Energy storage device management system

Abstract

To provide a system that can quickly search for a power storage device when the power storage device is taken out of a management area.SOLUTION: A management system for a power storage device, which is an example of an embodiment, includes the power storage device, at least one management device that has a transmission unit that transmits search request information for a lost power storage device when operated by a user and is located in a predetermined management area for the power storage device, and a management server that communicates with the at least one management device. Upon receipt of the search request information from the at least one management device, the management server acquires storage information for the power storage device from the at least one management device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system for a power storage device, and more particularly to a management system for a portable power storage device that can be carried around.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a portable power storage device that can be carried around has been used as a power source for electric vehicles such as electric assist bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric carts, and for electrical equipment such as computers, printers, smartphones, and tablet terminals. In addition, the portable power storage device is also used as an emergency power source when a power outage, disaster, or the like occurs.

[0003] In recent years, a power storage device provided with a wireless communication module for transmitting information regarding the state of the power storage device to an information terminal such as a smartphone has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the power storage device provided with the wireless communication module, information regarding the state of the power storage device such as the charging rate and temperature is transmitted to the user's smartphone or the like, so that the user can easily check the state of the power storage device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, a portable power storage device that can be carried around is assumed to be taken out of a predetermined management area and lost, and there is also a risk of being stolen. For this reason, when the portable power storage device is taken out of the management area, a system that can quickly search for the power storage device is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The energy storage device management system according to this disclosure comprises an energy storage device, at least one management device located in a predetermined energy storage device management area and having a transmission unit that transmits a search request information for a lost energy storage device when operated by a user, and a management server that communicates with at least one management device, wherein the management server is configured to obtain storage information for the energy storage device from at least one management device when it receives a search request information from at least one management device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the energy storage device management system described in this disclosure, if an energy storage device is taken outside the management area, it is possible to quickly locate the device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows the management system of the energy storage device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows the first notification screen displayed on the information terminal. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the management system of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram schematically shows the management system of the energy storage device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows the second notification screen displayed on the information terminal. [Figure 7] This figure shows the third notification screen displayed on the information terminal. [Figure 8] This figure shows a modified example of the management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows a modified example of the management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the management system of the second embodiment. [Figure 11]This flowchart shows a modified example of the processing procedure in the management device of the management system of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows a modified example of the processing procedure in the management server of the management system of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the energy storage device management system according to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, selectively combining the various components of the multiple embodiments and modifications described below is within the scope of this disclosure.

[0010] The system subject to this disclosure comprises a computer. The functions of the system subject to this disclosure are realized by the computer executing a program. The computer comprises a processor as its main hardware component, which operates according to the program. The processor is of any type as long as it can realize the above functions by executing the program. The processor consists of one or more electronic circuits, including an integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on a single chip or provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be aggregated in a single device or provided on multiple devices. The program is stored in a non-temporary storage medium such as a ROM, optical disc, or hard disk drive that the computer can read. The program may be pre-stored on the storage medium or supplied to the storage medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0011] The first embodiment of the energy storage device management system 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the management system 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management system 1. In Figure 1, dot hatching is applied to the energy storage device 10 that has been taken outside the designated management area.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the management system 1 includes a portable power storage device 10 including a communication module 12, at least one management device disposed in a predetermined management area A of the power storage device 10 and capable of wireless communication with the power storage device 10, and a management server 30. The management server 30 communicates with at least one management device. Although details will be described later, at least one management device is capable of detecting the removal of the power storage device 10 outside the management area A. At least one of the at least one management device and the management server 30 is configured to output removal detection information when the removal of the power storage device 10 is detected.

[0013] In the present embodiment, as the management device, an information terminal 20 and a beacon 40 are provided. The beacon 40 is a monitoring device that detects the removal of the power storage device 10 outside the management area A and outputs removal detection information. The information terminal 20 is a terminal device having a monitor 23 capable of displaying removal detection information, and examples thereof include a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a notebook computer owned by a user. The management system 1 is configured such that a user, particularly a facility manager, can check the state of the power storage device 10 using the information terminal 20. The information terminal 20 may have a function as a monitoring device that detects the removal of the power storage device 10.

[0014] The management system 1 is a system that enables a quick search for the power storage device 10 when the power storage device 10 is removed outside a predetermined management area A. The power storage device 10 managed by the management system 1 is assumed to be used within the management area A. In the management area A, for example, information prohibiting the removal of the power storage device 10 is posted, and a beacon 40 is installed at the entrance and exit. Thereby, the removal of the power storage device 10 is suppressed. However, if the power storage device 10 is removed by chance, it is necessary to quickly inform the administrator of the occurrence of the removal.

[0015] When the management system 1 detects that the power storage device 10 has been taken out of the management area A by the beacon 40 or the information terminal 20, it causes the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20 to display the take-out detection information. As a result, the administrator can know that the power storage device 10 has been taken out, and it becomes possible to search for the taken-out power storage device 10. Examples of the management area A include offices, factories, public facilities (such as government offices, community centers, schools, hospitals, etc.), commercial facilities (such as stores, shopping malls, etc.). An example of the management area A is one floor or an area within one facility. A plurality of management areas may be set within one facility.

[0016] The management server 30 constituting the management system 1 is a device that stores information regarding the power storage device 10 and comprehensively manages the power storage device 10. An example of the management server 30 is a server of the manufacturer, management operator, etc. of the power storage device 10. The information terminal 20 and the management server 30 are configured to be able to communicate via a wide-area communication network such as the Internet line, mobile communication system, etc. The beacon 40 is preferably able to communicate with the information terminal 20, and may be configured to be able to communicate with the management server 30 via a wide-area communication network. Note that the management server 30 may be a server managed by the user.

[0017] Generally, a plurality of power storage devices 10 are included in the management area A. The management device and the management server 30 store the identification numbers of the power storage devices 10 and manage information for each power storage device 10. Therefore, when a power storage device 10 is taken out from the management area A, the administrator can grasp which power storage device 10 has been taken out. Registration of the power storage device 10 to the management server 30 is performed, for example, using the information terminal 20. When the user possesses a large number of power storage devices 10, the information terminals 20 used for management may be divided for each group of a predetermined number of power storage devices 10.

[0018] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate multiple energy storage devices 10, one information terminal 20 that manages each energy storage device 10, and a management server 30 that can communicate with the information terminal 20. Each energy storage device 10 provides information to the information terminal 20 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, or NFC. The following describes in detail the system components shown in Figures 1 and 2, but the management server 30 may also manage information on many energy storage devices 10 owned by other users. In this embodiment, it is assumed that information terminals 20 of other users are connected to the management server 30 and that information on other energy storage devices 10 is registered therein.

[0019] The following provides a detailed explanation of the energy storage device 10, the management device (information terminal 20, beacon 40), and the management server 30 that constitute the management system 1.

[0020] [Energy storage device 10] The energy storage device 10 comprises a battery module 11 and a case 14 that houses the battery module 11. The energy storage device 10 is a portable energy storage device that can be carried around and is also commonly called a battery pack. The energy storage device 10 also comprises a communication module 12 and a control unit 13. The communication module 12 and the control unit 13 are housed together with the battery module 11 in the case 14. The battery module 11 is charged, for example, using a predetermined charger / discharger. The charger / discharger has an outlet to which electrical equipment is connected, and the energy storage device 10 can be discharged when it is installed in the charger / discharger.

[0021] The battery module 11 may consist of a single battery, but is preferably configured as a battery pack containing multiple batteries. The shape of the batteries constituting the battery pack is not particularly limited and may be, for example, cylindrical batteries, pouch-type batteries, or prismatic batteries. The type of battery is also not particularly limited, but a preferred example is a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. The energy storage device 10 may be provided with a connector for drawing power from the battery module 11.

[0022] The energy storage device 10 is equipped with measuring instruments such as a voltmeter for measuring the voltage of the battery module 11, an ammeter for measuring the current, and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature. Based on these measured values, the control unit 13 calculates values ​​indicating the state of the battery module 11, such as the charge level of the battery module 11. The charge level can be calculated based on the voltage of the battery module 11 measured by the voltmeter. The control unit 13 may also calculate the degree of degradation of the battery module 11 based on these measured values.

[0023] The case 14 may be made of metal, but it is preferable to use a resin case from the viewpoint of communication performance and weight reduction. The case 14 is generally opaque, concealing the battery module 11 and other components housed inside. The case 14 shown in Figure 1 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a handle 15 is provided at the upper end of the case 14 for carrying the energy storage device 10. In addition, a connection part 16 is provided at the lower part of the case 14, which is inserted into a battery installation part such as a charger or discharger. The connection part 16 has a terminal 16A that is electrically connected to the battery module 11.

[0024] Case 14 is provided with a remaining charge indicator button 17 and an indicator 18. The remaining charge indicator button 17 is an operating unit for displaying the charge level of the battery module 11 on the indicator 18. The indicator 18 may include, for example, multiple lamps and display the charge level by changing the number of lamps lit according to the charge level. The indicator 18 may be a display unit capable of displaying the charge level numerically, or it may be capable of displaying the status of the energy storage device 10 other than the charge level.

[0025] The remaining charge indicator button 17 may also be used as an operation button for shutting down the power storage device 10 and starting long-term storage mode. For example, by performing a normal first operation by short-pressing the remaining charge indicator button 17, the charge rate is displayed on the indicator 18, and by performing a second operation by long-pressing the remaining charge indicator button 17, the power storage device 10 is shut down. In long-term storage mode, all device components that receive power from the battery module 11 are shut down.

[0026] The communication module 12 is a device for wireless communication with the management device. The communication module 12 transmits information from the energy storage device 10 to the management device. In this embodiment, any communication module 12 with wireless communication capabilities between the energy storage device 10 and the nearby information terminal 20 is acceptable. The configuration of the communication module 12 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of reducing power consumption, it is preferable to have a short-range wireless communication module.

[0027] A specific example is a module that performs BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication. BLE is compatible with version 4 of Bluetooth®, a short-range wireless communication standard. Because the power consumption for BLE communication is relatively low, using a BLE module can suppress the internal power consumption of the energy storage device 10. Bluetooth® is compatible with the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, an international standard for short-range wireless communication.

[0028] The control unit 13 has functions to control the operation of the energy storage device 10, such as charging and discharging the battery module 11, calculating information indicating the status of the energy storage device 10, and transmitting information via the communication module 12. Information about the energy storage device 10 is transmitted to the information terminal 20 by the functions of the communication module 12 under the control of the control unit 13. For example, the control unit 13 outputs information prompting charging when the charge rate falls below a predetermined threshold, and outputs information indicating an abnormality when an abnormality occurs. The control unit 13 may also output information indicating the status of the energy storage device 10 based on a request from the information terminal 20.

[0029] The control unit 13 is composed of a microcontroller including a processor and memory. The memory includes non-volatile memory such as RAM, ROM, or hard disk. The processor realizes the function of the energy storage device 10 by reading and executing programs installed in the memory. The control unit 13 may also have a protection board called a BMS board, which monitors the status of the battery module 11 and performs optimal charging and discharging.

[0030] [Management device] As described above, the management device of management system 1 includes an information terminal 20 having a monitor 23 capable of displaying removal detection information. The management device further includes a beacon 40 as a monitoring device that detects when the energy storage device 10 is removed outside of management area A and outputs removal detection information. The beacon 40 outputs removal detection information to at least one of the information terminal 20 and the management server 30. The removal detection information may be transmitted from the beacon 40 to the information terminal 20 via the management server 30, or it may be transmitted directly from the beacon 40 to the information terminal 20. The information terminal 20 may also have a function to detect when the energy storage device 10 is removed.

[0031] The information terminal 20 is used to acquire information from the energy storage device 10 and to check the status of the energy storage device 10. The information terminal 20 may be a dedicated terminal for the management system 1, but one example is a smartphone owned by the user. For example, by installing the application software for the management system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "the app"), the user's smartphone can be used as the information terminal 20 for the management system 1. Only any information terminal with the app installed may function as the information terminal 20 that acquires the removal detection information.

[0032] The Management System 1 application offers, for example, two user registration methods. One is registration as a general user simply to use the energy storage device 10. The other is registration as an administrator to manage the energy storage device 10 (hereinafter referred to as administrator registration). When registering as an administrator, it is necessary to provide contact information to receive information on unauthorized removal. Examples of contact information include an email address, an SNS ID, and an application ID. The application ID may be automatically sent to the management server 30. Alternatively, the Management System 1 application may have separate applications for general users and administrators.

[0033] The information terminal 20, like the control unit 13 of the energy storage device 10, is equipped with a processor 21 and memory 22. The processor 21 reads and executes programs (applications of the management system 1) installed in memory 22 to realize the functions of the information terminal 20. The processor 21 also acquires information from the energy storage device 10 and stores it in memory 22, and transmits necessary information to the management server 30. In this embodiment, short-range wireless communication such as BLE is used for communication between the information terminal 20 and the energy storage device 10, and a wide-area communication network such as an internet line or mobile communication system is used for communication with the management server 30.

[0034] For example, the information terminal 20 detects the presence of the energy storage device 10 by receiving radio waves emitted from the energy storage device 10 in management area A. Therefore, when the information terminal 20 can no longer receive radio waves from the energy storage device 10 in management area A, it may be assumed that the energy storage device 10 has been taken outside management area A, and the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20 may display information indicating that the device has been taken outside management area A. In this case, the information terminal 20 detects that the energy storage device 10 has been taken outside management area A and outputs the information indicating that the device has been taken outside management area A to its monitor 23.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of theft detection information displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20. Theft detection information may be displayed as an application screen on the management system 1, or it may be notified via email, SNS, etc. Theft detection information is output to inform the administrator that there is a possibility that the energy storage device 10 has been taken outside of the management area A. The outage detection information includes information that identifies the energy storage device 10 that may have been taken (for example, the identification number assigned to the energy storage device 10), the location where the energy storage device 10 was last detected, and the date and time of the last detection. The administrator can find out about the outage of the energy storage device 10 using this outage detection information and, for example, search for the energy storage device 10 within or around the management area A.

[0036] The beacon 40 is installed, for example, at the entrance / exit of management area A and emits a predetermined radio wave. When the energy storage device 10 that receives this radio wave passes through the entrance / exit of management area A, the beacon 40 detects the presence of the energy storage device 10 and outputs removal detection information. The removal detection information may be transmitted directly from the beacon 40 to the information terminal 20, or it may be transmitted to the information terminal 20 via the management server 30. The beacon 40 may also be a device that detects radio waves emitted from the energy storage device 10.

[0037] The beacon 40 may output a predetermined detection signal as removal detection information. The information terminal 20 or management server 30 that receives the detection signal from the beacon 40 may then create a notification screen as illustrated in Figure 3 as removal detection information. The beacon 40 may also be configured to output a warning sound when it detects the energy storage device 10.

[0038] [Management Server 30] As described above, the management server 30 stores information about the energy storage devices 10. The management server 30 also stores information about the management devices for each management area, including management area A. The management server 30 stores information about multiple energy storage devices 10 and multiple management devices, with each energy storage device 10 associated with its management device. Initial registration of the energy storage devices 10 and the information terminal 20 to the management server 30, as well as changes to the registration details, can be performed by operating the information terminal 20. At least a portion of the information about the registered energy storage devices 10 is automatically transmitted to the management server 30 via the information terminal 20.

[0039] The management server 30, like the control units of the energy storage device 10 and the information terminal 20, includes a processor 31 and memory 32. The management server 30 may consist of one computer or multiple computers. The processor 31 functions as the management server 30 by reading and executing programs installed in memory 32. The processor 31 also acquires information about the energy storage device 10 and the management device and stores it in memory 32.

[0040] The memory 32 of the management server 30 stores product information of the energy storage device 10 (product number, manufacturing date, etc.), storage information of the energy storage device 10 (described later), information about the information terminal 20 (email address, telephone number, SNS ID, application ID of the management system 1 installed on the information terminal 20, etc.), information about the beacon 40 (MAC address, IP address, etc.), and information about the user of the energy storage device 10. Information about the management device is used when sending information from the management server 30. The management server 30 may store the same information as the information stored in the information terminal 20 as information about the energy storage device 10, or it may store different information.

[0041] Below, we will explain an example of the processing procedure in management system 1, referring to the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates a case where the removal of the energy storage device 10 is detected by the beacon 40. When the beacon 40 detects the energy storage device 10 at the entrance / exit of management area A (S1), the beacon 40 transmits a detection signal to the management server 30, indicating that the energy storage device 10 has been removed (S2). Upon receiving the detection signal, the management server 30 generates removal detection information as illustrated in Figure 3 and transmits this information to the information terminal 20 in management area A (S3). The method of transmitting the removal detection information from the management server 30 to the information terminal 20 is not particularly limited, but in any case, the removal detection information is displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20.

[0043] The removal detection information includes information that identifies the potentially removed energy storage device 10, as well as the location and time when the energy storage device 10 was last detected. Based on this information, the administrator can search for the energy storage device 10 (S4). If the energy storage device 10 cannot be found, a loss report, as described later, can be sent to the management server 30. Alternatively, if certain conditions are met, a loss report may be sent automatically. In the example shown in Figure 4, a detection signal is sent from the beacon 40 to the management server 30, but the detection signal may also be sent directly from the beacon 40 to the information terminal 20. Furthermore, removal detection information, as illustrated in Figure 3, may be created by the beacon 40.

[0044] The second embodiment, management system 2, will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 12. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of management system 2. In the following, redundant explanations of content common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences from the first embodiment will be explained in detail.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the management system 2 is similar to the management system 1 in that it comprises a power storage device 10, a management device (information terminal 20 and beacon 40) located in the management area A, and a management server 30. As described above, the information terminal 20 and beacon 40 can detect when the power storage device 10 is taken out of the management area A. When the removal of the power storage device 10 is detected, the removal detection information is displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20. In the second embodiment, for the sake of explanation, a power storage device 10 belonging to the management area A that has been taken out of the management area A will be referred to as "power storage device 10T".

[0046] On the other hand, management system 2 differs from management system 1 in that the management device in management area A and the second management device located in a second management area other than management area A transmit storage information of the energy storage devices 10 present in each area to the management server 30. As will be described in more detail later, an example of storage information is a list of energy storage devices 10 present in each management area. The storage information is transmitted to the management server 30 at predetermined intervals, for example. Based on this storage information, the management server 30 transmits information regarding the location of the energy storage devices 10T related to the removal detection information to the management device in management area A.

[0047] The management device in management area A may generate a search request information for the energy storage device 10T based on the detection information for the removal of the energy storage device 10T and send it to the management server 30. In this case, the management server 30 searches for the energy storage device 10T based on the list information of the energy storage devices 10 received from the management devices in each management area and the search request information, and sends the result (information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T) to the management device in management area A. The management server 30 may generate a search request information for the energy storage device 10T and send this information to the management device in the second management area.

[0048] Figure 5 illustrates management areas B and C as the second management area, but the number of management areas managed by management system 2 is not particularly limited. Also, although Figure 5 illustrates identical energy storage devices 10, different types of energy storage devices may exist in each area, and two or more types of energy storage devices may exist within the same area. An example of management areas A, B, and C is different buildings, floors, or areas within the same facility. In this case, it is assumed that energy storage devices 10 belonging to management area A will be brought into management areas B and C. However, management areas A, B, and C may each be separate facilities or areas of different users. Note that management area A corresponds to the second management area from the perspective of management areas B and C.

[0049] In management system 2, as described above, the management devices in each management area A, B, and C transmit storage information of the energy storage devices 10 in their respective areas to the management server 30 at predetermined intervals. The predetermined interval can be set to any time, such as every 5 minutes, every hour, or once a day (every 24 hours). The storage information includes identification information for all energy storage devices 10 detected by the management devices in each management area. In other words, information regarding the location of all energy storage devices 10 that are under the management of management system 2 and detected by the management devices is aggregated in the management server 30.

[0050] The storage information for the energy storage device 10 may be transmitted from the beacon 40 to the management server 30, but in the example shown in Figure 5, it is transmitted from the information terminal 20. When the energy storage device 10T in management area A is brought into management area B, for example, the energy storage device 10T is detected by the beacon 40 in management area B, and a detection signal is output to the information terminal 20 in management area B. In this case, the storage information transmitted from management area B includes information about the energy storage device 10T. In other words, the management server 30 can obtain location information indicating that the energy storage device 10T is in management area B.

[0051] The management server 30 transmits information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T to the management device in management area A, based on the storage information received from management area B. Since the information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T includes information on where the energy storage device 10T was found, the administrator in management area A can retrieve the energy storage device 10T. The information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T is transmitted to the information terminal 20 in management area A.

[0052] Furthermore, if the storage information transmitted from any of the management areas does not include information about the energy storage device 10T, the management server 30 may transmit to the information terminal 20 in management area A that the location of the energy storage device 10T is currently unknown, as information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T. Hereinafter, the information transmitted to the information terminal 20 in management area A when the energy storage device 10T is found will be referred to as "discovery information".

[0053] Figure 6 shows an example of discovery information displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20. Similar to the theft detection information, the discovery information may be displayed as a screen on the management system 1 application, or it may be notified via email, SNS, etc. The discovery information includes information that identifies the lost energy storage device 10T, the location where the energy storage device 10T was found, the date and time of discovery, and contact information for the place where it was found. When discovery information such as the example in Figure 6 is sent to the administrator of management area A, the administrator of management area A can go to the place where it was found or contact the administrator at the place where it was found to recover the energy storage device 10T.

[0054] For example, when the management server 30 receives a search request for the energy storage device 10T from the management device in management area A, it transmits information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T to the management device in management area A. The management server 30 compares each storage list with the search request information for the energy storage device 10T and checks whether the storage list contains information about the energy storage device 10T. If the storage list contains information about the energy storage device 10T, the location information (discovery information) of the energy storage device 10T, including information about where it was found, is transmitted to the information terminal 20 in management area A. The management server 30 may also acquire storage information from each management area on the condition that it receives a search request.

[0055] The search request information for the energy storage device 10T may be sent from the beacon 40 in management area A to the management server 30 when the beacon 40 detects that the energy storage device 10T has been removed, but in the example shown in Figure 5, it is sent from the information terminal 20. The transmission of the search request information may also be performed by an administrator. The search request information can be created using the functions of the management system 2 application, or it may be created automatically based on information obtained from the management device. A button to send the search request information is displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20, and the administrator can send the created search request information to the management server 30 by pressing this button.

[0056] The transmission of the search request information may be performed automatically. For example, the search request information may be automatically transmitted after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection information for the removal of the energy storage device 10T was output. Alternatively, the management server 30 may transmit the search request information to the management devices in management areas B and C. The search request information is transmitted, for example, to the information terminal 20 in management areas B and C. In this case, the search request information can be conveyed to the administrators of management areas B and C, and the cooperation of other administrators can be obtained regarding the search for the energy storage device 10T.

[0057] Figure 7 shows an example of search request information displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20. The search request information, like the theft detection information and discovery information, may be displayed as a screen on the management system 1 application, or it may be notified via email, SNS, etc. The search request information includes information identifying the lost energy storage device 10T, the date and time the energy storage device 10T was last seen, and the contact information of the administrator of management area A. The screen in Figure 7 is, for example, an input screen entered by the administrator of management area A, or a screen displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20 in management areas B and C.

[0058] Figures 8 and 9 show modified versions of management system 2, namely management system 2X and 2Y, respectively. As shown in Figure 8, management system 2X differs from management system 2 in that, in addition to beacons 40, it includes a gateway 41 as a monitoring device that detects when the energy storage device 10 is taken outside the management area and outputs detection information. The gateway 41 detects the presence of the energy storage device 10 within each management area and is configured to detect the energy storage device 10 over a wider area than the beacon 40. Management system 2X with gateway 41 is suitable when there are many entrances and exits to the management area.

[0059] For example, the gateway 41 receives radio waves emitted from the energy storage device 10 in management area A, and when it can no longer receive these radio waves, it outputs removal detection information, indicating that the energy storage device 10 has been taken outside management area A. The removal detection information may be sent directly from the gateway 41 to the information terminal 20, or it may be sent to the information terminal 20 via the management server 30. The gateway 41 outputs a predetermined detection signal as removal detection information, and the information terminal 20 or management server 30 that receives the detection signal may create a notification screen as illustrated in Figure 3 as removal detection information.

[0060] As shown in Figure 9, the management system 2Y is similar to the management system 2X in that it is equipped with a beacon 40 and a gateway 41 as monitoring devices. On the other hand, the management system 2Y differs from the management system 2X in that it has separate management servers 30A for management area A and 30B for management area B. Management servers 30A and 30B may be different servers managed by the same operator, or servers managed by different users, or servers belonging to different management operators. The management system 2Y is constructed by the cooperation of multiple management servers 30A and 30B.

[0061] In the management system 2Y, information is transmitted and received between management devices in each management area via communication between management servers 30A and 30B. However, if a management device belonging to a second management area other than management area A is registered in management server 30A, management server 30A may transmit and receive information with the management device in the second management area without going through management server 30B. As illustrated in Figure 9, management server 30A can send search request information to information terminals 20 located outside each management area, and information terminals 20 outside each management area can also detect the energy storage device 10T.

[0062] The following describes an example of the processing procedure in management systems 2, 2X, and 2Y, referring to the flowchart in Figure 10. Figure 10 mainly shows the processing centered on the management server 30, but steps S5 and S6 are steps performed in management area A where the loss of the energy storage device 10 has occurred.

[0063] When the management server 30 receives search request information equivalent to a missing person report from the management device of management area A where the loss of the energy storage device 10 has occurred (YES in S1), it obtains a list of energy storage devices 10 located in each area from the management devices of each area as storage information for the energy storage devices 10 (S2). The transmission of the search request information from management area A may be performed by an administrator or may be performed automatically. In the example shown in Figure 10, the management server 30 obtains a list of energy storage devices 10 from the management devices of each area, conditional on receiving the search request information.

[0064] The management server 30 checks whether the information of the energy storage device 10T to be searched is included in the list information of the energy storage devices 10 and the search request information (S3). If it is confirmed that the information of the energy storage device 10T is included in the list, the management server 30 makes a predetermined contact with the management device in management area A (S4). In step S4, for example, discovery information is sent to the information terminal 20 in management area A as information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T. On the other hand, if the information of the energy storage device 10T is not included in the list, the management server 30 thereafter obtains list information from the management device in each management area at predetermined intervals.

[0065] Upon receiving discovery information from the management server 30, the administrator of management area A can recover the energy storage device 10T based on this information (YES in S5). On the other hand, if the energy storage device 10T cannot be found even after searching based on the discovery information (NO in S5), the administrator of management area A can send search request information to the management server 30 again, and the management system can continue searching for the energy storage device 10T (S6). It is preferable that the resending of the search request information is performed by the administrator.

[0066] In the example shown in Figure 10, step S2 is executed conditionally upon receipt of search request information, but step S2 may be executed periodically regardless of whether or not search request information is received. In this case, step S3, which involves comparing the list information, may be executed conditionally upon receipt of search request information, i.e., confirming whether or not the information of the energy storage device 10T is included in the list.

[0067] In management system 2, as described above, search request information for the energy storage device 10T may be transmitted to the management devices in management areas B and C. In this case, when the management devices in management areas B and C detect the energy storage device 10T, the detection information is transmitted to the management server 30. When the management server 30 receives the detection information for the energy storage device 10T from management areas B and C, it generates discovery information as information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T and transmits it to the information terminal 20 in management area A. When a beacon 40 or gateway 41 in management areas B and C detects the energy storage device 10T, the detection information for the energy storage device 10T may be transmitted directly from the beacon 40 or gateway 41 to the management server 30, or it may be transmitted via the information terminal 20.

[0068] Furthermore, when the removal of the energy storage device 10T outside of management area A is detected, the management device in management area A may send information about the loss of the energy storage device 10T to the management server 30. In this case, the management server 30 that receives the loss information generates search request information. The loss information is a so-called lost property report and includes information such as information identifying the energy storage device 10T, the date and time the energy storage device 10T was last seen, and the contact information of the administrator of the energy storage device 10T. The loss information is sent, for example, from the information terminal 20 in management area A, but may also be sent directly to the management server 30 from the beacon 40 or gateway 41 that detected the removal of the energy storage device 10T.

[0069] The following describes variations of the processing procedures in management systems 2, 2X, and 2Y, referring to the flowcharts in Figures 11 and 12. Steps S12, S13, and S16 in Figure 11 are steps performed by the administrator of management area A.

[0070] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at the information terminal 20. When the removal of the energy storage device 10T outside of management area A is detected by the beacon 40 or gateway 41, and the detection signal is received by the information terminal 20 (S10), the removal detection information is displayed on the monitor 23 (S11). The administrator of management area A then starts searching for the energy storage device 10T according to the removal detection information (S12). If the energy storage device 10T is not found after searching (NO in S13), the loss information is sent to the management server 30 (S14).

[0071] The transmission of lost information is performed, for example, by an administrator. Lost information can be created using the functions of the management system 2,2X,2Y application, or it may be automatically created based on information obtained from the management device. A button to send lost information is displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20, and the administrator can send the created lost information to the management server 30 by pressing this button. In addition, the information detected when an item is taken out may include a notification of lost information, a button to send lost information, etc.

[0072] The transmission of loss information may be performed automatically. For example, loss information may be automatically transmitted after a predetermined time has elapsed since the removal detection information was output in step S11. In this case, the loss information may be transmitted directly from the beacon 40 or gateway 41 that detected the removal of the energy storage device 10T to the management server 30. Alternatively, the beacon 40 or gateway 41 may transmit loss information to the management server 30 if it is unable to communicate with the information terminal 20 or if there is no response from the information terminal 20.

[0073] In step S14, when the loss information is transmitted, the administrator of management area A can obtain discovery information as information regarding the location of the energy storage device 10T if the energy storage device 10T is found in another management area, etc. (S15). The discovery information is displayed on the monitor 23 of the information terminal 20. Since the discovery information includes the contact information of the administrator at the location where the device was found, the administrator of management area A can go to the location where the device was found or contact the administrator at the location where the device was found to retrieve the energy storage device 10T (S16). It is also possible that the administrator of management area A may find the energy storage device 10T themselves after the loss information has been transmitted, so it is preferable to be able to send information to the management server 30 to withdraw the loss information.

[0074] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the management server 30. When the management server 30 receives loss information from the information terminal 20 in management area A (S20), it generates search request information based on the loss information and transmits it to the management device in the second management area (S21). Preferably, the search request information is transmitted in a manner that can be confirmed by at least the administrator of the second management area, as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0075] Search request information may be sent only to a second management area located within a predetermined threshold range from management area A. The threshold range may be set by the administrator of management area A, or it may be set automatically by the management server 30. The number of second management areas to which search request information is sent may be increased as time elapses since the loss information was output. For example, the management server 30 may send search request information to a second management area within the first threshold range when it receives loss information, and send search request information to a second management area within the second threshold range after a predetermined time has elapsed since the loss information was output.

[0076] When the energy storage device 10T is detected by the management device in the second management area, the detection information is transmitted from the second management area to the management server 30 (S22). The transmission of the detection information may be performed by the administrator of the second management area after they have confirmed the energy storage device 10T. Alternatively, the management device that detected the energy storage device 10T may automatically transmit the detection information to the management server 30 directly or via the information terminal 20. Upon receiving the detection information for the energy storage device 10T, the management server 30 generates discovery information and transmits it to the information terminal 20 in management area A (S23).

[0077] In the examples shown in Figures 11 and 12, lost item information is transmitted from the information terminal 20 in management area A to the management server 30, and search request information is generated in the management server 30. However, the search request information may also be generated at the information terminal 20 in management area A. In addition, the discovery information may be generated by the management device in the second management area that detects the energy storage device 10T.

[0078] As described above, with the management systems 1, 2, 2X, and 2Y having the above configuration, at least one management device detects when the energy storage device 10 is taken outside the management area A, and the removal detection information is output to the administrator's information terminal 20. Therefore, the administrator can easily find out when the energy storage device 10 has been taken out and can quickly start searching for the energy storage device 10.

[0079] Furthermore, if the system is configured to transmit storage information of the energy storage devices 10 located in each management area to the management server 30, then, for example, if an energy storage device 10T from management area A is brought into management area B and detected in management area B, the management server 30 can transmit discovery information indicating the location of the energy storage device 10T to the management device in management area A. This allows the administrator of management area A to easily ascertain the location of the energy storage device 10T and to quickly retrieve it. Preferably, the management server 30 performs processing based on the search request information transmitted from management area A.

[0080] Furthermore, by configuring the system so that the management server 30 sends a search request for the energy storage device 10 to management devices in other management areas, the cooperation of other administrators can be obtained in searching for the energy storage device 10. Since it is expected that the removed energy storage device 10 will be taken to other management areas, obtaining the cooperation of other administrators will enable the rapid discovery of the energy storage device 10.

[0081] The embodiments described above can be modified as appropriate without impairing the purpose of this disclosure. For example, although the embodiments described above show the same type of management device as belonging to each management area, each management area may include different types of management devices. In other words, the application of the management system according to this disclosure is not limited to management areas that use the same type of management device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1 Management system, 10 Energy storage device, 11 Battery module, 12 Communication module, 13 Control unit, 14 Case, 15 Handle, 16 Connection part, 16A terminal, 17 Battery level indicator button, 18 Indicator, 20 Information terminal, 21, 31 Processor, 22, 32 Memory, 23 Monitor, 30 Management server, 40 Beacon, 41 Gateway

Claims

1. Energy storage device, A management device having a transmission unit that transmits a search request information for the lost energy storage device when operated by a user, and having at least one management device located in a predetermined management area of ​​the energy storage device, A management server that communicates with at least one of the aforementioned management devices, Equipped with, A management system for energy storage devices, wherein the management server, upon receiving the search request information from the at least one management device, acquires the storage information of the energy storage device from the at least one management device.

2. The management system for an energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the search request information includes information that identifies the energy storage device.

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