JP2008250786A - Secondary battery reuse system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a secondary battery reuse system for carrying out a service providing a charged secondary battery to a user. <P>SOLUTION: A shop terminal device 20 refers to a secondary battery information database 104 storing an ID number of a secondary battery and specific information of the secondary battery in association with each other and a user information database 105 deciding a user ID and a usage condition of a user to acquire an ID number of a charged secondary battery available to the user from the user ID holding a user terminal 101 causing battery depletion. The charged secondary battery is provided as a replacement for that held by the user or as a rental battery to the user. The number of charging of the secondary battery and an elapsed time after start of use are registered in the secondary battery information database 104, and it is determined whether the secondary battery can be reused or not by referring to the secondary battery information database 104. When reuse is allowed, the secondary battery is charged and provided to the next user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a secondary battery reuse system, method, and program, and more particularly, to a secondary battery reuse system, method, and program for providing a charged secondary battery to a user.

  In recent years, mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones have been used in a wide range, and as a result, the number of secondary batteries used has increased. In general, a dedicated secondary battery that meets the specifications of the mobile terminal device is prepared for the mobile terminal device. For this reason, when the mobile terminal device runs out of battery while away from home, it is necessary to obtain the same type of secondary battery outside the home, except in special cases such as carrying a spare secondary battery. It was.

  However, unlike general dry batteries that are relatively easy to obtain, secondary batteries for electronic devices are very limited in the way they are obtained. In addition, when the secondary battery can be easily obtained, it has been necessary to consider the treatment of the used secondary battery in consideration of economic efficiency and environmental load.

  Patent Document 1 describes a battery pack charging system that rents a secondary battery pack (hereinafter simply referred to as a secondary battery) to a user and determines the rental fee. In this patent document, when a secondary battery is rented, the charge / discharge frequency (number of charge) of the secondary battery and the elapsed time from the start of use are managed, and different charges are set depending on the number of charge and the elapsed time. Moreover, about the secondary battery which reached more than the predetermined frequency | count of charge, and the secondary battery whose elapsed time from the start of use reached more than predetermined time, the use later is stopped as the lifetime was exhausted.

Patent Document 2 describes that in order to recycle a secondary battery, an RF tag storing an ID number is attached to the secondary battery, and recycling information of the secondary battery is recorded on the RF tag. In the technology of this patent document, when discarding an electronic device having a secondary battery, it is possible to perform appropriate processing so as not to give an environmental load by reading information of the RF tag.
JP 2003-288539 A JP 2004-192999 A

  The technologies of both the above patent documents suppress an increase in environmental load caused by an increase in the number of discarded secondary batteries. However, in Patent Document 1, each user of the secondary battery needs to handle the secondary battery of his / her electronic device on the premise of use by rental. For this reason, the user himself / herself has a problem that the degree of freedom in selecting the treatment of the secondary battery attached to the device is low. Further, Patent Document 2 does not include a description regarding the viewpoint of promptly responding to a user terminal battery exhaustion.

  The present invention can easily cope with an emergency such as a battery exhaustion in a user terminal in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and in that case also impairs the degree of freedom of the user's choice regarding the treatment of the secondary battery owned by the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery reuse system, method, and program that can reduce the increase in environmental load.

In order to achieve the above object, a secondary battery reuse system of the present invention is connected to a store terminal device disposed in a store that provides a service for handling a secondary battery, and the store terminal device via a network. A secondary battery reuse system that provides a user with a charged secondary battery,
A secondary battery information database in which the database stores a secondary battery ID that identifies a charged secondary battery and unique information of the secondary battery including a model number and the number of times of charging of the secondary battery, and a user; A user information database that stores the ID and secondary battery usage information including the model number of the secondary battery that can be used by the user terminal owned by the user;
The store terminal device searches the user information database using a user ID as a key, acquires a model number of a secondary battery that can be used in the user terminal, and then uses the acquired model number as a key to store the secondary battery information database. A search unit for searching and obtaining a secondary battery ID that can be used in the user terminal;
A charged secondary battery having a secondary battery ID acquired by the search unit is provided to a user.

Moreover, the secondary battery reuse method of the present invention uses a store terminal device disposed in a store that provides services for handling secondary batteries, and uses a secondary battery for providing a user with a charged secondary battery. A method,
A secondary battery information database in which the store terminal device stores a secondary battery ID that specifies a charged secondary battery and secondary battery specific information including a model number and the number of times of charging of the secondary battery in association with each other; Building a user information database that stores a user ID and secondary battery usage information including a model number of a secondary battery that can be used by a user terminal held by the user in association with each other;
The store terminal device searches the user information database using a user ID as a key, and acquires a model number of a secondary battery that can be used in the user terminal;
The store terminal device has a step of searching the secondary battery information database using the acquired model number as a key, and acquiring a secondary battery ID that can be used in a user terminal,
A charged secondary battery having the acquired secondary battery ID is provided to a user.

Furthermore, the program of the present invention is a program for a secondary battery reusing system that provides a user with a charged secondary battery using a store terminal device disposed in a store that provides services for handling secondary batteries. In the store terminal device,
A secondary battery information database that stores a secondary battery ID that identifies a charged secondary battery and secondary battery specific information including the model number and the number of times of charging of the secondary battery in association with each other, and a user ID and a user Constructing a user information database that stores secondary battery usage information including a model number of a secondary battery that can be used by a user terminal that the user terminal has;
Searching the user information database using a user ID as a key, and obtaining a model number of a secondary battery usable in the user terminal;
The store terminal device searches the secondary battery information database using the acquired model number as a key, and obtains a secondary battery ID that can be used on the user terminal, and
A charged secondary battery having the acquired secondary battery ID is provided to a user.

  In the secondary battery reuse system, method, and program of the present invention, the shop terminal device uses both the user information database and the secondary battery information database, so that the charged secondary battery requested by the user from the user ID can be obtained. Can be identified quickly.

  In the secondary battery reuse system of the present invention, the store terminal device receives a secondary battery ID of the secondary battery and a secondary battery in the user terminal from a secondary battery or a user terminal incorporating the secondary battery. It is possible to adopt a configuration having a charge number increment unit that acquires the number of times of charge and updates the number of times of charge of the charged secondary battery in the secondary battery information database. In this case, even when the user himself charges the secondary battery, the secondary battery information database can hold accurate data.

  In addition, the unique information of the secondary battery may include information on a use start date when the use of the secondary battery is started. In this case, the store terminal device further refers to a storage device that stores a usable period of the secondary battery and a threshold value of the number of times the secondary battery is charged, and the secondary terminal built in the user terminal. A configuration that further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the battery is reusable can be employed.

  Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the store terminal device registers the secondary battery in the secondary battery information database when the secondary battery taken from the user is charged and can be used. The number of secondary batteries that can be reused increases, and the environmental load associated with disposal of the secondary batteries can be further reduced.

  Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the secondary battery usage information includes the number of secondary batteries that can be rented to the user and the number of secondary batteries currently rented to the user. In this case, in providing the charged secondary battery, the business efficiency of the store providing the secondary battery is improved.

  Furthermore, when the secondary battery built in the user terminal is charged, the store terminal device can adopt a configuration in which the secondary battery ID is acquired from an IC tag attached to the secondary battery. The work efficiency of the store when the user newly receives a service from the secondary battery reuse system is improved.

  According to the secondary battery reuse system, method, and program of the present invention, the store terminal device searches the model number of the secondary battery that can be used by the user terminal from the user ID, and has been charged from the model number. Since a usable secondary battery ID is searched, the time required for the search can be shortened, and a charged secondary battery can be quickly provided to the user. In this case, regarding the treatment of the secondary battery held by the user, the degree of freedom of selection by the user is not impaired, and an increase in environmental load as a whole can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a secondary battery reuse system according to the best embodiment of the present invention. The secondary battery reuse system 100 includes a user terminal 101 that is a portable terminal device owned by a user, a store terminal device 20 that is provided in a store that provides services related to the secondary battery to the user, and a network 102. And an information database 103 connected to the store terminal device 20 via the network 102. In the information database 103, a secondary battery information database 104 and a user information database 105 are constructed. A server for managing the information database 103 may be provided separately.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a secondary battery (secondary battery module) used in the secondary battery reuse system of the above embodiment. The secondary battery 10 includes a battery main body 11 including one or more secondary batteries, and an IC tag 12 attached to the battery main body 11. The IC tag 12 incorporates an electric circuit, and the electric circuit includes a nonvolatile memory element 13. The nonvolatile memory element 13 stores the ID number of the secondary battery and various kinds of unique information of the secondary battery. The electric circuit reads / writes data in the nonvolatile memory element 13 and transmits / receives the data to / from the control unit of the user terminal 101. The battery body 11 supplies DC power to the user terminal 101.

  FIG. 3 shows a charger that is disposed in the store of the secondary battery reuse system of the above embodiment and charges the secondary battery, and a store terminal device attached to the charger. The store terminal device 20 is connected to the charger 24, and reads information on the secondary battery from the user's portable terminal device or secondary battery connected to the charger 24 via the charger 24. The store terminal apparatus 20 includes an information search unit 21, a charge count increment unit 22, and a reusability determination unit 23 as functional blocks, which are configured by a program.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the contents of the secondary battery information database 104 built in the information database 103. In the secondary battery database 104, an ID number of each secondary battery, a product name (model number) of the secondary battery, a manufacturing number, a use start date, a charge count history, and data indicating whether or not reuse is possible are described. Has been.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the contents of the user information database 105 for secondary battery users constructed in the information database 103. The user information database 105 describes each user name, user terminal ID number, conditions for the user to use the secondary battery, and data indicating the current usage status of the secondary battery. The conditions for using the secondary battery include, for example, the type of secondary battery that can be used by the user and the total quantity of secondary batteries that can be used by the user by contract as shown in FIG. In addition, the current usage status of the secondary battery includes the number of secondary batteries currently lent from the secondary battery reuse system, and may further include the battery ID number.

  The secondary battery reuse system of the above embodiment is operated as follows. First, the user performs user registration by setting conditions in advance or when using the system for the first time. The user includes information related to the secondary battery of the user terminal 101 carried by him / her and is registered in the user information database 105 of the present system 100. Information registered in the user information database 105 includes information provided by the user himself / herself and information read from the secondary battery 10 by the store terminal device 20 when the charger 24 charges the secondary battery 10. . In addition to batch user registration for a plurality of mobile terminal devices, user registration is also possible for each mobile terminal device.

  In the secondary battery 10, battery specific information including the battery ID number and the battery model number and manufacturing number is recorded in advance on the IC tag 12, and the store terminal device 20 reads the information. Information may be read directly from the IC tag 12 or may be read via an electric circuit in the IC tag 12. Note that an ID number or the like may be read with a barcode or the like instead of the IC tag. The information on the IC tag can be rewritten. For example, the use start date and the number of times of charging may be written on the IC tag itself. However, the information on the IC tag is fixed and necessary information is temporarily stored in the portable terminal device. It is preferable from the viewpoint of cost to adopt the configuration.

  When the user terminal 101 runs out of battery, the user brings the user terminal 101 to a store that provides a secondary battery service and requests a secondary battery charging service or a secondary battery replacement service. In the case of a charging service, when charging is completed, the charging number increment unit 22 of the shop terminal device 20 increments the charging number of the secondary battery 10 and registers it in the secondary battery information database 104 of the information database 103. In the case of an exchange service, the secondary battery that has run out of battery is replaced with a secondary battery that has already been charged. The specific information of the secondary battery that has already been charged and is prepared in advance is registered in the secondary battery information database 104 together with its ID number.

  If the user has a secondary battery registered in the secondary battery information database 104 and wishes to replace it with another charged secondary battery, the number of times of charging, etc., for the secondary battery taken to the store by the replacement Is extracted from the secondary battery information database 104. Here, the number of times that the user has charged is stored in the user terminal until the information on the number of times of charging is read by the store terminal device 20. The store terminal device 20 acquires the total number of times of charging the secondary battery to be taken from both pieces of information, and reflects it in the take-off price. The collection price includes any one of the collection consideration paid by the store to the user and the disposal cost paid by the user to the store. Prior to charging, the reusability determining unit 23 determines whether or not the rechargeable battery can be reused based on the number of times of charging, the start of use, and the date of manufacture. .

  The secondary battery determined to be reusable is charged at the store and provided as a replacement secondary battery to the user who next visits the store. Or it is handed over to another store with many users as a replacement secondary battery. The secondary battery that is determined not to be reused is discarded through a predetermined procedure.

  In this system 100, for the purpose of managing the product name, manufacturing number, use start date, number of times of charging, usage history, etc. of the secondary battery by the ID number of the secondary battery, the ID number unique to all the managed secondary batteries The secondary battery information database 104 is constructed. For users who use the secondary battery, the usage conditions (type and quantity of secondary battery) and usage history (ID number, usage frequency and usage status of the used secondary battery), etc. In order to manage the user information, the user information database 105 is constructed. By using both databases 104 and 105, at each store where secondary batteries are exchanged or rented, information regarding reuse of secondary batteries and information on secondary batteries to be provided to the user can be quickly obtained. As a result, it is possible to provide a quick service for the secondary battery.

  Hereinafter, details of the above embodiment will be described with respect to specific examples. In FIG. 1, for example, it is assumed that the user A notices that the capacity of the secondary battery of the user terminal 101 in use is decreasing in the city. User A requests replacement of a secondary battery whose battery capacity has been reduced and a charged secondary battery at a nearby store 1. In the store 1, the store terminal device 20 is used to access the user information database 105 connected to the network, and the type and quantity of secondary batteries available to the user A are confirmed. If the user condition is satisfied, the secondary battery replacement service by the store 1 can be provided to the user A.

  In the secondary battery information database 104 shown in FIG. 4, for the secondary battery with ID number 1, the product name of the secondary battery is “AAA”, the secondary battery production number is “0001”, and the secondary battery “2006/01/10” is registered in the use start date, “150” is registered in the charge count history, and “O” is reused. The charge frequency history is counted up every time charging is performed. Regarding reusability, “O” means a secondary battery that can be reused by charging, and “X” means that it cannot be used for recharging. When the number of times of charging exceeds a specified threshold value determined for each secondary battery, when a certain period has passed from the start date of use, or the number of days elapsed from the date of manufacture is a predetermined threshold value If it is larger than that, it is possible to register from each store terminal device 20 as unavailable “x”. Alternatively, determination using a server that manages the database is also possible.

  The secondary battery of “BBB” with ID number 2 is reusable “×” because the number of times of charging has exceeded the specified value (in this case, set to 500 times). The secondary battery of “CCC” is reusable “×” because a certain period has passed from the start date of use. If the secondary battery brought in by the user A is, for example, an AAA battery, the number of days after the start date of use is small, and the number of times of charging is less than or equal to the threshold value, so that it can be reused.

  In the user information database 105, the user terminal XXX of the registered user A can use two types of secondary batteries, AAA and BBB, as the types of secondary batteries that can be used. The quantity of secondary batteries that can be used means the total quantity of secondary batteries that can be rented, and the usage status represents the quantity of secondary batteries that are currently lent out. User A can rent another secondary battery in addition to the current number of rentals of one. In addition, user B (user terminal YYY) can rent three secondary batteries at the present time, and user C (user terminal ZZZ) has already rented four secondary batteries. Rental is not possible.

  On the user information database 105, the user A can borrow and use the amount of secondary batteries that can be used because it is one less than the current lending number. Alternatively, if the secondary battery built in the user terminal can be reused, the secondary battery that has run out of battery can be replaced with a charged secondary battery owned by the store. is there. In either case, a charged secondary battery that can be used immediately can be obtained by paying a fee or usage fee. The number of usable secondary batteries is determined on the rental contract.

  The store terminal device 20 refers to the secondary battery information database 104 to determine the life of the secondary battery from the use start date of the secondary battery owned by the user, the number of times of charging, and the like. The store terminal device 20 can register in the secondary battery information database 104 the designation of whether or not the secondary battery can be reused for the secondary battery that is determined not to be reused. When the user A desires to replace the secondary battery, the store 1 accesses the secondary battery information database, and determines whether or not the secondary battery held by the user A can be reused after charging. If it can be reused, it is recharged to prepare for reuse to the next user. If it is determined that reuse is not possible, it is sent to disposal. In any case, the determination can be made before charging the secondary battery owned by the user.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments, the secondary battery reuse system, method, and program of the present invention are not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiments. Those in which various modifications and changes have been made to the configuration are also included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a secondary battery reuse system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of the secondary battery traded with the secondary battery reuse system of FIG. The functional block diagram which shows the shop terminal device of FIG. The table | surface which shows the data content of the secondary battery information database of FIG. The table | surface which shows the data content of the user information database of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10: Secondary battery (secondary battery module)
11: Battery main body 12: IC tag 13: Non-volatile memory element 20: Shop terminal device 21: Information search unit 22: Charging number increment unit 23: Reusability determination unit 24: Charger 100: Secondary battery reuse system 101 : User terminal 102: Network 103: Information database 104: Secondary battery information database 105: User information database

Claims (9)

A secondary terminal provided with a store terminal device installed in a store that provides a service for handling a secondary battery and a database connected to the store terminal device via a network, and providing a charged secondary battery to a user A battery recycling system,
A secondary battery information database in which the database stores a secondary battery ID that identifies a charged secondary battery and unique information of the secondary battery including a model number and the number of times of charging of the secondary battery, and a user; A user information database that stores the ID and secondary battery usage information including the model number of the secondary battery that can be used by the user terminal owned by the user;
The store terminal device searches the user information database using a user ID as a key, acquires a model number of a secondary battery that can be used in the user terminal, and then uses the acquired model number as a key to store the secondary battery information database. A search unit for searching and obtaining a secondary battery ID that can be used in the user terminal;
A secondary battery reuse system that provides a user with a charged secondary battery having a secondary battery ID acquired by the search unit.   The store terminal device acquires a secondary battery ID of the secondary battery and the number of times the secondary battery has been charged in the user terminal from a secondary battery or a user terminal incorporating the secondary battery, The secondary battery reuse system according to claim 1, further comprising a charge count increment unit that updates a charge count of a charged secondary battery in the secondary battery information database.   The secondary battery reuse system according to claim 2, wherein the specific information of the secondary battery includes information on a use start date when the use of the secondary battery is started.   The store terminal device refers to a storage device that stores a usable period of the secondary battery and a threshold value of the number of times the secondary battery is charged, and whether or not the secondary battery built in the user terminal is reusable. The secondary battery reuse system according to claim 3, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not.   The said store terminal apparatus will register this secondary battery in the said secondary battery information database, if the secondary battery taken out from the user becomes charged and can be used. Next battery reuse system.   6. The 2 according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery usage information includes a quantity of secondary batteries that can be rented to a user and a quantity of secondary batteries that are currently rented to the user. Next battery reuse system.   The said store terminal device acquires secondary battery ID from the IC tag attached to this secondary battery, when the secondary battery incorporated in a user terminal is charged. The secondary battery reuse system described. A secondary battery recycling method for providing a user with a charged secondary battery using a store terminal device disposed in a store that implements a service for handling a secondary battery,
A secondary battery information database in which the store terminal device stores a secondary battery ID that specifies a charged secondary battery and secondary battery specific information including a model number and the number of times of charging of the secondary battery in association with each other; Building a user information database that stores a user ID and secondary battery usage information including a model number of a secondary battery that can be used by a user terminal held by the user in association with each other;
The store terminal device searches the user information database using a user ID as a key, and acquires a model number of a secondary battery that can be used in the user terminal;
The store terminal device has a step of searching the secondary battery information database using the acquired model number as a key, and acquiring a secondary battery ID that can be used in a user terminal,
A method of reusing a secondary battery, comprising providing a user with a charged secondary battery having the acquired secondary battery ID. A program for a secondary battery reusing system for providing a user with a charged secondary battery using a store terminal device disposed in a store that provides a service for handling a secondary battery, the store terminal device In addition,
A secondary battery information database that stores a secondary battery ID that identifies a charged secondary battery and secondary battery specific information including the model number and the number of times of charging of the secondary battery in association with each other, and a user ID and a user Constructing a user information database that stores secondary battery usage information including a model number of a secondary battery that can be used by a user terminal that the user terminal has;
Searching the user information database using a user ID as a key, and obtaining a model number of a secondary battery usable in the user terminal;
The store terminal device searches the secondary battery information database using the acquired model number as a key, and obtains a secondary battery ID that can be used on the user terminal, and
A program for providing a user with a charged secondary battery having the acquired secondary battery ID.

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