JP7424980B2 - Battery usage system, storage device, battery usage method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a battery utilization system, a storage device, a battery utilization method, a program, and a storage medium.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-143640 filed in Japan on July 31, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

Conventionally, there are portable electrical energy storage devices, e.g., collection and charge distribution devices, which collect, charge, and distribute removable batteries when they are used on electric scooters and consume power. (See Reference 1). This collection and charge distribution device has a plurality of containers that removably accommodate removable batteries for charging and the like.

The user removes the removable battery that requires charging from the electric scooter and places it in the receptacle of the collection charge distribution device. On the other hand, a shared battery usage service is provided on the premise of battery replacement, in which a charged removable battery is removed from a container and used by attaching it to an electric scooter.

Furthermore, among the battery sharing services, there is also a service in which a user can reserve a removable battery housed in a container (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Further, as another example of a mobile body in which a battery can be removably loaded into the main body of the mobile body, there is a portable charging power supply device that includes a battery and a charging power supply unit in which a storage chamber capable of accommodating the battery is formed. known (for example, see Patent Document 3).

Japan Special Table No. 2014-527689 Japan Special Table Publication No. 2014-529119 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-068552

In the above-mentioned collection charge distribution device, for example, a charged removable battery is housed in a container, and the charged removable battery is stored by a user (hereinafter referred to as a "reservation user") who has reserved this removable battery. ). In this case, when another user who has not made a reservation (hereinafter referred to as a "non-reservation user") attempts to take out a charged removable battery, it is discovered that the removable battery is reserved and cannot be taken out. There are times when you realize that you can't do it. In this case, the effort made by the non-reservation user to remove the removable battery is wasted, giving the non-reservation user a sense of loss, and may lead to complaints from the user.

One of the aspects of the present invention is to provide a battery usage system, a storage device, a battery usage method, a program, and a storage medium that can suppress wasteful work by non-reservers who cannot borrow removable batteries. do.

(1) One aspect of the present invention provides a battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power, a storage device that stores the battery, and availability of the battery stored in the storage device. and a detection unit that detects the reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery without contact or with contact, and the notification section is configured to detect the reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery. The battery utilization system notifies that the reserved battery is available for use based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user when the reserved battery is stored in the storage device.

In the aspect (2), in the aspect (1), the notification unit uses the reserved battery when the reserved battery is stored in the storage device and the detection unit does not detect the reserved user. This will notify you that it is not possible.

In the aspect (3), in the aspect (1) or (2), there is provided a reservation unit that reserves the use of the battery based on reservation information provided by the user; The apparatus further includes an information providing section that provides the user with notification information indicating that the reserved battery cannot be used when the reserved battery is reserved.

Aspect (4) is the aspect (3), further comprising an input section that receives an operation input from the reservation user, and the information providing section transmits the notification information in response to the reservation user's operation on the input section. This is to cancel the offer.

In the aspect (5), in any one of (1) to (4), the notification section includes a display section that displays the information regarding the availability of the battery.

In the aspect (6), in any one of (1) to (5), the storage device includes a storage section that stores the battery, and when the battery is taken out from the storage section, or and an opening/closing member that opens and closes the opening of the storage section when the battery is stored in the storage section.

Aspect (7), in the aspect (3) or (4), further includes a determining unit that determines the amount of charge associated with the reservation of the battery based on the reservation information provided by the user. be.

Aspect (8) is the aspect of (7), further comprising a timer that measures the time that has elapsed since the reservation user reserved the use of the reserved battery, and the determination unit is configured to measure the time elapsed by the timer. The longer the time period is, the larger the amount of charge is.

(9) Another aspect of the present invention provides a storage section that stores a battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power, and information regarding the availability of the battery stored in the storage section. The notification unit includes a notification unit that notifies the reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery housed in the storage unit, and a detection unit that detects the reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery housed in the storage unit, in a non-contact or contact manner. Notifying that the reserved battery is available for use based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user when the reserved battery that is the reserved battery is stored in the storage unit;
It is a storage device.

(10) Another aspect of the present invention is a housing section that stores a battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power, and information regarding the availability of the battery that is housed in the housing section. A computer comprising a notification unit that notifies the battery and a detection unit that detects the reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery housed in the storage unit in a non-contact or contact manner, is configured to detect the battery reserved by the reservation user. A battery utilization method comprising the step of causing the notification unit to notify that the reserved battery is available for use based on the detection unit detecting the reservation user when a certain reserved battery is accommodated in the storage unit. It is.

(11) Another aspect of the present invention provides a storage section that stores a battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power, and information regarding the availability of the battery that is stored in the storage section. A computer equipped with a notification unit that notifies the user and a detection unit that detects the reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery housed in the storage unit in a non-contact or contact manner with the battery reserved by the reservation user. The program causes the notifying unit to notify that the reserved battery is available for use based on the detecting unit detecting the reserved user when a certain reserved battery is accommodated in the accommodating unit.

(12) Another aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to aspect (11).

According to the above aspect, for example, when a user who has reserved the use of the battery approaches the storage device, the detection unit detects the user, and the notification unit notifies the user that the battery can be used. Therefore, even if a non-reserver who has not made a reservation to use the battery approaches the management device, the notification unit will not notify that the battery is available for use. You can recognize that you cannot borrow a battery without approaching the person. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary work by those who have not made a reservation.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a removable battery rental system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the removable battery rental system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. It is a figure showing an example of a display of a display. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the process of a removable battery lending system. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing at a charging station. It is a figure which shows an example of the change of the display of a display. It is a figure which shows another example of the change of the display of a display. It is a figure which shows another example of the change of the display of a display.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a battery utilization system, storage device, battery utilization method, program, and storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of removable battery lending system 10]
<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a removable battery rental system 10 to which a battery utilization system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the removable battery lending system 10 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a removable battery rental system 10 (an example of a battery utilization system) is a system in which a removable battery 14, which is a driving source for a saddle-type motorcycle 12 (an electric vehicle), is shared by multiple users. This is a system that can provide shared services. This removable battery lending system 10 basically includes a plurality of removable batteries 14, a plurality of charging stations 16, and a management server 18. The motorcycle 12 is an example of a "power device," and the charging station 16 is an example of a "storage device."

The "power device" is not limited to the motorcycle 12, but includes, for example, a vehicle (one-wheel, three-wheel, four-wheel, etc.) that can run on electric power and to which a removable battery 14 can be detachably attached, or an assisted bicycle. It's okay. Instead of these vehicle-type moving objects, the "power device" may be a portable charging power supply device that is carried by a person or a vehicle, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-068552. Further, the "power device" may be a mobile robot, an autonomous mobile device, an electric bicycle, an autonomous vehicle, another electric vehicle, a drone, or another electric mobility device (electric mobility). Hereinafter, as an example, a description will be given assuming that the "power device" is the motorcycle 12.

The removable battery 14 is a cassette-type power storage device that is detachably attached to the motorcycle 12 that can run on at least electric power. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the removable battery 14 that needs to be charged may be distinguished as a "used battery 14u", and the removable battery 14 that has been fully charged as a "charged battery 14c".

The charging stations 16 are facilities for storing and charging the removable battery 14, and are installed at multiple locations. The housing 20 of the charging station 16 includes a first slot part 21 and a second slot part 22. The first slot part 21 and the second slot part 22 each have four slots, 1-1 slot 21-1 to 1-4 slot 21-4 and 2-1 slot 22-1 to 2-4 slot. It has 4 slots 22-4. The back side of the 1st-1st slot 21-1 to 1st-4th slot 21-4 and the 2nd-1st slot 22-1 to 2nd-4th slot 22-4 is equipped with a charging station that can charge the removable battery 14. A container 26 (FIG. 2) is provided respectively.

The first slot portion 21 (1-1 slot 21-1 to 1-4 slot 21-4) is arranged at the upper stage of the housing 20. A 1-2 slot 21-2 is arranged on the right side of the 1-1 slot 21-1, and a 1-3 slot 21-3 is arranged below the 1-1 slot 21-1. A 1-4 slot 21-4 is arranged on the right side of the 1-3 slot 21-3 and below the 1-2 slot 21-2.

The second slot portion 22 (2-1 slot 22-1 to 2-4 slot 22-4) is arranged at the lower stage of the housing 20. A 2-2 slot 22-2 is arranged on the right side of the 2-1 slot 22-1, and a 2-3 slot 22-3 is arranged below the 2-1 slot 22-1. A 2-4 slot 22-4 is arranged on the right side of the 2-3 slot 22-3 and below the 2-2 slot 22-2.

The 1-1 slot 21-1 includes a housing portion 21-1A and an opening/closing lid 21-1B. The removable battery 14 can be accommodated in the accommodation portion 21-1A. The housing section 21-1A has a front opening through which the removable battery 14 can be taken in and taken out. The opening/closing lid 21-1B is openable and closable, and when closed, closes the front opening of the accommodating portion 21-1A. The removable battery 14 housed in the housing section 21-1A can be taken in and out when the opening/closing lid 21-1B is opened. The opening/closing lid 21-1B is an example of an "opening/closing member."

The 1-2 slot 21-2 to the 1-4 slot 21-4 and the 2-1 slot 22-1 to the 2-4 slot 22-4 are similar to the 1-1 slot 21-1. and an opening/closing lid. The accommodating parts and opening/closing lids of the 1-2 slot 21-2 to the 1-4 slot 21-4 and the 2-1 slot 22-1 to the 2-4 slot 22-4 are the accommodating part 21-1A and the opening/closing lid, respectively. It has the same function as the opening/closing lid 21-1B.

Charging station 16 is communicably connected to management server 18 via network NW. The mobile terminal 28 carried by the user is communicably connected to the management server 18 via the network NW. Thereby, the charging station 16 and the mobile terminal 28 can transmit and receive communication data to and from the management server 18 via the network NW.

The mobile terminal 28 stores map information (hereinafter referred to as "station map") indicating the location of the charging station 16. The mobile terminal 28 can refer to the station map and obtain surrounding station information regarding the charging stations 16 around the user based on the user's current location. The mobile terminal 28 stores a program for reserving the removable battery 14 lent out at the charging station 16 (hereinafter referred to as a "reservation program"). The mobile terminal 28 includes a display device that displays various information and images, and a touch panel (display panel with a touch sensor) that also serves as an input device that receives user operations. The touch panel of the mobile terminal 28 is an example of an "input section."

When the mobile terminal 28 executes the reservation program, the user can make a reservation for lending the removable battery 14 by operating the touch panel. By making a reservation for renting the removable battery 14, the reserved removable battery 14 cannot be rented to a non-reservation user other than the reservation user.

For example, the user can search for nearby charging stations 16 using the mobile terminal 28, and if the searched charging station 16 has a removable battery 14 that can be lent, the user can reserve the removable battery 14. . When a plurality of charging stations 16 are searched, the user can select the charging station 16 to be used. When making a reservation for the removable battery 14, the mobile terminal 28 transmits reservation request information and reservation information to the management server 18. The procedure from reserving the removable battery 14 to renting it out will be explained later.

<Configuration of removable battery 14>
As shown in FIG. 2, the removable battery 14 specifically includes a power storage unit 30, a measurement sensor 32, a battery management unit (BMU) 34, and a connection unit 36. and.

The power storage unit 30 is a battery core pack that includes a secondary battery (a lithium ion battery or a lead acid battery) and is configured to be able to charge and discharge power. The configuration of power storage unit 30 may be other than this, and may be other types of secondary batteries, capacitors, or composite batteries combining these.

Measurement sensor 32 is comprised of various sensors that measure the voltage, current, or temperature of power storage unit 30. Thereby, the measurement sensor 32 can acquire information indicating the usage environment or the history of the usage state (hereinafter referred to as "usage history information") under the condition that the measurement sensor 32 is attached to the motorcycle 12.

BMU 34 is a device that includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls charge and discharge of power storage unit 30 . The BMU 34 also includes identification information of the removable battery 14 (hereinafter referred to as "battery ID"), user identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user ID"), usage history information from the measurement sensor 32, and charging station 16. It is possible to store deterioration estimation information from.

Examples of usage history information include internal temperature during charging or discharging, voltage during discharging, time-series data on state of charge (SOC), used capacity, period of use, mileage from lending to return, or , total capacity used, period of use, and mileage. Examples of the deterioration estimation information include capacity maintenance rate, internal resistance increase rate, SOC when left unused, battery temperature when left unused, elapsed time from the time of manufacture, and total number of charging times.

<Configuration of charging station 16>
Specifically, the charging station 16 includes a first display 23, a second display 24, an authentication device 25, a charger 26, a communication module 40, a memory 42, and a control device 44. .

The first display 23 and the second display 24 are devices having at least a display function, and are configured of, for example, a touch panel (display panel with a touch sensor). Thereby, it is possible to input necessary information according to the user's operations, and it is also possible to provide the user with various visible information.

The first indicator 23 is arranged on the right side of the first slot part 21, and the second indicator 24 is arranged on the right side of the second slot part 22. The first display 23 displays the accommodation state of the removable battery 14 in the 1-1 slot 21-1 to the 1-4 slot 21-4. The second display 24 displays the accommodation state of the removable battery 14 in the 2-1 slot 22-1 to the 2-4 slot 22-4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the display. The 1-1st display area 23A to 1-4th display area 23D of the first display 23 indicate the storage status of the removable battery 14 in the 1-1st slot 21-1 to 1-4th slot 21-4, respectively. it's shown. The 2-1st display area 24A to 2-4th display area 24D of the second display 24 indicate the storage status of the removable battery 14 in the 2-1st slot 22-1 to the 2-4th slot 22-4, respectively. it's shown.

The first display 23 and the second display 24 indicate the storage state of the removable battery 14. When the removable battery 14 stored therein is a charged battery 14c, it is in a usable state, and when it is a used battery 14u, it is in a usable state. An unusable state is displayed, and when the removable battery 14 is not housed, an unaccommodated state is displayed. An unoccupied slot is waiting for a removable battery 14 that requires charging. The first display 23 and the second display 24 correspond to the 1-1 slot 21-1 to the 1-4 slot 21-4 and the 2-1 slot 22-1 to the 2-4 slot 22-4, respectively. By displaying the housing state of the removable battery 14 in the charging station 16, the user is informed of whether or not the removable battery 14 stored in the charging station 16 can be used. The first display 23 and the second display 24 are an example of a "notification unit".

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first display 23 and the second display 24 display the available status in the 1-1 display area 23A, the 2-1 display area 24A, and the 2-2 display area 24B. Then, the unavailable status is displayed in the 1-2 display area 23B, the 1-3 display area 23C, and the 2-3 display area 24C, and the unavailable status is displayed in the 1-4 display area 23D and the 2-4 display area 24D. Displaying uncontained status.

Referring to the displays on the first display 23 and the second display 24, the first slot section 21 includes a 1-1 slot 21-1, a 2-1 slot 22-1, and a 2-2 slot 22-1. The charged battery 14c is accommodated in the 1-2 slot 21-2, the 1-3 slot 21-3, and the 2-3 slot 22-3, and the used battery 14u is accommodated in the 1-4 slot 21-2. The removable battery 14 is not housed in the slot 21-4 and the second-fourth slot 22-4.

In the slot in which the used battery 14u is accommodated, the used battery 14u is charged by the charger 26. When the used battery 14u becomes a charged battery 14c as a result of charging, the storage state displayed in the display area is changed from the unavailable state to the usable state.

One of the 1-1 slots 21-1 to 1-4 slots 21-4 and one slot of the 2-4 slots 22-1 to 2-4 slots 22-4 are unused. It is in a state of containment. The user replaces the removable battery 14 by accommodating the used battery 14u in an unaccommodated slot and removing the charged battery 14c from another slot.

The authenticator 25 is a device that can read recorded information on an NFC card (not shown) carried by the user, using, for example, near field communication (NFC). Thereby, the charging station 16 uses the user ID included in this recorded information to authenticate the user who has the authority to use the share service. The authenticator 25 is capable of detecting radio waves transmitted by a radio transmitter owned by the user. The authenticator 25 detects a user who has reserved the use of the removable battery 14 who approaches the charging station 16 based on the detection result of radio waves transmitted by a radio wave transmitter operated by the user. The authenticator 25 is an example of a "detector".

The authenticator 25 also detects the biometric information of the user and compares the detected biometric information with the biometric information of the user who has been given the right to use the share service and has been stored in a storage device such as the memory 42 in advance. By doing so, users who have the right to use the share service may be authenticated. Biometric information includes, for example, fingerprints, voiceprints, iris, facial images, and the like. Further, the authenticator 25 may authenticate a user who is authorized to use the share service based on a password input on the first display 23 or the second display 24, which are touch panels.

The charger 26 is a device that charges the removable battery 14 while the connection parts 36 and 54 are connected to each other. A power source (not shown) for supplying power to the removable battery 14 is connected to the charger 26 .

The communication module 40 is a module that can communicate with an external device by wire or wirelessly. Thereby, the charging station 16 can exchange various data related to the share service with the management server 18.

The memory 42 is a nonvolatile memory composed of, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or a flash memory. Thereby, information regarding each removable battery 14 stored in the charging station 16, for example, information such as the battery ID of each removable battery 14 accommodated in the first slot portion 21, information regarding the charging station 16 itself, For example, information such as identification information of the charging station (hereinafter referred to as "station ID") can be stored.

The control device 44 includes, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The control device 44 functions as a charging control section 46, a display control section 48, a reservation control section 50, and a communication control section 52 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 42. The reservation control unit 50 is an example of a “reservation unit”.

The charging control unit 46 controls charging of the removable battery 14 using the charger 26. For example, the charging control unit 46 acquires necessary information from the used battery 14u connected to the charger 26. The charging control unit 46 charges the used battery 14u based on the acquired information, and sets it as a charged battery 14c.

The display control unit 48 performs display control on the first display 23 and the second display 24. Specifically, the display control unit 48 displays the availability of the removable batteries 14 accommodated in the 1-1 slots 21-1 to 1-4 slots 21-4 of the first slot unit 21 on the first display. Displayed on 23. The second display 24 displays whether or not the removable batteries 14 accommodated in the 2-1st slot 22-1 to the 2-4th slot 22-4 can be used.

Even when the charging station 16 stores the charged battery 14c, if the charging station 16 stores the charged battery 14c and the reservation is made by the reservation user, the display control unit 48 makes it impossible to use the accommodation state of the slot that accommodates the reserved charged battery 14c. Display as status. Further, from this state, when the authenticator 25 receives the radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitter of the reservation user, the display control unit 48 utilizes the accommodation state of the slot that accommodates the reserved charged battery 14c. Change the status from unavailable to available and display it.

The reservation control section 50 manages and controls information regarding reservations for each removable battery 14 accommodated in the first slot section 21 . Based on the usage status inquiry information transmitted from the management server 18, the reservation control unit 50 generates usage status information regarding the presence or absence of the removable battery 14 that can be reserved.

The reservation control unit 50 performs a reservation process for reserving the rental of the removable battery 14 based on the reservation information transmitted from the management server 18 . The reservation process involves associating the user ID of the user reserving the removable battery 14 with the battery ID of the removable battery 14 to be reserved, and storing radio wave information regarding the radio waves transmitted by the radio wave transmitter owned by the reserving user. conduct.

The reservation control unit 50 includes a timer that measures the reservation time of the reservation user. In performing the reservation process, the reservation control unit 50 turns on a timer when receiving the reservation information, and measures the reservation time of the removable battery by the reservation user. In other words, the reservation control unit 50 turns on the timer when the user makes a reservation for lending the removable battery 14, and measures the time that has passed since the user made a reservation for lending the removable battery 14.

The reservation control unit 50 sets and adjusts (determines) the reservation amount for the rental battery in the removable battery reservation process. The reservation amount is set to increase as the reservation time increases, for example, so that the reservation amount increases at predetermined time intervals. In this way, the longer the reservation time is, the higher the charge level is for reserving the removable battery 14. The reservation control unit 50 is an example of a “determination unit”.

The communication control unit 52 controls transmission and reception of information with the management server 18. For example, the communication control unit 52 receives usage status inquiry information and reservation information transmitted from the management server 18. The communication control unit 52 transmits the usage information and reservation completion information generated by the reservation control unit 50 to the management server 18. The communication control unit 52 transmits information such as the battery ID and station ID to the management server 18.

<Configuration of management server 18>
The management server 18 is a computer that includes a server-side communication section 60 and a server-side control section 62. The server-side communication unit 60 is an interface that transmits and receives electrical signals to and from external devices. Thereby, the management server 18 can exchange various data related to the share service (for example, a part of service usage information) with the charging station 16. The server-side communication unit 60 is capable of exchanging various data regarding the reservation of the removable battery 14 with the mobile terminal 28 .

The server-side control unit 62 is composed of a CPU or an MPU, and functions as a data processing unit 70 by reading and executing a program stored in a server-side storage unit (not shown). The data processing unit 70 manages the user to whom the detachable battery 14 is lent, for example, by linking the user ID included in the recorded information of the NFC card with the battery ID of the detachable battery 14 being lent.

The data processing unit 70 associates the user ID with the battery ID of the removable battery 14 accommodated in the first slot portion 21 of the charging station 16 and manages reservations for the removable battery 14 . The data processing unit 70 transmits reservation request information and reservation information transmitted from the mobile terminal 28 to the charging station 16, and transmits availability information and reservation completion information transmitted from the charging station 16 to the mobile terminal 28.

[Operation of removable battery rental system 10]
The removable battery lending system 10 in this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the removable battery lending system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram in FIG. 4 and the flowchart in FIG. 5. More specifically, the operation until the user reserves the removable battery 14 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4, and the operation when the removable battery 14 is lent to the user who has made the reservation will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the removable battery lending system. As shown in FIG. 4, in the removable battery lending system 10, first, information on charging stations around the user is acquired by operating the touch panel of the mobile terminal 28 that the user owns (step S112).

After acquiring the charging station information, the user inputs reservation desired information into the mobile terminal 28 (step S114). The user inputs, for example, the name (location) of the charging station 16 where the removable battery 14 is to be reserved, the desired time for receiving the battery, etc. as the reservation information. The number of input charging stations 16 may be one or more. When the user inputs the desired reservation information, the mobile terminal 28 adds the user's ID and the like to the input desired reservation information and transmits it to the management server 18 (step S116).

When the management server 18 acquires the reservation desired information (step S118), it inquires about the usage status (accommodation state) of the charging station 16 included in the reservation desired information (step S120). The charging station 16 that has received the usage status inquiry generates usage status information (step S122), and transmits the usage status of the removable battery 14 to the management server 18 (step S124). The charging station 16 may generate usage status information and transmit it to the management server 18 at predetermined time intervals or when there is a change in the storage status of the removable battery 14 in the first slot portion 21. In this case, the processes from steps S118 to S124 may be omitted.

Upon receiving the usage status information, the management server 18 generates usage availability information (step S126) and transmits it to the mobile terminal 28 (step S128). The availability information includes information regarding whether or not the removable battery 14 can be used at the charging station 16, which is included in the reservation request information transmitted from the mobile terminal 28.

The mobile terminal 28 that has received the availability information displays the availability information and then determines whether the user has made a reservation (step S130). Here, if the user makes a reservation, reservation information is input (step S132). If the user has not made a reservation, the process returns to step S114 and the desired reservation information is input, or the process ends.

When the user inputs reservation information, the mobile terminal 28 transmits the input reservation information to the management server 18 (step S134). The management server 18 that has received the reservation information transfers the transmitted reservation information to the charging station 16 included in the reservation information (step S136).

Subsequently, the charging station 16 receives the reservation information transferred from the management server 18 (step S138). Then, the charging station 16 performs a reservation process (step S140). In the reservation process, the charging station 16 stores radio wave information regarding radio waves transmitted by a radio wave transmitter owned by the user who transmitted the reservation information. When performing reservation processing, a timer is turned on and measurement of the reservation time is started. The reservation amount may be determined, for example, at the time when the removable battery 14 is lent to the reservation user. The charging station 16 checks the slot in which the removable battery 14 that has been fully charged and is available for use is accommodated, and the user sends the battery ID and reservation information of the removable battery 14 accommodated in that slot. Correlate the user IDs. The charging station 16 transmits reservation completion information including the battery ID associated with the user ID to the management server 18 (step S142).

The management server 18 receives the reservation completion information transmitted from the charging station 16, and transfers the reservation completion information including the battery ID associated with the user ID to the mobile terminal 28 that transmitted the reservation information (step S144). Then, the mobile terminal 28 receives the reservation completion information and displays it on the display device (step S146).

When the mobile terminal 28 receives the reservation completion information and displays it on the display device, the mobile terminal 28 indicates that the charging station 16 is displaying the unavailable state as the accommodation state of the slot in which the reserved removable battery 14 is accommodated. (hereinafter referred to as "notification mode information"). As a result, the notification mode information is provided to the reservation user. The mobile terminal 28 is an example of an "information providing unit".

The mobile terminal 28 can be set to hide the notification mode information, and the provision of the notification mode information can be canceled. Due to the non-display setting, the mobile terminal 28 does not display the notification mode information even when receiving the reservation completion information. The non-display setting may be set based on the operation of the owner of the mobile terminal 28, or may be set based on the reception history of the reservation completion information, for example, if the reservation completion information is displayed once or several times in the past. It may also be set when it is received. In this way, the processing of the removable battery rental system 10 is completed.

Next, the operation when lending the removable battery 14 to a reservation user will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing at the charging station. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 44 of the charging station 16 determines whether or not the removable battery 14 accommodated in the first slot section 21 and the second slot section 22 has been reserved (step S212). . If it is determined that the removable battery 14 has not been reserved (step S212: NO), the control device 44 repeats the process of step S212.

If it is determined that the removable battery 14 has been reserved (step S212: YES), the control device 44 places the reserved removable battery 14 in the slot in the first slot section 21 and the second slot section 22. The display on the corresponding first display 23 and second display 24 is changed to an unavailable state indicating that rental is not possible (step S214).

For example, among the 1-1 slots 21-1 to 1-4 slots 21-4, the removable battery 14 accommodated in the 1-1 slots 21-1 is the charged battery 14c, and the 1-2 slots 21-4 It is assumed that the removable batteries 14 accommodated in the -2 and 1-3 slots 21-3 are used batteries 14u, and that the removable batteries 14 are not accommodated in the 1-4 slots 21-4. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the availability status is displayed in the 1-1 display area 23A on the first display 23, and the available status is displayed in the 1-2 display area 23B and the 1-3 display area 23B. An unavailable state is displayed in the area 23C, and an unaccommodated state is displayed in the 1-4th display area 23D. Here, when the reservation of the charged battery 14c accommodated in the 1-1 slot 21-1 is completed, the display in the 1-1 display area 23A changes from the available state to the available state, as shown in FIG. 6(B). Changes to disabled state.

Subsequently, the control device 44 determines whether the reserved user is approaching the charging station 16 (step S216). The determination as to whether the reservation person is approaching is made based on whether or not the authentication device 25 receives radio waves transmitted by the reservation reservation user operating a radio wave transmitter.

If the authenticator 25 does not receive the radio wave and determines that the reservation user is not approaching the charging station 16 (step S216: NO), the control device 44 repeats the process of step S216. When the authenticator 25 receives the radio wave and determines that the reservation person has approached the charging station 16 (step S216: YES), the control device 44 accommodates the reserved removable battery 14 in the first slot section 21. The display on the first display 23 and the second display 24 corresponding to the slot is changed to an available status indicating that the slot can be rented (step S218).

When the unavailable state is displayed in the 1-1 display area 23A in the state shown in FIG. 6(B), as shown in FIG. 7(A), a radio wave is transmitted from a radio transmitter operated by the reservation holder. When the authenticator 25 receives this, the control device 44 makes the removable battery 14 housed in the 1-1 slot 21-1 available, and as shown in FIG. The display of the 1 display area 23A changes from the unavailable state to the available state.

The reservation person who saw the display on the first display 23 confirms that the removable battery 14 accommodated in the 1-1 slot 21-1 corresponding to the 1-1 display area 23A is a reserved removable battery. can be recognized. The reservation user starts replacing the removable battery 14 by holding the NFC card over the authenticator 25.

The control device 44 performs authentication processing of the reservation user using the NFC card held up by the reservation user, and determines whether or not the reservation user has the authority to use the share service. Specifically, after acquiring the user ID through the authenticator 25, the control device 44 requests the management server 18 to verify the reservation user. Thereby, the reservation user who requests replacement of the removable battery 14 is identified.

Alternatively, the control device 44 may perform the reservation user authentication process without using the authenticator 25. For example, the control device 44 links a user ID and a battery ID in advance, and when the used battery 14u is loaded into the charging station 16, authenticates the reservation user from the user ID linked to the battery ID. It's okay.

In this case, after the authentication of the reservation user is completed, the control device 44 releases the link between this user ID and the battery ID of the used battery 14u. Then, the control device 44 newly links this user ID with the battery ID of the charged battery 14c to be lent. This allows user authentication to be performed repeatedly.

Thereafter, the control device 44 transmits the acquired information (for example, battery ID/usage history information) and the user ID in a state of being associated with each other to the management server 18 via the communication module 40 and the network NW.

The control device 44 determines whether lending of the reserved removable battery 14 is completed by the reservation user holding up the NFC card and then taking out the charged battery 14c (step S220). If it is determined that lending of the reserved removable battery 14 has not been completed (step S220: NO), the control device 44 repeats the process of step S220. If it is determined that lending of the reserved removable battery 14 has been completed (step S220: YES), the control device 44 displays the slot in which the reserved removable battery 14 was accommodated and the slot in which the removable battery 14 was accommodated. The display of the usage status of the slots that are not available is adjusted (step S222).

Specifically, the control device 44 changes the display in the 1-1 display area 23A, which indicates the storage state of the 1-1 slot 21-1 in which the reserved removable battery 14 was stored, from the display shown in FIG. ) is changed from the available state shown in FIG. 8 to the unaccommodated state shown in FIG. The control device 44 causes the display in the 1-4 display area 23D to indicate the storage state of the 1-4 slot 21-4, which changes from the state in which the removable battery 14 is not stored to the state in which the used battery 14u is stored. , changes from the unaccommodated state shown in FIG. 7(B) to the unavailable state shown in FIG. In this way, the removable battery 14 is lent to the reservation user.

In this way, in the removable battery rental system 10 described above, it is possible to reserve the rental of the removable battery 14 stored in the charging station 16. Here, for example, when the reserved removable battery 14 is stored and the available state is displayed as the storage state, a non-reservation user performs an operation to lend the removable battery 14 at the charging station 16. It is possible that However, since the removable battery 14 is in a reserved state, the user who has not reserved the removable battery after starting the lending operation, for example, removes the used battery 14u from the motorcycle 12 and carries it to the charging station 16. It is assumed that there will be a situation in which the user learns that he or she will not be able to receive the loan of 14 items. In particular, when a slot (for example, the 1-1 slot 21-1) is provided with an opening/closing lid (for example, opening/closing lid 21-1B), a non-reservation user opens the opening/closing lid and After storing the used battery 14u in the battery 21-1A), the user may find out that the charged battery 14c cannot be lent.

In this regard, in the removable battery rental system 10, when the rental of the removable battery 14 is reserved, even if the slot accommodates the charged battery 14c, the storage status is displayed as In the display area of the first display 23 or the second display 24 (for example, the 1-1 display area 23A), an unavailable state is displayed. It can be recognized that the used battery 14u that can be lent to a non-reservation user is not stored at the charging station 16. Therefore, even if there is a slot in which a charged battery 14c is accommodated, a non-reservation user who is unable to borrow a removable battery will be aware of the fact that he or she will not be able to borrow a removable battery without approaching the charging station 16. It is possible to suppress unnecessary work by non-reservation users.

Furthermore, if the unavailable status is simply displayed as an indication of the accommodation status of the slot that accommodates the removable battery 14 reserved for lending, there is a concern that the reservation user may misunderstand that the removable battery 14 cannot be lent. be. In this regard, in the removable battery rental system 10 described above, when the authenticator 25 detects the radio waves transmitted by the radio wave transmitter of the reservation user, the display of the accommodation state of the slot that accommodates the removable battery 14 is displayed as unavailable. Change the status from to available. Therefore, by operating a radio transmitter near the charging station 16, the reservation user can recognize that the loaned removable battery 14 is available for use. This will help prevent people from having the misunderstanding that they cannot receive a loan.

Further, the mobile terminal 28 owned by the reservation user is displaying that the slot in which the reserved removable battery 14 is accommodated is in an unusable state. Therefore, even if the first display 23 and the second display 24 display an unusable state at the charging station 16 where the reserved removable battery 14 is stored, the reserving user can use the removable battery 14. It is possible to recognize that batteries can be loaned.

In addition, a user who has rented the removable battery 14 multiple times through the removable battery rental system 10 can reserve the rental of the removable battery 14 to accommodate the storage of the first display 23 and the second display 24. In many cases, the user is aware that the status is displayed as unavailable. In this case, the user can cancel the provision of notification mode information, so even if the unavailable state is displayed, the user who has made a reservation is aware that the removable battery 14 can be lent. Providing unnecessary information can be suppressed.

Further, the available state and the unavailable state are displayed in the display area of the first display 23 or the second display 24. Therefore, the reservation user and the non-reservation user can visually recognize whether or not the removable battery 14 can be used.

Further, in the removable battery lending system 10, the slot (for example, the 1-1 slot 21-1) is provided with a housing section (for example, the housing section 21-1A) and an opening/closing lid (for example, the opening/closing lid 21-1B). There is. Therefore, stains on the surface of the removable battery 14 housed in the housing section can be suppressed by the opening/closing lid. In addition, since the accommodation state of the removable battery 14 accommodated in the slot is displayed on the first display 23 and the second display 24, the removable battery accommodated in the accommodation section can be visually confirmed when the opening/closing lid is closed. Even if this is not possible, the user can recognize the removable battery 14 that is available.

Furthermore, in the removable battery lending system 10 described above, the reservation control unit 50 measures the reservation time of the removable battery 14 by the reservation user, and adjusts the reservation amount to be higher as the reservation time is longer. Therefore, when the removable battery 14 is occupied by a specific user when the removable battery 14 is not in use, the amount charged to that user increases, so that it is possible to suppress the occupancy of the removable battery 14 by a specific user when the removable battery 14 is not in use. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the retention of lending of the removable battery 14.

It goes without saying that this invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and can be freely modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Alternatively, each configuration may be arbitrarily combined as long as there is no technical contradiction.

In the embodiment described above, the accommodation state of the removable battery 14 in each slot in the first slot section 21 and the second slot section 22 of the charging station 16 is displayed on the first display 23 and the second display 24. However, it may be displayed on another display. For example, it is possible to provide a lamp corresponding to the slot and notify the accommodation status of each slot by lighting or blinking the lamp, or by surrounding the outer frame of each slot with an electric decoration, and by lighting or blinking the lamp, each slot It is also possible to notify the accommodation status of the

Furthermore, the housing state of the removable battery 14 may be notified using a device other than the display device (for example, a display device, a speaker, etc.). For example, the housing state of the removable battery 14 may be notified by voice, or it may be a device that allows you to feel the change by touching it with your hand. By combining these, for example, the storage state of the removable battery 14 may be notified by a display on a display device and an audio output from a speaker.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the accommodation state of the removable battery 14 in each slot is notified, but the accommodation state of the removable battery 14 in a plurality of slots may be notified. In this case, if a charged battery 14c is housed in one of the plurality of slots, the available status is displayed, and when all of the removable batteries 14 whose housing status is displayed are used batteries 14u, , the unavailable status may be displayed.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the plurality of slots are each fixed, but the plurality of slots are movable by a moving mechanism, and each slot is movable between the storage location and the loading/unloading location. Good too. In this case, the state of accommodation of the removable batteries 14 in a plurality of slots may be notified. Furthermore, the moving mechanism may be, for example, a rotary turntable or a so-called puzzle-type moving structure.

Further, in the embodiment described above, an opening/closing lid is provided, but the opening/closing lid may not be provided. Furthermore, in an example where multiple slots are movable between the storage location and the loading/unloading location, an opening/closing gate is provided at the loading/unloading location, and the removable battery 14 can be inserted/unloaded when the opening/closing gate is open. , each slot may be moved when the opening/closing gate is closed.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the authenticator 25 uses the accommodation state displayed in the 1-1 display area 23A from the unavailable state when the radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitter operated by the user receives the radio wave. Although the state changes to a possible state, the containment state may also be changed when other conditions are met. For example, the authentication device 25 may be provided with a human sensor, and the accommodation state may be changed when the authentication device 25 receives radio waves transmitted by a radio wave transmitter operated by the user and the human sensor detects a person. Alternatively, the accommodation state may be changed when the authenticator 25 receives radio waves transmitted by a radio transmitter operated by the user and further reads recorded information on the NFC card.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the longer the reservation time of the removable battery 14, the higher the reservation amount, but in other aspects, the longer the reservation time, the higher the charging rate associated with the reservation of the removable battery. You may also do so. For example, the longer the reservation time, the higher the usage fee for the removable battery 14 may be. As an example of increasing the usage fee, for example, the coefficient multiplied by the usage fee may be adjusted depending on the reservation time, or the usage fee may be determined by setting an amount table according to the reservation time. You can do it like this. In this case, the reservation amount may or may not be set. Furthermore, if the reservation for the removable battery 14 is canceled after the reservation is made, the charge level for using the removable battery 14 next time may be increased. In this case as well, the longer the reservation time until cancellation, the higher the charging rate may be.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the removable battery lending system 10 operates according to the exchange procedure (return → loan) in which the charged battery 14c is taken out after loading the used battery 14u, but the exchange procedure is reversed (return → loan). It may also operate according to the following order: rental → return). Furthermore, the removable battery lending system 10 may be configured to not only replace the removable batteries 14 one by one, but also to be able to replace a plurality of removable batteries 14 at the same time.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the removable battery lending system 10 is applied to the motorcycle 12 (electric vehicle), but the application target may be a moving body including a four-wheeled vehicle. Further, as long as the device can be used by attaching the removable battery 14 (power utilization device), the type of the device or the purpose of use does not matter.

The embodiment described above can be expressed as follows.
(1) One aspect of the embodiment includes a removable battery that is detachably attached to a power utilization device, a charging station that stores and charges the removable battery, and a removable battery that is stored in the charging station. a notification means for notifying whether or not the removable battery can be used; and a detection means for detecting a reservation user who has reserved the use of the removable battery; If the removable battery is stored, the removable battery is notified that the removable battery is unusable, and on condition that the detection means detects the reservation user, the removable battery is notified that the removable battery is usable. This is a battery rental system.

In the aspect (2), in the aspect (1), a reservation means for making a reservation for the removable battery based on reservation information provided by a reservation user; and when the reservation by the reservation unit is completed, the Information providing means is provided for providing the reservation user with notification mode information indicating that the removable battery is not available for use.

Aspect (3) is the aspect (2), further comprising a canceling means for canceling the provision of the notification mode information by the information providing means.

In the aspect (4), in any one of (1) to (3), the notification means includes a display means for displaying whether or not the removable battery can be used.

In the aspect (5), in any one of (1) to (4), the charging station includes a slot for storing and charging the removable battery, and the slot includes a slot for storing and charging the removable battery. An opening/closing member is attached that opens when the battery is inserted or removed.

According to the aspect (6), in any one of (1) to (5), a time measuring means for measuring the reservation time of the removable battery by the reservation user, and a time measurement means based on the reservation information provided by the reservation user. , a billing adjusting means for adjusting a billing degree associated with the reservation of the removable battery, and the billing adjusting means increases the billing degree as the reservation time measured by the timer is longer.

(7) Other aspects of the embodiment include a removable battery that is detachably attached to the power utilization device, a charging station that stores and charges the removable battery, and a removable battery that is stored in the charging station. When renting out the removable battery using a removable battery rental system, the removable battery is rented out by a removable battery rental system that includes a notification means for notifying whether or not the removable battery can be used, and a detection means for detecting a reservation user who has reserved the use of the removable battery. The notification means notifies that the removable battery reserved by the reservation user is not available, and the notification means informs that the removable battery is unavailable when the removable battery reserved by the reservation user is stored, and on condition that the detection means detects the reservation user, the removable battery is stored. This is a removable battery lending method characterized by notifying that the removable battery is available.

10...Removable battery rental system (battery usage system)
12...Motorcycle (power equipment)
14...Removable battery 14c...Charged battery 14u...Used battery 16...Charging station (storage device)
18... Management servers 21, 22... Slot parts 21-1 to 21-4, 22-1 to 22-4... Slots 21-1A... Accommodating part 21-1B... Opening/closing lids 23, 24... Displays 23A to 23D, 24A ~24D...Display area 25...Authenticator 26...Charger 28...Mobile terminal NW...Network

Claims (13)

A battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power;
a storage device for storing the battery;
a notification unit that reports information regarding the availability of the battery stored in the storage device;
a detection unit that detects a reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery in a non-contact or contact manner;
The notification department is
When the reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reservation user, is stored in the storage device,
When the detection unit does not detect the user, it notifies that the battery cannot be used;
Notifying that the reserved battery is available based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user;
Battery-powered system. The notification department is
giving different notifications depending on whether the battery is stored in the storage device or not;
The battery utilization system according to claim 1. The notification unit notifies that the reserved battery is not available when the reserved battery is stored in the storage device and the detection unit does not detect the reserved user.
The battery utilization system according to claim 1 or 2 . a reservation unit that reserves use of the battery based on reservation information provided by the user;
further comprising: an information providing unit that, when the reservation unit reserves the use of the battery, provides the user with notification information indicating that the reserved battery cannot be used;
The battery utilization system according to claim 1 or 3 . further comprising an input unit that accepts an operation input from the reservation user,
The information providing unit cancels providing the broadcast information in response to the reservation user's operation on the input unit.
The battery utilization system according to claim 4 . The notification unit includes a display unit that displays the information regarding the availability of the battery.
A battery utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The storage device includes an accommodating part that accommodates the battery, and an opening/closing member that opens and closes an opening of the accommodating part when the battery is taken out from the accommodating part or when the battery is stored in the accommodating part. have,
A battery utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . further comprising a determining unit that determines an amount to be charged for reservation of the battery based on the reservation information provided by the user;
The battery utilization system according to claim 4 or 5 . further comprising a timer that measures the time that has elapsed since the reservation user reserved the use of the reserved battery;
The determining unit increases the amount of the charge as the time measured by the timer increases.
The battery utilization system according to claim 8 . an accommodating part that accommodates a battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power;
a notification unit that reports information regarding the availability of the battery accommodated in the storage unit;
a detection unit that detects a reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery housed in the storage unit in a non-contact or contact manner;
The notification department is
When the reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reservation user, is housed in the housing section,
When the detection unit does not detect the user, it notifies that the battery cannot be used;
Notifying that the reserved battery is available based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user;
Storage device. an accommodating section for accommodating a battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power; a notification section that notifies information regarding the availability of the battery accommodated in the accommodating section; a detection unit that detects a reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery in a non-contact or contact manner;
When the reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reservation user, is stored in the storage unit and the detection unit does not detect the user, the notification unit is made to notify that the battery is unavailable. step and
comprising the step of causing the notification unit to notify that the reservation battery is available based on the detection unit detecting the reservation user;
How to use the battery. an accommodating section for accommodating a battery that is detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power; a notification section that notifies information regarding the availability of the battery accommodated in the accommodating section; a detection unit that detects a reservation user who has reserved the use of the battery in a non-contact or contact manner;
When the reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reservation user, is stored in the storage unit and the detection unit does not detect the user, the notification unit is made to notify that the battery cannot be used. , causing the notification unit to notify that the reserved battery is available based on the detection unit detecting the reservation user;
program. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 12 .

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