Information processing device and system

Abstract

To provide a technique that contributes to promoting a process of recycling batteries mounted in electric vehicles.SOLUTION: An information processing device predicts the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to be emitted over a predetermined period in each area. Further, the information processing device determines whether or not there is a first recycling facility in which an emission amount of batteries to be recycled over the predetermined period in a corresponding area is predicted to exceed a battery recycling capacity of a recycling facility. When the determination is made that there is the first recycling facility, the information processing device identifies one or more second recycling facilities that are able to additionally recycle the batteries to be recycled that are expected to be emitted in a first area corresponding to the first recycling facility and that are in excess of the battery recycling capacity of the first recycling facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the recycling process of batteries mounted on electric vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for predicting the recovery amount of recycled resources. In the system described in Patent Document 1, the discharge amount of each recycled resource from a specific store located within a specific area is calculated. Further, based on the discharge amount data of each recycled resource and the recovery achievement amount data of the recycled resources in the specific area, the linkage ratio between the two is calculated. Then, by applying the linkage ratio corresponding to the discharge amount data of the recycled resources in a past predetermined period, the predicted recovery amount of the recycled resources from the same area in a future same period is calculated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that contributes to promoting the recycling process of batteries mounted on electric vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure: acquires driving history information indicating the driving history of each of a plurality of electric vehicles and battery information indicating the state of the battery; identifies the area to which each electric vehicle belongs based on the driving history information; Based on the battery information of each of the multiple electric vehicles belonging to each region, predicting the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to occur within a predetermined period in each region; Based on the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling processing facility corresponding to each region and the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to occur within the predetermined period in each region, determining whether there is a first recycling processing facility for which it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled generated in the corresponding region during the predetermined period exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling processing facility; When it is determined that the first recycling processing facility exists, identifying one or more second recycling processing facilities capable of additionally recycling the amount of batteries to be recycled that exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility and that are expected to occur within the predetermined period in the first region corresponding to the first recycling processing facility; It includes a control unit that executes the above.

[0006] The system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is A system including a first server device that communicates with a plurality of electric vehicles and a second server device that communicates with the first server device, wherein the first server device Receives vehicle information including driving history information indicating a driving history and battery information indicating the state of the battery from each of the plurality of electric vehicles, wherein the second server device Receives the driving history information and the battery information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles from the first server device, Identifies the region to which each electric vehicle belongs based on the driving history information, Based on the battery information of each of the multiple electric vehicles belonging to each region, predicting the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to occur within a predetermined period in each region; Based on the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling processing facility corresponding to each region and the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within the predetermined period in each region, it is determined whether there is a first recycling processing facility for which it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled in the corresponding region during the predetermined period exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling processing facility. When it is determined that the first recycling processing facility exists, one or more second recycling processing facilities capable of additionally recycling the batteries to be recycled in excess of the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility, which are expected to be generated within the predetermined period in the first region corresponding to the first recycling processing facility, are identified.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to contribute to promoting the recycling processing of batteries mounted on electric vehicles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] In recent years, the number of electric vehicles equipped with driving batteries has been increasing. Here, the electric vehicles may include not only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) but also plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The battery mounted on an electric vehicle can be recycled by performing processes such as removing the materials used in the electrodes, etc., even when its performance deteriorates due to aging, etc. Even when the performance of the battery mounted on an electric vehicle deteriorates due to aging or the like, it can be recycled by performing processes such as removing the materials used in the electrodes and the like.

[0010] The present disclosure is for promoting the recycling process of batteries in a recycling facility. A recycling facility is a facility where batteries to be recycled removed from electric vehicles are collected and the collected batteries are subjected to a recycling process. A corresponding region is defined for each recycling facility. Here, the "region" may be an administrative division such as a prefecture or a municipality, or an area within a predetermined range from the recycling facility. It is presumed that the batteries to be recycled generated within the corresponding region are collected at each recycling facility.

[0011] The information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a control unit. The control unit acquires the driving history information and battery information of each of a plurality of electric vehicles. The driving history information is information indicating the driving history of each electric vehicle. The battery information is information indicating the state of the battery (driving battery) of each electric vehicle. Then, the control unit identifies the region to which each electric vehicle belongs based on the driving history information. When the battery mounted on an electric vehicle becomes a recycling target, it is presumed that the battery removed from the electric vehicle is collected at the recycling facility corresponding to the region to which the electric vehicle belongs. When the battery mounted on an electric vehicle becomes a recycling target, it is presumed that the battery removed from the electric vehicle is collected at the recycling facility corresponding to the region to which the electric vehicle belongs.

[0012] Also, according to the battery information, it is possible to estimate the timing when the battery mounted on each electric vehicle becomes a recycling target. Therefore, based on the battery information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles belonging to each region, the control unit predicts the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to occur within a predetermined period in each region.

[0013] There is an upper limit to the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling facility. That is, there is an upper limit to the amount of batteries that can be recycled within a certain period in a certain recycling facility. Also, the amount of batteries to be recycled generated in a region may exceed the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling facility corresponding to that region. Here, a recycling facility for which it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled generated in a corresponding region within a predetermined period exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of that facility is referred to as a first recycling facility.

[0014] Also, if the amount of batteries to be recycled generated in a region is less than the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling facility corresponding to that region, the recycling facility corresponding to that region can further recycle additional batteries. Here, a recycling facility that can additionally recycle the amount of batteries to be recycled that is expected to be generated within a predetermined period in the first region corresponding to the first recycling facility and exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling facility is referred to as a second recycling facility.

[0015] And in the present disclosure, based on the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling facility corresponding to each region and the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within a predetermined period in each region, the control unit determines whether or not a first recycling facility exists. Also, when it is determined that a first recycling facility exists, the control unit identifies one or more second recycling facilities. At this time, for example, based on the amount of batteries that can be additionally recycled in each of a plurality of recycling facilities other than the first recycling facility, the control unit can identify one or more second recycling facilities.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to encourage the bringing of batteries in excess of the recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility into the second recycling processing facility. That is, in a certain region, when it is expected that batteries to be recycled in an amount exceeding the recycling processing capacity of the recycling processing facility will be generated, it is possible to encourage the excess batteries to be brought into a recycling processing facility corresponding to another region that can accept additional recycling processing. Thereby, the recycling processing of batteries can be promoted.

[0017] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure only to those, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] <Embodiment> (System Overview) FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of a recycling management system according to this embodiment. The recycling management system 1 is a system for promoting the recycling of drive batteries mounted on each vehicle 10. Note that the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle (BEV or PHEV) equipped with a drive battery.

[0019] The recycling management system 1 includes a vehicle management server 200 and a recycling management server 100. The vehicle management server 200 is a server that collects vehicle information from each vehicle 10. The recycling management server 100 is a server that manages the battery recycling process in each recycling processing facility 20. Here, the recycling processing facility 20 is a facility where a recycling process is performed on the batteries to be recycled. Examples of the recycling process include a process of disassembling the battery and recovering its materials (such as lithium and cobalt). In this embodiment, a plurality of recycling processing facilities 20 are located in different regions. In this embodiment, the recycling management server 100 corresponds to the "information processing device" according to the present disclosure.

[0020] A plurality of vehicles 10, a vehicle management server 200, a recycling management server 100, and a plurality of recycling processing facilities 20 are interconnected by a network. Here, as the network, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone network may be adopted.

[0021] Each vehicle 10 transmits vehicle information to the vehicle management server 200 at a predetermined timing via the network. The vehicle information includes at least a vehicle ID, driving history information, and battery information. Here, the vehicle ID is information for identifying the vehicle 10. The driving history information is information indicating the driving history of the vehicle 10. The driving history information may include, for example, position information periodically acquired in the vehicle 10. Further, the driving history information may include information indicating a dealership or a factory where the vehicle 10 was temporarily deposited for maintenance or the like of the vehicle 10. The battery information is information indicating the state of the battery mounted on the vehicle 10. The battery information includes a battery ID. The battery ID is information for identifying the battery mounted on the vehicle 10. Further, the battery information may include data having a correlation with the degree of battery degradation such as, for example, an SoH (State of Health) value, the number of charge and discharge cycles, and the maximum output value. Each vehicle 10 may transmit vehicle information to the vehicle management server 200 periodically at a predetermined interval while driving and while parked. Also, vehicle information extracted from the vehicle 10 at a dealership or a factory where the vehicle 10 was temporarily deposited may be transmitted from the terminal of the dealership or the factory to the vehicle management server 200.

[0022] Basically, it is estimated that recycled batteries generated in the respective regions corresponding to the recycling processing facilities 20 are collected at each recycling processing facility 20. For example, in FIG. 1, the region corresponding to the recycling processing facility 20a is defined as region A, and the region corresponding to the recycling processing facility 20b is defined as region B. In this case, it is estimated that the recycled batteries generated in region A are collected at the recycling processing facility 20a, and the recycled batteries generated in region B are collected at the recycling processing facility 20b.

[0023] Therefore, the recycling management server 100 predicts the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to be generated in each region corresponding to each recycling facility 20. At this time, the recycling management server 100 predicts the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to be generated within a predetermined period (for example, monthly) in each region.

[0024] The recycling management server 100 receives the driving history information and battery information of each vehicle 10 from the vehicle management server 200 via the network in order to predict the amount of batteries to be recycled in each region. Then, the recycling management server 100 identifies the region to which each vehicle 10 belongs based on the driving history information of each vehicle 10. In FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 belonging to region A is referred to as vehicle 10a, and the vehicle 10 belonging to region B is referred to as vehicle 10b.

[0025] When the deterioration of the battery mounted on each vehicle 10 progresses to a certain extent, the battery becomes a recycling target. And when the battery mounted on one vehicle 10 becomes a recycling target, the battery removed from one vehicle 1 0 is estimated to be collected at the recycling facility 20 corresponding to that region as a battery of the batteries to be recycled generated in the region to which one vehicle 10 belongs.

[0026] Therefore, the recycling management server 100 estimates the timing when the battery mounted on each vehicle 10 becomes a recycling target based on data having a correlation with the degree of battery deterioration included in the battery information of each vehicle 10. Further, the recycling management server 100 predicts the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to be generated within a predetermined period in each region based on the timing when the battery mounted on each vehicle 10 becomes a recycling target.

[0027] Here, there is an upper limit to the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling facility 20. Specifically, in each recycling facility, an upper limit value is set for the amount of batteries that can be recycled within a predetermined period. And when the amount of batteries to be recycled generated within a predetermined period in a region increases, in a region, the amount of batteries to be recycled generated within a predetermined period may exceed the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling facility 20 corresponding to the region. In such a case, if an amount of batteries exceeding the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling facility 20 corresponding to a region is collected at the recycling facility 20 corresponding to the region, it becomes difficult to promote the battery recycling processing.

[0028] Therefore, the recycling management server 100 compares the predicted value of the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within a predetermined period in each region with the battery recycling capacity of the recycling facility 20 corresponding to each region. Thereby, the recycling management server 100 determines whether a first recycling facility exists among the plurality of recycling facilities 20. Here, a recycling facility 20 in which it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled generated within a predetermined period in the corresponding region exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the facility is referred to as the first recycling facility.

[0029] Furthermore, when it is determined that the first recycling facility exists, the recycling management server 100 identifies one or more second recycling facilities from among the other recycling facilities 20. Here, a recycling facility 20 that can additionally recycle the amount of batteries to be recycled that exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling facility and is expected to be generated within a predetermined period in the first region corresponding to the first recycling facility is referred to as the second recycling facility. At this time, the recycling management server 100 can identify one or more second recycling facilities based on the amount of batteries that can be additionally recycled in each of the plurality of recycling facilities 20 other than the first recycling facility.

[0030] Then, the recycling management server 100 transmits prediction information to the terminals associated with the first recycling processing facility and the terminals associated with one or more second recycling processing facilities via the network. At this time, the prediction information includes information notifying that it is predicted that the amount of recyclable batteries expected to be generated within a predetermined period in the first region will exceed the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility. The prediction information also includes information notifying that it is possible to additionally recycle the recyclable batteries exceeding the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility in one or more second recycling processing facilities.

[0031] For example, in FIG. 1, assume that the recycling processing facility 20a is the first recycling processing facility and the recycling processing facility 20b is the second recycling processing facility. In this case, the recycling management server 100 transmits prediction information to each of the recycling processing facility 20a and the recycling processing facility 20b. respectively.

[0032] By receiving the prediction information at the first recycling processing facility and one or more second recycling processing facilities, predictions regarding the recycling process can be notified to each facility. That is, it is notified that it is predicted that the amount of recyclable batteries expected to be generated within a predetermined period in the first region will exceed the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility. Also, it is notified that it is possible to additionally recycle the recyclable batteries exceeding the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility in one or more second recycling processing facilities. Thereby, it is possible to encourage adjustment between the two facilities so that the batteries exceeding the recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility are brought into the second recycling processing facility. Therefore, the recycling process of the batteries can be promoted.

[0033] (Configuration of the Recycling Management Server) Next, the configuration of the recycling management server 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the recycling management server 100. The recycling management server 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication module 130.

[0034] The control unit 110 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the recycling management server 100. The control unit 110 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). Note that the CPU is an example of a processor resource. Also, the RAM and the ROM are examples of memory resources. The control unit 110 can execute arbitrary information processing based on various programs and various data. However, some or all of the functions of the control unit 110 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0035] The storage unit 120 is constituted by an arbitrary storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory. The storage unit 120 may include a removable medium (portable recording medium). Here, the removable medium is, for example, a USB memory, an SD card, or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. Stored in the storage unit 120 are programs executed by the control unit 110 and various data used for the execution of the programs.

[0036] In addition, in the storage unit 120, a facility information database (facility information DB) 121, a vehicle information database (vehicle information DB) 122, and a prediction information database (prediction information DB) 123 are constructed. In the facility information DB 121, the battery processing capacity of each recycling facility 20 corresponding to each region is stored. Here, the amount of batteries that can be recycled within a certain period when each recycling facility 20 exists varies depending on the scale, equipment, etc. of each facility. The battery processing capacity of each recycling facility 20 may be stored in the facility information DB 121 as the amount of batteries that can be recycled within a certain period when each recycling facility 20 exists. In the facility information DB 121, the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling facility 20 is stored in association with a facility ID for identifying the recycling facility 20. Also, in the facility information DB 121, the region (corresponding region) corresponding to each recycling facility 20 is also stored in association with the facility ID. Details of the information stored in the vehicle information DB 122 and the prediction information DB 123 will be described later.

[0037] The communication module 130 is a communication interface for connecting the recycling management server 100 to the network. The communication module 130 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication. Note that the recycling management server 100 does not necessarily need to be realized by a single physical configuration and may be composed of a plurality of computers that cooperate with each other.

[0038] The control unit 110 executes processing for receiving the driving history information and battery information of each vehicle 10 from the vehicle management server 200 via the communication module 130. Note that the recycling management server 100 receives the vehicle ID of each vehicle 10 together with the driving history information and battery information. Also, the control unit 110 executes processing for transmitting prediction information to the first recycling facility and one or a plurality of second recycling facilities via the communication module 130.

[0039] (Information Processing by the Control Unit) Hereinafter, the information processing executed by the control unit 110 of the recycling management server 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first process executed by the control unit 110. In the first process, the control unit 110 acquires the driving history information and battery information of each vehicle 10 received from the vehicle management server 200.

[0040] Then, the control unit 110 identifies the area (belonging area) to which each vehicle 10 belongs based on the driving history information of each vehicle 10. Here, for example, the area with the highest driving frequency of the vehicle 10 derived from the driving history information may be identified as the area to which the vehicle 10 belongs. Also, an area including a point where the parking frequency of the vehicle 10 derived from the driving history information is relatively high and the integrated value of the parking time is relatively large may be identified as the area to which the vehicle 10 belongs. Further, when information indicating a dealership or factory where the vehicle 10 was temporarily stored is included in the driving history information, it is highly likely that the work for recovering the battery from the vehicle 10 for recycling will also be carried out at the same dealership or factory. Therefore, the area where the dealership or factory where the vehicle 10 was temporarily stored exists may be identified as the area to which the vehicle 10 belongs.

[0041] In addition, the control unit 110 estimates the timing (recycling timing) when the battery mounted on each vehicle 10 becomes a recycling target based on the battery information of each vehicle 10. Here, for example, thresholds may be set in advance for specific data (such as SoH value, charge-discharge cycle count, maximum output value, etc.) that has a correlation with the degree of battery deterioration included in the battery information. Then, the timing when it is predicted that the value of the specific data reaches the preset threshold may be estimated as the recycling timing. In this case, the threshold for the specific data may be set according to the type of battery and stored in the storage unit 120 of the recycling management server 100.

[0042] Further, the control unit 110 stores the region to which each specified vehicle 10 belongs and the estimated battery recycling time of each vehicle 10 in the vehicle information DB 122. In the vehicle information DB 122, the region to which each vehicle 10 belongs and the battery recycling time are stored in association with the vehicle ID.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second process executed by the control unit 110. In the second process, the control unit 110 acquires the region to which each vehicle 10 belongs and the battery recycling time stored in the vehicle information DB 122. Then, the control unit 110 classifies the plurality of vehicles 10 for each region. Further, the control unit 110 totals the number of vehicles 10 whose battery recycling time is due within a predetermined period for each region. Thereby, the control unit 110 can predict the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to occur within a predetermined period in each region. Here, for example, the amount of batteries to be recycled generated monthly in each region may be predicted.

[0044] Also, the control unit 110 acquires the corresponding region and the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling processing facility 20 from the facility information DB 121. Then, for each recycling processing facility 20, the control unit 110 compares the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to occur within a predetermined period in the corresponding region with the battery processing capacity of the recycling processing facility 20. Thereby, the control unit 110 calculates the excess amount or the additional possible amount for each recycling processing facility 20.

[0045] At this time, it may be predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within a predetermined period in a certain region exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling processing facility 20 corresponding to the certain region. In this case, the control unit 110 calculates the amount of the excess batteries to be recycled as the excess amount for the recycling processing facility 20 corresponding to the certain region. Also, it may be predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within a predetermined period in a certain region is below the upper limit of the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling processing facility 20 corresponding to the certain region. In this case, the control unit 110 calculates the difference between the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within the predetermined period and the upper limit of the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling processing facility 20 as the additional possible amount for the recycling processing facility 20 corresponding to the certain region. That is, the additional possible amount for the recycling processing facility 20 is the amount of batteries that can be further added and recycled in the recycling processing facility 20 for the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated in the corresponding region.

[0046] Also, the control unit 110 stores the calculated excess amount or additional possible amount for each recycling processing facility 20 in the prediction information DB 123. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of the prediction information DB 123. As shown in FIG. 5, the prediction information DB 123 has a facility ID field, a corresponding region field, a recycling amount field, and an excess amount / additional possible amount field.

[0047] In the facility ID field, the facility ID, which is the identification information of each recycling facility 20, is input. In the corresponding area field, the area corresponding to each recycling facility 20 is input. In the recycling amount field, the generated amount of batteries to be recycled in the area corresponding to each recycling facility 20 during a predetermined period is input. In the excess amount / additional available amount field, the excess amount or additional available amount for each recycling facility 20 is input. Here, for example, in the recycling amount field, the generated amount of batteries to be recycled may be input monthly. Also, in the excess amount / additional available amount field, the excess amount or additional available amount may be input monthly. Note that the recycling facility 20 in which the excess amount is input in the excess amount / additional available amount field is the first recycling facility.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third process executed by the control unit 110. This flow may be periodically executed by the control unit 110 with a certain period in between. Also, this flow may be executed by the control unit 110 every time the information input to the prediction information DB 123 shown in FIG. 5 is updated.

[0049] In the third process, first, in S101, by referring to the information input to the prediction information DB 123 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not there is a first recycling facility. If a negative determination is made in S101, the execution of this flow ends. That is, if in the prediction information DB 123, no excess amount is input in the excess amount / additional available amount field of any recycling facility 20, since it is not necessary to transmit the prediction information, the execution of this flow ends.

[0050] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in S101, the process of S102 is then executed. In S102, the excess amount for the recycling facility specified as the first recycling facility is obtained from the prediction information DB123. Also, the additional amount that can be processed for the recycling facilities 20 other than the first recycling facility is obtained from the prediction information DB123. At this time, if monthly data is input in the recycling amount field and the excess amount / additional amount field, the data of the excess amount and the additional amount in the same month is obtained.

[0051] Next, in S103, based on the data of the excess amount and the additional amount obtained in S102 one or more second recycling facilities are specified. Here, a recycling facility 20 that can additionally recycle the batteries to be recycled corresponding to the excess amount for the first recycling facility is specified as the second recycling facility. For example, one recycling facility 20 with an additional amount larger than the excess amount for the first recycling facility may be specified as the second recycling facility. Also, the additional amount for any of the recycling facilities 20 other than the first recycling facility may be less than the excess amount for the first recycling facility. In such a case, for example, a plurality of recycling facilities 20 may be selected such that the total of the additional amounts for the plurality of recycling facilities 20 other than the first recycling facility is equal to or greater than the excess amount for the first recycling facility and specified as the second recycling facility.

[0052] Next, in S104, prediction information is transmitted to a terminal related to the first recycling facility and terminals related to one or more second recycling facilities. At this time, the prediction information to be transmitted is prediction information about the first recycling facility and the second recycling process, which is extracted from the prediction information DB123. As a result, it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within a predetermined period in the first region will exceed the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling facility, and this is notified to the first recycling facility and one or more second recycling facilities. Also, it is notified to the first recycling facility and one or more second recycling facilities that it is possible to additionally recycle the batteries to be recycled in excess of the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling facility at one or more second recycling facilities.

[0053] (Modification example) In each region, there may be cases where a logistics company collects batteries to be recycled removed from the vehicle 10 from dealerships, factories, etc. In this case, basically, the logistics company transports the collected batteries to the recycling facility corresponding to the region where the batteries were collected. The recycling management server 100 may also be interconnected by a network with a terminal related to such a logistics company that collects these batteries and transports them to the recycling facility. Then, in S104 of the flow shown in FIG. 6, the prediction information may be transmitted to a terminal related to the logistics company instead of or in addition to the first recycling facility and one or more second recycling facilities.

[0054] According to this, the logistics operator is notified that it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to occur within a predetermined period in the first region will exceed the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling facility. Also, the logistics operator is notified that it is possible to additionally recycle the batteries to be recycled in excess of the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling facility at one or more second recycling facilities. Thus, the logistics operator can be urged to transport the batteries in excess of the recycling processing capacity of the first recycling facility to the second recycling facility. Therefore, promoting the recycling process of batteries can also be achieved by transmitting the prediction information to the logistics operator.

[0055] In addition, the battery information transmitted to the vehicle management server 200 may include not only data correlated with the degree of deterioration of the battery itself but also data indicating the state of the vehicle 10 in which the battery is mounted. In this case, the battery information including the data indicating the state of the vehicle 10 in which the battery is mounted is transmitted from the vehicle management server 200 to the recycling management server 100.

[0056] At this time, in the recycling management server 100, the control unit 110 may estimate the recycling timing of the batteries mounted on each vehicle 10 based on the data indicating the state of each vehicle 10. For example, the data indicating the state of the vehicle 10 may include the total driving distance of the vehicle 10. When the total driving distance of the vehicle 10 reaches a certain length, the user of the vehicle 10 may discard the vehicle 10. And when the vehicle 10 is discarded, at that timing, the battery mounted on the vehicle 10 is highly likely to become a recycling target. Therefore, the timing predicted to reach the threshold value of the total driving distance of the vehicle 10 may be estimated as the recycling timing.

[0057] <Other Embodiments> The above embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not departing from the gist thereof. Further, the processes and means described in the present disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0058] Also, the process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by a plurality of devices. Alternatively, the process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, how each function is realized by a hardware configuration (server configuration) can be flexibly changed.

[0059] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer and causing one or more processors included in the computer to read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes, for example, any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions such as an optical card.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1 ··· Recycling management system 10 ··· Vehicle 20 ··· Recycling processing facility 100 ··· Recycling management server 110 ··· Control unit 120 ··· Storage unit 121 ··· Facility information database 122 ··· Vehicle information database 123 ··· Prediction information database 130 ··· Communication module 200 ··· Vehicle management server

Claims

1. Obtaining driving history information indicating the driving history of each of a plurality of electric vehicles and battery information indicating the state of the battery; Identifying the region to which each electric vehicle belongs based on the driving history information; Predicting the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to occur within a predetermined period in each region based on the battery information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles belonging to each region; Based on the battery recycling processing capacity of each recycling processing facility corresponding to each region and the amount of batteries to be recycled that are expected to occur within the predetermined period in each region, determining whether there is a first recycling processing facility for which it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled generated in the corresponding region during the predetermined period exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the recycling processing facility; When it is determined that the first recycling processing facility exists, identifying one or more second recycling processing facilities capable of additionally recycling the amount of batteries to be recycled that exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility and that are expected to occur within the predetermined period in the first region corresponding to the first recycling processing facility; An information processing apparatus including a control unit that executes the above.

2. The control unit identifies the one or more second recycling processing facilities based on the amount of batteries that can be additionally recycled in each recycling processing facility other than the first recycling processing facility. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The control unit further executes notifying the first recycling processing facility and the one or more second recycling processing facilities that it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled generated in the first region during the predetermined period exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility, and that it is possible to additionally recycle the amount of batteries to be recycled that exceeds the battery recycling processing capacity of the first recycling processing facility in the one or more second recycling processing facilities. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. The control unit further executes the step of notifying a logistics company that collects the batteries to be recycled generated in the first region and transports them to the first recycling facility that the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within the predetermined period in the first region is predicted to exceed the battery recycling capacity of the first recycling facility, and that it is possible to additionally recycle the excess amount of batteries to be recycled beyond the battery recycling capacity of the first recycling facility at the one or more second recycling facilities. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. A system including a first server device that communicates with a plurality of electric vehicles, and a second server device that communicates with the first server device. The first server device: Receives vehicle information including driving history information indicating a driving history and battery information indicating a battery state from each of the plurality of electric vehicles. The second server device: Receives the driving history information and the battery information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles from the first server device. Identifies the region to which each electric vehicle belongs based on the driving history information. Predicts the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within a predetermined period in each region based on the battery information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles belonging to each region. Based on the battery recycling capacity of each recycling facility corresponding to each region and the amount of batteries to be recycled expected to be generated within the predetermined period in each region, determines whether there is a first recycling facility where it is predicted that the amount of batteries to be recycled generated during the predetermined period in the corresponding region will exceed the battery recycling capacity of the recycling facility. When it is determined that the first recycling facility exists, identifies one or more second recycling facilities capable of additionally recycling the amount of batteries to be recycled that exceeds the battery recycling capacity of the first recycling facility and is expected to be generated within the predetermined period in the first region corresponding to the first recycling facility. System

Images