Charge control device and charge control method

Abstract

To determine a charging schedule that takes into consideration a price of electricity and a remaining amount of power while reducing deterioration of a secondary battery.SOLUTION: A first estimation unit 112 estimates a first time period PT1 in which remaining amount W of a secondary battery 16 falls within a first range Z1, on the basis of remaining amount information related to the remaining amount W of the secondary battery. A first determination unit 114 determines a third time period PT3 by excluding a second time period PT2 from the first time period PT1. The second time period PT2 is a time period during which charging is restricted. A second determination unit 115 determines a schedule for charging the secondary battery 16 during a period included in the third time period PT3, on the basis of price information related to electricity prices and the remaining amount information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge control device and a charge control method. [Background technology]

[0002] The price of solar power generation can fluctuate depending on the amount of solar radiation. For example, the price of electricity falls during the day when the amount of power generation increases, and rises at night when power generation is unavailable. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle charging system that sets a planned charging period for each power source, starting with the power source with the lowest unit price of electricity among multiple types of power sources, including solar power, so that the maximum amount of charging can be achieved during the period from the charging start time to the scheduled departure time of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-14812 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, it is known that overcharging of a battery can shorten its lifespan. However, the system of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration overcharging of the battery. Therefore, simply charging the battery in order of cheapest power source leads to the problem of shortening the battery's lifespan.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to determine a charging schedule that takes into account the electricity price and the remaining capacity of the secondary battery while reducing deterioration of the secondary battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A preferred embodiment of the charging control device of the present invention includes a first estimation unit that estimates a first time period in which the remaining charge of a secondary battery falls within a first range based on remaining charge information regarding the remaining charge of the secondary battery; a first determination unit that determines a third time period that is the first time period excluding a second time period in which charging is restricted; and a second determination unit that determines a schedule for charging the secondary battery during a period included in the third time period based on price information regarding electricity prices and the remaining charge information.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the charging control method of the present invention estimates a first time period in which the remaining charge of a secondary battery falls within a first range based on remaining charge information regarding the remaining charge of the secondary battery, determines a third time period by excluding a second time period in which charging is restricted from the first time period, and determines a schedule for charging the secondary battery during a period included in the third time period based on price information regarding electricity prices and the remaining charge information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the charge control device and charge control method of the present invention, it is possible to determine a charge schedule that takes into consideration the price of electricity and the remaining capacity while reducing deterioration of the secondary battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a charge control system including a charge control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power generation management server of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a charge management server in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of time transition of the electricity price and the remaining capacity of a secondary battery. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a charge control system including a charge control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the charge management server of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. First embodiment Hereinafter, the configuration of the charge control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] 1.1. Configuration of the First Embodiment 1.1.1. Overall structure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a charge control system 1 including a charge control device according to Embodiment 1. The charge control system 1 includes a terminal device 10, a charge management server 20, a power generation management server 30, and a communication network NET.

[0012] The terminal devices 10 include n terminal devices 10[1], 10[2], ..., 10[k], ..., 10[n]. Here, n is any natural number, and k is any natural number smaller than n. In this embodiment, the configurations of the terminal devices 10[1] to 10[n] are identical to each other. Note that the terminal devices 10 may include terminal devices that do not have the same configuration.

[0013] A user who uses terminal device 10[1] is user U[1], a user who uses terminal device 10[2] is user U[2], a user who uses terminal device 10[k] is user U[k], and a user who uses terminal device 10[n] is user U[n]. When referring to an unspecified number of users or all users, user is also written as user U. User U is an example of a person.

[0014] The terminal device 10 includes a portable device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, and a smart watch.

[0015] The charging management server 20 is a server managed by a service provider. Examples of the service provider include a retail electricity supplier and a communication service provider. The charging management server 20 manages charging of a secondary battery mounted in the terminal device 10. In other words, in this embodiment, the charging management server 20 provides a charging management service.

[0016] The power generation management server 30 is a server managed by a power generation company, and manages power generation control by the power generation device.

[0017] The communication network NET is a telecommunications line such as a mobile communication network managed by a telecommunications carrier that provides communication services. The communication network NET includes one or both of a wired communication network and a wireless communication network. For example, the communication network NET may be connected via the Internet to another network (not shown) managed by another telecommunications carrier. Note that the management of the communication network NET may include, for example, the operation of the communication network NET.

[0018] In the charging control system 1, the terminal devices 10[1] to 10[n], the charging management server 20, and the power generation management server 30 are connected to each other via a communication network NET so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0019] 1.1.2. Power generation management server configuration Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power generation management server 30 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the power generation management server 30 includes a processing device 31, a storage device 32, and a communication device 33. The elements included in the power generation management server 30 are connected to each other by one or more buses for communicating information.

[0020] The processing device 31 is a processor that controls the entire power generation management server 30, and is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing device 31 is configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 31 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processing device 31 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0021] The storage device 32 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 31. The storage device 32 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The volatile memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM).

[0022] The storage device 32 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR3 to be executed by the processing device 31. The storage device 32 also functions as a work area for the processing device 31.

[0023] The communication device 33 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 33 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 33 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 33 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0024] The processing device 31 functions as a power generation management unit 311, a receiving unit 312, and a transmitting unit 313, for example, by reading and executing a control program PR3 from the storage device 32.

[0025] The power generation management unit 311 manages power generation by a power generation device (not shown). The power generation management unit 311 acquires power generation information related to power generation, such as the amount of power generated per unit time by the power generation device and power generation efficiency. The power generation management unit 311 also controls the power generation device based on the acquired power generation information, weather information related to the weather, demand information related to the amount of power demand, etc.

[0026] The receiving unit 312 receives first request information from the charge managing server 20 requesting the provision of power generation information.

[0027] The transmission unit 313 transmits the power generation information to the charge management server 20.

[0028] 1.1.3.Charging management server configuration Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charge management server 20 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the charge management server 20 includes a processing device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 23. The elements included in the charge management server 20 are connected to each other by a single bus or multiple buses for communicating information.

[0029] The processing device 21 is a processor that controls the entire charge management server 20, and is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing device 21 is configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and a register. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 21 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The processing device 21 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0030] The storage device 22 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 21. The storage device 22 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0031] The storage device 22 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR2 to be executed by the processing device 21. The storage device 22 also functions as a work area for the processing device 21.

[0032] The communication device 23 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 23 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 23 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 23 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0033] The processing device 21 functions as a charge management unit 211, a transmission unit 212, and a reception unit 213, for example, by reading and executing a control program PR2 from the storage device 22.

[0034] The charging management unit 211 manages charging of the terminal device 10. The charging management unit 211 acquires power generation information received from the power generation management server 30. The charging management unit 211 determines the price of electricity per unit time based on the acquired power generation information, a predetermined price list, etc.

[0035] The transmitting unit 212 transmits the first request information to the power generation management server 30 via the communication device 23. Furthermore, the transmitting unit 212 transmits price information indicating the determined price of electricity per unit time to the terminal device 10 via the communication device 23 as necessary.

[0036] The receiving unit 213 receives the power generation information transmitted from the power generation management server 30 via the communication device 23 .

[0037] 1.1.2. Terminal Device Configuration Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 10[k] in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the terminal device 10[k] includes a processing device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, an input device 15, and a secondary battery 16. The elements included in the terminal device 10[k] are connected to each other by a single bus or multiple buses for communicating information. The terminal device 10[k] is an example of a charge control device.

[0038] The processing device 11 is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 10[k], and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 11 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 11 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The processing device 11 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0039] The storage device 12 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0040] The storage device 12 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR1 to be executed by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 also functions as a work area for the processing device 11. The control program PR1 is a program that controls the entire processing device 11.

[0041] The communication device 13 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 13 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 13 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 13 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0042] The display device 14 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 14 displays various images under the control of the processing device 11. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal panel and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel are suitably used as the display device 14.

[0043] The input device 15 receives an operation from the user U[k]. For example, the input device 15 includes a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, and a pointing device such as a mouse. Here, if the input device 15 includes a touch panel, it may also serve as the display device 14.

[0044] The secondary battery 16 supplies power to the terminal device 10. The secondary battery 16 is a battery that can be used by repeatedly charging and discharging. As the secondary battery 16, a lithium ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium polymer battery, or the like is used. The secondary battery 16 is charged by a charger (not shown). The charger may be a wired charger that supplies power via a charging cable connected to the terminal device 10, or a contactless charger that supplies power using the principle of electromagnetic induction.

[0045] The processing device 11 functions as an acquisition unit 111, a first estimation unit 112, a second estimation unit 113, a first determination unit 114, a second determination unit 115, a display control unit 116, and a monitoring unit 117, for example, by reading and executing a control program PR1 from the storage device 12.

[0046] The acquisition unit 111 acquires remaining amount information monitored by the monitoring unit 117 and price information transmitted from the charge management server 20. The remaining amount information is information about the remaining amount of the secondary battery 16. The remaining amount information includes the time transition of the remaining amount. For example, the secondary battery 16 is charged at a speed according to the capacity of the secondary battery 16 and the output capacity of the charger used. Furthermore, the secondary battery 16 is discharged at a speed according to the amount of power consumed by one or more applications used by the user U.

[0047] Price information is information about electricity prices. The price information includes changes in electricity prices over time. For example, when electricity is generated by solar power generation, the amount of electricity supplied throughout the day fluctuates. Since solar power generation cannot generate electricity at night, the amount of electricity supplied at night is zero. Therefore, taking into account the amount of electricity supplied, it is conceivable to set the electricity price during the daytime lower than the electricity price at night. Furthermore, the amount of electricity supplied during the daytime depends on the amount of sunlight. Since the amount of sunlight on rainy days is lower than the amount of sunlight on sunny days, the amount of electricity supplied on rainy days will be lower than the amount of electricity supplied on sunny days. Therefore, it is conceivable to set the electricity price on rainy days higher than the electricity price on sunny days.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the time change of the electricity price and the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, each function of the first estimation unit 112, the second estimation unit 113, the first determination unit 114, and the second determination unit 115 will be described. In FIG. 5, the time change of the electricity price and the remaining amount W in 24 hours from 11:00 am to 11:00 am the next day is shown. Here, it is assumed that the remaining amount W is 100% at 11:00 am, and it is assumed that the remaining amount W becomes 0% at 11:00 am the next day when no charging is performed from 11:00 am to 11:00 am the next day. In FIG. 5, W 100 indicates that the remaining amount W is 100%, and W 80 indicates that the remaining amount W is 80%. It is assumed that the electricity price increases from daytime to nighttime and decreases from nighttime to daytime.

[0049] The first estimation unit 112 estimates the first time period PT1 based on the remaining amount information. The first time period PT1 is a time period during which the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 falls within the first range Z1. The first range Z1 is a range set in consideration of the life of the secondary battery 16. Assuming that the entire range of the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 is 0% to 100%, the first range Z1 is, for example, 0 < Z1 ≤ 80%. If the fully charged state, that is, the state where the remaining amount W is 100% continues, the life of the secondary battery 16 may be shortened. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the target charge amount is set to the remaining amount W of 80%. 80 In the present embodiment, the fact that the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 is within the first range Z1 is the first condition for starting the charging of the secondary battery 16. Therefore, the first time period PT1 is the period from time T1 to time T2 in FIG. 5.

[0050] When multiple applications are installed in the terminal device 10[k], the second estimation unit 113 estimates remaining battery power information based on the usage status of the multiple applications. More specifically, the second estimation unit 113 estimates the change over time in the amount of power consumed by each application being used, and estimates the remaining battery power information of the secondary battery 16 based on the change over time in the estimated amount of power consumed. For example, if past application usage patterns show that an email application tends to be used at 10:00 AM and a video application tends to be used at 12:00 AM, the amount of power consumed estimated for the period from 10:00 AM to 10:10 AM will be smaller than the amount of power consumed estimated for the period from 12:00 AM to 12:10 AM.

[0051] The first determination unit 114 determines the third time period PT3. The third time period PT3 is a time period obtained by excluding the second time period PT2 from the first time period PT1. The second time period PT2 is a time period during which charging is restricted. The second time period PT2 is, for example, a time period that includes nighttime and morning. More specifically, the second time period PT2 is, for example, a time period from nighttime T3 to 10:00 AM the following day, i.e., time T4. In this embodiment, the second condition for starting charging of the secondary battery 16 is that the time period excludes the second time period PT2. Therefore, in this example, the first determination unit 114 determines the third time period PT3 to be a time period that simultaneously satisfies both the first and second conditions. That is, the first determination unit 114 determines the third time period PT3 to be the period from time T1 to time T3 and the period from time T4 to time T2.

[0052] The second determination unit 115 determines a schedule for charging the secondary battery 16 during the period included in the third time slot PT3 based on the price information and remaining amount information. The second determination unit 115 determines a charging time CT. The charging time CT is the time from the start time of charging to the end time of charging. The end time of charging is the time when the remaining amount W reaches the target remaining amount, i.e., the second remaining amount W2 [mAh]. The charging time CT [h] is expressed, for example, by the following equation (1).

[0053] CT=(W2-Wc) / (Io×η) (1)

[0054] Here, Wc is the current remaining capacity [mAh], Io is the output [mA] of the charger used for charging, and η is the charging efficiency, which typically indicates a value of 70 to 90%.

[0055] When considering the deterioration of the capacity of the secondary battery 16 over time, the chargeable energy Pab is expressed by the following equation (2) where the deterioration rate is ρ (0≦ρ≦1).

[0056] Pab = W2 × (1 - ρ) (2)

[0057] The second determination unit 115 determines the first remaining amount W1 based on the time transition of the remaining amount W. The first remaining amount W1 is the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 at the start time Ts when charging starts.

[0058] The second determination unit 115 determines the cost of charging based on the change in the electricity price over time from the start time Ts to the end time Te, when the second remaining capacity W2, which is the target for charging, is reached. The end time Te is included in the third time slot PT3. The second determination unit 115 determines a schedule based on the determined costs of charging by changing the start time Ts within the range of the third time slot PT3. For example, the second determination unit 115 sets each charging period by shifting the start time Ts by a unit time from the start of the third time slot PT3. The second determination unit 115 determines the cost of charging for each charging period. The second determination unit 115 determines the schedule by comparing the determined costs of charging. The unit time is, for example, 10 minutes, but may be longer or shorter.

[0059] More specifically, the second determination unit 115 determines a third remaining capacity W3. The third remaining capacity W3 is the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 that reflects the result of a decrease in the amount of charge of the secondary battery 16 depending on the power consumed by the terminal device 10[k] from the start time Ts to the end time Te when charging is not performed based on the time transition of the remaining capacity W. The second determination unit 115 determines the amount of charging power CP1 based on the difference between the second remaining capacity W2 and the third remaining capacity W3. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 decreases at a constant rate. However, the power consumed per unit time by the terminal device 10[k] varies depending on the application being executed on the terminal device 10[k]. For example, an application that plays videos consumes more power than an application that inputs text. As described above, the second estimation unit 113 estimates the remaining capacity information based on the usage status of multiple applications. Therefore, the time transition of the remaining capacity W indicated by the remaining capacity information does not necessarily decrease at a constant rate. The third remaining amount W3 and the amount of charge energy CP1 described above change depending on the type of application executed in the terminal device 10[k].

[0060] The second determination unit 115 determines a schedule based on the amount of charging energy CP1 and the costs required for the determined multiple charging operations. More specifically, the second determination unit 115 determines a schedule such that the cost required for charging per unit of energy of the amount of charging energy CP1 is the cheapest among the costs required for the determined multiple charging operations. In other words, the schedule determined by the second determination unit 115 results in the cheapest cost required for charging per unit of energy of the amount of charging energy CP1.

[0061] The second determination unit 115 determines the end time Te based on the current value charged to the secondary battery 16 and the charge power amount CP1. If the current value charged to the secondary battery 16 is Ic [mA], the end time Te [h] is expressed by the following equation (3).

[0062] Te=CP1 / Ic+Ts (3)

[0063] When the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 is 0%, it is possible to immediately start charging the secondary battery 16 regardless of whether the time period is the third time period PT3. Therefore, when the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 is 0%, the processing device 11 immediately starts charging without considering the time period for starting charging.

[0064] Furthermore, the lower limit of the first range Z1 does not have to be 0%. For example, the lower limit of the first range Z1 may be set to 10%. In this case, when the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 is 10% or less, the processing device 11 immediately starts charging without considering the time period for starting charging. However, 10% is merely an example and is not limited to this value. Furthermore, although the upper limit of the first range is set to 80%, 80% is merely an example and is not limited to this value.

[0065] The display control unit 116 causes the display device 14 to display the determined schedule.

[0066] The monitoring unit 117 monitors the status of the secondary battery 16. More specifically, the monitoring unit 117 monitors the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16, the current value of the charging current, the temperature of the secondary battery 16, and the like.

[0067] 1.2. Operation of the terminal device according to the first embodiment 1.2.1. Operation of the Processing Unit 11 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the processing device 11. The operation of the processing device 11 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0068] In step S11, the processing device 11 functions as the acquisition unit 111 to acquire remaining amount information and price information. The remaining amount information is output from the monitoring unit 117. The price information is transmitted from the charging management server 20.

[0069] In step S12, the processing device 11 functions as the first estimation unit 112 to estimate a first time period PT1 based on the remaining amount information. The first time period PT1 is a time period in which the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 falls within a first range Z1.

[0070] In step S13, the processing device 11 determines the third time zone PT3 by functioning as the first determination unit 114. The third time zone PT3 is the time zone obtained by excluding the second time zone PT2, which is the time zone during which charging is restricted, from the first time zone PT1.

[0071] In step S14, the processing device 11 determines the first remaining amount W1 by functioning as the second determination unit 115. As described above, the first remaining amount W1 is the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 at the start time Ts.

[0072] In step S15, the processing device 11 determines the third remaining amount W3 by functioning as the second determination unit 115. As described above, the third remaining amount W3 is the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 determined as a result of a decrease in the amount of charge of the secondary battery 16 in accordance with the power consumed by the terminal device 10[k] from the start time Ts to the end time Te when charging is not performed based on the time transition of the remaining amount W.

[0073] In step S16, the processing device 11 determines the amount of charging energy CP1 by functioning as the second determination unit 115. As described above, the amount of charging energy CP1 is an amount of energy corresponding to the difference between the second remaining amount W2 and the third remaining amount W3.

[0074] In step S17, the processing device 11 functions as the second determination unit 115 to set each charging period with the start time Ts shifted by unit time from the start of the third time zone PT3, and determines the cost required for charging for each charging period.

[0075] In step S18, the processing device 11 functions as the second determination unit 115, and by comparing the costs required for the determined multiple charging operations, determines a schedule that will result in the lowest cost for charging per unit of power of charging power amount CP1.

[0076] In step S19, the processing device 11 functions as the display control unit 116 to display the determined schedule on the display device 14, and then ends this routine.

[0077] 1.3. Advantages of the First Embodiment As described above, the processing device 11 of the terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a first estimation unit 112, a first determination unit 114, and a second determination unit 115. The first estimation unit 112 estimates a first time slot PT1 in which the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 falls within a first range Z1, based on remaining capacity information about the secondary battery. The first determination unit 114 determines a third time slot PT3, which is the first time slot PT1 minus the second time slot PT2. The second time slot PT2 is a time slot during which charging is restricted. The second determination unit 115 determines a schedule for charging the secondary battery 16 during a period included in the third time slot PT3, based on price information about electricity prices and remaining capacity information.

[0078] According to this embodiment, charging starts when the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 is in the first range Z1, so that a charging schedule can be determined that takes into account the electricity price and the remaining capacity W while reducing deterioration of the secondary battery 16.

[0079] The price information includes a time-varying change in the electricity price, and the remaining amount information includes a time-varying change in the remaining amount W. The second determination unit 115 determines a first remaining amount W1 based on the time-varying change in the remaining amount W. The first remaining amount W1 is the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 at the start time Ts when charging starts. The second determination unit 115 determines the cost required for charging based on the time-varying change in the electricity price up to the end time Te at which the secondary battery 16 reaches the second remaining amount W2. The end time Te is included in the third time slot PT3. The second determination unit 115 determines a schedule based on the determined costs required for multiple charges by changing the start time Ts within the range of the third time slot PT3.

[0080] According to this embodiment, an inexpensive charging schedule can be determined based on the time transition of the electricity price and the time transition of the remaining amount W.

[0081] The second determination unit 115 also determines a third remaining amount W3. The third remaining amount W3 is the remaining amount W of the secondary battery 16 that reflects the result of a decrease in the amount of charge of the secondary battery 16 in accordance with the power consumed from the start time Ts to the end time Te in the case where charging is not performed based on the time transition of the remaining amount W. The second determination unit 115 determines a charging energy amount CP1 in accordance with the difference between the second remaining amount W2 and the third remaining amount W3, and determines a schedule based on the charging energy amount CP1 and the costs required for the determined multiple charges.

[0082] According to this aspect, the schedule can be determined taking into consideration the power consumed during the charging period.

[0083] Moreover, the schedule determined by the second determination unit 115 results in the lowest cost required for charging per unit of power amount of charging power amount CP1.

[0084] According to this aspect, cost performance can be improved.

[0085] The second determination unit 115 also determines the end time Te based on the current value charged to the secondary battery 16 and the amount of charging power CP1.

[0086] According to this embodiment, the end time Te can be determined in consideration of the power consumed during the charging period and the charging current.

[0087] The secondary battery 16 also supplies power to the terminal device 10 on which a plurality of applications are installed, and estimates remaining battery power information based on the usage status of the plurality of applications.

[0088] According to this embodiment, the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 can be estimated according to the usage status of a plurality of applications.

[0089] Moreover, the processing device 11 of the terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a display control unit 116. The display control unit 116 causes the display device 14 to display the schedule.

[0090] According to this aspect, the schedule can be presented to the user.

[0091] Furthermore, the charge control method according to the first embodiment estimates a first time period PT1 based on remaining capacity information. The remaining capacity information is information relating to the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16. The first time period PT1 is a time period during which the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 falls within a first range Z1. The charge control method determines a third time period PT3, and determines a schedule for charging the secondary battery 16 during a period included in the third time period PT3 based on price information relating to electricity prices and remaining capacity information. The third time period PT3 is a time period obtained by excluding the second time period PT2 from the first time period PT1. The second time period PT2 is a time period during which charging is restricted.

[0092] According to this embodiment, charging starts when the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16 is in the first range Z1, so that a charging schedule can be determined that takes into account the electricity price and the remaining capacity W while reducing deterioration of the secondary battery 16.

[0093] 2. Second embodiment The configuration of a charge control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 9. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description of their functions may be omitted. In addition, in the following description, for the sake of simplicity, differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0094] 2.1. Configuration of the Second Embodiment 2.1.1. Overall structure 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a charge control system 1A including a charge control device according to the second embodiment. The charge control system 1A includes a terminal device 10A, a charge management server 20A, a power generation management server 30, and a communication network NET. Therefore, the charge control system 1A differs from the charge control system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the terminal device 10A is included instead of the terminal device 10 and the charge management server 20A is included instead of the charge management server 20.

[0095] 2.1.2. Power generation management server configuration The configuration of the power generation management server 30 is the same as that of the power generation management server 30 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] 2.1.3. Terminal Device Configuration Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 10A[1] in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 8, the terminal device 10A[1] includes a processing device 11A, a storage device 12A, a communication device 13, a display device 14, an input device 15, and a secondary battery 16. The elements included in the terminal device 10A[1] are connected to each other by a single or multiple buses for communicating information.

[0097] In the description of this embodiment, terminal device 10A[1] is used as an example, but since terminal devices 10A[2], ..., 10A[k], ..., 10A[n] also have the same configuration as terminal device 10A[1], the description of terminal devices 10A[2], ..., 10A[k], ..., 10A[n] will be omitted.

[0098] The processing device 11A is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 10A [1] and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 11A is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 11A may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The processing device 11A executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0099] The storage device 12A is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 11A. The storage device 12A includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0100] The storage device 12A stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR4 to be executed by the processing device 11A. The storage device 12A also functions as a work area for the processing device 11A. The control program PR4 is a program that controls the entire processing device 11A.

[0101] The configurations of the communication device 13, the display device 14, the input device 15, and the secondary battery 16 are similar to the configurations of the communication device 13, the display device 14, the input device 15, and the secondary battery 16 of the terminal device 10[k] according to the first embodiment, and therefore detailed explanations are omitted.

[0102] The processing device 11A functions as an acquisition unit 111, a transmission unit 118, a reception unit 119, a display control unit 116, and a monitoring unit 117, for example, by reading and executing a control program PR4 from the storage device 12A.

[0103] The acquiring unit 111A acquires the remaining amount information monitored by the monitoring unit 117 and various information transmitted from the charge managing server 20A. The various information includes information relating to charge control of the secondary battery 16.

[0104] The transmitting unit 118 transmits the remaining amount information acquired by the monitoring unit 117 to the charge managing server 20A.

[0105] The receiving unit 119 receives second request information requesting the provision of remaining amount information and various information from the charge managing server 20A.

[0106] The display control unit 116 causes the display device 14 to display various pieces of information based on the various pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit 111.

[0107] The monitoring unit 117 monitors the status of the secondary battery 16. More specifically, the monitoring unit 117 monitors the remaining capacity W of the secondary battery 16, the current value of the charging current, the temperature of the secondary battery 16, and the like.

[0108] 2.1.4.Charging Management Server Configuration Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charge management server 20A of Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 9, the charge management server 20A includes a processing device 21A, a storage device 22A, and a communication device 23. The elements included in the charge management server 20A are connected to each other by a single bus or multiple buses for communicating information. The charge management server 20A is an example of a charge control device.

[0109] The processing device 21A is a processor that controls the entire charge management server 20A, and is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing device 21A is configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and a register. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 21A may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The processing device 21A executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0110] The storage device 22A is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 21A. The storage device 22A includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0111] The storage device 22A stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR5 to be executed by the processing device 21A, and also functions as a work area for the processing device 21A.

[0112] The communication device 23 has the same configuration as the communication device 23 of the charge management server 20 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] The processing device 21A functions as a charging management unit 211, a transmitting unit 212, a receiving unit 213, a first estimation unit 214, a second estimation unit 215, a first determination unit 216, a second determination unit 217, and a display control unit 218, for example, by reading and executing a control program PR5 from the storage device 22A.

[0114] The charging management unit 211 manages charging of the terminal device 10A. The charging management unit 211 acquires power generation information received from the power generation management server 30. The charging management unit 211 determines the price of power per unit time based on the acquired power generation information, a predetermined price list, etc.

[0115] The transmitting unit 212 transmits the first request information to the power generation management server 30. Furthermore, the transmitting unit 212 transmits the second request information to the terminal device 10 as necessary.

[0116] The receiving unit 213 receives the power generation information transmitted from the power generation management server 30. The receiving unit 213 also receives the remaining amount information transmitted from the terminal device 10.

[0117] The functions of the first estimating unit 214, the second estimating unit 215, the first determining unit 216, the second determining unit 217, and the display control unit 218 are similar to the functions of the first estimating unit 112, the second estimating unit 113, the first determining unit 114, the second determining unit 115, and the display control unit 116 of the processing device 11 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the functions of the first estimating unit 214, the second estimating unit 215, the first determining unit 216, the second determining unit 217, and the display control unit 218 will be omitted.

[0118] 2.2. Operation of the charge management server according to the second embodiment 2.2.1. Operation of the Processing Device 21A The main operation of the processing device 21A is the same as the main operation of the processing device 11 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For a detailed description, please refer to FIG.

[0119] 2.3. Advantages of the Second Embodiment The effects achieved by the second embodiment are similar to those achieved by the first embodiment.

[0120] 3. Variations The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments selected from the following examples may be combined. Furthermore, the above-described exemplary embodiments and the following modified embodiments may be combined in any combination as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0121] 3.1. Variation 1 In each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that a charger is connected to the terminal device 10, but a situation in which a charger is not connected to the terminal device 10 is also assumed. Therefore, if a charger is not connected to the terminal device 10 at the time when the charging schedule is determined, at least one of the processing device 11 and the processing device 21A may cause the display device 14 to display a notification to prompt the user U to connect a charger to the terminal device 10.

[0122] 3.2. Variation 2 In each of the above embodiments, it was assumed that a charger was connected to the terminal device 10, but at least one of the processing device 11 and the processing device 21A may execute processing to determine a charging schedule when a charger is connected to the terminal device 10.

[0123] 3.3. Variation 3 In the above embodiments, a wired charger or a contactless charger is used to charge the secondary battery 16, but instead of these chargers, a wireless power feeder that uses electromagnetic waves in the microwave band may be used. For example, if electromagnetic waves in the 920 MHz band are used, it is possible to charge the terminal device 10 that is 5 m away from the wireless power feeder. It is assumed that the wireless power feeder will be installed on the ceiling of a factory, office, etc.

[0124] Terminal device 10 includes a rectenna as a power receiving device for receiving power from a wireless power feeder. Processing device 11 or 21A controls the power supplied from the wireless power feeder according to the determined charging schedule, thereby reducing deterioration of secondary battery 16 and charging secondary battery 16 in consideration of the electricity price and remaining charge W.

[0125] 3.4. Variation 4 In each of the above embodiments, the power generated by the power generation device is assumed to be power generated by solar power generation, but the power used in the charge control system 1, 1A is not limited to power generated by solar power generation.

[0126] 4.Other (1) In the above-described embodiment, storage devices 12, 12A, 22, 22A, and 32 are exemplified by ROM and RAM, but may be flexible disks, magneto-optical disks (e.g., compact disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray (registered trademark) discs), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-ROMs), registers, removable disks, hard disks, floppy (registered trademark) disks, magnetic strips, databases, servers, or other suitable storage media. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line. The program may also be transmitted from a communications network NET via a telecommunications line.

[0127] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the described information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0128] (3) In the above-described embodiment, input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0129] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the determination may be made by a value (0 or 1) represented using one bit, by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0130] (5) The order of the process procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. illustrated in the above-described embodiments may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0131] (6) Each function illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 is realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0132] (7) The programs exemplified in the above-described embodiments should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names.

[0133] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0134] (8) In each of the foregoing embodiments, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0135] (9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0136] (10) In the above-described embodiments, the charging management servers 20 and 20A may be mobile stations (MS). A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other appropriate term. In the present disclosure, terms such as "mobile station," "user terminal," "user equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0137] (11) In the above-described embodiments, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0138] (12) In the above embodiments, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0139] (13) As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0140] (14) In the above embodiments, when "include," "including," and variations thereof are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" as used in this disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0141] (15) In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the nouns following these articles being plural.

[0142] (16) In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0143] (17) Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0144] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1...charging control system, 10, 10[1], 10A[1], 10[2], 10[k], 10[n]...terminal device, 11, 21A...processing device, 20, 20A...charging management server, 112, 214...first estimation unit, 113, 215...second estimation unit, 114, 216...first determination unit, 115, 217...second determination unit, 116, 218...display control unit, CP1...charging energy amount, PT1...first time slot, PT2...second time slot, PT3...third time slot, Te...end time, Ts...start time, U, U[1], U[2], U[k], U[n]...user, W...remaining amount, W1...first remaining amount, W2...second remaining amount, W3...third remaining amount, Z1...first range.

Claims

1. a first estimation unit that estimates a first time period in which the remaining charge of the secondary battery falls within a first range based on remaining charge information relating to the remaining charge of the secondary battery; a first determination unit that determines a third time period by excluding a second time period in which charging is restricted from the first time period; a second determination unit that determines a schedule for charging the secondary battery during a period included in the third time slot based on price information related to an electricity price and the remaining amount information; A charging control device comprising:

2. the price information includes a time transition of the electricity price, the remaining amount information includes a time transition of the remaining amount, The second determination unit determining a first remaining amount, which is the remaining amount of the secondary battery at a start time when the charging is started, based on the time transition of the remaining amount; determining a cost required for the charging based on a time transition of the electricity price from the start time to an end time at which the second remaining amount that is the target for the charging is reached; the end time is included in the third time period, determining the schedule based on the costs required for the plurality of charging operations determined by varying the start time within the third time slot; The charge control device according to claim 1 .

3. The second determination unit determining a third remaining amount, which is a remaining amount of the secondary battery that reflects a result of a decrease in the amount of charge of the secondary battery in accordance with power consumed from the start time to the end time in a case where the charging is not performed based on the change over time of the remaining amount; determining an amount of charging power according to a difference between the second remaining amount and the third remaining amount; determining the schedule based on the amount of charging energy and the determined costs required for the plurality of charging operations; The charge control device according to claim 2 .

4. The schedule determined by the second determination unit is one in which the cost required for charging per unit amount of charging energy is the lowest. The charge control device according to claim 3 .

5. the second determination unit determines the end time based on a current value charged to the secondary battery and the amount of charging energy. The charge control device according to claim 3 .

6. The secondary battery supplies power to a terminal on which a plurality of applications are installed; a second estimation unit that estimates the remaining capacity information based on usage statuses of the plurality of applications; The charge control device according to claim 1 .

7. a display control unit that displays the schedule on a display device; The charge control device according to claim 1 .

8. estimating a first time period in which the remaining charge of the secondary battery falls within a first range based on remaining charge information relating to the remaining charge of the secondary battery; determining a third time period by excluding the second time period in which charging is restricted from the first time period; determining a schedule for charging the secondary battery during a period included in the third time slot based on price information related to an electricity price and the remaining amount information; Charging control method.

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