Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that allows a user, an owner, or an administrator of a portable energy accumulator to bring the portable energy accumulator into a location of a supplement device on the basis of suggestion information transmitted to a terminal device.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 10, a server 28 (an information processing device), in the first place, transmits suggestion information for suggesting charging to batteries 20 by a supplement device 37, from the server 28 to a plurality of user terminals 24. Next, the supplement device 37 and a plurality of batteries 20 are connected to charge the plurality of batteries 20 from the supplement device 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system. The information processing system includes an electric vehicle equipped with a battery, a server, and a communication device carried by a delivery person. When the electric vehicle determines that the battery needs to be replaced, it requests the server to deliver a replacement battery. The server instructs the delivery person's communication device to deliver the battery. The delivery person delivers the replacement battery to the electric vehicle based on the instructions notified by the communication device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO 2021 / 53802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, batteries (portable energy storage devices) collected from electric vehicles are charged at a storage location. At the storage location, the batteries can be charged even during a disaster or the like. However, when the number of collected batteries is small, the power generation equipment (refilling device) charges each battery at a load that is very low relative to the rated load. As a result, the power generation equipment cannot be fully utilized. Furthermore, when the power generation equipment is operated under a low load, it is considered to operate the power generation equipment for a long period of time in response to the reduction in load. However, even if the operating time is extended, it is difficult to charge the batteries with the desired amount of energy.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with a terminal device used by a user, owner or manager of a portable energy storage device, wherein when the portable energy storage device is connected to a replenishment device, energy or an energy source can be replenished from the replenishment device to the portable energy storage device, and the information processing device has a transmitting unit that transmits invitation information to the terminal device to encourage the replenishment of the energy or the energy source to the portable energy storage device using the replenishment device.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing system having a portable energy storage device, a terminal device used by a user, owner or manager of the portable energy storage device, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the terminal device, wherein the portable energy storage device, when connected to a replenishment device, is capable of replenishment of energy or an energy source from the replenishment device to the portable energy storage device, and the information processing device has a transmitting unit that transmits invitation information to the terminal device to encourage the replenishment of the energy or the energy source to the portable energy storage device using the replenishment device.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is an information processing method when a terminal device used by a user, owner or manager of a portable energy storage device is capable of communicating with an information processing device, the information processing method having a first step of transmitting invitation information from the information processing device to the terminal device to encourage the portable energy storage device to replenish energy or an energy source with a replenishment device, and a second step of connecting the replenishment device and the portable energy storage device based on the invitation information, and replenishing the portable energy storage device with the energy or the energy source from the replenishment device.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method of the third aspect.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium that stores the program according to the fourth aspect. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a user, owner, or manager of a portable energy storage device brings the portable energy storage device to the location of a refilling device based on invitation information transmitted to a terminal device. This makes it possible to refill the portable energy storage device with energy or an energy source from the refilling device even in the event of a disaster or the like. Furthermore, when multiple portable energy storage devices are gathered together, the maximum amount of energy is extracted from the refilling device and each portable energy storage device is refilled with energy or an energy source. This allows the refilling device to be used to the maximum extent.

[0012] Furthermore, once the refilling of the energy or energy source is completed, the user, owner, or manager can take the portable energy storage home and use it. Therefore, a power grid for the portable energy storage is not required. In other words, a pseudo power grid can be constructed by bringing in multiple portable energy storage devices to refill the energy or energy source and then taking the multiple portable energy storage devices home after refilling.

[0013] Furthermore, if the portable energy storage device is pre-replenished with energy or an energy source at the location of the refilling device, the refilled portable energy storage device can be provided to the user, owner, or manager, thereby making it possible to avoid crowding at the location of the refilling device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the power device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of this embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the output power and the operation time of the refilling device. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the output power and the conversion efficiency of the refill device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a charging method in a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a charging method in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial configuration diagram showing a first modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial configuration diagram showing a second modified example of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes a plurality of power devices 14 (recharge units), a power supply source 16 (external supply source), an inverter 18, a plurality of batteries 20 (portable energy storage devices, portable power storage devices), an operator terminal 22 (another terminal device), a plurality of user terminals 24 (terminal devices), and a server 28 (information processing device, computer).

[0016] The power supply source 16, the inverter 18, and the multiple power devices 14 are disposed at a charging location 34 (the location of the refill device) for the battery 20. The power supply source 16 is electrically connected to the multiple power devices 14 via the inverter 18. The multiple power devices 14 are connected in parallel to the inverter 18.

[0017] The power supply source 16 outputs electric power (energy). The power supply source 16 is, for example, a mobile object 36 such as a bus. The power supply source 16 outputs DC power (energy) by driving a driving source such as a generator or a fuel cell mounted on the mobile object 36. The inverter 18 converts the DC power output from the power supply source 16 into AC power.

[0018] The multiple power devices 14 are charging devices (chargers). The multiple power devices 14 are movable. A battery 20 is detachably attached to each of the multiple power devices 14. Each of the multiple power devices 14 converts AC power supplied from the inverter 18 into DC power, and charges the battery 20 with the converted DC power. Therefore, the inverter 18 and the multiple power devices 14 configure a replenishing device 37 (charging device) for storing (replenishing) power (energy) in the multiple batteries 20.

[0019] Each of the multiple user terminals 24 is a terminal used by a user, owner, or manager of the battery 20. In the following description, the user, owner, or manager is also referred to as a user 39. The user 39 owns the user terminal 24 and the battery 20. The user 39 uses a load (not shown) at a usage location 42 of the battery 20, by the load being operated by power supplied from the battery 20. The usage location 42 is a location (position) where the battery 20, the user terminal 24, and the load are located. The user 39 can also carry the battery 20 to the charging location 34. Alternatively, the user 39 can carry the battery 20 that has been charged by any one of the multiple power devices 14 to the usage location 42.

[0020] The operator terminal 22 is a terminal used by an operator of the information processing system 10. The operator manages the charging locations 34 and the like.

[0021] The server 28 performs overall control of the information processing system 10. The server 28 is wirelessly connected to the operator terminal 22, the multiple user terminals 24, and the multiple power devices 14 via a communication network 44. In the following explanation, the server 28 is a single computer (physical server). Note that the server 28 may be a cloud server composed of multiple computers.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing system 10. The multiple user terminals 24 have the same configuration. Fig. 2 illustrates one of the multiple user terminals 24. The multiple power devices 14 have the same configuration. Fig. 2 illustrates one of the multiple power devices 14.

[0023] The electric power device 14 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 58, a detecting unit 60, a control unit 62, a display unit 64, and the battery 20. The transmitting / receiving unit 58 transmits and receives signals or information to and from the server 28 via wireless communication. The detecting unit 60 detects various pieces of information related to the electric power device 14 and the battery 20. The detecting unit 60 detects, for example, the SOC of the battery 20, the input power from the inverter 18 to the electric power device 14, and the position information of the electric power device 14. Thus, the detecting unit 60 is various sensors provided in the electric power device 14. The electric power device 14 can periodically acquire the current position by being provided with a positioning system such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The control unit 62 is a processor and controls the entire electric power device 14 in an integrated manner. The display unit 64 displays various display contents based on the control from the control unit 62.

[0024] The operator terminal 22 and the multiple user terminals 24 are terminal devices capable of wireless communication, such as smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. The operator terminal 22 has a transceiver unit 70, an input unit 72, a control unit 74, a display unit 76, and a memory 78. Each of the multiple user terminals 24 has a transceiver unit 80, an input unit 82, a control unit 84, a display unit 86, and a memory 88.

[0025] The transmitting / receiving units 70, 80 transmit and receive signals or information to and from the server 28 via wireless communication. The input units 72, 82 are input devices such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc. that are operated by the operator or multiple users 39 (see FIG. 1). The control units 74, 84 are processors that realize various functions by reading and executing programs stored in the memories 78, 88. The control units 74, 84 perform overall control of the operator terminal 22 or multiple user terminals 24. The display units 76, 86 display various display contents based on the control from the control units 74, 84.

[0026] The server 28 has a transmitting / receiving unit 100 (transmitting unit), a control unit 102, a display unit 104, and a memory 106 (storage medium). The transmitting / receiving unit 100 transmits and receives signals or information by wireless communication between the operator terminal 22, the plurality of user terminals 24, and the plurality of power devices 14. The control unit 102 is a processor, and realizes the functions of an acquiring unit 110 (first acquiring unit, second acquiring unit), a determining unit 112, and a notification processing unit 113 (solicitation information generating unit, instruction information generating unit) by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 106. The acquiring unit 110, the determining unit 112, and the notification processing unit 113 will be described in detail later. The control unit 102 also performs overall control of the server 28. The display unit 104 displays various display contents based on the control from the control unit 102.

[0027] 3 is a perspective view of the power device 14. The power device 14 is a power device that has both a charging function and a power supply function. In this embodiment, as described above, the power device 14 is used as a charging device.

[0028] The power device 14 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 122. A storage chamber 124 is provided inside the housing 122. The battery 20 is stored in the storage chamber 124. The storage chamber 124 opens upward via an opening 126. A cover 128 that covers the opening 126 is provided at the top of the housing 122. The cover 128 is provided with an open button 130. When a user (an operator, a user 39 (see FIG. 1 )) presses the open button 130, the cover 128 opens. When the cover 128 is open, the user can insert or remove the battery 20 into or from the storage chamber 124.

[0029] A handle portion 132 is provided on the upper surface of the battery 20. A user can carry the battery 20 by holding the handle portion 132. A connection terminal 134 is provided on the bottom surface of the battery 20. The connection terminal 134 of the battery 20 is, for example, a female terminal. A connection terminal 136 (connection portion) is provided on the bottom of the storage chamber 124. The connection terminal 136 of the storage chamber 124 is, for example, a male terminal. When a user inserts the battery 20 into the storage chamber 124, the connection terminal 134 of the battery 20 and the connection terminal 136 of the storage chamber 124 are fitted together. This electrically connects the battery 20 and the power device 14. Also, when a user removes the battery 20 from the storage chamber 124, the connection terminal 134 of the battery 20 is separated from the connection terminal 136 of the storage chamber 124. This electrically disconnects the battery 20 and the power device 14.

[0030] The cover 128 is provided with an indicator 138 that displays the remaining charge of the battery 20. The indicator 138 corresponds to the display unit 64 in FIG.

[0031] A handle 140 is provided on one side of the top surface of the housing 122. Handles 142, 144 are provided on two sides of the bottom surface of the housing 122 that face each other. The upper handle 140 and the two lower handles 142, 144 extend parallel to each other. A user can carry the power device 14 by holding two of the three handles 140, 142, 144.

[0032] A recess 146 that is recessed downward is formed in a portion of the upper surface of housing 122 between cover 128 and handle portion 140. Recess 146 is inclined more obliquely the further it is from cover 128. Therefore, a gap is formed between handle portion 140 and recess 146. Recess 146 is provided with a USB terminal 148 and an AC output terminal 150. USB terminal 148 is a terminal for outputting DC power to the outside. AC output terminal 150 is a terminal for outputting AC power to the outside.

[0033] An AC input terminal 152 and a DC input terminal 154 are provided on a side surface of the housing 122 near the handle portion 142. The AC input terminal 152 is a terminal for inputting AC power from the outside. That is, the AC input terminal 152 is electrically connected to the inverter 18 (see FIG. 1) via a cable (not shown). The DC input terminal 154 is a terminal for inputting DC power from the outside.

[0034] The information processing system 10 (see FIG. 1) is applied to charging a plurality of batteries 20 used by a plurality of users 39 in an area affected by a disaster such as an earthquake. Specifically, a charging site 34 is provided in the disaster area, and the plurality of users 39 are requested to bring the batteries 20 to the charging site 34. The brought-in batteries 20 are charged at the charging site 34. The plurality of users 39 then take the charged batteries 20 back to the usage site 42.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system 10 (see FIG. 1) in this application example.

[0036] In step S1 of Fig. 4, the operator sets up a charging site 34 (see Fig. 1) in a disaster-affected area or the like. Specifically, the operator brings a power supply source 16, an inverter 18, and a plurality of power devices 14 to the disaster-affected area. The operator electrically connects the inverter 18 to the power supply source 16. The operator electrically connects the plurality of power devices 14 in parallel to the inverter 18. In this way, the charging site 34 is provided in the disaster-affected area, and a recharge device 37 is configured.

[0037] Next, the operator operates the input unit 72 (see FIG. 2 ) of the operator terminal 22 to input information on the power supply source 16 and the replenishment device 37 provided at the charging site 34. Specifically, the operator inputs information related to the specifications of the power supply source 16, the inverter 18, and the multiple power devices 14. Each piece of input information is stored in the memory 78. The control unit 74 of the operator terminal 22 reads each piece of input information, and calculates the characteristics (charging characteristics) of the power supply source 16 and the replenishment device 37 as power generation equipment based on each piece of read information. The calculated characteristics of the power generation equipment are stored in the memory 78.

[0038] Figures 5 and 6 show the characteristics of the power generation equipment. Figure 5 shows the characteristics showing the relationship between the output power and the operation time of the power generation equipment. Figure 6 shows the characteristics showing the relationship between the output power and the conversion efficiency of the power generation equipment.

[0039] According to the characteristics of FIG. 5, the greater the output power of the power generation equipment (output power of the inverter 18), the shorter the operation time of the power generation equipment. Also, according to the characteristics of FIG. 5, the smaller the output power of the power generation equipment, the longer the operation time of the power generation equipment. Furthermore, the characteristics of FIG. 5 change according to the size of the load (multiple batteries 20) connected to the power generation equipment. Specifically, the dashed line characteristics shown in FIG. 5 are the characteristics of an ideal power generation equipment. In contrast, when the load connected to the power generation equipment becomes smaller, the characteristics of the power generation equipment change from the dashed line characteristics to the solid line characteristics. In other words, when compared for the same operation time, the smaller the load, the smaller the output power of the power generation equipment. In other words, the smaller the load, the greater the loss of the power generation equipment.

[0040] In the characteristics of Fig. 6, the conversion efficiency of the power generation equipment (the conversion efficiency of the inverter 18) changes according to the output power of the power generation equipment. Specifically, the higher the output power of the power generation equipment, the higher the conversion efficiency. In other words, the higher the output voltage of the power generation equipment, the smaller the loss of the power generation equipment.

[0041] Then, in step S1, the operator terminal 22 (see FIG. 2) transmits the characteristics and other information of the power generation facility stored in the memory 78 to the server 28 via the communication network 44.

[0042] Furthermore, in each of the multiple power devices 14, the detection unit 60 periodically detects (acquires) position information and the like of the power device 14. The transmission / reception unit 58 transmits the position information detected by the detection unit 60 to the server 28 via the communication network 44.

[0043] In step S2, the transceiver unit 100 of the server 28 receives each piece of information from the operator terminal 22 and the plurality of power devices 14. The received each piece of information is stored in the memory 106.

[0044] In step S3 (first step), the notification processing unit 113 of the server 28 generates solicitation information for recommending charging the battery 20 at the refilling device 37. In this case, the notification processing unit 113 may include position information of the charging site 34 in the solicitation information. Note that since multiple power devices 14 are arranged at the charging site 34, the position information of the multiple power devices 14 may be regarded as position information of the charging site 34. The transmission / reception unit 100 transmits the generated solicitation information to the multiple user terminals 24 via the communication network 44.

[0045] In step S4, when the transceiver 80 receives the solicitation information in each of the multiple user terminals 24, the display 86 displays the solicitation information. By checking the solicitation information displayed on the display 86, the user 39 can recognize that charging of the battery 20 is possible at the charging site 34.

[0046] In step S5, each of the multiple users 39 carries the battery 20 and heads from the usage location 42 to the charging location 34.

[0047] In step S6 (second step), a plurality of users 39 arrive at the charging site 34 carrying the batteries 20. The operator or users 39 attach the batteries 20 to the power devices 14.

[0048] When the battery 20 is attached to the power device 14, the connection terminal 134 of the battery 20 and the connection terminal 136 of the accommodation chamber 124 are fitted together. The detection unit 52 periodically detects (acquires) connection information between the connection terminal 134 of the battery 20 and the connection terminal 136 of the accommodation chamber 124, the SOC of the battery 20, etc.

[0049] In step S7, the transceiver 50 periodically transmits the connection information, the SOC, and the like detected by the detector 52 to the server 28 via the communication network 44. The server 28 receives the information from the multiple power devices 14 and stores it in the memory 106.

[0050] In step S8, the acquisition unit 110 reads out information on the multiple power devices 14 and the characteristics of the power generation facility stored in the memory 106. The determination unit 112 determines whether or not to start charging the multiple batteries 20 in the refill device 37, based on each piece of read out information.

[0051] Specifically, the acquisition unit 110 identifies the rated output (rated value of output power) of the inverter 18 based on the characteristics of the power generation facility. The acquisition unit 110 also calculates the total capacity of the multiple batteries 20 based on information of the multiple power devices 14. The acquisition unit 110 also calculates the total amount of charge (replenishable amount) to the multiple batteries 20.

[0052] The determination unit 112 determines whether or not to start charging the multiple batteries 20 based on the rated output of the inverter 18, the total capacity of the multiple batteries 20, and the total amount of charge to the multiple batteries 20. More specifically, the determination unit 112 determines whether the output power of the inverter 18 according to the total amount of charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0053] 6, when the output power of the power generation facility is P1, the conversion efficiency is η1. Therefore, when the multiple batteries 20 are charged with the output power P1, the replenishing device 37 charges the multiple batteries 20 with low conversion efficiency, resulting in large losses.

[0054] On the other hand, when the output power of the power generation facility is P2, the conversion efficiency is η2 (η1<η2). When the multiple batteries 20 are charged with the output power P2, the recharge device 37 charges the multiple batteries 20 with high conversion efficiency. This allows the loss of the recharge device 37 to be reduced.

[0055] The above threshold value is a value of output power according to the conversion efficiency at which the loss of the replenishing device 37 is reduced. Therefore, the more the number of the batteries 20 connected in parallel to the inverter 18, the greater the load connected to the inverter 18. This increases the output power of the power generation equipment (inverter 18), and the loss of the replenishing device 37 can be reduced. In other words, in this embodiment, the number of the batteries 20 and the output power of the power generation equipment are controlled to adjust the load of the power generation equipment, thereby reducing the loss of the power generation equipment.

[0056] Therefore, in step S8, if the output power of the power generation facility according to the total amount of charge of the multiple batteries 20 is less than the threshold, the determination unit 112 does not permit charging of the multiple batteries 20 (step S8: NO). Also, if the output power of the power generation facility is equal to or greater than the threshold, the determination unit 112 permits charging of the multiple batteries 20 (step S8: YES).

[0057] In step S9, upon receiving the positive determination result in step S8, the notification processing unit 113 generates instruction information for instructing charging of the multiple batteries 20. The transmitting / receiving unit 100 transmits the instruction information to the power device 14 via the communication network 44.

[0058] In step S10 (second step), each of the multiple power devices 14 starts charging the battery 20 based on instruction information from the server .

[0059] In step S11, in each of the power devices 14, the control unit 62 determines, based on the SOC of the battery 20 detected by the detection unit 60, whether charging of the battery 20 has been completed.

[0060] When the battery 20 is fully charged, the control unit 62 determines that charging of the battery 20 is complete (step S11: YES). The control unit 62 displays on the indicator 138 (display unit 64) that the battery 20 is fully charged. The operator or user 39 can recognize that charging of the battery 20 is complete by checking the display content of the indicator 138.

[0061] In step S12, the operator or user 39 removes the charged battery 20 from the power device 14. The user 39 takes the removed battery 20 back to the location 42 where it is to be used.

[0062] Charging of a plurality of batteries 20 at the charging station 34 (see FIG. 1), including step S10 of FIG. 4, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0063] Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a charging method in a comparative example. Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating a charging method in this embodiment. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a case where a mobile object 36 serving as the power supply source 16 is a bus.

[0064] The inverter 18 has an interface 155, a plurality of DC / DC converters 157, and a plurality of DC / AC converters 159. The interface 155 is electrically connected to the power supply source 16 via a cable (not shown). The plurality of DC / DC converters 157 are electrically connected in parallel to the interface 155. The plurality of DC / AC converters 159 are electrically connected in parallel to any one of the DC / DC converters 157. Note that FIGS. 7 and 8 show a case in which a plurality of DC / AC converters 159 are connected to one DC / DC converter 157.

[0065] Interface 155 outputs the DC power supplied from power supply source 16 to a plurality of DC / DC converters 157. Each of the plurality of DC / DC converters 157 converts the DC voltage from interface 155 into a DC voltage of a different voltage value. Each of the plurality of DC / AC converters 159 converts the DC power input from DC / DC converter 157 into AC power.

[0066] In the comparative example of FIG. 7, a power supply device 161 is electrically connected to the output side of one DC / AC converter 159. The power supply device 161 is a power device that does not have a battery 20. That is, in the comparative example, only one load is connected to the inverter 18 constituting the replenishing device 37. The replenishing device 37 supplies power to the power supply device 161 with low conversion efficiency. As a result, the loss of the replenishing device 37 becomes large.

[0067] In contrast, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, three power feeders 161 are electrically connected in parallel to one of the three DC / AC converters 159. In addition, three power devices 14 are electrically connected in parallel to each of the remaining DC / AC converters 159. Therefore, in the embodiment, the load connected to the replenishing device 37 is larger than that in the comparative example. This allows the replenishing device 37 to supply power to the multiple power devices 14 and the multiple power feeders 161 with high conversion efficiency. As a result, the loss of the replenishing device 37 can be reduced.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a partial configuration diagram of a first modified example of this embodiment. In the first modified example, a case where the power device 164 (recharge unit) has only a function related to charging is illustrated. In this case, the inverter 18 and the power device 164 constitute the recharge device 37. In the first modified example, a recess 170 is formed on the upper surface of the power device 164. The battery 20 is attached to the power device 164 by inserting the bottom part into the recess 170. A male connection terminal 136 is provided on the bottom part of the recess 170. When the battery 20 is inserted into the recess 170, the connection terminal 134 of the battery 20 and the connection terminal 136 of the recess 170 are fitted together. This electrically connects the battery 20 and the power device 164. In the first modified example as well, it is possible to charge a plurality of batteries 20 from the power supply source 16 using a plurality of power devices 164. The electric power device 164 may include the transceiver 58, the detector 60, the controller 62, and the display 64 of the electric power device 14 (see FIG. 2).

[0069] FIG. 10 is a partial configuration diagram of a second modified example of the present embodiment. In the second modified example, the power device 172 (recharge unit) can accommodate a large number of batteries 20. In this case, the inverter 18 and the power device 172 constitute the recharge device 37. Specifically, a plurality of storage chambers 174 are formed on the side (front) of the power device 172. The plurality of storage chambers 174 are recesses capable of accommodating the batteries 20. In FIG. 10, a total of nine storage chambers 174 are formed on the side of the power device 172. A male connection terminal (not shown) that can be connected to the connection terminal 134 (see FIG. 3) of the battery 20 is provided on the bottom of each of the plurality of storage chambers 174. The plurality of connection terminals may be a plurality of connection terminals 136. In the second modified example, a single power device 172 can be used to charge a large number of batteries 20 from the power supply source 16. Moreover, the electric power device 172 may include the transceiver unit 58, the detector unit 60, the controller unit 62, and the display unit 64 of the electric power device 14 (see FIG. 2).

[0070] In this embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4, each of the multiple user terminals 24 (see FIG. 1) may transmit location information of its own user terminal 24 to the server 28. The location information received by the server 28 is stored in the memory 106 (see FIG. 2). The acquisition unit 110 can easily create route information from the use location 42 to the charging location 34 based on the location information of the multiple user terminals 24 and the location information of the multiple power devices 14 (location information of the charging location 34) stored in the memory 106. The notification processing unit 113 generates notification information including the route information created by the acquisition unit 110. This allows the user 39 to easily move from the use location 42 to the charging location 34 by checking the route information included in the notification information.

[0071] In this embodiment, as indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 4, solicitation information may be transmitted from the server 28 (see Fig. 1) to the operator terminal 22. In this way, when the solicitation information is displayed on the display unit 76 (see Fig. 2) of the operator terminal 22, the operator can easily recognize that there is a possibility that the user 39 will bring the battery 20 into the charging site 34 by checking the solicitation information.

[0072] Furthermore, as described above, the server 28, the operator terminal 22, and the multiple power devices 14 are wirelessly connected via the communication network 44. Therefore, instead of the server 28, either the operator terminal 22 or the multiple power devices 14 may generate solicitation information and transmit the generated solicitation information to the multiple user terminals 24.

[0073] When the operator terminal 22 functions in place of the server 28, the control unit 74 functions as the acquisition unit 110, the determination unit 112, and the notification processing unit 113. When a plurality of power devices 14 function in place of the server 28, the control unit 62 functions as the acquisition unit 110, the determination unit 112, and the notification processing unit 113.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible that a device that realizes the function of the acquisition unit 110, a device that realizes the function of the determination unit 112, and a device that realizes the function of the notification processing unit 113 are separate devices. Alternatively, it is also possible to realize the functions of two of the components of the acquisition unit 110, the determination unit 112, and the notification processing unit 113 in one device, and realize the function of the remaining component in another device. For example, the control unit 62 of each of the multiple power devices 14 may function as the acquisition unit 110, and the control unit 102 of the server 28 may function as the determination unit 112 and the notification processing unit 113. Alternatively, the control unit 62 of each of the multiple power devices 14 may function as the acquisition unit 110 and the determination unit 112, and the control unit 102 of the server 28 may function as the notification processing unit 113. Even in this case, solicitation information can be transmitted to multiple user terminals 24.

[0075] In this embodiment, the power supply source 16 may be any power source capable of charging the plurality of batteries 20 from the outside. Therefore, the power supply source 16 may be a power system other than that of the mobile object 36. Alternatively, the power supply source 16 may be an engine generator that generates electricity by burning fuel.

[0076] In the above description, the battery 20 is charged. In the present embodiment, a portable energy storage device that stores other energy or energy sources may be replenished with other energy or energy sources. For example, the portable energy storage device may be a hydrogen cartridge that stores hydrogen as an energy source. In this case, the power device 14 is a power device to which a hydrogen cartridge can be attached.

[0077] Specifically, the power device 14 has a hydrogen cartridge and a fuel cell. The hydrogen cartridge is attached to the power device 14. The hydrogen cartridge is filled with hydrogen supplied from an external supply source. In this case, at the charging site 34, the power device 14 may be a refilling unit into which a hydrogen cartridge can be attached, such as the power device 164 shown in FIG. 9. This allows the hydrogen cartridge to be filled with hydrogen from an external supply source while attached to the refilling unit. The fuel cell generates power using hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen cartridge. The power device 14 is capable of supplying the power generated by the fuel cell to the outside.

[0078] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiments will be described below.

[0079] A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device (28) capable of communicating with a terminal device (24) used by a user, owner or manager (39) of a portable energy storage device (20), wherein when the portable energy storage device is connected to a replenishment device (37), energy or an energy source can be replenished from the replenishment device to the portable energy storage device, and the information processing device has a transmission unit that transmits invitation information to the terminal device to encourage the replenishment of the energy or the energy source to the portable energy storage device using the replenishment device.

[0080] According to the present invention, a user, owner, or manager of a portable energy storage device brings the portable energy storage device to the location of a refilling device based on invitation information transmitted to a terminal device. This makes it possible to refill the portable energy storage device with energy or an energy source from the refilling device even in the event of a disaster or the like. Furthermore, when multiple portable energy storage devices are gathered together, the maximum amount of energy is extracted from the refilling device and each portable energy storage device is refilled with energy or an energy source. This allows the refilling device to be used to the maximum extent.

[0081] Furthermore, once the refilling of the energy or energy source is completed, the user, owner, or manager can take the portable energy storage home and use it. Therefore, a power grid for the portable energy storage is not required. In other words, a pseudo power grid can be constructed by bringing in multiple portable energy storage devices to refill the energy or energy source and then taking the multiple portable energy storage devices home after refilling.

[0082] Furthermore, if the portable energy storage device is pre-replenished with energy or an energy source at the location of the refilling device, the refilled portable energy storage device can be provided to the user, owner, or manager, thereby making it possible to avoid crowding at the location of the refilling device.

[0083] In a first aspect of the present invention, the information processing device further includes a first acquisition unit (110) that acquires refilling characteristics of the energy or the energy source in the replenishment device, and a solicitation information generation unit (113) that generates the solicitation information based on the refilling characteristics.

[0084] This allows for the generation of highly accurate solicitation information. Also, in the event of a disaster or the like, it becomes possible to collect a required number of portable energy storage devices according to the charging characteristics.

[0085] In a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the portable energy storage devices can be connected in parallel to the replenishment device, and the information processing device further includes a second acquisition unit (110) that acquires a replenishable amount of the energy or the energy source for the plurality of the portable energy storage devices connected to the replenishment device, a determination unit (112) that determines whether to allow replenishment of the energy or the energy source from the replenishment device to the plurality of the portable energy storage devices based on the filling characteristics and the replenishable amount, and an instruction information generation unit (113) that generates instruction information for instructing replenishment of the energy or the energy source when the determination unit allows replenishment of the energy or the energy source to the plurality of the portable energy storage devices, and the transmission unit transmits the instruction information to the replenishment device.

[0086] This allows efficient replenishment of multiple portable energy storage devices with energy or energy sources.

[0087] In a first aspect of the present invention, the determination unit permits replenishment of the energy or the energy source from the replenishment device to the multiple portable energy storage devices when the replenishable amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0088] This can reliably avoid replenishment of energy or energy sources in a state where large losses would result.

[0089] In a first aspect of the invention, the refilling device is connected to an external source (16) which refills the energy or the energy source to a number of the portable energy stores.

[0090] This allows the portable energy store to be efficiently replenished with energy or an energy source.

[0091] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the external source is a moving body (36).

[0092] This makes it possible to move the external supply source to a disaster area or the like and supply energy or an energy source from the external supply source to the portable energy storage device at the destination.

[0093] In a first aspect of the present invention, the invitation information includes location information of the replenishment device.

[0094] This allows a user, owner or manager of the portable energy storage device to easily and reliably bring the portable energy storage device to the refilling device.

[0095] In a first aspect of the present invention, the invitation information includes route information from the location of the terminal device to the location of the replenishment device.

[0096] This makes it possible to reliably guide the user, owner or manager of the portable energy storage device to the location of the refill device.

[0097] In a first aspect of the present invention, the replenishment device has a connection part (136) to which the portable energy storage device is connected and a replenishment part (14, 164, 172) that replenishes the energy or the energy source to the portable energy storage device via the connection part.

[0098] This allows the portable energy storage device to be reliably and efficiently refilled with energy or power from the refill device.

[0099] In a first aspect of the present invention, the transmission unit transmits the invitation information to another terminal device (22) used by a user, owner, or manager of the replenishment device.

[0100] This makes it possible to notify the user, owner or manager of the refilling device that the user, owner or manager of the portable energy storage device will bring the portable energy storage device to the refilling device.

[0101] In a first aspect of the present invention, the portable energy storage device is a portable power storage device that stores power, and the refilling device is a charging device capable of refilling the power to the portable power storage device.

[0102] This allows the refilling device to refill the portable energy storage device with power.

[0103] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing system (10) having a portable energy storage device, a terminal device used by a user, owner or manager of the portable energy storage device, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the terminal device, wherein the portable energy storage device, when connected to a replenishment device, is capable of replenishment of energy or an energy source from the replenishment device to the portable energy storage device, and the information processing device has a transmitting unit that transmits invitation information to the terminal device to encourage the replenishment of the energy or the energy source to the portable energy storage device using the replenishment device.

[0104] The present invention also provides the same effects as the first aspect.

[0105] A third aspect of the present invention is an information processing method when a terminal device used by a user, owner or manager of a portable energy storage device is capable of communicating with an information processing device, the information processing method having a first step of transmitting invitation information from the information processing device to the terminal device to encourage the portable energy storage device to replenish energy or an energy source with a replenishment device, and a second step of connecting the replenishment device and the portable energy storage device based on the invitation information, and replenishing the portable energy storage device with the energy or the energy source from the replenishment device.

[0106] The present invention also provides the same effects as the first aspect.

[0107] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer (28) to execute the information processing method of the third aspect.

[0108] The present invention also provides the same effects as the first aspect.

[0109] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium (106) that stores the program of the fourth aspect.

[0110] The present invention also provides the same effects as the first aspect.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10. Information processing systems 20...Battery (portable energy storage device) 24...User terminal (terminal device) 28...Server (information processing device, computer) 37…Replenishment device 39...User (user, owner or manager) 100...Transmitter / receiver unit (transmitter unit) 106...Memory (storage medium)

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of communicating with a terminal device used by a user, owner, or administrator of a portable energy storage device, wherein the portable energy storage device can be replenished with energy or an energy source from the replenishment device when connected to the replenishment device, and the information processing device includes a transmission unit that transmits to the terminal device invitation information for recommending replenishment of the energy or the energy source to the portable energy storage device by the replenishment device.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a first acquisition unit that acquires filling characteristics of the energy or the energy source in the replenishment device, and an invitation information generation unit that generates the invitation information based on the filling characteristics.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the portable energy storage devices can be connected in parallel to the replenishment device, and the information processing device further comprises a second acquisition unit that acquires the replenishable amount of the energy or the energy source for a plurality of the portable energy storage devices connected to the replenishment device, a determination unit that determines whether to permit replenishment of the energy or the energy source from the replenishment device to the plurality of portable energy storage devices based on the filling characteristics and the replenishable amount, and an instruction information generation unit that generates instruction information for instructing replenishment of the energy or the energy source when the determination unit permits replenishment of the energy or the energy source to the plurality of portable energy storage devices, and the transmission unit transmits the instruction information to the replenishment device.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit permits replenishment of the energy or the energy source from the replenishment device to the plurality of portable energy storage devices when the replenishable amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

5. The information processing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the replenishment device is connected to an external supply source, and the external supply source replenishes the plurality of portable energy storage devices with the energy or the energy source.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the external supply source is a moving body.

7. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the invitation information includes position information of the replenishment device.

8. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 7, the invitation information includes route information from the position of the terminal device to the position of the replenishment device, the information processing apparatus.

9. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the replenishment device includes a connection portion to which the portable energy accumulator is connected, and a replenishment portion that replenishes the portable energy accumulator with the energy or the energy source via the connection portion, the information processing apparatus.

10. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits the invitation information to another terminal device used by a user, owner, or administrator of the replenishment device, the information processing apparatus.

11. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the portable energy accumulator is a portable power accumulator that accumulates power, and the replenishment device is a charging device capable of replenishing the portable power accumulator with the power, the information processing apparatus.

12. An information processing system including a portable energy accumulator, a terminal device used by a user, owner, or administrator of the portable energy accumulator, and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the terminal device, wherein when the portable energy accumulator is connected to a replenishment device, the replenishment device can replenish the portable energy accumulator with energy or an energy source, and the information processing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits invitation information for recommending replenishment of the portable energy accumulator with the energy or the energy source at the replenishment device to the terminal device, the information processing system.

13. An information processing method when a terminal device used by a user, owner, or administrator of a portable energy accumulator and an information processing apparatus can communicate, a first step of transmitting, from the information processing apparatus to the terminal device, invitation information for recommending replenishment of the portable energy accumulator with energy or an energy source at a replenishment device; a second step of connecting the replenishment device and the portable energy accumulator based on the invitation information, and replenishing the portable energy accumulator with the energy or the energy source from the replenishment device; having, the information processing method.

14. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 13.

15. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 14.

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