Information provision system, information provision method and program

Abstract

To provide an information provision system, an information provision method, and a program that can suppress variations in the deterioration levels of a plurality of batteries.SOLUTION: In an information provision system 10, a control device 14 includes an information acquisition unit 34 that acquires usage-related information of a battery 50 attached to a specific holding unit 18 of a battery holding device 12, and an alarm control unit 38 that, when a determination unit 36 determines that the usage-related information satisfies a condition, issues alarm information to prompt the user to replace the battery attached to the specific holding unit with another battery attached to another holding unit 19 different from the specific holding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing system, an information providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, research and development into batteries that contribute to energy efficiency has been conducted to ensure more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and advanced energy.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply device (information provision system) equipped with a notification means that prompts replacement of a battery when the battery attached to the attachment device (holding portion of the battery holding device) has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer suitable for use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-74703 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is a need for a better information provision system, method and program.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an information provision system comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires usage-related information, which is information regarding the use of a battery attached to a specific holding unit, which is a holding unit that is predetermined from a plurality of holding units to which a plurality of batteries can be respectively attached and detached; a judgment unit that judges whether the usage-related information acquired by the information acquisition unit has come to satisfy a predetermined condition; and an alarm control unit that, when the judgment unit judges that the usage-related information has come to satisfy the condition, issues alarm information to prompt a user to replace the battery attached to the specific holding unit with another battery attached to another holding unit different from the specific holding unit.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring usage-related information, which is information relating to the use of one battery attached to a specific holding unit, which is a holding unit that is predetermined from a plurality of holding units to which a plurality of batteries can be respectively attached and detached; a determination step of determining whether the usage-related information acquired by the information acquisition step has come to satisfy a predetermined condition; and a notification step of, when it is determined in the determination step that the usage-related information has come to satisfy the condition, notifying the user of notification information to prompt the user to replace the one battery attached to the specific holding unit with another battery attached to another holding unit different from the specific holding unit.

[0009] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the information providing method according to the second aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a better information providing system, information providing method, and program can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery holding device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information providing method according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating the order in which the batteries are replaced. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of an example of an information providing method according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of installation of the battery holding device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a battery holding device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A battery holding device has multiple holding sections to which multiple batteries can be attached and detached. In such a battery holding device, a battery held in one of the multiple holding sections may be easier to remove than a battery held in another holding section. In this case, the frequency of use of one battery attached to one holding section tends to be higher than the frequency of use of other batteries attached to the other holding sections. This tends to result in large variations in the degree of deterioration of the multiple batteries.

[0013] One way to reduce the variation in the deterioration levels of such batteries is to encourage the user to use another battery installed in another battery holder. However, this reduces convenience because the battery installed in the other battery holder is more difficult to remove than the battery installed in the first battery holder. The present disclosure may provide an information provision system, information provision method, and program that can reduce the variation in the deterioration levels of multiple batteries while minimizing the reduction in convenience.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information providing system 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a battery holding device 12. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the information providing system 10 includes the battery holding device 12 and a control device 14. The battery holding device 12 can hold multiple batteries 50.

[0015] The battery 50 is a portable mobile power pack that can be carried around. The battery 50 is configured to be detachable from the battery holding device 12, and can be used as a power source for driving mobility such as an electric vehicle (electric two-wheeled vehicle, electric three-wheeled vehicle, electric four-wheeled vehicle) or a work machine (agricultural machine, construction machine) by being removed from the battery holding device 12 and attached to the mobility. The battery 50 can also be used as a power source for electric devices other than mobility.

[0016] The battery holding device 12 may be installed in, for example, a building (not shown). In this case, the battery holding device 12 may supply power to the building while holding the battery 50. The battery holding device 12 may also charge the battery 50 with power generated by, for example, a solar power generation system (not shown).

[0017] The battery holding device 12 has a plurality of holding sections 16 to which a plurality of batteries 50 can be attached and detached. In this embodiment, the battery holding device 12 has a first holding section 16a, a second holding section 16b, a third holding section 16c, and a fourth holding section 16d as the plurality of holding sections 16. The number of holding sections 16 can be set as appropriate as long as it is two or more.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery holding device 12 extends in one direction. In the example of FIG. 2, the battery holding device 12 is installed vertically so that the first holding portion 16a, the second holding portion 16b, the third holding portion 16c, and the fourth holding portion 16d are aligned from top to bottom. In this embodiment, the holding portion 16 from which the battery 50 is most likely to be used is determined as the specific holding portion 18. For example, the first holding portion 16a is located at a height position that makes it easier to remove the battery 50 than the second holding portion 16b, the third holding portion 16c, and the fourth holding portion 16d. In this case, it is assumed that the battery 50 held in the first holding portion 16a is most likely to be used most frequently. Therefore, in such a case, the first holding portion 16a is determined as the specific holding portion 18. Hereinafter, the holding portions 16 other than the specific holding portion 18 among the multiple holding portions 16 may be referred to as "other holding portions 19." In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the second holding portion 16b, the third holding portion 16c, and the fourth holding portion 16d are not the specific holding portion 18 but are other holding portions 19.

[0019] The specific holding unit 18 may be determined by the control unit 32 or the like based on the frequency of attachment and detachment of the battery 50 to and from each holding unit 16, but is not limited to this. The specific holding unit 18 may also be determined by the user or the like. That is, the specific holding unit 18 may be appropriately determined by the user or the like depending on the size, shape, installation environment, height of the user, etc. of the battery holding device 12.

[0020] In this embodiment, the four batteries 50 held in the four holding units 16 may be distinguished and referred to as a first battery 50a, a second battery 50b, a third battery 50c, and a fourth battery 50d. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the first battery 50a is attached to the specific holding unit 18 (first holding unit 16a), the second battery 50b is attached to the second holding unit 16b, the third battery 50c is attached to the third holding unit 16c, and the fourth battery 50d is attached to the fourth holding unit 16d.

[0021] 1, the control device 14 may be provided in, for example, the battery holding device 12. The control device 14 may communicate with a terminal device 52 via a network 20 such as the Internet. Examples of the terminal device 52 include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, etc. A detailed description of the configuration of the terminal device 52 will be omitted. The terminal device 52 may be managed by a user.

[0022] The control device 14 may be provided in a server device (not shown) outside the battery holding device 12. In this case, the control device 14 can communicate with the battery holding device 12 via a network (not shown) such as the Internet.

[0023] The control device 14 may include a calculation unit 22, a storage unit 24, an operation unit 26, a display unit 28, and a communication unit 30. The calculation unit 22 is configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). In other words, the calculation unit 22 is configured by processing circuitry.

[0024] The calculation unit 22 has a control unit 32, an information acquisition unit 34, a determination unit 36, and a notification control unit 38. The control unit 32 controls charging of the multiple batteries 50 held in the battery holding device 12. The information acquisition unit 34 acquires usage-related information, which is information related to the use of one battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18. The determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the usage-related information satisfies a predetermined condition (predetermined condition). The usage-related information is, for example, but is not limited to, information related to the deterioration of the battery 50. The predetermined condition is, for example, but is not limited to, a condition related to the degree of deterioration of the battery 50. The notification control unit 38 issues notification information to prompt the user to replace the one battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18 with another battery 50 attached to another holding unit 19 different from the specific holding unit 18.

[0025] The control unit 32, the information acquisition unit 34, the determination unit 36, and the notification control unit 38 may be realized by the calculation unit 22 executing a program stored in the storage unit 24. Note that at least a portion of the control unit 32, the information acquisition unit 34, the determination unit 36, and the notification control unit 38 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Also, at least a portion of the control unit 32, the information acquisition unit 34, the determination unit 36, and the notification control unit 38 may be configured by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

[0026] The storage unit 24 is composed of a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory include RAM (Random Access Memory). The volatile memory is used as a working memory for the processor and temporarily stores data necessary for processing or calculation. Examples of the non-volatile memory include ROM (Read Only Memory) and flash memory. The non-volatile memory is used as a storage memory and stores programs, tables, maps, etc. At least a part of the storage unit 24 may be provided in the processor, integrated circuit, etc. described above.

[0027] The operation unit 26 is used when the user operates the control device 14. The display unit 28 is provided with a display element (not shown). Examples of the display element include a liquid crystal display element and an organic electroluminescence display element. The operation unit 26 and the display unit 28 may be configured by a touch panel (not shown) provided with such a display element. Note that the operation unit 26 and the display unit 28 are not shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] Next, an example of an information providing method according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an information providing method according to an embodiment. The flowchart in Fig. 3 is executed at a predetermined cycle.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , an information acquisition step is performed in step S1. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 34 acquires usage-related information about the battery 50 attached to the specific storage unit 18. The usage-related information is, for example, the number of times the battery 50 has been used since the specific storage unit 18 replaced the battery 50 attached to the specific storage unit 18 with another battery 50 different from the specific storage unit 18, and the specific storage unit 18 retained the battery 50. The information acquisition unit 34 can acquire the number of times the battery 50 has been attached to the specific storage unit 18 or the number of times the battery 50 has been removed from the specific storage unit 18. The battery retention device 12 can identify the specific battery 50 by reading the serial number assigned to each battery 50 and comparing the read serial number with a number pre-stored in the memory unit 24. After this, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0030] In step S2 (determination step), the determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the usage-related information satisfies a predetermined condition (predetermined condition). That is, the determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the number of times one battery 50 has been used since the time of replacement has reached a predetermined set number of times. The set number of times is stored in the storage unit 24 in advance.

[0031] If the determination unit 36 ​​determines that the number of times that the one battery 50 has been used since the time of replacement has not reached the set number of times (NO in step S2), the process in Fig. 3 is completed. If the determination unit 36 ​​determines that the number of times that the one battery 50 has been used since the time of replacement has reached the set number of times (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

[0032] In step S3, a notification step is performed. In the notification step, the notification control unit 38 notifies the user of notification information for urging the user to replace one battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18 with another battery 50 attached to another holding unit 19. Specifically, the notification control unit 38 notifies the user by transmitting the notification information from the communication unit 30 to the terminal device 52 via the network 20. The terminal device 52 may notify the user of the notification information by displaying the notification information on a display unit (not shown) of the terminal device 52. The terminal device 52 may notify the user of the notification information by sound. This allows the user to recognize that the battery 50 needs to be replaced. The notification control unit 38 may notify the user by displaying the notification information on the display unit 28 of the battery holding device 12. The notification control unit 38 may also notify the user of the notification information by sound from the battery holding device 12. After this, the processing of FIG. 3 is completed.

[0033] The method of providing information is not limited to the above-described method. The predetermined condition may be a condition related to the elapsed time from the replacement point, which is the point in time when one battery 50 is stored in the specific storage unit 18 due to the replacement of the battery 50. In this case, in the information acquisition step, the information acquisition unit 34 acquires the elapsed time from the replacement point as the usage-related information. In the determination step, the determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the elapsed time from the replacement point has reached a set time. The set time is stored in advance in the memory unit 24. If the determination unit 36 ​​determines that the elapsed time from the replacement point has reached the set time, the notification step is performed.

[0034] The predetermined condition may also be a condition related to the amount of charge and discharge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement. The amount of charge and discharge power is the integrated value of the amount of charge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement, or the integrated value of the amount of discharge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement. The amount of charge and discharge power may be the sum of the absolute value of the integrated value of the amount of charge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement and the absolute value of the integrated value of the amount of discharge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement. In the information acquisition step, the information acquisition unit 34 acquires the amount of charge and discharge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement as the usage-related information. In the determination step, the determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the amount of charge and discharge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement has reached a predetermined set power amount. The set power amount is pre-stored in the memory unit 24. If the determination unit 36 ​​determines that the amount of charge and discharge power of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement has reached the set power amount, a notification step is performed.

[0035] Furthermore, the predetermined condition may be a condition related to the amount of increase in the degradation level of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement. In this case, in the information acquisition step, the information acquisition unit 34 acquires the amount of increase in the degradation level of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement as the degradation-related information. In the determination step, the determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the amount of increase in the degradation level of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement exceeds a predetermined set increase amount. The set increase amount is pre-stored in the storage unit 24. When the determination unit 36 ​​determines that the amount of increase in the degradation level of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement has reached the set increase amount, the notification step is performed. Note that the degradation level of the first battery 50 can be known from the SOH (State Of Health) of the first battery 50. Therefore, in the determination step, the notification step may be performed when the amount of decrease in the SOH of the first battery 50 since the time of replacement exceeds the set decrease amount.

[0036] Next, the order of replacement of one battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18 with another battery 50 attached to another holding unit 19 will be described. Figures 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams of the order of replacement of the batteries 50. In the example of Figure 4A, the first battery 50a is attached to the first holding unit 16a, which is the specific holding unit 18, the second battery 50b is attached to the second holding unit 16b, the third battery 50c is attached to the third holding unit 16c, and the fourth battery 50d is attached to the fourth holding unit 16d.

[0037] 4A, when the usage-related information of the first battery 50a attached to the specific holding unit 18 satisfies a predetermined condition, the notification control unit 38 issues notification information to prompt the user to swap the first battery 50a with the second battery 50b. When the user swaps the first battery 50a with the second battery 50b based on the notification information, the second battery 50b is attached to the specific holding unit 18 and the first battery 50a is attached to the second holding unit 16b, as shown in FIG.

[0038] Thereafter, when the usage-related information of the second battery 50b attached to the specific holding unit 18 satisfies a predetermined condition, the notification control unit 38 issues notification information to prompt the user to replace the second battery 50b with the third battery 50c. When the user replaces the batteries 50 based on the notification information, the third battery 50c is attached to the specific holding unit 18 and the second battery 50b is attached to the third holding unit 16c, as shown in FIG. 4C .

[0039] Thereafter, when the usage-related information of the third battery 50c attached to the specific holding unit 18 satisfies a predetermined condition, the notification control unit 38 issues notification information to prompt the user to replace the third battery 50c with the fourth battery 50d. When the user replaces the batteries 50 based on the notification information, the fourth battery 50d is attached to the specific holding unit 18 and the third battery 50c is attached to the fourth holding unit 16d, as shown in FIG. 4D .

[0040] Swapping the batteries 50 in this order can reduce variations in the frequency of use of the multiple batteries 50. The order in which the batteries 50 are swapped is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate. For example, when the usage-related information of a battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18 satisfies a predetermined condition, the battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18 may be swapped with the battery 50 with the least deteriorated level among the other batteries 50 attached to the other holding units 19.

[0041] Next, an information providing method according to a modified example will be described. Figures 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of an example of the information providing method according to the modified example. As shown in Figure 5A, in this modified example, in the information acquisition step, the information acquisition unit 34 acquires, as usage-related information, a SOH (State Of Health) indicating the degree of deterioration of one battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18. The information acquisition unit 34 also acquires SOH indicating the degree of deterioration of the other batteries 50 attached to each of the second holding unit 16b, the third holding unit 16c, and the fourth holding unit 16d.

[0042] In the example of Figure 5A, the SOH of the first battery 50a attached to the specific holding unit 18 is 97%, the SOH of the second battery 50b attached to the second holding unit 16b is 90%, the SOH of the third battery 50c attached to the third holding unit 16c is 95%, and the SOH of the fourth battery 50d attached to the fourth holding unit 16d is 82%.

[0043] In the determination step, the determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the degradation level of one battery 50 held in the specific holding unit 18 has reached a set degradation level. The set degradation level is determined based on the degradation level of the battery 50 with the smallest degradation level among the other batteries 50 attached to the other holding units 19.

[0044] In other words, in the determination step, the determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the SOH of one battery 50 stored in the specific storage unit 18 has reached the set SOH. The set SOH is determined based on the battery 50 with the highest SOH among the other batteries 50 attached to the other storage units 19. Specifically, the set SOH is obtained, for example, by subtracting a predetermined value from the SOH of the battery 50 with the highest SOH among the other batteries 50.

[0045] 5A, the battery 50 with the highest SOH among the other batteries 50 attached to the second storage unit 16b, the third storage unit 16c, and the fourth storage unit 16d is the third battery 50c. Therefore, the set SOH is determined by subtracting a predetermined value (e.g., 2%) from the SOH (95%) of the third battery 50c. In this case, the set SOH is 93%.

[0046] 5A, the SOH (97%) of the first battery 50a stored in the specific storage unit 18 has not reached the set SOH (93%), so the first battery 50a remains stored in the specific storage unit 18. In this case, the user uses the first battery 50a, which is located in a position that is relatively easy to remove.

[0047] 5B, when the SOH of the first battery 50a reaches the set SOH (93%), a notification step is performed. In the notification step, the notification control unit 38 notifies the user of notification information to prompt the user to replace the one battery 50 attached to the specific holding unit 18 with another battery 50 having the least degree of degradation. In other words, in the notification step, the notification control unit 38 notifies the user of notification information to prompt the user to replace the first battery 50a attached to the specific holding unit 18 with the third battery 50c having the highest SOH. By continuously performing such replacement, it is possible to reduce variations in the degree of degradation (SOH) of each battery 50.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of installation of the battery holding device 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the battery holding device 12 may be installed horizontally so that the multiple holding sections 16 are aligned horizontally. In the example of FIG. 6, the battery 50 attached to the holding section 16 of the battery holding device 12 is removed from the holding section 16 by lifting it upward. In this installation example, obstacles 60 (e.g., storage shelves) are located above the second holding section 16b, the third holding section 16c, and the fourth holding section 16d. No obstacle 60 is located above the first holding section 16a. In this case, the first holding section 16a is located in a position where it is easier to remove the battery 50 than the second holding section 16b, the third holding section 16c, and the fourth holding section 16d. Therefore, the first holding section 16a is the holding section 16 that is expected to have the most frequent use of the battery 50 among the multiple holding sections 16. In this case, the first holding section 16a may be determined to be the specific holding section 18.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a battery holding device 12a according to a modified example. The battery holding device 12a includes a first device 13 and a second device 15. The external shape of the first device 13 is configured similarly to the external shape of the battery holding device 12 described above. The first device 13 is installed horizontally outside a building 62. The second device 15 is installed inside the building 62. The second device 15 is more compact than the first device 13 and includes only one holding unit 16. In this case, the holding unit 16 of the second device 15 is located in a position where it is easier to remove the battery 50 than the holding unit 16 of the first device 13. Therefore, the holding unit 16 of the second device 15 is the holding unit 16 that is expected to have the most frequent use of the battery 50 among the multiple holding units 16. In this case, the holding unit 16 of the second device 15 may be determined to be the specific holding unit 18. For example, if the first device 13 is installed near an entrance or exit of the building 62, one of the holding units 16 of the first device 13 may be determined to be the specific holding unit 18, assuming that the battery 50 of the holding unit 16 is used most frequently.

[0050] According to this embodiment, when the usage-related information satisfies a predetermined condition, notification information is issued to prompt the user to replace one battery 50 attached to a specific holding unit 18 with another battery 50 attached to another holding unit 19. This prevents the frequency of use of a battery 50 in an easily accessible position from becoming significantly higher, thereby reducing variations in the degree of deterioration of multiple batteries 50. In this way, this embodiment can provide a better information provision system 10, information provision method, and program.

[0051] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0052] (Appendix 1) The information provision system (10) of the present disclosure includes an information acquisition unit (34) that acquires usage-related information, which is information relating to the use of one battery attached to a specific holding unit (18), which is a predetermined holding unit from among a plurality of holding units (16) to which a plurality of batteries (50) can be attached and detached, a determination unit (36) that determines whether the usage-related information acquired by the information acquisition unit has come to satisfy a predetermined condition, and a notification control unit (38) that, when the determination unit determines that the usage-related information has come to satisfy the condition, issues notification information to prompt the user to replace the one battery attached to the specific holding unit with another battery attached to another holding unit (19) different from the specific holding unit.

[0053] According to this configuration, when the usage-related information satisfies a condition, notification information is provided to prompt the user to replace one battery attached to a specific battery holder with another battery attached to another battery holder. This prevents a significant increase in the frequency of use of a battery located in an easily accessible position, thereby reducing variations in the degree of deterioration of multiple batteries. In other words, this configuration can provide a better information provision system.

[0054] (Appendix 2) In the information provision system described in Appendix 1, the condition may be a condition related to at least one of the elapsed time from the replacement point at which the one battery is held in the specific holding unit due to the replacement of the battery, the number of times the one battery has been used since the replacement point, the amount of charge / discharge power of the one battery since the replacement point, and the increase in the degree of deterioration of the one battery since the replacement point.

[0055] With this configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the battery needs to be replaced.

[0056] (Appendix 3) In the information providing system according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, the condition may be a condition related to a deterioration level of the battery.

[0057] With this configuration, the variations in the degree of deterioration of the plurality of batteries can be further reduced.

[0058] (Appendix 4) In the information provision system described in Appendix 3, the condition may be that the deterioration level of the one battery stored in the specific storage unit reaches a set deterioration level obtained based on the deterioration level of the battery with the smallest deterioration level among the other batteries.

[0059] With this configuration, the variations in the degree of deterioration of the plurality of batteries can be further reduced.

[0060] (Appendix 5) In the information provision system described in Appendix 4, the notification information may be information to prompt the user to replace the one battery attached to the specific holding unit with the other battery that is least deteriorated.

[0061] With this configuration, variations in the degree of deterioration of the plurality of batteries can be further reduced.

[0062] (Appendix 6) In the information providing system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, the specific storage unit may be the storage unit with the most frequent use of the battery among the plurality of storage units.

[0063] With this configuration, variations in the degree of deterioration of the plurality of batteries can be further reduced.

[0064] (Appendix 7) An information provision system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6, comprising a battery holding device (12, 12a) in which a plurality of the holding sections are arranged in the vertical direction, and the specific holding section may be located above the lowest holding section among the plurality of the holding sections.

[0065] According to this configuration, when using a battery holding device in which a plurality of holding sections are arranged in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress variations in the degree of deterioration of a plurality of batteries.

[0066] (Appendix 8) In the information providing system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, the usage-related information may be information relating to deterioration of the battery.

[0067] With this configuration, the variations in the degree of deterioration of the plurality of batteries can be further reduced.

[0068] (Appendix 9) The information providing method of the present disclosure includes an information acquisition step of acquiring usage-related information that is information regarding the use of one battery attached to a specific holding unit, which is a holding unit that is predetermined from a plurality of holding units to which a plurality of batteries can be attached and detached, a determination step of determining whether the usage-related information acquired by the information acquisition step has come to satisfy a predetermined condition, and a notification step of, when it is determined in the determination step that the usage-related information has come to satisfy the condition, notifying the user of notification information to prompt the user to replace the one battery attached to the specific holding unit with another battery attached to another holding unit different from the specific holding unit.

[0069] This method provides the same effect as that of Supplementary Note 1. Therefore, it is possible to provide a better information providing method.

[0070] (Appendix 10) The program disclosed herein is a program for causing a computer to execute the information providing method described in Supplementary Note 9.

[0071] This configuration provides the same effect as in Supplementary Note 1. Therefore, a better program can be provided.

[0072] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10... Information provision system 12, 12a... Battery holding device 16...Holding part 18...Specific holding part 19...other holding portion 32...control portion 34...Information acquisition section 36...Judgment section 38... Notification control unit 50... Battery

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires usage-related information that is information related to the use of one battery attached to a specific holding unit that is a predetermined holding unit among a plurality of holding units to which the plurality of batteries can be attached and detached; a determination unit that determines whether the usage-related information acquired by the information acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition; a notification control unit that, when the determination unit determines that the usage-related information has come to satisfy the condition, issues notification information to prompt a user to replace the one battery attached to the specific holding unit with another battery attached to another holding unit different from the specific holding unit; and An information provision system comprising:

2. 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, The conditions relate to at least one of the following: the elapsed time from the replacement point at which the battery is stored in the specific storage unit due to the battery replacement; the number of times the battery has been used since the replacement point; the amount of charge and discharge power of the battery since the replacement point; and the increase in the degree of deterioration of the battery since the replacement point.

3. 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, The condition is a condition related to a deterioration level of the battery.

4. 4. The information providing system according to claim 3, An information provision system, wherein the condition is that the deterioration level of the one battery stored in the specific storage unit reaches a set deterioration level obtained based on the deterioration level of the battery with the smallest deterioration level among the other batteries.

5. 5. The information providing system according to claim 4, An information providing system, wherein the notification information is information for urging the user to replace the one battery attached to the specific holding unit with the other battery having the least degree of deterioration.

6. 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, The specific storage unit is the storage unit with the most frequent use of the battery among the plurality of storage units.

7. 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, a battery holding device in which a plurality of the holding portions are arranged in the vertical direction; An information providing system, wherein the specific holding unit is located above the holding unit that is located at the bottom among the plurality of holding units.

8. The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The information providing system, wherein the usage-related information is information relating to deterioration of the battery.

9. an information acquisition step of acquiring usage-related information that is information related to the use of one battery attached to a specific holding part that is a predetermined holding part from among a plurality of holding parts to which the plurality of batteries can be attached and detached; a determination step of determining whether the usage-related information acquired by the information acquisition step has come to satisfy a predetermined condition; a notification step of notifying a user of notification information for urging the user to replace the one battery attached to the specific holding unit with another battery attached to another holding unit different from the specific holding unit when it is determined in the determination step that the usage-related information has come to satisfy the condition; An information providing method comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the information providing method according to claim 9.

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