Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

An information processing device provided in an information processing system comprising a battery station having a charging control unit that charges batteries and a charge management unit that assesses whether the batteries are usable, said information processing device comprising: a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a number of usable batteries in the battery station; and a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying, on a mobile terminal used by a user who is to use a battery, the number of usable batteries in the battery station, wherein the display data generated by the display data generation unit is for displaying, in a displayed form that is visually recognizable for the user, the number of usable batteries in the battery station on a screen of the mobile terminal having a map displayed thereon.

Description

Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method and program

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a battery management system that manages batteries rented to users. In the technology described in Patent Literature 1, the battery management system includes a management server, a battery station, a power generation device, a user terminal, and the like. Patent Literature 1 describes that a user terminal receives information for generating a user interface (UI) screen from the management server, generates a UI screen based on the information, and presents it to the user. Patent Literature 1 also describes that UI screen data is generated for displaying on the user terminal a correlation between the battery charge state at the time a search request or reservation request is sent or received and the battery charge state at the user's expected arrival time at the battery station. Figure 9 of Patent Literature 1 describes a display screen of a user terminal that shows the charge state of each of multiple batteries at a battery station. Furthermore, in recent years, research and development on renewable energy that contributes to energy efficiency has been conducted to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy.

[0003] JP 2018-160072 A

[0004] As described above, in the technology described in Patent Literature 1, information indicating the charge state of each of multiple batteries at a certain battery station is displayed on the screen of a user terminal. However, the information that a user wants to know is not information indicating the charge state of each of multiple batteries at a certain battery station, but information indicating the number of batteries available for use by the user at that battery station (i.e., information indicating the number of batteries available for loan to the user). In other words, in the technology described in Patent Literature 1, even information that is unnecessary for the user is displayed on the screen of the user terminal. Therefore, in a situation where the user cannot focus on the screen of the user terminal, for example, the user cannot easily recognize the information that the user wants to know (information indicating the number of batteries available for use by the user (e.g., batteries charged using electricity generated by renewable energy)).

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present application aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that allow a user to easily recognize the number of available batteries in a battery station, thereby contributing to improving energy efficiency.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device provided in an information processing system that includes a battery station having a charging control unit that charges batteries and a charging management unit that determines whether the batteries are in a usable state, and the information processing device includes a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the number of batteries in a usable state in the battery station, and a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the batteries, and the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed in a manner that is visually recognizable by the user.

[0007] In one embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention, the display data generated by the display data generation unit may be data for displaying the number of batteries available at the battery station in a display format other than numbers on the screen of the mobile terminal on which the map is displayed.

[0008] In one embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention, the display data generated by the display data generation unit may be data for displaying a plurality of battery stations on the screen of the mobile terminal on which the map is displayed, and displaying the number of batteries available at each of the plurality of battery stations in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user.

[0009] An information processing device of one embodiment of the present invention includes an arrival time determination unit that determines a mobile terminal arrival time, which is the time when the mobile terminal arrives at the battery station, and the display data generated by the display data generation unit may be data for identifiably displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal the number of batteries that are available at the current time at the battery station and the number of batteries that are available at the mobile terminal arrival time at the battery station.

[0010] In one aspect of the information processing device of the present invention, the mobile terminal has a function of accepting input of a destination for the mobile terminal's travel and a function of providing route guidance from the mobile terminal's current location to the destination, and when the mobile terminal accepts input of the battery station as the destination and provides route guidance from the current location to the destination, the display data generation unit may generate data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal the number of batteries available at the battery station at the time the mobile terminal arrives.

[0011] In one aspect of the information processing device of the present invention, the mobile terminal has a function of accepting input of a future time, and the future time that the mobile terminal accepts as input can be changed between the current time and the furthest future time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time, and when the mobile terminal accepts input of the future time, the display data generation unit may generate data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal the number of batteries in the battery station that are available at the future time.

[0012] In one aspect of the information processing device of the present invention, the mobile terminal has a function of accepting input of the scale of the map displayed on the screen, and the larger the scale at which the mobile terminal accepts input, the closer the furthest future time may be to the current time.

[0013] In one embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention, the display data generated by the display data generation unit may be data for displaying the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station on the screen of the mobile terminal using different colors corresponding to the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station, or may be data for displaying the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station on the screen of the mobile terminal using figures of different sizes corresponding to the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station.

[0014] In one embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention, the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station on the screen of the mobile terminal using the number of figures corresponding to the batteries in an available state in the battery station, and the mobile terminal may have a function for accepting input of the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station per each figure displayed on the screen.

[0015] An information processing device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a power generation information acquisition unit that acquires power generation information, which is information indicating whether the power supplied from a power generation facility to the battery station and used to charge the battery is power generated by renewable energy, and the display data generation unit has a function of determining, based on the power generation information acquired by the power generation information acquisition unit, whether the usable batteries at the battery station are batteries that have been charged using a predetermined percentage or more of power generated by renewable energy, or whether the batteries have been charged using the predetermined percentage or more of power generated by non-renewable energy, and the display data generated by the display data generation unit may be data for displaying the number of usable batteries at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, and for identifiably displaying whether the batteries are batteries that have been charged using the predetermined percentage or more of power generated by renewable energy, or whether the batteries have been charged using the predetermined percentage or more of power generated by non-renewable energy.

[0016] An information processing device of one embodiment of the present invention includes an arrival time determination unit that determines a mobile terminal arrival time, which is the time when the mobile terminal arrives at the battery station, and the mobile terminal has a function of accepting input of a destination for the mobile terminal's movement, a function of providing route guidance from the mobile terminal's current location to the destination, and a function of accepting input of any time between the current time and the mobile terminal arrival time, and the any time at which the mobile terminal accepts input can be changed between the current time and the mobile terminal arrival time, and the display data generation unit may generate data for displaying the number of batteries available at the battery station at the any time on the screen of the mobile terminal.

[0017] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing system comprising: a battery station having a charging control unit that charges batteries and a charging management unit that determines whether the batteries are in a usable state; and an information processing device having a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the number of batteries in a usable state at the battery station, wherein the information processing device comprises a display data generation unit that generates display data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state at the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the batteries, and the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state at the battery station on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed in a manner that is visually recognizable by the user.

[0018] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for an information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charge control unit that charges batteries and a charge management unit that determines whether the batteries are in a usable state, the information processing method comprising: a battery information acquisition step that acquires information indicating the number of batteries in a usable state in the battery station; and a display data generation step that generates display data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the batteries, wherein the display data generated in the display data generation step is data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user.

[0019] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer constituting an information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charging control unit that charges batteries and a charging management unit that determines whether the batteries are in a usable state to execute a battery information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating the number of batteries in a usable state at the battery station, and a display data generation step of generating display data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state at the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the batteries, wherein the display data generated in the display data generation step is data for displaying the number of batteries in a usable state at the battery station on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed in a manner that is visually recognizable by the user.

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that allow a user to easily recognize the number of batteries in a usable state in a battery station.

[0021] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the number of available batteries BT in each of a plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 is displayed on a screen of a mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed based on display data generated by a display data generating unit 11C of the information processing device 11. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 shown in FIG. 2, such as "10." FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the information processing device 11 of the information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the number of available batteries BT in each of a plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 is displayed on a screen of a mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed based on display data generated by a display data generating unit 11C of the information processing system 1 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen of a mobile terminal MT of an information processing system 1 according to a fourth embodiment, illustrating an example of the current time, the furthest future time, and a future time between them (a future time at which an input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input). 10 is a diagram showing a screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment for explaining an example of the current time, the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at, for example, the battery station 12-2 set as a destination, and an arbitrary time between them (an arbitrary time at which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the sixth embodiment for explaining an example of the current time, the furthest future time, and a future time between them (a future time at which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input). FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the seventh embodiment for explaining an example of the current time, the furthest future time, and a future time between them (a future time at which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing multiple display modes for displaying the number of available batteries BT, "10," in the battery station 12 of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the ninth embodiment.FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen of a mobile terminal MT in a modified example of the information processing system 1 according to the first to tenth embodiments.

[0022] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes, for example, an information processing device 11, multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to three), a power generation facility 13, a power grid 14, and a mobile terminal MT. The information processing system 1 processes information about batteries BT available for loan to users from each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (for example, processing for displaying the number of available batteries BT in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N on the mobile terminal MT used by the user). In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes three or more battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. However, in other examples, the information processing system 1 may include any natural number of battery stations other than three.

[0024] Also, in the example shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 is equipped with a power system 14 (i.e., the power system 14 is included in the information processing system 1), but in other examples, the power system 14 may not be included in the information processing system 1.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N includes a charging facility 12A. The charging facility 12A includes, for example, a charging control unit 12A1, a charging management unit 12A2, and a communication unit 12A3. The charging control unit 12A1 charges the battery BT rented to a user. The charging control unit 12A1 has functions similar to those of the charge / discharge control unit shown in, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. The battery BT is charged using, for example, power generated by a power generation facility 13 and supplied to the battery station 12, and power supplied from a power grid 14 to the battery stations 12-2, ..., 12-N. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , only the power generated by the power generation facility 13 is supplied to the battery station 12; however, in other examples, power generated by the power generation facility 13 may be supplied to the battery station 12, and power may also be supplied from the power grid 14 to the battery station 12. In still another example, power generated in the power generation facility 13 may not be supplied to the battery station 12, and power may be supplied to the battery station 12 from the power grid 14.

[0026] 1, power is supplied from the power system 14 to the battery stations 12-2, ..., 12-N, but in another example, power generated in the power generation equipment 13 may be supplied to the battery stations 12-2, ..., 12-N without power being supplied from the power system 14 to the battery stations 12-2, ..., 12-N. In yet another example, power may be supplied from the power system 14 to the battery stations 12-2, ..., 12-N, and power generated in the power generation equipment 13 may be supplied to the battery stations 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the charge management unit 12A2 manages the charge states of the multiple batteries BT stored in the battery station (specifically, the battery station that includes the charge management unit 12A2 among the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N). The charge management unit 12A2 has functions similar to those of the sense unit shown in FIG. 3 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754 and the charge management unit shown in FIG. 4 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. Specifically, the charge management unit 12A2 determines whether the battery BT is in a usable state (i.e., a state available for lending to a user). The charge management unit 12A2 determines that the battery BT is in a usable state when, for example, charging of the battery BT by the charge control unit 12A1 is complete (i.e., the SOC (State of Charge) of the battery BT charged by the charge control unit 12A1 is 100%). In another example, when the SOC of the battery BT charged by the charge control unit 12A1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 80%), the charge management unit 12A2 may determine that the battery BT is in a usable state.

[0028] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the communication unit 12A3 communicates with the information processing device 11 via the network NW. For example, the communication unit 12A3 transmits information regarding the charge states of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in a battery station (specifically, the battery station that includes the communication unit 12A3 among the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N) to the information processing device 11 via the network NW. Specifically, the communication unit 12A3 transmits information indicating the number of batteries BT that are available in the battery station (specifically, the battery station that includes the communication unit 12A3 among the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N) to the information processing device 11 via the network NW. The communication unit 12A3 also communicates with the power generation facility 13, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N are configured similarly, but in other examples, the configurations of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N may be different from one another.

[0029] 1, the information processing device 11 includes, for example, a communication unit 11A, a battery information acquisition unit 11B, a display data generation unit 11C, an arrival time estimation unit 11D, an arrival time information acquisition unit 11E, an arrival time determination unit 11F, and a power generation information acquisition unit 11G. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the information processing device 11 includes the arrival time estimation unit 11D, the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E, the arrival time determination unit 11F, and the power generation information acquisition unit 11G, but in other examples, the information processing device 11 does not need to include these units.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the communication unit 11A communicates with the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, the mobile terminal MT, etc. via the network NW. The battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information regarding the charge state of each of the batteries BT stored in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. That is, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information regarding the charge state of each of the batteries BT stored in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N by using a technology similar to that of the state monitoring unit described in paragraph 0088 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. In detail, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information regarding the charge state at the current time of each of the batteries BT stored in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the battery information acquisition unit described in paragraph 0127 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. Furthermore, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information indicating the number of batteries BT in a usable state in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N from each of the battery stations 12. In other words, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires the results of the above-described determination by the charge management unit 12A2 of each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0031] The display data generation unit 11C generates display data etc. for displaying the number of batteries BT in a usable state at each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N on a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. The arrival time estimation unit 11D estimates the time at which the mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N will arrive at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, using, for example, a technique described below.

[0032] The arrival time information acquisition unit 11E acquires, via the network NW, from the mobile terminal MT, information indicating the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, the input of which is received by the mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. The arrival time determination unit 11F determines, as the mobile terminal arrival time, the time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, which is the time estimated by the arrival time estimation unit 11D, or the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, which is indicated by the information acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E. The power generation information acquisition unit 11G acquires power generation information, which is information indicating whether the electricity supplied from the power generation equipment 13 to the battery station 12 and used to charge the battery BT is electricity generated by renewable energy, from the battery station 12 via the network NW.

[0033] In the example of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the power stored in the battery BT is used to drive an electric motorcycle used by a user. That is, in the example of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the load driven by the power stored in the battery BT is the electric motorcycle.

[0034] 1, the mobile terminal MT is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. In another example, the mobile terminal MT may be a navigation device mounted on an electric motorcycle used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N to travel to one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the mobile terminal MT includes, for example, a communication unit MT1, an input unit MT2, a position detection unit MT3, a display unit MT4, and a navigation function unit MT5. The communication unit MT1 communicates with the information processing device 11 and the like via the network NW. The communication unit MT1 receives, for example, display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. The input unit MT2 accepts input from, for example, a user of the mobile terminal MT (a user using the battery BT). The input unit MT2 accepts input, for example, of the time the mobile terminal MT will arrive at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (more specifically, the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N predicted by the user). Information indicating the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at any one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, input of which has been accepted by the input unit MT2, is transmitted by the communication unit MT1 to the information processing device 11 via the network NW, and is acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E of the information processing device 11. The input unit MT2 also accepts input of, for example, a destination of travel of the mobile terminal MT, which will be described later.

[0036] The position detection unit MT3 detects the current position of the mobile terminal MT, for example, by using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal. Information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal MT detected by the position detection unit MT3 is transmitted to the information processing device 11 via the network NW by the communication unit MT1 and acquired, for example, by an arrival time estimation unit 11D of the information processing device 11. That is, the arrival time estimation unit 11D acquires information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal MT and information indicating the movement history of the mobile terminal MT by using, for example, a technology similar to that of the status monitoring unit described in paragraph 0089 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. Furthermore, the arrival time estimation unit 11D calculates the movement speed of the mobile terminal MT by using, for example, a technology similar to that of the history information acquisition unit described in paragraph 0125 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. Furthermore, the arrival time estimation unit 11D estimates the time at which the mobile terminal MT will arrive at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N by using a technique similar to that of the estimation unit described in paragraph 0130 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. That is, the arrival time estimation unit 11D estimates the time at which the mobile terminal MT will arrive at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, based on information indicating changes over time in the position of the mobile terminal MT.

[0037] 1, the display unit MT4 displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT based on, for example, display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. The navigation function unit MT5 provides route guidance from the current position of the mobile terminal MT to the destination based on at least the destination input received by the input unit MT2, the current position of the mobile terminal MT detected by the position detection unit MT3, and map information.

[0038] When the input unit MT2 receives input of any of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N as a destination, the navigation function unit MT5 predicts (calculates) the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at the battery station (any of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N) input as the destination, and the display unit MT4 displays the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 on the screen of the mobile terminal MT. After the input unit MT2 receives input of any of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N as a destination, the user may travel to the battery station input as the destination using transportation means such as a motorcycle or car without carrying the mobile terminal MT, or by walking without using transportation means. In this case, the navigation function unit MT5 may predict the arrival time of the user (e.g., rider, driver, etc.) at the battery station input as the destination, and the display unit MT4 may display the arrival time of the user (e.g., rider, driver, etc.) predicted by the navigation function unit MT5 on the screen of the mobile terminal MT. Instead of accepting input of the arrival time predicted by the user, the input unit MT2 may accept input of the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5. When the input unit MT2 accepts input of the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5, information indicating the arrival time accepted by the input unit MT2 is transmitted to the information processing device 11 by the communication unit MT1 and acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E of the information processing device 11.

[0039] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the number of available batteries BT at each of multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 is displayed on the screen of a mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed, based on display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11.

[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "10," is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying a map in a manner that is visually recognizable to the user (specifically, a manner other than numbers). That is, the display data generated by the display data generator 11C of the information processing device 11 is data for displaying the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "10," in a manner that is visually recognizable to the user (a manner other than numbers) on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying a map. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 2 , 10 figures are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying the map, indicating that the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 is "10." Therefore, the user can more easily recognize the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "10," than, for example, a display such as that shown in FIG. 9 of Patent Document 1. Specifically, the user can easily recognize the approximate number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "approximately 10," even in situations where the user cannot focus on the screen of the mobile terminal MT.

[0041] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the display of the number of available batteries BT, "10", in the battery station 12 shown in Fig. 2. In detail, Fig. 3(A) shows an example of a display that appears on the screen of the mobile terminal MT when the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 is "10", Fig. 3(B) shows an example of a display that appears on the screen of the mobile terminal MT when the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 is "6", and Fig. 3(C) shows an example of a display that appears on the screen of the mobile terminal MT when the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 is "0".

[0042] In the example shown in Fig. 3(A), the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying ten figures FG01 to FG10 indicating that the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 is "10" on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 3(B), the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying six figures FG01 to FG06 indicating that the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 is "6" on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 3(C), because the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 is "0," no figures indicating the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which the map is displayed.

[0043] 2, on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed, the number of available batteries BT in battery station 12-2, "10," is displayed in a display manner that is visually recognizable to the user (a display manner using a figure of 10), and the number of available batteries BT in battery station 12-3, "10," is displayed in a display manner that is visually recognizable to the user (a display manner using a figure of 10). In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 is data for displaying the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed, and for displaying the number of available batteries BT in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3, "10," in a display manner that is visually recognizable to the user (a display manner using a figure of 10).

[0044] In detail, in the example shown in Figure 2, on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying the map, the number of batteries BT available at the current time in battery station 12 ("10"), the number of batteries BT available at the current time in battery station 12-2 ("10"), and the number of batteries BT available at the current time in battery station 12-3 ("10") are displayed in a manner that can be visually recognized by the user (graphical display manner).

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 2, data for displaying a map on the screen of the mobile terminal MT is generated by, for example, a display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11, but in other examples, a map may be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using map information used by the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT.

[0046] 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing executed by the information processing device 11 of the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, in step S1, the battery information acquisition unit 11B of the information processing device 11 acquires information regarding the charge state at the current time of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, which information is received by the communication unit 11A of the information processing device 11. In detail, in step S1, the battery information acquisition unit 11B of the information processing device 11 acquires information indicating the number of batteries BT available at the current time in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, which information is received by the communication unit 11A.

[0047] Next, in step S2, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying the number of batteries BT that are available for use at each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N on a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT loaned from one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0048] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program of the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below.

[0049] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information about the charge state of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, as in the example shown in Fig. 1. That is, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information about the charge state of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. In particular, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information about the charge state at the current time of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0050] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information indicating the number of batteries BT in a usable state in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N from each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires the results of the above-described determinations made by the charge management units 12A2 of each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0051] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B estimates the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in a battery station at which the mobile terminal MT is expected to arrive at the scheduled time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, for example, by using a technique similar to that of the estimation unit described in paragraphs 0129 to 0132 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. In detail, the battery information acquisition unit 11B estimates the amount of change in the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT until the scheduled time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, for example, by using a technique similar to that of the estimation unit described in paragraph 0131 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754.

[0052] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the arrival time estimation unit 11D estimates the time at which a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N will arrive at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, as in the example shown in Fig. 1. Also, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E acquires, from the mobile terminal MT, via the network NW, information indicating the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, input of which has been accepted by the mobile terminal MT used by the user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. Furthermore, in an example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, as in the example shown in Figure 1, the arrival time determination unit 11F determines either the time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N estimated by the arrival time estimation unit 11D, or the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N indicated by the information acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E, as the mobile terminal arrival time, which is the time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0053] Furthermore, in an example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C generates display data etc. for displaying the number of batteries BT in a usable state at each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N on a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. In detail, in an example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C generates display data for displaying the number of batteries BT in a usable state at the current time at each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, on a screen of a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, in an example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C generates display data on the screen of the mobile terminal MT based on the results of the above-mentioned estimation by the battery information acquisition unit 11B, for displaying the number of batteries BT available at the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (more specifically, the mobile terminal arrival time determined by the arrival time determination unit 11F).

[0054] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. In particular, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. As a result, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT can display on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1.

[0055] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT available in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, which is generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. As a result, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT can also display on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT available in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0056] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example in which the number of batteries BT that are available in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed, based on display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 in the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment. In detail, Fig. 5A shows a state in which the number of batteries BT that are available in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 at the current time is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed. Figure 5 (B) shows a state in which the number of batteries BT available at the mobile terminal arrival time at battery station 12 (the time when the mobile terminal MT arrives at battery station 12), the number of batteries BT available at the mobile terminal arrival time at battery station 12-2 (the time when the mobile terminal MT arrives at battery station 12-2), and the number of batteries BT available at the mobile terminal arrival time at battery station 12-3 (the time when the mobile terminal MT arrives at battery station 12-3) are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed.

[0057] 5, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in battery station 12 ("6"), the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in battery station 12-2 ("6"), and the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in battery station 12-3 ("6"), based on the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which a map is displayed the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in battery station 12 ("6"), the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in battery station 12-2 ("6"), and the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in battery station 12-3 ("6"), based on the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11.

[0058] 5, input unit MT2 of mobile terminal MT then accepts input of the time at which mobile terminal MT will arrive at battery station 12 if it moves from its current location to battery station 12, the time at which mobile terminal MT will arrive at battery station 12 if it moves from its current location to battery station 12-2, and the time at which mobile terminal MT will arrive at battery station 12-3 if it moves from its current location to battery station 12-3. Arrival time information acquisition unit 11E of information processing device 11 acquires information that indicates the time at which mobile terminal MT will arrive at battery station 12, the time at which mobile terminal MT will arrive at battery station 12-2, and the time at which mobile terminal MT will arrive at battery station 12-3, which have been input by input unit MT2 of mobile terminal MT.

[0059] The arrival time determination unit 11F of the information processing device 11 determines the time at which the mobile terminal MT, indicated by the information acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E, arrives at battery station 12 as the mobile terminal arrival time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at battery station 12, determines the time at which the mobile terminal MT, indicated by the information acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E, arrives at battery station 12-2 as the mobile terminal arrival time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at battery station 12-2, and determines the time at which the mobile terminal MT, indicated by the information acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E, arrives at battery station 12-3 as the mobile terminal arrival time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at battery station 12-3.

[0060] Based on the results of the above-mentioned estimation by the battery information acquisition unit 11B, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at battery station 12 (mobile terminal arrival time determined by the arrival time determination unit 11F) at "10", the number of batteries BT that will be available at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at battery station 12-2 (mobile terminal arrival time determined by the arrival time determination unit 11F) at battery station 12-2 (mobile terminal arrival time determined by the arrival time determination unit 11F), and the number of batteries BT that will be available at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at battery station 12-3 (mobile terminal arrival time determined by the arrival time determination unit 11F) at "8". As a result, as shown in Figure 5 (B), based on the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT on which the map is displayed the number of batteries BT available at battery station 12 at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at battery station 12, which is "10", the number of batteries BT available at battery station 12-2 at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at battery station 12-2, which is "7", and the number of batteries BT available at battery station 12-3 at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at battery station 12-3, which is "8".

[0061] 5, the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C is data for distinguishably displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT available at the current time in the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 (see FIG. 5A) and the number of batteries BT available at the time the mobile terminal arrives at the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 (see FIG. 5B). Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the user can recognize the number of batteries BT available at the current time in the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3, as well as the number of batteries BT available at the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 at the time the mobile terminal MT arrives at the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 (information that the user wants to know more about than information about the current time).

[0062] <Third Embodiment> Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program of the present invention will be described. The information processing system 1 of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below.

[0063] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information about the charge state of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. In detail, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information about the charge state at the current time of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0064] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires information indicating the number of batteries BT in a usable state in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N from each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the battery information acquisition unit 11B acquires the results of the above-described determinations made by the charge management units 12A2 of each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0065] Furthermore, in an example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B, similar to the example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment described above, estimates the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in the battery station at which the mobile terminal MT is to arrive at the scheduled time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. In detail, similar to the example of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment described above, the battery information acquisition unit 11B estimates the amount of change in the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT until the scheduled time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0066] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, when the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input of a destination for the mobile terminal MT, the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT provides route guidance from the current position of the mobile terminal MT to the destination based on the destination accepted by the input unit MT2, the current position of the mobile terminal MT detected by the position detection unit MT3, map information, etc. The navigation function unit MT5 also predicts (calculates) the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at the battery station (any of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N) entered as the destination, and the display unit MT4 displays the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 on the screen of the mobile terminal MT.

[0067] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, when the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input of an arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5, information indicating the input of the arrival time accepted by the input unit MT2 is transmitted to the information processing device 11 by the communication unit MT1 and acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E of the information processing device 11. In another example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, when the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT predicts (calculates) the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at a battery station (any of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N) input as the destination, information indicating the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 may be transmitted to the information processing device 11 by the communication unit MT1 and acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E of the information processing device 11, without the need for the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT to accept input of the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5.

[0068] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the arrival time determination unit 11F determines the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N indicated by the information acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E (the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT) as the mobile terminal arrival time, which is the time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0069] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C generates display data or the like for displaying, on a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, the number of batteries BT that are available for use at the current time in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. In particular, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C generates display data for displaying, on a screen of a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT rented from one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, the number of batteries BT that are available for use at the current time in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C generates display data on the screen of the mobile terminal MT based on the results of the above-mentioned estimation by the battery information acquisition unit 11B, for displaying the number of batteries BT that will be available at the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (the battery station set as the destination) (more specifically, the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT).

[0070] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11, similar to the example shown in Fig. 1. In particular, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. As a result, in the example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5(A), the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT can display on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, 12-3, "6," similar to the example shown in Fig. 1.

[0071] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT available at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (e.g., battery station 12-2 set as the destination), which is generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. As a result, in the example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5(B), the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT can also display on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT available at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, 12-3 (e.g., battery station 12-2 set as the destination), which is "7".

[0072] In other words, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, when the mobile terminal MT receives input of, for example, battery station 12-2 as a destination and the mobile terminal MT provides route guidance from its current location to the destination (battery station 12-2), the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates data for displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal MT, the number of batteries BT that will be available at the time the mobile terminal arrives at battery station 12-2, which is "7." Therefore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the user can recognize the number of batteries BT that will be available at the time the mobile terminal arrives at battery station 12-2, which is "7," without having to calculate the time of arrival at battery station 12-2 himself.

[0073] <Fourth embodiment> A fourth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below.

[0074] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B estimates the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N at a predetermined future time by using, for example, a technique similar to that used by the estimation unit described in paragraphs 0129 to 0132 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. In detail, the battery information acquisition unit 11B estimates the amount of change in the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in each of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N until the predetermined future time by using, for example, a technique similar to that used by the estimation unit described in paragraph 0131 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754.

[0075] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT has a function of accepting input of a future time. The future time accepted by the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT can be changed between the current time and the furthest future time that is a predetermined time after the current time.

[0076] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the current time, the furthest future time, and a future time between them (a future time for which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input) on the screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays a time input bar BR on the screen of the mobile terminal MT for accepting input of a future time. The leftmost portion BR1 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the current time. The rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the furthest future time, which is the time a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) has elapsed from the current time. The user inputs a future time between the current time and the furthest future time by, for example, tapping any portion BR3 between the leftmost portion BR1 and the rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR.

[0077] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, information indicating the future time for which input has been accepted by the input unit MT2 is transmitted by the communication unit MT1 via the network NW to the information processing device 11. When the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts the input of the future time, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at the future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0078] Furthermore, in an example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. In the example shown in Figure 6, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in battery station 12 ("10"), the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in battery station 12-2 ("7"), and the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in battery station 12-3 ("8").

[0079] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, for example, by a user sequentially tapping multiple portions BR3 of the time input bar BR from the leftmost portion BR1 to the rightmost portion BT2, the user can recognize the change over time from the current time to the furthest future time in the number of available batteries BT in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3.

[0080] In one example of the information processing system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT has a function for accepting input of the scale of the map displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT, similar to a typical smartphone. The larger the scale at which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input, the closer the furthest future time is to the current time. Specifically, for example, when a large-scale map (1:25,000) is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT (i.e., when 4 cm on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying the 1:25,000 map corresponds to an actual distance of 1 km), the right end portion BR2 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the furthest future time, e.g., one hour after the current time. For example, when a small-scale map (1:100,000) is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT (i.e., when 1 cm on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying the 1:100,000 map corresponds to an actual distance of 1 km), the right end portion BR2 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the furthest future time, e.g., four hours after the current time. In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the user can be made aware of the number of available batteries BT at battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N after the required travel time of the mobile terminal MT has elapsed, for example, according to the scale of the map displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT.

[0081] In another example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, for example, when a large-scale 1:25,000 map is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT (that is, when 4 cm on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying the 1:25,000 map corresponds to an actual distance of 1 km), the farthest future time corresponding to the right end portion BR2 of the time input bar BR may be changed from a time one hour after the current time to a time, for example, four hours after the current time, in response to, for example, an input by the user to the mobile terminal MT. This is because, even when a large-scale map is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT, there are users who want to know the change over time over a long period of time from the current time in the number of available batteries BT in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3.

[0082] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment described above, a future time between the current time and the furthest future time is input by the user, for example, by tapping on any portion BR3 between the leftmost portion BR1 and the rightmost portion BT2 of the time input bar BR, and the number of batteries BT that are available at that future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT. In yet another example of the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, a user may input an arbitrary future time (for example, a time in the future farther than the furthest future time) into the mobile terminal MT, and the number of batteries BT that are available at that future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 may be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT.

[0083] Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0084] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit 11B estimates the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT stored in the battery station at which the mobile terminal MT is expected to arrive at the scheduled arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, for example, by using a technique similar to that of the estimation unit described in paragraphs 0129 to 0132 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. In detail, the battery information acquisition unit 11B estimates the amount of change in the state of charge of each of the plurality of batteries BT until the scheduled arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, for example, by using a technique similar to that of the estimation unit described in paragraph 0131 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754.

[0085] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, when the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input of a destination for travel by the mobile terminal MT, the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT provides route guidance from the current position of the mobile terminal MT to the destination based on the destination accepted by the input unit MT2, the current position of the mobile terminal MT detected by the position detection unit MT3, map information, etc. The navigation function unit MT5 also predicts (calculates) the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at the battery station (one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N) entered as the destination, and the display unit MT4 displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT a time input bar BR (see FIG. 7) having a right end portion BR2 (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5.

[0086] In an example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, when the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT predicts (calculates) the arrival time at which the mobile terminal MT will arrive at a battery station (any of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N) input as the destination, the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT does not need to accept input of the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5, and information indicating the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 is transmitted to the information processing device 11 by the communication unit MT1 and acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E of the information processing device 11.

[0087] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the arrival time determination unit 11F determines the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N indicated by the information acquired by the arrival time information acquisition unit 11E (the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT) as the mobile terminal arrival time, which is the time at which the mobile terminal MT arrives at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0088] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C generates display data on the screen of the mobile terminal MT based on the results of the above-mentioned estimation by the battery information acquisition unit 11B to display the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time up to the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (the battery station set as the destination) (more specifically, the arrival time predicted (calculated) by the navigation function unit MT5 of the mobile terminal MT).

[0089] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT available at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N (e.g., battery station 12-2 set as the destination), which is generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. As a result, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT can also display on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT available at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal MT at one of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, 12-3 (e.g., battery station 12-2 set as the destination), which is "10."

[0090] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT has a function of accepting input of any time between the current time and the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at, for example, the battery station 12-2, which is set as the destination. The arbitrary time at which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input can be changed between the current time and the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at, for example, the battery station 12-2, which is set as the destination.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, illustrating the current time, the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at, for example, the battery station 12-2 set as a destination, and an arbitrary time between them (an arbitrary time at which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays a time input bar BR on the screen of the mobile terminal MT for accepting input of the arbitrary time. The leftmost portion BR1 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the current time. The rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at, for example, the battery station 12-2 set as a destination. The user inputs an arbitrary time between the current time and the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at the battery station 12-2 by, for example, tapping an arbitrary portion BR3 between the leftmost portion BR1 and the rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR.

[0092] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, information indicating the arbitrary time at which the input unit MT2 accepted the input is transmitted by the communication unit MT1 via the network NW to the information processing device 11. When the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts the input of the arbitrary time, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the arbitrary time in, for example, battery station 12-2 that is set as a destination.

[0093] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at any time in the battery station 12-2, generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at any time in the battery station 12-2. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at any time in the battery station 12-2, "7."

[0094] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the fifth embodiment, for example, by a user sequentially tapping multiple portions BR3 from the leftmost portion BR1 to the rightmost portion BT2 of the time input bar BR, the user can recognize the change over time in the number of available batteries BT at the battery station 12-2 set as the destination from the current time to the arrival time of the mobile terminal MT at the battery station 12-2.

[0095] Sixth Embodiment A sixth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the sixth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0096] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the current time, the furthest future time, and a future time between them (a future time for which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input) on the screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the sixth embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays a time input bar BR on the screen of the mobile terminal MT for accepting input of a future time. The leftmost portion BR1 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the current time. The rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the furthest future time, which is the time a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) has elapsed from the current time. The user inputs a future time between the current time and the furthest future time by, for example, tapping any portion BR3 between the leftmost portion BR1 and the rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR.

[0097] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the sixth embodiment, information indicating the future time for which input has been accepted by the input unit MT2 is transmitted by the communication unit MT1 via the network NW to the information processing device 11. When the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts the input of the future time, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates data for displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal MT, the number of batteries BT that will be available at the future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N in different colors according to the number of batteries BT that will be available in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0098] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the sixth embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N in different colors corresponding to the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N in different colors corresponding to the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. 8, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays the number of batteries BT available at the battery station 12 at a future time, "8," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT by using a graphic of "8" and by framing the battery station 12 in "yellow" (a color indicating that the number of available batteries BT is medium) on the screen of the mobile terminal MT. Also, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays the number of batteries BT available at the battery station 12-2 at a future time, "4," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT by using a graphic of "4" and by framing the battery station 12-2 in "red" (a color indicating that the number of available batteries BT is low). Furthermore, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in the battery station 12-3, "10," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using a "10" graphic, and also displays the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in the battery station 12-3 using a "blue" frame (a color indicating a large number of available batteries BT) on the screen of the mobile terminal MT.

[0099] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the sixth embodiment, even in an environment where it is difficult to focus on the screen of the mobile terminal MT, a user can easily recognize the number of available batteries BT in battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 by the different colors corresponding to the number of available batteries BT in each of battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3.

[0100] Seventh Embodiment A seventh embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the seventh embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the fourth embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0101] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the current time, the furthest future time, and a future time between them (a future time for which the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input) on the screen of the mobile terminal MT of the information processing system 1 of the seventh embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays a time input bar BR on the screen of the mobile terminal MT for accepting input of a future time. The leftmost portion BR1 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the current time. The rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the furthest future time, which is the time a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) has elapsed from the current time. The user inputs a future time between the current time and the furthest future time by, for example, tapping any portion BR3 between the leftmost portion BR1 and the rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR.

[0102] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the seventh embodiment, information indicating the future time for which input has been accepted by the input unit MT2 is transmitted by the communication unit MT1 via the network NW to the information processing device 11. When the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts the input of the future time, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at the future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N using graphics of different sizes corresponding to the number of batteries BT that will be available in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0103] Furthermore, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the seventh embodiment, the communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N using graphics of different sizes corresponding to the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N using graphics of different sizes corresponding to the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in each of the battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N. 9, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in battery station 12, "8," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using a graphic of "8" of a predetermined size (a size indicating a medium number of batteries BT that will be available). The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT also displays the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in battery station 12-2, "4," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using a graphic of "4" that is smaller than the above-mentioned "8" graphic (a size indicating a small number of batteries BT that will be available). The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT also displays the number of batteries BT that will be available at a future time in battery station 12-3, "10," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using a graphic of "10" that is larger than the above-mentioned "8" graphic (a size indicating a large number of batteries BT that will be available).

[0104] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the seventh embodiment, even in an environment where it is difficult to focus on the screen of the mobile terminal MT, a user can easily recognize the number of available batteries BT in battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3 by looking at figures of different sizes corresponding to the number of available batteries BT in each of battery stations 12, 12-2, and 12-3.

[0105] Eighth Embodiment An eighth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0106] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C is capable of generating display data in multiple modes for displaying the number of available batteries BT in each of multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N on a mobile terminal MT used by a user who uses a battery BT loaned from one of the multiple battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N.

[0107] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a plurality of display modes for displaying the number of available batteries BT, "10," in the battery station 12 of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment. In detail, Fig. 10A shows an example of a first display mode for the number of available batteries BT, "10," in the battery station 12 of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment, and Fig. 10B shows an example of a second display mode for the number of available batteries BT, "10," in the battery station 12 of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment.

[0108] In the example shown in Figure 10 (A) (first display mode), the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "10," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using ten figures FG01 to FG10. The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "10," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using ten figures FG01 to FG10, based on the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. In the example shown in Figure 10 (B) (second display mode), the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "10," on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using five figures FGA to FGE. The display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12, "10", on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using five figures FGA to FGE based on the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11.

[0109] In one example of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment, the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts, for example, a user's input of either the first display mode or the second display mode. For example, if the electric motorcycle used by the user is powered by a single battery BT, the user selects the first display mode shown in Fig. 10(A). For example, if the electric motorcycle used by the user is powered by two batteries BT, the user selects the second display mode shown in Fig. 10(B).

[0110] In other words, in one example of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment, the display data generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 is data for displaying, for example, the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 on the screen of the mobile terminal MT using the numbers of graphics FG01-FG10 and FGA-FGE corresponding to the available batteries BT in the battery station 12. The input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT has a function for accepting input of "1" as the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 per each of the graphics FG01-FG10 displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT (i.e., input for the first display mode shown in FIG. 10A), and a function for accepting input of "2" as the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12 per each of the graphics FGA-FGE displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal MT (i.e., input for the second display mode shown in FIG. 10B). Therefore, in this example of the information processing system 1 of the eighth embodiment, it is possible to improve the ease of use of the information processing system 1 by users.

[0111] Ninth Embodiment A ninth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the ninth embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the ninth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below.

[0112] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a mobile terminal MT of an information processing system 1 according to the ninth embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays a time input bar BR on the screen of the mobile terminal MT for accepting input of a future time. The leftmost portion BR1 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the current time. The rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR corresponds to the furthest future time, which is the time a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) has elapsed from the current time. The user inputs a future time between the current time and the furthest future time by, for example, tapping any portion BR3 between the leftmost portion BR1 and the rightmost portion BR2 of the time input bar BR.

[0113] 11 , the power generated by the power generation facility 13 and supplied to the battery station 12-3 is used to charge the multiple batteries BT stored in the battery station 12-3. Specifically, the power supplied from the power generation facility 13 to the battery station 12-3 and used to charge the batteries BT is power generated by renewable energy. Therefore, the power generation information acquisition unit 11G of the information processing device 11 acquires, via the network NW, from the battery station 12-3, power generation information indicating that the power supplied from the power generation facility 13 to the battery station 12-3 and used to charge the batteries BT is power generated by renewable energy.

[0114] In the information processing system 1 of the ninth embodiment, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 has a function of determining, based on the power generation information acquired by the power generation information acquisition unit 11G, whether the usable battery BT in the battery station 12-3 is a battery that has been charged using at least a predetermined percentage of power generated by renewable energy, or whether the battery has been charged using at least a predetermined percentage of power generated by non-renewable energy. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the display data generation unit 11C determines, based on the power generation information acquired by the power generation information acquisition unit 11G, that the usable battery BT in the battery station 12-3 is a battery that has been charged using at least a predetermined percentage of power generated by renewable energy.

[0115] In the information processing system 1 of the ninth embodiment, the display data generated by the display data generator 11C is data for displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying a map, the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12-3 in a visually recognizable manner for the user, and for discernibly indicating whether the batteries BT are batteries charged using at least a predetermined percentage of electricity generated from renewable energy or at least a predetermined percentage of electricity generated from non-renewable energy. In the example shown in Figure 11, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT displays, on the screen of the mobile terminal MT displaying a map, the number of available batteries BT in the battery station 12-3 ("10") in a visually recognizable manner for the user (using a figure of 10), and for discernibly indicating (for example, in green) whether the batteries BT are batteries charged using at least a predetermined percentage of electricity generated from renewable energy. Therefore, the example shown in Figure 11 makes it easier for the user to contribute to energy efficiency.

[0116] <Tenth Embodiment> A tenth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described. The information processing system 1 of the tenth embodiment is configured similarly to the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the tenth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0117] As described above, in an example of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the power stored in the battery BT is used to drive an electric motorcycle (including an electric two-wheeled motorbike, an electric three-wheeled motorbike, etc.) used by a user. Meanwhile, in an example of the information processing system 1 according to the tenth embodiment, the power stored in the battery BT is used to drive a load other than the electric motorcycle. Examples of loads other than the electric motorcycle include, for example, an electric bicycle, a small commuter vehicle, an electric cart, an electric vehicle, a power source for a work machine, a power source for an electrical device, and an electric work machine. Examples of electric vehicles include, for example, an electric automobile, a motorcycle, a stand-up vehicle with a power unit, a ship, and an aircraft. Examples of electric automobiles include not only electric vehicles but also vehicles that combine the functions of gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. Examples of electric vessels include, for example, electric boats, hovercrafts, jet skis, submarines, submersible boats, and underwater scooters. Examples of electric aircraft include electric airplanes, airships, balloons, helicopters, drones, etc. Electric working machines include electric tillers, snow blowers, lawn mowers, brush cutters, brush cutters, high-pressure washers, blowers, rammers, BIPS (Battery Inverter Power Source), and the like.

[0118] <Modifications of the First to Tenth Embodiments> In a modification of the information processing system 1 of the first to tenth embodiments, for example, the information processing device 11 has the same function as the reservation management unit described in Fig. 5 of Japanese Patent No. 6363754. That is, in a modification of the information processing system 1 of the first to tenth embodiments, the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT has a function of accepting input of a rental reservation for a battery BT stored in any of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N by, for example, a user of the mobile terminal MT (a user who uses a battery BT).

[0119] In a modification of the information processing system 1 of the first to tenth embodiments, information indicating a rental reservation for a battery BT, input of which has been accepted by the input unit MT2, is transmitted by the communication unit MT1 via the network NW to the information processing device 11. When the input unit MT2 of the mobile terminal MT accepts input of a rental reservation for a battery BT stored in any of the plurality of battery stations 12, 12-2, ..., 12-N, the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11 generates display data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time and have been reserved for rental.

[0120] The communication unit MT1 of the mobile terminal MT receives display data and the like for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time and have been reserved for rental, which data is generated by the display data generation unit 11C of the information processing device 11. As a result, in the modified examples of the information processing system 1 of the first to tenth embodiments, the display unit MT4 of the mobile terminal MT can display on the screen of the mobile terminal MT the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time and have been reserved for rental, and the like.

[0121] 12A and 12B are diagrams showing the screen of a mobile terminal MT in a modified example of the information processing system 1 of the first to tenth embodiments. Specifically, Fig. 12A shows the screen of a mobile terminal MT that displays the number of batteries BT available at the current time in the battery station 12 ("8"), and also displays the number of batteries BT that will become available after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time ("2") in a flashing manner. Fig. 12B shows the screen of a mobile terminal MT that displays the number of batteries BT available at the current time in the battery station 12 ("4"), and also displays the number of batteries BT that are available at the current time and have been reserved for rental ("2").

[0122] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-described embodiments and examples may be combined.

[0123] In addition, all or part of the functions of each unit of the information processing system 1 in the above-described embodiment may be realized by recording a program for realizing those functions on a computer-readable recording medium and loading and executing the program on the recording medium into a computer system. Note that the term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage units such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include media that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or telephone lines, or media that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within the computer system that serves as the server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the program may be designed to realize part of the aforementioned functions, or may be capable of realizing the aforementioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0124] 1...information processing system, 11...information processing device, 11A...communication unit, 11B...battery information acquisition unit, 11C...display data generation unit, 11D...arrival time estimation unit, 11E...arrival time information acquisition unit, 11F...arrival time determination unit, 11G...power generation information acquisition unit, 12, 12-2, 12-3, 12-N...battery station, 12A...charging equipment, 12A1...charging control unit, 12A2...charging management unit, 12A3...communication unit, 13...power generation equipment, 14...power system, BT...battery, MT...mobile terminal, MT1...communication unit, MT2...input unit, MT3...position detection unit, MT4...display unit, MT5...navigation function unit, BR...time input bar, BR1...left end portion, BR2...right end portion

Claims

1. An information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charge control unit that charges a battery and a charge management unit that determines whether the battery is in a usable state, a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station; a display data generating unit that generates display data for displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the battery; the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user; an arrival time determination unit that determines a mobile terminal arrival time that is a time when the mobile terminal arrives at the battery station; the display data generated by the display data generating unit is data for distinguishably displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the current time in the battery station and the number of the batteries in a usable state at the mobile terminal arrival time in the battery station; Information processing device.

2. the display data generated by the display data generating unit is data for displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner other than numbers on the screen of the mobile terminal on which the map is displayed, The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying a plurality of battery stations on the screen of the mobile terminal on which the map is displayed, and displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state in each of the plurality of battery stations in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. (delete)

5. The mobile terminal, A function of accepting input of a destination of travel of the mobile terminal; a function of providing route guidance from the current location of the mobile terminal to the destination; When the mobile terminal receives an input of the battery station as the destination and performs route guidance from the current position to the destination, The display data generating unit generating data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal the number of the batteries available at the battery station at the time of arrival of the mobile terminal; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. An information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charge control unit that charges a battery and a charge management unit that determines whether the battery is in a usable state, a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station; a display data generating unit that generates display data for displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the battery; the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user; the mobile terminal has a function of accepting input of a future time; the future time for which the mobile terminal accepts an input can be changed between a current time and a furthest future time that is a predetermined time after the current time, When the mobile terminal accepts the input of the future time, The display data generating unit generating data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal the number of batteries available at the battery station at the future time; Information processing device.

7. the mobile terminal has a function of receiving an input of a scale of the map to be displayed on the screen; the larger the scale at which the mobile terminal accepts input, the closer the furthest future time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time becomes to the current time; 7. The information processing device according to claim 2, 3 or 6.

8. The display data generated by the display data generating unit is data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station in different colors according to the number of batteries in an available state in the battery station, or the data being for displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal, the number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station using graphics of different sizes according to the number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. An information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charge control unit that charges a battery and a charge management unit that determines whether the battery is in a usable state, a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station; a display data generating unit that generates display data for displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the battery; the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user; The display data generated by the display data generating unit is data for displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal, a number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station using a number of graphics corresponding to the batteries in an available state in the battery station; the mobile terminal has a function of receiving an input of the number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station per one of the figures displayed on the screen; Information processing device.

10. a power generation information acquisition unit that acquires power generation information indicating whether or not power supplied from a power generation facility to the battery station and used to charge the battery is power generated by renewable energy; The display data generating unit a function of determining, based on the power generation information acquired by the power generation information acquisition unit, whether the battery in a usable state in the battery station is a battery that has been charged using a predetermined ratio or more of power generated by renewable energy, or a battery that has been charged using the predetermined ratio or more of power generated by non-renewable energy, The display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, and for identifiably displaying whether the battery is a battery that has been charged using electricity generated by renewable energy at or above the predetermined rate, or a battery that has been charged using electricity generated by non-renewable energy at or above the predetermined rate. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. An information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charge control unit that charges a battery and a charge management unit that determines whether the battery is in a usable state, a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station; a display data generating unit that generates display data for displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the battery; the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user; an arrival time determination unit that determines a mobile terminal arrival time that is a time when the mobile terminal arrives at the battery station; The mobile terminal, A function of accepting input of a destination of travel of the mobile terminal; A function of providing route guidance from the current location of the mobile terminal to the destination; A function of accepting input of any time between a current time and an arrival time of the mobile terminal, the arbitrary time at which the mobile terminal accepts an input can be changed between the current time and a time of arrival of the mobile terminal; The display data generating unit generating data for displaying on the screen of the mobile terminal the number of batteries available at the battery station at any given time; Information processing device.

12. a battery station including a charge control unit that charges a battery and a charge management unit that determines whether the battery is in a usable state; an information processing device having a battery information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station; The information processing device includes: a display data generating unit that generates display data for displaying the number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the battery; the display data generated by the display data generation unit is data for displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user; an arrival time determination unit that determines a mobile terminal arrival time that is a time when the mobile terminal arrives at the battery station; the display data generated by the display data generating unit is data for distinguishably displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the current time in the battery station and the number of the batteries in a usable state at the mobile terminal arrival time in the battery station; Information processing system.

13. An information processing method of an information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charge control unit that charges a battery and a charge management unit that determines whether the battery is in a usable state, comprising: a battery information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating the number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station; a display data generating step of generating display data for displaying the number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station on a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the battery; the display data generated in the display data generating step is data for displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, the number of the batteries in a usable state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user; an arrival time determination unit that determines a mobile terminal arrival time that is a time when the mobile terminal arrives at the battery station; the display data generated in the display data generating step is data for distinguishably displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal, the number of the batteries in an available state at the current time in the battery station and the number of the batteries in an available state at the mobile terminal arrival time in the battery station. Information processing methods.

14. A computer constituting an information processing device provided in an information processing system including a battery station having a charge control unit that charges a battery and a charge management unit that determines whether the battery is in a usable state, a battery information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating the number of the batteries in an available state in the battery station; a display data generating step of generating display data for displaying the number of the batteries in a usable state in the battery station, in a mobile terminal used by a user who uses the battery, The display data generated in the display data generating step is data for displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal on which a map is displayed, the number of the batteries in an available state at the battery station in a display manner that is visually recognizable by the user. an arrival time determination unit that determines a mobile terminal arrival time that is a time when the mobile terminal arrives at the battery station; the display data generated in the display data generating step is data for distinguishably displaying, on the screen of the mobile terminal, the number of the batteries in an available state at the current time in the battery station and the number of the batteries in an available state at the mobile terminal arrival time in the battery station. program.