Battery information processing method and battery information processing system

Abstract

In the information processing method, a computer performs the following processing: obtaining the charge state and degradation state of a battery; determining an upper limit of the charge state of the battery based on the degradation state; determining a charging plan for the battery based on the determined upper limit of the charge state and the charge state; and outputting the determined charging plan.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to suppress deterioration of batteries installed in shared vehicles in a vehicle sharing system, there is known a technique for determining a battery charging time period according to the type of battery (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5679920 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] Conventional technologies have limited the ability to suppress battery degradation.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method and an information processing system that can suppress battery degradation more effectively than before.

[0009] Means used to solve problems

[0010] In an information processing method related to a technical solution of the present invention, a computer performs the following processing: obtaining the charging state and degradation state of a battery; determining an upper limit of the charging state of the battery based on the above-mentioned degradation state; determining a charging plan for the battery based on the determined upper limit of the charging state and the above-mentioned charging state; and outputting the determined charging plan.

[0011] An information processing system according to a technical solution of the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring a charge state and a degradation state of a battery; a first determination unit for determining an upper limit of the charge state of the battery based on the degradation state; a second determination unit for determining a charging plan for the battery based on the determined upper limit of the charge state and the charge state; and an output unit for outputting the determined charging plan.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the information processing method and information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention, battery degradation can be suppressed more effectively than before. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a charging plan determination server according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of battery usage schedule.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the reservation status of a charging station.

[0018] Figure 5A This is a data structure diagram of the first correspondence table according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5B This is a data structure diagram of the second correspondence table related to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a charging plan according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a charging plan according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6C This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a charging plan according to the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram of a charging plan determination process according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of operations performed by the charging plan determination server according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] (Achieving the understanding of a technical solution of the present invention)

[0026] As mentioned above, in the prior art, the charging time period of the battery is determined according to the type of battery. This can suppress the degradation of the battery to a certain extent. However, its effect is limited. Therefore, the inventors have repeatedly conducted special research on a method for determining a charging plan that can suppress the degradation of the battery more effectively than before. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered that by determining the charging plan based on not only the static state of the battery, such as the type of battery, but also the dynamic state of the battery, such as the charge state and degradation state of the battery, the degradation of the battery can be suppressed more effectively than before. As a result, the inventors came up with the following information processing method and information processing system.

[0027] In an information processing method related to a technical solution of the present invention, a computer performs the following processing: obtaining the charging state and degradation state of a battery; determining an upper limit of the charging state of the battery based on the above-mentioned degradation state; determining a charging plan for the battery based on the determined upper limit of the charging state and the above-mentioned charging state; and outputting the determined charging plan.

[0028] The information processing method outputs a battery charging plan that takes into account dynamic battery states, such as the battery's state of charge and degradation, which were not considered in conventional technologies. Consequently, the information processing method can more effectively suppress battery degradation than before.

[0029] Alternatively, the method may further include obtaining a scheduled usage of the battery; determining a lower limit for the battery's state of charge based on the degradation state; and determining the charging schedule based on the lower limit and the scheduled usage. If the battery's state of charge is too low, the degree of battery degradation increases. In contrast, according to this configuration, determining the charging schedule based on the scheduled usage of the battery and the lower limit for the battery's state of charge can prevent accelerated degradation caused by the battery's state of charge falling below the lower limit after use.

[0030] Furthermore, the location of the vehicle equipped with the battery and the locations of multiple charging stations may be obtained; and the charging plan including information indicating charging locations may be determined based on the location of the vehicle and the locations of the multiple charging stations. Thus, since the charging station to be charged is determined based on the current charging state and the distance from the current location of the vehicle equipped with the battery to the charging station, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out of power before reaching the charging station or from the charging state becoming too low before reaching the charging station, thereby preventing the battery from deteriorating rapidly.

[0031] Alternatively, the location of the vehicle carrying the battery and the location of the charging station may be further acquired; and the charging plan including information indicating the charging time may be determined based on the vehicle and charging station locations. Thus, since the charging time is determined based on the current charging state and the distance to the charging station, charging can be performed before the battery runs out or the charging state becomes too low.

[0032] Alternatively, the vehicle may further obtain a travel route of the vehicle equipped with the battery and the locations of multiple charging stations; and determine the charging plan, including information indicating charging locations, based on the distances from the travel route to each of the multiple charging stations. Thus, since the charging station to be charged is determined based on the current charge state and the distance from the travel route to the charging station, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out of power before reaching the charging station or the charge state from becoming too low by the time the battery reaches the charging station, thereby preventing it from deteriorating rapidly.

[0033] Furthermore, the charging plan may include information indicating an upper limit of the state of charge. This allows the user or the charger control system to understand the upper limit of the battery's state of charge and control the charger so that the state of charge does not exceed the upper limit.

[0034] Furthermore, the charging plan may include information indicating the charging time, thereby enabling the user or the charger control system to charge the battery without referring to the battery's state of charge and to ensure that the upper limit of the state of charge is not exceeded.

[0035] Alternatively, the system may further obtain the reservation status of the charging station from a reservation server, determine the charging plan based on the reservation status, and output the determined charging plan as a reservation request to the reservation server. This allows automatic reservation of a charger based on a charging plan that minimizes battery degradation.

[0036] Alternatively, the process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge may be based on the degree of degradation progression corresponding to the degree of the state of degradation. The degree of degradation progression varies depending on the degree of battery state of degradation. Therefore, with this configuration, an upper limit of the state of charge can be determined that can suppress the progression of battery degradation.

[0037] Furthermore, a permissible degree of degradation progression may be obtained, and the process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge may be based on the degree of degradation progression corresponding to the degree of degradation and the permissible degree of degradation progression. This balance between suppressing the progression of battery degradation and battery usability can be achieved.

[0038] Furthermore, the process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge may be based on at least one of the degradation state, the battery's charging current, the battery's discharging current, the battery's temperature, and the state of charge. This allows the upper limit of the state of charge to be determined based on parameters related to the progression of battery degradation, improving the accuracy of the upper limit. Consequently, it is possible to achieve a balance between suppressing battery degradation and achieving battery utilization efficiency.

[0039] An information processing system according to a technical solution of the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring a charge state and a degradation state of a battery; a first determination unit for determining an upper limit of the charge state of the battery based on the degradation state; a second determination unit for determining a charging plan for the battery based on the determined upper limit of the charge state and the charge state; and an output unit for outputting the determined charging plan.

[0040] The information processing system outputs a battery charging plan that takes into account dynamic battery states, such as the battery's state of charge and degradation, which were not considered in conventional technologies. Therefore, the information processing system can suppress battery degradation more effectively than before.

[0041] Hereinafter, a specific example of an information processing method and an information processing system according to a technical solution of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments shown here all represent a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, constituent elements, configuration positions and connection forms of constituent elements, as well as steps (processes) and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples and do not limit the present invention. Among the constituent elements of the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims are constituent elements that can be added arbitrarily. In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a strict illustration.

[0042] In addition, the inclusive or specific technical solutions of the present invention may also be implemented by a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program or a computer-readable CD-ROM or other recording medium, or by any combination of the system, method, integrated circuit, computer program and recording medium.

[0043] (Implementation 1)

[0044] [1. Structure of the information processing system]

[0045] Hereinafter, an information processing system according to an embodiment will be described. This information processing system determines a charging plan for a battery mounted on a vehicle based on the state of charge and the state of degradation of the battery.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, information processing system 1 includes a charging plan determination server 100, a reservation server 200, networks 300A and 300B, vehicles 400A through 400C, and charging stations 500A through 500C. Hereinafter, vehicles 400A through 400C will be referred to simply as vehicles 400, and charging stations 500A through 500C will be referred to simply as charging stations 500.

[0048] Vehicle 400 is equipped with a battery and travels using power from the battery. Vehicle 400 obtains the state of charge and state of degradation of the battery. Specifically, the battery state of charge may be, for example, the current charge rate, assuming a full charge is 100%. Specifically, the battery state of degradation may be, for example, the current degradation rate, assuming a state where the battery has degraded to the point where it cannot be recharged, assuming 100%. Vehicle 400 may also obtain the cumulative distance traveled based on the battery and estimate the battery state of degradation based on the obtained cumulative distance. Alternatively, vehicle 400 may obtain the current flowing during charging of the battery and estimate the battery state of degradation based on the obtained charging current. Alternatively, vehicle 400 may obtain the current flowing during discharging of the battery (while vehicle 400 is traveling) and estimate the battery state of degradation based on the obtained discharging current. Alternatively, vehicle 400 may estimate the battery state of degradation based on the time elapsed since the battery was manufactured or charged. Alternatively, vehicle 400 may estimate the battery state of degradation based on a combination of these methods. Alternatively, vehicle 400 may be equipped with a degradation state measuring device capable of measuring the battery's degradation state, and the battery's degradation state may be obtained using the onboard degradation state measuring device. Vehicle 400 includes an input device for accepting operations from a user utilizing vehicle 400, and an output device for outputting information to the user. Examples of the input device include a touchpad and a keyboard. Examples of the output device include a display and a speaker. Here, it is assumed that vehicle 400 includes a touchpad as an input device and a display as an output device. Using the input device, the user can input the planned usage of the battery installed in vehicle 400 and the route of vehicle 400's movement. The planned battery usage refers to factors that affect the rate of battery depletion (in other words, the amount of power consumed per unit time), such as the planned or projected travel route, travel distance, load, speed, and acceleration. For example, the planned battery usage may be the planned travel schedule of vehicle 400. Vehicle 400 obtains its own vehicle location. Vehicle 400 may obtain its own vehicle location, for example, using GPS. Vehicle 400 is communicatively connected to charging plan determination server 100 via network 300A.

[0049] Charging station 500 charges the battery mounted on vehicle 400. Charging station 500 can charge the battery using multiple charging types (also known as charging modes, such as normal charging and quick charging). Charging station 500 includes an input device for accepting operations from the administrator of charging station 500 and an output device for outputting information to the administrator. Examples of the input device include a touchpad and a keyboard. Examples of the output device include a display and a speaker. Here, it is assumed that charging station 500 includes a touchpad as an input device and a display as an output device. The administrator can use the input device to input reservations for charging station 500 and offers discounts to users of charging station 500. For example, a discount could include a 5% discount on the normal rate for users who use charging station 500 during a specified time period (such as during a leisure period). Alternatively, a small gift could be given to users who make a reservation in advance. Furthermore, a 20% discount on the normal rate could be given to users who use normal charging instead of quick charging. Charging station 500 is communicatively connected to reservation server 200 via network 300B.

[0050] The reservation server 200 is communicably connected to a plurality of charging stations 500 via the network 300B, and acquires and manages the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500. The reservation server 200 is also communicably connected to the charging plan determination server 100.

[0051] The charging plan determination server 100 is communicably connected to a plurality of vehicles 400 via the network 300A, and determines a charging plan for a battery mounted on each vehicle 400. The charging plan determination server 100 is also communicably connected to the reservation server 200.

[0052] The charging plan decision server 100 and the reservation server 200 can be implemented, for example, by a computer including a processor and a memory. In this case, the components of the charging plan decision server 100 and the reservation server 200 can be implemented, for example, by a processor executing one or more programs stored in a memory. In addition, the charging plan decision server 100 and the reservation server 200 can be implemented, for example, by a plurality of computers including a processor and a memory that can communicate with each other and coordinating their actions. In this case, the components of the charging plan decision server 100 and the reservation server 200 can be implemented, for example, by one or more processors executing one or more programs stored in one or more memories. Here, it is assumed that the charging plan decision server 100 and the reservation server 200 are implemented by a computer including a processor and a memory.

[0053] In addition, the functions of the charging plan determination server and the reservation server can also be implemented by the same server.

[0054] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charging plan determination server 100 .

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the charging plan determination server 100 includes a state acquisition unit 11, a usage plan acquisition unit 12, a position acquisition unit 13, a charging station information acquisition unit 14, a state update confirmation unit 20, an upper and lower limit determination unit 30, a charging plan determination unit 40, an output unit 51 and a reservation request unit 52.

[0056] The status acquisition unit 11 acquires the charge state and degradation state of the battery mounted on each vehicle 400 from each vehicle 400. The acquired battery charge state and degradation state are associated with information identifying the vehicle 400 from which the acquisition was made and stored. For example, each vehicle 400 may periodically transmit the battery charge state and degradation state to the charging plan determination server 100, and the status acquisition unit 11 may acquire the battery charge state and degradation state by receiving the battery charge state and degradation state periodically transmitted from each vehicle 400. Alternatively, for example, the status acquisition unit 11 may transmit a request to transmit the battery charge state and degradation state to each vehicle 400, and acquire the battery charge state and degradation state by receiving the battery charge state and degradation state transmitted from each vehicle 400 in response to the request. The status acquisition unit 11 may also acquire other information regarding the battery state from each vehicle 400. Other information may be based on, for example, the cumulative running distance of the mounted battery, the current amount of the mounted battery during charging, the current amount of the mounted battery during discharging, the temperature of the mounted battery, or the like.

[0057] The usage plan acquisition unit 12 acquires the usage plan of the battery mounted on each vehicle 400 from each vehicle 400. The acquired usage plan of the battery is associated with information identifying the vehicle 400 as the acquisition source and stored. Figure 3shows an example of a battery usage schedule acquired by the usage schedule acquisition unit 12. For example, when a user of each vehicle 400 inputs a battery usage schedule, the user may transmit the inputted battery usage schedule to the charging plan determination server 100, and the usage schedule acquisition unit 12 may acquire the battery usage schedule by receiving the battery usage schedule transmitted from each vehicle 400. Furthermore, for example, the state acquisition unit 11 may transmit a battery usage schedule transmission request to each vehicle 400, and acquire the battery usage schedule by receiving the battery usage schedule transmitted from each vehicle 400 in response to the transmission request. The usage schedule acquisition unit 12 may not acquire the battery usage schedule from a vehicle 400 for which no battery usage schedule has been inputted.

[0058] The position acquisition unit 13 acquires the position of the vehicle 400 from each vehicle 400. Furthermore, the acquired position of the vehicle 400 is associated with information identifying the vehicle 400 as the acquisition source and stored. For example, each vehicle 400 may periodically transmit its position to the charging plan determination server 100, and the position acquisition unit 13 may obtain the battery's state of charge and state of degradation by receiving the position of the vehicle 400 periodically transmitted from each vehicle 400. Furthermore, for example, the position acquisition unit 13 may transmit a request to transmit the position of the vehicle 400 to each vehicle 400, and obtain the position of the vehicle 400 by receiving the position of the vehicle 400 transmitted from each vehicle 400 in response to the transmission request. The state acquisition unit 11 may also obtain a movement route from each vehicle 400. In this case, the state acquisition unit 11 may not obtain a movement route from a vehicle 400 for which a movement route has not been input.

[0059] The charging station information acquisition unit 14 acquires the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500 from the reservation server 200. Then, the acquired reservation status, benefits, and location are stored. Figure 4 shows an example of the reservation status acquired by the charging station information acquisition unit 14. For example, the charging station information acquisition unit 14 may transmit a request to the reservation server 200 to transmit the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500, and obtain the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500 by receiving the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500 transmitted from the reservation server 200 in response to the transmission request. Furthermore, for example, the reservation server 200 may periodically transmit the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500 to the charging plan determination server 100, and the charging station information acquisition unit 14 may obtain the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500 by receiving the reservation status, benefits, and location of each charging station 500 periodically transmitted from the reservation server 200.

[0060] When the state acquisition unit 11 newly acquires the degradation state of a battery mounted on each vehicle 400 from each vehicle 400, the state update confirmation unit 20 confirms whether the newly acquired degradation state of the battery has been updated from the previously acquired degradation state of the battery. Here, "updated" means that the newly acquired degradation state of the battery has changed by a predetermined amount or more from the previously acquired degradation state of the battery.

[0061] When the state update confirmation unit 20 confirms that the state of battery degradation for a specific vehicle 400 (hereinafter referred to as "specific vehicle 400") has been updated, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the upper limit of the state of charge of the battery mounted on the specific vehicle 400 based on the battery's state of degradation. More specifically, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 stores, for each battery type, a first correspondence table indicating the correspondence between the battery's state of charge (i.e., the remaining charge in the battery), the battery's state of degradation (i.e., the accumulated degradation amount of the battery), and the degradation amount (i.e., the amount of new degradation incurred in the battery due to recharging, in other words, the degree of degradation progression). The upper limit of the battery's state of charge is determined based on the updated battery's state of degradation, the stored first correspondence table, and a preset allowable degradation amount.

[0062] Figure 5A 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the first correspondence table stored in the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 .

[0063] The upper and lower limit determination unit 30 refers to the first correspondence table, and determines one of the degradation amounts (here a1, a2, a3, b1, b2, b3, etc.) that corresponds to the degradation state of the updated battery (here the cumulative degradation amount) that is not higher than the preset allowable degradation amount, and determines the charging state corresponding to the determined degradation amount as the upper limit of the charging state of the battery.

[0064] The first correspondence table is prepared, for example, using data obtained in advance by conducting experiments. In addition, the table used to determine the upper limit of the charging state can also be determined based on variable factors. For example, the degradation state, that is, the accumulated degradation amount, is input, and based on a basic table representing the relationship between the accumulated degradation amount and the upper limit of the charging state, a table corresponding to the input accumulated degradation amount is determined. As variable factors, in addition to the accumulated degradation amount, there are also the current flowing during charging, the current flowing during discharging, the temperature of the battery, and the charging state. In the case where the variable factor is the charging state, the change in the charging state can also be considered to determine the table. In addition, instead of referring to Figure 5B The table determination process based on the variable factors is performed using the process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge of the correction amount described later.

[0065] When the state acquisition unit 11 acquires other information regarding the battery state along with the updated state of degradation for a specific vehicle 400, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 may also use this acquired information to determine the upper limit of the battery's state of charge. In this case, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 stores, for each battery type, a second correspondence table indicating the correspondence between the state of charge, the battery's state of degradation, the amount of degradation, and a correction amount of degradation based on the other information. The upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the upper limit of the battery's state of charge based on the updated battery's state of degradation, the other information, the stored second correspondence table, and a preset allowable amount of degradation.

[0066] Figure 5B 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the second correspondence table stored in the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 .

[0067] In the case of other information such as the current during battery charging, the correction amount (here is Δe1, Δe2, Δe3, Δf1, Δf2, Δf3, etc.) is a positive value that increases as the current increases. In the case of other information such as the current during battery discharging, the correction amount is a positive value that increases as the current increases. On the other hand, in the case of other information such as the temperature of the battery, the correction amount may be either positive or negative depending on the temperature.

[0068] The upper and lower limit determination unit 30 refers to the second correspondence table, and determines one of the sums of the degradation amount and the correction amount that is not higher than the preset allowable degradation amount from the sums of the degradation amount and the correction amount corresponding to the degradation state of the updated battery, and determines the charging state corresponding to the determined sum of the degradation amount and the correction amount as the upper limit of the charging state of the battery.

[0069] The second correspondence table is created using data obtained in advance through experiments, for example.

[0070] The upper and lower limit determination unit 30 may also determine the lower limit of the battery state of charge for the specific vehicle 400 based on the updated battery state of degradation. More specifically, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 may store a third correspondence table for each battery type, which associates the battery state of degradation with the lower limit of the battery state of charge, and determine the lower limit of the battery state of charge based on the updated battery state of degradation and the stored third correspondence table.

[0071] The upper and lower limit determination unit 30 may also, when the usage plan acquisition unit 12 obtains the usage plan of the battery mounted on the specific vehicle 400 from the specific vehicle 400, estimate the charging state of the battery after the battery usage plan is obtained based on the updated battery degradation state and the battery usage plan, and determine the lower limit of the charging state of the battery during charging, so that the estimated charging state of the battery after the battery usage plan is not lower than the lower limit of the charging state of the battery.

[0072] When the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the upper limit of the state of charge of the battery mounted on the specific vehicle 400, the charging plan determination unit 40 determines a battery charging plan indicating charging contents for suppressing battery deterioration based on the determined upper limit of the state of charge and the state of charge of the specific vehicle 400 obtained by the state acquisition unit 11.

[0073] When the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the lower limit of the charge state of the battery mounted on the specific vehicle 400 and the usage plan acquisition unit 12 acquires the usage plan of the battery mounted on the specific vehicle 400, the charging plan determination unit 40 can also determine the battery charging plan based on the lower limit of the charge state of these batteries and the battery usage plan.

[0074] When the location acquisition unit 13 acquires the location of the specific vehicle 400 and the charging station information acquisition unit 14 acquires the locations of multiple charging stations 500, the charging plan determination unit 40 may also determine a battery charging plan including information indicating charging locations based on the location of the specific vehicle 400 and the locations of the multiple charging stations 500. In this case, the charging plan determination unit 40 may, for example, determine the charging location as the charging station 500 closest to the location of the specific vehicle 400, or a predetermined number of charging stations 500 in descending order of distance. Furthermore, the charging plan determination unit 40 may determine the charging location as the least expensive charging station 500, or a predetermined number of charging stations 500 in descending order of distance. Furthermore, the charging plan determination unit 40 may combine these multiple factors to determine a charging station 500 as a charging location.

[0075] When the location acquisition unit 13 acquires the travel route of the specific vehicle 400 and the charging station information acquisition unit 14 acquires the locations of the plurality of charging stations 500, the charging plan determination unit 40 may also determine a battery charging plan including information indicating charging locations based on the travel route of the specific vehicle 400 and the locations of the plurality of charging stations 500. In this case, the charging plan determination unit 40 may, for example, determine the charging location as the charging station 500 closest to the travel route of the specific vehicle 400 or a predetermined number of charging stations 500 in descending order of closest to farthest.

[0076] When the location acquisition unit 13 acquires the location of the specific vehicle 400 and the charging station information acquisition unit 14 acquires the location of a charging station 500, the charging plan determination unit 40 may determine a battery charging plan including information indicating the charging time based on the location of the specific vehicle 400 and the location of the charging station 500. Here, the charging time may be any one of the charging start time, the charging end time, and / or the time required for charging, or a combination thereof. In this case, the charging plan determination unit 40 may, for example, determine the charging start time by estimating the travel time from the location of the specific vehicle 400 to the location of the charging station 500, or determine the required charging time or charging end time based on the charging capacity of the charging station 500.

[0077] When the charging station information acquisition unit 14 acquires discounts for multiple charging stations 500, the charging plan determination unit 40 may determine a battery charging plan including information indicating charging locations based on these discounts. In this case, the charging plan determination unit 40 may, for example, determine as charging locations the charging station 500 that will provide the greatest benefit to a user utilizing the specific vehicle 400, or a predetermined number of charging stations 500 in descending order of benefit, based on the discounts.

[0078] When the charging station information acquisition unit 14 acquires the reservation statuses of multiple charging stations 500, the charging plan determination unit 40 may also determine a battery charging plan including information indicating charging locations based on these reservation statuses. In this case, the charging plan determination unit 40 may determine a charging plan such that charging is not performed at the multiple charging stations 500 during the reserved time periods indicated by the reservation statuses, or may determine a charging plan based on the operating rates of each charging station 500 estimated from the reservation statuses, so that the operating rate of a particular charging station 500 is not excessively high or too low.

[0079] When the charging plan determination unit 40 also determines a charging plan based on the reservation status, the reservation request unit 52 transmits (i.e., outputs) the determined charging plan as a reservation request to the reservation server 200. When the reservation request is transmitted to the reservation server 200, the reservation request unit 52 receives a response to the reservation request from the reservation server 200.

[0080] When the charging plan determination unit 40 determines the charging plan for the specific vehicle 400 , the output unit 51 transmits (ie, outputs) the determined charging plan to the specific vehicle 400 .

[0081] Figure 6A 、 Figure 6B 、 Figure 6CEach of them is a schematic diagram showing an example of the charging plan output by the output unit 51 .

[0082] Figure 6A The charging plan illustrated in the example is an example of a charging plan that includes multiple recommended options consisting of a charging station name (charging location), charging start time (charging time), charging end time (charging time), charging type (charging mode), upper limit of charging status, amount and discount.

[0083] Figure 6B The charging plan illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example of a charging plan output from the output unit 51 when the reservation request unit 52 transmits the charging plan as a reservation request to the reservation server 200 and the reservation request unit 52 receives a positive response sent back from the reservation server 200 .

[0084] Figure 6C The charging plan illustrated in is an example of a charging plan consisting only of upper limits of the state of charge.

[0085] For example, the output unit 51 may send a charging plan consisting only of the upper limit of the charging state to the vehicle 400 pre-registered in the charging plan determination server 100 (for example, Figure 6C ), a charging plan including other information in addition to the upper limit of the charging state is sent to other vehicles 400 (for example, Figure 6A charging plan as exemplified in ).

[0086] [2. Operation of the Information Processing System]

[0087] The information processing system 1 having the above-described configuration performs a charging plan determination process for determining a charging plan for the vehicle 400 .

[0088] Below, use Figure 7 and Figure 8 , an example of the charging plan determination process performed by the information processing system 1 will be described.

[0089] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram of the charging plan determination process.

[0090] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the operation performed by the charging plan determination server 100 in the charging plan determination process.

[0091] The vehicle 400 obtains the state of charge and state of degradation of the mounted battery and transmits the obtained state of charge and state of degradation of the battery to the charging plan determination server 100 (step S10). At this time, if the vehicle 400 obtains other information about the state of the mounted battery, it may also transmit other information about the battery state to the charging plan determination server 100 in addition to the state of charge and state of degradation of the battery.

[0092] When the battery state of charge and state of degradation are transmitted from vehicle 400, state acquisition unit 11 receives and acquires the transmitted battery state of charge and state of degradation (step S10a). At this time, if other information related to the battery state is transmitted from vehicle 400, state acquisition unit 11 receives and acquires the transmitted other information related to the battery state.

[0093] The vehicle 400 also transmits the usage schedule of the mounted battery input by the user using the vehicle 400 to the charging plan determination server 100 (step S20). If no usage schedule of the battery is input, the vehicle 400 may not transmit the usage schedule of the battery.

[0094] When the battery usage schedule is transmitted from the vehicle 400 , the usage schedule acquisition unit 12 receives and acquires the transmitted battery usage schedule (step S20 a ).

[0095] When the charge state and degradation state of the battery are acquired, the state update confirmation unit 20 confirms whether the newly acquired degradation state of the battery is updated from the previously acquired degradation state of the battery (step S30 ).

[0096] If the battery degradation state is confirmed to be updated during the processing of step S30 (step S30: Yes), the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the upper limit of the battery state of charge based on the battery degradation state (step S40). At this time, if the state acquisition unit 11 receives other information about the battery state from the vehicle 400, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 may also determine the upper limit of the battery state of charge based on the other information about the battery state.

[0097] When the upper limit of the battery state of charge is determined, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 checks whether the battery usage schedule has been acquired by the usage schedule acquisition unit 12 (step S45 ).

[0098] If it is confirmed in the process of step S45 that the battery usage schedule has been acquired (step S45 : YES), the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the lower limit of the battery state of charge based on the battery degradation state and the battery usage schedule (step S50 ).

[0099] If the process of step S50 is completed, if the battery degradation state is not updated in step S30 (step S30: No), and if the battery usage schedule is not acquired in step S45 (step S45: No), the charging station information acquisition unit 14 transmits a request to transmit the reservation status of each charging station 500 to the reservation server 200 (step S60). Furthermore, the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 may determine the lower limit of the battery state of charge based on the battery degradation state (step S50) even if the battery usage schedule acquisition unit 12 has not acquired the battery usage schedule (i.e., if step S45: No).

[0100] When a request to transmit reservation status is sent to the reservation server 200, the reservation server 200 receives the request. Furthermore, the reservation server 200 transmits the reservation status of each charging station 500 as a response to the request (step S65). At this time, the reservation server 200 may also transmit the benefits and location of each charging station 500 in addition to the reservation status of each charging station 500.

[0101] When the reservation server 200 transmits the reservation status of each charging station 500, the charging station information acquisition unit 14 receives and acquires the transmitted reservation status of each charging station 500. At this time, when the reservation server 200 transmits the benefits and location of each charging station 500, the charging station information acquisition unit 14 receives and acquires the transmitted benefits and location of each charging station 500.

[0102] After obtaining the reservation status of each charging station 500, the charging plan determining unit 40 determines the battery charging plan based on the upper limit of the battery state of charge determined by the upper and lower limit determining unit 30, the battery state of charge obtained by the state obtaining unit 11, and the reservation status of each charging station 500 obtained by the charging station information obtaining unit 14 (step S70). At this time, if the location and / or driving route of the vehicle 400 is obtained by the location obtaining unit 13, or / and the discounts and / or locations of each charging station 500 are obtained by the charging station information obtaining unit 14, the charging plan determining unit 40 may also determine the battery charging plan based on the location of the vehicle 400, the driving route of the vehicle 400, the discounts and / or locations of each charging station 500. In addition, regardless of whether the reservation status of each charging station 500 is obtained, the charging plan determination unit 40 may determine the battery charging plan (step S70) based on the upper limit of the battery charging state determined by the upper and lower limit determination unit 30 and the battery charging state obtained by the state acquisition unit 11, not based on the reservation status of each charging station 500.

[0103] Once the battery charging schedule has been determined, the reservation request unit 52 checks whether the target vehicle 400 is a vehicle for which a reservation is available (step S75). A vehicle for which a reservation is available is a vehicle that has been pre-registered in the charging schedule determination server 100 as a target for outputting the battery charging schedule to the reservation server 200 as a reservation request when a battery charging schedule has been determined.

[0104] In the process of step S75, if the target vehicle 400 is a vehicle for which a reservation is available (step S75: Yes), the reservation request unit 52 transmits the battery charging schedule determined by the charging schedule determination unit 40 as a reservation request to the reservation server 200 and outputs the request (step S80). Alternatively, the reservation request unit 52 may transmit the battery charging schedule determined by the charging schedule determination unit 40 as a reservation request to the reservation server 200 (step S80), regardless of whether the target vehicle 400 is a vehicle for which a reservation is available.

[0105] If, during the processing of step S75, the target vehicle 400 is not a vehicle with a reservation option (step S75: No), and if the processing of step S80 is completed, the output unit 51 transmits the charging plan determined by the charging plan determination unit 40 to the vehicle 400 and outputs it (step S90). Then, the vehicle 400 receives the transmitted charging plan and outputs the received charging plan using the output device.

[0106] When the process of step S90 ends, the information processing system 1 ends the charging plan determination process.

[0107] [3. Investigation]

[0108] The information processing system 1 with the above configuration outputs a battery charging plan determined by taking into account the dynamic battery conditions, such as the battery's state of charge and degradation, which were not considered in conventional technologies. Therefore, the information processing system 1 can suppress battery degradation more effectively than before.

[0109] (Replenish)

[0110] While the information processing system according to one technical solution of the present invention has been described above based on an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art to this embodiment, or combinations of components from different embodiments, are also encompassed within the scope of one or more technical solutions of the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0111] (1) In the embodiment, the information processing system 1 is an example of a structure in which the vehicle 400 obtains the degradation state of the battery mounted thereon, and the state acquisition unit 11 obtains the degradation state of the battery by receiving the degradation state of the battery transmitted from the vehicle 400. However, as long as the state acquisition unit 11 can obtain the degradation state of the battery mounted thereon, the information processing system 1 is not necessarily limited to the above-described structure. For example, the information processing system 1 may be configured as follows: the vehicle 400 obtains information that can be used to estimate the degradation state of the battery (for example, based on the cumulative driving distance of the mounted battery, the current amount of the mounted battery during charging, the current amount of the mounted battery during discharging, etc.) and transmits it to the charging plan determination server 100; the state acquisition unit 11 receives the information that can be used to estimate the degradation state of the battery transmitted from the vehicle 400, estimates the degradation state of the battery based on the received information that can be used to estimate the degradation state of the battery, and thereby obtains the degradation state of the battery mounted thereon.

[0112] (2) In the embodiment, information processing system 1 is configured as an example in which upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the upper limit of the battery state of charge so that the upper limit does not exceed a preset allowable degradation amount. Alternatively, information processing system 1 may be configured as follows: upper and lower limit determination unit 30 determines the upper limit of the battery state of charge so that the upper limit does not exceed a preset allowable degradation amount based on the battery usage plan acquired by usage plan acquisition unit 12, only when it is known that vehicle 400 equipped with the battery is scheduled to travel a long distance.

[0113] (3) In the embodiment, the information processing system 1 is configured to determine a battery charging schedule for a battery mounted on a vehicle 400. However, the information processing system according to the present invention may also be configured to determine a battery charging schedule for a battery mounted on a device, etc., other than the battery mounted on the vehicle 400. For example, the information processing system according to the present invention may be configured to determine a battery charging schedule for a battery mounted on a mobile device, such as a smartphone.

[0114] (4) In the embodiment, it is described that the information processing system 1 determines a battery charging plan. However, the information processing system 1 may also determine a battery replacement plan. Specifically, the information processing system 1 obtains a battery usage schedule, determines a lower limit of the battery charging state based on the battery degradation state, and determines a battery replacement plan based on the determined lower limit, the charging state, and the battery usage schedule. For example, the information processing system 1 retrieves a battery that has been charged to a level where the post-use charging state estimated based on the battery usage schedule is not lower than the lower limit, and determines a plan to replace the retrieved battery with the onboard battery. This saves time spent on battery charging.

[0115] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 may determine an upper limit for the battery's state of charge based on the battery's deterioration state, and schedule battery replacement based on the determined upper limit, the state of charge, and the battery's intended use. For example, the information processing system 1 searches for a battery whose state of charge during use, as estimated based on the battery's intended use, does not exceed the upper limit, and schedules replacement of the retrieved battery with the onboard battery. An example of a situation in which the state of charge during use increases is charging through regenerative braking. If the battery's intended use is for a vehicle traveling on a route with a significant downhill slope, the battery's state of charge may exceed the upper limit. In such a situation, battery degradation due to charging through regenerative braking can be suppressed.

[0116] (5) Some or all of the components of the information processing system 1 may be formed by a single system LSI (Large Scale Integration). A system LSI is a highly multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple components onto a single chip. Specifically, it is a computer system composed of a microprocessor, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ROM stores a computer program. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.

[0117] Although described here as a system LSI, it may also be referred to as an IC, LSI, super LSI, or ultra-large-scale LSI, depending on the degree of integration. Furthermore, integrated circuitry is not limited to LSIs and can also be implemented using dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. Alternatively, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after LSI fabrication or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI can be used.

[0118] Furthermore, if semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies lead to the emergence of integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI, it is natural that such technology can be used to integrate functional blocks, such as biotechnology.

[0119] (6) A technical solution of the present invention may be not only such an information processing system but also an information processing method having the characteristic components included in the information processing system as steps. Furthermore, a technical solution of the present invention may be a computer program that causes a computer to execute the characteristic steps included in the information processing method. Furthermore, a technical solution of the present invention may be a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium having such a computer program recorded thereon.

[0120] Industrial applicability

[0121] The present invention can be widely utilized in devices and the like that determine a battery charging schedule.

[0122] Label Description

[0123] 1 Information Processing System

[0124] 11 Status acquisition unit

[0125] 12. Use reservation acquisition section

[0126] 13. Position acquisition unit

[0127] 14 Charging station information acquisition unit

[0128] 20 Status Update Confirmation

[0129] 30 Upper and lower limit determination unit

[0130] 40 Charging Plan Decision Department

[0131] 51 Output

[0132] 52 Reservation Request Department

[0133] 100 Charging plan determines server

[0134] 200 reservation server

[0135] 400, 400A, 400B, 400C vehicles

[0136] 500, 500A, 500B, 500C charging stations

Claims

1. A battery information processing method, wherein: The computer performs the following processing: Obtain the battery's state of charge and degradation; Obtaining a reservation for use of the aforementioned battery; Based on the degradation state, determining an upper limit of the state of charge of the battery so as not to exceed a preset allowable degradation amount; determining a lower limit of the state of charge of the battery based on the degradation state and the scheduled usage; determining a charging plan for the battery based on the determined upper limit of the state of charge, the determined lower limit of the state of charge, the planned use, and the state of charge; Output the above charging plan determined by The upper limit is determined to be higher than the preset allowable degradation amount only when the vehicle equipped with the battery is expected to travel a predetermined distance or more according to the usage plan.

2. The battery information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: further, Obtaining the location of the vehicle and the locations of multiple charging stations; The charging plan including information indicating charging locations is determined based on the position of the vehicle and the positions of the plurality of charging stations.

3. The battery information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: further, Obtaining the location of the vehicle and the location of the charging station; The charging plan including information indicating the charging time is determined based on the position of the vehicle and the position of the charging station.

4. The battery information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: further, Obtaining the movement route of the vehicle and the locations of multiple charging stations; The charging plan including information indicating charging locations is determined based on the distances from the travel route to each of the plurality of charging stations.

5. The battery information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The charging plan includes information indicating an upper limit of the charging state.

6. The battery information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The charging plan includes information indicating the charging time.

7. The battery information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: further, Obtain the reservation status of the charging station from the reservation server; The above charging plan is also determined based on the above reservation status; The determined charging plan is output to the reservation server as a reservation request.

8. The battery information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge is a process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge based on a degree of progress of degradation corresponding to the degree of the state of degradation.

9. The battery information processing method according to claim 8, wherein: Further, the permissible degree of degradation progress is obtained; The process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge is a process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge based on the degree of degradation progress corresponding to the degree of the degradation state and the permissible degree of degradation progress.

10. The battery information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The process of determining the upper limit of the state of charge is based on at least one of the amount of current during charge, the amount of current during discharge, the temperature of the battery, and the state of charge, in addition to the state of degradation.

11. A battery information processing system, wherein: have: an acquiring unit that acquires a charge state and a degradation state of a battery, and a scheduled use of the battery; a first determination unit that determines an upper limit of the state of charge of the battery based on the degradation state so as not to exceed a preset allowable degradation amount, and determines a lower limit of the state of charge of the battery based on the degradation state and the scheduled use; a second determination unit that determines a charging plan for the battery based on the determined upper limit of the state of charge, the lower limit of the state of charge, the planned use, and the state of charge; as well as An output unit outputs the determined charging plan. The first determination unit determines the upper limit of the state of charge of the battery to be greater than the preset allowable degradation amount only when it is known from the usage schedule that the vehicle equipped with the battery is expected to travel a predetermined distance or more.

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