WO2020027186A1 - Battery usage system, storage device, battery usage method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The battery usage system according to the present invention comprises: a battery that is removably installed in an electrical power device that uses electrical power; a storage device for storing the battery; a notification unit for providing notifications of information pertaining to the usability of the battery stored in the storage device; and a detection unit for detecting, with or without contact, a reservation-holding user that is a user who has made a reservation to use the battery. When a reserved battery that is constituted by the battery reserved by the reservation-holding user is being stored in the storage device, the notification unit, on the basis of the reservation-holding user detected by the detection unit, provides notification indicating that the reserved battery is usable.

Description

Battery utilization system, storage device, battery utilization method, program, and storage medium

The present invention relates to a battery use system, a storage device, a battery use method, a program, and a storage medium.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-143640, filed on July 31, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a portable electric energy storage device, for example, a collection / charge distribution device that uses a detachable battery mounted on an electric scooter and collects, charges, and distributes the detachable battery when power is consumed. Reference 1). This collection and charge distribution device has a plurality of containers that detachably accommodate detachable batteries for charging and the like.

The user removes the detachable battery that needs to be charged from the electric scooter and stores it in the container of the collection and charge distribution device. On the other hand, there is provided a shared battery use service on the premise of battery replacement, in which a charged detachable battery is taken out of a container and used by attaching it to an electric scooter.

In addition, there is a service in which a user can reserve a removable battery housed in a housing in a shared battery service (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Further, as another example of a movable body in which a battery can be removably mounted to the movable body, a portable charge / power supply device including a battery and a charge / power supply unit having a storage chamber capable of storing the battery is provided. It is known (for example, see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-527689 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-529119 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-068552

In the above-described collection and charge distribution device, for example, a charged detachable battery is accommodated in a container, and the charged detachable battery is a user who has reserved this detachable battery (hereinafter referred to as a “reserved user”). )). In this case, when another user who has not made a reservation (hereinafter, referred to as a “non-reserved user”) tries to remove the charged detachable battery, the detachable battery is reserved for the first time, and it may not be removed. You may be able to recognize that you cannot. In this case, the work of the non-reserved user trying to remove the detachable battery is wasted, giving the non-reserved user a feeling of loss and possibly causing a complaint from the user.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a battery use system, a storage device, a battery use method, a program, and a storage medium that can suppress useless work of a non-reserved person who cannot receive a detachable battery for lending. I do.

(1) One embodiment of the present invention is a battery detachably attached to a power device that uses power, a storage device that stores the battery, and availability of the battery stored in the storage device. A notification unit that notifies information about the battery, and a detection unit that detects a reserved user who is a user who has reserved the use of the battery by non-contact or contact, and the notification unit is configured to use the battery reserved by the reserved user. A battery use system that notifies that the reserved battery is available, based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user when a reserved battery is stored in the storage device.

According to an aspect of (2), in the aspect of (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. It informs that it is impossible.

The aspect of (3) is based on the aspect of (1) or (2), wherein a reservation unit that reserves use of the battery based on reservation information provided by the user; An information providing unit that provides, to the user, notification information indicating that the reserved battery cannot be used when the reservation is made.

The mode (4) is the mode according to the mode (3), further comprising an input unit configured to receive an operation input of the reservation user, wherein the information providing unit responds to the operation of the reservation user by operating the input unit. Is to cancel the offer.

態 様 (5) is the configuration according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the notification unit has a display unit that displays the information on the availability of the battery.

(6) The storage device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the storage device includes: a storage unit that stores the battery; and the battery is removed from the storage unit. An opening / closing member that opens and closes an opening of the housing section when the battery is housed in the section.

The mode (7) is the apparatus according to the mode (3) or (4), further comprising a determination unit that determines a charge amount for the battery reservation based on the reservation information provided by the user. is there.

The mode (8) is the mode according to the mode (7), further comprising a timer section for measuring a time elapsed since the reservation user has reserved the use of the reserved battery, wherein the determination section is configured to measure the time by the timer section. The longer the time spent is, the larger the amount of the charge is.

(9) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accommodating portion for accommodating a battery detachably attached to a power device using electric power, and information on availability of the battery accommodated in the accommodating portion. An informing unit that informs, and a detecting unit that detects, by non-contact or contact, a reserved user who has reserved the use of the battery stored in the storage unit, wherein the notifying unit determines that the reserved user has made a reservation. When the reserved battery, which is the battery, is stored in the storage unit, the detection unit notifies the user that the reserved battery is available based on the detection of the reserved user.
It is a storage device.

(10) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing unit for housing a battery detachably mounted on a power device using electric power, and information on availability of the battery housed in the housing unit. A computer comprising: a notifying unit for notifying, and a detection unit for detecting, by non-contact or contact, a reserved user who is a user who has reserved use of the battery stored in the storage unit, using the battery reserved by the reserved user. A battery use method including, when a certain reserved battery is stored in the storage unit, causing the notification unit to report that the reserved battery is available based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user. It is.

(11) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accommodating portion for accommodating a battery detachably attached to a power device using electric power, and information on availability of the battery accommodated in the accommodating portion. A computer having an informing unit for informing and a detecting unit for detecting, by non-contact or contact, a reserved user who is a user who has reserved the use of the battery contained in the containing unit, by using the battery reserved by the reserved user. When a certain reserved battery is stored in the storage unit, the program notifies the notification unit that the reserved battery is available based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user.

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

According to the above aspect, for example, when the user who has reserved the use of the battery approaches the storage device, the detection unit detects the user, and the notification unit notifies that the battery can be used. For this reason, even if a non-reserved person who does not reserve the use of the battery approaches the management device, the notifying unit does not notify that the battery is available. It is possible to recognize that the battery cannot be rented without approaching. Therefore, useless work of the non-reserved person can be suppressed.

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

Hereinafter, a battery use system, a storage device, a battery use method, a program, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of detachable battery rental system 10]
<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a detachable battery lending 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 detachable battery lending system 10 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a detachable battery lending system 10 (an example of a battery use system) is a joint use of a detachable battery 14 that is a driving source of a saddle-ride type motorcycle 12 (electric vehicle) by a plurality of users. This is a system that can provide a shared service to be used. The detachable battery lending system 10 basically includes a plurality of detachable 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, and may be, for example, a vehicle (one-wheel, three-wheel, four-wheel, or the like) which can be driven by electric power and detachably attaches the detachable battery 14, or an assist-type bicycle. You may. Instead of these vehicle-type moving bodies, the “power device” may be a portable charging / powering device carried by a person or a vehicle described in JP-A-2019-068552. The “power device” may be a mobile robot, an autonomous traveling device, an electric bicycle, an autonomous traveling vehicle, another electric vehicle, a drone flying object, or another electric traveling device (electric mobility). Hereinafter, as an example, a description will be given assuming that the “power device” is the motorcycle 12.

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

The charging station 16 is a facility for storing and charging the detachable battery 14, and is installed at a plurality of locations. The housing 20 of the charging station 16 includes a first slot 21 and a second slot 22. The first slot section 21 and the second slot section 22 are four slots, respectively, as 1-1 slot 21-1 to 1-4 slot 21-4 and 2-1 slot 22-1 to 2 slot. It has four slots 22-4. In the back side of the 1-1-1st slot 21-1 to the 1-4th slot 21-4 and the 2-1 slot 22-1 to the 2-4th slot 22-4, a charge capable of charging the detachable battery 14 is provided. Each of the vessels 26 (FIG. 2) is provided.

１ The first slot section 21 (the 1-1-1st slot 21-1 to the 1-4th slot 21-4) is arranged in 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 disposed on the right side of the 1-3 slot 21-3 and below the 1-2 slot 21-2.

The second slot portion 22 (the 2-1 slot 22-1 to the 2-4 slot 22-4) is arranged in the lower part 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. The 2-4th slot 22-4 is arranged on the right side of the 2-3rd slot 22-3 and below the 2-2 slot 22-2.

The 1-1st slot 21-1 includes a housing 21-1A and an opening / closing lid 21-1B. The detachable battery 14 can be accommodated in the accommodation section 21-1A. The storage section 21-1A has a front opening, and the removable battery 14 can be inserted and removed through the front opening. The opening / closing lid 21-1B is openable and closable, and when closed, closes the front opening of the housing 21-1A. The detachable battery 14 housed in the housing 21-1A can be taken in and out when the open / close 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 accommodated similarly to the 1-1 slot 21-1. And an opening / closing lid. The accommodating portions and opening / closing lids of the 1-2th slot 21-2 to the 1-4th slot 21-4 and the 2-1st slot 22-1 to the 2-4th slot 22-4 are respectively provided in the accommodating portions 21-1A and 21-1A. It has the same function as the opening / closing lid 21-1B.

The charging station 16 is communicably connected to the management server 18 via the 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 indicating the location of the charging station 16 (hereinafter, referred to as “station map”). The portable terminal 28 can acquire the peripheral station information on the charging stations 16 around the user based on the current position of the user with reference to the station map. The portable terminal 28 stores a program (hereinafter, referred to as a “reservation program”) for reserving the detachable battery 14 lent at the charging station 16. The mobile terminal 28 includes a display device that displays various types of information and images, and a touch panel (display panel with a touch sensor) that also functions as an input device that receives a user operation. The touch panel of the mobile terminal 28 is an example of an “input unit”.

When the portable terminal 28 executes the reservation program, the user can make a reservation for lending the detachable battery 14 by operating the touch panel. When the lending of the detachable battery 14 is reserved, lending of the reserved detachable battery 14 to non-reserved users other than the reserved user is disabled.

For example, the user can search for a nearby charging station 16 using the portable terminal 28 and, if there is a detachable battery 14 that can be rented to the searched charging station 16, can reserve the detachable battery 14. . When a plurality of charging stations 16 have been searched, the user can select the charging station 16 to be used. When making a reservation for the detachable battery 14, the portable terminal 28 transmits reservation request information and reservation information to the management server 18. The procedure from reservation to lending of the detachable battery 14 will be described later.

<Configuration of Removable Battery 14>
As shown in FIG. 2, specifically, the detachable battery 14 includes a power storage unit 30, a measurement sensor 32, a battery management unit (hereinafter, referred to as “BMU”) 34, and a connection unit 36. And.

The power storage unit 30 is a battery core pack including a secondary battery (lithium ion battery or lead storage battery) and configured to be able to charge and discharge power. The configuration of the power storage unit 30 may be other than this, and may be another type of secondary battery, a capacitor, or a composite battery combining these.

The measurement sensor 32 is composed of various sensors that measure the voltage, current, or temperature of the power storage unit 30. Thereby, the measurement sensor 32 can acquire information indicating the use environment or the use state history under the state of being mounted on the motorcycle 12 (hereinafter, referred to as “use history information”).

The BMU 34 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is a device that controls charging and discharging of the power storage unit 30. Also, the BMU 34 includes identification information of the detachable battery 14 (hereinafter, referred to as “battery ID”), identification information of the user (hereinafter, referred to as “user ID”), usage history information from the measurement sensor 32, and the charging station 16. Can be stored.

As an example of the usage history information, the internal temperature at the time of charging or discharging, the voltage at the time of discharging, the time series data of the state of charge (SOC), the used capacity, usage period, mileage from lending to returning, or , Total usage capacity, usage period, and mileage. Examples of the deterioration estimation information include a capacity maintenance rate, an internal resistance increase rate, a left SOC, a left battery temperature, an elapsed time from a manufacturing time, and a total number of charging times.

<Configuration of charging station 16>
The charging station 16 specifically includes a first display 23, a second display 24, an authenticator 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 include, for example, a touch panel (display panel with a touch sensor). Thus, it is possible to input necessary information in accordance with the operation of the user, and to provide various kinds of visible information to the user.

The first display 23 is disposed on the right side of the first slot portion 21, and the second display 24 is disposed on the right side of the second slot portion 22. The first display 23 displays the storage state of the removable battery 14 in the 1-1-1st slot 21-1 to the 1-4th slot 21-4. The second display 24 displays the storage state of the removable battery 14 in the (2-1) th slot 22-1 to the (2-4) th slot 22-4.

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

The first display 23 and the second display 24 are available when the detachable battery 14 is a charged battery 14c, and when the detachable battery 14 is a used battery 14u. An unusable state is displayed, and when the removable battery 14 is not housed, an unaccommodated state is displayed. The slot in the non-accommodated state is in a state of waiting for the removable battery 14 that needs charging. The first display 23 and the second display 24 include 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 storage state of the detachable battery 14 in the above, the user is notified of the availability of the detachable battery 14 stored in the charging station 16. The first display 23 and the second display 24 are examples of a “notification unit”.

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

Referring to the display of the first display 23 and the second display 24, the first slot unit 21 includes a 1-1 slot 21-1, a 2-1 slot 22-1, and a 2-2 slot 22-. 2 contains the charged battery 14c, the 1-2 slot 21-2, the 1-3 slot 21-3, and the 2-3 slot 22-3 accommodate the used battery 14u, and the 1-4 slot. The slot 21-4 and the 2-4th slot 22-4 do not contain the detachable battery 14.

In the slot in which the used battery 14u is stored, the charger 26 charges the used battery 14u. When the used battery 14u becomes the charged battery 14c as a result of the charging, the accommodation state displayed in the display area is changed from the unavailable state to the available state.

One slot out of the 1-1-1st slot 21-1 to the 1-4th slot 21-4 and one slot out of the 2-4th slot 22-1 to the 2-4th slot 22-4 are not yet opened. It is in a housed state. The user exchanges the detachable battery 14 by storing the used battery 14u in the slot not yet stored and extracting the charged battery 14c from another slot.

The authenticator 25 is a device capable of reading recorded information of an NFC card (not shown) carried by a user, for example, using near field communication (NFC; Near Field Communication). Thereby, the charging station 16 authenticates the user who has the authority to use the share service, using the user ID included in the record information. The authenticator 25 can detect a radio wave transmitted by a radio wave transmitter possessed by the user. The authenticator 25 detects a user who has reserved the use of the removable battery 14 approaching the charging station 16 based on the detection result of the radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitter operated by the user. The authentication unit 25 is an example of a “detection unit”.

The authenticator 25 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 use right of the share service and stored in a storage device such as the memory 42 in advance. By doing so, a user who has authority to use the share service may be authenticated. The biological information includes, for example, a fingerprint, a voiceprint, an iris, a face image, and the like. The authenticator 25 may authenticate a user who has the authority to use the share service based on a password input to the first display 23 or the second display 24 which is a touch panel.

The charger 26 is a device that charges the detachable battery 14 in a state where the connecting portions 36 and 54 are connected to each other. A power supply (not shown) for supplying power to the detachable 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 non-volatile memory including, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and a flash memory. Thereby, information on each detachable battery 14 stored in the charging station 16, for example, information such as a battery ID of each detachable battery 14 accommodated in the first slot portion 21, information on the charging station 16 itself, For example, information such as identification information of a 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 charge control unit 46, a display control unit 48, a reservation control unit 50, and a communication control unit 52 by reading and executing the 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 the used battery 14u as the 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 determines whether the detachable battery 14 accommodated in each of the 1-1-1st slot 21-1 to the 1-4th slot 21-4 of the first slot unit 21 is available. 23. The availability of the detachable battery 14 accommodated in each of the (2-1) th slot 22-1 to the (2-4) th slot 22-4 is displayed on the second display 24.

Even when the charging station 16 stores the charged battery 14c, the display control unit 48 cannot use the accommodation state of the slot accommodating the reserved charged battery 14c when the charging station 16 is reserved by the reservation user. Display as status. Further, from this state, when the authenticator 25 receives a radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitter of the reservation user, the display control unit 48 uses the accommodation state of the slot accommodating the reserved charged battery 14c. Change from unavailable to available and display.

The reservation control unit 50 manages and controls information on reservation of each detachable battery 14 housed in the first slot unit 21. The reservation control unit 50 generates, based on the use state inquiry information transmitted from the management server 18, use state information regarding the presence or absence of the detachable battery 14 that can be reserved.

The reservation control unit 50 performs a reservation process for lending the detachable battery 14 based on the reservation information transmitted from the management server 18. In the reservation process, a process of associating the user ID of the user of the detachable battery 14 with the battery ID of the detachable battery 14 to be reserved and storing radio wave information on radio waves transmitted by the radio wave transmitter owned by the reserved user is performed. Do.

The reservation control unit 50 includes a timer for measuring 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 detachable battery by the reservation user. In other words, the reservation control unit 50 turns on the timer when the user has reserved the lending of the detachable battery 14, and measures the time elapsed since the user reserved the lending of the detachable battery 14.

(4) In the reservation process of the detachable battery, the reservation control unit 50 sets and adjusts (determines) the reservation amount of the lending battery. The reservation amount is set so as to increase as the reservation time becomes longer, for example, to increase the reservation amount at predetermined time intervals. In this way, the longer the reservation time is, the larger the charge degree associated with the reservation of the detachable battery 14 is. The reservation control unit 50 is an example of a “decision 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 status information and the reservation completion information generated by the reservation control unit 50 to the management server 18. The communication control unit 52 transmits information such as a battery ID and a station ID to the management server 18.

<Configuration of Management Server 18>
The management server 18 is a computer including a server-side communication unit 60 and a server-side control unit 62. The server-side communication unit 60 is an interface that transmits and receives electric signals to and from an external device. Thereby, the management server 18 can exchange various data (for example, a part of the service use information) related to the share service with the charging station 16. The server-side communication unit 60 can exchange various data related to the reservation of the detachable battery 14 with the portable terminal 28.

The server-side control unit 62 includes 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). For example, the data processing unit 70 associates the user ID included in the record information of the NFC card with the battery ID of the lending detachable battery 14 to manage the user as the lending destination of the detachable battery 14.

The data processing unit 70 manages the reservation of the removable battery 14 by associating the user ID with the battery ID of the removable battery 14 housed in the first slot 21 of the charging station 16. 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 available information and reservation completion information transmitted from the charging station 16 to the mobile terminal 28.

[Operation of detachable battery rental system 10]
The detachable battery lending system 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the detachable battery lending system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG. More specifically, the operation until the user reserves the detachable battery 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, and the operation when lending the detachable battery 14 to the reserved user will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing of the detachable battery lending system. As shown in FIG. 4, in the detachable battery lending system 10, first, the user operates the touch panel of the portable terminal 28 carried by the user to acquire information on charging stations around the user (step S112).

し た ら Once the charging station information has been obtained, the user inputs reservation request information to the portable terminal 28 (step S114). The user inputs, for example, the name (location) of the charging station 16 for making a reservation for the detachable battery 14 and the desired reception time as the reservation request information. The number of charging stations 16 to be input may be one or more. When the user inputs the reservation request information, the portable terminal 28 adds the user ID and the like to the input reservation request information and transmits the information to the management server 18 (step S116).

When the management server 18 acquires the reservation request information (step S118), the management server 18 inquires of the charging station 16 included in the reservation request information about the use status (accommodation state) (step S120). The charging station 16 that has received the inquiry about the usage status 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 state of the removable battery 14 in the first slot section 21. In this case, the processing of steps S118 to S124 may be omitted.

When the management server 18 receives the usage status information, the management server 18 generates availability information (step S126) and transmits it to the portable terminal 28 (step S128). The available information includes information on whether or not the removable battery 14 can be used in the charging station 16 included in the reservation request information transmitted from the mobile terminal 28.

(4) After displaying the available information, the portable terminal 28 that has received the available information determines whether or not the user has executed the reservation (step S130). Here, when the user has executed the reservation, the reservation information is input (step S132). If the user has not executed the reservation, the process returns to step S114 to input the reservation request information or the process ends.

When the user inputs the reservation information, the portable 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).

Next, 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 on radio waves transmitted by a radio wave transmitter owned by the user who transmitted the reservation information. When performing the reservation process, the timer is turned on and measurement of the reservation time is started. The reservation price may be determined, for example, when the detachable battery 14 is lent to the reservation user. The charging station 16 checks the slot in which the removable battery 14 that has been charged and is available is stored, and transmits the battery ID of the removable battery 14 stored in the slot and the reservation information. Is associated with the user ID. The charging station 16 transmits the 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 portable terminal 28 that has transmitted the reservation information (step). S144). Then, the portable terminal 28 receives the reservation completion information and displays it on the display device (step S146).

When the portable terminal 28 receives the reservation completion information and displays it on the display device, the charging station 16 indicates that the unavailable state is displayed as the accommodation state of the slot in which the reserved detachable battery 14 is accommodated. (Hereinafter, referred to as “notification mode information”). Thereby, 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 non-display so that the notification mode information is not displayed, and the provision of the notification mode information can be canceled. By performing the non-display setting, the portable terminal 28 does not display the notification mode information even when receiving the reservation completion information. The non-display setting may be set, for example, based on the operation of the owner of the mobile terminal 28, or may be performed once or several times in the past based on the reception history of the reservation completion information, for example. It may be set when received. Thus, the processing of the detachable battery lending system 10 is completed.

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

If it is determined that the reservation of the detachable battery 14 has been completed (step S212: YES), the control device 44 sets the reserved slot of the detachable battery 14 in the first slot 21 and the second slot 22 to the slot. The corresponding display on the first display 23 and the second display 24 is changed to an unusable state indicating that lending is not possible (step S214).

For example, out of the 1-1-1st slot 21-1 to the 1-4th slot 21-4, the removable battery 14 housed in the 1-1st slot 21-1 is the charged battery 14c and the 1-2th slot 21 It is assumed that the removable battery 14 housed in the -2 and 1-3 slots 21-3 is the used battery 14u, and the 1-4 slot 21-4 does not house the removable battery 14. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, the available state is displayed on the first display 23 in the 1-1 display area 23A, and the 1-2 display area 23B and the 1-3 display are displayed. In the area 23C, an unusable state is displayed, and in the 1-4th display area 23D, an unaccommodated state is displayed. Here, when the reservation of the charged battery 14c accommodated in the 1-1 slot 21-1 is completed, as shown in FIG. 6B, the display of the 1-1 display area 23A is used from the available state. It changes to the impossible state.

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

If the authenticator 25 does not receive the radio wave and determines that the reserved user is not approaching the charging station 16 (step S216: NO), the control device 44 repeats the process of step S216. If 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 unit 21. The display of the first display 23 and the second display 24 corresponding to the slot is changed to a display of an available state indicating that lending is possible (step S218).

When the unusable state is displayed in the 1-1 display area 23A in the state shown in FIG. 6B, as shown in FIG. 7A, the radio wave transmitted from the radio transmitter operated by the subscriber Is received by the authenticator 25, 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 one display area 23A changes from the unavailable state to the available state.

The user who sees the display on the first display 23 determines that the detachable battery 14 housed in the 1-1 slot 21-1 corresponding to the 1-1 display area 23A is a reserved detachable battery. Can be recognized. The reserved user starts replacing the detachable battery 14 by holding the NFC card over the authenticator 25.

(4) The control device 44 performs the authentication process of the reservation user using the NFC card held by the reservation user, and determines whether the 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 collate the reserved user. Thereby, the reservation user who requests replacement of the detachable battery 14 is specified.

Alternatively, the control device 44 may perform the authentication process of the reserved user without using the authenticator 25. For example, the control device 44 associates the user ID and the 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 associated with the battery ID. You may.

In this case, after the authentication of the reserved user is completed, the control device 44 releases the association between the user ID and the battery ID of the used battery 14u. Then, the control device 44 newly associates the user ID with the battery ID of the charged battery 14c to be lent. Thereby, user authentication can be repeatedly performed.

After that, the control device 44 transmits the acquired information (for example, battery ID / use history information) to the management server 18 via the communication module 40 and the network NW in a state where the information is associated with the user ID.

The control device 44 determines whether the lending of the reserved detachable battery 14 is completed by the reserved user holding the NFC card and then taking out the charged battery 14c (step S220). When determining that the lending of the reserved detachable battery 14 has not been completed (step S220: NO), the control device 44 repeats the process of step S220. When it is determined that the lending of the reserved detachable battery 14 is completed (step S220: YES), the control device 44 stores the slot in which the reserved detachable battery 14 has been accommodated and the detachable battery 14 has been accommodated. The display of the usage status of the missing slot is adjusted (step S222).

Specifically, the control device 44 displays a display in the 1-1 display area 23A indicating the accommodation state of the 1-1 slot 21-1 in which the reserved detachable battery 14 has been accommodated in FIG. 8) is changed to the uncontained state shown in FIG. The control device 44 displays a first-fourth display area 23D indicating the accommodation state of the first-fourth slot 21-4 from the state where the detachable battery 14 is not accommodated to the state where the used battery 14u is accommodated. The state is changed from the uncontained state shown in FIG. 7B to the unusable state shown in FIG. In this way, the detachable battery 14 is lent to the reservation user.

As described above, in the detachable battery lending system 10, lending of the detachable battery 14 stored in the charging station 16 can be reserved. Here, for example, when the reserved state is displayed while the reserved detachable battery 14 is stored, the non-reserved user performs the lending operation of the detachable battery 14 at the charging station 16. It is possible. However, since the detachable battery 14 is in a reserved state, the unreserved user removes the used battery 14u from the motorcycle 12, for example, after starting the lending operation and transports it to the charging station 16, and then removes the detachable battery. It is assumed that 14 people will know that they cannot receive a loan. In particular, when the slot (for example, the 1-1 slot 21-1) is provided with an opening / closing lid (for example, the opening / closing lid 21-1B), the non-reserved user opens the opening / closing lid and opens the accommodation section (for example, the accommodation section). After storing the used battery 14u in 21-1A), the user may know that the charged battery 14c cannot be rented.

In this regard, in the detachable battery lending system 10 described above, when lending of the detachable battery 14 is reserved, even if the slot in which the charged battery 14c is accommodated, the indication of the accommodation state is as follows. An unusable state is displayed in the display area of the first display 23 or the second display 24 (for example, the 1-1 display area 23A). The non-reserved user can be made to recognize that the used battery 14u to be rented is not stored in the charging station 16. Therefore, even if there is a slot accommodating the charged battery 14c, a non-reserved user who cannot receive lending of the detachable battery recognizes that lending of the detachable battery cannot be received without approaching the charging station 16. It is possible to suppress unnecessary work of non-reserved users.

In addition, if the unusable state is simply displayed as an indication of the accommodation state of the slot for accommodating the detachable battery 14 for which lending has been reserved, there is a concern that the reserved user may misunderstand that the lending of the detachable battery 14 cannot be received. is there. In this regard, in the detachable battery lending system 10 described above, the authenticator 25 detects the radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitter of the reservation user, and the display of the accommodation state of the slot accommodating the detachable battery 14 is disabled. Change to a usable state from. For this reason, the reservation user can recognize that the detachable battery 14 to be rented is available by operating the radio wave transmitter in the vicinity of the charging station 16. You can avoid misunderstanding that you cannot get a loan.

(4) The portable terminal 28 owned by the reservation user indicates that the unavailable state is displayed as the accommodation state of the slot in which the reserved detachable battery 14 is accommodated. For this reason, even if the reservation user is in the charging station 16 where the reserved detachable battery 14 is stored, even if the first display 23 and the second display 24 display the unavailable state, the reservation user is It can be recognized that battery lending is possible.

In addition, a user who uses the detachable battery lending by the detachable battery lending system 10 a plurality of times can reserve the first display 23 and the second display 24 by reserving the lending of the detachable battery 14. In many cases, the user recognizes that the status display is in the unusable state. In this case, since the user can cancel the provision of the notification mode information, the reservation user who has already recognized that the detachable battery 14 can be lent even if the unusable state is displayed. Provision of useless information can be suppressed.

利用 The usable state and the unusable state are displayed in the display area of the first display 23 or the second display 24. Therefore, the reserved user and the non-reserved user can visually recognize whether or not the removable battery 14 can be used.

In the detachable battery lending system 10 described above, a slot (for example, the 1-1st slot 21-1) is provided with a housing (for example, the housing 21-1A) and an opening / closing lid (for example, the opening / closing lid 21-1B). I have. For this reason, the surface of the detachable battery 14 housed in the housing part can be prevented from being soiled by the opening / closing lid. In addition, since the storage state of the detachable battery 14 stored in the slot is displayed on the first display 23 and the second display 24, the opening / closing lid is closed and the detachable battery stored in the storage portion is visually recognized. If not, the user will be able to recognize the removable battery 14 that is available.

In addition, in the detachable battery lending system 10 described above, the reservation control unit 50 measures the reservation time of the detachable battery 14 by the reservation user, and adjusts the reservation amount higher as the reservation time is longer. For this reason, when occupation by the specific user when the detachable battery 14 is not used is performed, the billing amount for the user increases, so that occupation by the specific user when the detachable battery 14 is not used can be suppressed. For this reason, the lending of the detachable battery 14 can be suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Alternatively, the respective configurations may be arbitrarily combined as long as no technical inconsistency occurs.

In the embodiment described above, the storage state of the detachable battery 14 in each slot in the first slot portion 21 and the second slot portion 22 of the charging station 16 is displayed on the first display 23 and the second display 24. However, you may make it display on another display. For example, a lamp corresponding to the slot may be provided, and the accommodation state of each slot may be notified by lighting or blinking of the lamp, or the outer frame of each slot is surrounded by illuminations, and each slot is turned on or blinked by illuminations. May be reported.

The storage state of the detachable battery 14 may be reported using a device other than the display device (for example, a display device or a speaker). For example, the storage state of the detachable battery 14 may be notified by voice, or a device that can sense a change by touching with a hand or the like may be used. These may be combined, for example, to notify the storage state of the detachable battery 14 by display on a display device and audio output from a speaker.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage state of the removable battery 14 in each slot is reported, but the storage state of the removable battery 14 in a plurality of slots may be reported. In this case, if the charged battery 14c is stored in any of the plurality of slots, the available state is displayed, and when all of the detachable batteries 14 to be displayed as the stored state are the used batteries 14u. , An unusable state may be displayed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of slots are respectively fixed, but the plurality of slots are movable by the moving mechanism, and each slot is movable between the storage location and the loading / unloading location. Is also good. In this case, the storage state of the detachable battery 14 in the plurality of slots may be notified. The moving mechanism may be, for example, a rotary turntable or a so-called puzzle-type moving structure.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the opening / closing lid is provided, but the opening / closing lid may not be provided. In an example in which the plurality of 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 is inserted / removed when the opening / closing gate is open. Alternatively, each slot may be moved when the opening / closing gate is closed.

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

In the above-described embodiment, the longer the reservation time of the detachable battery 14 is, the higher the reservation amount is. However, according to another embodiment, the longer the reservation time is, the larger the charge degree associated with the reservation of the detachable battery is. You may make it. For example, the longer the reservation time is, the higher the usage fee itself of the detachable battery 14 may be. As an example of increasing the usage fee, for example, the coefficient by which the usage fee is multiplied may be adjusted according to the reservation time, or the usage fee is determined by setting an amount table according to the reservation time. You may do so. In this case, the reservation amount may or may not be set. Further, when the cancellation is performed after the reservation of the detachable battery 14, the charge degree when the detachable battery 14 is used next time may be increased. Also in this case, the charging degree may be increased as the reservation time until the cancellation is performed is longer.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detachable battery lending system 10 operates according to the exchange procedure (return to lending) for taking out the charged battery 14c after loading the used battery 14u. Lending → returning). In addition, the detachable battery lending system 10 may be configured to replace not only the detachable batteries 14 one by one but also a plurality of detachable batteries 14 simultaneously.

In the above-described embodiment, the detachable battery lending system 10 is applied to the motorcycle 12 (electric vehicle), but may be applied to a mobile object including a four-wheeled vehicle. Also, as long as the device (electric power utilization device) can be used by mounting the detachable battery 14, the type of the device or the purpose of use is not limited.

The embodiment described above can be expressed as follows.
(1) One aspect of the embodiment is a detachable battery detachably attached to a power use device, a charging station for storing and charging the detachable battery, and the detachable battery stored in the charging station. Notification means for notifying whether or not the use of the removable battery is available, and detection means for detecting a reservation user who has reserved the use of the removable battery, wherein the notification means is that the removable battery reserved by the reserved user is When being stored, the detachable battery is notified that the detachable battery cannot be used, and the detachable battery is notified that the detachable battery is available on condition that the detecting unit detects the reserved user. This is a battery lending system.

The mode of (2) is the mode of (1), wherein the reservation means for reserving the detachable battery based on the reservation information provided by the reservation user; And information providing means for providing, to the reservation user, notification mode information indicating that the use of the detachable battery is permitted or not.

態 様 The aspect (3) according to the aspect (2) further includes a canceling unit that cancels the provision of the notification mode information by the information providing unit.

態 様 (4) is the display device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the notifying unit includes a display unit for displaying whether the detachable battery can be used.

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

According to a sixth aspect, in the first aspect according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the timer is configured to measure a reservation time of the detachable battery by the reservation user, and based on reservation information provided by the reservation user. A charging adjustment unit that adjusts a charging degree associated with the reservation of the detachable battery, wherein the charging adjustment means increases the charging degree as the reservation time measured by the clocking unit is longer.

(7) According to another aspect of the embodiment, a detachable battery detachably attached to the power use device, a charging station for storing and charging the detachable battery, and the charging station stored in the charging station. When lending the detachable battery by a detachable battery lending system, comprising: a notifying unit for notifying the availability of the detachable battery, and a detecting unit for detecting a reservation user who has reserved the use of the detachable battery, The notifying unit notifies that the detachable battery is unusable when the detachable battery reserved by the reserved user is stored, and the detaching unit is provided on condition that the detecting unit detects the reserved user. A lending method of a detachable battery characterized by notifying that a rechargeable battery is available.

10. Removable battery rental system (battery utilization system)
12. Motorcycle (power equipment)
14: detachable battery 14c: charged battery 14u: used battery 16: charging station (storage device)
18 management servers 21 and 22 slot units 21-1 to 21-4, 22-1 to 22-4 slot 21-1A accommodation unit 21-1B opening / closing lids 23 and 24 indicators 23A to 23D and 24A ~ 24D ... display area 25 ... authenticator 26 ... charger 28 ... portable terminal NW ... network

Claims (12)

1. A battery detachably attached to a power device that uses electric power,
   A storage device for storing the battery,
   A reporting unit that reports information about the availability of the battery stored in the storage device,
   A detection unit that detects a reserved user who is a user who has reserved the use of the battery by non-contact or contact,
   The notification unit is
   When the reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reserved user, is stored in the storage device, based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user, notifies that the reserved battery is available,
   Battery utilization system.
2. The notifying unit, the reserved battery is stored in the storage device, and when the detecting unit does not detect the reserved user, reports that the reserved battery is unavailable,
   The battery utilization system according to claim 1.
3. A reservation unit that reserves use of the battery based on reservation information provided by the user;
   An information providing unit configured to provide, to the user, notification information indicating that use of the reserved reserved battery is not allowed, when the reservation unit reserves use of the battery.
   The battery utilization system according to claim 1.
4. An input unit for receiving an operation input of the reservation user is further provided,
   The information providing unit cancels providing the notification information according to the operation of the reservation user on the input unit.
   The battery utilization system according to claim 3.
5. The notification unit has a display unit that displays the information on the availability of the battery,
   The battery utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The storage device includes a storage unit that stores the battery, and an opening / closing member that opens and closes an opening of the storage unit when the battery is removed from the storage unit or when the battery is stored in the storage unit. Have,
   The battery utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines an amount of charge associated with the battery reservation based on the reservation information provided by the user.
   The battery utilization system according to claim 3.
8. The reservation user further includes a timer that measures the time elapsed since the reservation of the use of the reserved battery,
   The determining unit, the longer the time measured by the clock unit, the larger the amount of the charge,
   A battery utilization system according to claim 7.
9. An accommodating portion for accommodating a battery detachably attached to a power device using electric power,
   A notifying unit that notifies information about the availability of the battery stored in the storage unit,
   A detection unit that detects a non-contact or contact of a reserved user who is a user who has reserved use of the battery stored in the storage unit,
   The notification unit is
   When a reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reserved user, is stored in the storage unit, the detection unit notifies the user that the reserved battery is available based on detecting the reserved user.
   Storage device.
10. An accommodating portion for accommodating a battery detachably attached to a power device using electric power, an informing portion for informing information on availability of the battery accommodated in the accommodating portion, and an accommodating portion for accommodating the accommodating portion A detection unit that detects a reserved user who is a user who has reserved the use of the battery by non-contact or contact,
    When the reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reserved user, is stored in the storage unit, the reserved battery can be used for the notification unit based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user. Including the step of notifying
    Battery usage.
11. An accommodating portion for accommodating a battery detachably attached to a power device using electric power, an informing portion for informing information on availability of the battery accommodated in the accommodating portion, and an accommodating portion for accommodating the accommodating portion A detection unit that detects a reserved user who is a user who has reserved the use of the battery by non-contact or contact,
    When the reserved battery, which is the battery reserved by the reserved user, is stored in the storage unit, the reserved battery can be used for the notification unit based on the detection unit detecting the reserved user. To inform,
    program.
12. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 11.

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