CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

To provide a control method for a charging device having a charging unit configured to allow a power storage device to be detachably attached thereto.SOLUTION: In a battery management system 100, a charging device (battery exchanger 120) disconnects a power storage device (mobile battery 20) attached to a charging unit (slot 124) and provides the power storage device to the user (user 40), and sets an operating time zone during which the power storage device is provided to the user and a non-operating time zone during which the power storage device is not provided to the user. A control method includes the steps of: acquiring time information related to the operating time zone and / or the non-operating time zone; and controlling charging of the power storage device attached to the charging unit on the basis of the time information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method, a program, a storage medium, and a control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a charging device that charges an exchangeable electricity storage device, the dispensing operation of the electricity storage device is suspended from the end of business hours of one day until the start of business hours of the next day. Patent Document 2 discloses a charging system that determines the number of electricity storage devices to be charged according to the usage status of the battery. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 111245 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2020 / 027199 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a charging device. Each step of the above control method is executed by, for example, a computer. In the above control method, the charging device includes, for example, a charging unit configured to be able to detachably mount a power storage device. The charging device, for example, detaches the power storage device mounted on the charging unit and provides the power storage device to a user. The charging device is set, for example, with an operating time period during which the power storage device is provided to the user and a non-operating time period during which the power storage device is not provided to the user. The above control method includes, for example, a step of acquiring time information related to the operating time period and / or the non-operating time period. The above control method includes, for example, a step of controlling charging of the power storage device mounted on the charging unit based on the time information.

[0004] In the above control method, the time information may include information indicating an operation end time, which is an end of an operation time slot, and / or a non-operation start time, which is a start of a non-operation time slot. The above control method may include a step of determining a charging mode of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operation time slot. In the above control method, the step of determining the charging mode when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operation time slot may include a step of acquiring a predicted completion time, which is a predicted value of the time when charging of the power storage device will be completed, when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operation time slot. The step of determining the charging mode when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operation time slot may include a step of determining the charging mode such that, when the predicted completion time exceeds the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time, an increase in the amount of stored power in the power storage device is smaller compared to when the predicted completion time does not exceed the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time.

[0005] In the above control method, the time information may include information indicating a non-operation end time, which is the end of a non-operation time period, and / or an operation start time, which is the start of an operation time period. The above control method may include a step of determining a charging mode of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the non-operation end time and / or the operation start time when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the non-operation time period. In the above control method, the step of determining the charging mode of the power storage device when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the non-operation time period may include a step of determining the charging mode such that charging of the power storage device is completed at the same time as the non-operation end time and / or the operation start time, or before the non-operation end time and / or the operation start time.

[0006] In the above control method, the charging device may include a plurality of charging units. The above control method may include a step of acquiring a withdrawal demand that correlates with a demand for withdrawal of an electric storage device attached to the charging device at the present or a first time point ahead of the present, or at a first period including the present or the first time point. The above control method may include a step of acquiring a withdrawal supply that correlates with a supply readiness state of an electric storage device attached to the charging device at the first time point or the first period. The above control method may include a step of incentivizing a user to withdraw the electric storage device when the withdrawal supply is greater than the withdrawal demand, so that the degree of the incentive for the user is greater than when the withdrawal supply is smaller than the withdrawal demand.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device that controls a charging device. In the above control device, the charging device includes, for example, a charging unit configured to allow a power storage device to be attached and detached. The charging device, for example, detaches the power storage device attached to the charging unit and provides the power storage device to a user. The charging device, for example, has set therein an operating time period during which the power storage device is provided to the user and a non-operating time period during which the power storage device is not provided to the user. The above control device includes, for example, a time information acquisition unit that acquires time information related to the operating time period and / or the non-operating time period. The above control device includes, for example, a control unit that controls charging of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the time information.

[0008] In a third aspect of the present invention, a program is provided. The program is, for example, a program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a charging device. In the program, the charging device includes, for example, a charging unit configured to allow a power storage device to be detachably attached. The charging device, for example, detaches the power storage device attached to the charging unit and provides the power storage device to a user. The charging device has, for example, an operating time period during which the power storage device is provided to the user and a non-operating time period during which the power storage device is not provided to the user. In the program, the control method includes, for example, a step of acquiring time information related to the operating time period and / or the non-operating time period. The control method includes, for example, a step of controlling charging of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the time information.

[0009] A computer-readable storage medium may be provided that stores the above program. The storage medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0010] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a battery management system 100. [Diagram 2] 1 shows an example of an internal configuration of the switch management unit 142. [Diagram 3] 13 illustrates an example of information processing in the switchboard management unit 142. [Figure 4] 13 illustrates an example of a charging control process in the switch management unit 142. [Diagram 5] 13 illustrates an example of a charging control process in the switch management unit 142. [Figure 6] 13 shows an example of a notification process in the switch management unit 142. [Figure 7]3 shows an example of the internal configuration of a computer 3000. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present invention will be described below through the embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. In the drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar parts, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

[0013] [Overview of the Battery Management System 100] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a battery management system 100. In this embodiment, the battery management system 100 manages a plurality of mobile batteries 20. The battery management system 100 may manage one or more battery exchangers 120 configured to allow at least some of the plurality of mobile batteries 20 to be detachable.

[0014] In this embodiment, the battery management system 100 includes one or more (sometimes simply referred to as one or more) battery exchangers 120 and a management server 140. In this embodiment, the battery exchanger 120 includes one or more storage units 122 and a communication unit 126. In this embodiment, the storage unit 122 includes one or more slots 124. In this embodiment, the communication unit 126 includes a communication interface 128. In this embodiment, the management server 140 includes an exchange management section 142.

[0015] In this embodiment, each unit of the battery management system 100 operates by consuming power received from the power system 12. For example, the battery exchange machine 120 uses the power received from the power system 12 to charge the mobile battery 20 stored in the slot 124.

[0016] In this embodiment, each part of the battery management system 100 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via the communication network 14. One or more storage units 122 and the communication unit 126 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via a wired or wireless communication line (not shown).

[0017] In this embodiment, the battery management system 100 manages one or more (sometimes referred to as one or more) mobile batteries 20. For the purpose of simplifying the explanation, in this embodiment, the details of the battery management system 100 will be explained using as an example a case in which the battery management system 100 provides a sharing service of the mobile battery 20 to a user 40 of an electric motorcycle 30.

[0018] In this embodiment, each of the one or more slots 124 arranged in the storage unit 122 of the battery exchange machine 120 can store one or more mobile batteries 20. Also, each of the one or more slots 124 arranged in the storage unit 122 of the battery exchange machine 120 can charge one or more mobile batteries 20.

[0019] A user 40 who has subscribed to a sharing service for the mobile battery 20, for example, uses a communication terminal 42 to access the battery management system 100 and request rental of the mobile battery 20. The user 40 may reserve the rental of the mobile battery 20 by specifying the date, time and place at which the user wishes to rent the mobile battery 20, and the number of mobile batteries 20 that the user wishes to rent. The communication terminal 42 may access the battery management system 100 via the communication network 14, or may access the battery management system 100 via the battery exchanger 120. The user 40 may operate the battery exchanger 120 to request rental of the mobile battery 20.

[0020] When the request is accepted, the user 40 can remove the mobile battery 20 stored in the battery exchange machine 120 (sometimes referred to as dispensing the mobile battery 20). This allows the user 40 to exchange the mobile battery 20 attached to the electric bike 30 for the mobile battery 20 stored in the battery exchange machine 120.

[0021] More specifically, the user 40 removes the mobile battery 20 attached to the electric motorcycle 30 from the electric motorcycle 30. The user 40 returns the mobile battery 20 removed from the electric motorcycle 30 to the battery exchange machine 120. When the user 40 returns the mobile battery 20, the battery exchange machine 120 pays out the charged mobile battery 20 stored in the battery exchange machine 120. The user 40 receives the charged mobile battery 20 from the battery exchange machine 120 and attaches the charged mobile battery 20 to the electric motorcycle 30. In this way, the mobile battery 20 is exchanged between the electric motorcycle 30 and the battery exchange machine 120.

[0022] For example, if the battery exchange machine 120 is installed inside a building, the user 40 cannot use the battery exchange machine 120 during the time period when entry into the building is prohibited. Thus, according to this embodiment, for at least a portion of one or more battery exchange machines 120, time periods (which may be referred to as business hours) during which the battery exchange machine 120 can provide the mobile battery 20 to the user 40 and time periods (which may be referred to as business suspension hours) during which the battery exchange machine 120 cannot provide the mobile battery 20 to the user 40 are set.

[0023] During business hours, the battery exchange machine 120 detaches the mobile battery 20 attached to the slot 124 of the battery exchange machine 120 and provides the mobile battery 20 to the user 40. During non-business hours, the battery exchange machine 120 charges the mobile battery 20 attached to the slot 124 of the battery exchange machine 120, for example, in preparation for the next business hours.

[0024] However, the longer the period between the completion of charging the mobile battery 20 and the time the mobile battery 20 is removed, the greater the amount of power loss due to natural discharge. In addition, depending on the type of secondary battery, if the SOC during storage falls outside a specific numerical range, the deterioration of the secondary battery is accelerated. For example, when a lithium battery is used as the storage cell of the mobile battery 20, if the SOC of the lithium battery remains in a state higher than a threshold value for a long period of time, the deterioration of the lithium battery is accelerated. Examples of lithium batteries include lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, at least one of charging and discharging of the mobile battery 20 attached to the battery exchange machine 120 is controlled based on at least one of the business hours and business suspension hours of the battery exchange machine 120. For example, at least one of charging and discharging of the mobile battery 20 during at least one of the business hours and business suspension hours is controlled so that the SOC of the mobile battery 20 during the business suspension hours is maintained within a predetermined numerical range. The SOC of the mobile battery 20 may be an example of an index indicating the charging state of the mobile battery 20.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least one of charging and discharging of the mobile battery 20 is controlled during a period included in business hours, including the end time of business hours, and having a predetermined length (sometimes referred to as the end of business hours). The length of the above period may be approximately the same as the length of time it takes to charge the SOC of the mobile battery 20 from the lower limit of use to the fully charged state, or may be longer than that length of time.

[0027] In another embodiment, at least one of charging and discharging of the mobile battery 20 is controlled during a period included in the business shutdown time, including the end time of the business shutdown time and having a predetermined length (sometimes referred to as the end of the business shutdown time). The length of the above period may be approximately the same as the length of time it takes to charge the SOC of the mobile battery 20 from the lower limit of use to the fully charged state, or may be longer than that length of time.

[0028] According to this embodiment, for example, the charging mode of the mobile battery 20 attached to the slot 124 of the battery exchange machine 120 is controlled. Examples of the charging mode include whether or not the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged during business hours, whether or not the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged during business hours, the timing at which charging starts, the charging speed, and the charging profile. The charging profile may be information that associates information indicating each of a plurality of times during the period from when charging starts to when charging is completed (sometimes referred to as the charging period) with information indicating the degree of charging at each of the plurality of times. Examples of the degree of charging include the voltage, SOC, and remaining capacity of the mobile battery 20.

[0029] The management server 140 and the battery exchange machine 120 may cooperate to execute charging control of the mobile battery 20. Either the management server 140 or the battery exchange machine 120 may execute charging control of the mobile battery 20.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the management server 140 determines the charging mode of the mobile battery 20 attached to the slot 124 of the battery exchange machine 120. Based on the determined charging mode, the management server 140 generates an instruction for causing the battery exchange machine 120 to control the charging of the mobile battery 20. The management server 140 transmits the above instruction to the battery exchange machine 120. When the battery exchange machine 120 receives the above instruction, the battery exchange machine 120 controls the charging of the mobile battery 20 according to the instruction from the management server 140.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the management server 140 generates a charging plan for the battery exchanger 120. The charging plan may be information in which a time is associated with the number of mobile batteries 20 that have been fully charged by that time. The management server 140 transmits the charging plan to the battery exchanger 120. When the battery exchanger 120 receives the charging plan, the battery exchanger 120 determines the charging mode of the mobile battery 20 attached to the slot 124 according to the charging plan. The battery exchanger 120 controls the charging of the mobile battery 20 based on the determined charging mode.

[0032] For example, if it is difficult for a specific battery exchange machine 120 to charge the designated number of mobile batteries 20 by the end of business hours, the management server 140 or the specific battery exchange machine 120 controls the specific battery exchange machine 120 so that at least a portion of the designated number of mobile batteries 20 is not charged during the business hours. In addition, the management server 140 or the specific battery exchange machine 120 controls the charging of the mobile batteries 20 so that charging of the designated number of mobile batteries 20 is completed by the start of the next business hours.

[0033] This suppresses deterioration of the mobile battery 20. Also, power loss due to natural discharge is suppressed.

[0034] [Overview of Components Related to Battery Management System 100] In this embodiment, the communication network 14 transmits information. The communication network 14 may be a wired communication transmission path, a wireless communication transmission path, or a combination of a wireless communication transmission path and a wired communication transmission path. The communication network 14 may include a wireless packet communication network, the Internet, a P2P network, a dedicated line, a VPN, a power line communication line, etc.

[0035] The communication network 14 may include (i) a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone network, or (ii) a wireless communication network such as a wireless MAN (e.g., WiMAX (registered trademark)), a wireless LAN (e.g., WiFi (registered trademark)), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), etc. Wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), and NFC may be examples of short-range wireless communication.

[0036] In this embodiment, the mobile battery 20 accumulates electric energy. The mobile battery 20 may be configured to be detachable from the electric bike 30 (sometimes referred to as being freely detachable). The mobile battery 20 may be configured to be detachable from the battery exchanger 120. This allows the user 40 to exchange the mobile battery 20 attached to the electric bike 30 for the mobile battery 20 housed in the battery exchanger 120.

[0037] In one embodiment, the mobile battery 20 is attached to the electric bike 30 and supplies power to the electric bike 30. As described above, the mobile battery 20 may be detachably attached to the electric bike 30. In another embodiment, the mobile battery 20 is charged by the battery exchange machine 120 while being accommodated in the battery exchange machine 120.

[0038] The mobile battery 20 may supply power to the battery exchange machine 120 while it is housed in the battery exchange machine 120. This allows the battery exchange machine 120 to use a part of the mobile battery 20 housed in the battery exchange machine 120 as, for example, an uninterruptible power supply (sometimes referred to as a UPS).

[0039] In this embodiment, the electric motorcycle 30 is equipped with a mobile battery 20. The electric motorcycle 30 may be equipped with a plurality of mobile batteries 20. The electric motorcycle 30 uses power stored in the mobile battery 20. For example, the electric motorcycle 30 runs by consuming power supplied from the mobile battery 20.

[0040] In this embodiment, the communication terminal 42 transmits and receives information to and from each unit of the battery management system 100 via the communication network 14. The communication terminal 42 may function as a user interface when the user 40 accesses the battery management system 100. The communication terminal 42 may be used for user authentication processing by the battery management system 100.

[0041] Examples of the communication terminal 42 include a personal computer, a mobile terminal, etc. Examples of the mobile terminal include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet, a notebook computer or a laptop computer, a wearable computer, etc.

[0042] In this embodiment, the battery exchange machine 120 accommodates the mobile battery 20. The battery exchange machine 120 may accommodate a plurality of mobile batteries 20. This allows the battery exchange machine 120 to store one or more mobile batteries 20. In this embodiment, the battery exchange machine 120 charges at least one of the one or more mobile batteries 20. The battery exchange machine 120 may charge the mobile battery 20 until the charging rate or voltage of the mobile battery 20 reaches a predetermined set value.

[0043] In this embodiment, the battery exchange machine 120 makes the fully charged mobile battery 20 ready to be removed (sometimes referred to as dispensing). In response to a request from a user 40, the battery exchange machine 120 may dispense a mobile battery 20 that matches the request. The battery exchange machine 120 may obtain information indicating dispensing conditions, which are conditions related to the mobile battery 20 to be dispensed, from the management server 140, and may determine the mobile battery 20 to be actually dispensed from among the mobile batteries 20 that match the dispensing conditions.

[0044] In another embodiment, the battery exchange machine 120 may discharge at least a portion of the multiple mobile batteries 20. The battery exchange machine 120 may utilize the power output by discharging the mobile batteries 20. For example, the battery exchange machine 120 operates by consuming the power output by discharging the mobile batteries 20. When the battery exchange machine 120 operates by consuming the power output by discharging one mobile battery 20, it may stop or interrupt the charging operation of the other mobile batteries 20. Even in this case, the battery exchange machine 120 may continue the dispensing operation of the mobile batteries 20.

[0045] This allows the battery exchanger 120 to use some of the mobile batteries 20 housed in the battery exchanger 120 as an uninterruptible power supply device. According to the battery exchanger 120 of this embodiment, even if an abnormality occurs in the power supply from the power system 12 to the battery exchanger 120, for example, the power supply to the control device can be continued. As a result, for example, the dispensing of the mobile battery 20 by the battery exchanger 120 can be continued. Therefore, even if the battery exchanger 120 is installed in an area where the frequency of power outages is relatively high, an environment in which batteries can be stably exchanged can be provided.

[0046] In this embodiment, the operation of the battery exchange machine 120 is controlled in cooperation with a first computer disposed in the communication unit 126, a second computer disposed in each of the one or more storage units 122, and a third computer disposed in each of the one or more slots 124. The first computer, for example, controls the overall operation of the battery exchange machine 120 in which the first computer is disposed. The second computer, for example, controls the operation of the storage unit 122 in which the second computer is disposed. The third computer, for example, controls the operation of the slot 124 in which the third computer is disposed.

[0047] For example, the first computer receives various information related to the battery exchange machine 120 in which the first computer is located from the management server 140. For example, the first computer receives information indicating a charging plan for the battery exchange machine 120. The information indicating the charging plan may be information indicating one or more times in association with the number of mobile batteries 20 that have been fully charged by each time. The information indicating the reservation status of the battery exchange machine 120 is received. The information indicating the reservation status may be information indicating (a) one or more times in association with (b) (i) identification information of the user 40 who uses the battery exchange machine 120 at each time, and (ii) at least one of information indicating the number of mobile batteries 20 that the battery exchange machine 120 receives or dispenses at each time. The first computer may receive information indicating the above-mentioned dispensing conditions, or may receive information indicating conditions related to the mobile batteries 20 that are preferentially dispensed.

[0048] The first computer may receive a request to lend the mobile battery 20 from a user 40 who visits the battery exchange machine 120. The first computer determines, for example, from one or more battery exchange machines 120 constituting the battery exchange machine 120, a storage unit 122 that performs the charging process of the mobile battery 20 and / or a storage unit 122 that performs the lending process of the mobile battery 20, based on information received from the management server 140 and / or a lending request from the user 40. The first computer generates commands for the storage units 122 that perform each process based on the above determination results. The first computer transmits the above commands to the storage units 122 that perform each process at an appropriate timing.

[0049] The second computer determines, based on the command from the first computer, a slot 124 for performing a charging process or a return process from among one or more slots 124 arranged in the storage unit 122. The second computer generates commands for the slots 124 for performing each process based on the above-mentioned determination result. The second computer transmits the above-mentioned commands to the slots 124 for performing each process at an appropriate timing. The third computer controls each part of the slot 124 to cause the slot 124 to perform the operation indicated by the command from the second computer.

[0050] In this embodiment, the storage unit 122 holds a number of slots 124. In this embodiment, the storage unit 122 is formed separately from the communication unit 126. The storage unit 122 may be installed apart from the communication unit 126 or may be installed adjacent to the communication unit 126.

[0051] In this embodiment, each of the multiple slots 124 stores one or more mobile batteries 20. Also, each of the multiple slots 124 has an electric terminal (not shown) that is electrically connected to an electric terminal (not shown) of one or more mobile batteries 20. This allows each of the multiple slots 124 to charge or discharge the mobile battery 20 stored in the slot.

[0052] Note that "electrically connected" is not limited to the case where two elements are physically directly connected. A third element may be interposed between the two elements. Also, it is not limited to the case where the two elements are physically connected. For example, the input winding and the output winding of the transformer are not physically connected, but are electrically connected. This allows the slot 124 to support not only wired charging and discharging of the mobile battery 20, but also wireless charging and discharging of the mobile battery 20.

[0053] Each of the multiple slots 124 may include a communication terminal communicatively connected to the communication terminals of one or more mobile batteries 20. The communication method between the communication terminals of the slots 124 and the communication terminals of the mobile batteries 20 may be a wired communication method or a wireless communication method. This allows each of the multiple slots 124 to read information from a storage device (not shown) of the mobile battery 20 stored in each slot and write information to the storage device.

[0054] In this embodiment, the communication unit 126 is responsible for information processing involving at least one of the user 40 and the management server 140 among information processing in the battery exchange machine 120. For example, the communication unit 126 receives a request from at least one of the user 40 and the management server 140 and responds to the request. When the communication unit 126 determines that the storage unit 122 is necessary to process a request from at least one of the user 40 and the management server 140, it transmits an instruction (sometimes referred to as a command) to the storage unit 122.

[0055] When the communication unit 126 can process requests from at least one of the user 40 and the management server 140 without cooperating with the storage unit 122, the communication unit 126 does not need to transmit commands to the storage unit 122. This simplifies information processing in the storage unit 122. The communication unit 126 can execute, for example, communication control processing with the outside of the battery exchange machine 120, authentication processing of the user 40, selection processing of the slot 124, and the like, without cooperating with the storage unit 122.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, the communication unit 126 is formed separately from the storage unit 122. The storage unit 122 may be installed apart from the communication unit 126, or may be installed in contact with the communication unit 126.

[0057] The communication interface 128 is configured to be able to communicate with an information processing device external to the battery exchange machine 120. The communication interface 128 may be compatible with a plurality of communication methods. The communication interface 128 may be compatible with a wired communication method or a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the communication interface 128 transmits and receives information to and from a communication terminal 42 used by a user 40. In another embodiment, the communication interface 128 transmits and receives information to and from a management server 140.

[0058] In this embodiment, the management server 140 is disposed outside the battery exchange machine 120. Furthermore, the management server 140 can transmit and receive information to and from the communication unit 126 of the battery exchange machine 120 via the communication network 14.

[0059] The management server 140 manages each of the one or more battery exchangers 120 that configure the battery management system 100. The management server 140 may control each of the one or more battery exchangers 120 that configure the battery management system 100.

[0060] In this embodiment, the management server 140 manages one or more mobile batteries 20. For example, the management server 140 manages the status of each of the one or more mobile batteries 20. The management server 140 may manage the return and payment of each of the one or more mobile batteries 20. The management server 140 may transmit various requests for managing the mobile batteries 20 to at least one of the one or more battery exchangers 120.

[0061] In this embodiment, the management server 140 manages one or more battery exchangers 120. For example, an exchange management unit 142 disposed in the management server 140 manages each of the one or more battery exchangers 120.

[0062] In this embodiment, the exchange management unit 142 may manage the status of each of the one or more battery exchangers 120. Examples of the status of the battery exchanger 120 include the supply status of external power, the number of mobile batteries 20 that can be accepted, the number of mobile batteries 20 that can be dispensed, the presence or absence of mobile batteries 20 that can be used as uninterruptible power supplies, the number of such mobile batteries 20 or their identification information, the charging status of the above-mentioned mobile batteries 20, etc. The exchange management unit 142 may transmit various requests for managing the battery exchanger 120 to at least one of the one or more battery exchangers 120.

[0063] The exchange management unit 142 may determine dispensation conditions, which are conditions related to the mobile batteries 20 to be dispensed, for at least a portion of one or more battery exchangers 120. Examples of dispensation conditions include the priority order for dispensing each of the multiple mobile batteries 20 stored in the battery exchanger 120, the identification information of the mobile battery 20 to be preferentially dispensed, and the characteristics of the mobile battery 20 to be preferentially dispensed. The details of the exchange management unit 142 will be described later.

[0064] [Specific configuration of each part of the battery management system 100] Each part of the battery management system 100 may be realized by hardware, software, or hardware and software. Each part of the battery management system 100 may be realized, at least in part, by a single server or by multiple servers. Each part of the battery management system 100 may be realized, at least in part, on a virtual server or a cloud system. Each part of the battery management system 100 may be realized, at least in part, by a personal computer or a mobile terminal. Examples of the mobile terminal include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet, a notebook computer or a laptop computer, and a wearable computer. Each part of the battery management system 100 may store information using a distributed ledger technology or a distributed network such as a blockchain.

[0065] When at least some of the components constituting the battery management system 100 are realized by software, the components realized by the software may be realized by starting a program that defines the operation of the components in an information processing device with a general configuration. The information processing device with the general configuration may include (i) a data processing device having a processor such as a CPU or GPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface, etc., (ii) input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, a camera, a voice input device, a gesture input device, various sensors, a GPS receiver, etc., (iii) output devices such as a display device, a voice output device, a vibration device, etc., and (iv) storage devices such as a memory, a HDD, an SSD, etc. (including an external storage device).

[0066] In the information processing device of the general configuration, the data processing device or storage device may store the program. The program is executed by a processor to cause the information processing device to execute the operation defined by the program. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. The program may be stored in a computer-readable medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a memory, or a hard disk, or may be stored in a storage device connected to a network.

[0067] The above program may be a program for causing a computer to function as the battery management system 100 or a part thereof. The above program may include modules that define the operation of each part of the battery management system 100. These programs or modules act on a data processing device, an input device, an output device, a storage device, etc. to cause a computer to function as each part of the battery management system 100 or to execute an information processing method in each part of the battery management system 100.

[0068] The above program may be installed in a computer constituting at least a part of the battery management system 100 from a computer-readable medium or a storage device connected to a network. The above program may be executed, causing the computer to function as at least a part of each unit of the battery management system 100. When the program is loaded into a computer, the information processing described in the above program functions as a specific means in which software related to the program and various hardware resources of the battery management system 100 or a part thereof work together. The above specific means then realizes calculation or processing of information according to the intended use of the computer in this embodiment, thereby constructing a battery management system 100 according to the intended use.

[0069] The above program may be a program for causing a computer to function as management server 140 or exchange management unit 142. The above program may be a program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method in management server 140 or exchange management unit 142. The above program may be stored in a computer-readable medium. The above computer-readable medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0070] The information processing method may be a control method for a charging device including a charging unit configured to allow a power storage device to be detached. In the control method, the charging device, for example, detaches the power storage device attached to the charging unit and provides the power storage device to a user. In the control method, the charging device, for example, is set with an operating time period during which the charging device provides the power storage device to the user and a non-operating time period during which the charging device does not provide the power storage device to the user. The control method includes, for example, a step of acquiring time information related to the operating time period and / or the non-operating time period, and a step of controlling charging of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the time information.

[0071] The mobile battery 20 may be an example of a power storage device. The user 40 may be an example of a user of a charging device. The battery management system 100 may be an example of a control device. The battery exchanger 120 may be an example of a charging device or a control device. The storage unit 122 may be an example of a charging device. The communication unit 126 may be an example of a control device. The slot 124 may be an example of a charging section. The management server 140 may be an example of a control device. The exchange management section 142 may be an example of a control device. Business hours may be an example of an operating time period. Business suspension hours may be an example of a non-operating time period.

[0072] [An example of another embodiment] In this embodiment, the battery management system 100 has been described in detail by taking as an example a case in which the battery management system 100 provides a sharing service for the mobile battery 20. However, the service provided by the battery management system 100 is not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment, the battery management system 100 may provide a charging service for the mobile battery 20 to a user 40 of the mobile battery 20.

[0073] In this embodiment, the battery exchange machine 120 has been described in detail using an example in which the battery exchange machine 120 operates using power received from the power system 12. However, the battery exchange machine 120 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, for example, when at least one of one or more slots 124 arranged in the battery exchange machine 120 is equipped with a bidirectional DC / DC converter, the battery exchange machine 120 may operate using power discharged from at least one of one or more mobile batteries 20 stored in the battery exchange machine 120.

[0074] In this embodiment, the battery management system 100 has been described in detail by taking as an example a case in which the battery exchange machine 120 includes one or more storage units 122 and a single communication unit 126. However, the battery exchange machine 120 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the battery exchange machine 120 may include a plurality of storage units 122 and a plurality of communication units 126. In this case, the number of storage units 122 may be greater than the number of communication units 126.

[0075] In the present embodiment, an example of the battery management system 100 has been described in which a first computer arranged in the communication unit 126, a second computer arranged in each of the one or more storage units 122, and a third computer arranged in each of the one or more slots 124 cooperate to control the operation of the battery exchange machine 120. However, the battery management system 100 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, at least a part of the processing in the first computer may be executed by the second computer, and at least a part of the processing in the second computer may be executed by the first computer.

[0076] In the present embodiment, an example of a user of the battery management system 100 has been described, taking as an example a case where a user 40 who is a natural person uses the battery management system 100. However, the user of the battery management system 100 is not limited to a natural person. The user may be a living being other than a human, or an autonomous mobile machine (sometimes referred to as a robot). The autonomous mobile machine may be an autonomously running vehicle, an autonomously flying aircraft, an autonomously navigating ship, or a walking human-type or animal-type machine.

[0077] In the present embodiment, an example of the battery management system 100 has been described by taking as an example a case in which the exchange management unit 142 executes information processing for managing each of one or more battery exchangers 120. However, the battery management system 100 is not limited to the present embodiment. In other embodiments, the exchange management unit 142 and the battery exchanger 120 cooperate to execute the above information processing. For example, a part of the information processing in the exchange management unit 142 is executed by the battery exchanger 120.

[0078] 2 illustrates an example of an internal configuration of the switch management unit 142. In this embodiment, the switch management unit 142 includes a storage unit 220, an operating hours management unit 230, a demand management unit 242, a supply management unit 244, a notification unit 250, and a charging management unit 260. In this embodiment, the charging management unit 260 includes a charging time prediction unit 262, a possibility determination unit 264, a start time determination unit 266, a charging mode determination unit 268, and a charging control unit 272.

[0079] In this embodiment, the storage unit 220 stores various types of information. In one embodiment, the storage unit 220 stores various types of information used in information processing in the switch management unit 142. In another embodiment, the storage unit 220 stores various types of information generated in the information processing in the switch management unit 142.

[0080] For example, the storage unit 220 stores, in association with each other, identification information and information indicating at least one of business hours and business suspension times for each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120. The business hours of each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 are set, for example, by the business hours management unit 230. The business suspension times of each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 are set, for example, by the business hours management unit 230.

[0081] In this embodiment, the business hours management unit 230 acquires information related to at least one of business hours and business suspension times (sometimes referred to as business information) for each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120. The business hours management unit 230, for example, stores the business information in the storage unit 220. The business hours management unit 230 may store in the storage unit 220 the identification information and the business information for each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 in association with each other.

[0082] The business hours management unit 230 acquires business information on each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 from, for example, an installer, owner, operator, or maintenance manager (sometimes simply referred to as a manager) of each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120. The business hours management unit 230 may cooperate with an information processing terminal (not shown) used by each manager of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 to acquire the business information input by each manager to the information processing terminal.

[0083] Examples of business information include information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business hours, and information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business suspension. The end time of a specific business hour may be the start time of the business suspension time following the business hour. The end time of the above business suspension time may be the start time of the next business hour. For example, if business hours are set once a day and the business hours are from 8:00 to 20:00, the end time of business hours on a specific business day will be the same as the start time of business suspension time on that business day. Furthermore, the end time of the above business suspension time will be the same as the start time of business hours on the following day.

[0084] Other examples of business information include information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business hours on weekdays, information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business closure hours on weekdays, information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business hours on holidays, information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business closure hours on holidays, information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business hours on a specific date, information indicating at least one of the start time and end time of business closure hours on a specific date, etc.

[0085] The start time of business hours is a period included in business hours, includes the start time of business hours, and may be an example of a period having a predetermined length (sometimes referred to as the beginning of business hours). The end time of business hours may be an example of the end of business hours. The start time of business shutdown hours is a period included in business shutdown hours, includes the start time of business shutdown hours, and may be an example of a period having a predetermined length (sometimes referred to as the beginning of business shutdown hours). The end time of business shutdown hours may be an example of the end of business shutdown hours.

[0086] In this embodiment, the demand management unit 242 manages the demand of the mobile battery 20. For example, the demand management unit 242 manages information on the demand of the mobile battery 20 in the area where one or more battery exchangers 120 managed by the battery management system 100 are installed. Information on the demand of the mobile battery 20 is exemplified by information indicating an amount correlated with the demand of the mobile battery 20. Examples of the amount correlated with the demand of the mobile battery 20 include (i) the number of fully charged mobile batteries 20 requested by one or more users 40, (ii) the power [kW] required to satisfy the request or the demand of one or more users 40, and (iii) the amount of power [kWh] required to satisfy the request or the demand of one or more users 40. The number, power, and / or amount of power may be simply referred to as the demand amount.

[0087] The demand management unit 242 acquires, for example, information (sometimes referred to as demand information) relating to the amount of demand at the present or a first time, or the amount of demand in a period (sometimes referred to as a first period) including the present or the first time. The demand management unit 242 may store the demand information in the storage unit 220. The demand management unit 242 may store in the storage unit 220 identification information of each of the one or more regions in association with information indicating the amount of demand in each region.

[0088] For example, the demand management unit 242 acquires the demand information by analyzing the contents of the rental requests from one or more users 40. For example, the demand management unit 242 acquires the demand information by tallying up the number of reservations of the mobile battery 20 indicated by the rental requests. The demand management unit 242 may acquire the demand information by predicting the demand amount at the first time or the first period. Any known method may be adopted as a method for predicting the demand amount. For example, the demand management unit 242 predicts the demand amount based on past demand records. The demand management unit 242 may predict the demand amount using a model that inputs one or more explanatory variables and outputs the demand amount as a target variable.

[0089] In this embodiment, the supply management unit 244 manages the supply of the mobile battery 20. The demand management unit 242 manages, for example, information on the supply of the mobile battery 20 for each of one or more battery exchangers 120 managed by the battery management system 100. Examples of the information on the supply of the mobile battery 20 include information indicating an amount correlated with the supply readiness status of the mobile battery 20. Examples of the amount correlated with the supply readiness status of the mobile battery 20 include (i) the number of mobile batteries 20 that can be dispensed, and (ii) at least one of the SOC, remaining capacity, deterioration state, and temperature of each of the mobile batteries 20 that can be dispensed. The above number, SOC, and / or remaining capacity may simply be referred to as the supply amount. The supply management unit 244 may manage similar information on all mobile batteries 20 stored in each of one or more battery exchangers 120.

[0090] The supply management unit 244 acquires, for example, information on the supply amount at the present or a first time, or the supply amount in a first period (sometimes referred to as supply information). The supply management unit 244 may store the supply information in the storage unit 220. The supply management unit 244 may store in the storage unit 220 identification information of each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 and information on the supply amount of each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 in association with each other.

[0091] For example, the supply management unit 244 periodically or at a predetermined timing acquires various information (sometimes referred to as operation information) related to one or more mobile batteries 20 stored in each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 from each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120. The supply management unit 244 may analyze the operation information to acquire the supply information. For example, the supply management unit 244 acquires the supply information by tallying up the number of dispensable mobile batteries 20 indicated by the operation information.

[0092] In this embodiment, the supply management unit 244 determines whether or not it is necessary to charge the mobile battery 20. The supply management unit 244 outputs information indicating the determination result to the notification unit 250.

[0093] In one embodiment, the supply management unit 244 estimates, for example, for each of one or more battery exchangers 120, whether or not the mobile battery 20 will run out at a specific time or period in the future, or the probability that the mobile battery 20 will run out. The supply management unit 244 acquires, for example, information indicating the charge control state of each mobile battery stored in each battery exchanger, and estimates, based on the charge control state, whether or not the mobile battery 20 will run out in the battery exchanger, or the probability that the mobile battery 20 will run out in the battery exchanger. The supply management unit 244 outputs information indicating the estimation result to the notification unit 250.

[0094] In another embodiment, the supply management unit 244 determines whether or not the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged based on, for example, (i) the demand amount at the present time or the first time, or the first period, and (ii) the supply amount at the present time or the first time, or the first period. The supply management unit 244 may acquire information indicating the demand amount at the present time or the first time, or the first period from the storage unit 220 or the demand management unit 242. The supply management unit 244 outputs information indicating the determination result to the charging management unit 260. In this embodiment, the supply management unit 244 compares the magnitude between (i) the demand amount at the present time or the first time, or the first period and (ii) the supply amount at the present time or the first time, or the first period. The supply management unit 244 outputs information indicating the comparison result to the notification unit 250.

[0095] In this embodiment, the notification unit 250 notifies the advertisement information to at least some of the one or more users 40. For example, the notification unit 250 receives information indicating the above comparison result from the supply management unit 244. Based on the above comparison result, the notification unit 250 may determine (i) whether or not the advertisement information needs to be notified, and (ii) at least one of the timing of the advertisement information notification, the attributes of the users 40 to be notified of the advertisement information, and the contents of the advertisement information.

[0096] The notification unit 250 may induce the user 40 to use the battery exchange machine 120 when the supply amount is greater than the demand amount, so that the degree of the inducement for the user 40 is greater than when the supply amount is smaller than the demand amount. For example, the notification unit 250 determines at least one of the timing of the notification of the advertisement information, the attribute of the user 40 to be notified of the advertisement information, and the content of the advertisement information, so that the degree of the inducement for the user 40 is greater when the supply amount is greater than the demand amount, so that the degree of the inducement for the user 40 is greater than when the supply amount is smaller than the demand amount.

[0097] In one embodiment, when the supply of the mobile battery 20 is greater than the demand for the mobile battery 20 at a specific battery exchange machine 120, the notification unit 250 determines at least one of the timing of notification of the advertisement information, the attributes of the user 40 to be notified of the advertisement information, and the content of the advertisement information, so that the degree of incentive to the user 40 increases as the supply of the mobile battery 20 is greater than the demand for the mobile battery 20. For example, the notification unit 250 determines the content of the advertisement information so that the incentive given to the user 40 by using the specific battery exchange machine 120 increases as the supply of the mobile battery 20 is greater than the demand for the mobile battery 20.

[0098] In another embodiment, when the supply of the mobile battery 20 is smaller than the demand for the mobile battery 20 in a specific battery exchanger 120, the notification unit 250 determines (i) whether or not to notify the advertisement information, and (ii) at least one of the timing of notifying the advertisement information, the attributes of the user 40 to be notified of the advertisement information, and the content of the advertisement information, so that the degree of incentive to use other battery exchangers 120 is greater than the degree of incentive to use the specific battery exchanger 120. For example, the notification unit 250 notifies the advertisement information regarding a battery exchanger 120 other than the specific battery exchanger 120. The notification unit 250 may notify the advertisement information indicating that the mobile battery 20 is likely to run out in the specific battery exchanger 120. The notification unit 250 may determine the content of the advertisement information so that the incentive given to the user 40 by using a battery exchanger 120 other than the specific battery exchanger 120 is greater.

[0099] The advertisement information may be information that can promote the use of the battery exchange machine 120 that is the target of the incentive process for the user 40 who received the advertisement information, and the details of the content are not limited. Examples of the content of the advertisement information include information on the battery exchange machine 120 that is the target of the incentive process, a request to use the battery exchange machine 120 that is the target of the incentive process, and information on an incentive given to the user 40 by using the battery exchange machine 120 that is the target of the incentive process. As described above, the advertisement information may be information that can suppress the use of the battery exchange machine 120 that is not the target of the incentive process for the user 40 who received the advertisement information. Examples of the use of the battery exchange machine 120 include returning the mobile battery 20 and lending or paying off the mobile battery 20.

[0100] The contents of the advertisement information do not have to include the above-mentioned information regarding the incentive. For example, information requesting the use of the battery exchange machine 120 that is the target of the incentive process may simply be determined as the contents of the advertisement information. Even in this case, some of the users 40 who have viewed the advertisement information may consider using the battery exchange machine 120. This may promote the use of the battery exchange machine 120.

[0101] This allows the battery management system 100 to induce the user 40 who has received the advertising information to use a specific battery exchange machine 120. Also, the battery management system 100 can induce the user 40 who has received the advertising information not to use a specific battery exchange machine 120. The process of notifying the user 40 of the advertising information may be an example of a process for inducing the user to use a specific battery exchange machine 120 (which may be referred to as an inducement process).

[0102] In this embodiment, the charging management unit 260 manages the charging of the mobile battery 20 in each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120. In one embodiment, the charging management unit 260 manages the charging of the mobile battery 20 during business hours. In another embodiment, the charging management unit 260 manages the charging of the mobile battery 20 during non-business hours. Details of information processing in the charging management unit 260 will be described later.

[0103] In this embodiment, the charging time prediction unit 262 predicts the time until charging is completed (sometimes referred to as charging time) for each of one or more batteries attached to the slots 124 of the battery exchange machine 120. The charging time prediction unit 262 may adopt a known prediction method or estimation method as a method for predicting the time until charging is completed. Furthermore, the charging time prediction unit 262 may output a predetermined value as a predicted value of the time until charging is completed. The charging time prediction unit 262 may output a predetermined value for each type of mobile battery 20 as the predicted value.

[0104] In this embodiment, the possibility determination unit 264 determines whether charging is possible during business hours for each of the one or more mobile batteries 20 attached to the slots 124 of the battery exchange machine 120. For example, the possibility determination unit 264 predicts the time at which charging will be completed (sometimes referred to as charging completion time) for each of the one or more mobile batteries 20 attached to the slots 124 of the battery exchange machine 120. The possibility determination unit 264 determines whether charging is possible for each of the one or more mobile batteries 20 based on the predicted value of the charging completion time for each of the one or more mobile batteries 20.

[0105] For example, the feasibility determination unit 264 acquires information indicating the time when charging of the mobile battery 20 will start (sometimes referred to as charging start time). The charging time prediction unit 262 may acquire information indicating the current time as information indicating the time when charging will start. Furthermore, the feasibility determination unit 264 acquires information indicating a predicted value of the time until charging of the mobile battery 20 is completed from the charging time prediction unit 262. The charging time prediction unit 262 outputs a predicted value of the charging completion time by adding the predicted value of the time until charging of the mobile battery 20 is completed to the charging start time.

[0106] For example, when charging of a specific mobile battery 20 is completed during business hours, the possibility determination unit 264 determines that charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is possible. Specifically, when the predicted value of the charging completion time of the specific mobile battery 20 is before the end of business hours, the possibility determination unit 264 determines that charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is possible. Note that when charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is completed by a predetermined time during business hours, the possibility determination unit 264 may determine that charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is possible.

[0107] For example, if charging of a specific mobile battery 20 is not completed during business hours, the feasibility determination unit 264 determines that charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is not possible. Specifically, if the predicted charging completion time of the specific mobile battery 20 is after the end of business hours, the feasibility determination unit 264 determines that charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is not possible. Note that if charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is not completed by a predetermined time during business hours, the feasibility determination unit 264 may determine that charging of the specific mobile battery 20 is not possible.

[0108] In this embodiment, when at least one of the one or more mobile batteries 20 attached to the slot 124 of the battery exchange machine 120 is charged during business shutdown, the start time determination unit 266 determines the time when charging starts (sometimes referred to as charging start time) for each of the at least one mobile battery 20. For example, the start time determination unit 266 acquires information indicating a predicted value of the time until charging of the mobile battery 20 is completed from the charging time prediction unit 262. The start time determination unit 266 determines the charging start time for each of the at least one mobile battery 20 based on (i) the predicted value of the charging completion time of the mobile battery 20 and (ii) the end of the business shutdown and / or the start of business hours following the business shutdown.

[0109] For example, the start time determination unit 266 determines the time at which charging of each of the at least one mobile battery 20 starts (which may be referred to as a charging start time) so that charging of the mobile battery 20 is completed at the same time as the end time of the business suspension time and / or the start time of the business hours following the business suspension time. The charging start time may be an example of a charging start period. The start time determination unit 266 may determine the charging start time of each of the at least one mobile battery 20 so that charging of the mobile battery 20 is completed before the end time of the business suspension time and / or the start time of the business hours following the business suspension time.

[0110] In this embodiment, the charging mode determination unit 268 determines the charging mode of the mobile battery 20. As described above, examples of the charging mode include whether or not the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged during business hours, whether or not the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged during business hours, the timing at which charging starts, the charging speed, the charging profile, etc. Details of the information processing in the charging mode determination unit 268 will be described later.

[0111] In this embodiment, the charging control unit 272 controls charging of at least one of the one or more mobile batteries 20 attached to the slots 124 of the one or more battery exchangers 120. The charging control unit 272 may control charging of the above mobile batteries 20 based on business information. The charging control unit 272 may control charging of the above mobile batteries 20 according to the charging mode determined by the charging mode determination unit 268.

[0112] In one embodiment, the charging control unit 272 controls the charging of the mobile battery 20 based on the determination result of the possibility determination unit 264. In another embodiment, the charging control unit 272 controls the charging of the mobile battery 20 so that charging starts at the charging start time determined by the start time determination unit 266.

[0113] The business hours management unit 230 may be an example of a time information acquisition unit. The charging management unit 260 may be an example of a control unit or a control device. The charging time prediction unit 262 may be an example of a time information acquisition unit. The charging control unit 272 may be an example of a control unit.

[0114] The start time of business hours may be an example of an operation start time. The end time of business hours may be an example of an operation end time. The start time of business downtime may be an example of a non-operation start time. The end time of business downtime may be an example of a non-operation end time. The start time of business hours may be an example of a start of an operation time period. The end time of business hours may be an example of an end of an operation time period. The start time of business downtime may be an example of a start of a non-operation time period. The end time of business downtime may be an example of an end of a non-operation time period.

[0115] The business information may be an example of time information. The demand amount may be an example of withdrawal demand. The supply amount may be an example of withdrawal supply. Returning the mobile battery 20 may be an example of use in which the power storage device is attached. Renting or dispensing the mobile battery 20 may be an example of use in which the power storage device is withdrawn. The predicted value of the charging completion time may be an example of a predicted completion time. The first time may be an example of a first point in time.

[0116] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of information processing in the exchange management unit 142. According to this embodiment, first, in step 312 (step may be abbreviated as S), the business hours management unit 230 acquires business information of one or more battery exchange machines 120. The business hours management unit 230 may acquire information indicating business hours of the battery exchange machine 120. The business hours management unit 230 may determine business suspension times of the battery exchange machine 120 based on the business hours of the battery exchange machine 120. The business hours management unit 230 may acquire business suspension times of the battery exchange machine 120. The business hours management unit 230 may determine business hours of the battery exchange machine 120 based on the business suspension times of the battery exchange machine 120.

[0117] Next, in S314, the charging management unit 260 controls charging of the mobile battery 20 attached to each slot 124 of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 based on the business hours and / or business suspension hours of each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120. For example, the charging management unit 260 acquires information indicating a determination result regarding the necessity of charging the mobile battery 20 from the supply management unit 244. When the information indicating the determination result indicates that charging of the mobile battery 20 is necessary, the charging management unit 260 decides to control charging of the mobile battery 20. The procedure for controlling charging of the mobile battery 20 will be described in detail later.

[0118] Next, in S316, the notification unit 250 notifies one or more users 40 of the advertisement information. In this embodiment, the notification unit 250 determines (i) whether or not to notify the advertisement information, and (ii) at least one of the timing of the notification of the advertisement information, the attributes of the user 40 to be notified of the advertisement information, and the contents of the advertisement information, in consideration of the charging control state in one or more battery exchange machines 120. For example, the notification unit 250 acquires information indicating a comparison result of the demand amount and the supply amount of the mobile battery 20 in each of the one or more battery exchange machines 120 from the supply management unit 244. Based on the above comparison result, the notification unit 250 determines (i) whether or not to notify the advertisement information, and (ii) at least one of the timing of the notification of the advertisement information, the attributes of the user 40 to be notified of the advertisement information, and the contents of the advertisement information. Based on the above determination result, the notification unit 250 notifies the user 40 to be notified of the advertisement information of the advertisement information.

[0119] Fig. 4 shows an example of charging control processing in the exchange management unit 142. An example of charging control processing during business hours will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows an example of charging control processing of a specific mobile battery 20 mounted in the slot 124 of a specific battery exchanger 120. The exchange management unit 142 may execute the information processing shown in Fig. 4 or a part thereof (e.g., S416, S420, S422, and S424) for each of one or more mobile batteries 20 mounted in the slot 124 of one or more battery exchangers 120.

[0120] According to this embodiment, first, in S410, the supply management unit 244 determines whether or not charging of the mobile battery 20 is required for the specific battery exchange machine 120. As described above, the supply management unit 244 determines whether or not charging of the mobile battery 20 is required based on, for example, (i) the demand amount at the present or the first time, or in the first period, and (ii) the supply amount at the present or the first time, or in the first period.

[0121] For example, the above-mentioned determination process in the supply management unit 244 will be described in detail as an example in which the current time is 17:00 and the demand management unit 242 predicts that a demand of 8 units is expected in a specific battery exchange machine 120 from the current time to 20:00, which is the end time of business hours. The supply management unit 244 acquires information indicating the number of mobile batteries 20 that can be dispensed at the current time from the battery exchange machine 120. For example, when the battery exchange machine 120 can dispense four mobile batteries 20, the supply management unit 244 determines that the supply amount of the mobile battery 20 is smaller than the demand amount of the mobile battery 20, and determines that the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged. On the other hand, for example, when the battery exchange machine 120 can dispense ten mobile batteries 20, the supply management unit 244 determines that the supply amount of the mobile battery 20 is greater than the demand amount of the mobile battery 20, and determines that the mobile battery 20 does not need to be charged.

[0122] If the supply management unit 244 determines in S410 that charging of the mobile battery 20 is not necessary (No in S410), the supply management unit 244 repeats the process of S410 at appropriate time intervals. On the other hand, if the supply management unit 244 determines in S410 that charging of the mobile battery 20 is necessary (Yes in S410), the possibility determination unit 264 determines in S412 to S420 whether charging is possible during business hours.

[0123] First, in S412, the possibility determination unit 264 acquires information indicating the current time (A). Next, in S414, the possibility determination unit 264 acquires information indicating the end time (B) of the business hours of the battery exchange machine 120. Next, in S416, the charging time prediction unit 262 predicts the charging time of the mobile battery 20. In addition, the possibility determination unit 264 acquires a predicted value (C) of the charging time of the mobile battery 20.

[0124] Next, in S420, the possibility determination unit 264 determines whether charging of the mobile battery 20 will be completed by the end of the business hours of the battery exchange machine 120. For example, if the remaining time (BA) from the current time to the end of the business hours of the battery exchange machine 120 is greater than the predicted value (C) of the charging time of the mobile battery 20, the possibility determination unit 264 determines that the mobile battery 20 is chargeable. On the other hand, if the remaining time (BA) from the current time to the end of the business hours of the battery exchange machine 120 is less than the predicted value (C) of the charging time of the mobile battery 20, the possibility determination unit 264 determines that the mobile battery 20 is not chargeable.

[0125] In S420, when the possibility determination unit 264 determines that the mobile battery 20 is chargeable (Yes in S420), the possibility determination unit 264 decides to start charging the mobile battery 20 during business hours. In addition, the possibility determination unit 264 predicts the charging completion time of the mobile battery 20. Furthermore, the charging mode determination unit 268 determines the charging mode of the mobile battery 20. For example, when the predicted value of the charging completion time of the mobile battery 20 exceeds the end time of the business hours and / or the start time of the business suspension of the battery exchange machine 120, the charging mode determination unit 268 determines the charging mode of the mobile battery 20 so that the increase in the amount of stored power of the mobile battery 20 is smaller compared to when the predicted value of the charging completion time of the mobile battery 20 does not exceed the end time of the business hours and / or the start time of the business suspension of the battery exchange machine 120.

[0126] Next, in S424, the charging control unit 272 controls the battery exchange machine 120 to control the charging of the mobile battery 20. This ends the process.

[0127] On the other hand, in S420, if the possibility determination unit 264 determines that the mobile battery 20 cannot be charged (No in S420), the possibility determination unit 264 decides not to start charging the mobile battery 20 during business hours. This ends the process. As a result, when the predicted value of the charging completion time of the mobile battery 20 exceeds the end time of the business hours and / or the start time of the business suspension of the battery exchange machine 120, the charging mode of the mobile battery 20 can be determined so that the increase in the amount of stored power of the mobile battery 20 is smaller compared to when the predicted value of the charging completion time of the mobile battery 20 does not exceed the end time of the business hours and / or the start time of the business suspension of the battery exchange machine 120.

[0128] In addition, the embodiment in which the amount of stored power in the mobile battery 20 does not increase and the embodiment in which the amount of stored power in the mobile battery 20 decreases may be an example of a mode in which the increase in the amount of stored power in the mobile battery 20 is small. When the SOC or remaining capacity of a specific mobile battery 20 exceeds a specific threshold, the exchange management unit 142 may discharge the specific mobile battery 20 before the business hours of the battery exchange 120 end to reduce the amount of stored power in the specific mobile battery 20.

[0129] As a result, the exchange management unit 142 can determine the charging mode of the mobile battery 20 attached to the slot 124 of the battery exchange 120 based on the end time of business hours and / or the start time of business shutdown of the battery exchange 120. As described above, examples of the charging mode include whether or not the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged during business hours, whether or not the mobile battery 20 needs to be charged during business shutdown, the timing at which charging starts, the charging speed, the charging profile, and the like.

[0130] Fig. 5 shows an example of charging control processing in the exchange management unit 142. An example of charging control processing during business suspension will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows an example of charging control processing for a specific mobile battery 20 attached to the slot 124 of a specific battery exchanger 120. The exchange management unit 142 may execute the information processing shown in Fig. 5 or a part thereof (for example, the processing described in S514 to S524) for each of one or more mobile batteries 20 attached to the slot 124 of one or more battery exchangers 120.

[0131] According to this embodiment, first, in S510, the supply management unit 244 determines whether or not charging of the mobile battery 20 is required for the specific battery exchange machine 120. As described above, the supply management unit 244 determines whether or not charging of the mobile battery 20 is required based on, for example, (i) the demand amount at the present or the first time, or in the first period, and (ii) the supply amount at the present or the first time, or in the first period.

[0132] In S510, if the supply management unit 244 determines that charging of the mobile battery 20 is not necessary (No in S510), the supply management unit 244 repeats the process of S510 at appropriate time intervals. On the other hand, in S510, if the supply management unit 244 determines that charging of the mobile battery 20 is necessary (Yes in S510), the charging management unit 260 decides to start charging the mobile battery 20 during business suspension hours.

[0133] Next, in S512, the start time determination unit 266 acquires the start time (D) of the business hours following the business shutdown time of the battery exchange machine 120. Next, in S514, the charging time prediction unit 262 predicts the charging time of the mobile battery 20. Also, the start time determination unit 266 acquires the predicted value (E) of the charging time of the mobile battery 20. Next, in S516, the start time determination unit 266 determines the charging start time (F) of the mobile battery 20. For example, the start time determination unit 266 determines the time (DE) obtained by going back from the business start time (D) by the predicted value (E) of the charging time as the charging start time (F). Also, the charging mode determination unit 268 determines the charging mode of the mobile battery 20.

[0134] Next, in S520, the charging control unit 272 acquires information indicating the current time (G). In addition, in S522, the charging control unit 272 determines whether the charging start time has arrived. Specifically, it determines whether the current time (G) is later than the charging start time (F) of the mobile battery 20.

[0135] If it is determined in S522 that the charging start time has arrived (Yes in S522), then in S524 the charging control unit 272 controls the battery exchanger 120 to control the charging of the mobile battery 20. This ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the charging start time has not arrived (No in S522), the charging control unit 272 repeats the processes of S520 and S522 at appropriate time intervals.

[0136] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification process in the exchange management unit 142. According to this embodiment, first, in S612, the exchange management unit 142 acquires information indicating the charge control state of each of one or more mobile batteries 20 for each of one or more battery exchangers 120. Examples of the charge control state include SOC, remaining capacity, and whether or not the battery is being charged. Next, in S614, the exchange management unit 142 estimates the probability that the mobile battery 20 will run out at a specific time or period in the future for each of one or more battery exchangers 120. Next, in S616, the notification unit 250 notifies the user 40 of advertisement information related to the battery exchanger 120 with a low probability of the mobile battery 20 running out. This promotes the use of the battery exchanger 120 with a low probability of the mobile battery 20 running out. As a result, the use of the battery exchanger 120 with a high probability of the mobile battery 20 running out is suppressed.

[0137] 7 shows an example of a computer 3000 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. At least a part of the battery management system 100 may be realized by the computer 3000. For example, the battery exchanger 120 or a part thereof may be realized by the computer 3000. The management server 140 or a part thereof may be realized by the computer 3000. The communication terminal 42 or a part thereof may be realized by the computer 3000.

[0138] A program installed on the computer 3000 may cause the computer 3000 to function as or perform operations associated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or one or more "parts" of the apparatus, and / or to perform a process or steps of the process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 3012 to cause the computer 3000 to perform certain operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0139] The computer 3000 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 3012, a RAM 3014, a GPU 3016, and a display device 3018, which are connected to each other by a host controller 3010. The computer 3000 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 3022, a hard disk drive 3024, a DVD-ROM drive 3026, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 3010 via an input / output controller 3020. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 3030 and a keyboard 3042, which are connected to the input / output controller 3020 via an input / output chip 3040.

[0140] The CPU 3012 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 3030 and the RAM 3014, thereby controlling each unit. The GPU 3016 acquires image data generated by the CPU 3012 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 3014 or into the GPU 3016 itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 3018.

[0141] The communications interface 3022 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 3024 stores programs and data used by the CPU 3012 in the computer 3000. The DVD-ROM drive 3026 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 3001 and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive 3024 via the RAM 3014. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0142] The ROM 3030 stores therein a boot program or the like executed by the computer 3000 upon activation, and / or a program that depends on the hardware of the computer 3000. The input / output chip 3040 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 3020 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0143] The programs are provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM 3001 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable storage medium, installed in the hard disk drive 3024, the RAM 3014, or the ROM 3030, which are also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 3012. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 3000, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be constructed by realizing an operation or processing of information according to the use of the computer 3000.

[0144] For example, when communication is performed between computer 3000 and an external device, CPU 3012 may execute a communication program loaded in RAM 3014 and instruct communication interface 3022 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of CPU 3012, communication interface 3022 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in RAM 3014, hard disk drive 3024, DVD-ROM 3001, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0145] Furthermore, CPU 3012 may cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as hard disk drive 3024, DVD-ROM drive 3026 (DVD-ROM 3001), an IC card, etc. to be read into RAM 3014, and perform various types of processing on the data on RAM 3014. CPU 3012 may then write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0146] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the recording medium and undergo information processing. The CPU 3012 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 3014, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and writes back the results to the RAM 3014. The CPU 3012 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 3012 may search for an entry whose attribute value of the first attribute matches a specified condition from among the plurality of entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0147] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on the computer 3000 or in the vicinity of the computer 3000. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the above-described programs to the computer 3000 via the network.

[0148] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, the matters described for a specific embodiment can be applied to other embodiments to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent. Furthermore, each component may have the same features as other components having the same name and different reference numerals. It is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0149] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and may be realized in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is explained using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the process in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 12 power system, 14 communication network, 20 mobile battery, 30 electric bike, 40 user, 42 communication terminal, 100 battery management system, 120 battery exchanger, 122 storage unit, 124 slot, 126 communication unit, 128 communication interface, 140 management server, 142 exchanger management unit, 220 storage unit, 230 business hours management unit, 242 demand management unit, 244 supply management unit, 250 notification unit, 260 charging management unit, 262 charging time prediction unit, 264 possibility determination unit, 266 start time determination unit, 268 charging mode determination unit, 272 charging control unit, 3000 computer, 3001 DVD-ROM, 3010 host controller, 3012 CPU, 3014 RAM, 3016 GPU, 3018 display device, 3020 input / output controller, 3022 Communication interface, 3024 hard disk drive, 3026 DVD-ROM drive, 3030 ROM, 3040 I / O chip, 3042 keyboard

Claims

1. A method for controlling a charging device having a charging unit configured to detachably connect a storage device, comprising: The charging device is detaching the power storage device attached to the charging unit and providing the power storage device to a user; an operating time period during which the power storage device is provided to the user and a non-operating time period during which the power storage device is not provided to the user are set, The control method includes: obtaining time information relating to the working time periods and / or the non-working time periods; controlling charging of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the time information; having the time information includes information indicating an operation end time which is an end of the operation time period and / or a non-operation start time which is a start of the non-operation time period, The control method includes: determining a charging mode of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operation time period; and The step of determining the charging mode when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operating time period includes: acquiring a predicted completion time, which is a predicted value of a time when charging of the power storage device will be completed, when the charging device starts charging of the power storage device during the operating time period; determining the charging mode such that, when the predicted completion time exceeds the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time, an increase in the amount of stored electricity in the electricity storage device is smaller than when the predicted completion time does not exceed the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time; Including, Control methods.

2. the time information includes information indicating a non-operation end time, which is an end time of the non-operation time period, and / or an operation start time, which is a start time of the operation time period, The control method includes: determining a charging mode of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the non-operation end time and / or the operation start time when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the non-operation time period; Further comprising The control method according to claim 1 .

3. When the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the non-operating time period, the step of determining a charging mode of the power storage device includes: determining the charging mode such that charging of the power storage device is completed at the same time as the non-operation end time and / or the operation start time, or before the non-operation end time and / or the operation start time; Including, The control method according to claim 2 .

4. The charging device includes a plurality of the charging units, The control method includes: acquiring a removal demand that correlates with a removal demand of the power storage device attached to the charging device at a current time or a first time point ahead of the current time, or at a first period including the current time or the first time point; acquiring a disconnection supply correlated with a supply readiness state of the power storage device attached to the charging device at the first time point or the first period; Further comprising A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the withdrawal supply is greater than the withdrawal demand, incentivizing the user to withdraw from the power storage device such that a degree of incentive for the user is greater than a degree of incentive for the user when the withdrawal supply is less than the withdrawal demand; Further comprising The control method according to claim 4.

6. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a charging device including a charging unit configured to detachably mount a power storage device, The charging device is detaching the power storage device attached to the charging unit and providing the power storage device to a user; an operation time period during which the charging device provides the power storage device to the user and a non-operation time period during which the charging device does not provide the power storage device to the user are set; The control method includes: obtaining time information relating to the working time periods and / or the non-working time periods; controlling charging of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the time information; having the time information includes information indicating an operation end time which is an end of the operation time period and / or a non-operation start time which is a start of the non-operation time period, The control method includes: determining a charging mode of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operation time period; and The step of determining the charging mode when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operating time period includes: acquiring a predicted completion time, which is a predicted value of a time when charging of the power storage device will be completed, when the charging device starts charging of the power storage device during the operating time period; determining the charging mode such that, when the predicted completion time exceeds the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time, an increase in the amount of stored electricity in the electricity storage device is smaller than when the predicted completion time does not exceed the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time; Including, program.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 6.

8. A control device for controlling a charging device having a charging unit configured to be able to detachably attach a power storage device, The charging device is detaching the power storage device attached to the charging unit and providing the power storage device to a user; an operation time period during which the charging device provides the power storage device to the user and a non-operation time period during which the charging device does not provide the power storage device to the user are set; The control device includes: a time information acquisition unit that acquires time information related to the operating time period and / or the non-operating time period; a control unit that controls charging of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the time information; and Equipped with the time information includes information indicating an operation end time which is an end of the operation time period and / or a non-operation start time which is a start of the non-operation time period, The control device includes: a charging mode determination unit that determines a charging mode of the power storage device attached to the charging unit based on the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time when the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operation time period. Further equipped with The charging mode determination unit When the charging device starts charging the power storage device during the operating time period, a predicted completion time is obtained, which is a predicted value of a time when charging of the power storage device will be completed; determining the charging mode such that, when the predicted completion time exceeds the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time, an increase in the amount of stored electricity in the electricity storage device is smaller than when the predicted completion time does not exceed the operation end time and / or the non-operation start time; Control device.

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