Battery degradation countermeasure system, battery degradation countermeasure device, and mobile terminal

Abstract

To properly determine and handle a deterioration state of a battery of a portable terminal.SOLUTION: A battery deterioration handling system 1 includes a server (battery deterioration handling apparatus) 10, a portable terminal 20 which operates with electric power from a built-in battery, and an operation terminal 30. The server 10 includes: an analysis learning unit 12 which derives a handling rule for handling deterioration state of the battery by correlation analysis or machine learning, based on battery use history information of the battery of the portable terminal 20, using model-specific information, battery use history information of the same model, and failure-related information; and a deterioration determination unit (handling unit) 13 which handles (determines whether the battery has been deteriorated, determines whether to inhibit deterioration of the battery, or the like) the deterioration state of the battery, and transmits a result thereof to the portable terminal 20. The portable terminal 20 includes a deterioration control unit 23 configured to execute processing (outputting a determination result, taking measures for inhibiting the deterioration, or the like) in accordance with the above result from the server 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery degradation countermeasure system, a battery degradation countermeasure device, and a mobile terminal.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a mobile terminal having a function of determining the degradation of a rechargeable battery mounted thereon. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining the degradation of the battery based on battery usage history information (for example, information regarding the usage date and time, the remaining battery level at the time of use, etc.) in a device operating with a rechargeable battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the battery of a certain mobile terminal is in a degraded state or a state where it is likely to degrade and degradation suppression is desired (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as the "battery degradation state"), while mainly using the battery usage history information in the above mobile terminal as basic information, it is more desirable to comprehensively consider model-specific information (manufacturing specification information) regarding the model of the mobile terminal, battery usage history information for the same model, and defect-related information (for example, battery replacement information, defect report information from users, etc.) for determination and countermeasures. However, although various information as described above may be fed back as design information during the development of subsequent models of the mobile terminal, there is no operation such as being fed back for determining and countering the degradation state of the battery mounted on the current model.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to appropriately determine and respond to the deterioration state of the battery by comprehensively considering the model-specific information regarding the model of the mobile terminal, the battery usage history information for the same model, and the defect-related information, while using the battery usage history information on the mobile terminal as the main basic information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The battery deterioration countermeasure system according to the present disclosure is a battery deterioration countermeasure system including a battery deterioration countermeasure device, a mobile terminal operated by supply power from a built-in battery, and an operation terminal provided at a service operation base of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a usage history transmission unit that transmits battery usage history information of the battery to the battery deterioration countermeasure device. The battery deterioration countermeasure device includes an information management unit that receives the battery usage history information from the usage history transmission unit and accumulates the received battery usage history information together with the model-specific information of the battery, the battery usage history information for the same model, and the defect-related information for the same model from the operation terminal. An analysis and learning unit that derives a countermeasure rule for dealing with the deterioration state of the battery by correlation analysis or machine learning based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal accumulated by the information management unit, while taking into account the model-specific information, the battery usage history information for the same model, and the defect-related information. A countermeasure unit that responds to the deterioration state of the battery based on the countermeasure rule derived by the analysis and learning unit and transmits a countermeasure result to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal further includes a result reception unit that receives the countermeasure result from the battery deterioration countermeasure device, and a deterioration control unit that controls to execute processing according to the countermeasure result received by the result reception unit.

[0007] In the above battery degradation countermeasure system, the usage history transmission unit of the mobile terminal transmits the battery usage history information of its own battery to the battery degradation countermeasure device. Then, in the battery degradation countermeasure device, the information management unit accumulates the received battery usage history information together with the model-specific information of the battery, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information of the same model from the operation terminal. Furthermore, based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal, while taking into account the model-specific information, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information, the correlation analysis or machine learning is used by the analysis and learning unit to derive a countermeasure rule for dealing with the degradation state of the battery, and the countermeasure unit corresponds to the degradation state of the battery based on the derived countermeasure rule and transmits the countermeasure result to the mobile terminal.

[0008] Examples of the "countermeasure rule" derived here include a degradation determination criterion for determining whether the battery is degraded, a suppression determination criterion for determining whether the degradation of the battery should be suppressed, and information on suppression measures to be executed according to the determination result of the suppression determination. In addition, examples of the "corresponding to the degradation state of the battery" by the countermeasure unit include a process of determining whether the battery is degraded in accordance with the degradation determination criterion, a process of determining whether the degradation of the battery should be suppressed in accordance with the suppression determination criterion, and executing a suppression measure according to the determination result. Then, in the mobile terminal, the result reception unit receives the above countermeasure result from the battery degradation countermeasure device, and the degradation control unit controls to execute a process corresponding to the received countermeasure result.

[0009] As described above, mainly based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal, while comprehensively considering the model-specific information, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information, the "countermeasure rule" is derived, and based on the derived countermeasure rule, the degradation state of the battery can be appropriately determined and corresponding measures can be taken. In other words, various information as described above can be fed back to determine and respond to the degradation state of the battery installed in the current model.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, based mainly on the battery usage history information of the battery of a mobile terminal, while comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, the degradation state of the battery can be appropriately determined and corresponding measures can be taken.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, various embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a first embodiment in which a battery deterioration countermeasure device (hereinafter referred to as a "server") determines the deterioration of a battery of a mobile terminal, a second embodiment in which the mobile terminal determines the deterioration of its own battery, a third embodiment in which the server determines whether it is necessary to suppress the deterioration of the battery of the mobile terminal, and a fourth embodiment in which the mobile terminal determines whether it is necessary to suppress the deterioration of its own battery will be described in order.

[0013] [First Embodiment] First, as a first embodiment, a mode in which the server mainly determines whether the battery is deteriorated based on the battery usage history information of the mobile terminal, while comprehensively considering the model-specific information, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information will be described.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery deterioration countermeasure system 1 of the first embodiment includes a server 10, a mobile terminal 20 that operates by power supplied from a mounted rechargeable battery, and an operation terminal 30 provided at a service operation base (for example, a store having a failure / repair reception window) of the mobile terminal 20. Among these, the operation terminal 30 transmits defect-related information (for example, battery replacement information, defect report information from the user, etc.) regarding various mobile terminals 20 to the server 10 at any time.

[0015] The server 10 includes, as functional blocks, an information management unit 11, an analysis and learning unit 12, and a deterioration determination unit 13.

[0016] Among these, the information management unit 11 receives defect-related information from the operation terminal 30 and accumulates it in the built-in defect-related information database (DB) 11B, and also receives battery usage history information from the mobile terminal 20. The received battery usage history information is accumulated in the built-in operation information database (DB) 11A together with the model-specific information of the mobile terminal 20, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information. Examples of the above information to be accumulated and their correlation examples will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0017] The analysis and learning unit 12, the details of which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, comprehensively considers the model-specific information, the battery usage history information and the defect-related information of the same model while mainly based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal 20, and derives a determination criterion for determining whether the battery is deteriorated by correlation analysis or machine learning, and accumulates it in the built-in determination criterion database (DB) 12A. It is a functional unit.

[0018] The deterioration determination unit 13 is a functional unit that determines whether the battery is deteriorated based on the determination criterion derived by the analysis and learning unit 12 and transmits the determination result to the mobile terminal 20, and corresponds to the "corresponding unit" in the claims.

[0019] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 20 includes, as functional blocks, a usage history transmission unit 21, a deterioration determination result reception unit 22, and a deterioration control unit 23.

[0020] Among these, the usage history transmission unit 21 is a functional unit that transmits the battery usage history information of the rechargeable battery mounted on its own device (mobile terminal 20) to the server 10.

[0021] The deterioration determination result reception unit 22 is a functional unit that receives the determination result of whether the battery is deteriorated, transmitted from the deterioration determination unit 13 of the server 10, and corresponds to the "result reception unit" in the claims. Further, the deterioration determination result reception unit 22 also has a function of transmitting an inquiry about the determination result to the server 10 prior to receiving the determination result.

[0022] The deterioration control unit 23 is a functional unit that controls to execute processing according to the determination result as will be described later.

[0023] Now, Figure 2 shows examples of various information and their correlation examples. Examples of "model-specific information" include the information shown in Figure 2 such as model ID and model name. For example, "14. Chargeable temperature" means the temperature range in which charging is possible, and "17. Dischargeable temperature" means the temperature range in which discharging is possible. "15. Chargeable voltage" means the voltage range in which charging is possible, and "18. Dischargeable voltage" means the voltage range in which discharging is possible. Such "model-specific information" exists in the number of models of mobile terminals used in the market (for example, about 100 models).

[0024] Also, examples of "battery usage history information" of mobile terminals include information such as the manufacturing number for identifying individual mobile terminals, usage date and time, battery temperature during usage, battery voltage, current value, battery capacity, battery remaining amount, and number of cycles. For example, "8. Number of cycles" is an indicator showing how many times charge and discharge have been repeated. Such "battery usage history information" exists in the number of battery usage history information collected for each individual mobile terminal (for example, about 100 million pieces).

[0025] Also, examples of "defect-related information" of the battery of mobile terminals include information such as the manufacturing number for identifying individual mobile terminals, reporting date and time, and type of defect. For example, "2. Reporting date and time" indicates the date and time when the user reported a battery defect, and "3. Type of defect" indicates the type of defect such as battery deterioration, battery swelling, and battery burning.

[0026] Among the above, "model-specific information" is common information for a large number of mobile terminals 20 of the same model, while there are multiple "battery usage history information" for each mobile terminal, and "defect-related information" may exist in multiple or none for each mobile terminal depending on the reporting situation by the user. Therefore, for the sake of convenience, "linking information" shown in Figure 2 is provided to link "model-specific information", "battery usage history information", and "defect-related information" to each other, and it is stored in the operation information DB11A.

[0027] The above-mentioned "linkage information" links each mobile terminal with its model. It is information that associates the manufacturing number for identifying each mobile terminal with the model ID of the mobile terminal, and there is such information for the number of mobile terminals (for example, about 10 million units). With such "linkage information", as shown by the solid line in Figure 2, the "1. Manufacturing number" in the "Battery Usage History Information" and the "1. Manufacturing number" in the "linkage information" are associated with each other, and the "2. Model ID" in the same "linkage information" and the "1. Model ID" in the "Model-Specific Information" are associated with each other, so that the "Model-Specific Information", "Battery Usage History Information", and "Defect-Related Information" can be linked to each other.

[0028] Through the linkage of the above-mentioned information, the correlations within the same model and across different models of mobile terminals can be found as follows. As an example of the correlation within the same model, when the "8. Number of cycles" in the "Battery Usage History Information" in Figure 2 exceeds a certain value, it leads to a report of "Battery Deterioration" in the "3. Type of Defect" in the "Defect-Related Information". Also, when the cumulative usage time at a high temperature (above a certain temperature) grasped from the "2. Usage Date and Time" and "3. Battery Temperature" in the "Battery Usage History Information" exceeds a certain time, it leads to a report of "Expansion" in the "3. Type of Defect" in the "Defect-Related Information". On the other hand, as an example of the correlation across different models, as an event common to various models where the "14. Chargeable Temperature" in the "Model-Specific Information" is below a certain temperature, when the cumulative usage time at a high temperature (above a certain temperature) grasped from the "2. Usage Date and Time" and "3. Battery Temperature" in the "Battery Usage History Information" exceeds a certain time, it leads to a report of "Burnout" in the "3. Type of Defect" in the "Defect-Related Information. The above are examples.

[0029] Next, the processing content in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. When malfunction-related information about the batteries of various mobile terminals occurs, the operation terminal 30 transmits the malfunction-related information to the server 10 (step P1). Such malfunction-related information from the operation terminal 30 is received by the information management unit 11 and stored in the malfunction-related information DB 11B. On the other hand, the usage history transmission unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20 transmits the battery usage history information of the battery mounted on its own device (mobile terminal 20) to the server 10 (step T1 in FIG. 3). At the server 10, the information management unit 11 receives the battery usage history information and stores the received battery usage history information in the operation information DB 11A together with the model-specific information of the mobile terminal 20, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the malfunction-related information of the same model stored in the malfunction-related information DB 11B (step S1). Next, based mainly on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal 20, the analysis and learning unit 12 comprehensively considers the model-specific information, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the malfunction-related information, and derives criteria for determining whether the battery is deteriorated by correlation analysis or machine learning, and stores them in the determination criteria DB 12A (step S2). As an example of the above determination criteria, there is a rule such as "it is determined that the battery is deteriorated when the battery voltage (V) in the battery usage history information of FIG. 2 is lower than the reference voltage".

[0030] In step S2, the analysis and learning unit 12 mainly based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal 20, comprehensively considers the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, and performs a correlation analysis to find the correlation of the same model of the mobile terminal as in the above example, or the correlation across different models. Based on the obtained correlation information, a new criterion for determining whether the battery is deteriorated is constructed. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the model-specific information, defect-related information, and battery usage history information are input into the artificial intelligence. While mainly based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal 20, comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, machine learning is performed to find the correlation of the same model of the mobile terminal as in the above example, or the correlation across different models. Based on the obtained correlation information, the already constructed criterion is reconstructed. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the analysis and learning unit 12 uses the manufacturing number that identifies each mobile terminal as a key, and uses the model-specific information, linking information, battery usage history information of the mobile terminal 20, and battery usage history information of the same model regarding the mobile terminal 20 as explanatory variables, and the defect-related information of the same model as the target variable, and inputs them into the artificial intelligence. While mainly based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal 20, comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, machine learning is performed. For example, the analysis and learning unit 12 analyzes the explanatory variables that contribute to the target variable Y = 1 (poor battery life), the explanatory variables that contribute to the target variable Y = 2 (swelling), and the explanatory variables that contribute to the target variable Y = 0 (no report) respectively, and combines the obtained analysis results to derive a criterion for determining whether the battery is deteriorated.

[0031] Return to FIG. 3, and then, for example, triggered by receiving an inquiry about the deterioration determination result (step T2) from the deterioration determination result receiving unit 22 of the mobile terminal 20, the deterioration determination unit 13 determines whether the battery of the mobile terminal 20 is deteriorated or not in light of the derived determination criteria (step S3), and transmits the determination result to the deterioration determination result receiving unit 22 of the mobile terminal 20 (step S4). Note that the inquiry from the mobile terminal 20 in step T2 above is not an essential item, and the deterioration determination (step S3) may be executed triggered by another event (for example, the arrival of a predetermined date or time).

[0032] In the mobile terminal 20, when the deterioration determination result receiving unit 22 receives the determination result (step T3), the deterioration control unit 23 controls to execute processing according to the determination result as follows. For example, when the determination result is "deteriorated" (YES in step T4), the deterioration control unit 23 outputs a deterioration determination result indicating "deteriorated" (step T5). On the other hand, when the determination result is "not deteriorated" (NO in step T4), the deterioration control unit 23 outputs a deterioration determination result indicating "not deteriorated" (step T6). Note that the "output" in steps T5 and T6 includes various forms of output such as display output to a display, print output to a printer, and data transmission to an external device.

[0033] Through the processing described above, while mainly based on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, the determination criteria for deterioration determination are derived, and based on the derived determination criteria, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the battery is deteriorated and take corresponding measures. In other words, various information as described above can be fed back to the determination process of the deterioration of the battery mounted on the current model.

[0034] [Second Embodiment] Next, as a second embodiment, a mode will be described in which the mobile terminal obtains, from the server, a degradation determination criterion derived comprehensively considering model-specific information, battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model while mainly based on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, and determines the degradation of the battery of its own device. Note that descriptions of matters overlapping with those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the battery degradation countermeasure system 1 of the second embodiment is configured to include a server 10, a mobile terminal 20, and an operation terminal 30, similar to the first embodiment. The server 10 includes, as functional blocks, an information management unit 11, an analysis and learning unit 12, and a degradation determination criterion transmission unit 14.

[0036] Among these, the information management unit 11 and the analysis and learning unit 12 have the same functions as those of the first embodiment. The degradation determination criterion transmission unit 14 is a functional unit that transmits the determination criterion derived by the analysis and learning unit 12 to the mobile terminal 20, and corresponds to the "transmission unit" in the claims.

[0037] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 20 includes, as functional blocks, a usage history transmission unit 21, a degradation determination criterion reception unit 22A, a degradation determination unit 23A, and a degradation control unit 23B.

[0038] Among these, the usage history transmission unit 21 has the same function as that of the first embodiment. The degradation determination criterion reception unit 22A is a functional unit that receives the determination criterion transmitted from the degradation determination criterion transmission unit 14 of the server 10 and accumulates it in the built-in determination criterion DB 22B, and corresponds to the "reception unit" in the claims. Further, the degradation determination criterion reception unit 22A also has a function of transmitting a request for the determination criterion to the server 10 prior to the reception of the determination criterion.

[0039] The degradation determination unit 23A is a functional unit that determines whether the battery of its own device is degraded based on the determination criterion, and corresponds to the "degradation countermeasure unit" in the claims. The degradation control unit 23B is a functional unit that controls to execute processing according to the determination result as described later.

[0040] Next, the processing content in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6. The transmission of battery usage history information from the mobile terminal 20 to the server 10 at the beginning (step T1 in FIG. 6), the transmission of defect-related information from the operation terminal 30 to the server 10 (step P1), the process of accumulating the battery usage history information related to the mobile terminal 20, the model-specific information, and the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model in the operation information DB11A (step S1), and the process of the analysis and learning unit 12 deriving, mainly based on the battery usage history information related to the mobile terminal, and comprehensively considering the model-specific information, and the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, a determination criterion for determining whether the battery is deteriorated by correlation analysis or machine learning, and accumulating it in the determination criterion DB12A (step S2) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0041] Thereafter, for example, triggered by receiving a request for a deterioration determination criterion (step T2A) from the deterioration determination criterion receiving unit 22A of the mobile terminal 20, the deterioration determination criterion transmitting unit 14 transmits the determination criterion derived in step S2 to the deterioration determination criterion receiving unit 22A (step S3A). Note that the request from the mobile terminal 20 in step T2A above is not an essential item, and for example, the transmission of the determination criterion (step S3A) may be executed triggered by the arrival of a predetermined date and time or the like.

[0042] In the mobile terminal 20, when the deterioration determination criterion receiving unit 22A receives the above deterioration determination criterion (step T3A) and accumulates it in the determination criterion DB22B, the deterioration determination unit 23A determines whether the battery of its own device (mobile terminal 20) is deteriorated in light of the above determination criterion (step T3B), and the deterioration control unit 23B controls to execute processing according to the determination result as follows. For example, when the determination result is "deteriorated" (YES in step T4), the deterioration control unit 23B outputs a deterioration determination result indicating "deteriorated" (step T5). On the other hand, when the determination result is "not deteriorated" (NO in step T4), the deterioration control unit 23B outputs a deterioration determination result indicating "not deteriorated" (step T6).

[0043] Through the processes described above, even when the mobile terminal 20 determines deterioration instead of the server 10, similar to the first embodiment, based mainly on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, while comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information for the same model, the criteria for deterioration determination are derived. Based on the derived criteria, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the battery is deteriorated and take corresponding measures. In other words, various information as described above can be fed back to the determination process for the deterioration of the battery installed in the current model.

[0044] [Third Embodiment] Next, as the third embodiment, a mode will be described in which the server, based mainly on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, while comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information for the same model, determines whether the battery of the mobile terminal is likely to deteriorate and is in a state where deterioration suppression is desired (a state where deterioration suppression is required) according to the derived suppression determination criteria. Note that the description of matters overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the battery deterioration countermeasure system 1 of the third embodiment is configured to include a server 10, a mobile terminal 20, and an operation terminal 30, similar to the first embodiment. The server 10 includes, as functional blocks, an information management unit 11, an analysis and learning unit 12, and a suppression determination unit 15.

[0046] Among these, the Information Management Unit 11 has the same functions as those in the first embodiment. The Analytics and Learning Unit 12 comprehensively considers the model-specific information, the battery usage history information and the defect-related information of the same model, mainly based on the battery usage history information of the mobile terminal 20, and by correlation analysis or machine learning, derives (1) a suppression determination criterion for determining whether the deterioration of the battery should be suppressed, and (2) a deterioration suppression logic including suppression measures to be executed according to the determination result of the suppression determination, and accumulates it in the built-in deterioration suppression logic database (DB) 12B. Examples of the above deterioration suppression logic include rules such as "when it is grasped from the number of cycles of the battery usage history information in FIG. 2 that charging and discharging have been repeated more than a predetermined reference number of times, it is determined that deterioration should be suppressed, and as a suppression measure, the battery voltage is lowered to a predetermined voltage value (or the use of the battery is stopped)", and "when it is grasped from the usage date and time and the battery temperature of the battery usage history information in FIG. 2 that the cumulative usage time at a high temperature (equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature) exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that deterioration should be suppressed, and as a suppression measure, the battery voltage is lowered to a predetermined voltage value".

[0047] The analysis and learning unit 12 of the third embodiment conducts correlation analysis while mainly basing on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal 20, comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information for the same model, to find correlations such as correlations for the same model of mobile terminals or correlations across different models as in the above-described examples. Based on the obtained correlation information, it newly constructs a "deterioration suppression logic" including (1) a suppression determination criterion for determining whether to suppress battery deterioration, and (2) suppression measures to be executed according to the determination result of the suppression determination. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the analysis and learning unit 12 uses the manufacturing number that identifies each mobile terminal as a key, takes the model-specific information, linking information, battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, and battery usage history information for the same model as explanatory variables, and the defect-related information for the same model as the target variable, inputs them into artificial intelligence, and conducts machine learning while mainly basing on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information for the same model. For example, the analysis and learning unit 12 analyzes the explanatory variables that contribute to the target variable Y = 1 (poor battery life), the explanatory variables that contribute to the target variable Y = 2 (swelling), and the explanatory variables that contribute to the target variable Y = 0 (no report) respectively, and comprehensively combines the obtained analysis results to reconstruct the already constructed (1) suppression determination criterion for determining whether to suppress battery deterioration, and (2) "deterioration suppression logic" including suppression measures to be executed according to the determination result of the suppression determination.

[0048] The suppression determination unit 15 is a functional unit that determines whether to suppress battery deterioration based on the deterioration suppression logic derived by the analysis and learning unit 12, determines suppression measures according to the determination result, and transmits the above determination result and suppression measure information to the mobile terminal 20, corresponding to the "responding unit" in the claims.

[0049] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 20 includes, as functional blocks, a usage history transmission unit 21, a suppression determination result reception unit 24, and a suppression control unit 25.

[0050] Among these, the usage history transmission unit 21 has the same function as that in the first embodiment. The suppression determination result reception unit 24 is a functional unit that receives the above-described determination result and suppression measure information transmitted from the suppression determination unit 15 of the server 10, and corresponds to the "result reception unit" in the claims. Also, the suppression determination result reception unit 24 has a function of transmitting an inquiry about the determination result or the like to the server 10 prior to receiving the determination result or the like.

[0051] The suppression control unit 25 is a functional unit that controls to execute processing according to the determination result as described later, and corresponds to the "deterioration control unit" in the claims.

[0052] Next, the processing content in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8. The transmission of battery usage history information from the mobile terminal 20 to the server 10 at the beginning (step T1 in FIG. 8), the transmission of trouble-related information from the operation terminal 30 to the server 10 (step P1), and the process of accumulating the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal 20 in the operation information DB 11A together with the model-specific information, the battery usage history information and the trouble-related information of the same model are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the next step S2, as described above, the analysis and learning unit 12 comprehensively considers the model-specific information, the battery usage history information and the trouble-related information of the same model, mainly based on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, and by correlation analysis or machine learning, (1) a suppression determination criterion for determining whether or not to suppress the deterioration of the battery, and (2) a deterioration suppression logic including a suppression measure to be executed according to the determination result of the suppression determination are derived and accumulated in the deterioration suppression logic DB 12B (step S5).

[0053] After that, for example, triggered by receiving an inquiry about the suppression determination result (step T11) from the suppression determination result receiving unit 24 of the mobile terminal 20, the suppression determination unit 15 determines whether the deterioration of the battery of the mobile terminal 20 should be suppressed in accordance with the derived suppression determination criteria (step S6), and transmits the determination result (here, including the determination result and the suppression measure information to be executed according to the determination result) to the suppression determination result receiving unit 24 of the mobile terminal 20 (step S7). Note that the inquiry from the mobile terminal 20 in step T11 is not an essential item, and for example, the suppression determination (step S6) may be executed triggered by the arrival of a predetermined date and time.

[0054] In the mobile terminal 20, when the suppression determination result receiving unit 24 receives the determination result (step T12), the suppression control unit 25 controls to execute processing according to the determination result as follows. For example, when the determination result is "deterioration should be suppressed" (YES in step T13), the suppression control unit 25 executes a deterioration suppression measure based on the suppression measure information to be executed according to the determination result (step T14). When it is determined that deterioration should be suppressed because the cumulative usage time at a high temperature (equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature) has exceeded a predetermined time, as a suppression measure, for example, a measure to lower the battery voltage to a predetermined voltage value is executed. On the other hand, when the determination result is not "deterioration should be suppressed" (NO in step T13), the suppression control unit 25 outputs a determination result indicating that "deterioration suppression is not required" (step T15).

[0055] By the processing described above, mainly based on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, while comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, the above-described deterioration suppression logic is derived. Based on the derived deterioration suppression logic, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the deterioration of the battery should be suppressed, and execute an appropriate suppression measure according to the determination result. In other words, various information as described above can be fed back to the determination of the necessity of suppressing the deterioration of the battery mounted on the current model and the suppression measures.

[0056] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, as a fourth embodiment, a mode will be described in which the mobile terminal obtains, from the server, deterrence determination criteria and the like that are comprehensively derived based on the battery usage history information related to the mobile terminal, while mainly based on the model-specific information, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information, determines whether it is necessary to suppress the deterioration of the battery of its own device, and executes a deterioration suppression measure. Note that descriptions of matters overlapping with the first and third embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, the battery deterioration countermeasure system 1 of the fourth embodiment is configured to include a server 10, a mobile terminal 20, and an operation terminal 30, similar to the first embodiment. The server 10 includes, as functional blocks, an information management unit 11, an analysis and learning unit 12, and a deterioration suppression logic transmission unit 16.

[0058] Among these, the information management unit 11 and the analysis and learning unit 12 have the same functions as those in the third embodiment. The deterioration suppression logic transmission unit 16 is a functional unit that transmits the deterioration suppression logic (including, here, the determination result of whether suppression is necessary and the suppression measure information to be executed according to the determination result) derived by the analysis and learning unit 12 to the mobile terminal 20, and corresponds to the "transmission unit" in the claims.

[0059] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 20 includes, as functional blocks, a usage history transmission unit 21, a deterioration suppression logic reception unit 24A, a deterrence determination unit 25A, and a deterrence control unit 25B.

[0060] Among these, the usage history transmission unit 21 has the same function as that in the first embodiment. The deterioration suppression logic reception unit 24A is a functional unit that receives the deterioration suppression logic transmitted from the deterioration suppression logic transmission unit 16 of the server 10 and accumulates it in the built-in deterioration suppression logic DB 24B, and corresponds to the "reception unit" in the claims. Further, the deterioration suppression logic reception unit 24A also has a function of transmitting a request for the deterioration suppression logic to the server 10 prior to receiving the deterioration suppression logic.

[0061] The suppression determination unit 25A is a functional unit that determines whether to suppress the deterioration of the battery of the own device based on the above suppression determination criteria and determines necessary suppression measures, and corresponds to the "deterioration countermeasure unit" in the claims. The suppression control unit 25B is a functional unit that controls to execute processing according to the determination result as described later.

[0062] Next, the processing content in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. Transmission of battery usage history information from the mobile terminal 20 to the server 10 at the beginning (step T1 in FIG. 10), transmission of defect-related information from the operation terminal 30 to the server 10 (step P1), battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal 20, together with model-specific information, and battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, are accumulated in the operation information DB 11A (step S1), and the analysis and learning unit 12 mainly based on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal 20, comprehensively considering model-specific information, and battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, derives deterioration suppression logic including suppression determination criteria for determining whether to suppress battery deterioration and suppression measure information to be executed according to the determination result of the suppression determination, and accumulates it in the deterioration suppression logic DB 12B (step S5), which is the same as in the third embodiment.

[0063] Thereafter, for example, triggered by receiving a request for deterioration suppression logic (step T11A) from the deterioration suppression logic reception unit 24A of the mobile terminal 20, the deterioration suppression logic transmission unit 16 transmits the deterioration suppression logic derived in step S5 to the deterioration suppression logic reception unit 24A (step S6A). Note that the request from the mobile terminal 20 in step T11A above is not an essential item, and for example, the transmission of the deterioration suppression logic (step S6A) may be executed triggered by the arrival of a predetermined date and time or the like.

[0064] In the mobile terminal 20, when the deterioration suppression logic receiving unit 24A receives the above-described deterioration suppression logic (step T12A) and stores it in the deterioration suppression logic DB 24B, the suppression determination unit 25A determines whether or not to suppress the deterioration of the battery of its own device (mobile terminal 20), determines the suppression measures to be executed according to the determination result (step T12B), and the suppression control unit 25B controls to execute the processing according to the determination result as follows. For example, when the determination result is "should suppress deterioration" (YES in step T13), the suppression control unit 25 executes a deterioration suppression measure based on the suppression measure information to be executed according to the determination result (step T14). When it is determined that deterioration should be suppressed because the cumulative usage time at a high temperature (equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature) has exceeded a predetermined time, as a suppression measure, for example, a measure to lower the battery voltage to a predetermined voltage value is executed. On the other hand, when the determination result is not "should suppress deterioration" (NO in step T13), the suppression control unit 25 outputs a determination result indicating that "deterioration suppression is not required" (step T15).

[0065] By the processing described above, even when the mobile terminal 20 makes a determination on the necessity of deterioration suppression instead of the server 10, similar to the third embodiment, mainly based on the battery usage history information regarding the mobile terminal, while comprehensively considering the model-specific information, as well as the battery usage history information and defect-related information of the same model, the above-described deterioration suppression logic is derived. Based on the derived deterioration suppression logic, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not to suppress the deterioration of the battery, and execute appropriate suppression measures according to the determination result. In other words, it is possible to feedback various information as described above to the determination of the necessity of deterioration suppression and the suppression measures of the battery mounted on the current model.

[0066] (Explanation of terms, explanation of hardware configuration (Fig. 11), etc.) Note that the block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments and modifications show blocks of functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Also, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one physically or logically combined device, or two or more physically or logically separated devices may be directly or indirectly (e.g., using wired, wireless, etc.) connected and realized using these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the above one device or the above multiple devices.

[0067] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, solution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regarded as, notification (broadcasting), notification (notifying), communication (communicating), forwarding (forwarding), configuration (configuring), reconfiguration (reconfiguring), allocation (allocating, mapping), assignment (assigning), etc. For example, a functional block (component) that functions to transmit is called a transmitting unit or a transmitter. In any case, as described above, the realization method is not particularly limited.

[0068] For example, the server in an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the processing in this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Physically, the above-described server 10 may be configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like. Note that the mobile terminal 20 and the operation terminal 30 may also have the same configuration as the hardware configuration of the server 10.

[0069] In the following description, the term "device" can be read as a circuit, device, unit, etc. The hardware configuration of server 10 may be configured to include one or more of each device shown in the figure, or may be configured without including some devices.

[0070] Each function in server 10 is realized by loading a predetermined software (program) onto hardware such as processor 1001 and memory 1002, so that processor 1001 performs operations, controls communication by communication device 1004, or controls at least one of reading and writing data in memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0071] Processor 1001, for example, operates an operating system to control the entire computer. Processor 1001 may be constituted by a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic device, registers, and the like.

[0072] In addition, processor 1001 reads a program (program code), software module, data, etc. from at least one of storage 1003 and communication device 1004 into memory 1002, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiments is used. Although it has been described that the above various processes are executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. Processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. Note that the program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line.

[0073] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 1002 may also be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, etc. executable for implementing the wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-described recording medium may be, for example, a database including at least one of the memory 1002 and the storage 1003, or other appropriate media.

[0075] The communication device 1004 is hardware (a transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc.

[0076] The input device 1005 is an input device (such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.) that receives external input. The output device 1006 is an output device (such as a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.) that performs output to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may have an integrated configuration (such as a touch panel). Also, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus or may be configured using different buses for each device.

[0077] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched during execution. Also, the notification of predetermined information (for example, the notification of "being X") is not limited to being explicitly performed and may be performed implicitly (for example, by not performing the notification of the predetermined information).

[0078] As described above in detail, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented as modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and has no restrictive meaning for the present disclosure.

[0079] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be reordered as long as there is no contradiction. For example, for the methods described in the present disclosure, the elements of various steps are presented using an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0080] The input / output information, etc. may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input / output information, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or appended. The output information, etc. may be deleted. The input information, etc. may be transmitted to other devices.

[0081] In the present disclosure, the description "based on" does not mean "only based on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the description "based on" means both "only based on" and "at least based on".

[0082] In the present disclosure, when terms such as "include", "including" and their variants are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising". Furthermore, the term "or" used in the present disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive disjunction.

[0083] In the present disclosure, for example, when articles are added by translation like a, an, and the in English, the present disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0084] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other". Note that the term may also mean "A and B are each different from C". Terms such as "separate", "coupled", etc. may be interpreted in the same way as "different".

Description of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1... Battery degradation countermeasure system, 10... Server (battery degradation countermeasure device), 11... Information management department, 12... Analysis and learning department, 13... Degradation determination department, 14... Degradation determination criterion transmission department, 15... Suppression determination department, 16... Degradation suppression logic transmission department, 20... Mobile terminal, 21... Usage history transmission department, 22... Degradation determination result reception department, 22A... Degradation determination criterion reception department, 23... Degradation control department, 23A... Degradation determination department, 23B... Degradation control department, 24... Suppression determination result reception department, 24A... Degradation suppression logic reception department, 25... Suppression control department, 25A... Suppression determination department, 25B... Suppression control department, 30... Operation terminal, 1001... Processor, 1002... Memory, 1003... Storage, 1004... Communication device, 1005... Input device, 1006... Output device, 1007... Bus.

Claims

1. A battery degradation response system comprising a battery degradation response device, a mobile terminal operated by supply power from a built-in battery, and an operation terminal provided at a service operation base of the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal includes a usage history transmission unit that transmits battery usage history information of the battery to the battery degradation response device, and the battery degradation response device includes: an information management unit that receives the battery usage history information from the usage history transmission unit and accumulates the received battery usage history information together with the model-specific information of the battery, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information of the same model from the operation terminal; an analysis and learning unit that derives a response rule for coping with the degradation state of the battery by correlation analysis or machine learning based on the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal accumulated by the information management unit, and taking into account the model-specific information, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information; a response unit that corresponds to the degradation state of the battery based on the response rule derived by the analysis and learning unit and transmits a response result to the mobile terminal; and is provided with, wherein the mobile terminal further includes: a result reception unit that receives the response result from the battery degradation response device; a degradation control unit that controls to execute processing according to the response result received by the result reception unit; and is provided with, a battery degradation response system.

2. The response unit of the battery degradation response device determines whether the battery of the mobile terminal is degraded in light of the response rule. The battery degradation response system according to Claim 1.

3. The response unit of the battery degradation response device determines whether the degradation of the battery of the mobile terminal should be suppressed in light of the response rule, and executes a suppression measure according to the determination result. The battery degradation response system according to Claim 1.

4. A battery degradation response system comprising a battery degradation response device, a mobile terminal operated by supply power from a built-in battery, and an operation terminal provided at a service operation base of the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal includes a usage history transmission unit that transmits battery usage history information of the battery to the battery degradation response device, and the battery degradation response device includes: ​ ​ An information management unit that receives battery usage history information from the usage history transmission unit and accumulates the received battery usage history information together with the model-specific information of the battery, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information of the same model from the operation terminal. An analysis and learning unit that derives a response rule for coping with the deterioration state of the battery by correlation analysis or machine learning based on the model-specific information, the battery usage history information of the same model, and the defect-related information, while using the battery usage history information of the battery of the mobile terminal accumulated by the information management unit as a basis. A transmission unit that transmits the response rule derived by the analysis and learning unit to the mobile terminal. Comprising The mobile terminal further comprises A receiving unit that receives the response rule from the battery deterioration coping device. A deterioration coping unit that copes with the deterioration state of the battery based on the response rule received by the receiving unit. A suppression control unit that controls to execute processing according to the coping result by the deterioration coping unit. Comprising A battery deterioration coping system.

5. The deterioration coping unit of the mobile terminal determines whether the battery of the mobile terminal is deteriorated in light of the response rule. The battery deterioration coping system according to claim 4.

6. The deterioration coping unit of the mobile terminal determines whether the deterioration of the battery of the mobile terminal should be suppressed in light of the response rule, and executes a suppression measure according to the determination result. The battery deterioration coping system according to claim 4.

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