Server, operating method thereof, and battery exchange system

Abstract

According to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, a server comprises: a communication circuit; a memory; and a processor operatively connected to the communication circuit and the memory. The processor may be configured to: set a battery capable of being designated by a user, on the basis of the state of a battery stored in a swappable battery charging station; receive, from the user, an exchange request for the battery designated by the user; and calculate a reward to be provided to the user, on the basis of at least one of whether the battery designated by the user is fully charged and the state of a used battery returned to the swappable battery charging station by the user.

Description

Server and its operating method, battery replacement system

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0172499, filed December 1, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a server and its operating method, and a battery exchange system.

[0005] Recently, research and development on secondary batteries has been actively conducted. Here, secondary batteries are rechargeable and include both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of having a much higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight form, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] Swappable Battery Charging Stations (SBCS) are being introduced to charge swappable batteries, allowing users to exchange discharged battery packs for fully charged ones. Users can rent battery packs from SBCSs, use them in electric two-wheeled vehicles, and then return the discharged packs to receive new ones. SBCSs can be installed in easily accessible locations, such as near convenience stores or gas stations.

[0007] One purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide a server capable of efficiently operating a battery exchange service, a method of operating the server, and a battery exchange system.

[0008] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0009] According to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, a server includes a communication circuit, a memory, and a processor operatively connected to the communication circuit and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to set a user-designable battery based on a state of a battery stored in a battery exchange station, receive an exchange request for the user-designated battery from the user, and calculate a reward to be provided to the user based on at least one of whether the user-designated battery is fully charged and a state of a used battery returned by the user to the battery exchange station.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the processor may set a battery among the stored batteries that has completed constant current charging as the designatable battery.

[0011] In an embodiment, the processor may calculate the reward based on at least one of a state of the battery specified by the user and information related to the user, if the battery specified by the user is not a fully charged battery.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the processor may calculate the reward based on the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the battery specified by the user.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the processor may calculate the reward based on an expected capacity derived from a state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the battery specified by the user.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the processor may calculate the reward based on the number of times the user has provided the reward and the subscription period of the service for using the battery exchange station.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the processor may calculate the reward based on the state of charge (SOC) of the used battery.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the processor may calculate the reward based on the charge rate of the used battery and a boundary value of the preset range when the charge rate of the used battery is within a preset range.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the processor may transmit the reward information to the user's terminal.

[0018] According to an embodiment disclosed in this document, a method of operating a server may include a step of setting a user-designable battery based on a state of a battery stored in a battery exchange station, a step of receiving an exchange request for a battery designated by the user from the user, and a step of calculating a reward to be provided to the user based on at least one of whether the battery designated by the user is fully charged and a state of a used battery returned by the user to the battery exchange station.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the step of setting the designable battery may be characterized by setting a battery among the batteries stored in the battery exchange station that has completed constant current charging as the designable battery.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the step of providing a reward to the user may be characterized by calculating the reward based on at least one of a state of the battery specified by the user and information related to the user, if the battery specified by the user is not a fully charged battery.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the step of providing a reward to the user may be characterized by calculating the reward based on a state of charge (SOC) of the used battery.

[0022] According to an embodiment disclosed in this document, a battery exchange system may include a management server that charges a battery stored therein, provides a battery designated by a user from among designable batteries according to a user's exchange request, sets a battery exchange station to which a used battery of the user is set to be returned, and sets the designable battery based on the status of a battery stored in the battery exchange station, and calculates a reward to be provided to the user based on at least one of whether the battery designated by the user is fully charged and the status of the used battery.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the battery exchange station can perform constant current charging and constant voltage charging on the stored battery.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the management server can set a battery among the stored batteries that has completed constant current charging as the designatable battery.

[0025] The server and its operation method and battery exchange system according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can efficiently operate a battery exchange service by providing users with rewards for battery exchange.

[0026] In addition, various effects may be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a battery exchange system according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a battery exchange system according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a charging process of a battery according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0030] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are diagrams showing battery exchange simulation results of a battery exchange system according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating a server according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0032] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the present invention encompasses various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0033] In this document, the singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish the corresponding element from other corresponding elements, and do not limit the corresponding elements in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0034] Each component (e.g., a module or a program) described in this document may include one or more entities. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0035] The term "module" or "part" used in this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0036] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program or an application) including one or more instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., memory). For example, a processor of the device may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the device to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction called. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily in the storage medium.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a battery exchange system according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery exchange system (10) may include a management server (100) and a battery exchange station (200).

[0039] The battery exchange system (10) allows users who have subscribed to a service for using a battery exchange station (200) to exchange batteries through the battery exchange station (200) and provides rewards for battery exchange.

[0040] The battery exchange system (10) can allow users to exchange even incomplete batteries if they meet certain conditions, thereby enabling efficient operation of the battery exchange service compared to a case where only fully charged batteries can always be exchanged.

[0041] In addition, the battery exchange system (10) can efficiently operate the battery exchange station (200) and efficiently manage the batteries used for exchange by providing rewards to the users to encourage their participation.

[0042] Users can utilize services provided by the management server (100) and battery exchange station (200) using their user terminals. For example, the services may include a battery exchange service. To this end, an application for utilizing the battery exchange service may be installed on the user terminal.

[0043] Users can subscribe to the battery exchange service and use the battery exchange service by running the application on their user terminals.

[0044] A battery exchange station (200) can be installed in an external electronic device (e.g., a vehicle) to receive and recharge a discharged battery and provide a charged battery. The battery may be a replaceable battery that can be detached from the external electronic device.

[0045] The battery exchange station (200) may include a configuration such as a storage compartment (e.g., a slot) into which a battery for exchange can be inserted or removed, a charger for charging the battery stored in the storage compartment, and a controller for performing overall control of the battery exchange station (200), and some configurations may be omitted or other general-purpose configurations may be further included.

[0046] The battery exchange station (200) can store multiple batteries, provide charged batteries according to the user's operation, and accept the user's used batteries.

[0047] The battery exchange station (200) can charge each of the stored batteries through constant current charging and constant voltage charging. In an embodiment, the charging process for each battery may be performed by performing constant current charging followed by constant voltage charging. For example, the battery exchange station (200) may perform constant current charging until the battery's charge rate reaches a reference value, and then perform constant voltage charging until the battery is fully charged. For example, the battery exchange station (200) may perform constant current charging until the battery's charge rate reaches 80%, and then perform constant voltage charging until the battery is fully charged.

[0048] In general, based on the battery's charge rate, the charging section corresponding to constant current charging is wider than the charging section corresponding to constant voltage charging. However, since the charging speed of constant current charging is faster than that of constant voltage charging, the charging time of each section may not differ significantly. For example, based on the charge rate, the constant current charging section is 0% to 80%, and the constant voltage charging section is 80% to 100%. The constant current charging section may be four times longer than the constant voltage charging section, but the charging time may be similar.

[0049] Since the storage capacity and charging capacity of the battery exchange station (200) are limited, the battery exchange system (10) can efficiently operate the battery exchange service by efficiently managing the charging time of each battery and inducing rapid battery exchange accordingly.

[0050] The management server (100) can calculate rewards to be provided to users during the battery exchange process at the battery exchange station (200). To efficiently operate the battery exchange service, the management server (100) can provide rewards to users and encourage them to select efficient batteries. For example, the management server (100) can manage applications for the battery exchange service and provide rewards to users through the applications.

[0051] The management server (100) can perform overall management for operating a battery exchange service, such as management of the battery exchange station (200), for example, battery exchange at the battery exchange station (200), management of batteries stored in each battery exchange station (200), and reward settlement management.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the management server (100) may be implemented as various computing devices such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, etc. In addition, the management server (100) may be implemented as one or more management servers (100) that are physically or logically separated based on functions, detailed configuration of functions, or data, etc., and data may be transmitted and received and the transmitted and received data may be processed through communication between each management server (100).

[0053] According to an embodiment, the management server (100) may include a communication circuit (111), a memory (113), and a processor (115).

[0054] The communication circuit (111) can support the establishment of a wired or wireless communication connection between the management server (100) and an external electronic device (e.g., a battery exchange station (200), etc.), and the performance of communication through the established connection. According to one embodiment, the communication circuit (111) includes a wireless communication circuit (e.g., a cellular communication circuit, a short-range wireless communication circuit, or a GNSS (global navigation satellite system) communication circuit) or a wired communication circuit (e.g., a LAN (local area network) communication circuit, or a power line communication circuit), and can communicate with an external electronic device through a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi direct, or IrDA (infrared data association), or a long-range communication network such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network using the corresponding communication circuit. The various types of communication circuits (111) described above can be implemented as one chip or each can be implemented as separate chips. For example, the communication circuit (111) of the management server (100) can communicate with the battery exchange station (200) to obtain the status of the stored battery.

[0055] The memory (113) may store commands, control command codes, control data, or user data for controlling the management server (100). For example, the memory (113) may include at least one of an application program, an operating system (OS), middleware, or a device driver. The memory (130) may include one or more of volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), phase-change RAM (PRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), etc. The non-volatile memory may include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, etc. The memory (113) may further include a non-volatile medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state disk (SSD), an embedded multi-media card (eMMC), or a universal flash storage (UFS). In one embodiment, the memory (113) may store the status of the stored battery obtained through the communication circuit (111).

[0056] The processor (115) can control the overall operation of the management server (100). In various embodiments, the processor (115) may include a single processor core or a plurality of processor cores. For example, the processor (115) may include a multi-core such as a dual-core, a quad-core, or a hexa-core. According to embodiments, the processor (115) may further include a cache memory located internally or externally. According to embodiments, the processor (115) may be configured with one or more processors. For example, the processor (115) may include at least one of an application processor, a communication processor, or a graphical processing unit (GPU).

[0057] All or part of the processor (115) may be electrically or operatively coupled with or connected to other components (e.g., communication circuitry (111) or memory (113)) within the management server (100). The processor (115) may receive commands from other components, interpret the received commands, and perform calculations or process data according to the interpreted commands. The processor (115) may interpret and process messages, data, commands, or signals received from the communication circuitry (111) and memory (113). The processor (115) may generate new messages, data, commands, or signals based on the received messages, data, commands, or signals. The processor (115) may provide the processed or generated messages, data, commands, or signals to the communication circuitry (111) or memory (113).

[0058] The processor (115) can process data or signals generated or produced by a program. For example, the processor (115) can request instructions, data, or signals from the memory (113) to execute or control the program. The processor (115) can record (or store) or update instructions, data, or signals in the memory (113) to execute or control the program.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) can obtain the status of a battery stored in a battery exchange station (200).

[0060] In one embodiment, the processor (115) can obtain the status of the battery stored in the battery exchange station (200) from the battery exchange station (200) through the communication circuit (111). In another embodiment, each battery stored in the battery exchange station (200) (i.e., used in the battery exchange service) can be equipped with a battery management system (BMS), and the management server (100) can obtain the status of each battery from the battery management system of each battery. In addition, the management server (200) can also obtain the status of the battery from a configuration such as a charger (or charger / discharger) for charging each battery in the battery exchange station (200), and the configuration by which the management server (100) obtains the status of the battery is not limited.

[0061] The processor (115) can obtain information such as the state of charge (SOC) and lifespan (SOH) of each battery stored in the battery exchange station (200), and can also obtain various information such as the current, voltage, temperature, and charging stage of each battery.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) can set a user-designable battery based on the status of the stored battery. The processor (115) can set a user-designable battery for battery exchange at the battery exchange station (200). For example, the processor (115) can designate batteries that satisfy specific conditions among the batteries stored at the battery exchange station (200) as exchangeable batteries.

[0063] The processor (115) can set conditions for designating replaceable batteries, taking into account efficient operation of the battery exchange station (200), management of each battery, user convenience, etc. The conditions for designating batteries can be set in various ways. For example, the processor (115) can set a battery with a charge rate higher than a reference value as a designable battery.

[0064] The processor (115) can be configured to allow replacement of a battery even if it is not fully charged, if certain conditions are met. By enabling replacement of a battery even if it is not fully charged, if the conditions are met, the processor (115) can operate the battery replacement service more efficiently.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) can set a battery stored in the battery exchange station (200) that has completed constant current charging as a designable battery. The battery exchange station (200) can perform constant voltage charging after constant current charging on each battery, and the processor (115) can set a battery that has completed constant current charging, for example, a battery that is undergoing constant voltage charging or is fully charged, as a designable battery.

[0066] As described above, since the charging time is short compared to the range of the charging rate corresponding to the constant current charging section in constant current charging and constant voltage charging, which is efficient, the processor (115) sets the condition for designating a battery as exchangeable as the completion of constant current charging, thereby effectively distributing the charging capacity of the battery exchange station (200), and accordingly, efficiently operating the battery exchange service.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) may provide a reward to the user if the battery specified by the user is not fully charged. To this end, the processor (115) may calculate the reward to be provided to the user. The reward may be provided in various forms, such as cash or points.

[0068] The processor (115) may set a battery that satisfies a specific condition (e.g., completion of a constant current charge or a specified condition) as a designable battery even if it is not fully charged, so that the user may select the fully charged battery as needed. If the user designates the fully charged battery as a replacement battery, the processor (115) may calculate and provide a reward to compensate for the user's inability to use the battery as it is not fully charged.

[0069] On the other hand, since the charging time required for constant voltage charging is longer than the constant current charging time when charging a battery, if only fully charged batteries are set to be exchanged, the charging time becomes longer, making it difficult to efficiently operate the battery exchange station (200) with limited charging and storage capacity. Therefore, the battery exchange system (10) can induce the user to exchange batteries by specifying unfull batteries, thereby increasing the efficiency of charging time and battery storage at the battery exchange station (200).

[0070] To this end, the processor (115) can provide a reward to a user who has designated an unfilled battery, thereby inducing the user to designate an unfilled battery that has completed constant current charging to receive the reward, and accordingly, the battery exchange system (10) can enable faster and more efficient battery exchange.

[0071] According to an embodiment, if the battery specified by the user is not fully charged, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on at least one of the status of the battery specified by the user and information related to the user. For example, the processor (115) may calculate a reward by considering battery status information such as the state of charge (SOC), lifespan (SOH), number of replacements, and frequency of replacement of the battery specified by the user, as well as the frequency of the user's use of the battery exchange service, the number of uses, and the subscription period.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on the state of charge (SOC) and lifespan (SOH) of a battery specified by the user. In this case, the state of charge (SOC) and lifespan (SOH) of the battery specified by the user may be the charge rate and lifespan at the time the user specified the replacement battery.

[0073] Even for batteries of the same type, the actual usable battery capacity varies depending on the current lifespan of the battery. Therefore, the processor (115) can calculate the reward by considering the battery's charging rate and lifespan. For example, the processor (115) can calculate and provide a greater reward as the charging rate and lifespan decrease.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on an expected capacity calculated from a charge rate and lifespan of a battery specified by a user. Here, the expected capacity may refer to the usable capacity of the battery based on the charge rate and lifespan.

[0075] In one embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on a ratio between the expected capacity of a user-specified battery and the maximum expected capacity of that type of battery. Here, the maximum expected capacity may refer to the usable capacity when the battery is charged at 100% and has a lifespan of 100%.

[0076] Specified battery SOC(%)xSpecified battery SOH(%)yBased reward(won)zMaximum expected capacity100*100Specified battery's expected capacity(x+k1)*(x+k2)Reward for the specified battery

[0077] [Table 1] illustrates an example of calculating rewards based on charge rate and lifespan. Referring to [Table 1], when the charge rate of a user-specified battery is x (%) and the lifespan is y (%), the expected capacity can be calculated as (x+k1)*(y+k2). Here, k1 and k2 can be preliminary constants for the charge rate and lifespan, respectively.

[0078] In this case, the processor (115) can calculate the reward in proportion to the ratio of the expected capacity and the maximum expected capacity (maximum expected capacity / expected capacity). For example, the processor (115) can calculate the reward It can be calculated as follows. Here, z is a reference reward and can be a proportional constant.

[0079] For example, if the charge rate of the specified battery is 90%, the lifespan is 90%, the reserve constants k1 = k2 = 0, and z = 500 (won), the processor (115) can provide a reward of 617 won to the user. The reward calculation of the processor (115) described above is only an example and is not limited thereto.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on the number of times the user provides rewards and the subscription period of the service for using the battery exchange station (200).

[0081] For example, the processor (115) may calculate the reward to be provided to the user differently depending on the number of monthly rewards provided to the user. For example, the processor (115) may calculate the reward to decrease as the number of monthly exchanges increases. In some cases, the processor (115) may provide the same minimum reward above a certain number of times, or may limit the maximum number of rewards provided.

[0082] The processor (115) can calculate a larger reward the longer the user's subscription period. For example, the processor (115) can provide a reward proportional to the service subscription period. For example, the processor (115) can calculate the reward in various ways, such as multiplying a specific number by the subscription period or adding a specific number.

[0083] In one embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate rewards based on the user's subscription period, divided into monthly units. For example, the processor (115) may calculate rewards so that the longer the subscription period, the greater the reward. For example, the processor (115) may set a minimum subscription period for additional rewards to be paid, and if the user's subscription period is longer than the minimum subscription period, the reward provided to the user may be calculated to be greater than the base reward.

[0084] Maximum number of monthly rewards provided n Current number of exchanges x Number of months subscribed (months) t Standard reward (won) A Reward provided (n x) * A + b * t * A

[0085] [Table 2] shows an example of calculating rewards based on the number of rewards provided and the subscription period. Referring to [Table 2], if the maximum number of rewards provided per month is n, the user's current number of exchanges is x, the user's service subscription period (number of subscription months) is t, and the standard reward is A, the processor (115) can calculate the reward to be provided to the user as (nx)*A+b*t*A. Here, b may be a reserve constant. In some cases, the processor (115) may set a minimum subscription period for adding rewards based on the subscription period. For example, the processor (115) may additionally calculate a reward only when the subscription period is 3 months or longer.

[0086] For example, if n=10, x=5, t=6, A=50, and b=0.1, the processor (115) can calculate the reward as 280 won.

[0087] In this way, the processor (115) can calculate a reward based on the user's subscription period to encourage the user to continuously use the battery exchange service.

[0088] In an embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on the state of the used battery. In an embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on the state of charge (SOC) of the used battery. Here, the state of charge (SOC) of the used battery may be based on the time of return by the user.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on the charge rate of the used battery and a boundary value of the preset range, if the charge rate of the used battery is within a preset range. To this end, a range of charge rates of the used battery, which serves as a criterion for providing a reward by the processor (115), may be preset.

[0090] Battery life can decrease with repeated charging and discharging, and the battery's service life (maximum usage) can vary depending on battery usage patterns, charge / discharge patterns, and other factors. For example, the battery's service life can vary depending on the depth of discharge (DoD).

[0091] DoD(%)Discharge Cycles (LiPO4 Battery)100600809006015004030002090001015000

[0092] [Table 3] shows the maximum usable discharge cycles for LiPO4 batteries depending on the depth of discharge. Referring to [Table 3], the battery can be used for up to 600 cycles when used at 100% DoD, up to 900 cycles when used at 80% DoD, and up to 1500 cycles when used at 60% DoD.

[0093] Converting this to total usage, the maximum usage varies depending on the depth of discharge, with 60000% (600*100) for 100% DoD, 72000% (900*80) for 80% DoD, and 90000% (1500*60) for 60% DoD, and you can see that the maximum usage decreases as you use the battery closer to complete discharge (100% DoD).

[0094] This is a characteristic of not only LiPO4 batteries but also batteries in general, and the battery exchange system (10) can efficiently manage the battery by providing a reward to the user according to the charge rate of the battery in use, thereby inducing the user not to use the battery close to complete discharge.

[0095] Accordingly, the processor (115) can determine the lower limit of the preset range by considering the maximum usage of the battery described above for effective use of the battery.

[0096] If a user frequently replaces a battery without using it for a long time, the charging efficiency at the battery exchange station (200) may decrease. For example, if the user exchanges and returns a battery with a high charge rate, such as exchanging a 90% battery, using 10% of the battery, and then returning the battery with 80% of the battery, the battery charging at the battery exchange station (200) may become inefficient due to a high proportion of the constant voltage charging period. Therefore, the processor (115) may determine an upper limit of a preset range to prevent excessively frequent battery replacement.

[0097] In this way, the processor (115) can determine a preset range by considering the effective use of the battery and the charging efficiency at the battery exchange station (200).

[0098] In an embodiment, the processor (115) may calculate a reward based on the charge rate of the used battery and a boundary value of a preset range. For example, if the preset range is determined to be greater than or equal to a (%) and less than or equal to b (%), the processor (115) may calculate a reward by considering the charge rate of the used battery and the values ​​of a and / or b. For example, the processor (115) may calculate a reward in proportion to the difference between the charge rate of the used battery and the upper limit value (b) of the preset range.

[0099] Pre-set range maximum value (%) x Pre-set range minimum value (%) y Used battery charge rate (%) z Standard reward (won) A Provided reward (won) (xz) * A

[0100] [Table 4] shows an example of calculating a reward according to the charging rate of the battery in use. Referring to [Table 4], if the maximum and minimum values ​​of the preset range are x and y, respectively, the charging rate of the battery in use is z, and the reference reward is A, the processor (115) can calculate the user's reward as (xz)*A. The above-described reward calculation methods may be applied individually or in combination. For example, the processor (115) can comprehensively apply the reward calculation method according to the charging rate and lifespan of the specified battery and the reward calculation method according to the charging rate of the battery in use. As an example, the processor (115) can calculate the reward by sequentially applying calculations according to each reward calculation method.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the processor (115) can transmit reward information to the user's terminal. The processor (115) provides the reward information to the user, allowing the user to manage rewards through the battery exchange service.

[0102] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a battery exchange system according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely one embodiment, and the order of steps according to various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that illustrated in FIG. 2, and some of the steps illustrated in FIG. 2 may be omitted, the order of steps may be changed, or steps may be merged.

[0103] First, the management server (100) can obtain the status of the battery stored in the battery exchange station (200) (S10). In FIG. 2, the management server (100) is illustrated as obtaining the status of the battery stored from the battery exchange station (200). However, this is merely an example, and the management server (100) can of course obtain the status of the battery from other components such as a battery management system (BMS) or a charger / discharger that manages each battery.

[0104] The management server (100) can set user-designable batteries based on the status of the stored batteries (S20). For example, the management server (100) can set a battery among the stored batteries that satisfies certain conditions as a designable battery. In an embodiment, the management server (100) can set a battery among the stored batteries that has completed constant current charging as a designable battery.

[0105] The management server (100) can transmit designable battery information to an electronic device (300) (S30). Here, the electronic device (300) may be a user terminal, and transmitting designable battery information to the electronic device (300) may mean transmitting it to an application for using a battery exchange service installed on the user terminal.

[0106] The user can designate a battery to be exchanged (S40). For example, the user can designate a battery to be exchanged by running an application on the user terminal (300). Here, designating a battery to be exchanged may involve scheduling an exchange for the designated battery, and the actual exchange of the designated battery may be performed through operations at the battery exchange station (200).

[0107] The management server (100) can receive a replacement request for a designated battery (S50). For example, the management server (100) can receive a replacement request from an application and check the battery designated by the user.

[0108] The management server (100) can transmit a request for replacement of a specified battery to the battery replacement station (200) (S60).

[0109] The battery exchange station (200) can perform a battery exchange operation according to the user's operation (S70). For example, the battery exchange station (200) can provide the user with a battery designated by the user according to the user's operation and store the used battery returned by the user.

[0110] The management server (100) can obtain the status of the returned used battery (S80). For example, the management server (100) can obtain the status of the returned used battery from a battery exchange station (200), a battery management system (BMS), a charger, and the like.

[0111] The management server (100) can calculate the reward to be provided to the user (S90). In an embodiment, the management server (100) can calculate the reward based on at least one of the following: whether the battery specified by the user is fully charged and the state of the battery in use. In some cases, the reward calculation operation (S90) of the management server (100) may be performed after step S50.

[0112] The management server (100) can transmit calculated reward information to the electronic device (300) (S100). For example, the reward information may include the calculated reward value, the number of rewards provided, etc., and the user can check the reward information through the application.

[0113] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a charging process of a battery according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery charging process may include a constant current charging section and a constant voltage charging section. In FIG. 3, the 'CC' section refers to a constant current charging section, and the 'CV' section refers to a constant voltage charging section.

[0115] As illustrated in Figure 3, when charging a completely discharged battery, the battery can be charged with a constant current when the charge rate is between 0% and 80%, and with a constant voltage when the charge rate is between 80% and 100%. In this case, the charge rate in the constant current charging section is four times that in the constant voltage charging section, but the difference in charging time is confirmed to be smaller. In other words, utilizing the constant current charging section during the battery charging process is more efficient in terms of the charge rate relative to the charging time.

[0116] Therefore, in the battery exchange system (10), the operational efficiency of the battery exchange service can be increased by efficiently charging the batteries by designating the batteries that have completed constant current charging as exchangeable batteries.

[0117] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are diagrams showing battery exchange simulation results of a battery exchange system according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0118] Figures 4a and 4b show an example of how a battery exchange station (200) operates when there are two battery storage spaces (slots) in the battery exchange station (200).

[0119] First, 410 of FIG. 4A is an example (conventional operating method) in which only fully charged batteries can be exchanged. Referring to 410 of FIG. 4A, in the case where only fully charged batteries can be exchanged, the rider can receive a B battery from the slot (Slot #1) containing a fully charged battery (B battery) and store the used A battery in the empty slot (Slot #2). Afterwards, the A battery can be fully charged in the slot (Slot #2) containing the A battery, which may take 2 hours. While the A battery is charging, even if another rider wants to exchange the battery, the A battery cannot be exchanged because it is not fully charged.

[0120] That is, since battery exchange is only possible after 2 hours have passed and battery A has been fully charged, it takes at least 4 hours to exchange the batteries once in each of the two slots of the battery exchange station (200). In this case, the number of times a rider exchanges batteries is limited to a maximum of 6 cycles per day.

[0121] 420 of Fig. 4b is an example of a case where a battery that has completed constant current charging is exchangeable. It is assumed that constant current charging takes 1 hour to reach 80% charge. In this case, after a rider exchanges a battery, it takes 1 hour for the battery in use (Battery A) to reach an exchangeable condition, so other riders can exchange batteries after 1 hour. Accordingly, it takes at least 2 hours for each battery exchange to be performed in the two slots of the battery exchange station (200), and a rider can exchange batteries up to 12 times per day.

[0122] Also, looking at the maximum usage of the battery, if only a 100% charged battery can be replaced (in the case of 410), it can be used up to 1200% (100*12) per day, whereas if a battery that has been fully charged (in the case of 420) can be replaced, it can be used up to 1920% (80*24) per day, confirming that the battery can be used efficiently.

[0123] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating a server according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 5, the operating method of the server may include a step (S1000) of setting a user-specifiable battery based on the status of a battery stored in a battery exchange station, a step (S2000) of receiving a request for an exchange of a battery specified by the user from the user, and a step (S3000) of providing a reward to the user based on at least one of whether the battery specified by the user is fully charged and the status of a used battery returned by the user to the battery exchange station.

[0125] At step S1000, the processor (115) acquires the status of the battery stored in the battery exchange station and can set a user-designable battery based on the acquired status of the stored battery. In an embodiment, the processor (115) can set a battery that has completed constant current charging as a designable battery.

[0126] At step S2000, the processor (115) may receive a request from the user to exchange a battery designated by the user. For example, the user may select a battery from among the replaceable batteries in the user terminal, and the processor (115) may receive a request to exchange the designated battery.

[0127] At step S3000, the processor (115) can calculate a reward to be provided to the user based on at least one of whether the battery specified by the user is fully charged and the state of the battery in use.

[0128] Although all components constituting the embodiments disclosed in this document have been described as being combined or operating in combination as one, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document, all of the components may be selectively combined and operated one or more times.

[0129] In addition, terms such as "include," "comprise," or "have" described above, unless specifically stated otherwise, mean that the corresponding component can be included, and therefore should be interpreted to include other components rather than excluding other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, should be interpreted to be consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined in this document.

[0130] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the embodiments disclosed in this document, but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical idea disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of this document.

Claims

1. Communication circuit; memory; and A processor operatively connected to the above communication circuit and the above memory, The above processor, Set user-specifiable batteries based on the status of batteries stored in the battery exchange station. Receive a request for replacement of a battery specified by said user from said user; A server configured to calculate a reward to be provided to the user based on at least one of whether the battery specified by the user is fully charged and the condition of the used battery returned by the user to the battery exchange station.

2. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A server that sets a battery among the above-mentioned stored batteries, in which constant current charging has been completed, as the above-mentioned designatable battery.

3. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A server that calculates the reward based on at least one of the status of the battery specified by the user and information related to the user, if the battery specified by the user is not a fully charged battery.

4. In paragraph 3, The above processor, A server that calculates the reward based on the state of charge (SOC) and lifespan (SOH) of the battery specified by the user.

5. In paragraph 4, The above processor, A server that calculates the reward based on the expected capacity derived from the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the battery specified by the user.

6. In paragraph 3, The above processor, A server that calculates the reward based on the number of times the user has been provided with the reward and the subscription period of the service for using the battery exchange station.

7. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A server that calculates the reward based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery used.

8. In paragraph 7, The above processor, A server that calculates the reward based on the charge rate of the used battery and the boundary value of the set range when the charge rate of the used battery is within a preset range.

9. In paragraph 1, The above processor, A server that transmits the above reward information to the user's terminal.

10. A step for setting a user-specifiable battery based on the status of the battery stored in the battery exchange station; A step of receiving a request for exchange of a battery designated by the user from the user; and A method of operating a server, comprising the step of calculating a reward to be provided to the user based on at least one of whether the battery specified by the user is fully charged and the state of a used battery returned by the user to the battery exchange station.

11. In paragraph 10, The steps to set the above-mentioned designable battery are: A method of operating a server, characterized in that a battery stored in the battery exchange station, the battery of which constant current charging has been completed, is set as the designatable battery.

12. In paragraph 10, The step of providing a reward to the above user is: A method of operating a server, characterized in that the reward is calculated based on at least one of the status of the battery specified by the user and information related to the user, if the battery specified by the user is not a fully charged battery.

13. In paragraph 10, The step of providing a reward to the above user is: A server operating method characterized by calculating the reward based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery used.

14. Charge the battery stored inside, Upon the user's request for exchange, we provide the battery specified by the user among the batteries that can be specified. A battery exchange station set up for returning the user's used batteries; and Setting the designable battery based on the status of the battery stored in the battery exchange station; A battery exchange system, comprising a management server that calculates a reward to be provided to the user based on at least one of whether the battery specified by the user is fully charged and the status of the used battery.

15. In paragraph 14, The above battery exchange station is, A battery exchange system that charges the batteries stored above with constant current and constant voltage.

16. In paragraph 15, The above management server, A battery exchange system that sets a battery among the stored batteries that has completed constant current charging as the designatable battery.

Images