JP2003007348A - Battery providing system and battery providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new sales system for batteries. SOLUTION: First, a user pays for compensation for a battery body to a store and acquires a full-charged battery. When the user brings the battery, which is used up, to the store, it calculates a used volume of charge based on a residual capacity of the battery and the user pays for the used volume. If the user desires a new battery, the user receives a new battery. If the user does not desire a new battery, the user returns the used battery to the store and is repaid buck by the store for the prepaid compensation for the battery body. The collected used battery is checked to find out the state of its deterioration. If the battery is available for a further service, it is charged up at the store and is resold. If the battery is not available for a further service, the store sends it to a manufacture where the battery is recycled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery providing system and a battery providing method for providing a new trading mode of batteries.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a notebook type personal computer device, or a personal digital assistant (PDA) is provided with a secondary battery (battery) as a power supply means. The terminal device can be carried and used outdoors by receiving power supply from this battery.

In recent years, due to technological advances such as power saving of devices and large capacity of batteries, the power supply time of the batteries has become longer than before. Therefore, the user can use the terminal device for a long time even when carrying such a terminal device.

[0004]

However, recent portable terminal devices require more power than before due to the colorization and size of the liquid crystal screen, or the addition of many additional functions. There is. For this reason, although the power saving of the device and the increase of the battery capacity have been achieved, the power supply time of the battery is limited, so the power is cut off while the mobile terminal device is being used by a mobile device, and At present, there are many cases where the device becomes unusable. In particular, when the user forgets the charger and goes on a trip and the battery is turned off at the destination, the mobile terminal device cannot be used during the trip.

In such a case, it may be possible to purchase a new battery at a travel destination, but since the battery itself is expensive, there is an inconvenience that the financial burden on the user increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a battery providing system and a battery providing method that allow a battery to be easily and inexpensively obtained even when the power of a terminal device is cut off. For the purpose of providing.

[0007]

The present invention solves the above problems based on the concept of "disposable battery" and "recycle" of disposable battery.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Since the electric charge stored in a battery is finite, it will eventually be consumed by the use of a terminal device. Therefore, the present invention does not enable the limited charge of the battery to be used for a long time due to the power saving of the terminal device or the increase in the battery capacity, but when the battery is dead, how simple and inexpensive it is for the user. It is made based on the concept of what to provide. Then, from such a fact, a new system for selling and buying batteries, including "disposal of batteries" and "recycling" of disposable batteries, has been constructed.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a physical flow of a battery provided in a battery providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The battery used in this system is preferably one that is resistant to repeated use and does not cause deterioration in capacity due to the memory effect even when replenished and recharged. For example, nickel-cadmium battery, nickel-hydrogen battery, lithium-ion battery, etc. Can be used. this house,
Lithium-ion batteries are characterized by low self-discharge, no memory effect, and long cycle life.
As an example, the system of this embodiment uses this lithium-ion battery.

First, as can be seen from FIG. 1, in the case of the battery providing system of this embodiment, "the physical flow of the battery between the store and the user" and "the store and the battery manufacturer There is a physical flow of the battery in between.

Among these, in the "physical flow of the battery between the store and the user", the store side charges the user by charging the battery composed of the above-mentioned lithium ion battery, for example. It is designed to sell charged batteries.

When there is no used battery, the user pays a compensation for the battery body to receive the charged battery from the store. In addition, if there is a used battery, the compensation for the battery itself has already been paid when you first receive the battery, so if you receive a new battery, please pay the money corresponding to the consumed power. If you receive a new battery by paying to the retailer, or if you do not receive a new battery, money (electricity bill) corresponding to the consumed power if necessary (post-payment method described later) Is paid to the retailer and the used battery is returned to the retailer to receive a full or partial refund of the compensation.

Such "physical flow of the battery between the store and the user" can be represented by a flow chart as shown in FIG. The "physical flow of the battery between the store and the user" will be described again with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As described above, the user pays compensation for the battery body to the store and receives the charged battery to start the operation.

In step S1, the user who receives the charged battery uses the battery, for example, a mobile phone, a laptop personal computer device, an information portable terminal device (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant).
s) or a desired terminal device such as a video camera device. As a result, in the terminal device using the battery, the remaining battery amount is constantly monitored, and step S2 shows the remaining battery amount monitoring operation performed on the terminal device side.

Next, when the remaining battery level is reduced by using the battery for the desired terminal device (the battery is dead), it is determined in step S3 whether the user should replace the battery with a new one. If the battery is to be replaced with a new battery, the battery with the dead battery is brought to the store in step S4.

It is not necessary that the store that brings in the used battery is the store that purchased the battery. Any store that supports the battery providing system can be used. It doesn't matter.

In this case, since the compensation for the battery body has already been paid as described above, the user only pays the electricity bill to the store and receives a new charged battery. That is, the money corresponding to the amount (contents) consumed in the battery is paid.

On the other hand, if the battery is not replaced with a new battery, in step S5, bring the dead battery to the store, and if necessary (in the case of the post-payment method described later), correspond to the consumed power. The money (electricity bill) is paid to the shop side, and the used battery is returned to the shop to receive the compensation in whole or in part.

When one battery is used exclusively by a user for a long period of time, it is highly possible that the battery has deteriorated over time. You may make it refund the amount deducted.

Here, when the used battery is brought by the user, the method of collecting the electricity bill at the shop side is as follows. 1. A method of prepaying all the electric charges corresponding to the full capacity of the battery, which are all the electric charges when receiving a fully charged battery (prepayment method), When the used battery is brought in, the retailer calculates the amount of electricity used by the user and collects the electricity bill in the form of post-payment by the amount used (post-payment method). There is a collection method.

In the case of the "prepayment method", the user purchases all the electric charges accumulated in the battery, and the electric charge is fixed even if all the electric charges accumulated in the battery are not used up. For this reason, if the user does not use all the electric charge accumulated in the battery, it will be financially damaged.

On the other hand, in the case of the "post-payment method", the user only has to pay the electricity bill for the used amount, so that the user can efficiently purchase only the electricity (charge) necessary for himself.

The flow up to the collection of the electricity bill by the "post-payment method" will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. First, the user purchases a battery from a store in step S11, and the purchased battery in step S12. Is used by mounting it on a desired terminal device. In this case, at the timing when the battery is mounted on the terminal device, the microcomputer device (microcomputer) provided in the battery mounts the battery at step S13. The time capacity is stored in the memory as “initial capacity”.

Next, when the battery is removed from the terminal device, the microcomputer determines in step S14 that the use of the terminal device has ended, and in step S15, the remaining capacity of the battery at the end of the terminal device is stored in the memory. Remember. As a result, the memory in the battery stores the initial capacity, which is the capacity before the battery is used, and the remaining capacity after the battery is used.

Next, in step S16, the user who removes the battery from the terminal device brings the removed battery to the store as a used battery.
In 17, the usage amount is calculated by subtracting the remaining capacity from the initial capacity stored in the memory of this used battery (usage amount = initial capacity−remaining capacity). And
The money corresponding to this usage amount is settled as an electric bill (including the cost required for recycling described below).

As a result, the user only has to pay for the electricity used, so that the user can efficiently purchase only the electricity (charge) required for himself.

If the user so desires, a new charged battery is provided to the user in step S18.

[Recycling of Used Battery] Next, the used battery brought to the store by the user is recycled and reused. The flow chart of FIG. 4 shows the flow of recycling the used battery.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 4 starts when a used battery is brought into a store, and proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the dealer performs deterioration verification of the battery, which will be described later, to determine whether the used battery has deteriorated. If not, in step S26, the dealer has used the battery. The battery is charged, reproduced, and resold to the user in step S25.
On the other hand, when the used battery is deteriorated, the dealer sends the deteriorated battery to the manufacturer as shown in FIG.

On the manufacturer's side, the deteriorated battery is disassembled in step S23, parts are replaced and the like to be recycled (recycle), and the regenerated battery is sent again to the dealer's side in step S24. As a result, in step S25, the recycled battery is sold to the user again.

[Verification of Deterioration of Battery] Next, in order to prevent the deteriorated battery from being sold to the user by mistake, it is necessary for the shop side to grasp the deterioration state of each battery. Further, in the case of the "post-payment method" described above, it is necessary to accurately recognize the usage time (usage amount) and the usage frequency of each battery.

Therefore, when the electricity bill is collected by the "post-payment method", for example, a battery having a communication function is used. FIG. 5 shows the external appearance of the battery 1 having this communication function, FIG. 6 shows the battery 1 installed in the charger 2 installed at the store, and FIG. 7 shows the battery 1 installed in the charging device 2. The cross-sectional views at the time of being subjected are respectively shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting surface portion 1a of the battery 1 is provided with two charging terminals 1b and 1c for the anode and the cathode, respectively. The battery 1 is mounted on the charger 2 as shown in FIG. By doing so, the charging terminals 1b and 1c provided on the battery 1 side as shown in FIG.
Contact the charging terminals 2b and 2c of the anode and the cathode provided on the charger 2 side, respectively, and the electric charge supplied from the power supply line 3 shown in FIG. 6 is accumulated in the battery 1. There is.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the battery 1 and the charger 2 are provided with authentication chips 4 and 5 and communication terminals 1d and 2d, respectively.
When the battery is attached to the charger 2, the authentication chip 4 provided on the battery 1 communicates with the authentication chip 5 provided on the charger 2 via the communication terminals 1d and 2d. , Authenticate whether it is a legitimate battery. Then, by this authentication, the battery can be charged only when the authenticity of the battery is confirmed.

In order to prevent the user from illegally charging the battery, the battery may have a special shape. In addition to this, the battery 1 is attached to the charger 2 as described above. At this time, authentication is performed between the authentication chip 4 provided in the battery 1 and the authentication chip 5 provided in the charger 2, and the authenticity of the battery 1 attached to the charger 2 is confirmed. By only allowing the battery 1 to be charged when it is confirmed, it is possible to prevent the user from illegally charging the battery.

Further, between the above authentication chips 4 and 5,
In addition to the above-described authentication, for example, the current state of charge and the number of times the battery has been used are transmitted and received. Information such as the current state of charge of the battery and the number of times the battery has been used by this communication is displayed on the display unit 6 such as a liquid crystal display unit provided in the charger 2 shown in FIG. 6, or via the data line 7. It is supplied to a personal computer device and displayed on a monitor device connected to this personal computer device.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the display screen of the monitor device. In the case of this display screen, "status display area 11" for displaying the current state of charge, "battery level display area 12" for displaying the current battery capacity (battery level), the manufacturer of the battery 1, Date of manufacture, battery name, serial number, battery type, battery design voltage, current remaining battery capacity, battery capacity at full charge (full charge capacity) and battery design capacity (design capacity) A "battery characteristic display area 13" for displaying the battery capacity, and a "battery deterioration display area 14" for displaying the fully charged capacity and the number of times of charging with respect to the designed capacity of the battery,
A "predicted time display area 15" for displaying a predicted time until the battery is completely charged and the like are provided.

FIG. 8 shows a display example when the battery is fully charged by charging, and the status display area 11
Indicates that the battery is fully charged, and the battery level display area 12 also indicates that the battery is fully charged, along with an indicator of "100%".

Further, in the battery deterioration display area 14,
It is displayed that the full charge capacity at the time of full charge with respect to the designed capacity of the battery is “100%”, and that the total number of times of charging is “83 times” due to the current charging. .

The retailer side can judge the deterioration state of the battery by confirming the display contents displayed on the monitor device or the display section 6 of the charger 2 as described above, and the deterioration time of the battery can be used. It is possible to prevent the inconvenience of accidentally selling the shortened battery to the user. Also, when the battery deteriorates, it can be recycled to the manufacturer side in good timing.

[Effects of the First Embodiment] As is apparent from the above description, the battery providing system of the first embodiment purchases a battery in the form of compensation for the first battery body, After that, when replacing a used battery with a charged battery, only the electricity bill is paid, so that the user can obtain the battery at a very low price, and in a sense, it is a disposable feeling. Can be used.

Further, even when a plurality of batteries are temporarily needed for a trip or the like and purchased, if the battery body is returned to the store, the compensation money for each battery is returned, so that a financial burden is imposed on the user. It can be reduced significantly.

Since the charged battery can be easily obtained by simply bringing the used battery to the nearest store, the user can save the labor and time for charging the battery.

Further, since the deteriorated battery is sent to the manufacturer for recycling, the resources can be effectively utilized.

[Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The battery providing system according to the embodiment will be described. The battery providing system according to the first embodiment described above manages the usage amount and the deterioration state of the battery at the retailer side, but the battery providing system according to the second embodiment uses the battery. The manufacturer manages the quantity and deterioration status collectively online on the network.

The first embodiment described above and the second embodiment
Since only this point is different from the embodiment of
Only the differences between the two will be explained and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

In the case of the battery providing system of the second embodiment, the overall system configuration is as shown in FIG. 9, and the charger 2 to which the battery 1 is attached is
The personal computer device 20 on the side of each store to which is connected is connected to the management server device 22 on the side of the manufacturer via a predetermined network 21 such as the Internet.

The management server device 22 on the maker side has a database 23, and in this database 23, as shown in FIG. 10, "serial numbers" and "battery names" of all the batteries 1 on the market. , “Manufacturing date”, “charge / discharge count”, “design capacity”, etc. are stored.

A memory 24 is provided in each battery 1, and the "serial number", "battery name", and "full charge capacity" of the battery 1 are stored in the memory 24 as shown in FIG. The "starting capacity", which is the full charge capacity when the battery starts to be used, the "remaining capacity" in the current battery, etc. are stored.

[Online Calculation of Battery Usage] On-line Calculation of Battery Usage in the Battery Providing System of the Second Embodiment (Calculation Process)
The flow is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart starts at the timing when the used battery of the user is brought into the store and the used battery is attached to the charger 2 on the side of the store, and the calculation process proceeds to step S31.

At step S31, the microcomputer device of the charger 2 causes the "serial number", "battery name", "full charge capacity" stored in the memory 24 of the battery 1 mounted on the charger 2, The “starting capacity”, “remaining capacity”, etc. are set in the personal computer 20
Transfer to. Then, the personal computer device 20 transmits the transferred information to the management server device 22 on the manufacturer side via the network 21. As a result, the calculation process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the management server device 22
By comparing the “serial number” and “battery name” of the battery 1 transmitted from the dealer with the “serial number” and “battery name” stored in the database 23, It is determined whether or not the battery 1 attached to the charger 2 on the side is a regular battery. If it is determined that the battery is not a legitimate battery, in step S35, a message indicating that the battery is invalid is transmitted to the personal computer device 20 on the dealer side. As a result, the dealer will deal with the illegal user such as returning or collecting the illegal battery to the user or refusing to deliver a new battery.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery is a normal battery, the management server device 22 determines the "remaining capacity" from the "full charge capacity" of the battery 1 transmitted from the store side in step S34. The usage amount is calculated by the subtraction processing, and the data indicating the electricity bill corresponding to the usage amount is transmitted to the personal computer device 20 on the dealer side. As a result, the charger 2 is connected to the monitor device connected to the personal computer device 20 on the store side.
The electricity bill of the battery 1 attached to the vehicle is displayed, and the payment is performed.

[Online Verification of Deterioration Condition] Next, the above is the calculation process of the electricity bill.
When charging a used battery collected from a user at a retail store, the manufacturer checks the deterioration condition of the battery. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of this verification process. This flow chart starts by mounting the used battery, which is collected from the user at the store, on the charger 2, and the verification process proceeds to step S41.

In step S41, the microcomputer device of the charger 2 has the "serial number" stored in the memory 24 of the battery 1 attached to the charger 2.
And "battery name" as personal computer device 2
Transfer to 0. As a result, this calculation process is performed in step S.
Proceed to 42.

In step S42, the management server device 22
Is based on the "serial number" and "battery name" of the battery 1 transmitted from the store side, the database 2
3 is searched, and the “charge / discharge count (see FIG. 10)” of the battery 1 is detected. Then, it is determined whether or not the “charge / discharge frequency” of the battery 1 is less than a predetermined number of times such as 100 times, and if the “charge / discharge frequency” is less than the predetermined number of times, the verification process proceeds to step S43. If the “number of times of charging / discharging” is greater than the predetermined number of times, the verification process proceeds to step S50.

In step S50, since the "charge / discharge count" of the battery 1 is larger than the predetermined count, there is a possibility that the battery has deteriorated. Therefore, the management server device 22 returns its message to the manufacturer side to the manufacturer side for recycling because the battery is deteriorated, and ends the verification process. As a result, the battery 1 is sent to the manufacturer for recycling. When charging and discharging are repeated many times, the battery gradually deteriorates and the full charge capacity decreases, or the amount of spontaneous discharge increases, but in this way, a battery that has been charged and discharged a predetermined number of times or more On the other hand, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of selling the deteriorated battery to the user by assuming that the battery is deteriorated and collecting it by the manufacturer.

Next, in step S43, since the battery 1 is a battery that has not deteriorated, the management server device 22 transmits a message permitting charging to the personal computer device 20 on the store side. As a result, the retailer side starts charging the battery 1 after receiving the message permitting the charging.

Next, when charging the battery 1 is started, the charger 2 on the store side monitors the charging state in step S44. Then, in step S45,
At the timing when this charging is completed, together with the information indicating the completion of this charging, the information of the “full charge capacity” which is the capacity of the battery 1 when this charging is completed is sent to the management server device 22 via the personal computer device 20. Send.

In step S46, the management server device 22
However, the charge / discharge count (see FIG. 10) of the battery 1 stored in the database 23 is incremented by “1”. The number of times of charging / discharging stored in the database 23 serves as a criterion for determining whether or not the battery has deteriorated. In this example, when the number of times of charging / discharging becomes 101 times or more, the battery deteriorates. As described above, it is recycled as a recycled product.

Next, in step S47, the management server device 22 sends the "full charge capacity" of the battery 1 transmitted from the store side when fully charged and the "designed capacity" of the battery 1 stored in the database 23. ". Then, what percentage of the “design capacity” the “full charge capacity” corresponds to is calculated. This percentage is 8
If the percentage is equal to or less than the predetermined percentage, such as 0%, the "full charge capacity" is reduced by 20% from the initial capacity, so the management server device 22 deteriorates the battery in step S50. Therefore, the manufacturer side returns a message to the effect that it will be recycled, and the verification process ends. This can prevent the inconvenience of selling the deteriorated battery to the user.

Next, in step S48, the management server device 22 refers to the database 23 to refer to the manufacturing date of the battery 1. If the battery 1 has passed a predetermined number of years from the manufacturing date, it is highly likely that the battery has deteriorated, and therefore, in step S50, the battery has deteriorated, so the manufacturer side is informed. This verification process is completed by returning a message to the effect that the product will be recycled for sale. This can prevent the inconvenience of selling the deteriorated battery to the user.

Next, in step S49, the fully charged battery 1 is a battery that is not deteriorated or has little deterioration and can be resold. Therefore, the management server device 22 indicates that the battery can be resold to the dealer. Will be notified and the verification process will end. As a result, the charged battery 1 will be sold to the user again.

[Effects of Second Embodiment] As is clear from the above description, the battery providing system of the second embodiment makes it possible for the manufacturer to collectively determine the usage amount and deterioration state of each battery. Since it is managed online, it is possible to reduce the burden on the dealer side by calculating the amount of battery used, verifying the deterioration state of the battery, etc., and to obtain the same effect as the first embodiment described above. Obtainable.

[Third Embodiment] Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The battery providing system according to the embodiment will be described. In the battery providing system according to the second embodiment described above, the memory 24 provided in the battery 1 has a “serial number”, a “battery name”, a “full charge capacity”,
Although the information about the battery 1 such as “starting capacity” and “remaining capacity” is stored, the battery providing system according to the third embodiment increases the capacity of the memory 24 to make such a battery. Image information, advertisement information, information about the device in which the battery is used, and the like, in addition to the information on the above, and based on each of these information, image print service, market research, advertisement according to the taste of the user. It is intended to be provided.

The second embodiment described above and the third embodiment.
Since only this point is different from the embodiment of
Only the differences between the two will be explained and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the battery 1 used in the battery providing system of the third embodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 14, in the case of the battery 1 used in the battery providing system according to the third embodiment, in addition to the battery unit 30 that accumulates electric charge, a large-capacity device that stores image information, advertisement information, etc. Memory 2
4, a communication circuit 31 that communicates with a device to which the battery 1 is connected, and a microcomputer 32 that controls reading and writing of information from and to the memory 24 and communication control of the communication circuit 31. By utilizing the large capacity of the memory 24, the following services are provided.

[Image Print Service] First, when the user uses the battery 1 by mounting it on a digital camera device (or a video camera device), the user takes an image (either a still image or a moving image). The digital camera is operated by designating an image desired to be printed. When this operation is performed, the microcomputer 32 of the battery 1
The image information designated by the user is fetched from the communication terminal 1d through the communication circuit 31, and the writing control to the memory 24 is performed. As a result, the image information of the image designated by the user is stored in the memory 24 in the battery 1.

Next, when the battery 1 runs out, the user removes the battery 1 from the digital camera device and brings it to the store as a used battery. On the side of the store that receives the used battery, the image information stored in the memory 24 of the used battery 1 is taken out and printed out, or the CD is used.
-Record in ROM and give it to the user.

As a result, a recording medium such as a memory card, which is required for a digital camera device or a video camera device, can be eliminated. In addition to the battery providing service, it is possible to establish a new business such as a printout service for images and moving images and a recording service for CD-ROM.

[Market Research] Next, the memory 24
It is also possible to conduct market research by taking advantage of the large capacity of. That is, in this case, the microcomputer 32 of the battery 1 communicates with the microcomputer of the device in which the battery 1 is mounted, and acquires information such as the manufacturer name, model number, and usage time of the device, and the like. Are sequentially stored in the memory 24.

At the store side, when the used battery 1 is collected or when the battery 1 is sent for recycling, the information stored in the memory 24 of the battery 1 is taken out and is taken out via the network 21. It is transmitted to the management server device 22 on the manufacturer side.

As a result, by analyzing the information transmitted to the management server device 22 on the maker side, it is possible to conduct market research on the device in which the battery is used, the maker name, etc. It can be used for product development.

It should be noted that the number of pieces of information provided by the device used by each user is stored so that when the information is posted on the store side, a predetermined service can be received from the store side. May be.

[Provision of Advertisement Reflecting User Information] Next, in the memory 24, user information such as a history of homepages accessed by the user and application program names having a large number of start-ups is stored, and the manufacturer side Then, by analyzing this user information, it becomes possible to provide advertisements and the like that suit the taste of the user.

For example, when this battery 1 is used in a personal computer device, the microcomputer 32 of the battery 1 communicates with the personal computer device, and as shown in FIG. 15, user bookmark information and the Internet. The history of accessing the above home page, the application program name that the user frequently starts, and the like are stored and controlled in the memory 24 as user information.

In addition to these pieces of information, personal information such as the sex and age of the user may be stored in the memory 24.

When the user runs out of the battery 1, the user brings it to the store. When the store receives the used battery 1, the user mounts it on the charger 2.

The flow chart of FIG. 16 shows the flow until the advertisement suitable for the user is provided based on the information stored in the memory 24 of the battery 1. The operation starts by mounting the used battery 1 brought by the user at the store on the charger 2, and the advertisement providing process proceeds to step S51.

In step S51, the charger 2 reads the user information stored in the memory 24 in the battery 1, and the user information is read via the personal computer device 20 and the network 21 from the management server device 22 on the manufacturer side.
Send to. As a result, the advertisement providing process proceeds to step S52.

In step S52, the management server device 22
Determines whether the user information transmitted from the retailer side is valid enough to determine the user's taste, and if the user's taste cannot be determined, step S
At 55, general advertisement information is returned to the store side. Then, on the store side, the general advertisement information returned from the management server device 22 is written in the memory 24 of the charged battery 1 as shown in FIG. 15, and this general advertisement information is written. When the battery 1 is handed over to the user, this advertisement providing process ends.

On the other hand, when it is possible to determine the user's taste from the user information transmitted from the dealer side, the advertisement providing process proceeds to step S53 and the management server device 2
2 analyzes the taste of the user based on the user information, and returns advertisement information, coupon information, or the like, which suits the taste of the user, to the store side according to the analysis result. For example, when the user frequently accesses the site of a certain singer, the new song information of the singer, information corresponding to the discount coupon of the CD, and the like are returned to the store side.

Then, in step S54, the store side writes the advertisement information and the like sent from the management server device 22 according to the user's taste in the memory 24 of the charged battery 1 as shown in FIG. The advertisement providing process is completed by passing the item to the user.

As a result, the user reproduces the advertisement information stored in the memory of the charged battery 1 handed over from the store side by the personal computer device or the like, so that the user has a meaningful meaning according to his or her taste. You can see various advertisements.

[Effects of the Third Embodiment] As is clear from the above description, the battery providing system of the third embodiment has a large capacity memory 24 in the battery 1.
By providing that the battery 1 moves back and forth between the user and the store, image printing service, market research, an advertisement providing service reflecting user information, and the like are performed. As a result, we provide various services such as market research and advertisements while offline, and
A new business can be established.

[0106] In providing the advertisement, online and offline may be used together. For example, when providing advertising information online, providing broadcast advertising information, such as providing nationwide advertising information or coupon ticket information for stores operating on a nationwide scale, and providing offline advertising information , Advertisement information of the area where the store is located,
Providing information on coupons for stores in the area,
Narrowcast advertising information may be provided. As described above, the range of services can be expanded by properly using the online advertisement information providing form and the offline advertisement information providing form.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The battery providing system according to the embodiment will be described. The battery providing system of each of the above-described embodiments is
Although the used battery can be charged only by the store, the battery providing system of the fourth embodiment allows the user to personally charge the used battery. It was done.

Since the above-described respective embodiments differ from this fourth embodiment only in this point, only the difference between them will be explained below and the duplicated explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a state in which the battery 1 used in the battery providing system of the fourth embodiment is mounted on the charger 2 owned by the user. As can be seen from FIG. 17, in the case of the fourth embodiment, the charger 2 in which the battery 1 is mounted is connected to an AC power supply adapter (AC adapter) and controls the charging of the battery 1. 40 and the battery 1 read from the memory 24 of the battery 1.
It has a memory 41 for temporarily storing the manufacturing date, serial number, user identification information (user ID), etc., and a communication circuit 42 for communicating with the manufacturer's management server device 22 via the user's personal computer device. is doing.

In this example, the charger 2 uses the management server device 22 via the personal computer device.
However, the charger 2 itself may directly communicate with the management server device 22.

FIG. 18 shows the information stored in the memory 24 of the battery 1. In the case of this embodiment, the memory 24 of the battery 1 has the “serial number” of the battery 1. , "Battery name",
In addition to the “full charge capacity”, “starting capacity”, “remaining capacity”, and “charging capacity”, the “user ID” of the user registered on the manufacturer side is stored.

On the other hand, the management server device 2 shown in FIG.
In the database 23 of No. 2, as shown in FIG. 19, "serial numbers" of all the batteries 1 on the market,
"Battery name", "Date of manufacture", "Total accumulated charge", "Charge / discharge count", "Design capacity", "Integrated charge"
Are stored in association with the “user ID” of the user who owns the battery 1.

[Charging Permission] In the battery providing system of the fourth embodiment as described above, the user receives the fully charged battery by paying the compensation money to the shop, which is different from the above-described embodiments. Similar to the above, however, when personally charging with the charger 2 owned by each user, each user reports at least the “serial number” of the battery owned by the user to the management server device 22 side. As a result, the management server device 22 assigns the user ID to the user notified by the user, and registers the “serial number” owned by the user in the database 23 together with the assigned user ID. And the battery 1 owned by the user are specified and registered in the database 23.

Then, when a charging permission request is issued from the user, the management server device 22 refers to the database 23 and determines whether the user is an authorized user who has been registered in advance. However, charging is allowed only when the user is an authorized user.

First, the flow chart of FIG. 20 shows a flow (charging permission step) until the management server device 22 permits charging in response to a charging permission request from the user. The flowchart shown in FIG. 20 is started by mounting the battery 1 on the charger 2 owned by the user, and the charging permission process proceeds to step S61.

In step S61, the user's personal computer device establishes a communication line with the management server device 22 via the network 21 shown in FIG.
As a result, the charging permission process proceeds to step S62.

In step S62, the microcomputer 40 of the charger 2 reads out the "user ID" and the "serial number" of the battery 1 from the memory 24 of the battery 1 mounted therein, and reads them out in the communication circuit 42 and the personal computer. It is transmitted to the management server device 22 via the device. As a result, this charging permission process is performed in step S.
Proceed to 63.

In step S63, the management server device 22
Refers to the database 23 to collate the “user ID” transmitted from the user with the “serial number” of the battery 1. Then, in step S64,
It is determined whether the user who is currently requesting permission for charging is a regular user registered in the database 23 in advance. If the user is not a regular user, step S
At 70, an error message for prompting user registration such as "please make a user registration and then request charging permission" is transmitted to the user's personal computer device, and the charging permission process ends. As a result, the user who receives the error message will make a charging permission request after performing user registration to register the “serial number” of his / her battery 1 in the database 23.

Next, when it is determined that the user is an authorized user, the management server device 22 refers to the database 23 to charge the battery 1 for the first time based on the “number of times of charging and discharging” of the battery 1. It is determined whether to be performed. Then, when the charging is performed for the first time, the charging permission information for permitting the charging of the battery 1 is given to the user's charger 2 in step S69.
To complete the charging permission process.

Microcomputer 40 of this charger 2
Receives the charging permission information, permits the energization between the AC adapter and the battery 1. As a result, charging of the battery 1 is started.

Next, if the charging of the battery 1 is not the first charging, the management server device 22 requests the charger 2 to transmit the information indicating the charge amount at the previous charging. The information indicating the charge amount at the time of the previous charge is stored in the memory 24 by the microcomputer 32 of the battery 1 at the end of the previous charge. Therefore, if this transmission request is made, the microcomputer 32 is sent in step S66.
Reads the information indicating the charge amount at the time of the previous charge stored in the memory 24, and reads this information.
Send to 2.

Next, in step S67, the management server device 22 charges the charging fee corresponding to the previous charging amount based on the information indicating the charging amount at the previous charging transmitted from the user's charger 2. To do. In the case of the fourth embodiment, the user pays the electricity charge for charging the battery 1 to the electric power company. For this reason, the charging fee is the amount of money corresponding to the deterioration of the battery 1. Further, this charging is performed by debiting the bank based on the card number of the credit card registered in advance by the user at the time of user registration, or by issuing a bill each time.

Next, in step S68, the management server device 22 integrates the charge amount at the time of the previous charge into the "integrated charge amount" of the battery 1 stored in the database 23, and the "charge / discharge count" Is incremented by "1". The "integrated charge amount" and the "charge / discharge count" are used for verifying the deterioration of the battery 1 as described above. If the battery 1 that the user has requested to charge is deteriorated, the management server device 22 informs the user, for example, “The battery has deteriorated and a new battery is purchased at the store. Please send a message to the user, such as "please replace".

As a result, the user brings the deteriorated battery to the store and replaces it with a new battery. At the time of this exchange, as described in the first embodiment, the electricity bill used by the user is settled at the store.

Next, the management server device 22 carries out step S
At 69, the charging permission information is returned to the user's charger 2 to end the charging permission process.

[Personal Charging by User] Next, referring to FIG.
The flow chart of No. 1 shows the operation flow (charging process) of the charger 2 and the battery 1 during this charging. This flowchart starts when the charger 2 of the user receives the charging permission information from the management server device 22, and the charging process proceeds to step S71.

In step S71, since the manufacturer permits the charging, the microcomputer 32 of the battery 1 stores and controls the remaining capacity, which is the current capacity of the battery 1, in the memory 23. As a result, this charging process proceeds to step S72.

In step S72, the microcomputer 40 of the charger 2 permits the energization between the AC adapter and the battery 1 to start charging the battery 1.

Microcomputer 32 of battery 1
Monitors whether or not the battery is fully charged in step S73, and also monitors whether or not the charging is forcibly interrupted by the user before the battery is fully charged in step S76. This charging process proceeds to step S74 at the timing when it is determined that the battery is fully charged or when it is determined that the charging is forcibly interrupted by the user before the battery is fully charged.

In step S74, the amount of charge until the microcomputer 32 of the battery 1 is fully charged,
Alternatively, the charge amount until the charge is forcibly interrupted by the user is calculated, and in step S75, the calculated charge amount is stored in the memory 24 of the battery 1 and the charging process is ended. This charge amount is read from the memory 24 as the “charge amount at the previous charge” and transmitted to the management server device 22 at the time of the next charge, as described in step S66 of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is used for settlement of teens.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, the memory 24 stores the information of the device in which the battery is mounted, and the information of this device is stored in the charger 2 when requesting permission of charging. The marketing research can be performed in the same manner as described above by transmitting the information from the side to the management server device 22 side.

Further, the image information desired by the user is stored in the memory 24, and this image information is transmitted from the charger 2 side to the management server device 22 side when requesting permission of charging or the like, and the management server device The 22 side may perform an image print service, a storage service in another storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or the like.

Further, when a charging permission request or the like is made, the management server device 22 side transmits advertisement information to the user's charger 2 side and stores it in the battery memory 24, thereby providing the above-mentioned advertisement providing service. It may be performed.

[Effect of Fourth Embodiment] As is clear from the above description, the battery providing system of the fourth embodiment allows the user to personally charge the battery. The user's journey to the store to obtain a new battery can be omitted.

In addition, by performing user registration in advance, the user and the battery owned by the user are specified, and personal charging is permitted. Therefore, unauthorized personal charging can be prevented. You can

[0117] Further, since the "number of times of charging / discharging", "integrated charge amount" and the like are managed by the management server device 22 on the manufacturer side, the deterioration state of the battery can be managed by the manufacturer side. Therefore, the user can always use the battery in the best condition.

In the description of the fourth embodiment,
Although charging is performed according to the charge amount at that time, a predetermined charge may be charged uniformly for one charging.

Further, since the battery deteriorates as the number of times of charging increases, as the number of times of charging increases,
The charging fee may be gradually increased.

Finally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment described as an example, and other than the above-described embodiment, the scope is not deviated from the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, it goes without saying that various changes can be made according to the design.

[0121]

According to the present invention, it is possible to buy and sell only the charges stored in the battery. Therefore, it is possible to buy and sell the battery at low cost.

[0122] Further, the battery can be easily obtained by the user at any time by providing a wide range of places for delivering the battery.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a physical flow of a battery in a battery providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a physical flow of a battery between a store and a user in the battery providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a flow up to collection of an electricity bill by a “post-payment method” in the battery providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of recycling a used battery in the battery providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a battery used in the battery providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a battery is attached to a charger used in the battery providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a battery is mounted on a charger used in the battery providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of information about the battery displayed on the monitor device when the battery is attached to the charger used in the battery providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. is there.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a battery providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a memory in the battery used in the battery providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the database of the management server device of the battery providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of an online calculation process of a battery usage amount in the battery providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a battery deterioration degree verification process in the battery providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a battery used in the battery providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a memory of a battery used in the battery providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of providing an advertisement suitable for a user based on information stored in a memory of a battery used in the battery providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. .

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a state where a battery used in the battery providing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a charger owned by a user.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the memory of the battery used in the battery providing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the database of the management server device used in the battery providing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for explaining a flow until the management server device permits charging in response to a charging permission request from a user in the battery providing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining operations of a charger and a battery during charging of the battery providing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery, 1a ... Battery back side, 1b ... Battery anode side connection terminal, 1c ... Battery cathode side connection terminal, 1d ... Battery communication terminal, 2 ... Charger, 2b ... Charger anode Side connection terminal, 2c ... Connection terminal on the cathode side of the charger, 2d ... Communication terminal of the charger, 11
... Status display area, 12 ... Battery level display area, 13 ... Battery characteristic display area, 14 ... Battery deterioration display area, 15 ... Predicted time display area, 20 ... Personal computer device, 21 ... Network, 22 ... Management server device, 23 ... database, 24 ... battery memory, 30 ... battery battery section, 31 ... battery communication circuit, 32 ... battery microcomputer, 40 ... charger microcomputer, 41
... Memory of charger, 42 ... Communication circuit of charger

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 9, 2002 (2002.7.9)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0069

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Image Print Service] First, when the user uses the battery 1 by mounting it on a digital camera device (or a video camera device), the user can take an image (either a still image or a moving image). The digital camera is operated by designating an image desired to be printed. When this operation is performed, the microcomputer 32 of the battery 1
The image information designated by the user is fetched from the communication terminal 1d through the communication circuit 31, and the writing control to the memory 24 is performed. As a result, the image information of the image designated by the user is stored in the memory 24 in the battery 1.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0088

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The battery providing system according to the embodiment will be described. The battery providing system of each of the above-described embodiments is
Although the used battery can be charged only by the store, the battery providing system of the fourth embodiment is such that the user can personally charge the used battery. is there.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yosuke Kimoto             7-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Sony Computer Entertainment             Within F-term (reference) 5H030 AS11 DD06 FF41 FF51

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A battery delivery place, a battery to be delivered to a user, a charging means provided on the battery delivery place side for charging the battery returned from the user, and a battery provided on the battery delivery place side to deteriorate the battery. Deterioration degree detecting means for detecting the degree of deterioration, and a recycler side that regenerates the battery and delivers it to the battery delivery place.The battery whose degree of deterioration is detected by the deterioration degree detecting means is detected from the delivery place. A battery providing system having a reproducing means for collecting and reproducing. 2. The battery is provided with a storage medium in which at least information on the initial capacity is stored and a communication means for outputting the information in the storage medium to the outside, and at the battery transfer place side, By means of communication
While reading the information of the initial capacity from the storage medium via the communication means of the battery returned from the user,
The amount of battery usage to be paid by the user based on the difference between the remaining capacity of the battery returned from the user by the usage amount calculation means and the initial capacity indicated by the information on the initial capacity read by the communication means. The battery providing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. Authentication information is stored in the storage medium of the battery, and at the battery transfer place side, by the authentication means,
Based on the authentication information read from the storage medium by the communication unit, an authentication process is performed to determine whether or not the battery is a battery of the battery providing system, and the charging unit is authenticated by the authentication unit. 3. The charged battery is charged as described above, and the usage amount calculation means calculates the usage amount for the battery authenticated by the authentication means. Battery provision system. 4. The storage medium of the battery stores at least one piece of information on the number of times of charging, the date of manufacture, and the designed capacity, and the deterioration degree detection means reads the storage medium from the storage medium by the communication means. When the information on the number of times of charging performed is information indicating the number of times of charging that is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times of charging, the information indicating the manufacturing date read from the storage medium is a predetermined date from the manufacturing date of the battery. If it indicates that the battery has elapsed, or if the full charge capacity is less than or equal to a predetermined amount with respect to the design capacity indicated by the design capacity information, it is detected that the battery has deteriorated more than a predetermined value. The battery providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The user receives the battery after paying compensation for the battery when receiving the battery at the battery receiving place, or receiving the battery by performing user registration in advance on the battery delivering place side, When the user returns the battery to the battery delivery place and receives a new battery, the user uses the battery usage amount calculated by the usage amount calculation means to the battery delivery place side and returns the battery to the battery delivery place. If you do not receive a new battery, all of the above compensation paid in advance,
Alternatively, a part of the refund is received, or a refund corresponding to the return of the battery is received, and the battery providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A communication unit which is provided on the user side and which, when charging the battery, transmits charging request information to which at least information for identifying the battery and the user is added via a predetermined network, A database provided on the network, which stores at least information for identifying each user and a battery used by each user, and charging request information provided on the network via the user's communication means. A management server device that returns information to permit charging to the user when the user and the battery used by the user are identified by referring to the database when transmitted, and a management server device provided on the user side. , When the communication means receives information to permit charging from the management server device, A battery providing system having a charger for starting charging. 7. The communication means, when charging the battery, includes charge request information to which at least information for identifying the battery and a user is added, and information indicating a charge amount at a previous charge. Information transmitted to the management server device via a network is stored in the database, together with information for identifying the users and the batteries used by the users, as well as information indicating the number of times each battery has been charged. When the charge request information from the communication means of the user is received, the management server device detects the number of times of charging the battery stored in the database, and when the number of times of charging is the first time, the management server device charges the battery as it is. If the number of times of charging is the first time or later, the battery corresponding to the information indicating the previous charging amount is returned to the user. Battery providing system according to claim 6, wherein the amount as well as charging the use, characterized in that returns information to allow the charge to the user's. 8. The battery providing system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the user obtains the battery by paying compensation to the battery delivery place or by performing user registration. 9. The user pays a fee corresponding to the usage amount of the returned battery when receiving a newly charged battery when returning the used battery to the battery receiving place. If you do not receive a new charged battery when you receive a new charged battery in the above and return the used battery to the above battery receiving place, a part of the compensation of the above battery or 9. The battery providing system according to claim 8, wherein a full refund or a refund corresponding to the return of the battery is received. 10. When the user charges the battery,
At least one of the information indicating the number of times the battery has been charged, the information indicating the full charge capacity, and the information indicating the manufacturing date is transmitted to the management server device via the communication means, and the management server device is When the deterioration verification of the battery is performed based on the above-mentioned information transmitted from the user and the deterioration of the battery above a predetermined level is detected,
The battery providing system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the information indicating the deterioration is returned to the communication means of the user. 11. A battery provided with a storage medium storing at least information of an initial capacity and a communication means for outputting the information in the storage medium to the user at the battery transfer place, and the user supplies the battery. When the battery is returned to the delivery place side, the communication means reads the information of the initial capacity from the storage medium through the communication means of the battery, and the use amount calculation means provided on the battery delivery place side, A battery providing method for calculating the amount of battery usage to be paid by the user based on the difference between the remaining capacity of the battery returned from the user and the initial capacity indicated by the information on the initial capacity read by the communication means. . 12. The method of providing a battery according to claim 11, wherein the battery receiving place recycles and reuses the battery by charging the battery returned from the user by a charging means. 13. The storage medium of the battery stores authentication information, the communication unit reads the authentication information from the storage medium, and the authentication unit performs a predetermined authentication process based on the read authentication information. The usage amount calculation unit calculates the usage amount of the battery authenticated by the authentication unit, and the charging unit charges the battery authenticated by the authentication unit. The battery providing method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the battery is provided. 14. The storage medium of the battery stores at least one piece of information on the number of times of charging, a manufacturing date, and a designed capacity, and the information on the number of times of charging read from the storage medium by the communication means is predetermined. If the information indicating the number of times of charging more than, the information indicating the manufacturing date read from the storage medium indicates that a predetermined month and day has passed from the manufacturing date of the battery, Alternatively, when the full charge capacity is less than or equal to a predetermined amount with respect to the design capacity indicated by the design capacity information, the recycling suggesting means suggests recycling of the battery to the battery delivery place side. The battery providing method according to any one of claims 11 to 13. 15. The battery suggested to be recycled by the recycling suggestion means is collected from the battery delivery place and the new battery is provided to the battery delivery place by a recycling means provided to a recycler to collect the battery. The method of claim 14, wherein the battery is regenerated to form a new battery. 16. The user receives a battery after paying a compensation for the battery when receiving the battery at the battery receiving place, or receiving the battery by performing user registration in advance on the battery receiving place side, When the user returns the battery to the battery delivery place and receives a new battery, the user uses the battery usage amount calculated by the usage amount calculation means to the battery delivery place side and returns the battery to the battery delivery place. If you do not receive a new battery, all of the above compensation paid in advance,
Alternatively, a part of the refund is received, or a refund corresponding to the return of the battery is received, and the battery providing method according to any one of claims 11 to 15. 17. When charging a battery by means of communication means provided on the user side, at least charging request information added with information for identifying the battery and the user is transmitted via a predetermined network, A database storing information for identifying each user and a battery used by each user is provided on the network, and charging is performed by the management server device provided on the network via the communication means of the user. When the request information is transmitted, the database is referred to, and when the user and the battery used by the user are specified, the information permitting charging is returned to the user, and the management is performed by the communication means. When the charging permission information is received from the server device, the charging means provided on the user side causes A battery providing method for charging battery. 18. The communication means, when charging the battery, includes charge request information to which at least information for identifying the battery and a user is added, and information indicating a charge amount at a previous charge. Information transmitted to the management server device via the network is stored in the database, together with information for identifying each user and the battery used by each user, as well as information indicating the number of times each battery has been charged. When the charge request information from the communication means of the user is received, the management server device detects the number of times of charging the battery stored in the database, and if the number of times of charging is the first time, the management server device charges the battery as it is. Is returned to the user, and if the number of times of charging is the first or later, the battery corresponding to the information indicating the previous charging amount is displayed. While charging the usage of over, the battery providing method according to claim 17, wherein the reply information to allow charge to the user. 19. The battery providing method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the user obtains the battery by paying compensation to the battery delivery place or by performing user registration. 20. When the user returns a used battery to the battery receiving place and receives a newly charged battery, the user pays a charge corresponding to the amount of the returned battery used. If you do not receive a new charged battery when you receive a new charged battery in the above and return the used battery to the above battery receiving place, a part of the compensation of the above battery or 20. The battery providing method according to claim 19, wherein a full refund or a refund corresponding to the return of the battery is received. 21. When the user charges the battery,
At least one of the information indicating the number of times the battery has been charged, the information indicating the full charge capacity, and the information indicating the manufacturing date is transmitted to the management server device via the communication means, and the management server device is When the deterioration verification of the battery is performed based on the above-mentioned information transmitted from the user and the deterioration of the battery above a predetermined level is detected,
The battery providing method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the information indicating the deterioration is returned to the communication means of the user.