Processing device, processing method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a processing device (10) which comprises: a result information storage unit (11) that acquires result information pertaining to a usage result of a storage battery and stores the result information in a result storage means; a residual value information storage unit (12) that acquires residual value information pertaining to residual values of the storage battery which have been calculated, on the basis of the result information, by at least one calculation method; and an issuing unit (13) that carries out issue processing of a diagnosis result indicating at least one specified residual value among the residual values which have been calculated by said at least one calculation method.

Description

Processing device, processing method, and recording medium

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device, a processing method, and a recording medium.

[0002] Techniques related to the present invention are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a battery degradation determination system. The battery degradation determination system is connected to an on-board device mounted on a vehicle via a communication network. The battery degradation determination system receives state quantities of the batteries mounted on multiple on-board devices and determines battery degradation.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for calculating the state of charge (SOC) using a quiescent voltage (QV) instead of an open circuit voltage (OCV). The QV is a voltage measured in a state where a small amount of current may be flowing due to the device being in standby mode.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for calculating the deterioration state of a battery of an EV (Electric Vehicle) from vehicle characteristics (weight, etc.), road conditions, external environment, etc.

[0006] JP 2021-124419 A EP 1598913 A2 US 2013 / 0085696 A1

[0007] Electric vehicles and other electrically powered devices are becoming more and more common. As a result, there is a demand for technology that allows owners of such devices to easily obtain diagnostic results for the residual value of their devices.

[0008] In assessing the residual value of electrically-powered equipment, the residual value of a storage battery provided in the electrically-powered equipment is an extremely important index. The residual value of a storage battery is indicated, for example, by its state of health (SOH).

[0009] The SOH is calculated, for example, based on the measured value of the discharge current when a battery is completely discharged from a fully charged state. However, as the capacity of storage batteries has increased in recent years, this measurement method requires a lot of time and cost. Therefore, many calculation methods have been developed to predict the SOH from various data such as usage data of electrically powered devices, environmental data, and charging history data. By using these calculation methods, the aforementioned problems of time and cost can be alleviated.

[0010] However, users who own electrically powered devices cannot easily determine which of the various calculation methods to use to diagnose the residual value of the storage battery installed in their electrically powered devices. The selection of the method naturally affects the predicted SOH, i.e., the diagnosis result of the residual value of their electrically powered devices. Furthermore, it requires a great deal of effort for users to diagnose the residual value of their storage batteries using each of the various calculation methods. Therefore, a technology is needed that provides users with the diagnosis result of the residual value of their storage batteries calculated using the calculation method of their choice.

[0011] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for determining the deterioration of a battery mounted on an in-vehicle device. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for calculating the SOC using QV. Patent Document 3 discloses a technology for calculating the deterioration state of an EV (electric vehicle) battery from vehicle characteristics (weight, etc.), road conditions, external environment, etc. However, none of Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose or suggest a technology for providing a user with a diagnosis result of the residual value of a storage battery calculated using a calculation method desired by the user.

[0012] One example of the object of the present invention is to provide a processing device, processing method, and recording medium that solve the problem of providing a user with diagnostic results of the residual value of a storage battery calculated using a calculation method desired by the user, in consideration of the above-mentioned problems.

[0013] According to the present invention, a processing device is provided having: a performance information storage means for acquiring performance information regarding the usage performance of a storage battery and storing it in a performance storage means; a residual value information storage means for acquiring residual value information regarding the residual value of the storage battery calculated by at least one calculation method based on the performance information and storing it in a residual value storage means; and an issuing means for executing an issuing process of a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value among the residual values ​​calculated by at least one of the calculation methods.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a processing method is provided in which one or more computers acquire performance information regarding the usage history of a storage battery and store it in a performance storage means, acquire residual value information regarding the residual value of the storage battery calculated using at least one calculation method based on the performance information and store it in a residual value storage means, and execute a process to issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value among the residual values ​​calculated using at least one of the calculation methods.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to function as: performance information storage means that acquires performance information regarding the usage performance of a storage battery and stores it in performance storage means; residual value information storage means that acquires residual value information regarding the residual value of the storage battery calculated by at least one calculation method based on the performance information and stores it in residual value storage means; and issuance means that executes a process to issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value among the residual values ​​calculated by at least one of the calculation methods.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a processing device, a processing method, and a recording medium are realized that solve the problem of providing a user with a diagnosis result of the residual value of a storage battery calculated using a calculation method desired by the user.

[0017] The above-mentioned objects, as well as other objects, features, and advantages, will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0018] 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of a processing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an example of processing by the processing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the processing device. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the processing device. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing another example of a flow of processing executed by the processing device. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an overview of another example of processing by the processing device. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing another example of a flow of processing executed by the processing device. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an overview of another example of processing by the processing device. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing another example of a flow of processing executed by the processing device. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing another example of a flow of processing executed by the processing device. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a processing device. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an overview of another example of information processed by the processing device.

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0020] 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of a processing device 10 according to a first embodiment. The processing device 10 includes a performance information storage unit 11, a residual value information storage unit 12, and an issuing unit 13.

[0021] The performance information accumulation unit 11 acquires performance information relating to the storage battery's usage performance and accumulates it in performance storage means. The residual value information accumulation unit 12 acquires residual value information relating to the storage battery's residual value calculated by at least one calculation method based on the performance information and accumulates it in residual value storage means. The issuing unit 13 executes processing to issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value calculated by at least one calculation method.

[0022] The processing device 10, which includes the performance information storage unit 11, can acquire and store performance information regarding the usage performance of a storage battery installed in an electrically-powered device owned by a user. Furthermore, the processing device 10, which includes the residual value information storage unit 12, can acquire and store residual value information regarding the residual value of a storage battery calculated using at least one calculation method based on the performance information. Furthermore, the processing device 10, which includes the issuing unit 13, can issue a diagnostic result indicating a residual value specified by the user from among the residual values ​​indicated by the accumulated residual value information. As a result, the processing device 10 solves the problem of providing the user with a diagnostic result of the residual value of a storage battery calculated using the calculation method desired by the user.

[0023] Second Embodiment Overview The processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is a specific embodiment of the processing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. The processing apparatus 10 is outlined below.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, in a service using the processing device 10, the processing device 10, a user terminal 20, and a server 30 cooperate with each other.

[0025] The processing device 10 is a device managed by a business operator (service provider) involved in a service that provides users (sellers) with diagnostic results of residual values ​​of storage batteries calculated using various calculation methods. The processing device 10 acquires and stores performance information on the usage history of storage batteries from a user terminal 20. The processing device 10 also provides the performance information to a server 30, and acquires and stores residual value information calculated based on the performance information from the server 30. The processing device 10 then issues diagnostic results based on the accumulated residual value information and transmits them to the user terminal 20.

[0026] The user terminal 20 is a device managed by a user (seller) who desires a diagnosis result of the residual value of a storage battery installed in an electrically-powered device that the user owns. The user terminal 20 transmits performance information to the processing device 10. The user terminal 20 also acquires the diagnosis result from the processing device 10.

[0027] The server 30 is a device managed by a business (diagnostic business) that diagnoses the residual value of a storage battery of a user (seller). The server 30 acquires performance information from the processing device 10. The server 30 also calculates residual value information based on the performance information. The server 30 then transmits the calculated residual value information to the processing device 10.

[0028] Users (sellers) use the acquired diagnostic results for various purposes. One example is use in the secondhand market. For example, users (sellers) sell their own electric devices on the secondhand market by attaching the acquired diagnostic results. Users (buyers) can check the condition of the storage batteries of electric devices being sold on the secondhand market based on the diagnostic results and use them as information to decide whether or not to purchase them.

[0029] "Hardware Configuration" Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the processing device 10 will be described. Each functional unit of the processing device 10 is realized by any combination of hardware and software, centered around a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of any computer, memory, programs loaded into the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk that stores the programs (which can store programs pre-loaded at the time the device is shipped, as well as programs downloaded from storage media such as CDs (Compact Discs) or servers on the Internet), and a network connection interface. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are many variations in the implementation methods and devices.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a processing device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the processing device 10 has a processor 1A, a memory 2A, an input / output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A. The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. The processing device 10 does not necessarily have to have the peripheral circuit 4A. Note that the processing device 10 may be composed of multiple devices that are physically and / or logically separated. In this case, each of the multiple devices may have the above hardware configuration.

[0031] The bus 5A is a data transmission path for the processor 1A, memory 2A, peripheral circuit 4A, and input / output interface 3A to transmit and receive data to and from each other. The processor 1A is, for example, a processing unit such as a CPU or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The memory 2A is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The input / output interface 3A includes an interface for acquiring information from an input device, an external device, an external server, an external sensor, a camera, etc., and an interface for outputting information to an output device, an external device, an external server, etc. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, physical buttons, a touch panel, etc. Examples of output devices include a display, a speaker, a printer, a mailer, etc. The processor 1A can issue commands to each module and perform calculations based on the results of those calculations.

[0032] "Functional Configuration" Next, the functional configuration of the processing device 10 will be described. Fig. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the processing device 10. As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 has a performance information accumulation unit 11, a residual value information accumulation unit 12, and an issuing unit 13.

[0033] The performance information accumulation unit 11 acquires performance information related to the usage record of the storage battery and accumulates it in the performance storage means. The performance information accumulation unit 11 can repeatedly acquire performance information of the storage battery and accumulate it in the performance storage means. As a result, historical data of performance information of the storage battery is accumulated in the performance storage means. Furthermore, the performance information accumulation unit 11 can acquire performance information of each of the multiple storage batteries, associate it with identification information of each of the multiple storage batteries, and accumulate each piece of performance information in the performance storage means.

[0034] A "storage battery" is a device equipped with the function of storing electricity in an electrically powered device. The electrically powered device is driven by the electricity stored in the storage battery. The storage battery is also called a secondary battery or a battery. There are no particular restrictions on the size or configuration of the storage battery.

[0035] The "performance data storage unit" is a non-volatile memory. The performance data storage unit may be provided within the processing device 10 or may be provided in an external device connected to the processing device 10 so as to be able to communicate with the processing device 10.

[0036] The "performance information" is various information used by the diagnostic company to calculate the residual value of the storage battery. For example, the performance information includes various data such as charging history data, environmental data, and usage data.

[0037] "Charging history data" is data related to charging processes performed on the storage battery. The charging history data includes, for example, the number of charges, measured values ​​of voltage and current during charging, the SOC at the start of charging, and the SOC at the end of charging. These data can be measured, for example, by a sensor provided in the storage battery.

[0038] "Environmental data" refers to data related to the environment in which an electrically powered device equipped with a storage battery is used. The environmental data includes, for example, temperature, humidity, weather, location information, etc. This data may be measured by, for example, a sensor provided in the storage battery or the electrically powered device, or may be obtained from a predetermined server (such as a server that provides weather information).

[0039] "Usage data" is data that indicates the usage status of an electric device equipped with a storage battery. The content of the usage data varies depending on the type of electric device. An example of an electric device is an electric vehicle, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the electric device is an electric vehicle, the usage data would include driving data (distance traveled, driving location, speed, acceleration, data indicating operation of the steering wheel, brake, accelerator, etc.). This data can be measured, for example, by a sensor provided on the electric device.

[0040] An "electric vehicle" is a vehicle that runs on electrical energy as a power source. Examples of electric vehicles include, but are not limited to, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars, hybrid cars, and fuel cell cars.

[0041] Here, an example of a means by which the performance information accumulation unit 11 acquires performance information will be described. The performance information accumulation unit 11 can acquire performance information from the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 may be the electrically powered device itself equipped with a communication function. Furthermore, if the electrically powered device is an electric vehicle, the user terminal 20 may be an in-vehicle device equipped with a communication function installed in the vehicle. Furthermore, the user terminal 20 may be a communication device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a smartwatch, or a personal computer.

[0042] First, the above-mentioned data is continuously measured by a sensor provided in the electrically-powered device or the storage battery, and is accumulated in an arbitrary storage device provided in the electrically-powered device.

[0043] For example, an electrically powered device or an in-vehicle device equipped with a communication function may transmit performance information to the processing device 10. The transmission timing may vary, and for example, the data accumulated up to that point may be transmitted at a predetermined timing (predetermined time) every day, the data accumulated up to that point may be transmitted when an operation to turn on or off the power of the electrically powered device is received, the data accumulated up to that point may be transmitted when a transmission instruction is received from the user, or the data may be transmitted at other timings. Furthermore, the electrically powered device or the in-vehicle device may transmit data to the processing device 10 in real time processing.

[0044] Alternatively, the user may transfer the data stored in the storage device to another device (such as a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or portable storage device) by any means, and then transmit the data transferred to the other device to the processing device 10 using any communication terminal (such as a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or personal computer).

[0045] The sequence diagram in Fig. 4 shows an example of the flow of processing realized by the performance information accumulation unit 11. As shown in the figure, the user terminal 20 transmits performance information to the processing device 10 at a predetermined timing (S10). The processing device 10 accumulates the received performance information in the performance storage means (S11). Thereafter, this processing is repeated.

[0046] Returning to Figure 1, the residual value information accumulation unit 12 acquires residual value information regarding the residual value of the storage battery calculated using at least one, for example, multiple calculation methods based on the performance information accumulated by the performance information accumulation unit 11, and accumulates it in a residual value storage means.

[0047] The "residual value storage means" is a non-volatile memory. The residual value storage means may be provided within the processing device 10, or may be provided in an external device communicatively connected to the processing device 10.

[0048] The "residual value of the battery" is indicated by SOH.

[0049] The "residual value information" indicates the current SOH. The residual value information may further indicate a predicted value of the SOH at a predetermined time in the future. The future SOH may be, for example, the SOH one year from now, the SOH three years from now, the SOH five years from now, etc.

[0050] The residual value information accumulation unit 12 transmits the performance information accumulated in the performance storage means to an external device (the diagnostic business operator's server 30) that calculates the residual value information based on the performance information. The residual value information accumulation unit 12 then acquires the residual value information from the external device and accumulates it in the residual value storage means.

[0051] The remaining value information accumulation unit 12 can transmit performance information to a plurality of external devices and acquire remaining value information from a plurality of external devices.

[0052] The diagnostic business operator's server 30 calculates the residual value information using a unique calculation method. The details of the calculation method are not particularly limited. The multiple calculation methods may use different data for calculation. Furthermore, the multiple calculation methods may use different calculation algorithms.

[0053] As described above, the performance information stored in the performance storage means is updated as needed. The servers 30 of the diagnostic businesses can acquire performance information from the processing device 10 at their own specific frequency / timing and calculate residual value information. For example, the server 30 of one diagnostic business may acquire performance information from the processing device 10 once a month and calculate residual value information. The server 30 of another diagnostic business may acquire performance information from the processing device 10 once a week and calculate residual value information. Note that the servers 30 of all diagnostic businesses may acquire performance information from the processing device 10 and calculate residual value information at the same frequency / timing.

[0054] The frequency / timing for transmitting performance information to the server 30 of each diagnostic business operator may be registered in advance in the processing device 10. Then, the residual value information accumulation unit 12 may transmit performance information to the server 30 of each diagnostic business operator at that frequency / timing and acquire the residual value information. Alternatively, the frequency / timing for acquiring performance information may be registered in the server 30 of each diagnostic business operator. Then, the server 30 of each diagnostic business operator may transmit a request for performance information to the processing device 10 at that frequency / timing. In this case, the residual value information accumulation unit 12 transmits performance information to the server 30 of each diagnostic business operator in response to a request from the server 30 of each diagnostic business operator.

[0055] Note that the server 30 of one diagnostic business operator may calculate the residual value information using one calculation method, or may calculate the residual value information using each of a plurality of different calculation methods. When the server 30 of one diagnostic business operator calculates the residual value information using each of a plurality of different calculation methods, the frequency / timing of calculation may be the same or different.

[0056] The sequence diagram in Figure 5 shows an example of the flow of processing realized by the residual value information accumulation unit 12. As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 transmits performance information stored in the performance storage means to the diagnostic company's server 30 at a predetermined timing (S20). The diagnostic company's server 30 calculates the residual value of the storage battery using a predetermined calculation method based on the received performance information (S21). The diagnostic company's server 30 then transmits residual value information indicating the calculated residual value to the processing device 10 (S22). The processing device 10 stores the received residual value information in the residual value storage means (S23). This processing is then repeated.

[0057] The processing device 10 repeatedly performs the process shown in FIG. 5 with the server 30 of each diagnostic business operator at a frequency / timing specific to each operator.

[0058] 6 shows an example of information stored in the residual value storage means. The information shown is information about a storage battery identified by storage battery identification information "B171811" of a user identified by user identification information "M1718112." In the information shown, the diagnostic business operator identification information, calculation method number, current residual value, residual value after X years, calculation date, and number of calculations are linked to each other.

[0059] "Diagnostic provider identification information" is information that identifies multiple diagnostic providers from each other.

[0060] The "calculation method number" is information that identifies the calculation methods implemented by each diagnostic business operator. As described above, one diagnostic business operator may calculate the residual value using one calculation method, or may calculate the residual value using multiple calculation methods. In the latter case, the calculation method number identifies the multiple calculation methods implemented by one diagnostic business operator.

[0061] "Current residual value" is the current (at the time of calculation) residual value of the storage battery calculated by each calculation method of each diagnostic company. As described above, the residual value is repeatedly calculated by each calculation method of each diagnostic company. The latest residual value may be shown in this column.

[0062] "Residual value after X years" is a predicted value of the residual value of the storage battery after X years, calculated by each calculation method of each diagnostic company. For example, it can be a predicted value of the residual value after one year, three years, five years, etc. As described above, the residual value is repeatedly calculated by each calculation method of each diagnostic company. The most recent predicted value may be shown in this column.

[0063] The "calculation date" is the date on which the values ​​shown in the "current residual value" column and the "residual value after X years" column were calculated. As mentioned above, the residual value can be calculated at a frequency / timing specific to each diagnostic business's calculation method. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the calculation dates for the latest "current residual value" and "residual value after X years" registered at a given time may differ depending on the calculation method.

[0064] The "number of calculations" is the number of times the residual value has been calculated. As mentioned above, each diagnostic company can calculate the residual value at a frequency / timing specific to their calculation method. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the number of calculations at a given point in time may differ depending on the calculation method.

[0065] Returning to FIG. 1, the issuing unit 13 executes a process of issuing a diagnostic result indicating at least one, for example, at least one designated residual value out of the residual values ​​calculated by a plurality of calculation methods.

[0066] Specifically, the issuing unit 13 presents information about residual values ​​calculated using at least one calculation method to a user and accepts user input specifying at least one residual value from the information. The issuing unit 13 then performs processing to issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value. The issuing unit 13 may also execute processing to pay a predetermined fee to the diagnostic business operator related to the calculation method used to calculate at least one specified residual value. This processing may, for example, be registration that the calculation method has been specified. Alternatively, this processing may be processing to count the number of times each calculation method has been specified.

[0067] The sequence diagram of FIG. 7 shows an example of the flow of processing realized by the remaining value information accumulation unit 12.

[0068] As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 receives a request for issuing a diagnosis result from the user terminal 20 (S30).

[0069] The user terminal 20 may be the electrically powered device itself equipped with a communication function. Furthermore, if the electrically powered device is an electrically powered vehicle, the user terminal 20 may be an in-vehicle device. Furthermore, the user terminal 20 may be a communication device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a smartwatch, or a personal computer. The user terminal 20 that transmits performance information to the processing device 10 and the user terminal 20 used in the process of issuing a diagnostic result may be the same terminal or different terminals.

[0070] The user operates the user terminal 20 to access the processing device 10 via an application or a web page related to the processing device 10. Then, the user requests issuance of a diagnostic result via a UI (user interface) screen on the application or web page. Note that the issuance request may include designation of user identification information and storage battery identification information.

[0071] In response to the issuance request, the processing device 10 transmits information indicating the residual value calculated by at least one calculation method to the user terminal 20 (S31). The user terminal 20 displays the information on its display. Figure 8 shows an example of the information.

[0072] The information shown in FIG. 8 displays a list of information about residual values ​​calculated using multiple calculation methods. Specifically, for each calculation method, the current residual value, the residual value after X years, the calculation date, the number of calculations to date, the name of the diagnosed business, the calculation method, etc. are displayed. UI components (check boxes) are also displayed to specify at least one residual value from these. Note that one residual value may also be specified using a UI component such as a radio button. The information to be transmitted is generated based on the information stored in the residual value storage means (see FIG. 6).

[0073] Thereafter, the user terminal 20 accepts a user input specifying at least one remaining value (S32), and then transmits the specification indicating which remaining value has been specified to the processing device 10 (S33).

[0074] Next, the processing device 10 performs a process of issuing a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value (S34), and then transmits the issued diagnostic result to the user terminal 20 (S35).

[0075] In the process of issuing the diagnostic result, the processing device 10 generates, for example, a diagnostic result in a predetermined format. FIG. 9 shows an example of a diagnostic result generated by the processing device 10. The illustrated diagnostic result includes the date of issue, the issuer, information about the owner of the storage battery (name, address, etc.), information about the storage battery (storage battery manufacturer, type and manufacturer of electrically powered equipment equipped with the storage battery, etc.), residual value, information about the diagnostic company that calculated the residual value (name, etc.), etc. Note that the diagnostic result may not include some of this information, or may include other information. The diagnostic result may also be issued under another name, such as a "diagnostic certificate."

[0076] The diagnostic results are preferably in a format that makes them difficult to tamper with. For example, they may be recorded on a blockchain or generated in other data formats.

[0077] "Effects" The processing device 10 can acquire and store performance information regarding the usage history of storage batteries from users who own electrically powered devices. The processing device 10 can also transmit the stored performance information to at least one diagnostic service provider's server 30, and acquire and store residual value information of storage batteries calculated by the server 30 based on the performance information. The processing device 10 can then present residual values ​​calculated using at least one calculation method in response to a user's request, and issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value from among the calculated residual values.

[0078] The processing device 10 solves the problem of providing the user with the diagnosis result of the residual value of the storage battery calculated using the calculation method desired by the user.

[0079] In addition, since users can obtain the diagnostic results relatively easily, it becomes easier for them to sell their own electric devices on the secondhand market. Furthermore, users who are considering purchasing electric devices on the secondhand market can confidently evaluate and check the quality of products on the secondhand market based on the diagnostic results. As a result, further spread of electric devices and the secondhand market for electric devices is expected.

[0080] Third Embodiment The processing device 10 of this embodiment has a function to support a user's operation of specifying at least one of the residual values ​​of a storage battery calculated by at least one calculation method (an operation of specifying at least one residual value on a UI screen such as that shown in FIG. 8). Specifically, the processing device 10 has a function to present the user with information for determining which calculation method to specify. This will be described in detail below.

[0081] The issuing unit 13 outputs the characteristic information of each calculation method to the user, linked to the residual value calculated by at least one calculation method. The issuing unit 13 can transmit the information to the user terminal 20 in response to a request for issuing a diagnosis result from the user terminal 20 (S30 in FIG. 7). For example, the characteristic information of each calculation method is displayed on a screen showing the residual value calculated by at least one calculation method as shown in FIG. 8.

[0082] Thereafter, the issuing unit 13 receives a user input specifying the residual value calculated by at least one calculation method, and executes a process of issuing a diagnostic result indicating the residual value specified by the user input.

[0083] The "characteristic information for each calculation method" indicates at least one of the number of calculations of residual value information performed so far in relation to the storage battery, reliability, track record previously designated as a calculation method for executing the diagnostic result issuance process, word-of-mouth information, and track record of specified processing using the issued diagnostic results.

[0084] The "number of calculations of residual value information performed so far in relation to the storage battery" is the number of calculations shown in Figures 6 and 8 described in the second embodiment. It is considered that the more the number of calculations, the more likely the user is to trust the calculation results.

[0085] "Reliability" is the reliability of each calculation method. There are various methods for calculating reliability, but an example will be described in the fifth embodiment.

[0086] The "record of having been previously designated as a calculation method for executing the diagnostic result issuing process" indicates the number of times the calculation method has been designated in the past as a calculation method for executing the diagnostic result issuing process. That is, it indicates the number of times the calculation method has been designated in the past on the UI screen as shown in FIG. 8. The more times the calculation method has been designated, the more likely the user is to trust the calculation result.

[0087] "Word-of-mouth information" is information about each calculation method registered by unspecified users. The word-of-mouth information may include, for example, comments registered by users. The word-of-mouth information may also include, for example, evaluation results registered by users (e.g., results of a five-point evaluation).

[0088] The "performance of the predetermined process using the issued diagnostic results" indicates the sales results in the secondhand market using the diagnostic results calculated by each calculation method. In other words, the "predetermined process" refers to sales in the secondhand market, and the "performance" refers to the sales results. Specifically, the performance indicates the number of successful sales. The performance may also indicate at least one of the statistical values ​​(average, minimum, maximum, mode, median, etc.) of the time from listing on the secondhand market to successful sales. This data is generated, for example, based on information provided by the user who issued the diagnostic results. Specifically, after issuing the diagnostic results, the service provider provides the user with a questionnaire by any means inquiring about whether or not a sale was successful, the time from listing to successful sales, etc. Then, the above data is collected by obtaining the answers to the questionnaire.

[0089] Other configurations of the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment are similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

[0090] The processing device 10 of this embodiment achieves the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments. The processing device 10 also has a function to assist the user in selecting at least one of the residual values ​​of the storage battery calculated using at least one calculation method. Specifically, the processing device 10 has a function to present the user with information to help them decide which calculation method to select. The processing device 10 allows the user to easily select the desired calculation method.

[0091] Fourth Embodiment The processing device 10 of this embodiment has a function for improving the reliability of the residual value of a storage battery calculated by each diagnostic company.

[0092] An overview of this function will be explained using FIG. 10 . The processing device 10 acquires residual value information from a diagnostic service provider that calculated the residual value of a storage battery and accepts a deposit. After a sale of an electrically powered device is concluded using a diagnostic result indicating the residual value of the storage battery calculated by a diagnostic service provider, if the processing device 10 receives a compensation request from the buyer regarding the performance of the storage battery, the processing device 10 compensates the buyer using the diagnostic service provider's deposit. In this case, some or all of the diagnosed party's deposit will not be returned to the diagnostic service provider. In order to increase the deposit refund rate, it is expected that the diagnostic service provider will strive to calculate the residual value with higher accuracy. This will be explained in detail below.

[0093] 11 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the processing device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 has a performance information accumulation unit 11, a residual value information accumulation unit 12, an issuing unit 13, and a deposit management unit 14.

[0094] The deposit management unit 14 performs the following processes: "processing for accepting a deposit from a diagnostic business operator," "compensation processing using the deposit," and "deposit refund processing." Each process will be explained below.

[0095] -Process for accepting deposits from diagnostic businesses- When the residual value information accumulation unit 12 acquires residual value information and stores it in the residual value storage means, the deposit management unit 14 accordingly accepts a predetermined deposit from the diagnostic business that calculated the residual value information.

[0096] The "deposit" is a deposit received from the diagnostic company. If the diagnostic company calculates the residual value of a storage battery and the buyer / user of the electric device equipped with the storage battery suffers an unexpected disadvantage, the deposit will be used to carry out compensation processing.

[0097] The deposit management unit 14 may receive a deposit from a diagnostic business operator every time the residual value information storage unit 12 acquires residual value information from the server 30 of the diagnostic business operator and stores the information in the residual value storage means.

[0098] The sequence diagram in Figure 12 shows an example of the flow of this processing implemented by the deposit management unit 14. As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 transmits performance information stored in the performance storage means to the diagnostic company's server 30 at a predetermined timing (S40). The diagnostic company's server 30 calculates the residual value of the storage battery using a predetermined calculation method based on the received performance information (S41). The diagnostic company's server 30 then transmits residual value information indicating the calculated residual value to the processing device 10 and deposits a deposit with the processing device 10 (S42). The processing device 10 stores the received residual value information in the residual value storage means and accepts the deposit (S43). This processing is then repeated.

[0099] As explained in the second embodiment, the diagnostic business operator can repeatedly calculate the residual value of a user's storage battery. As a result, the calculation is performed multiple times, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. The deposit management unit 14 may accept a deposit from the diagnostic business operator in response to each of these multiple calculations. In this case, the total amount of deposits accepted from the diagnostic business operator increases as the number of calculations increases.

[0100] As another example, the deposit management unit 14 may accept a fixed deposit from a diagnostic company that has stored at least one calculation of residual value information in the residual value storage means. In this case, the deposit accepted from each diagnostic company is a fixed amount regardless of the number of calculations.

[0101] The means for accepting deposits is not particularly limited, and any technology can be employed. For example, the deposit management unit 14 may communicate with a server that manages predetermined electronic money and accept deposits in the predetermined electronic money. Alternatively, the deposit management unit 14 may communicate with a server of a predetermined credit card company and accept deposits by payment using a credit card. Alternatively, the deposit management unit 14 may accept deposits by online transfer processing to a predetermined financial institution such as a bank or post office.

[0102] - Compensation process using a deposit - First, the diagnostic results issued by the issuing unit 13 are used in the buying and selling of electrically-powered equipment equipped with a storage battery. Specifically, a user (seller) sells his or her own electrically-powered equipment on the secondhand market, attaching the acquired diagnostic results. The user (buyer) checks the condition of the storage battery of the electrically-powered equipment being sold on the secondhand market based on the diagnostic results, and uses them as information to decide whether or not to purchase it.

[0103] The sequence diagram in Figure 13 shows an example of the flow of processing implemented by the deposit management unit 14. As shown in the figure, when the processing device 10 receives a compensation request from the user terminal 40 of the user (buyer) (S50), it determines whether compensation is necessary and the compensation content (S51). Then, the processing device 10 executes compensation using a deposit linked to the calculation method used to calculate the diagnostic results used in the sale (a deposit made by the diagnostic business that calculated the residual value indicated by the diagnostic results) (S52).

[0104] Acceptance of compensation request (S50) The user (buyer) operates the user terminal 40 to access the processing device 10 via an application or web page related to the processing device 10. Then, the user (buyer) makes a compensation request via the UI screen on the application or web page.

[0105] In addition, when operating the compensation request, information about the user requesting compensation (such as name, address, and telephone number), information about the purchased electric equipment and the storage battery installed therein (information that identifies them), information about the seller (such as name, address, and telephone number), and information about the diagnosis results presented by the seller at the time of sale (such as diagnosis result identification information and a copy of the diagnosis results) may be entered.

[0106] Compensation Processing (S51, S52) The deposit management unit 14 determines whether to provide compensation and the details of the compensation based on the residual value of the storage battery indicated in the diagnosis result and the residual value of the storage battery at the time of the compensation request. Specifically, the deposit management unit 14 evaluates the accuracy of the residual value of the storage battery indicated in the diagnosis result based on the residual value of the storage battery indicated in the diagnosis result and the residual value of the storage battery at the time of the compensation request. The deposit management unit 14 then determines to provide compensation if the accuracy is below a reference level, and not to provide compensation if the accuracy is above the reference level. Furthermore, if compensation is to be provided, the deposit management unit 14 determines the details of compensation based on the deviation between the accuracy and the reference level. The larger the deviation, the larger the compensation amount the deposit management unit 14 can decide to pay.

[0107] There are various methods for calculating the accuracy, but one example will be explained below.

[0108] For example, the deposit management unit 14 can calculate the accuracy based on the difference (hereinafter referred to as the "first difference") obtained by subtracting the measured value of the battery's residual value at the time of the compensation request from the residual value of the battery predicted based on the diagnosis results. The larger the first difference, the lower the accuracy.

[0109] The predicted residual value of the storage battery at the time of a compensation request based on the diagnosis result is calculated, for example, as follows.

[0110] First, as shown in FIG. 9 , the diagnostic result includes the current residual value of the storage battery (at the time of issuing the diagnostic result or at the time of calculating the residual value indicated in the diagnostic result) and a predicted value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future. The deposit management unit 14 predicts the residual value of the storage battery at any time between the two time points based on the residual values ​​at the two time points. For example, the deposit management unit 14 may make the prediction under the assumption that the current residual value of the storage battery (at the time of issuing the diagnostic result or at the time of calculating the residual value indicated in the diagnostic result) decreases linearly toward the predicted value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future. Alternatively, the deposit management unit 14 may make the prediction under the assumption that the current residual value of the storage battery (at the time of issuing the diagnostic result or at the time of calculating the residual value indicated in the diagnostic result) decreases toward the predicted value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future according to a predetermined decreasing function.

[0111] In this case, the deposit management unit 14 can decide to provide compensation when the condition that "the first difference is greater than the threshold (the accuracy is equal to or less than the reference level)" is satisfied. The deposit management unit 14 can then decide to pay a larger amount of compensation the greater the deviation between the first difference and the threshold.

[0112] The deposit management unit 14 may determine to provide compensation when, in addition to the above conditions, other conditions are met, such as "meeting specified usage conditions." The usage conditions define that the electric device and the storage battery are used under conditions that do not cause unexpected deterioration of the storage battery. Examples of usage conditions include, but are not limited to, that the mileage of the electric vehicle (electric device) is below a reference value, or that the number of times the storage battery is charged is below a reference value.

[0113] Furthermore, as a condition for receiving compensation, it may be stipulated that the "measured value of the residual value of the battery at the time of the compensation request" is measured using a predetermined measurement method. The predetermined measurement method may be, for example, calculation based on the measured value of the discharge current when the battery is completely discharged from a fully charged state.

[0114] Furthermore, a condition for receiving compensation may be stipulated as follows: "The user (buyer) who purchased the electric vehicle must periodically transmit post-purchase performance information of the storage battery installed in the purchased electric vehicle to the processing device 10." In this way, the processing device 10 can acquire performance information of the storage battery before and after purchase. Then, based on this information, the processing device 10 can determine whether to provide compensation and the content of the compensation. For example, the above-mentioned "residual value of the storage battery at the time of compensation request" may be calculated based on the "post-purchase performance information of the storage battery" transmitted to the processing device 10 after purchase.

[0115] The payment of compensation to the user (buyer) may be realized by any means. For example, the deposit management unit 14 may communicate with a server that manages predetermined electronic money and pay the compensation in the predetermined electronic money. Alternatively, the deposit management unit 14 may pay the compensation by online transfer processing to a predetermined financial institution such as a bank or post office.

[0116] - Deposit Refund Processing - The deposit management unit 14 refunds the deposit received from the diagnostic business operator to the diagnostic business operator at a predetermined timing. The deposit management unit 14 can execute at least one of the refund examples shown below.

[0117] Refund Example 1 In this example, a user who periodically transmits performance information of an electric device they own to the processing device 10 transmits an instruction to terminate the processing to the processing device 10 at a timing of their choice. The user issues this instruction, for example, when they sell their own electric device to another user. The user operates, for example, the user terminal 20 to access the processing device 10 via an application or web page related to the processing device 10. The user then issues this instruction via a UI screen on the application or web page.

[0118] Upon receiving the instruction, the deposit management unit 14 refunds the deposits to some of the diagnostic businesses. Specifically, the deposit management unit 14 refunds to each diagnostic business the deposits linked to calculation methods other than the method used to calculate the diagnostic results issued to the user (deposits deposited by the diagnostic businesses that calculated the residual value indicated in the diagnostic results).

[0119] The deposit associated with the calculation method used to calculate the diagnosis result issued to the user may be used for a subsequent compensation request, so this deposit will not be refunded to the diagnosis provider at this time.

[0120] Refund Example 2 This example is an example of refunding a deposit linked to the calculation method used to calculate the diagnostic result issued to the user. The deposit management unit 14 refunds the deposit linked to the calculation method used to calculate the diagnostic result issued to the user to the diagnostic business operator at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is the timing (termination timing) when the compensation obligation to the user (buyer) ends.

[0121] The end timing may be, for example, a timing when a predetermined period has elapsed since the time of purchase of the electrically-powered device. Alternatively, the end timing may be a timing when a predetermined period has elapsed since the date on which the diagnostic result was issued. Alternatively, the end timing may be a timing when a predetermined period has elapsed since the date on which the residual value indicated in the diagnostic result was calculated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9 , if the diagnostic result indicates a residual value at a predetermined time in the future, the end timing may be that predetermined time in the future.

[0122] The deposit management unit 14 monitors the arrival of the end timing as described above, and when the end timing arrives, the deposit management unit 14 returns to the diagnostic business operator the deposit associated with the calculation method used to calculate the diagnostic result issued to the user.

[0123] The deposit may be returned to the diagnostic business operator by any means. For example, the deposit management unit 14 may communicate with a server that manages predetermined electronic money and return the deposit in the predetermined electronic money. Alternatively, the deposit management unit 14 may communicate with a server of a predetermined credit card company and return the deposit. Alternatively, the deposit management unit 14 may return the deposit by online transfer processing to a predetermined financial institution such as a bank or post office.

[0124] Other configurations of the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment are similar to those of the first to third embodiments.

[0125] The processing device 10 of this embodiment achieves the same effects as those of the first to third embodiments. Furthermore, the processing device 10 can accept a deposit from a diagnostic business and use it to compensate users (buyers) who purchase electric equipment through a transaction using the diagnostic results. As a result, it is expected that diagnostic businesses will strive to calculate residual values ​​with higher accuracy in order to increase the deposit refund rate. Furthermore, users (buyers) can purchase electric equipment with peace of mind.

[0126] Fifth Embodiment The processing device 10 of this embodiment has a function of calculating the reliability of each calculation method. Then, based on this reliability, the processing device 10 can determine the compensation to be paid to the diagnostic company for the calculation of the residual value. Furthermore, the processing device 10 can use this reliability in the processing described in the third embodiment. This will be described in detail below.

[0127] 14 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the processing device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the processing device 10 has a performance information accumulation unit 11, a residual value information accumulation unit 12, an issuing unit 13, and a calculation method evaluation unit 15. Although not shown, the processing device 10 may also have a deposit management unit 14.

[0128] - Calculation of reliability of each calculation method - The calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates the reliability of each of at least one calculation method for calculating the residual value of a storage battery. The calculation method evaluation unit 15 can execute at least one of the calculation examples shown below.

[0129] Calculation Example 1 The residual value information calculated by each calculation method includes the current residual value and a predicted value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future.

[0130] The calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates the reliability of each calculation method based on the accuracy of the predicted value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future indicated by the residual value information calculated in the past. Specifically, after the arrival of the "predetermined time in the future indicated by the residual value information calculated in the past," the calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates the difference between the "predetermined value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future indicated by the residual value information calculated in the past" and the "current residual value at that time." The smaller the difference, the higher the reliability calculated by the calculation method evaluation unit 15.

[0131] The "current residual value" may be the current residual value calculated by each calculation method, a statistical value (average, median, mode, etc.) of the current residual values ​​calculated by multiple calculation methods, or a value measured by a predetermined measurement method. The predetermined measurement method may be, for example, calculation based on the measured value of the discharge current when the battery is completely discharged from a fully charged state.

[0132] Calculation Example 2 The diagnosis result issued by the issuing unit 13 is used in the buying and selling of electrically-powered devices equipped with a storage battery. The method of use is as described in the above embodiment.

[0133] The calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates the reliability of the calculation method used to calculate the residual value indicated by the diagnostic result used in the transaction based on the result of the transaction. Specifically, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates a higher reliability if the transaction is successful. On the other hand, if the transaction is not successful, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates a lower reliability.

[0134] For example, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 may calculate the reliability of each calculation method based on the total number of successful trades. The calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates a higher reliability as the total number of successful trades increases.

[0135] Furthermore, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 may calculate the reliability of each calculation method based on the total number of successful trades and the total number of unsuccessful trades. The calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates a higher reliability the greater the total number of successful trades and the higher the probability of successful trades. The probability of successful trades is calculated by dividing the total number of successful trades by the number of trades (the sum of the total number of successful trades and the total number of unsuccessful trades).

[0136] Calculation Example 3 The calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates the reliability of each calculation method based on at least one of the track record of calculation methods previously designated as calculation methods for executing the process of issuing diagnostic results and word-of-mouth information about the calculation methods.

[0137] The calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate a higher reliability the more times a calculation method has been specified in the past as a calculation method for executing the diagnostic result issuance process (the number of times it has been specified in the past on a UI screen such as that shown in Figure 8).

[0138] Furthermore, the word-of-mouth information may include user ratings (e.g., a five-point scale rating), and the calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate a higher reliability as the statistical results (average, median, mode, etc.) of the ratings by multiple users are higher.

[0139] Calculation Example 4 The diagnostic result issued by the issuing unit 13 is used in the purchase and sale of electrically-powered equipment equipped with a storage battery. Details of the diagnostic result are then displayed on a web page introducing the electrically-powered equipment.

[0140] The calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate the reliability based on at least one of the number of views of the web page and the number of favorites. Specifically, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate a higher reliability as the number of views increases. Furthermore, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate a higher reliability as the number of favorites increases.

[0141] Calculation Example 5 The calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate the reliability of each calculation method based on the track record of compensation using deposits described in the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate a higher reliability the fewer the number of times compensation using deposits has been performed. Furthermore, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate a higher reliability the lower the total amount of compensation using deposits.

[0142] Calculation Example 6 The calculation method evaluation unit 15 can calculate the reliability of each calculation method based on any multiple of the above-mentioned calculation examples 1 to 5. Specifically, the calculation method evaluation unit 15 calculates the reliability for each of the multiple calculation examples, and then integrates them to calculate the final reliability. There are no particular limitations on the method of integration, and examples include averaging, weighted averaging, adding up, and multiplying, but this is not limited to these.

[0143] - Determining the price to be paid to the diagnosed business operator for calculating the residual value - In this embodiment, each time the residual value information accumulation unit 12 acquires residual value information and stores it in the residual value storage means, a predetermined price is paid to each diagnosed business operator that calculated the residual value information. The calculation method evaluation unit 15 determines the price based on the reliability of each calculation method calculated as described above. The calculation method evaluation unit 15 determines a higher price the higher the reliability. Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of an example of the content determined by the calculation method evaluation unit 15.

[0144] -Other Uses of Reliability- Furthermore, as described in the third embodiment, the issuing unit 13 can output characteristic information of each calculation method to the user, linked to the residual value calculated by at least one calculation method. Thereafter, the issuing unit 13 accepts user input specifying the residual value calculated by at least one calculation method, and executes processing to issue a diagnostic result indicating the residual value specified by the user input. The "characteristic information of each calculation method" can include the reliability of each calculation method.

[0145] The issuing unit 13 can perform the above processing by using the reliability calculated by the calculation method evaluation unit 15 as "characteristic information of each calculation method."

[0146] The other configurations of the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment are the same as those of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0147] The processing device 10 of this embodiment achieves the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments. Furthermore, the processing device 10 can calculate the reliability of each calculation method and, based on this reliability, determine the compensation to be paid to the diagnostic business operator for the calculation of the residual value. Furthermore, the processing device 10 can present this reliability to the user. As a result, it is expected that the diagnostic business operator will strive to further increase the reliability.

[0148] <Variations> "Variation 1" In the above embodiment, the explanation was given on the assumption that the residual values ​​of the storage battery calculated by multiple diagnostic companies using multiple calculation methods are accumulated in the residual value storage means, but the residual values ​​of the storage battery calculated by one diagnostic company using one calculation method may also be accumulated in the residual value storage means.

[0149] "Variation 2" In the above embodiment, the residual value is calculated repeatedly for one storage battery using each calculation method. However, the residual value may be calculated only once for one storage battery using each calculation method. For example, when the processing device 10 receives a request for issuance of a diagnostic result from a user, the processing device 10 may transmit the performance information accumulated up to that point to at least one server 30 (the server of the diagnostic service provider) in response to the request and request the calculation of the residual value. The processing device 10 may then present the residual values ​​calculated in response to the request to the user and issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one selected value from the calculated residual values.

[0150] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations may be adopted. The configurations of the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other, or some of the configurations may be replaced with other configurations. Furthermore, various modifications may be made to the configurations of the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the configurations and processes disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be combined with each other.

[0151] In addition, although the sequence diagrams used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in order, the execution order of the steps in each embodiment is not limited to the order shown. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the diagrams can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as the content does not contradict each other.

[0152] In this specification, "acquisition" includes at least one of the following: "the device retrieves data stored in another device or storage medium (active acquisition)" based on user input or program instructions, such as receiving data by making a request or inquiry to another device, or accessing and reading out another device or storage medium; "inputting data output from another device into the device (passive acquisition)" based on user input or program instructions, such as receiving data that is distributed (or transmitted, push notification, etc.), and selecting and acquiring data from received data or information; and "editing data (converting data to text, rearranging data, extracting some data, changing the file format, etc.) to generate new data and acquire the new data."

[0153] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1. A processing device comprising: performance information storage means for acquiring performance information related to the usage performance of a storage battery and storing it in performance storage means; residual value information storage means for acquiring residual value information related to the residual value of the storage battery calculated using at least one calculation method based on the performance information and storing it in residual value storage means; and issuing means for executing an issuing process of a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value calculated using at least one of the calculation methods. 2. The processing device described in 1, wherein the residual value information storage means transmits the performance information stored in the performance storage means to an external device that calculates the residual value information based on the performance information, and acquires the residual value information from the external device. 3. The processing device described in 2, wherein the residual value information storage means transmits the performance information to a plurality of the external devices and acquires the residual value information from the plurality of the external devices, and the plurality of the external devices calculate the residual value information using each of the calculation methods unique to that external device. 4. 1. The processing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the performance information accumulation means repeatedly acquires the performance information of the storage battery and accumulates it in the performance storage means, and the residual value information accumulation means transmits the performance information to a plurality of external devices at a frequency specific to each of the external devices and acquires the residual value information, and the plurality of external devices calculate the residual value information at a frequency specific to each of the external devices. 5. The processing device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the residual value information includes a current residual value and a predicted value of a residual value at a predetermined timing in the future. 6. The processing device according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising deposit management means for accepting a predetermined deposit when the residual value information accumulation means acquires the residual value information and accumulates it in the residual value storage means. 7. The processing device according to claim 6, wherein the issued diagnosis result is used in the sale and purchase of electric equipment comprising the storage battery, and the deposit management means executes compensation processing using the deposit linked to the calculation method used to calculate the diagnosis result used in the sale and purchase of the electric equipment in response to a compensation request from a buyer of the electric equipment.8. The processing device according to 7, wherein the diagnostic result includes a predicted value of a residual value at a predetermined timing in the future, and the deposit management means determines whether to provide compensation and the content of the compensation based on the predicted value and the residual value of the storage battery included in the electrically-powered device at the time of the compensation request. 9. The processing device according to any one of 1 to 8, wherein the issuing means outputs characteristic information of each of the calculation methods to a user, linked to the residual value calculated using at least one of the calculation methods, and then accepts user input specifying the residual value calculated using at least one of the calculation methods, and executes processing to issue a diagnostic result indicating the residual value specified by the user input. 10. The processing device according to 9, wherein the characteristic information indicates at least one of the number of calculations of the residual value information performed so far in relation to the storage battery, reliability, performance previously specified as the calculation method for executing processing to issue the diagnostic result, word-of-mouth information, and performance of a predetermined process using the issued diagnostic result. 11. The processing device according to any one of 1 to 10, further comprising calculation method evaluation means for calculating the reliability of at least one of the calculation methods. 12. 12. The processing device according to 11, wherein the residual value information includes a current residual value and a predicted value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future, and the calculation method evaluation means calculates the reliability based on a difference between a predicted value of the residual value at a predetermined time in the future indicated by the residual value information calculated in the past and the residual value at the predetermined time. 13. The processing device according to 11 or 12, wherein the issued diagnostic result is used in the purchase and sale of electrically powered equipment including the storage battery, and the calculation method evaluation means calculates the reliability based on the results of the purchase and sale. 14. The processing device according to any of 11 to 13, wherein the calculation method evaluation means calculates the reliability based on at least one of a track record previously specified as the calculation method for executing the process of issuing the diagnostic result and word-of-mouth information about the calculation method.15. The processing device according to any one of 11 to 14, wherein the issued diagnostic result is used in the sale and purchase of electric equipment equipped with the storage battery, details of the diagnostic result are shown on a web page introducing the electric equipment, and the calculation method evaluation means calculates the reliability based on at least one of the number of views of the web page and the number of favorites. 16. The processing device according to any one of 11 to 14, wherein the calculation method evaluation means determines, based on the reliability, a fee to be paid to each diagnostic business that calculated the residual value information each time the residual value information accumulation means acquires the residual value information and stores it in the residual value storage means. 17. A processing method in which one or more computers acquire performance information regarding the usage performance of the storage battery and store it in performance storage means, acquire residual value information regarding the residual value of the storage battery calculated by at least one calculation method based on the performance information and store it in residual value storage means, and execute processing to issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified residual value calculated by at least one of the calculation methods. 18. 19. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program causing a computer to function as: performance information accumulation means that acquires performance information regarding the performance of storage battery usage and accumulates it in performance storage means, residual value information accumulation means that acquires residual value information regarding the residual value of the storage battery calculated using at least one calculation method based on the performance information and accumulates it in residual value storage means, and issuing means that executes processing to issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified value among the residual values ​​calculated using at least one of the calculation methods. 19. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program causing a computer to function as: performance information accumulation means that acquires performance information regarding the performance of storage battery usage and accumulates it in performance storage means, residual value information accumulation means that acquires residual value information regarding the residual value of the storage battery calculated using at least one calculation method based on the performance information and accumulates it in residual value storage means, and issuing means that executes processing to issue a diagnostic result indicating at least one specified value among the residual values ​​calculated using at least one of the calculation methods.

[0154] 10 Processing device 11 Performance information storage unit 12 Residual value information storage unit 13 Issuance unit 14 Deposit management unit 15 Calculation method evaluation unit 20 User terminal 30 Server 40 User terminal 1A Processor 2A Memory 3A Input / output I / F 4A Peripheral circuit 5A Bus

Claims

1. a performance information storage means for acquiring performance information relating to a performance of the storage battery and storing the information in a performance storage means; a residual value information storage means for acquiring residual value information on a residual value of the storage battery calculated by at least one calculation method based on the performance information, and storing the information in a residual value storage means; an issuing means for executing an issuing process of a diagnostic result indicating at least one designated one of the residual values ​​calculated by at least one of the calculation methods; A processing device having

2. The residual value information accumulation means transmitting the performance information stored in the performance storage means to an external device that calculates the residual value information based on the performance information; The processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the residual value information is obtained from the external device.

3. The residual value information accumulation means Transmitting the performance information to a plurality of the external devices and acquiring the residual value information from the plurality of the external devices; The plurality of external devices include The processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the residual value information is calculated using the calculation method unique to each of the processing devices.

4. The performance information accumulation means includes: Repeatedly acquiring the performance information of the storage battery and storing it in the performance storage means; The residual value information accumulation means Transmitting the performance information to a plurality of external devices at a frequency specific to each of the external devices, and acquiring the residual value information; The plurality of external devices include The processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the residual value information is calculated at a frequency specific to each of the vehicles.

5. The processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the remaining value information includes a current remaining value and a predicted remaining value at a predetermined time in the future.

6. 2. The processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a deposit management means for accepting a predetermined deposit when said remaining value information accumulation means acquires said remaining value information and accumulates it in said remaining value storage means.

7. The issuing means is 2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing device outputs characteristic information of each of the calculation methods to a user in association with the residual value calculated using at least one of the calculation methods, and then accepts user input specifying the residual value calculated using at least one of the calculation methods, and executes a process of issuing a diagnostic result indicating the residual value specified by the user input.

8. 2. The processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation method evaluation means for calculating a reliability of at least one of said calculation methods.

9. One or more computers Acquire performance information regarding the performance of the storage battery and store it in a performance storage means; obtaining residual value information regarding a residual value of the storage battery calculated by at least one calculation method based on the performance information, and storing the information in a residual value storage means; A processing method that executes a process of issuing a diagnostic result indicative of at least one specified one of the residual values ​​calculated by at least one of the calculation methods.

10. Computer, a performance information storage means for acquiring performance information relating to the performance of the storage battery and storing the information in a performance storage means; a residual value information storage means for acquiring residual value information on a residual value of the storage battery calculated by at least one calculation method based on the performance information, and storing the information in a residual value storage means; an issuing means for executing an issuing process of a diagnostic result indicating at least one designated one of the residual values ​​calculated by at least one of the calculation methods; A program that functions as a