached in a case
where the electric-moving-body departs from the next
departure point on a path for reaching each of the
plurality of next destinations from the next departure
58
point, through the traveling simulation.
[Claim 18]
A recording medium on which a program for realizing
the method for providing electric-moving-body information
according to claim 16 or 17 is recorded.