Determination device, determination method, and determination program

Abstract

A determination device (10) according to the present disclosure comprises a memory (12) and a processor (16) connected to the memory (12). The processor (16) executes: acquiring, as actual measurement data, a response characteristic to an input to a battery; comparing the actual measurement data with a model relating to the response characteristic; determining whether the battery is a genuine product; and determining a deterioration state of the battery when it is determined that the battery is a genuine product.

Description

Determination Device, Determination Method, and Determination Program Cross - reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025 - 020319, filed in Japan on February 10, 2025, and the entire disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference for that purpose.

[0002] This disclosure relates to a determination device, a determination method, and a determination program.

[0003] Conventionally, technologies for evaluating the performance of batteries such as secondary batteries are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery performance evaluation device that can improve the convenience of evaluating the performance of secondary batteries.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021 - 114427

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, although the determination of the deterioration state of the battery is considered, the determination of whether the battery is a genuine product is not considered, and there is a possibility that the deterioration state may be determined even for counterfeit products.

[0006] An object of this disclosure is to provide a determination device, a determination method, and a determination program that can handle genuine products when determining the deterioration state of a battery.

[0007] The determination device according to some embodiments includes a memory and a processor connected to the memory. The processor acquires, as measurement data, the response characteristics of the battery to an input, compares the measurement data with a model related to the response characteristics, determines whether the battery is a genuine product, and when it is determined that the battery is a genuine product, determines the deterioration state of the battery.

[0008] This allows the detection device to handle only genuine batteries when determining their degradation status. The detection device compares the measured data with a model of response characteristics to determine whether the battery is genuine or not, and if it determines that the battery is genuine, it determines the degradation status of the battery. By determining whether the battery being measured is genuine or not, the detection device can prevent the inclusion of counterfeit products and exclude counterfeit products from the degradation status determination process. By performing a degradation diagnosis after determining whether the battery is genuine or not, the detection device can avoid situations where counterfeit products that should be excluded are diagnosed as having degradation.

[0009] In one embodiment of the determination device, the processor may determine the degradation state of the battery when it determines that the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model is within a first determination criterion. This allows the determination device to determine the degradation state only for batteries that the device itself can clearly determine to be genuine. Therefore, the determination device can improve the accuracy of degradation diagnosis.

[0010] In one embodiment of the determination device, if the processor determines that the difference exceeds the first determination criterion but is within the second determination criterion, it may issue a notification to the user prompting them to confirm whether the battery is genuine or not. This allows the determination device to delegate the decision to the user for batteries for which it is difficult to determine authenticity by the device itself. Upon receiving the notification from the determination device, the user can then visually and thoroughly confirm whether the battery is genuine or not.

[0011] In one embodiment of the determination device, the processor may determine that the battery is not genuine if it determines that the difference exceeds the second determination criterion. This makes it possible for the determination device to extract batteries that it can clearly determine to be counterfeit and exclude them from the degradation state determination process. As a result, the determination device can perform degradation diagnosis only on genuine products, excluding counterfeit products, thereby improving the accuracy of the degradation diagnosis.

[0012] In one embodiment of the determination device, the processor may calculate the similarity of the measured data to the model based on a comparison of the measured data with the model relating to the response characteristics, and determine whether the battery is a genuine product based on the similarity.

[0013] This allows the authentication device to perform authenticity determination using methods based on various other indicators, different from the method based on comparing the difference in response characteristics with the judgment criteria. The user can determine a predetermined similarity score to be used in the authentication determination by the authentication device and input it as information through the device's input section, thereby allowing the authentication device to perform authenticity determination based on the predetermined similarity score that the user desires.

[0014] In one embodiment of the determination device, the processor may pre-generate multiple models for each measurement environment of the battery, select one model according to the measurement environment, and perform a comparison with the measured data. This allows the determination device to accurately determine authenticity based on the model that best suits the measurement environment. The determination device can suppress a decrease in the accuracy of authenticity determination due to measurement variations.

[0015] In one embodiment of the determination device, the processor may acquire the voltage response characteristics to the input current to the battery as the measured data. This allows the determination device to perform authenticity determination based on the voltage response characteristics, which can be measured more directly among various response characteristics. Therefore, the determination device can improve the accuracy of authenticity determination.

[0016] In one embodiment of the determination device, the battery may include a rechargeable battery. This allows the determination device to eliminate counterfeit rechargeable batteries through authenticity testing and perform degradation diagnosis only on genuine rechargeable batteries.

[0017] Some determination methods according to certain embodiments are determination methods executed by the processor of a determination device, and include: acquiring response characteristics to input to a battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine or not; and, if it is determined that the battery is genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery.

[0018] This allows the determination device, which executes the determination method, to handle only genuine batteries when determining the degradation state of the batteries. The determination device compares the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics to determine whether the battery is genuine or not, and if it determines that the battery is genuine, it determines the degradation state of the battery. By determining whether the battery being measured is genuine or not, the determination device can prevent the inclusion of counterfeit products and exclude counterfeit products from the degradation state determination process. By performing a degradation diagnosis after determining whether the battery is genuine or not, the determination device can avoid situations where counterfeit products that should be excluded are mistakenly diagnosed as having degradation.

[0019] In some embodiments, the determination program causes the processor of the determination device to perform operations including: acquiring the response characteristics to the input to the battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine or not; and, if it is determined that the battery is genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery.

[0020] This allows the detection device to handle only genuine batteries when determining their degradation status. The detection device compares the measured data with a model of response characteristics to determine whether the battery is genuine or not, and if it determines that the battery is genuine, it determines the degradation status of the battery. By determining whether the battery being measured is genuine or not, the detection device can prevent the inclusion of counterfeit products and exclude counterfeit products from the degradation status determination process. By performing a degradation diagnosis after determining whether the battery is genuine or not, the detection device can avoid situations where counterfeit products that should be excluded are diagnosed as having degradation.

[0021] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a determination device, determination method, and determination program that enable the handling of genuine products when determining the degradation state of batteries.

[0022] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a determination device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a battery model for virtually obtaining voltage response characteristics. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the difference in voltage response characteristics between measured data and a battery model. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a database stored in the memory of Figure 1. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the determination device of Figure 1.

[0023] This section provides a more detailed explanation of the background and problems of conventional technologies.

[0024] The battery performance evaluation device described in Patent Document 1 selects a secondary battery model from among a large number of secondary battery models registered in a database, each associated with a battery identifier and a temperature measurement result included in the battery characteristic factors. The secondary battery model is a model that outputs a voltage value estimated or predicted to be output by the corresponding secondary battery when a current value is input.

[0025] The battery performance evaluation device described above inputs an impulse current to the target secondary battery and selects the appropriate secondary battery model based on battery characteristic factors that include the voltage response characteristics, temperature, and a battery identifier to identify the type of secondary battery, such as its specifications and characteristics. The battery performance evaluation device then compares the voltage response characteristics of the secondary battery model with the above voltage values ​​to calculate the degree of degradation of the target secondary battery.

[0026] The battery performance evaluation device described above only has a battery degradation diagnosis function and did not account for the possibility of counterfeit batteries being mixed in. In the prior art, the battery identifier used to identify the type of secondary battery is information used to select the type of secondary battery model, and is not determined based on voltage response characteristics or the like. Details on how this battery identifier is determined are not described in Patent Document 1. It is presumed that this battery identifier is determined based on the appearance of the secondary battery as known to the user.

[0027] However, counterfeit batteries vary widely. Some imitations are so skillfully made to resemble genuine batteries. Therefore, determining whether a battery is genuine or not must be done objectively based on some kind of measurement. With the conventional technology described above, it was difficult to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit batteries. The battery performance evaluation device described above had difficulty detecting counterfeit batteries.

[0028] Counterfeit batteries, including rechargeable batteries, have already been found entering the market. These counterfeit products can diminish the value of goods both in terms of safety and economic impact. For example, in the case of rechargeable batteries used in recycled products, authenticity testing of the batteries is necessary to guarantee the quality of the product.

[0029] This disclosure aims to provide a determination device, determination method, and determination program that enable the handling of genuine products when determining the degradation state of batteries, in order to solve the problems described above.

[0030] In the following, one embodiment of this disclosure will be mainly described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a determination device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of the configuration of the determination device 10 will be mainly described with reference to Figure 1.

[0032] In one embodiment, the determination device 10 compares the actual voltage of the battery with a hypothetical voltage measurement of a pre-generated battery model. If the difference is large, it determines that the measured battery is a counterfeit, i.e., not a genuine product, and does not perform a degradation diagnosis. The determination device 10 enables not only battery degradation diagnosis but also authenticity determination of counterfeit products. In this disclosure, "genuine product" means, for example, a real product obtained from a legitimate manufacturer through an authorized distributor. "Counterfeit product" means, for example, an unauthorized product, meaning a fake product that resembles a genuine product.

[0033] In this disclosure, "battery" includes secondary batteries, etc. "Secondary battery" includes rechargeable and dischargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries (cobalt-based, manganese-based, nickel-based, ternary, and iron phosphate-based), polymer lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, lead-acid batteries, and all-solid-state batteries.

[0034] The determination device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a memory 12, a sensor unit 13, an input unit 14, an output unit 15, and a control unit 16.

[0035] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to a network. The communication interface may support, for example, mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation), wired LAN (Local Area Network) standards, or wireless LAN standards, but is not limited to these and may support any communication standard. For example, the communication interface may also support short-range wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth®. In one embodiment, the determination device 10 is connected to the network via the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various types of information via the network.

[0036] Memory 12 includes storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 12 stores information necessary to realize the operation of the determination device 10. Memory 12 stores information obtained through the operation of the determination device 10. For example, memory 12 stores system programs, application programs, and various data obtained by any means such as communication.

[0037] Memory 12 may function as main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. Memory 12 is not limited to being built into the determination device 10, but may also be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0038] The sensor unit 13 includes one or more sensors capable of acquiring information necessary for the operation of the determination device 10. The sensors acquire the response characteristics to the input to the battery as measured data. In this disclosure, "response characteristics" include, for example, voltage response characteristics to the input current to the battery. In this case, the sensors include voltage sensors and the like.

[0039] In addition, the sensor can acquire information about the measurement environment of the battery that is the target of the determination process using the determination device 10. In this disclosure, "information about the measurement environment" includes the temperature of the battery, the humidity around the battery, and the current applied to the battery. In this case, the sensor includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a current sensor.

[0040] The input unit 14 includes one or more input interfaces that detect user input and acquire input information based on user operations. The input interfaces include physical keys, capacitive keys, a touchscreen integrated with the display of the output unit 15, an imaging module such as a camera, and a microphone that accepts voice input.

[0041] The output unit 15 includes one or more output interfaces that output information to notify the user. The output interfaces include a display that outputs information as images, numbers, and symbols, and a speaker that outputs information as sound.

[0042] The control unit 16 includes one or more processors. In this disclosure, “processor” is a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The control unit 16 is communicatively connected to each component constituting the determination device 10 and controls the operation of the entire determination device 10. The processor of the control unit 16 is connected to the memory 12.

[0043] The control unit 16 acquires, as measurement data, the voltage response characteristics with respect to the input current to the battery. The control unit 16 compares the voltage response characteristics in the measured data of the battery with the voltage response characteristics based on the battery model. If it is within the first determination criterion, the control unit 16 executes the determination process for the deterioration state; otherwise, it does not execute the determination process for the deterioration state. When it is difficult for the determination device 10 itself to perform the authenticity determination considering the manufacturing variations and measurement variations of the battery between the first determination criterion and the second determination criterion, the control unit 16 executes the notification process to the user and delegates the judgment to the user. When exceeding the second determination criterion, the control unit 16 determines that the battery is not a genuine product, that is, a counterfeit product.

[0044] As an example, the control unit 16 uses the voltage response characteristics with respect to the input current to the battery for the authenticity determination of the battery. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a battery model for virtually obtaining the voltage response characteristics. The battery model as shown in FIG. 2 shows the voltage response characteristics with respect to the input current. Based on the measurement result of the complex impedance, the battery model outputs, as the voltage response characteristics, the voltage value V(t) that is estimated or predicted to be output from the battery when the current value I(t) is input.

[0045] As an example, the battery model is expressed as follows. V(t) = OCV(t) + H(t)·I(t) (Equation 1) In Equation 1, OCV(t) is the open-circuit voltage, which has different values depending on the charge and discharge state of the battery. H(t) is the transfer function of the equivalent circuit model of the internal resistance of the battery. H(t) is further expressed based on the equivalent circuit of the battery represented by the resistors R1, R2, R3, R4, capacitors C1, C2, C3, impedance Z, and inductor L in FIG. 2.

[0046] The numerical values of each element in the equivalent circuit vary depending on the internal structure and materials of the battery, etc. Therefore, when the voltage response characteristics based on the pre-generated battery model and the voltage response characteristics of the battery obtained as measurement data do not match within the second determination criterion, the control unit 16 determines that the battery being measured is not a genuine product. The user pre-understands accurate information such as the internal structure and materials of the genuine battery serving as the criterion for authenticity determination, and provides such information to the determination device 10 based on the input unit 14 or the like. The control unit 16 pre-generates a battery model based on the information provided by the user. In generating the battery model (equivalent circuit), it is desirable not to omit each element in the equivalent circuit. Thereby, the reproducibility of the battery model can be enhanced and the discrimination accuracy can be improved.

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the difference in voltage response characteristics between the measurement data and the battery model. In Figure 3, the solid line indicates the time change of the reference value according to the voltage response characteristics based on the battery model. The dashed line indicates the measurement data regarding the voltage response characteristics of the battery. While referring to Figure 3, a determination example when using the voltage response characteristics in the measurement data for authenticity determination of the battery with the voltage response characteristics based on the battery model as a reference will be described.

[0048] For example, in the case of a battery, manufacturing variations of about ±10% occur. Therefore, variations of about the same degree also occur in the voltage response characteristics in the measurement data of the battery. The first determination criterion, as an example, includes a value of ±10% with respect to the graph of the time change of the reference value indicated by the solid line in Figure 3.

[0049] For example, the control unit 16 executes a degradation state determination process if the measured value in the measured data is within ±10% of the reference value in a predetermined time domain or the entire time domain, and does not execute a degradation state determination process otherwise. If the measured value is obtained near the first determination criterion, such as exceeding the first determination criterion of ±10% of the reference value but being within the second determination criterion of ±11%, the control unit 16 finds it difficult to perform a genuine / counterfeit determination on its own and executes a notification process to the user, leaving the decision to the user. If the measured value is obtained exceeding the second determination criterion of ±11% of the reference value, the control unit 16 determines that the battery is not genuine, i.e., it is a counterfeit.

[0050] Manufacturing variations differ depending on the type of battery. Therefore, the first and second criteria may be appropriately determined for each type of battery in accordance with the manufacturing variations. For example, the first criterion may include values ​​of ±5% or ±15% relative to the graph of the time change of the reference value.

[0051] The first and second criteria may be directly input as information by the user using the input unit 14 of the determination device 10. The first and second criteria may also be indirectly obtained from a user's terminal device that is connected to the determination device 10 via a network, via the network and the communication unit 11.

[0052] In addition to the above, the measured values ​​also fluctuate due to measurement variations based on the battery's measurement environment. The control unit 16 generates multiple models in advance for each battery measurement environment to handle such measurement variations and stores them in the memory 12. The control unit 16 selects one model from the multiple pre-generated models according to the measurement environment and performs authenticity determination by comparing it with the measured data.

[0053] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a database stored in memory 12 in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows an example of a database containing information on multiple models pre-generated for each battery measurement environment.

[0054] In this database, battery model 1 is associated with environment 1, which is the measurement environment. Environment 1 includes information such as battery temperature 1, humidity around the battery 1, and current applied to the battery 1. In this database, battery model 2 is associated with environment 2, which is the measurement environment. Environment 2 includes information such as battery temperature 2, humidity around the battery 2, and current applied to the battery 2.

[0055] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the determination device 10 shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 5, an example of the processing of the determination method performed by the determination device 10 will be explained.

[0056] In step S100, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 pre-generates multiple battery models relating to response characteristics for each battery measurement environment. For example, the control unit 16 pre-generates multiple battery models relating to voltage response characteristics. The control unit 16 stores the information of the multiple generated models in memory 12, associating it with the measurement environment information.

[0057] In step S101, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 acquires information about the measurement environment using the sensor unit 13.

[0058] In step S102, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 selects one model from among the multiple models generated in step S100, according to the measurement environment indicated in the information acquired in step S101. For example, when information on environment 1 is acquired in step S101, the control unit 16 selects model 1 from the database stored in memory 12.

[0059] In step S103, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 acquires the response characteristics to the input to the battery as measured data. For example, the control unit 16 acquires the voltage response characteristics to the input current to the battery as measured data.

[0060] In step S104, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 compares the measured data acquired in step S103 with the model relating to the response characteristics selected in step S102. The control unit 16 pre-generates multiple models for each battery measurement environment and selects one model according to the measurement environment to perform the comparison with the measured data. For example, the control unit 16 compares the measured data relating to the voltage response characteristics of the battery with the time change of a reference value according to the voltage response characteristics based on the battery model.

[0061] In step S105, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 determines, based on the comparison process in step S104, whether the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model is within the first determination criterion. If the control unit 16 determines that it is within the first determination criterion, it executes the process in step S106. If the control unit 16 determines that it exceeds the first determination criterion, it executes the process in step S108.

[0062] In step S106, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 determines that the battery is genuine if it determined in step S105 that the battery is within the first determination criteria.

[0063] In step S107, if the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 determines that the battery is genuine and within the first determination criteria, it determines the degradation state of the battery. The control unit 16 may determine the degradation state of the battery using any known method. For example, the control unit 16 may determine the degradation state of the battery using different indicators and algorithms, using the same model as the model used for authenticity determination selected in step S102. The control unit 16 may also determine the degradation state of the battery using a model different from the model used for authenticity determination.

[0064] In step S108, if the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 determines in step S105 that the first determination criterion is exceeded, it determines whether the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model is within the second determination criterion. If the control unit 16 determines that it is within the second determination criterion, it executes the process in step S109. If the control unit 16 determines that the second determination criterion is exceeded, it executes the process in step S110.

[0065] In step S109, if the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 determines in step S108 that the difference exceeds the first determination criterion and is within the second determination criterion, it issues a notification to the user prompting them to confirm whether the battery is genuine or not. For example, the control unit 16 may directly output the notification information prompting confirmation to the user as image information or audio information using the output unit 15. The control unit 16 may also indirectly perform the notification process by transmitting the notification information via the communication unit 11 and the network to the user's terminal device which is connected to the determination device 10 via the network.

[0066] In step S110, if the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 determines in step S108 that the difference exceeds the second determination criterion, it determines that the battery is not a genuine product.

[0067] As described above, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 determines whether the battery is genuine or not, and if it determines that the battery is genuine, it determines the battery's degradation state. The output unit 15 of the determination device 10 outputs necessary information to the user under the control of the control unit 16. For example, the output unit 15 outputs the determination result of whether the battery is genuine or not to the user.

[0068] According to the determination device 10 of the above embodiment, genuine products can be handled when determining the degradation state of batteries. The determination device 10 compares the measured data with a model relating to response characteristics to determine whether the battery is genuine or not, and if it determines that the battery is genuine, it determines the degradation state of the battery. By determining whether the battery to be measured is genuine or not, the determination device 10 can prevent the inclusion of counterfeit products and exclude counterfeit products from the degradation state determination process. By performing a degradation diagnosis after determining whether the product is genuine or not, the determination device 10 can avoid a situation where a counterfeit product that should be excluded is subjected to a degradation diagnosis.

[0069] With counterfeit products, there is a high possibility that the degradation status cannot be accurately determined even if a degradation diagnosis is performed. For example, it is possible to obtain an incorrect result that there is no degradation even though degradation is actually progressing. Since the detection device 10 can perform degradation diagnosis only on genuine products, it can perform degradation diagnosis more accurately compared to conventional cases where degradation diagnosis was performed with counterfeit products mixed in. By performing degradation diagnosis more accurately, the safety of using and storing batteries after the degradation diagnosis is also ensured.

[0070] When the determination device 10 determines that the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model is within the first determination criterion, it determines the degradation state of the battery, thereby limiting the determination of degradation to batteries that the determination device 10 itself can clearly determine to be genuine. Therefore, the determination device 10 can improve the accuracy of degradation diagnosis.

[0071] If the determination device 10 determines that the difference exceeds the first determination criterion but is within the second determination criterion, it issues a notification to the user prompting them to confirm whether the battery is genuine or not. This allows the determination device 10 to delegate the decision to the user for batteries whose authenticity is difficult for the device itself to determine. Upon receiving the notification from the determination device 10, the user can then visually and thoroughly confirm whether the battery is genuine or not.

[0072] When the determination device 10 determines that the difference exceeds the second determination criterion, it determines that the battery is not genuine. This allows the determination device 10 to extract batteries that it can clearly determine to be counterfeit and exclude them from the degradation state determination process. As a result, the determination device 10 can perform degradation diagnosis only on genuine batteries, excluding counterfeit ones, thereby improving the accuracy of the degradation diagnosis.

[0073] The judgment device 10 generates multiple models in advance for each battery measurement environment, selects one model according to the measurement environment, and performs a comparison with the actual measurement data. This enables accurate authenticity determination based on the model that best suits the measurement environment. The judgment device 10 can suppress the decrease in the accuracy of authenticity determination due to measurement variations.

[0074] The judgment device 10 acquires the voltage response characteristics to the input current to the battery as actual measurement data, and can perform authenticity determination based on the voltage response characteristics that can be measured more directly among various response characteristics. As a result, the judgment device 10 can improve the accuracy of its authenticity determination.

[0075] The detection device 10, by including rechargeable batteries, can eliminate counterfeit rechargeable batteries through authenticity testing and perform degradation diagnosis only on genuine rechargeable batteries.

[0076] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions included in each configuration or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple configurations or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0077] For example, a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or computer can function as the determination device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function of the determination device 10 according to the embodiment is stored in the memory of the electronic device, and the processor of the electronic device reads and executes the program. Therefore, this disclosure can also be realized as a determination program that can be executed by a processor.

[0078] Alternatively, the disclosure may also be implemented as a non-temporary computer-readable medium storing a determination program that can be executed by one or more processors to cause a determination device 10 or the like to perform each function according to one embodiment. It should be understood that these are also included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the determination device 10 is described as performing a determination process to determine whether the battery is genuine or not based on two determination criteria, a first determination criterion and a second determination criterion, but it is not limited to this. The determination device 10 may perform the determination process based on only one determination criterion. For example, if the determination device 10 determines that the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model is within the determination criterion, it may determine that the battery is genuine and determine the degradation state of the battery. Conversely, if the determination device 10 determines that the difference exceeds the determination criterion, it may determine that the battery is not genuine and may not determine the degradation state of the battery.

[0080] In the above embodiment, it was explained that when the determination device 10 determines that the difference exceeds the first determination criterion but is within the second determination criterion, it issues a notification to the user prompting them to confirm whether the battery is genuine or not. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. When the determination device 10 performs authenticity determination based on only one determination criterion, as described above, it does not need to perform such a notification process.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the determination device 10 is described as performing authenticity determination by comparing the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model with a determination criterion, but it is not limited to this. The control unit 16 of the determination device 10 may calculate the similarity of the measured data to the model based on a comparison of the measured data with the model regarding response characteristics, and determine whether the battery is genuine or not based on the similarity. For example, the control unit 16 of the determination device 10 may determine that the battery is not genuine if the similarity falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0082] In this disclosure, "similarity" is an index based on the difference between a reference value and an actual value, and includes indexes such as those whose value decreases as the difference increases. For example, similarity may be 100% when the difference is zero and the reference value and the actual value are identical. Similarity decreases as the difference increases, such as 90%, 80%, and so on. "Difference between reference value and actual value" includes numerical differences such as Euclidean distance, Mahalanobis distance, the size of the area between the reference value and the actual value divided over the entire period of the actual value or a predetermined period, i.e., the integral value, and the coefficients and number of terms of a function derived when the actual value is curve-approximated.

[0083] The determination device 10 can determine whether a battery is genuine or not based on similarity, and can perform authenticity determination using a method based on various other indicators, different from the method based on a comparison between the difference in response characteristics and the determination criteria. The user can determine a predetermined similarity to be used in the authenticity determination of the determination device 10 and input it as information via the input unit 14, etc., thereby causing the determination device 10 to perform authenticity determination based on the predetermined similarity of the user's choice.

[0084] The output unit 15 of the determination device 10 may, under the control of the control unit 16, output the similarity score as information to the user if, for example, it is determined that the battery is not a genuine product.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the determination device 10 was described as pre-generating multiple models for each battery measurement environment and selecting one model according to the measurement environment to perform a comparison with the measured data, but it is not limited to this. The determination device 10 may perform a comparison with the measured data based on one predetermined model. Alternatively, if a model corresponding to the battery measurement environment at the time of authenticity determination has not been pre-generated, the determination device 10 may correct the model associated with a predetermined measurement environment using a correction coefficient corresponding to the difference between the measurement environment and a predetermined measurement environment stored as a database in the memory 12. The determination device 10 may perform a comparison with the measured data based on the corrected model.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the determination device 10 was described as setting a value for the determination criterion according to internal factors of the battery, such as manufacturing variations, and generating multiple models according to external factors of the battery, such as measurement variations, but it is not limited to this. The determination device 10 may set a value for the determination criterion according to external factors of the battery, such as measurement variations, in addition to or instead of internal factors of the battery, such as manufacturing variations. For example, if actual measurement data of a battery is acquired in a poor measurement environment such as an extremely low temperature, and a model corresponding to that measurement environment has not been generated in advance, the value of the determination criterion may be set according to the measurement variation in order to suppress the effect of measurement variations.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the determination device 10 was described as acquiring the voltage response characteristics to the input current to the battery as measured data, but it is not limited to this. The response characteristics may also include those based on any other response from the battery to the input to the battery. The response characteristics may include response characteristics such as the differential value of the voltage with respect to the input current to the battery, and the current and the differential value of the current with respect to the input voltage to the battery. In addition, the response characteristics may include, for example, a quadratic characteristic based on the voltage with respect to the input current to the battery. The response characteristics may also include, for example, the response characteristics of an external magnetic field affected by the voltage. Since a change in voltage also affects the external magnetic field, it becomes possible to estimate the voltage by indirectly measuring the external magnetic field. In addition, the response characteristics may include, for example, the response characteristics of an acoustic wave if the input current is an AC wave.

[0088] The sensor included in the sensor unit 13 of the determination device 10, which acquires the response characteristics to the input to the battery as measured data, is not limited to a voltage sensor. The sensor may also include a current sensor, a magnetic field sensor, and a microphone.

[0089] In the above embodiments, the battery was described as including, but is not limited to, a secondary battery. The battery may include any other type of battery that can be subject to authenticity determination and degradation diagnosis. For example, the battery may include a primary battery.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the determination device 10 was described as having a communication unit 11, a memory 12, a sensor unit 13, an input unit 14, an output unit 15, and a control unit 16 as a single device, but it is not limited to this. The determination device 10 may have only the communication unit 11, the memory 12, and the control unit 16. In this case, the sensor unit 13, the input unit 14, and the output unit 15 may be included in another device different from the determination device 10.

[0091] In this case, the determination device 10 may be connected to communicate with other devices having the same functions as the sensor unit 13, input unit 14, and output unit 15. The determination device 10 may be, for example, one or more server devices that can communicate with each other and are located on a network such as a cloud network. The determination device 10 may perform the above-mentioned various processes in cooperation with the other devices while being connected to the other devices in a communication manner via the communication unit 11 and the network.

[0092] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below. However, it should be noted that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Note 1] A determination device comprising: a memory; and a processor connected to the memory, wherein the processor performs: acquiring response characteristics to input to a battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine; and, if it is determined that the battery is genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery. [Note 2] A determination device according to Note 1, wherein the processor determines that the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model is within a first determination criterion, and determines the degradation state of the battery. [Note 3] A determination device according to Note 2, wherein the processor determines that the difference exceeds the first determination criterion and is within a second determination criterion, and issues a notification to the user prompting confirmation of whether the battery is genuine. [Note 4] A determination device according to Note 3, wherein the processor determines that the battery is not a genuine product when it determines that the difference exceeds the second determination criterion. [Note 5] A determination device according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein the processor calculates the similarity of the measured data to the model based on a comparison of the measured data with the model relating to the response characteristics, and determines whether the battery is a genuine product based on the similarity. [Note 6] A determination device according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein the processor generates a plurality of models in advance for each measurement environment of the battery, selects one of the models according to the measurement environment, and performs a comparison with the measured data. [Note 7] A determination device according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, wherein the processor acquires the voltage response characteristics to the input current to the battery as the measured data. [Note 8] A determination device according to any one of Notes 1 to 7, wherein the battery includes a secondary battery.[Note 9] A determination method executed by the processor of a determination device, comprising: acquiring response characteristics to input to a battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine or not; and, if it is determined that the battery is genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery. [Note 10] A determination program that causes the processor of a determination device to execute an operation comprising: acquiring response characteristics to input to a battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine or not; and, if it is determined that the battery is genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery.

[0093] 10 Judgment device 11 Communication unit 12 Memory 13 Sensor unit 14 Input unit 15 Output unit 16 Control unit (processor)

Claims

1. A determination device comprising: a memory and a processor connected to the memory, wherein the processor performs the following: acquiring the response characteristics to input to a battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine or not; and, if it is determined that the battery is genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery.

2. A determination device according to claim 1, wherein the processor determines the degradation state of the battery when it determines that the difference in response characteristics between the measured data and the model is within a first determination criterion.

3. A determination device according to claim 2, wherein the processor determines that the difference exceeds the first determination criterion and is within the second determination criterion, and then issues a notification to the user prompting them to confirm whether the battery is genuine or not.

4. A determination device according to claim 3, wherein the processor determines that the battery is not a genuine product when it determines that the difference exceeds the second determination criterion.

5. A determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor calculates the degree of similarity of the measured data to the model based on a comparison of the measured data with the model relating to the response characteristics, and determines whether the battery is a genuine product based on the degree of similarity.

6. A determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor generates a plurality of models in advance for each measurement environment of the battery, selects one of the models according to the measurement environment and performs a comparison with the measured data.

7. A determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor acquires the voltage response characteristics to the input current to the battery as the measured data.

8. A determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery includes a secondary battery.

9. A determination method executed by the processor of a determination device, comprising: acquiring response characteristics to input to a battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine; and, if the battery is determined to be genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery.

10. A determination program that causes the processor of the determination device to perform operations including: acquiring the response characteristics to the input to the battery as measured data; comparing the measured data with a model relating to the response characteristics; determining whether the battery is genuine or not; and, if it is determined that the battery is genuine, determining the degradation state of the battery.

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