Control device

Abstract

This control device comprises: a reception means for receiving a battery loan request from a user; an acquisition means for acquiring usage history information of a battery previously loaned to the user; a determination means for determining the battery states of a plurality of batteries; and a proposal means for proposing, on the basis of the battery states of the plurality of batteries and the usage history information, a battery to be loaned to the user.

Description

Control device

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a battery station that lends out batteries, it determines whether to lend out based on SOH (State of Health), which is an index representing the capacity degradation state of the battery as a percentage.

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 248745

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is impossible to determine whether to lend out considering what the user uses the battery for or how much quantity is used (for example, when applying to an electric two-wheeler, whether moving long distances usually or only moving short distances). Therefore, it may happen that a battery cannot be lent out to a user for whom a battery with a low SOH is sufficient (that is, a user who will not use a large-capacity battery). Thus, there is a problem that it is difficult to realize lending out batteries considering the needs of users in the technology described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technology for lending out a battery suitable for a user.

[0006] A control device according to an aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object includes: receiving means for receiving a lending request for a battery by a user; acquisition means for acquiring usage history information of a battery previously lent out to the user; determination means for determining the battery states of a plurality of batteries; and proposal means for proposing a battery to be lent out to the user based on the battery states of the plurality of batteries and the usage history information.

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to lend out a battery suitable for a user.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numeral.

[0009] The attached drawings are included in the specification and constitute a part thereof, illustrating embodiments of the present invention and used to explain the principles of the present invention together with the description thereof. A diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system according to one embodiment. A diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control device according to one embodiment. A diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication device according to one embodiment. A diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a rental device according to one embodiment. A diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a processing sequence performed by a control system according to one embodiment. A flowchart showing the processing procedure performed by a control device according to one embodiment. A diagram showing an example of information indicating the battery status according to one embodiment. A diagram showing an example of pricing according to SOH according to one embodiment.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any way. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system according to one embodiment. The control system includes a control device 10, a communication device 20, and a lending device 30. The control device 10, the communication device 20, and the lending device 30 are configured to communicate with each other via a network 50. The communication device 20 and the lending device 30 may also be able to communicate with each other via Bluetooth (registration), etc. The network 50 is, for example, the Internet and / or a local area network (LAN).

[0012] The electric vehicle 40 is an electric vehicle owned by a user of the communication device 20. The lending device 30 holds multiple batteries and can lend them to users after a predetermined procedure. The electric vehicle 40 can be equipped with batteries held in the lending device 30. The lending device 30 may be located in multiple locations, and a user may borrow a battery at location A and return it at location B. The user performs the procedure for borrowing a battery via the communication device 20 or via the lending device 30, and takes the battery out of the lending device 30 for use. The electric vehicle 40 may also be configured to participate in the network 50 and communicate with the control device 10, the communication device 20, and the lending device 30.

[0013] <Device Configuration> Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a control device according to one embodiment. The control device 10 communicates with the user's communication device 20 and battery rental device 30 and executes processing for battery rental. The control device 10 includes a CPU 101, a storage device 102, and a communication unit 103. The CPU 101 executes the processing according to the embodiment by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 102. The storage device 102 stores various information. The storage device 102 stores a program for the CPU 101 to read and execute, and can also store information obtained from the communication device 20, the rental device 30, and / or the vehicle 40 via the communication unit 103. The communication unit 103 can communicate with the communication device 20, the rental device 30, and / or the vehicle 40 and send and receive various information by wired or wireless connection.

[0014] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device according to one embodiment. The communication device 20 is a portable information terminal owned by the user (for example, the owner of the electric vehicle 40), such as a smartphone. The user can operate the communication device 20 to proceed with and complete the battery rental procedure. The communication device 20 includes a CPU 201, a storage device 202, a communication unit 203, a display unit 204, and an operation input unit 205.

[0015] The CPU 201 controls the operation of the communication device 20 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 202. The storage device 202 stores a program for the CPU 201 to read and execute, and can also store various information input to the communication device 20 via the operation input unit 205. The communication unit 203 communicates with the control device 10, the lending device 30, and / or the electric vehicle 40, and can send and receive various information via wired or wireless means. The display unit 204 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information. The operation input unit 205 is a physical button, touch input unit, or mouse or keyboard, and the user can input various information by operating the operation input unit 205. If the display unit 204 is a touch panel, the display unit 204 may also function as the operation input unit 205.

[0016] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of a lending device according to one embodiment. The lending device 30 holds multiple batteries and lends batteries to users. The lending device 30 includes a CPU 301, a storage device 302, a communication unit 303, a display unit 304, an operation input unit 305, a battery storage unit 306, and a locking mechanism 307.

[0017] The CPU 301 controls the operation of the lending device 30 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage device 302. The storage device 302 stores programs for the CPU 301 to read and execute, and can also store various information input to the lending device 30 via the operation input unit 305. The communication unit 303 communicates with the control device 10, the communication device 20, and / or the electric vehicle 40, and can send and receive various information by wire or wireless connection. The display unit 304 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information. The operation input unit 305 is a physical button, touch input unit, or mouse or keyboard, and the user can input various information by operating the operation input unit 305. If the display unit 304 is a touch panel, the display unit 304 may also function as the operation input unit 305.

[0018] Multiple battery compartments 306 are provided, each capable of storing a battery. Batteries stored in the battery compartments 306 are charged by the lending device 30. The locking mechanism 307 locks and unlocks the batteries stored in the battery compartments 306. Each of the multiple battery compartments 306 can be locked and unlocked individually. When the user completes the battery lending procedure, the lock on the battery is released, making it removable.

[0019] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle 40 according to one embodiment. The electric vehicle 40 is an electric vehicle capable of being equipped with one or more batteries. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 40 is a saddle-type vehicle (two-wheeled vehicle), but is not limited to this example, and may be an electric tricycle, four-wheeled vehicle, micromobility, excavator, etc. Furthermore, it is not limited to a vehicle, but may be any device that operates using a battery, other than a vehicle. For example, it may be a general-purpose machine such as a power supply or floodlight. The electric vehicle 40 includes a CPU 401, a storage device 402, a communication unit 403, a display unit 404, an operation input unit 405, a battery storage unit 406, and a locking mechanism 407.

[0020] The CPU 401 controls the operation of the electric vehicle 40 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 402. The storage device 402 stores a program for the CPU 401 to read and execute, and can also store various information input to the vehicle 40 via the operation input unit 405, as well as information about the installed battery. The communication unit 403 communicates with the control device 10, the communication device 20, and / or the lending device 30, and can send and receive various information by wired or wireless means. The display unit 404 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information. The operation input unit 405 is a physical button, touch input unit, or mouse or keyboard, and the user can input various information by operating the operation input unit 405. If the display unit 404 is a touch panel, the display unit 404 may also function as the operation input unit 405.

[0021] The battery compartment 406 can house one or more batteries. The electric vehicle 40 operates using the batteries housed in the battery compartment 406 as its power source. The locking mechanism 407 locks and unlocks the batteries housed in the battery compartment 406. The battery compartments 306 may be configured to be able to be locked and unlocked individually.

[0022] <Processing Sequence of the Control System> Next, an example of the processing sequence in the control system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. At F601, the lending device 30 transmits information indicating the battery status of the multiple batteries stored in the battery storage unit 306 to the control device 10. Here, the information indicating the battery status is, for example, SOH (State of Health), which is an index that expresses the battery capacity degradation state as a percentage. For example, a battery with SOH = 90% is less degraded than a battery with SOH = 80% and is closer to a new battery. Alternatively, the information indicating the battery status may be SOC (State of Charge), which is an index that represents the battery charge state. SOC corresponds to the remaining battery capacity, with SOC = 100% indicating a fully charged state and SOC = 0% indicating a fully discharged state. The information indicating the battery status may also include both SOH and SOC.

[0023] In F602, the communication device 20 transmits the battery loan request received from the user to the control device 10. For example, the loan request may be made by the user operating an application installed on the communication device 20 to search for or inquire about available batteries at the loan device 30.

[0024] In F603, the control device 10 obtains usage history information of batteries previously lent to the user who made the loan request. The usage history information is pre-recorded and stored in the control device 10 for each user, and can be obtained by reading the usage history information based on the user ID. Alternatively, the user's usage history information may be stored in a separate server device, and the system may be configured to retrieve it by accessing the separate server device. For example, when a loan request is received from user A, the usage history information of user A can be obtained.

[0025] Usage history information may include, for example, usage information indicating what type of device (vehicle or equipment, etc.) the battery lent to the user was used in, and / or usage information indicating how much the battery lent to the user was used before being returned. The first type of device is a product with a constant output or a relatively low output, including, for example, floodlights or power supplies. The second type of device is a product with variable output or a relatively high output, including, for example, electric vehicles (e.g., electric saddle-type vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, or four-wheeled vehicles). The lending device 30 may record and retain the difference between the SOC (battery charge) at the time of lending to the user and the SOC (battery charge) at the time of return as usage information, and the control device 10 may acquire this information from the lending device 30.

[0026] Furthermore, the usage information may be configured so that the user selects the usage when the battery is loaned out, and the control device 10 acquires this selection as usage information. Alternatively, the lending device 30 or the control device 10 may be configured so that the object that used the battery during a previous loan writes its own information to the battery, allowing the lending device 30 or the control device 10 to acquire the usage information from the returned battery. For example, if a user uses the battery in an electric vehicle 40, information indicating that the usage is for an electric vehicle may be written to the battery.

[0027] In F604, the control device 10 determines the battery status of the multiple batteries held by the lending device 30 based on the battery status information received in F601. For example, as shown in state 801 in Figure 8, the lending device 30 holds batteries A, B, C, D, and E. The battery status of battery A is SOH = 90% and SOC = 60%. The battery status of battery B is SOH = 85% and SOC = 100%. The battery status of battery C is SOH = 70% and SOC = 80%. The battery status of battery D is SOH = 65% and SOC = 55%. The battery status of battery E is SOH = 95% and SOC = 40%.

[0028] In step F605, the control device 10 determines and proposes a battery with a suitable battery state for the user based on the battery status of multiple batteries held in the lending device 30 received in step F601 and the usage history information of the user who made the lending request. At this time, the number of batteries proposed is not limited to one, and multiple batteries may be proposed. Details of the processing in step F605 will be described later.

[0029] In step F606, the communication device 20 displays one or more batteries proposed by the control device 10 and accepts the user's selection. At this time, it may also receive and display information on the rental fee for each battery set by the control device 10. In step F607, the communication device 20 accepts payment for the selected battery. In step F608, if payment is completed, the communication device 20 transmits payment completion information to the control device 10. In step F609, the control device 10 instructs the rental device 30 to rent the battery. In step F610, the rental device 30 controls the lock mechanism 307 to unlock the battery compartment 306 containing the battery that has been instructed to be rented. The user then removes the battery from the rental device 30. This completes the processing sequence shown in Figure 6.

[0030] <Processing by the Control Device> Next, the procedure for processing performed by the control device according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7. In S701, the control device 10 receives information from the lending device 30 indicating the battery status of the multiple batteries stored in the battery storage section 306 of the lending device 30. Here, the information indicating the battery status may include at least one of the SOH and SOC of each battery, as described above.

[0031] In S702, the control device 10 receives a battery loan request from the user who operated the communication device 20.

[0032] In S703, the control device 10 obtains usage history information of batteries previously lent to the user who made the loan request. The usage history information includes usage information indicating what type of device (vehicle or equipment, etc.) the battery lent to the user was used in, and / or usage amount information indicating how much the battery lent to that user was used before it was returned.

[0033] In S704, the control device 10 determines the battery status of the multiple batteries held by the lending device 30 based on the battery status information received in S701. For example, as shown in Figure 8, it obtains the SOH and / or SOC information for each battery.

[0034] In S705, the control device 10 determines one or more batteries with a suitable battery status for the user based on the battery status of multiple batteries held in the lending device 30 received in S701 and the user's usage history information (purpose and / or usage amount) that made the lending request, and proposes them by transmitting them to the communication device 20 for display. At the same time, information on the lending fee for the proposed batteries may also be transmitted to the communication device 20 for display.

[0035] For example, if the previous use of the battery by user A, who made the loan request, was for the first type of device described above (a product with a constant output or a product with relatively low output), a battery with a small SOH (e.g., a battery with an SOH below the threshold) may be offered as a priority. Also, if the previous use of the battery by user A was for the second type of device described above (a product with variable output or a product with relatively high output), a battery with a large SOH (e.g., a battery with an SOH exceeding the threshold) may be offered as a priority. Furthermore, if the amount of previous battery usage by user A is less than the threshold, a battery in the first degraded state (a battery with a small SOH (e.g., a battery with an SOH below the threshold)) may be offered. And if the amount of previous battery usage by user A is above the threshold, a battery in the second degraded state, which is less degraded than the first degraded state (a battery with a large SOH (e.g., a battery with an SOH exceeding the threshold)) may be offered.

[0036] Furthermore, these can be combined. For example, if the application is for a first type of device (a product with constant output or a product with relatively low output) and the usage amount is below a threshold, a battery with a small SOH and a small SOC may be proposed. For example, a battery with an SOH of 70% or less and an SOC of 60% or less may be proposed. However, the lower limit of SOC may be set to 50%. In the example in Figure 8, a battery D with SOH = 65% and SOC = 55% may be proposed.

[0037] Furthermore, if the application is for a first type of device (a product with a constant output or a product with a relatively low output) and the usage amount is above a threshold, a battery with a small SOH and a large SOC may be proposed. For example, a battery with an SOH of 70% or less and an SOC exceeding a threshold (60%) may be proposed. In the example in Figure 8, a battery C with SOH = 70% and SOC = 80% may be proposed.

[0038] Furthermore, if the application is a second type of device (a product with variable output or a relatively high-output product) and the usage amount exceeds a threshold, a battery with a large SOH and a large SOC may be proposed. For example, a battery with an SOH exceeding the threshold (70%) and an SOC exceeding the threshold (60%) may be proposed. In the example in Figure 8, a battery B with SOH = 85% and SOC = 100% may be proposed.

[0039] Furthermore, if the application is a second type of device (a product with variable output or a relatively high-output product) and the usage amount is below the threshold, a battery with a large SOH and a small SOC may be proposed. For example, a battery with an SOH exceeding the threshold (70%) and an SOC below the threshold (60%) may be proposed. However, the lower limit of SOC may be set to 50%. In the example in Figure 8, a battery A with SOH = 90% and SOC = 60% may be proposed.

[0040] Furthermore, the control device 10 may set the rental fee so that it changes depending on the battery's application and battery condition. For example, as shown in Figure 9, if the application is a first type of device (a product with a constant output or a relatively low output product), the rental price for batteries in the range of SOH = 50% to 70% may be set to Price C, the rental price for batteries in the range of SOH = 70% to 90% may be set to Price B, and the rental price for batteries in the range of SOH = 90% to 100% may be set to Price A. Furthermore, if the application is a second type of device (a product with variable output or a relatively high output product), the rental price for batteries in the range of SOH = 70% to 80% may be set to Price C, the rental price for batteries in the range of SOH = 80% to 90% may be set to Price B, and the rental price for batteries in the range of SOH = 90% to 100% may be set to Price A. Here, PriceA > PriceB > PriceC.

[0041] In S706, the control device 10 receives information indicating that payment for the rental fee of the battery selected by the user from among the one or more proposed batteries has been completed. In S707, the control device 10 instructs the rental device 30 to rent out the battery. This completes the series of processes shown in Figure 7.

[0042] As described above, in the present embodiment, based on the battery state of the battery held in the lending device and the usage history information of the user, a battery with a battery state suitable for the user is proposed. As a result, it becomes possible to lend a battery suitable for the user. In addition, it becomes easier for the user to select a battery with a battery state that matches the needs of the user. Furthermore, even a user who cannot determine which battery state is suitable for themselves (for example, a user who cannot determine how much the SOH affects the actual driving distance, etc.) can receive a proposal for a battery suitable for the user.

[0043] Also, when using a battery for a product with a constant output or a low-output product, it becomes possible to lend a battery with a low SOH at a low price. Also, in the case of a user who does not use the battery very often, for the lending side, there is no need to lend a fully charged battery more than necessary. In addition, according to the deterioration of the battery (decrease in SOH) that occurs over time since it was new, the lending fee can be changed to an appropriate fee. Furthermore, since the user can know the degree of deterioration of the battery that they could not grasp until now, they can use the battery with confidence.

[0044] [Modification Example] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the user operates the communication device 20 to communicate with the control device 10 and performs the battery lending process by the lending device 30 has been described, but it is not limited to this example. The user may operate the lending device 30 to communicate with the control device 10 and perform the battery lending process by the lending device 30. In that case, in the processing sequence of FIG. 6, the lending device 30 will execute the processing that the communication device 20 was executing.

[0045] Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example of using the user's usage history information has been described, but usage plans may also be used. For example, the user may select or input the planned usage and / or the planned usage amount of the battery via the communication device 20 or the lending device 30, and the control device 10 may acquire and utilize this information. Then, the control device 10 may propose a battery to be lent to the user based on at least one of the battery states of the plurality of batteries and the acquired usage plan information. The method for determining the battery to be proposed is the same as that in the above-described embodiment.

[0046] Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example of setting the lending fees of the batteries to PriceA to PriceC (PriceA > PriceB > PriceC) according to SOH has been described, but it is not limited to this example, and control may be performed so as to vary the degree of point addition.

[0047] For example, when the usage is a first type of device (products with a constant output or relatively low-output products), the lending price of a battery in the range of SOH = 70% to 90% may be set to a predetermined price (X yen), and the lending price of a battery in the range of SOH = 50% to 70% may be set to the same predetermined price (X yen) + point addition. Then, the lending price of a battery in the range of SOH = 90% to 100% may be set to a second predetermined price higher than the predetermined price. Similarly, when the usage is a second type of device (products with output changes or relatively high-output products), the lending price of a battery in the range of SOH = 80% to 90% may be set to a predetermined price (X yen), and the lending price of a battery in the range of SOH = 70% to 80% may be set to the same predetermined price (X yen) + point addition. Then, the lending price of a battery in the range of SOH = 90% to 100% may be set to a second predetermined price higher than the predetermined price.

[0048] As a result, it is possible to encourage the user to deliberately select a battery with a low SOH in order to acquire points. Therefore, even a battery with a low SOH can be effectively utilized according to the user's usage and usage amount.

[0049] Furthermore, while the above embodiment shows an example of suggesting one or more batteries suitable for the user as recommended batteries, the batteries presented may be all batteries held in the lending device 30. The recommended batteries may also be displayed higher in the recommendation list, with the others lower. For users who prefer new batteries, even if such batteries are not included in the recommended list, they can still find and select a battery with a State of Health (SOH) of 100% or close to it.

[0050] <Summary of Embodiments> 1. The control device (10) according to the above embodiment includes: receiving means for receiving a battery loan request from a user; acquiring means for acquiring usage history information of batteries previously loaned to the user; determining means for determining the battery status of a plurality of batteries; and proposing means for proposing a battery to lend to the user based on the battery status of the plurality of batteries and the usage history information.

[0051] This makes it possible to lend users the battery that is best suited to their needs.

[0052] 2. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the usage history information includes information on the amount of battery usage previously lent to the user, and the suggestion means suggests a battery with a battery state suitable for the user based on the amount of usage.

[0053] This makes it possible to lend out the appropriate battery based on how much the user uses.

[0054] 3. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the proposed means proposes a battery in a first degraded state to a first user whose usage is below a threshold, and proposes a battery in a second degraded state with a lower degree of degradation than the first degraded state to a second user whose usage is above the threshold.

[0055] This allows us to rent out degraded batteries at a low price to users with low usage, and to rent out undegraded batteries at a higher price to users with high usage.

[0056] 4. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the usage history information includes information on the use of batteries previously lent to the user, and the suggestion means suggests a battery with a battery state suitable for the user based on the use.

[0057] This makes it possible to lend out the appropriate battery depending on what the user will be using it for.

[0058] 5. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the proposed means proposes a battery in a first degraded state when the application is a first type of device, and proposes a battery in a second degraded state with a lower degree of degradation than the first degraded state when the application is a second type of device different from the first type of device.

[0059] This allows us to lend users batteries with the appropriate level of degradation, depending on how they intend to use them.

[0060] 6. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the battery in the first degraded state is a battery whose State of Health (SOH) is below a threshold, and the battery in the second degraded state is a battery whose SOH exceeds the threshold.

[0061] This allows us to lend users the appropriate SOH battery depending on what they intend to use it for.

[0062] 7. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the first type of device includes a floodlight or power supply, and the second type of device includes an electric vehicle.

[0063] This allows us to propose batteries that degrade relatively more rapidly when the battery is used in floodlights or power supplies, as these are products with constant or low output. Conversely, when the battery is used in electric vehicles, it allows us to propose high-performance batteries that degrade relatively less rapidly because these are products with non-constant or high output.

[0064] 8. The control device (10) according to the above embodiment further includes setting means for setting the rental fee for a battery in the first degraded state to a first fee, and setting the rental fee for a battery in the second degraded state to a second fee that is higher than the first fee.

[0065] This makes it possible to offer users a higher rental price for batteries that are nearly new with minimal degradation, and a lower rental price for older batteries with significant degradation.

[0066] 9. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the usage history information includes information on the purpose and amount of use of batteries previously lent to the user, and the suggestion means suggests a battery in a battery state suitable for the user based on the purpose and amount of use.

[0067] This allows us to lend users batteries with the appropriate level of degradation, depending on what and how they use the battery.

[0068] 10. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the proposed means proposes a battery in which, when the application is a first type of device and the usage amount is less than the threshold, the State of Health (SOH) is less than or equal to the threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) is above the lower limit and less than or equal to the threshold.

[0069] This makes it possible to propose low SOH and low SOC batteries to users whose applications are specific types of devices and who have low usage volumes.

[0070] 11. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the proposed means proposes a battery in which, when the application is the first type of device and the usage amount is above a threshold, the State of Health (SOH) is below the threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) exceeds the threshold.

[0071] This allows us to propose low SOH and high SOC batteries to users whose applications involve specific types of equipment and who consume large amounts of power.

[0072] 12. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the proposed means proposes a battery in which, when the application is a second type of device different from the first type of device, and the usage amount is above a threshold, the State of Health (SOH) exceeds the threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) exceeds the threshold.

[0073] This allows us to propose high SOH and high SOC batteries to users whose applications are specific types of devices and who consume large amounts of power.

[0074] 13. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the proposed means proposes a battery in which, when the application is the second type of device and the usage amount is less than the threshold, the State of Health (SOH) exceeds the threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) is less than or equal to the threshold.

[0075] This makes it possible to propose high SOH, low SOC batteries to users whose applications are specific types of devices and who have low usage.

[0076] 14. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, when a plurality of batteries are proposed by the proposed means, the control device (10) further includes a recommendation means for recommending one or more of the plurality of batteries.

[0077] This makes it easier for users to understand which battery to choose.

[0078] 15. In the control device (10) according to the above embodiment, the recommendation means displays a recommendation for the recommended battery.

[0079] This makes it easy for users to see which battery they should choose.

[0080] 16. The control device (10) according to the above embodiment further includes: a receiving means for receiving the user's selection result for one or more battery candidates, including the battery proposed by the proposed means; and an instruction means for instructing a lending device to lend out the battery selected by the user when payment for the lending fee of the battery selected by the user has been completed.

[0081] This allows the system to lend out batteries selected by the user.

[0082] 17. The control device (10) according to the above embodiment includes: receiving means for receiving a battery loan request from a user; acquiring means for acquiring battery usage information; determining means for determining the battery status of a plurality of batteries; and proposing means for proposing a battery to lend to the user based on the battery status of the plurality of batteries and the usage information, wherein the usage information includes the intended use of the battery and the intended usage amount planned by the user.

[0083] This makes it possible to suggest the appropriate battery to the user based on what they intend to use the battery for and how much they plan to use it for. Therefore, it becomes possible to lend the user a battery that is suitable for them.

[0084] 18. The operation method of the control device (10) according to the above embodiment is an operation method of the control device, comprising: a receiving step of receiving a battery loan request from a user; an acquisition step of acquiring usage history information of batteries previously loaned to the user; a determination step of determining the battery status of a plurality of batteries; and a proposal step of proposing a battery to lend to the user based on the battery status of the plurality of batteries and the usage history information.

[0085] This makes it possible to lend users the battery that is best suited to their needs.

[0086] 19. The operation method of the control device (10) according to the above embodiment is an operation method of the control device, comprising: a receiving step of receiving a battery loan request from a user; an acquisition step of acquiring battery usage information; a determination step of determining the battery status of a plurality of batteries; and a proposal step of proposing a battery to lend to the user based on the battery status of the plurality of batteries and the usage information, wherein the usage information includes the intended use of the battery and the planned usage amount planned by the user.

[0087] This makes it possible to suggest the appropriate battery to the user based on what they intend to use the battery for and how much they plan to use it for. Therefore, it becomes possible to lend the user a battery that is suitable for them.

[0088] 20. The program according to the above embodiment is a program that causes a computer to execute the operation of the control device according to the above embodiment.

[0089] According to this embodiment, the operation method of the control device according to the above embodiment can be realized as a program.

[0090] 21. The storage medium according to the above embodiment is a storage medium in which a program is stored that causes a computer to execute the operation of the control device according to the above embodiment.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the operation of the control device according to the above embodiment can be realized as a storage medium.

[0092] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0093] 10: Control device, 20: Communication device, 30: Lending device, 40: Electric vehicle

Claims

1. A control device comprising: receiving means for receiving a battery loan request from a user; acquiring means for acquiring usage history information of batteries previously loaned to the user; determining means for determining the battery status of a plurality of batteries; and proposing means for proposing a battery to lend to the user based on the battery status of the plurality of batteries and the usage history information.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the usage history information includes information on the amount of battery usage previously lent to the user, and the suggestion means suggests a battery with a battery state suitable for the user based on the amount of usage.

3. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the proposed means proposes a battery in a first degraded state to a first user whose usage is below a threshold, and proposes a battery in a second degraded state with a lower degree of degradation than the first degraded state to a second user whose usage is above the threshold.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the usage history information includes information on the use of batteries previously lent to the user, and the suggestion means suggests a battery with a battery state suitable for the user based on the use.

5. The control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the proposed means proposes a battery in a first degraded state when the application is a first type of device, and proposes a battery in a second degraded state having a lower degree of degradation than the first degraded state when the application is a second type of device different from the first type of device.

6. The control device according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that the battery in the first degraded state is a battery whose State of Health (SOH) is below a threshold, and the battery in the second degraded state is a battery whose SOH exceeds the threshold.

7. The control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first type of device includes a floodlight or power supply, and the second type of device includes an electric vehicle.

8. The control device according to claim 3 or 5, further comprising setting means for setting the rental fee for a battery in the first degraded state to a first fee, and setting the rental fee for a battery in the second degraded state to a second fee higher than the first fee.

9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the usage history information includes information on the use and amount of use of batteries previously lent to the user, and the suggestion means suggests a battery in a battery state suitable for the user based on the use and amount of use.

10. The control device according to claim 9, characterized in that the proposed means proposes a battery in which, when the application is a first type of device and the amount used is less than a threshold, the State of Health (SOH) is less than or equal to the threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) is greater than or equal to the lower limit and less than or equal to the threshold.

11. The control device according to claim 10, characterized in that the proposed means proposes a battery in which, when the application is the first type of device and the usage amount is above a threshold, the State of Health (SOH) is below a threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) exceeds a threshold.

12. The control device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the proposed means is a second type of device whose application is different from the first type of device, and when the usage amount is above a threshold, the State of Health (SOH) exceeds a threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) exceeds a threshold.

13. The control device according to 12, characterized in that the proposed means proposes a battery in which, when the application is the second type of device and the usage amount is less than the threshold, the State of Health (SOH) exceeds the threshold and the State of Charge (SOC) is less than or equal to the threshold.

14. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a recommendation means for recommending one or more batteries from among the proposed batteries when a plurality of batteries are proposed by the proposed means.

15. The control device according to claim 14, characterized in that the recommendation means displays a recommendation for the recommended battery.

16. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving means for receiving the user's selection result for one or more battery candidates, including the battery proposed by the proposed means; and instructing means for instructing a lending device to lend out the battery selected by the user when payment for the lending fee for the battery selected by the user has been completed.

17. A control device comprising: receiving means for receiving a battery loan request from a user; acquiring means for acquiring battery usage information; determining means for determining the battery status of a plurality of batteries; and proposing means for proposing a battery to lend to the user based on the battery status of the plurality of batteries and the usage information, wherein the usage information includes the intended use of the battery and the planned usage amount planned by the user.

Images