WO2025089004A1 - Information terminal control method - Google Patents

Abstract

An information terminal control method according to the present disclosure causes at least one hydrogen station to display information indicating the quantity of an environmental value token to be provided to a user who refuels a hydrogen vehicle.

Description

Information terminal control method

This disclosure relates to a method for controlling an information terminal.

Patent Document 1 discloses an information provision system that displays on an information terminal the prices of power sources (including hydrogen gas) at multiple power source (including hydrogen gas) supply stations located in a specified area including the vehicle's current location.

JP 2020-085795 A

However, the technology in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of enabling users to select the most suitable hydrogen station.

The present disclosure therefore provides a method for controlling an information terminal that can assist users in selecting the most suitable hydrogen station.

A method of controlling an information terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure displays, at at least one hydrogen station, information indicating the number of environmental value tokens to be provided to users of the hydrogen station who fill hydrogen vehicles with hydrogen.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a method for controlling an information terminal that can assist a user in selecting the most suitable hydrogen station.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the background for creating each table. FIG. 4 is a table showing the relationship between hydrogen sources and token values according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing hydrogen asset information of hydrogen supplied by a hydrogen station according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a first display example of in-area hydrogen station information according to an embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a second display example of in-area hydrogen station information according to the embodiment. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a third display example of in-area hydrogen station information according to an embodiment. FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a fourth display example of in-area hydrogen station information according to an embodiment. FIG. 6E is a diagram showing a fifth display example of in-area hydrogen station information according to an embodiment. FIG. 6F is a diagram showing a sixth display example of in-area hydrogen station information according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of detailed information of a hydrogen station according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen for a hydrogen station according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification by the information terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a setting screen for display items of a hydrogen station displayed on an information terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example of a display on an information terminal according to another embodiment. FIG. 12 shows an example of a display on an information terminal according to another embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example of a display on an information terminal according to another embodiment. FIG. 14 shows an example of a display on an information terminal according to another embodiment.

(Background to this disclosure)
Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the background to the present disclosure will be described.

In the system of Patent Document 1, the prices of power sources (including hydrogen gas) at various power source refueling stations are displayed on an information terminal, enabling, for example, hydrogen station users to fill up their hydrogen vehicles with hydrogen at a lower-cost hydrogen station.

However, in the system of Patent Document 1, users select a hydrogen station without considering other information different from the cost of hydrogen, such as the price of the power source. For example, there is a risk that a user who places importance on information other than the cost of hydrogen will not select the optimal hydrogen station.

It is expected that a more optimal hydrogen station for a user can be selected by taking into consideration other information than the hydrogen cost of each hydrogen station, for example, information related to the environmental value tokens that each hydrogen station provides to users, but this point is not considered in Patent Document 1. In other words, the system in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of selecting a more optimal hydrogen station for a user.

In this case, the environmental value token is information with a value equivalent to money that is given to the user by the hydrogen station after the user fills up with hydrogen at the station.

The inventors of the present application therefore conducted extensive research into a method of controlling an information terminal that can assist users in selecting the most suitable hydrogen station, and have devised the method of controlling an information terminal described below. Note that a more suitable hydrogen station means one that is more suited to the user's preferences, behavioral history, etc.

A method of controlling an information terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure displays, at at least one hydrogen station, information indicating the number of environmental value tokens to be provided to users of the hydrogen station who fill hydrogen vehicles with hydrogen.

As a result, the hydrogen station where hydrogen is filled can be selected taking into consideration the number of environmental value tokens provided in conjunction with hydrogen filling. Therefore, this information terminal control method can help the user select a more optimal hydrogen station compared to a case where information indicating the number of environmental value tokens provided is not displayed.

In addition, for example, information showing the cost of hydrogen at the at least one hydrogen station may also be displayed.

As a result, a hydrogen station for filling a hydrogen vehicle can be selected taking into consideration the cost of hydrogen. This helps users select a more optimal hydrogen station than if the cost of hydrogen was not displayed.

In addition, for example, when an operator of the information terminal selects a specific hydrogen station from among the at least one hydrogen station, information showing the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen supplied by the selected specific hydrogen station may be displayed.

As a result, a hydrogen station for filling a hydrogen vehicle can be selected taking into consideration information showing the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station. Therefore, this information terminal control method can help users select a more optimal hydrogen station than when information showing the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station is not displayed.

In addition, for example, when the operator of the information terminal inputs information indicating the area in which to search for hydrogen stations, information indicating the quantity of environmental value tokens provided by at least one of the hydrogen stations present in that area may be displayed.

This allows a hydrogen station to be selected to fill up a hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen, taking into account the number of environmental value tokens provided at at least one hydrogen station within the search area.

In addition, for example, when information indicating a date to be searched is input by the operator of the information terminal, information indicating the quantity of the environmental value tokens to be provided at the at least one hydrogen station on that date may be displayed on the information terminal.

This allows the selection of a hydrogen station to charge a hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen, taking into account the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen station on a specific date.

Also, for example, the quantity of the environmental value tokens may be calculated based on information indicating the composition ratio of the hydrogen sources of the hydrogen supplied by the at least one hydrogen station.

As a result, a hydrogen station for filling up a hydrogen vehicle can be selected taking into consideration the number of environmental value tokens calculated based on information indicating the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen station's supply.

In addition, for example, when an input is received from the operator of the information terminal to select a specific hydrogen station from among the at least one hydrogen station, location information of the selected specific hydrogen station may be displayed.

As a result, a hydrogen station for filling a hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen can be selected taking into consideration the location information. Therefore, this information terminal control method can help the user select a more optimal hydrogen station than if the location information was not displayed.

In addition, for example, location information of the at least one hydrogen station may also be displayed.

As a result, a hydrogen station for filling a hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen can be selected taking into consideration not only the number of environmental value tokens provided but also the location information of the hydrogen station. Therefore, this information terminal control method can help users select a more optimal hydrogen station than when only the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen station is displayed.

Furthermore, for example, hydrogen stations that are recommended for use by the user may be clearly displayed, identified based on the hydrogen costs of hydrogen stations that the user has used or reserved.

This will clearly show hydrogen stations that have been identified based on hydrogen costs, helping users select the most suitable hydrogen station in terms of hydrogen costs.

Furthermore, for example, hydrogen stations that are recommended for use by the user may be clearly displayed, which are identified based on the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen stations that the user has used or reserved.

This will clearly indicate the hydrogen stations that are identified based on the number of environmental value tokens provided, helping users select the most suitable hydrogen station in terms of token value.

Furthermore, for example, hydrogen stations recommended for use by the user may be clearly displayed, which are identified based on information indicating the composition ratio of hydrogen sources at the hydrogen stations used or reserved for use by the user.

This allows hydrogen stations that have been identified based on the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen station to be clearly indicated, thereby helping to select the most suitable hydrogen station in terms of the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen station.

In addition, for example, when an input is received from the operator of the information terminal to reserve the use of the hydrogen station for a specified period of time, a notification may be given before the start of the specified period that the specified period is approaching.

This allows users to become aware that the reserved period is approaching, preventing them from forgetting to fill their hydrogen vehicles with hydrogen during the reserved period.

In addition, for example, when an input is received from the operator of the information terminal to set a specific hydrogen station among the at least one hydrogen station as a destination, a route to the specific hydrogen station may be displayed.

This allows users to drive their electric vehicles to the hydrogen station they have set as their destination while checking the route to the station.

In addition, for example, when an input is received from the operator of the information terminal to set a specific hydrogen station among the at least one hydrogen station as a destination, information indicating that the specific hydrogen station has been set as the destination may be transmitted to a controller of the electric vehicle during autonomous driving.

This will enable users to reach their designated destination, a hydrogen station, via automatic operation of an electric vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method for calculating the number of environmental value tokens to be provided to a hydrogen purchaser is based on the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen purchased by the purchaser and the number of environmental value tokens to be provided for each of the hydrogen sources.

This will make it possible to provide hydrogen buyers with an appropriate number of environmental value tokens.

Also, for example, the number of environmental value tokens provided to the hydrogen source is set according to the magnitude of the environmental contribution of the hydrogen source.

This makes it possible to appropriately set the number of environmental value tokens provided to hydrogen purchasers according to the level of environmental contribution of the hydrogen they purchase.

These general or specific aspects may be realized as a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium. The program may be pre-stored in the recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

The following describes the embodiment in detail with reference to the drawings.

The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim are described as optional components.

In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. Therefore, for example, the scales of each figure do not necessarily match. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configuration, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

In addition, in this specification, numerical values and numerical ranges are not expressions that express only a strict meaning, but are expressions that include a substantially equivalent range, for example, a difference of about a few percent (or about 10%).

In addition, in this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" do not refer to the number or order of components, unless otherwise specified, but are used for the purpose of avoiding confusion between and distinguishing between components of the same type.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a method for controlling an information terminal according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[1. Control system configuration]
First, the configuration of a control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The control system 1 is a system that assists hydrogen station users in selecting the most suitable hydrogen station when filling up their hydrogen vehicles with hydrogen, and is characterized by displaying information regarding environmental value tokens provided to users of hydrogen stations that fill up hydrogen vehicles before hydrogen filling.

Note that a hydrogen vehicle means a vehicle that is powered by hydrogen. For example, it may be a fuel cell vehicle in which a motor is driven by electric energy generated by a fuel cell, or it may be a hydrogen engine vehicle that is powered by a hydrogen engine. A hydrogen vehicle is also called a fuel cell vehicle. A fuel cell vehicle is, for example, a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a fuel cell truck, a fuel cell bus, a fuel cell forklift, a fuel cell motorcycle, a fuel cell scooter, a fuel cell wheelchair, etc. Also, a hydrogen engine vehicle is, for example, a hydrogen engine vehicle, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a hydrogen engine truck, a hydrogen engine bus, a hydrogen engine forklift, a hydrogen engine motorcycle, a hydrogen engine scooter, a hydrogen engine wheelchair, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 includes an information terminal 10, a server device 20, a hydrogen station management system 30, and each hydrogen station 40. The information terminal 10 and the server device 20 are communicatively connected via a network 60. The control system 1 only needs to include at least one hydrogen station 40. The control system 1 only needs to include at least a component that executes the control method of the information terminal 10 described below, such as the server device 20. The at least one hydrogen station 40 may be one hydrogen station 40 or multiple hydrogen stations 40.

Network 60 may include various networks such as the Internet, an Internet service provider's communication network, a mobile phone network, or a local area network. The networks included in network 60 may be wired networks or wireless networks.

The information terminal 10 is an information terminal operated by an operator, and is connected to the server device 20 so as to be able to communicate with it. The information terminal 10 may be, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, or a fixed information terminal such as a navigation device mounted on a vehicle. An application for checking the status of the hydrogen station 40, making reservations for hydrogen filling, etc. may be installed on the information terminal 10. The operator may be the same person as the user, or may be a different person. In the following, the application will also be referred to as an app. If the operator and the user are different, the operator may log in to the application using the user's ID and check the status, make charging reservations, etc. as the user.

The information terminal 10 is equipped with a display 11 that displays information received from the server device 20. The display 11 displays to the operator to assist users of the hydrogen stations 40 in selecting the most suitable hydrogen station 40. The display 11 displays, for example, information transmitted from the server device 20. The display 11 is realized by a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device, etc., but is not limited to these.

The information terminal 10 further includes a reception unit (not shown) that receives input from an operator. The reception unit may be realized, for example, by a touch panel or push button that receives operations from the operator, or may be realized by a sound collection device such as a microphone that receives the operator's voice.

The server device 20 generates information to be displayed on the information terminal 10 based on the hydrogen station information of each hydrogen station 40 received from the hydrogen station management system 30, and transmits the information to the information terminal 10.

The server device 20 comprises a communicator 21, a controller 22, and a memory 23. The controller 22 comprises a processor and memory, etc. The memory is a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can store a control program executed by the processor. The communicator 21 realizes communication by executing a control program stored in the memory of the controller 22.

The communicator 21 is a communication interface that allows the server device 20 to communicate with the information terminal 10 and the hydrogen station management system 30. The communicator 21 receives hydrogen station information from the hydrogen station management system 30, receives search area information from the information terminal 10, and transmits within-area hydrogen station information, including hydrogen station information of hydrogen stations 40 within the received search area, to the information terminal 10. The within-area hydrogen station information includes information that allows the operator to select a hydrogen station 40 for which detailed information is to be displayed from among one or more hydrogen stations 40 within the area.

The search area information is the area to search for hydrogen stations 40 that fill hydrogen vehicles with hydrogen, and is received via the information terminal 10.

The hydrogen station information is information for displaying on the display 11 of the information terminal 10 a display for allowing the operator to select a hydrogen station 40, detailed information on the hydrogen station 40, etc. The hydrogen station information includes information indicating the location information of the hydrogen station 40, the hydrogen cost, the number of environmental value tokens, etc. The hydrogen station information will be described later with reference to Figs. 6A to 7. In this specification, an environmental value token is a token issued according to the level of environmental contribution such as the amount of _CO2 emission reduction. The number of environmental value tokens provided is set individually for each hydrogen station 40. A method for calculating the number of environmental value tokens provided will be described later with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

The controller 22 executes various processes to assist users of the hydrogen stations 40 in selecting the most suitable hydrogen station 40. For example, the controller 22 generates information to be displayed on the display 11 of the information terminal 10 based on the hydrogen station information of each hydrogen station 40 received by the communicator 21. Specifically, the controller 22 extracts hydrogen station information of one or more hydrogen stations 40 within the search area from the hydrogen station information of each hydrogen station 40 received by the communicator 21, generates hydrogen station information within the area including the extracted hydrogen station information, and transmits it to the information terminal 10.

The memory 23 is a storage device that stores various information to assist users of the hydrogen stations 40 in selecting the most suitable hydrogen station 40. The memory 23 stores hydrogen station information for each hydrogen station 40 received from the hydrogen station management system 30. The memory 23 may also store, for example, history information when a user of the hydrogen station 40 has filled (used) hydrogen at the hydrogen station 40 in the past or made a reservation for filling hydrogen (reservation for use). The history information will be described later. The memory 23 is realized, for example, by a hard disk drive (HDD) or semiconductor memory.

The hydrogen station management system 30 is communicatively connected to each hydrogen station 40, collects hydrogen station information from each hydrogen station 40, and transmits the collected hydrogen station information to the server device 20.

The hydrogen station management system 30 comprises a communicator 31, a controller 32, and a memory 33. The controller 32 comprises a processor and memory, etc. The memory is a ROM, a RAM, etc., and can store a control program executed by the processor. The communicator 31 realizes communication by executing a control program stored in the memory of the controller 32.

The communicator 31 is a communication interface that allows the hydrogen station management system 30 to communicate with the server device 20 and each hydrogen station 40. The communicator 31 receives hydrogen station information from each hydrogen station 40 and transmits the received hydrogen station information to the server device 20.

The controller 32 includes a processor and a memory. The memory is a ROM, a RAM, etc., and can store a control program executed by the processor. The controller 32 executes various processes related to the transmission, reception, and storage of hydrogen station information.

The memory 33 is a storage device that stores hydrogen station information and the like from each hydrogen station 40. The memory 33 is realized, for example, by a HDD or semiconductor memory.

The hydrogen station 40 is a refueling facility equipped with one or more fuel fillers for filling hydrogen vehicles, such as fuel cell vehicles, with hydrogen stored in hydrogen tanks. The hydrogen station 40 is also called a hydrogen site.

2. Operation of the Control System
Next, the operation of the control system 1 configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 9. Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control system 1 (method of controlling the information terminal 10) according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, when an operator inputs an input to launch an app for selecting a hydrogen station 40 to fill with hydrogen, the information terminal 10 launches the app for selecting the hydrogen station 40 (S11).

Next, the information terminal 10 acquires from the operator information indicating a search area for searching for candidate hydrogen stations 40 for hydrogen filling (S12). The information terminal 10 may acquire the information indicating the search area by input from the operator, or may acquire it as information indicating a search area based on the position information of the hydrogen vehicle, with a predetermined area including the current position of the hydrogen vehicle being the search area. Hereinafter, the information indicating the search area will also be referred to as search area information.

Note that in step S12 or in steps before or after it, information indicating the date to be searched may be acquired in addition to the search area information. The information terminal 10 may acquire information indicating the search area through input by the operator. Hereinafter, information indicating the date is also referred to as date information.

Examples of the form in which the operator inputs include, but are not limited to, character input, voice input, selection from displayed area names, selection from displayed area images, etc. Examples of area images include, but are not limited to, images displayed in map applications such as Google Maps (registered trademark).

Next, the information terminal 10 transmits search area information indicating the acquired search area to the server device 20, and the communicator 21 of the server device 20 receives the search area information transmitted from the information terminal 10 (S13).

If the information terminal 10 acquires date information in step S12 or in a step before or after that, the communicator 21 of the server device 20 also receives the date information sent from the information terminal 10.

The hydrogen station management system 30 also transmits the hydrogen station information received from each hydrogen station 40 to the server device 20 via the communicator 31, and the communicator 21 of the server device 20 receives the hydrogen station information transmitted from the hydrogen station management system 30 (S31). The controller 22 of the server device 20 stores the received hydrogen station information in the memory 23.

The process of step S31 may be executed periodically or whenever necessary. Executing whenever necessary means that the hydrogen station management system 30 transmits the received hydrogen station information to the server device 20 every time it receives hydrogen station information from the hydrogen station 40. In addition, the process of step S31 may be executed, for example, regardless of each process of the information terminal 10.

As explained above, the hydrogen station information that the hydrogen station management system 30 receives from each hydrogen station 40 includes information indicating the number of environmental value tokens that will be provided to a user of the hydrogen station 40 when a hydrogen vehicle is filled with hydrogen. Here, the number of environmental value tokens provided and the calculation of the number of environmental value tokens provided will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

First, the background for creating each table shown in Figures 4 and 5 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the background for creating each table.

As shown in FIG. 3, hydrogen trading tokens are issued for hydrogen that can be sold at the hydrogen production plants 210-230 according to the hydrogen production method, hydrogen amount, etc. These hydrogen trading tokens are accumulated in the hydrogen trading token pool 110 of the hydrogen trading server 100, and are bought and sold through the hydrogen trading token pool 110. For example, the accumulated hydrogen trading tokens can be used for hydrogen trading token trading, or can be liquidated and converted into cash or used for cashback, etc. For example, hydrogen trading tokens are purchased by consumers, etc. as a right to use (consume) hydrogen, and the consumers, etc. who purchased the hydrogen trading tokens can use hydrogen equivalent to the hydrogen trading token, and by actually consuming hydrogen, the hydrogen trading token equivalent to the consumed hydrogen is cancelled. In this way, hydrogen trading is carried out via the hydrogen trading server 100.
Examples of consumers who purchase hydrogen trading tokens as the right to use hydrogen include companies 310, users 320, hydrogen stations 40, etc.

In addition, hydrogen trading tokens are issued for saleable hydrogen according to the amount of hydrogen, and environmental value tokens are issued as value information according to the contribution to the environment of each hydrogen production method, etc. This environmental value token is accumulated in the environmental value token pool 120 of the hydrogen trading server 100, and is transferred to the purchaser of the hydrogen trading token when hydrogen is traded through the hydrogen trading token pool 110. The transferee may or may not pay a consideration to the transferor for the transfer of the environmental value token. The environmental value token here is a token that is calculated and issued according to the contribution to the environment, such as the amount of _CO2 reduction. This environmental value token may be directly marketable as it is, or may be indirectly marketable by being converted into another token that is marketable. This environmental value token may be transferable or convertible into transferable environmental value tokens by providing financial resources such as donations from the company 310, etc. to the hydrogen trading server 100, in an amount equivalent to the amount of the financial resources.

This environmental value token is cancelled when it is transferred, and a transfer history is issued that records the date and time when the transfer was executed, the transfer source (owner ID), the transfer destination (new owner ID), the value at the time of the transfer, and other transaction history, and the issued transfer history becomes the subject of the transfer transaction. The value and issuer of the cancelled environmental value token are recorded in the transfer history of this environmental value token, and the transfer destination in a transfer transaction is added as a transaction history each time a transfer is made. Here, canceling a token refers to a process that eliminates the exchange value as a currency, such as setting the value to 0, erasing or making the private key unknown, and storing it in an account that cannot be rewritten by the owner. The transfer history of the cancelled environmental value token is then recorded in a ledger server group including ledger servers 400a to 400c, etc., via the hydrogen trading server 100. Such a ledger server group is also called a distributed ledger network.

The ledger server 400a is a server that manages the transfer history of environmental value tokens using a distributed ledger. The ledger server 400a stores the distributed ledger in storage. When the ledger server 400a receives transaction data indicating the transfer history of environmental value tokens from the hydrogen trading server 100, it executes a process of storing the received transaction data in the distributed ledger. The transaction data indicating the transfer history of environmental value tokens includes the addresses in the distributed ledger system of the transfer source and transfer destination of the environmental value tokens.

Here, we will explain blockchain as an example of a distributed ledger, but the same applies to other distributed ledgers.

A blockchain is a system in which blocks, which are the units of recording, are connected in a chain. Each block contains multiple transaction data and the hash value of the immediately preceding block. Specifically, a second block contains the hash value of the immediately preceding first block. A hash value calculated from the multiple transaction data contained in the second block and the hash value of the first block is then included in the third block immediately following the second block as the hash value of the second block. In this way, a blockchain effectively prevents tampering with recorded transaction data by connecting blocks in a chain while including the contents of the previous block as a hash value.

If past transaction data were to be changed, the block's hash value would be different from the value before the change, and in order to make the altered block appear correct, all subsequent blocks would have to be recreated, which is a very difficult task in reality. This property is used to ensure that the blockchain is tamper-resistant.

The transaction data includes a transaction body and a digital signature. The transaction body is the data body included in the transaction data, and in this embodiment, includes information on the transfer history of the environmental value token. The digital signature is a digital signature generated using the signature key of the creator of the transaction data for the hash value of the transaction body, and may be generated, for example, by encrypting the hash value with the private key of the creator of the transaction data.

Transaction data has a digital signature, making it virtually impossible to tamper with. If transaction data were to be tampered with, verification using the digital signature would fail, revealing that the transaction data had been tampered with. This prevents tampering with the transaction itself.

Ledger servers 400b and 400c are ledger servers similar to ledger server 400a, and operate independently of ledger server 400a.

Although the distributed ledger network is illustrated with three ledger servers 400a-400c, the number of ledger servers 400a-400c may be four or more.

The hydrogen production method corresponds to the hydrogen source. The composition ratio of hydrogen sources can be ascertained by using hydrogen trading tokens. The number of environmental value tokens provided to users of the hydrogen station 40 is set according to the level of environmental contribution for each hydrogen production method. Each hydrogen station 40 creates and stores the table data shown in Figures 4 and 5 based on the hydrogen trading tokens and environmental value tokens acquired through hydrogen trading via the hydrogen trading server 100.

FIG. 4 is a table showing the relationship between the hydrogen source and the number of environmental value tokens provided in this embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the number of environmental value tokens provided for each hydrogen source. The number of environmental value tokens is represented by, for example, green coins (GC), but is not limited to this.

Figure 4 shows the correspondence between the hydrogen source of hydrogen supplied by hydrogen station 40 and the quantity (gc/kWh) of environmental value tokens provided. The hydrogen source is the source of hydrogen supplied at hydrogen station 40. This hydrogen source is a type of hydrogen specified based on the hydrogen production method, and in the example of Figure 4, includes green hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and grey hydrogen. In other words, Figure 4 shows the quantity (gc/kWh) of environmental value tokens provided for each hydrogen production method.

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy and the like without emitting carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) in the production process. One example is hydrogen produced by water electrolysis using electricity generated by solar power generation. Blue hydrogen is hydrogen produced with reduced CO ₂ emissions in the production process. Blue hydrogen is hydrogen obtained by a production method having a process of recovering carbon dioxide generated when producing hydrogen using fossil fuels, for example. Grey hydrogen is hydrogen produced by using fossil fuels and emitting CO ₂ in the production process. In other words, green hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and grey hydrogen are hydrogen classified according to the amount of CO ₂ emission reduction of the hydrogen source, in other words, the level of decarbonization. In other words, in FIG. 4, the number of environmental value tokens provided to each hydrogen source corresponds to the degree of environmental contribution in terms of the amount of CO ₂ emission reduction of each hydrogen source. Note that FIG. 4 is an example, and the configuration of the hydrogen source and the correspondence between each hydrogen source and the number of environmental value tokens provided are not limited to this example.

The correspondence relationship shown in FIG. 4 may be changed as appropriate, so for example, it is advisable to use the latest correspondence relationship. The correspondence relationship shown in FIG. 4 is used commonly for each hydrogen station 40.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing hydrogen asset information for hydrogen supplied by hydrogen station 40 according to this embodiment. Hydrogen asset information is an example of information showing the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in hydrogen supplied by hydrogen station 40, for example, information showing the composition ratio of hydrogen sources for each hydrogen production method.

The hydrogen asset information of hydrogen supplied by hydrogen station 40 shown in FIG. 5 includes information that the ratio of green hydrogen in the hydrogen supplied by hydrogen station 40 is 50%, the ratio of blue hydrogen is 30%, and the ratio of grey hydrogen is 20%.

The number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen station 40 is calculated by the information processing device of the hydrogen station 40 based on the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 and the number of environmental value tokens provided for each hydrogen source. For example, the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen station 40 may be calculated by multiplying the ratio for each hydrogen source included in the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 by the number of environmental value tokens provided for each hydrogen source. For example, in the case of the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 shown in FIG. 5, the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen station 40 is calculated by the following formula 1.

Quantity of environmental value tokens = 1.5 x 0.5 + 1.0 x 0.3 + 0 x 0.2 = 1.05 (gc/kWh) ... formula (1)

In this way, the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen station 40 is calculated based on the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40, i.e., information indicating the composition ratio of the hydrogen source. Note that the method of calculating the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen station 40 is not limited to the above, and may be calculated by other methods.

Note that the ratio of hydrogen supplied by a hydrogen station 40 in the hydrogen asset information may differ for each hydrogen station 40, and therefore the number of environmental value tokens provided may also differ for each hydrogen station 40. Therefore, the number of environmental value tokens provided at a hydrogen station 40 is calculated for each hydrogen station 40.

In step S31, hydrogen station information including the quantity of environmental value tokens calculated at the hydrogen station 40 as described above is transmitted from the hydrogen station management system 30 to the server device 20.

Referring again to FIG. 2, when the controller 22 of the server device 20 receives the search area information in step S13, it extracts hydrogen stations 40 included in the search area and generates hydrogen station information within the area that includes the hydrogen station information of the extracted hydrogen stations 40.

Next, the server device 20 transmits the area hydrogen station information via the communicator 21, and the information terminal 10 receives the area hydrogen station information transmitted from the server device 20 (S21). The information terminal 10 may store the area hydrogen station information in a memory device (not shown).

Next, the display 11 of the information terminal 10 displays the received information about hydrogen stations within the area (S14).

Here, an example of in-area hydrogen station information displayed by the display 11 will be described with reference to Figs. 6A to 6F. Figs. 6A to 6F are diagrams showing examples of display of in-area hydrogen station information according to this embodiment. Note that an example is shown in which "Kadoma City" is received as the search area in step S12. In addition, in order to identify the hydrogen stations 40, each hydrogen station 40 is described as sites A to C. Also, which of Figs. 6A to 6F is to be displayed may be set in advance by the operator. Note that in Fig. 6A etc., the quantity of environmental value tokens to be provided is described as "token amount".

As shown in FIG. 6A, the display 11 may display a list of hydrogen stations 40 in the area. The list may include, for example, the address of each hydrogen station 40, the cost of hydrogen, and the number of environmental value tokens provided.

The hydrogen cost and the number of environmental value tokens to be provided are the hydrogen cost and the number of environmental value tokens to be provided on the day that the operator searches for hydrogen stations 40 in the area, or on the date that the operator inputs. This also applies to the hydrogen cost and the number of environmental value tokens in each of the display examples in Figures 6B to 6F.
In addition, although the display example shown in Fig. 6A does not display information indicating the current date or the date input by the operator, information indicating these dates may be further displayed in the display example shown in Fig. 6A. This also applies to the display examples in Fig. 6B to Fig. 6F.

The address indicates the address of the hydrogen station 40. The address is an example of location information.

The hydrogen cost indicates, for example, the refilling cost per refilling amount (X yen/kg) on the day that the information terminal 10 acquires the search area information in step S12. Note that if the information terminal 10 acquires date information in step S12 or in a step before or after that, the hydrogen cost indicates the hydrogen cost on the date corresponding to that date information.

The quantity of environmental value tokens indicates, for example, the quantity of environmental value tokens provided to a user at site A when the user fills up at site A on the day that the information terminal 10 acquires the search area information in step S12. As the quantity of environmental value tokens, for example, the quantity of environmental value tokens per unit amount related to hydrogen filling may be used. Specifically, the quantity of environmental value tokens provided per filling amount (Ygc/kg) is displayed, but for example, the quantity of environmental value tokens provided per filling time (Ygc/h) may also be displayed, or the quantity of environmental value tokens provided per filling (Ygc/times) may also be displayed. Note that, if the information terminal 10 acquires date information in step S12 or in a step before or after it, the quantity of environmental value tokens provided indicates the quantity of environmental value tokens on the date corresponding to the date information.

The list only needs to include at least one of the address, hydrogen cost, and quantity of environmental value tokens.

Also, as shown in Figures 6B to 6F, the display 11 may display hydrogen stations 40 within the area on a map.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the display 11 may display on a map the location of the hydrogen station 40, the hydrogen cost, and the number of environmental value tokens provided. The location of the hydrogen station 40 on the map is an example of location information. This type of display format is appropriate for a user who wishes to select a hydrogen station 40 taking into consideration both the hydrogen cost and the number of environmental value tokens provided.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6C, the display 11 may display on a map the location of the hydrogen station 40 and the number of environmental value tokens to be provided. In this case, the detailed information described below may display the number of environmental value tokens to be provided by the selected hydrogen station 40 together with the hydrogen cost. This type of display format is appropriate for users who place a higher priority on the number of environmental value tokens to be provided than the hydrogen cost.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6D, the display 11 may display the location of the hydrogen station 40 and the hydrogen cost on a map. In this case, the detailed information described below may display the number of environmental value tokens provided by the selected hydrogen station 40 and the hydrogen cost together. This type of display format is appropriate for users who place a higher priority on the hydrogen cost than on the number of environmental value tokens provided.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6E, the display 11 may display the location of the hydrogen station 40 and hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 on a map. In this case, the detailed information described below may also display the number of environmental value tokens provided by the selected hydrogen station 40 and the hydrogen cost. This type of display format is appropriate for users who place a higher priority on the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 than the number of environmental value tokens provided and the hydrogen cost.

In this way, the display 11 may display on a map the location of the hydrogen station 40 and at least one of the hydrogen cost, the number of environmental value tokens provided, and hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40. Furthermore, when the operator is asked to select a hydrogen station 40, the location information may be displayed in text or as a location on a map.

Although not shown, the display 11 may display on a map the location of the hydrogen station 40 and the actual hydrogen cost taking into account the number of environmental value tokens provided. In other words, the display 11 may indirectly display the economic effect corresponding to the number of environmental value tokens provided. In this case, the actual hydrogen cost is calculated, for example, as (hydrogen cost - legal tender value of the number of environmental value tokens).

The display 11 may also display recommended hydrogen stations 40 that are recommended for use by users in a different display format from other hydrogen stations 40. In the examples of Figures 6B to 6E, recommended hydrogen stations 40 are shown with hatched circles, and other hydrogen stations 40 are shown with normal circles without hatched circles.

FIGS. 6B and 6C show a case where recommended hydrogen stations 40 are identified based on the number of environmental value tokens provided, and show an example in which hydrogen stations 40 that provide a large number of environmental value tokens are displayed as recommended. Specifically, of sites A to C, sites A and B are clearly displayed as recommended.

FIG. 6D shows a case where recommended hydrogen stations 40 are identified based on hydrogen cost, and shows an example in which hydrogen stations 40 with low hydrogen costs are recommended. Specifically, of sites A to C, sites B and C are clearly shown as recommended.

FIG. 6E shows a case where recommended hydrogen stations 40 are identified based on hydrogen asset information of hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen stations 40, and shows an example in which hydrogen stations 40 that have a high ratio of hydrogen sources that contribute highly to decarbonization (e.g., the ratio of green hydrogen) are displayed as recommended. Specifically, of sites A to C, sites A and B are clearly displayed as recommended.

In this way, the server device 20 causes the display 11 to display the hydrogen station 40 identified based on at least one of the quantity of environmental value tokens to be provided, the hydrogen cost, and the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40.

The display manner of the recommended hydrogen stations 40 is not limited to the display manner shown in Figures 6B to 6E, and any display manner may be used as long as the recommended hydrogen stations 40 are distinguished from other hydrogen stations 40. For example, the recommended hydrogen stations 40 may be displayed more emphasized than the other hydrogen stations 40. Displaying in an emphasized manner may include, but is not limited to, displaying the recommended hydrogen stations 40 larger or in a different color.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6F, the display 11 may display only the recommended hydrogen stations 40 among the recommended hydrogen stations 40 and other hydrogen stations 40.

The recommended hydrogen station 40 is identified based on historical information from when the user previously filled up with hydrogen (used) or made a reservation for filling up with hydrogen (reserved use). The historical information includes at least one history of the hydrogen cost when filling up with hydrogen or when making a reservation for filling up with hydrogen, the number of environmental value tokens provided, and the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40. The recommended hydrogen station 40 is identified based on at least one history of the hydrogen cost, the number of environmental value tokens provided, and the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40, for example.

The history information when a reservation for hydrogen filling is made can be obtained, for example, based on the reservation details for hydrogen filling made by the user using the information terminal 10. The history information when hydrogen filling is made can be obtained, for example, based on the information processing device of the hydrogen station 40 where hydrogen filling was performed, or the details input by the user to the information processing device when hydrogen filling was performed at the hydrogen station 40. The information processing device of the hydrogen station 40 transmits, for example, information for identifying the user, the time period when hydrogen filling was performed, and the number of environmental value tokens provided at that time to the server device 20.
The information for identifying the user may be, for example, the user's ID. Furthermore, the time period during which hydrogen was filled may be obtained when the payment for the amount of hydrogen filled is made.

For example, when identifying a recommended hydrogen station 40 based on the number of environmental value tokens provided, the controller 22 of the server device 20 may identify as a recommended hydrogen station 40 a hydrogen station 40 that provides an amount of environmental value tokens equal to or greater than a reference value calculated based on the history of the number of environmental value tokens provided that was previously selected by the user. The reference value may be the average, median, mode, or minimum value of the number of environmental value tokens provided that was previously selected by the user.

In addition, the hydrogen station information within the area may include information indicating recommended hydrogen stations 40. The controller 22 may receive in advance from the operator via the information terminal 10 information on which hydrogen station 40 is to be displayed for the hydrogen cost, the number of environmental value tokens provided, and the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40, and include information for displaying the recommended hydrogen station 40 for the received target in the hydrogen station information within the area. In addition, the hydrogen station 40 recommended for each of the hydrogen cost, the number of environmental value tokens provided, and the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 may be identified, and the identified information may be included in the hydrogen station information within the area, allowing the operator to select which recommended hydrogen station 40 is to be displayed when displaying on the information terminal 10, or the recommended hydrogen station 40 for each of the hydrogen cost, the number of environmental value tokens provided, and the hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 may be simultaneously displayed in different display modes.

In this way, as shown in steps S12 to S14, when the operator inputs information indicating the area in which to search for hydrogen stations 40, the server device 20 causes the information terminal 10 to display information indicating the quantity of environmental value tokens provided at at least one hydrogen station 40 present in that area.

As a result, the operator can select a hydrogen station 40 to fill with hydrogen by taking into consideration the number of environmental value tokens provided from each hydrogen station 40, so that the most suitable hydrogen station 40 for the user can be selected. For example, when at least one hydrogen station 40 is a plurality of hydrogen stations 40, the more suitable hydrogen station 40 for the user can be selected compared to when only the number of environmental value tokens provided at one hydrogen station 40 is displayed.

The server device 20 may also display the location information of each of multiple hydrogen stations 40 within the area, as shown in Figures 6A to 6F.

Referring again to FIG. 2, after displaying the hydrogen station information within the area, the reception unit of the information terminal 10 receives a selection of a hydrogen station 40 from the operator (S15). For example, the reception unit may receive a selection of one hydrogen station 40 from the operator, or may receive a selection of two or more hydrogen stations 40.

Next, the display 11 displays detailed information about the hydrogen station 40 selected in step S15 (S16).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of detailed information about the hydrogen station 40 according to this embodiment.
7 shows an example in which site A is selected. The detailed information may be included in the hydrogen station information within the area.

As shown in FIG. 7, the display 11 displays detailed information about the hydrogen station information of the selected site A. As detailed information, the display 11 displays the address of site A, the hydrogen cost, the number of environmental value tokens provided, and hydrogen asset information about the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40. The server device 20 may, for example, cause the display 11 to display information indicating the number of environmental value tokens provided to a user who fills a hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen at at least one hydrogen station 40, and may also cause the display 11 to display information indicating the hydrogen cost at at least one hydrogen station 40.

In this way, when the operator of the information terminal 10 selects a specific hydrogen station 40 from among at least one hydrogen station 40, the server device 20 causes the display 11 to display information indicating the number of environmental value tokens provided by the selected hydrogen station 40. Furthermore, when the operator of the information terminal 10 selects a specific hydrogen station 40 from among at least one hydrogen station 40, the server device 20 causes the display 11 to display location information of the selected specific hydrogen station 40. Furthermore, when the operator of the information terminal 10 selects a specific hydrogen station 40 from among at least one hydrogen station 40, the server device 20 causes the display 11 to display hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the selected specific hydrogen station 40.

Referring again to FIG. 2, next, the reception unit of the display 11 receives a refill reservation (reservation for use) from the operator (S17). As the refill reservation, for example, information indicating the time period for refilling is received.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen of the hydrogen station 40 according to this embodiment.
In Fig. 8, a time slot Z1 that has already been reserved is indicated by hatching diagonally downward to the left, and a time slot Z2 that has been reserved by the operator is indicated by hatching diagonally downward to the right. Also, for example, when an operation is performed to proceed to the reservation screen in the display of Fig. 7, the screen transitions to the reservation screen shown in Fig. 8.

Figure 8 shows a state in which the operator has made a reservation for time slot Z2, which is an available time slot. For example, when the operator performs an operation to proceed to the reservation screen, the display 11 displays the reserved time slots for which reservations have already been made and the available time slots for which no reservations have been made. The reserved time slots and the available time slots are displayed, for example, in different display modes. Then, when the operator makes a reservation for an available time slot, a reservation is made for time slot Z2, as shown in Figure 8. This completes the reservation (reservation for use) for hydrogen filling at the hydrogen station 40.

When the reservation for use of the hydrogen station 40 is completed, the information terminal 10 is set to notify the operator that the reserved time period Z2 is approaching before the reserved time period Z2 starts.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a notification by the information terminal 10 according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 9, information indicating that time zone Z2 is approaching is displayed a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes) before the start of time zone Z2. Examples of information indicating that time zone Z2 is approaching include, but are not limited to, information indicating that a reservation has been made to use the hydrogen station 40 during time zone Z2, and information indicating the time remaining until the start of time zone Z2 for which a reservation has been made to use the hydrogen station 40.

The notification method is not limited to the above-mentioned screen display on the display device 11, but may be sound, light, vibration, etc., from the information terminal 10.

If the information terminal 10 is a portable information terminal, the above setting for the information terminal 10 when the reservation for use of the hydrogen station 40 is completed may be made on the information terminal mounted on the hydrogen vehicle used by the operator. Specifically, information indicating that the reservation for use of the hydrogen station 40 has been made for time period Z2 is transmitted to the information terminal mounted on the hydrogen vehicle, and the information terminal of the hydrogen vehicle is set to notify the user of the hydrogen vehicle that time period Z2 for which the reservation for use of the hydrogen station 40 has been made is approaching before the start of the time period Z2 for which the reservation for use of the hydrogen station 40 has been made based on the received information. The method of transmitting the above information from the information terminal 10 to the information terminal of the hydrogen vehicle may be direct transmission to the information terminal of the hydrogen vehicle, or indirect transmission via an external server. The method of notifying the user of the hydrogen vehicle that time period Z2 for which the reservation for use of the hydrogen station 40 has been made is approaching is the same as the above method via the information terminal 10.

In the above, an example in which the information shown in FIG. 7 is displayed as detailed information has been described, but the items displayed are not limited to those shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a setting screen for display items of the hydrogen station 40 displayed on the information terminal 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, check boxes and each item are shown as the display settings for the hydrogen station 40, and the operator may select the items to be displayed as detailed information. FIG. 9 shows an example in which, in addition to the normal display settings, token information and hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40 are also set to be displayed. The normal display settings are settings for displaying information about the hydrogen station 40 other than token information and hydrogen asset information of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen station 40, and include, for example, the site name, address, hydrogen cost, and reservation status.

The check results in Figure 9 correspond to the detailed information shown in Figure 7, and since all items have been selected, all items are displayed as detailed information in Figure 7.

By checking the items required to identify the hydrogen station 40 where hydrogen will be filled, taking into consideration the number of environmental value tokens to be provided, the operator can take into consideration the items that he or she considers important, thereby enabling efficient selection of the hydrogen station 40.

In addition, information for displaying information on the checked items in FIG. 9 on the display 11 may be included in the hydrogen station information within the area.

The control method of the information terminal 10 may include at least one of the steps shown in FIG. 2, such as step S16, which displays information indicating the number of environmental value tokens provided to a user who fills a hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen at at least one hydrogen station 40.

Other Embodiments
Although the control method of the information terminal 10 according to one or more aspects has been described based on the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceived by a person skilled in the art to this embodiment and forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments may also be included in the present disclosure.

For example, when a user sets a specific hydrogen station as a destination, the display 11 of the information terminal 10 may display the route to the specific hydrogen station.

FIGS. 11 to 14 are diagrams showing examples of displays on an information terminal 10 in other embodiments.

When hydrogen site A is selected by the user in step S15, information for confirming whether or not to make hydrogen site A the destination is displayed on the display 11, as shown in FIG. 11.

If you select Hydrogen Site A as the destination, Hydrogen Site A will be set as the destination, and the route from the current position of the hydrogen vehicle to Hydrogen Site A will be displayed on the map, as shown in Figure 12.

In addition, when hydrogen site A is set as the destination while the hydrogen vehicle is in automatic operation, information indicating that hydrogen site A has been set as the destination is sent via a communication device (not shown) of the information terminal 10 to a controller (not shown) that controls the automatic operation of the hydrogen vehicle.

When the controller that controls the automatic operation of the hydrogen vehicle receives the above information via the hydrogen vehicle's communication device (not shown), it starts automatic operation with hydrogen site A as the destination. Note that the transmission and reception of the above information between the information terminal 10 and the hydrogen vehicle via their respective communication devices may be performed by wire or wirelessly.

Also, at this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the display 11 of the information terminal 10 displays the route from the current position of the hydrogen vehicle to hydrogen site A on a map, and also indicates that the vehicle is in automatic driving mode.

Note that the setting of the charging site destination is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 11. For example, after charging site A is selected in step S15, detailed information about charging site A is displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG. 14, and the user who has confirmed this detailed information may perform an operation to set charging site A as the destination, thereby setting charging site A as the destination.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the server device 20 and the hydrogen station management system 30 are separate devices, but this is not limited to this, and the server device 20 and the hydrogen station management system 30 may be an integrated device, or, for example, the server device 20 may be capable of executing some of the functions of the hydrogen station management system 30. Furthermore, the server device 20 and the hydrogen station management system 30 may be realized as a cloud system.

The current location of the hydrogen vehicle may also be displayed in the map displays in Figures 6B to 6F in the above embodiment. The current location of the hydrogen vehicle may be obtained from a positioning device such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor mounted on the hydrogen vehicle.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example in which location information is displayed is described in Figures 6A to 6F, but location information does not have to be displayed.

In addition, in the above embodiment, if there is only one hydrogen station 40 in the selected area, the server device 20 may skip the displays shown in Figures 6A to 6F and display the detailed information shown in Figure 7 on the display 11.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the exchange of environmental value tokens is managed using a distributed ledger, but hydrogen asset information for hydrogen supplied by hydrogen station 40 may also be managed using a distributed ledger.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

The order in which each step in the flowchart is performed is merely an example to specifically explain the present disclosure, and orders other than those described above may also be used. Some of the steps may also be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps, and some of the steps may not be performed.

Furthermore, the division of functional blocks in the block diagram is one example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as one functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be transferred to other functional blocks. Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in a time-shared manner by a single piece of hardware or software.

Furthermore, the server device 20 according to the above-mentioned embodiments may be realized as a single device, or may be realized by multiple devices. When the server device 20 is realized by multiple devices, the components of the server device 20 may be distributed in any manner among the multiple devices. When the server device 20 is realized by multiple devices, the communication method between the multiple devices is not particularly limited, and may be wireless communication or wired communication. Furthermore, wireless communication and wired communication may be combined between the devices.

Furthermore, each component described in the above embodiment may be realized as software, or may be realized as an LSI, which is typically an integrated circuit. These may be individually integrated into one chip, or may be integrated into one chip to include some or all of them. Here, LSI is used, but depending on the degree of integration, it may be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI. Furthermore, the method of integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized with a dedicated circuit (a general-purpose circuit that executes a dedicated program) or a general-purpose processor. After LSI manufacture, a programmable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection or settings of the circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology or a different derived technology, it is natural that the components may be integrated using that technology.

A system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple processing units on a single chip, and is specifically a computer system that includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. Computer programs are stored in the ROM. The system LSI achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates according to the computer program.

Another aspect of the present disclosure may be a computer program that causes a computer to execute each of the characteristic steps included in the control method for the information terminal 10 shown in FIG. 2.

Furthermore, for example, the program may be a program to be executed by a computer. Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which such a program is recorded. For example, such a program may be recorded on a recording medium and distributed or circulated. For example, the distributed program may be installed in a device having another processor, and the program may be executed by that processor, thereby making it possible to cause that device to perform each of the above processes.

This disclosure is useful for controlling an information terminal that displays information about hydrogen stations.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Control system 10 Information terminal 11 Display 20 Server device 21, 31 Communication device 22, 32 Controller 23, 33 Memory device 30 Hydrogen station management system 40 Hydrogen station 60 Network 100 Hydrogen trading server 110 Hydrogen trading token pool 120 Environmental value token pool 210, 220, 230 Hydrogen production plant 310 Company 320 User 400a, 400b, 400c Ledger server Z1, Z2 Time period

Claims (14)

A method for controlling an information terminal that displays, at at least one hydrogen station, information indicating the number of environmental value tokens provided to users of the hydrogen station who fill hydrogen vehicles with the hydrogen. The method for controlling an information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising displaying information indicating the hydrogen cost of at least one of the hydrogen stations. The method for controlling an information terminal according to claim 1 or 2, which, when an input is received from an operator of the information terminal to select a specific hydrogen station from among the at least one hydrogen station, displays information showing the composition ratio of hydrogen sources in the hydrogen supplied by the selected specific hydrogen station. The control method for an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which, when information indicating an area in which a hydrogen station is to be searched is input by an operator of the information terminal, information indicating the quantity of the environmental value tokens provided at the at least one hydrogen station present in the area is displayed. The method for controlling an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when information indicating a date to be searched is input by an operator of the information terminal, information indicating the quantity of the environmental value tokens to be provided at the at least one hydrogen station on the date is displayed on the information terminal. The control method for an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the quantity of the environmental value tokens is calculated based on information indicating the composition ratio of the hydrogen sources of the hydrogen supplied by the at least one hydrogen station. The method for controlling an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which, when an input is received from an operator of the information terminal to select a specific hydrogen station from among the at least one hydrogen station, displays location information of the selected specific hydrogen station. The method for controlling an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising displaying location information of at least one hydrogen station. The control method for an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which indicates hydrogen stations recommended for use by the user, identified based on the hydrogen costs of hydrogen stations used or reserved by the user. The control method of an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which indicates hydrogen stations recommended for use by the user, identified based on the number of environmental value tokens provided at the hydrogen stations used or reserved by the user. The control method for an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which indicates hydrogen stations recommended for use by the user, identified based on information showing the composition ratio of hydrogen sources at hydrogen stations used or reserved for use by the user. The method for controlling an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which, when an input is received from an operator of the information terminal to reserve the use of the hydrogen station for a specified period, a notification is given before the start of the specified period that the specified period is approaching. The method for controlling an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which, when an input is received from an operator of the information terminal to set a specific hydrogen station among the at least one hydrogen station as a destination, displays a route to the specific hydrogen station. The control method for an information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein when the user sets a specific hydrogen station among the at least one hydrogen station as a destination, information indicating that the specific hydrogen station has been set as the destination is transmitted to a controller of the electric vehicle during autonomous driving.

Images