WO2024071202A1 - Système de gestion, dispositif de gestion et procédé de gestion - Google Patents

Système de gestion, dispositif de gestion et procédé de gestion Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024071202A1
WO2024071202A1 PCT/JP2023/035152 JP2023035152W WO2024071202A1 WO 2024071202 A1 WO2024071202 A1 WO 2024071202A1 JP 2023035152 W JP2023035152 W JP 2023035152W WO 2024071202 A1 WO2024071202 A1 WO 2024071202A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
information
user
unit
battery
delivery
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PCT/JP2023/035152
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
林健太郎
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本田技研工業株式会社
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Publication of WO2024071202A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024071202A1/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/20—Administration of product repair or maintenance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/10—Services

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a management system, a management device, and a management method.
  • JP 2016-12291 A discloses a vehicle sharing system that includes multiple bicycles for sharing, multiple bicycle parking areas capable of accommodating a predetermined number of bicycles, and a management device installed in each bicycle parking area.
  • the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.
  • the first aspect of the present invention is a management system for managing a mobile battery shared by multiple users, comprising a management device, the management device comprising a usage history information acquisition unit that acquires usage history information that is information indicating the usage history of the mobile battery, and a status determination unit that determines whether the mobile battery has reached a usage restriction state in which usage should be restricted, based on the usage history information.
  • a second aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages a mobile battery shared by multiple users, and includes a usage history information acquisition unit that acquires usage history information that is information indicating the usage history of the mobile battery, and a status determination unit that determines whether the mobile battery has reached a usage restriction state in which usage should be restricted, based on the usage history information.
  • a third aspect of the present invention is a method for managing a mobile battery shared by multiple users, comprising the steps of acquiring usage history information that indicates the usage history of the mobile battery, and determining whether the mobile battery has reached a usage restriction state in which usage should be restricted, based on the usage history information.
  • the present invention makes it possible to effectively manage a mobile battery shared by multiple users.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a sharing system according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile battery.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a user terminal.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a delivery person terminal.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a management device.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the user terminal.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the user terminal.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a sharing system according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile battery.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a user terminal.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the delivery/collection terminal.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the delivery/collection terminal.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the user terminal.
  • FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the delivery/collection terminal.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the collector/deliverer terminal.
  • FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the collector/deliverer terminal.
  • FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of a user terminal.
  • FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the user terminal.
  • FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of a user terminal.
  • FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the flow of people arriving within a predetermined area and the installation positions of battery holders.
  • FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the flow of people arriving within a predetermined area and the installation positions of battery holders.
  • FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a user terminal according to the first modification.
  • FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a delivery person terminal according to the second modification.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a sharing system 10 according to one embodiment.
  • the sharing system 10 is a system for sharing a mobile battery 100 among multiple users.
  • the sharing system 10 may include a battery station 12. Note that a person who has completed user registration, which will be described later, may be considered a user in this embodiment, but is not limited to this.
  • the battery station 12 is a facility in which multiple mobile batteries 100 can be placed.
  • the battery station 12 is installed, for example, by an operating company that operates the sharing system 10. Multiple battery stations 12 can be installed in a city.
  • the sharing system 10 can include multiple battery stations 12.
  • a user can borrow a mobile battery 100 that is placed in a battery station 12.
  • the user can return the borrowed mobile battery 100 to the operating company by placing the borrowed mobile battery 100 in the battery station 12.
  • the battery station 12 can be installed in commercial facilities, stores, etc. in a city, but is not limited to this.
  • the battery station 12 may be provided with a charger (charging equipment, charging device) 14.
  • the charger 14 may charge the mobile battery 100.
  • the charger 14 may be provided with a battery port 14a.
  • the number of battery ports 14a may be one or more.
  • the mobile battery 100 may be arranged in the battery port 14a.
  • the charger 14 may charge the mobile battery 100 arranged in the battery port 14a.
  • the battery station 12 may further be provided with a control computer (not shown).
  • the control computer is provided in the charger 14, for example.
  • the control computer includes a processor, a memory, an input/output interface, etc.
  • the control computer is also connected to a network NW.
  • the network NW is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet.
  • the control computer may communicate with a management device 400, which will be described later.
  • the control computer may acquire battery information from the mobile battery 100 arranged in the battery station 12 in which the control computer is provided.
  • the battery information may include identification information of the mobile battery 100.
  • the battery information may also include information indicating the SoC (State of Charge) of the mobile battery 100.
  • the battery information may include information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the control computer of the battery station 12 may transmit the acquired battery information to the management device 400 described below.
  • the operating company that operates the sharing system 10 may collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the user through a collector/deliverer. This allows the user to borrow the mobile battery 100 from the collector/deliverer without visiting the battery station 12. The user may also return the mobile battery 100 to the collector/deliverer without visiting the battery station 12.
  • a collector/deliverer that can deliver the mobile battery 100 to a user is also referred to as a deliverer.
  • a collector/deliverer that can collect the mobile battery 100 from a user is also referred to as a collector.
  • a collector who collects the mobile battery 100 from a user may return the mobile battery 100 to the battery station 12, or may deliver the mobile battery 100 to another user as a deliverer. Note that a person who has completed the collector/deliverer registration described below may correspond to a collector/deliverer in this embodiment, but is not limited to this.
  • the sharing system 10 further includes a management system 16.
  • the management system 16 is a system that manages the mobile battery 100 shared by multiple users.
  • the management system 16 can manage the collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 shared by multiple users. In other words, the management system 16 can manage the delivery of the mobile battery 100 to multiple users and the collection of the mobile battery 100 from multiple users.
  • the management system 16 includes a mobile terminal 200, a terminal device 300, and a management device 400.
  • the mobile terminal 200, the terminal device 300, and the management device 400 can be connected to a network NW.
  • the mobile terminal 200 is a terminal carried by a user. In the following description, the mobile terminal 200 is also referred to as a user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 is, for example, a smartphone. Although the number of user terminals 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 is two, the number of user terminals 200 is not limited to two. A more detailed description of the user terminal 200 will be provided later.
  • the terminal device 300 is a terminal carried by a collector/deliverer. In the following description, the terminal device 300 is also referred to as a collector/deliverer terminal 300.
  • the collector/deliverer terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone. Although the number of collector/deliverer terminals 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 is two, the number of collector/deliverer terminals 300 is not limited to two. A more detailed description of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 will be provided later.
  • the management device 400 is a computer (server) for managing the mobile battery 100 shared by multiple users.
  • the management device 400 is provided in, for example, a data center 18 managed by an operating company that operates the management system 16.
  • the management device 400 can communicate with the user terminal 200 via the network NW.
  • the management device 400 can communicate with the delivery/collection terminal 300 via the network NW. A more detailed explanation of the management device 400 will be given later.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a mobile battery 100.
  • the mobile battery 100 includes a battery cell 102, a lighting unit 104, a positioning unit 106, a communication unit 108, a calculation unit 110, and a memory unit (battery memory unit) 112.
  • the mobile battery 100 may also include a speaker.
  • a program for causing a computer to execute the management method according to this embodiment may be pre-installed in the mobile battery 100. A more detailed explanation of the management method will be given later.
  • An electric charge can be stored in the battery cell 102.
  • the amount of electric charge stored in the battery cell 102 is the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the lighting unit 104 includes, for example, an LED (Light emitting diode) lamp. By emitting light, the lighting unit 104 can allow people in the vicinity of the mobile battery 100 to recognize the location of the mobile battery 100.
  • LED Light emitting diode
  • the positioning unit 106 may be equipped with a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) sensor.
  • the GNSS sensor uses a satellite positioning system to obtain location information that indicates the current location of the mobile battery 100.
  • the communication unit 108 is, for example, configured with a communication device for wireless communication.
  • the communication unit 108 can perform wireless communication via the network NW.
  • the communication unit 108 may perform communication using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).
  • the communication unit 108 may also perform communication (short-range communication) using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.
  • the communication unit 108 can communicate with the user terminal 200, the delivery/collection terminal 300, and the management device 400.
  • the communication unit 108 can also communicate with the control computer of the battery station 12.
  • the calculation unit 110 may be configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). In other words, the calculation unit 110 may be configured by a processing circuit.
  • a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).
  • the calculation unit 110 may be configured by a processing circuit.
  • the memory unit 112 may be provided with a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory may include a RAM (Random Access Memory). Examples of the non-volatile memory may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a flash memory. Data, etc. may be stored in the volatile memory, for example. Programs, tables, maps, etc. may be stored in the non-volatile memory, for example. At least a portion of the memory unit 112 may be provided in a processor, integrated circuit, etc. as described above.
  • the calculation unit 110 may be provided with a control unit 114, a capacity information acquisition unit 116, and a notification unit 118.
  • the control unit 114, the capacity information acquisition unit 116, and the notification unit 118 may be realized by the calculation unit 110 executing a program stored in the memory unit 112.
  • control unit 114 the capacity information acquisition unit 116, and the notification unit 118 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).
  • control unit 114, the capacity information acquisition unit 116, and the notification unit 118 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.
  • the control unit 114 is responsible for the overall control of the mobile battery 100. For example, the control unit 114 supplies the location information acquired by the positioning unit 106 to the management device 400 via the communication unit 108.
  • the capacity information acquisition unit 116 acquires information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 is also referred to as remaining capacity information in the following description.
  • the capacity information acquisition unit 116 acquires the remaining capacity information based on the amount of charge stored in the battery cell 102, for example.
  • the remaining capacity information acquired by the capacity information acquisition unit 116 can be supplied to the management device 400 by the control unit 114 via the communication unit 108.
  • the remaining capacity information acquired by the capacity information acquisition unit 116 can be supplied to the control computer of the above-mentioned battery station 12 as at least a part of the battery information.
  • the notification unit 118 controls the lighting unit 104 to make the lighting unit 104 emit light. This allows the user to recognize the location of the mobile battery 100 that the user is to receive. On the other hand, a delivery person can recognize that the user who is to receive the mobile battery 100 is nearby by visually checking the emission of light from the lighting unit 104 of the mobile battery 100 held by the delivery person. Whether or not the user has approached the mobile battery 100 can be determined based on whether or not the user position, which is the position of the user, is within a predetermined range from the position of the mobile battery 100. Information indicating the user position can be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 described later.
  • the notification unit 118 may output sound from the speaker when the user approaches the mobile battery 100.
  • the user can grasp the location of the mobile battery 100 by listening to the sound output from the speaker.
  • the delivery person can tell that the user is nearby by listening to the sound output from the speaker.
  • the notification unit 118 may control the lighting unit 104 to illuminate the lighting unit 104 when a collector who is scheduled to collect the mobile battery 100 approaches the mobile battery 100.
  • the collector may recognize the location of the mobile battery 100 by visually checking the light emission.
  • a user may recognize that the collector who is scheduled to collect the mobile battery 100 is nearby by visually checking the light emission.
  • Whether or not the collector has approached the mobile battery 100 may be determined based on whether or not the collector's position, which is the position of the collector, is within a predetermined range from the position of the mobile battery 100.
  • Information indicating the collector's position may be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 described later.
  • the notification unit 118 may output sound from the speaker when the collector approaches the mobile battery 100.
  • the collector may understand the location of the mobile battery 100 by listening to the sound output from the speaker. The user can hear the sound output from the speaker to know that a collector is nearby.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 includes an operation unit 202, a display unit 204, a positioning unit 206, a communication unit 208, a calculation unit 210, and a storage unit 212.
  • the user terminal 200 may further include a speaker (not shown), a microphone (not shown), a camera (not shown), etc.
  • a program for causing a computer to execute the management method according to this embodiment, etc., may be pre-installed in the user terminal 200.
  • the user terminal 200 is a terminal held by a user.
  • the operation unit 202 can be used when the user operates the user terminal 200.
  • the display unit 204 is provided with a display element (not shown).
  • the display element is, for example, a liquid crystal display element, an organic electroluminescence display element, or the like. At least a part of the operation unit 202 and the display unit 204 may be configured by a touch panel (not shown) provided with such a display element.
  • the positioning unit 206 may be equipped with a GNSS sensor.
  • the GNSS sensor uses a satellite positioning system to obtain information indicating the current position of the user terminal 200.
  • the position of the user terminal 200 essentially indicates the user position, which is the position of the user who possesses the user terminal 200.
  • the positioning unit 206 can obtain user position information, which is information indicating the user position.
  • the communication unit 208 is configured, for example, by a communication device for wireless communication.
  • the communication unit 208 can perform wireless communication via the network NW.
  • the communication unit 208 may perform communication using a wireless LAN.
  • the communication unit 208 may also perform communication using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.
  • the communication unit 208 can communicate with the management device 400.
  • the communication unit 208 can also communicate with the control computer of the battery station 12.
  • the calculation unit 210 may be configured by a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. In other words, the calculation unit 210 may be configured by a processing circuit.
  • the storage unit 212 may include a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory may include a RAM, etc. Examples of the non-volatile memory may include a ROM, a flash memory, etc. Data, etc. may be stored in the volatile memory, for example. Programs, tables, maps, etc. may be stored in the non-volatile memory, for example. At least a portion of the storage unit 212 may be provided in a processor, an integrated circuit, etc. as described above. For example, information received by the user terminal 200 from the management device 400 via the communication unit 208 may be stored in the storage unit 212.
  • the calculation unit 210 may be provided with a control unit 214, an information providing unit 216, and a request information generating unit 218.
  • the control unit 214, the information providing unit 216, and the request information generating unit 218 may be realized by the calculation unit 210 executing a program stored in the memory unit 212.
  • control unit 214 the information providing unit 216, and the request information generating unit 218 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • control unit 214, the information providing unit 216, and the request information generating unit 218 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.
  • the control unit 214 is responsible for the overall control of the user terminal 200. For example, the control unit 214 supplies the user position information acquired by the positioning unit 206 to the management device 400 via the communication unit 208.
  • the control unit 214 also provides the user with a UI (User Interface) for the user to request collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the control unit 214 controls the display unit 204 to display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the user to request collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 on the display unit 204.
  • the control unit 214 can transmit a collection and delivery request for the mobile battery 100 to the management device 400 via the communication unit 208.
  • the information providing unit 216 controls the display unit 204, speaker, etc. provided on the user terminal 200 to provide the user with collection and delivery information.
  • the collection and delivery information is information about a collection and delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the user.
  • the collection and delivery information indicates, for example, the location of a collection and delivery person within a specified range from the user.
  • the collection and delivery information is generated by the information generating unit 418 described later. A more detailed explanation of the collection and delivery information and the information generating unit 418 will be provided later.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a delivery person terminal 300.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 300 includes an operation unit 302, a display unit 304, a positioning unit 306, a communication unit 308, a calculation unit 310, and a memory unit 312.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 300 may further include a speaker (not shown), a microphone (not shown), a camera (not shown), etc.
  • a program for causing a computer to execute the management method according to this embodiment, etc., may be pre-installed in the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 300 is a terminal held by a delivery person.
  • the operation unit 302 can be used when a delivery person operates the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the display unit 304 is provided with a display element (not shown).
  • the display element is, for example, a liquid crystal display element, an organic electroluminescence display element, etc. At least a part of the operation unit 302 and the display unit 304 may be configured by a touch panel (not shown) provided with such a display element.
  • the positioning unit 306 may be equipped with a GNSS sensor.
  • the GNSS sensor uses a satellite positioning system to obtain information indicating the current position of the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the position of the delivery person terminal 300 essentially indicates the delivery person position, which is the position of the delivery person who possesses the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the positioning unit 306 can obtain delivery person position information, which is information indicating the delivery person position.
  • the collector/delivery person location will also be referred to as the deliverer location, and the collector/delivery person location information will also be referred to as the deliverer location information.
  • the collector/delivery person location will also be referred to as the collector location, and the collector/delivery person location information will also be referred to as the collector location information.
  • the communication unit 308 is configured, for example, by a communication device for wireless communication.
  • the communication unit 308 can perform wireless communication via the network NW.
  • the communication unit 308 may perform communication using a wireless LAN.
  • the communication unit 308 may also perform communication using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.
  • the communication unit 308 can communicate with the management device 400.
  • the communication unit 308 can also communicate with the control computer of the battery station 12.
  • the calculation unit 310 may be configured by a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. In other words, the calculation unit 310 may be configured by a processing circuit.
  • the memory unit 312 may be provided with a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory may include RAM, etc. Examples of the non-volatile memory may include ROM, flash memory, etc. Data, etc. may be stored in the volatile memory, for example. Programs, tables, maps, etc. may be stored in the non-volatile memory, for example. At least a portion of the memory unit 312 may be provided in a processor, integrated circuit, etc. as described above. For example, information received by the delivery/collection terminal 300 from the management device 400 via the communication unit 308 may be stored in the memory unit 312.
  • the calculation unit 310 may be provided with a control unit 314, an information providing unit 316, and a request receiving unit 318.
  • the control unit 314, the information providing unit 316, and the request receiving unit 318 may be realized by the calculation unit 310 executing a program stored in the memory unit 312.
  • control unit 314, the information providing unit 316, and the request receiving unit 318 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • control unit 314, the information providing unit 316, and the request receiving unit 318 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.
  • the control unit 314 is responsible for the overall control of the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the control unit 314 supplies the delivery person position information acquired by the positioning unit 306 to the management device 400 via the communication unit 308.
  • the information providing unit 316 controls the display unit 304, speaker, etc. provided on the collector/deliver terminal 300 to provide user information to the collector/deliver.
  • the user information is information about a user who may require collection and delivery of a mobile battery 100.
  • the user information indicates, for example, the location of a user who is within a specified range from the collector/deliver.
  • the user information is generated by the information generating unit 418 (see Figure 5), which will be described later. A more detailed explanation of the user information and the information generating unit 418 will be provided later.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a management device 400.
  • the management device 400 includes a communication unit 402, a calculation unit 404, and a storage unit 406.
  • a program for causing a computer to execute the management method according to this embodiment may be pre-installed in the management device 400.
  • the management device 400 is a server computer for managing the mobile battery 100.
  • the communication unit 402 is configured, for example, by a communication device (not shown).
  • the communication unit 402 can communicate with the user terminal 200 and receive user position information from the user terminal 200.
  • the communication unit 402 can communicate with the delivery/collection terminal 300 and receive delivery/collection position information from the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • the communication unit 402 can communicate with the mobile battery 100 or the battery station 12 (control computer) and receive battery information.
  • the calculation unit 404 may be configured by a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. In other words, the calculation unit 404 may be configured by a processing circuit.
  • the storage unit 406 may be provided with a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory may include a RAM, etc. Examples of the non-volatile memory may include a ROM, a flash memory, etc. Data, etc. may be stored in the volatile memory, for example. Programs, tables, maps, etc. may be stored in the non-volatile memory, for example. At least a portion of the storage unit 406 may be provided in a processor, an integrated circuit, etc. as described above. Furthermore, the storage unit 406 may further be provided with a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.
  • HDD Hard Disk Drive
  • SSD Solid State Drive
  • the memory unit 406 may store, for example, information received by the communication unit 402 from the user terminal 200, the collector/delivery terminal 300, etc.
  • the memory unit 406 may also store, for example, information generated by the information generation unit 418 described below.
  • the memory unit 406 may further store map information.
  • the memory unit 406 may also store information indicating the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100.
  • the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100 may include, for example, information indicating the collector who collected and delivered the mobile battery 100 to the user, information indicating the user to whom the mobile battery 100 was collected, and information indicating the collected and delivered mobile battery 100.
  • the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100 may further include information indicating the location (user location) where a collection and delivery request for the mobile battery 100 was made, information indicating the date and time when the collection and delivery request was made, and information indicating the meeting place between the user and the collector/delivery person described below.
  • Information indicating the delivery person who collected the mobile battery 100 for the user, information indicating the user to whom the mobile battery 100 was collected, information indicating the collected mobile battery 100, information indicating the location where the collection and delivery request for the mobile battery 100 was made, information indicating the date and time when the collection and delivery request was made, and information indicating the meeting place between the user and the delivery person described below can be associated in the collection and delivery history.
  • the calculation unit 404 may include a control unit 408, a registration reception unit 410, a location information acquisition unit 412, a future location prediction unit 414, a battery information acquisition unit 416, an information generation unit 418, and a proposal unit 420.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include a past demand information generation unit 422, a collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424, a usage history information acquisition unit 426, a status determination unit 428, a maximum charging capacity determination unit 430, and a replacement time estimation unit 432.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include an inventory shortage station determination unit 434, an inventory surplus station determination unit 436, a requested collection and delivery person selection unit 438, and a delivery restriction collection and delivery person selection unit 440.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include a low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442, a time margin determination unit 444, a bonus granting unit 446, a remaining capacity information acquisition unit 448, and a mobile battery selection unit 450.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include a high remaining capacity battery determination unit 452, a time series data acquisition unit 454, and a long-term high remaining capacity battery determination unit 456.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include an operation status information acquisition unit 458, a rest necessity determination unit 460, a provision information selection unit 462, a collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464, and a malfunction information acquisition unit 466.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include a charging status information acquisition unit 468 and a collection request information distribution unit 470.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include a usage demand information acquisition unit 472, an operation instruction notification unit 474, and an operation location notification unit 476.
  • the calculation unit 404 may further include a delivery request information distribution unit 478, a people flow data acquisition unit 480, a holder position determination unit 482, and a delivery destination information provision unit 484.
  • the control unit 408, the registration reception unit 410, the location information acquisition unit 412, the future location prediction unit 414, the battery information acquisition unit 416, the information generation unit 418, and the proposal unit 420 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing the programs stored in the memory unit 406.
  • the past demand information generation unit 422, the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424, the usage history information acquisition unit 426, the status determination unit 428, the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430, and the replacement time estimation unit 432 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing the programs stored in the memory unit 406.
  • the inventory shortage station determination unit 434, the inventory excess station determination unit 436, the requested collection and delivery person selection unit 438, and the delivery restriction collection and delivery person selection unit 440 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing the programs stored in the memory unit 406.
  • the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442, the time margin determination unit 444, the benefit granting unit 446, the remaining capacity information acquisition unit 448, and the mobile battery selection unit 450 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing a program stored in the storage unit 406.
  • the high remaining capacity battery determination unit 452, the time series data acquisition unit 454, and the long-term high remaining capacity battery determination unit 456 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing a program stored in the storage unit 406.
  • the operation status information acquisition unit 458, the rest necessity determination unit 460, the provision information selection unit 462, the collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464, and the malfunction information acquisition unit 466 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing a program stored in the storage unit 406.
  • the charging status information acquisition unit 468 and the collection request information distribution unit 470 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing a program stored in the storage unit 406.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472, the operation instruction notification unit 474, and the operation location notification unit 476 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing the programs stored in the memory unit 406.
  • the delivery request information distribution unit 478, the people flow data acquisition unit 480, the holder position determination unit 482, and the delivery destination information provision unit 484 can be realized by the calculation unit 404 executing the programs stored in the memory unit 406.
  • At least a portion of the control unit 408, the registration reception unit 410, the location information acquisition unit 412, the future location prediction unit 414, the battery information acquisition unit 416, the information generation unit 418, and the proposal unit 420 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least a portion of the past demand information generation unit 422, the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424, the usage history information acquisition unit 426, the status determination unit 428, the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430, and the replacement time estimation unit 432 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least a portion of the inventory shortage station determination unit 434, the inventory excess station determination unit 436, the requested collection and delivery person selection unit 438, and the delivery restriction collection and delivery person selection unit 440 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least some of the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442, the time margin determination unit 444, the bonus granting unit 446, the remaining capacity information acquisition unit 448, and the mobile battery selection unit 450 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least some of the high remaining capacity battery determination unit 452, the time series data acquisition unit 454, and the long-term high remaining capacity battery determination unit 456 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least some of the operation status information acquisition unit 458, the rest necessity determination unit 460, the provided information selection unit 462, the collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464, and the malfunction information acquisition unit 466 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least some of the charging status information acquisition unit 468 and the collection request information distribution unit 470 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least a portion of the usage demand information acquisition unit 472, the operation instruction notification unit 474, and the operation location notification unit 476 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • At least a portion of the delivery request information distribution unit 478, the people flow data acquisition unit 480, the holder position determination unit 482, and the delivery destination information provision unit 484 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.
  • control unit 408 the registration reception unit 410, the position information acquisition unit 412, the future position prediction unit 414, the battery information acquisition unit 416, the information generation unit 418, and the proposal unit 420 may be configured by electronic circuits including discrete devices.
  • At least a portion of the past demand information generation unit 422, the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424, the usage history information acquisition unit 426, the status determination unit 428, the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430, and the replacement time estimation unit 432 may be configured by electronic circuits including discrete devices.
  • At least a portion of the inventory shortage station determination unit 434, the inventory excess station determination unit 436, the requested collection and delivery person selection unit 438, and the delivery restriction collection and delivery person selection unit 440 may be configured by electronic circuits including discrete devices. At least a part of the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442, the time margin determination unit 444, the bonus granting unit 446, the remaining capacity information acquisition unit 448, and the mobile battery selection unit 450 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device. At least a part of the high remaining capacity battery determination unit 452, the time series data acquisition unit 454, and the long-term high remaining capacity battery determination unit 456 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.
  • At least a part of the operation status information acquisition unit 458, the rest necessity determination unit 460, the provided information selection unit 462, the collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464, and the malfunction information acquisition unit 466 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device. At least a part of the charging status information acquisition unit 468 and the collection request information distribution unit 470 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device. At least a portion of the usage demand information acquisition unit 472, the operation instruction notification unit 474, and the operation location notification unit 476 may be configured by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.
  • the control unit 408 is responsible for the overall control of the management device 400.
  • the control unit 408 can control the communication unit 402 to transmit information stored in the memory unit 406 to the user terminal 200 and the delivery person terminal 300 as appropriate.
  • the registration reception unit 410 accepts user registration by a person who wishes to use the sharing system 10 as a user.
  • a person who wishes to use the sharing system 10 as a user can register as a user using a specific application software that can be installed on a terminal such as a smartphone.
  • the registration reception unit 410 can store identification information, which is information unique to a user who has completed user registration, in the storage unit 406.
  • the user identification information is also referred to as user identification information in the following description.
  • the registration reception unit 410 also accepts delivery and collection agent registrations made by individuals who wish to act as delivery and collection agents. Individuals who wish to act as delivery and collection agents can register as delivery and collection agents using a specific application software that can be installed on a terminal such as a smartphone.
  • the registration reception unit 410 can store in the memory unit 406 identification information, which is information unique to delivery and collection agents who have registered as delivery and collection agents.
  • the identification information of delivery and collection agents is also referred to as delivery and collection agent identification information in the following description.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 acquires user location information received by the communication unit 402 from the user terminal 200.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may acquire user location information sequentially.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may acquire multiple pieces of user location information from multiple user terminals 200.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may store the acquired user location information in the storage unit 406 in association with user identification information.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 also acquires the delivery person location information received by the communication unit 402 from the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may sequentially acquire delivery person location information.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may acquire multiple pieces of delivery person location information from multiple delivery person terminals 300.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may store the acquired delivery person location information in the memory unit 406 in association with delivery person identification information.
  • the future position prediction unit 414 predicts a future user position, which is the user's position in the future. In other words, the future position prediction unit 414 predicts the user's future position.
  • the future position prediction unit 414 predicts the future user position, for example, based on the user's action plan and the user position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 412.
  • the future position prediction unit 414 can store the predicted future user position in the storage unit 406 in association with the user identification information.
  • the user's action plan is information indicating, for example, the user's destination, the user's expected arrival time at the destination, the user's means of transportation to the destination, etc.
  • the user may operate the user terminal 200 to transmit the user's action plan to the management device 400.
  • the future position prediction unit 414 may predict the user's future position based on the user's current action. For example, if the user is using a train, the user's future position may be predicted based on the train's timetable, etc. Also, for example, if the user is walking on a road, the user's future position may be predicted based on map information about the road, the user's moving speed, and the user's moving direction. Also, the future position prediction unit 414 may predict the user's future position based on the user's schedule information.
  • the schedule information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 212 provided in the user terminal 200.
  • the battery information acquisition unit 416 acquires battery information of the mobile battery 100 via the communication unit 402.
  • the battery information may include identification information of the mobile battery 100 and information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the battery information acquisition unit 416 may associate the acquired battery information with the user who possesses the mobile battery 100 indicated by the battery information and store it in the memory unit 406.
  • the battery information acquisition unit 416 may associate the acquired battery information with the delivery person who possesses the mobile battery 100 indicated by the battery information and store it in the memory unit 406.
  • the battery information acquisition unit 416 may associate the acquired battery information with the battery station 12 in which the mobile battery 100 indicated by the battery information is located and store it in the memory unit 406.
  • the control unit 408 may transmit the delivery person information generated by the information generation unit 418 to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information provision unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may display the delivery person information received from the management device 400 on the display unit 204. In this way, the delivery person information is provided to the user.
  • the delivery person information may include information for displaying a graphic indicating the delivery person's location together with the map MP on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 may display the map MP on the display unit 204 and also display a graphic 500 indicating the delivery person's location on the map MP (see also Figures 8 and 9). This allows the user to easily grasp the location of a delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 may further display on the map MP a graphic indicating the position of the user who is carrying the user terminal 200 equipped with the information providing unit 216. This allows the user to easily understand the positional relationship between the user and the delivery person.
  • the information providing unit 216 may acquire user position information from the positioning unit 206 of the user terminal 200, but is not limited to this.
  • the information providing unit 216 may also acquire user position information from the management device 400.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 6 shows an example of providing delivery and collection information to a user.
  • step S1 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires delivery person location information.
  • step S2 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires user location information.
  • step S3 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates delivery person information.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates delivery person information based on the future user position and delivery person position.
  • step S4 the communication unit 402 of the management device 400 transmits the delivery person information generated by the information generation unit 418 to the user terminal 200.
  • step S5 the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 provides the delivery person information received from the management device 400 to the user. That is, the delivery person information is provided to the user using the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 provides the delivery person information to the user, for example, by displaying a map MP on the display unit 204 and displaying a figure indicating the delivery person's position on the map MP. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 6 is completed.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate the delivery person information based on the delivery person position and the future user position. More specifically, the information generating unit 418 may generate the delivery person information based on the delivery person position, the future user position, and map information. As described above, the future user position may be predicted by the future position prediction unit 414 based on the user position. In this case, the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating a delivery person position within a predetermined range from the future user position in the delivery person information. More specifically, the information generating unit 418 may include information for displaying a graphic indicating a delivery person position within a predetermined range from the future user position on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 together with the map MP in the delivery person information.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 7 shows an example in which delivery person information is generated using a future user location.
  • Step S1 in FIG. 7 can be performed in the same manner as step S1 in FIG. 6. Also, step S2 in FIG. 7 can be performed in the same manner as step S2 in FIG. 6.
  • step S6 may be performed after step S2.
  • the future position prediction unit 414 of the management device 400 predicts the future user position.
  • the future position prediction unit 414 predicts the future user position, for example, based on the user position information and the user's action plan.
  • the user position information is acquired in step S2, as described above.
  • the user's action plan is appropriately transmitted by the user to the management device 400 using the user terminal 200, as described above.
  • step S3 is performed after step S6.
  • the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates delivery person information.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates delivery person information based on the future user position and delivery person position.
  • steps S4 and S5 are performed after step S3.
  • Step S4 in FIG. 7 can be performed in the same manner as step S4 in FIG. 6.
  • step S5 in FIG. 7 can be performed in the same manner as step S5 in FIG. 6. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 7 is completed.
  • the information generating unit 418 may vary the content of the delivery/collection information provided to the user depending on whether the user requires delivery of the mobile battery 100 or collection of the mobile battery 100. With this in mind, the information generating unit 418 will be further described.
  • the delivery information about a delivery person is provided to a user who may require delivery of a mobile battery 100.
  • the delivery information about a delivery person is also referred to as delivery person information in the following description.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating a delivery person's position within a predetermined range from the future user's position in the delivery person information based on information indicating the future user's position and the delivery person position information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may also include information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person in the delivery person information based on the battery information acquired by the battery information acquiring unit 416. This allows the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 to provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person. Using the provided delivery person information, the user may easily find a delivery person who can deliver a mobile battery 100 with the remaining capacity desired by the user.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include in the deliverer information information for displaying a graphic indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the deliverer on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200. This allows the information providing unit 216 to display a graphic indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person on the display unit 204 together with the map MP.
  • the graphic indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the deliverer changes at least one of the shape, color, and size according to the remaining capacity, for example. By looking at the display unit 204, the user can easily grasp the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the deliverer.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the deliverer in the deliverer information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may acquire information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the deliverer, for example, based on the collection and delivery history of the mobile batteries 100.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information for displaying a graphic indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the deliverer on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 together with the map MP in the deliverer information. This allows the information providing unit 216 to display a graphic indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the deliverer on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 together with the map MP.
  • the user of the mobile battery 100 can easily find a deliverer who can deliver the number of mobile batteries 100 desired by the user.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200.
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of a case in which collector information is displayed on the display unit 204.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 that has received the deliverer information may cause the display unit 204 to display, for example, the display screen 204a illustrated in FIG. 8.
  • a map MP, a figure 500, a figure 502, and a figure 504 may be displayed on the display screen 204a.
  • the figures 500, 502, and 504 may be displayed on the map MP.
  • the figure 500 indicates the deliverer location (delivery/collection location).
  • the figure 502 indicates the user location. That is, the figure 502 in FIG. 8 indicates the location of the user terminal 200 that is equipped with the display unit 204 that is displaying the display screen 204a in FIG. 8.
  • the figure 504 indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the deliverer.
  • the color, size, etc. of the graphic 504 change depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person.
  • the graphic 504 in FIG. 8 represents a remaining capacity meter that indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • a number of graphics 504 corresponding to the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the delivery person can be displayed on the display screen 204a. In other words, the number of graphics 504 indicates the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the delivery person.
  • the information providing unit 216 may cause the display unit 204 to display information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery.
  • the mobile device battery is, for example, a main battery provided in the user terminal 200. A more detailed explanation of the mobile device battery will be given later. If the user already has a mobile battery 100, the information providing unit 216 may cause the display unit 204 to display information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the information providing unit 216 may further display a figure 506 on the display screen 204a, for example, as shown in FIG. 8.
  • the figure 506 may indicate the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery, or may indicate the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the user has.
  • the display position of the figure 506 is a position on the display screen 204a that avoids the map MP in FIG. 8, but is not limited to this.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 500 indicating the location of the deliverer may change depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the deliverer can deliver.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 500 may change depending on whether or not it indicates a deliverer who can deliver a mobile battery 100 with a remaining capacity greater than that of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user. This allows the user to easily find a deliverer who can deliver a mobile battery 100 with a remaining capacity greater than that of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates the deliverer information based on the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the deliverer can deliver.
  • the user terminal 200 (calculation unit 210) may change the color, size, etc. of the figure 500 indicated in the deliverer information based on the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the deliverer can deliver.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 504 indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person may change according to the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the delivery person can deliver.
  • FIG. 8 The explanation of FIG. 8 is as above, but the information that may be displayed on the display screen 204a for a user who may require delivery of the mobile battery 100 is not limited to the content shown in FIG. 8. This point will be explained later as necessary.
  • the collector/delivery information on the collector is provided to a user who may require the collection of the mobile battery 100.
  • the collector/delivery information on the collector is also referred to as collector information in the following description.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating the collector's position within a predetermined range from the future user's position in the collector information based on the information indicating the future user's position and the collector position information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may also include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can collect in the collector information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can collect based on the difference between the maximum number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can possess and the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector currently possesses.
  • the information indicating the maximum number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can possess may be transmitted in advance to the management device 400 by the collector using the collector terminal 300.
  • the information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector currently possesses may be acquired based on the collection and delivery history of the mobile batteries 100.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200.
  • FIG. 9 shows an example of a case in which collector information is displayed on the display unit 204.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 that receives the collector information may cause the display unit 204 to display, for example, the display screen 204b illustrated in FIG. 9.
  • a map MP, a figure 500, and a figure 502 may be displayed on the display screen 204b.
  • the figure 500 indicates the collector's location (delivery/collection location) on the display screen 204b.
  • the figure 502 indicates the user's location. In other words, the figure 502 in FIG. 9 indicates the location of the user terminal 200 that is equipped with the display unit 204 that is displaying the display screen 204b in FIG. 9.
  • a figure 508 may further be displayed on the display screen 204b.
  • the figure 508 may be displayed on the map MP.
  • the figure 508 indicates that the collector is able to collect the mobile batteries 100.
  • the number added to the figure 508 indicates the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector is able to collect. If the number added to the figure 508 is, for example, "3,” the figure 508 indicates that the collector is able to collect up to three mobile batteries 100. Note that the figure 508 is not limited to this.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 500 indicating the location of the collector may change depending on the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user and the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can collect. In this case, it is preferable that the color, size, etc. of the figure 500 change depending on the number of mobile batteries 100 that the user wishes to collect and the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can collect. For example, the color, size, etc. of the figure 500 may change depending on whether or not it indicates a collector who can collect all of the mobile batteries 100 that the user wishes to collect. This allows the user to easily find a collector who can collect all of the mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates collector information based on information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user and information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can collect.
  • the user terminal 200 (calculating unit 210) may change the color, size, etc. of the figure 500 indicated in the collector information based on information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user and information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can collect.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 508 may change depending on the number of mobile batteries 100 owned by the user and the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector can collect.
  • the information providing unit 216 may display the display screen 204a shown in FIG. 8 and the display screen 204b shown in FIG. 9 together on a single display screen.
  • the information providing unit 216 may further display the figure 508 shown in FIG. 9 on the display screen 204a shown in FIG. 8.
  • the figure 508 is a figure indicating that the collector is able to collect the mobile battery 100. In that case, the delivery company information and the collector information may be provided to the user at the same time (see also FIG. 16).
  • FIG. 9 The explanation of FIG. 9 is as above, but the information that may be displayed on the display screen 204b for a user who may need to retrieve the mobile battery 100 is not limited to the content shown in FIG. 9. This point will be explained later as necessary.
  • the information generating unit 418 described above may generate not only the delivery person information but also the user information.
  • the user information is information about a user who may require collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate the user information based on the user position information and the delivery person position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 412.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating a user position within a predetermined range from the delivery person position in the user information. More specifically, the information generating unit 418 may include information for displaying a figure indicating a user position within a predetermined range from the delivery person position together with the map MP on the display unit 304 of the delivery person terminal 300 in the user information.
  • the predetermined range may be a range within a predetermined distance from the delivery person position, or may be a range within a predetermined time for the delivery person to reach the user position.
  • the control unit 408 may transmit the user information generated by the information generation unit 418 to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information provision unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 may display the user information received from the management device 400 on the display unit 304. In this way, the user information is provided to the delivery person.
  • the user information may include information for displaying a graphic indicating the user's location together with the map MP on the display unit 304 of the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • the information providing unit 316 may display the map MP on the display unit 304 and also display a graphic 600 indicating the user's location on the map MP (see also FIG. 11). This allows the delivery/collection person to easily grasp the user's location.
  • the information providing unit 316 may further display on the map MP a graphic indicating the position of the delivery person who is carrying the delivery person terminal 300 equipped with the information providing unit 316. This allows the delivery person to easily understand the positional relationship between the delivery person and the user.
  • the information providing unit 316 may acquire delivery person position information from the positioning unit 306 of the delivery person terminal 300, but is not limited to this.
  • the information providing unit 316 may also acquire delivery person position information from the management device 400.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 10 shows an example of providing user information to a delivery person.
  • step S11 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires the delivery person location information.
  • step S12 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires user location information.
  • step S13 the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 generates user information.
  • the information generation unit 418 generates user information based on the user location and the delivery person location.
  • step S14 the communication unit 402 of the management device 400 transmits the user information generated by the information generation unit 418 to the delivery person terminal 300.
  • step S15 the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 provides the user information received from the management device 400 to the collector/deliverer. That is, the user information is provided to the collector/deliverer using the collector/deliverer terminal 300.
  • the information providing unit 316 provides the user information to the collector/deliverer, for example, by displaying a map MP on the display unit 304 and displaying a figure indicating the user's position on the map MP. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 10 is completed.
  • the generation of user information by the information generation unit 418 is explained further below.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 (including zero) owned by the user in the user information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information for displaying a graphic indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 owned by the user on the display unit 304 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 in the user information. This allows the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 to provide the collector/deliverer with information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 owned by the user.
  • the collector/deliverer may use the provided user information to easily find, for example, a user who does not own a mobile battery 100. In other words, the collector/deliverer may use the provided user information to easily find a user who is likely to request delivery of a mobile battery 100.
  • the information generating unit 418 may obtain information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 owned by the user based on, for example, the collection and delivery history stored in the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the information generating unit 418 may further include information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 already owned by the user in the user information. This allows the information providing unit 316 of the collection/delivery terminal 300 to provide the collection/delivery person with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 already owned by the user. Using the provided user information, the collection/delivery person may easily find a user who, for example, owns a mobile battery 100 with a low remaining capacity. In other words, using the provided user information, the collection/delivery person may easily find a user who is likely to request collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100. Information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 already owned by the user may be acquired by the battery information acquiring unit 416.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include in the user information information for displaying a graphic indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user on the display unit 304 of the collection/delivery terminal 300. This allows the information providing unit 316 to display a graphic indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user on the display unit 304 together with the map MP.
  • the graphic indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user changes at least one of the shape, color, and size according to the remaining capacity, for example. By looking at the display unit 304, the collection/delivery person can easily grasp the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 304 of the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • FIG. 11 shows an example of a case where user information is displayed on the display unit 304.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collector/delivery terminal 300 may cause the display unit 304 to display, for example, a display screen 304a as shown in FIG. 11.
  • a map MP, a figure 600, and a figure 602 may be displayed on the display screen 304a.
  • the figures 600 and 602 may be displayed on the map MP.
  • the figure 600 indicates the user's location.
  • the figure 602 indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • the graphic 602 changes color, size, etc., depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • the graphic 602 shows a remaining capacity meter that indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the more colored portions (blackened portions) in the graphic 602 the more remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • a number of graphics 602 corresponding to the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user can be displayed on the display screen 304a. In other words, the number of graphics 602 indicates the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 600 indicating the user's position may change depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered by the collector/deliverer.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 600 may change depending on whether the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user indicated by the figure 600 is less than the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered by the collector/deliverer. This allows the collector/deliverer to easily find a user who is likely to request the collector/deliverer to deliver the mobile battery 100.
  • the information generation unit 418 generates user information based on information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered by the collector/deliverer.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 600 indicated in the user information may be changed by the collector/deliverer terminal 300 (calculation unit 310) based on information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered by the collector/deliverer.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 602 indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user may change according to the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user and the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered by the delivery person.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 600 indicating the user's position may change depending on the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user and the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector/deliverer can collect. In this case, it is preferable that the color, size, etc. of the figure 600 change depending on the number of mobile batteries 100 that the user wishes to collect and the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector/deliverer can collect. For example, it is preferable that the color, size, etc. of the figure 600 change depending on whether the collector/deliverer can collect all of the mobile batteries 100 that the user indicated by the figure 600 wishes to collect. This allows the collector/deliverer to easily find users who are likely to request the collector/deliverer to collect their mobile batteries 100.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate collector/deliverer information based on information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user and information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector/deliverer can collect.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 600 specified in the user information may be changed by the delivery/collection terminal 300 (calculation unit 310) based on information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user and information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that can be collected by the delivery/collection service.
  • the color, size, etc. of the figure 602 indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user may be changed according to the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the user and the number of mobile batteries 100 that can be collected by the delivery/collection service.
  • the display screen 304a may further display a figure 604 and a figure 606.
  • the figures 604 and 606 may be displayed on a map MP.
  • the figure 604 indicates the location of the collector/deliverer. That is, the figure 604 in FIG. 11 indicates the location of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 equipped with the display unit 304 displaying the display screen 304a in FIG. 11.
  • the figure 606 indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the collector/deliverer.
  • a number of figures 606 corresponding to the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the collector/deliverer may be displayed on the display screen 304a. That is, the number of figures 606 indicates the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the collector/deliverer.
  • the color, size, etc. of the graphic 606 change depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 held by the delivery person.
  • the graphic 606 in FIG. 11 represents a remaining capacity meter that indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • FIG. 11 The explanation of FIG. 11 is as above, but the information that can be displayed on the display screen 304a for the delivery person is not limited to the content shown in FIG. 11. This point will be explained later as necessary.
  • the calculation unit 210 of the user terminal 200 may be provided with a request information generation unit 218.
  • the request information generation unit 218 generates request information.
  • the request information is information related to a collection and delivery request for the mobile battery 100.
  • the request information may include, for example, user identification information and the number of mobile batteries 100 required by the user.
  • the request information may further include information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 required by the user.
  • the user identification information is information specific to the user.
  • the request information may further include information indicating the type of the mobile battery 100 required by the user.
  • the request information may include, for example, user identification information and information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the user wishes to collect.
  • the request information may further include information indicating the type of the mobile battery 100 required by the user. The user can use the operation unit 202 of the user terminal 200 to appropriately input information required for the request information generation unit 218 to generate the request information into the user terminal 200.
  • the request information may include information that allows the user to designate a collector/deliverer to whom the user wishes to request collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the request information may include collector/deliverer identification information indicating the selected collector/deliverer.
  • the collector/deliverer identification information is information unique to the collector/deliverer.
  • the request information may include collector/deliverer identification information indicating the selected collector/deliverer.
  • the request information input by the user to the user terminal 200 is transmitted by the control unit 214 of the user terminal 200 to the management device 400 via the communication unit 208.
  • the request information transmitted from the user terminal 200 is received by the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 When the communication unit 402 receives the request information, the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 generates user information based not only on the user location information and the delivery person location information, but also on the request information.
  • the user location information is information indicating the location of the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the delivery person location information is information indicating the location of a delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the request information may include information indicating the number and remaining capacity of mobile batteries 100 that the user requires to be collected and delivered.
  • the above user information which is generated based not only on the user location information and the delivery person location information, but also on the request information, is also referred to as requesting user information in the following description.
  • the requesting user information is transmitted by the control unit 408 to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402.
  • the control unit 408 may transmit the requesting user information to the delivery person terminal 300 held by a delivery person located within a specified range from the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the request information may include information that allows the user to designate a delivery person to whom the user wishes to request collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the control unit 408 may at least transmit the requesting user information to the delivery person terminal 300 held by the delivery person designated by the user.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 300 may receive the requesting user information via the communication unit 308.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the delivery/collection terminal 300 provides the requesting user information to the delivery/collection party.
  • the information providing unit 316 causes the display unit 304 of the delivery/collection terminal 300 to display a map MP, and also causes a graphic indicating the location of the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 to be displayed on the map MP.
  • the information providing unit 316 may cause the display unit 304 to display a pop-up window for notifying the delivery person that the requesting user information has been received. This allows the delivery person to easily recognize that the user has requested the delivery person to collect and deliver the mobile battery 100. Also, when the requesting user information is received by the communication unit 308, the information providing unit 316 may cause the speaker of the delivery person terminal 300 to output a sound to notify the delivery person that the requesting user information has been received. In this case as well, the delivery person can easily recognize that the user has requested the delivery person to collect and deliver the mobile battery 100.
  • the request information may include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the user needs to collect and deliver.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate the request user information based on the information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the user needs to collect and deliver, and the information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that the collector and deliverer can collect and deliver. For example, the information generating unit 418 selects a collector and deliverer who can deliver more than the number of mobile batteries 100 that the user requests to deliver. The information generating unit 418 generates the request user information using collector and deliverer location information indicating the location of the selected collector and deliverer. The control unit 408 transmits the request user information to the collector and deliverer terminal 300 of the selected collector and deliverer.
  • the information generating unit 418 selects a collector and deliverer who can collect more than the number of mobile batteries 100 that the user requests to collect.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates the request user information using collector and deliverer location information indicating the location of the selected collector and deliverer.
  • the control unit 408 transmits the request user information to the collector and deliverer terminal 300 of the selected collector and deliverer. In this way, the requesting user information can be provided only to those delivery personnel who are able to accept requests from the user.
  • the request information may include information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the user requires to be delivered.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate the requesting user information based on the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the user requires to be delivered and the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that the delivery person can deliver. For example, the information generating unit 418 selects a delivery person who can deliver a mobile battery 100 with a remaining capacity equal to or greater than that of the mobile battery 100 that the user requires to be delivered. The information generating unit 418 generates the requesting user information using delivery person location information indicating the location of the selected delivery person.
  • the control unit 408 transmits the requesting user information to the delivery person terminal 300 of the selected delivery person. In this way, the requesting user information can be provided only to delivery people who are able to accept requests from users.
  • the request information may include information indicating the model of the mobile battery 100 that the user requires to be collected and delivered.
  • the information generation unit 418 may generate the requesting user information based on the information indicating the model of the mobile battery 100 that the user requires to be collected and delivered, and the information indicating the model of the mobile battery 100 that the delivery person can collect and deliver. For example, the information generation unit 418 selects a delivery person who can deliver the mobile battery 100 of the model requested by the user. The information generation unit 418 generates the requesting user information using delivery person location information indicating the location of the selected delivery person. The control unit 408 transmits the requesting user information to the delivery person terminal 300 of the selected delivery person.
  • the information generation unit 418 selects a delivery person who can collect the mobile battery 100 of the model requested by the user to be collected.
  • the information generation unit 418 generates the requesting user information using delivery person location information indicating the location of the selected delivery person.
  • the control unit 408 transmits the requesting user information to the delivery person terminal 300 of the selected delivery person. In this way, the requesting user information can be provided only to those delivery personnel who are able to accept requests from the user.
  • the calculation unit 310 of the delivery person terminal 300 may be provided with a request receiving unit 318.
  • the request receiving unit 318 causes the display unit 304 to display an operation screen for the delivery person to select whether or not to receive a request from a user. For example, as described above, a figure showing the location of a user who has requested collection and delivery of a mobile battery 100 may be displayed on the display screen 304a. When the delivery person taps the figure, the request receiving unit 318 causes the display unit 304 to display an operation screen for the delivery person to select whether or not to receive a request from the user. The delivery person may use the operation screen to respond as to whether or not to receive a request from a user.
  • the request receiving unit 318 transmits a notification indicating the response result of whether or not the delivery person will receive a request from a user to the management device 400 via the communication unit 308.
  • the notification is also referred to as a response notification in the following description.
  • the control unit 408 sends a notification indicating that the request has been accepted to the user terminal 200 of the user who sent the request information. This allows the user to know that the request from that user has been accepted by the delivery person.
  • the control unit 408 sends a notification to the user terminal 200 of the user who sent the request information indicating that the request has not been accepted. This allows the user to know that the request from the user has not been accepted by the collector/deliverer. For example, if no operation is performed to accept the request at any of the multiple collector/deliverer terminals 300 that received the requesting user information, the control unit 408 sends a notification to the user terminal 200 of the user who sent the request information indicating that the request has not been accepted.
  • control unit 408 sends a notification to the user terminal 200 of the user who sent the request information indicating that the request has not been accepted.
  • the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 may generate not only requesting user information but also route candidate information.
  • the route candidate information is information indicating candidate collection and delivery routes for the mobile battery 100.
  • the route candidate information may be generated based on user location information, delivery person location information, and map information.
  • the information generation unit 418 may create multiple candidate collection and delivery routes for one user.
  • the information generation unit 418 may include information indicating candidate collection and delivery routes for the multiple users by which the delivery person can sequentially collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 in the route candidate information (see also FIG. 13).
  • the information generating unit 418 may select candidate collection and delivery routes based on predetermined conditions. For example, the information generating unit 418 may select a route where the travel distance of the delivery person is within a predetermined distance as a candidate collection and delivery route. The information generating unit 418 may also select a route where the travel time of the delivery person is within a predetermined time as a candidate collection and delivery route.
  • the route candidate information generated by the information generation unit 418 can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information provision unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 can provide the delivery person with the route candidate information that the delivery person terminal 300 received from the management device 400.
  • the delivery person can determine whether or not to accept the request from the user based on the route candidate information provided by the information provision unit 316.
  • the information generation unit 418 may generate route candidate information based on the specified meeting place. A more detailed explanation of meeting places will be provided later.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16. An example of receiving a request for collection and delivery of a mobile battery 100 is shown in FIG. 12.
  • step S21 the user terminal 200 generates request information. More specifically, the request information generation unit 218 provided in the user terminal 200 generates the request information in response to a user operation. In step S22, the generated request information is transmitted to the management device 400 via the communication unit 208.
  • step S23 the management device 400 generates requesting user information using the request information. More specifically, the information generating unit 418 provided in the management device 400 generates the requesting user information based on the user position information, the delivery person position information, and the request information. The user position information and the delivery person position information are appropriately acquired by the position information acquiring unit 412.
  • step S24 the management device 400 generates route candidate information based on the user position information, the delivery person position information, and the map information. More specifically, the information generation unit 418 provided in the management device 400 generates route candidate information based on the user position information, the delivery person position information, and the map information.
  • the map information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • step S25 the requesting user information and route candidate information are sent from the communication unit 402 of the management device 400 to the collection/delivery terminal 300.
  • the requesting user information and route candidate information are sent via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • the requesting user information and route candidate information are received by the communication unit 308 of the collection/delivery terminal 300.
  • the requesting user information and route candidate information received by the collection/delivery terminal 300 are provided to the collection/delivery person by the information provision unit 316.
  • step S26 the collector/deliverer terminal 300 sends a response notification to the management device 400. More specifically, the request receiving unit 318 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 generates a response notification in response to the collector/deliverer's operation, and the communication unit 308 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 sends the response notification to the management device 400. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 12 is completed.
  • the response notification is a notification indicating the response result as to whether or not the collector/deliverer will accept the request from the user.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 304 of the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • FIG. 13 shows an example of a case where route candidate information is displayed together with requesting user information.
  • a figure 608 may be further displayed on the display screen 304a of the display unit 304.
  • the figure 608 may be displayed on a map MP.
  • the figure 608 indicates the location of the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • a plurality of figures 608 (608A-608E) may be displayed on the display screen 304a.
  • a figure indicating the number, remaining capacity, etc. of mobile batteries 100 that the user indicated by the figure 608 wishes to have collected and delivered may be further displayed on the display screen 304a.
  • the delivery/collection person taps the figure 608, details of the request from the user indicated by the figure 608 may be displayed on the display unit 304.
  • the graphic 600 may be displayed on the display screen 304a.
  • the graphic 600 indicates the location of a user who has not requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100. It is preferable that the graphic 600 and the graphic 608 differ from each other in at least one of shape, color, size, etc., so that the delivery person can easily distinguish between a user who has requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 and a user who has not requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the graphic 608 may be highlighted on the display screen 304a. For example, the graphic 608 may be displayed flashing without flashing the graphic 600.
  • a figure 610 may be further displayed on the display screen 304a of the display unit 304.
  • the figure 610 may be displayed on a map MP.
  • the figure 610 indicates the above-mentioned candidate collection/delivery routes.
  • a plurality of figures 610 (610A, 610B) may be displayed on the display screen 304a.
  • the combination of users for which the mobile battery 100 may be collected and delivered on the collection/delivery route indicated by figure 610A is different from the combination of users for which the mobile battery 100 may be collected and delivered on the collection/delivery route indicated by figure 610B.
  • figure 610A indicates a candidate collection/delivery route for which the mobile battery 100 may be collected and delivered to the user indicated by figure 608A and the user indicated by figure 608B.
  • diagram 610B shows possible collection and delivery routes for collecting and delivering the mobile battery 100 to the user shown by diagram 608C, the user shown by diagram 608D, and the user shown by diagram 608E.
  • the delivery person can confirm the location of the user who has requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100, and candidate collection and delivery routes for collecting and delivering the mobile battery 100 to the user.
  • the delivery person can determine whether or not to accept the request from the user based on the candidate collection and delivery routes, the number of users located on the collection and delivery route, etc.
  • a delivery person who receives a request from a user collects and delivers the mobile battery 100 to the user. For example, a delivery person who receives a delivery request for the mobile battery 100 travels to the location where the user is located and hands over the mobile battery 100 to the user. Also, for example, a delivery person who receives a collection request for the mobile battery 100 travels to the location where the user is located and collects the mobile battery 100 from the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may cause the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 to display an operation screen that enables the user to specify the delivery location.
  • the delivery location is the location where the mobile battery 100 is handed over to the user.
  • the operation screen for the user to specify the delivery location may be the display screen 204a shown in FIG. 8. In this case, for example, the user can tap any point on the map MP shown on the display screen 204a to specify the delivery location.
  • Information indicating the delivery location specified by the user is transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 causes the delivery location specified by the user to be displayed, for example, on the display unit 304. This allows the delivery person to know the delivery location, which is the meeting place with the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may also display an operation screen on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 for the user to specify a collection location.
  • the collection location is the location where the user hands over the mobile battery 100 to the collector/deliverer.
  • the operation screen for the user to specify the collection location may be the display screen 204b shown in FIG. 9. In this case, for example, the user may tap any point on the map MP shown on the display screen 204b to specify the collection location.
  • Information indicating the collection location specified by the user is transmitted to the collector/deliverer terminal 300.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 displays the collection location specified by the user on, for example, the display unit 304. This allows the collector/deliverer to know the collection location, which is the meeting place with the user.
  • the collector/deliverer may specify a meeting place with the user. That is, the collector/deliverer may specify a delivery location or a collection location.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 causes the display unit 304 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 to display an operation screen for the collector/deliverer to specify a meeting place.
  • the operation screen may be the display screen 304a of FIG. 11.
  • the collector/deliverer may tap any point on the map MP shown on the display screen 304a to specify a meeting place.
  • Information indicating the meeting place specified by the collector/deliverer is transmitted to the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 causes the display unit 204 to display, for example, the meeting place specified by the collector/deliverer. This allows the user to know the meeting place with the collector/deliverer. Note that there may be cases where the user and the collector/deliverer specify different meeting places. In consideration of this, only one of the user and the collector/deliverer may specify a meeting place, and the other may select whether or not to accept the designation.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be provided with a suggestion unit 420.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest the above-mentioned candidate meeting places based on at least one of the user position information and the delivery person position information and the map information. For example, the suggestion unit 420 may suggest a midpoint between the user position and the delivery person position as a candidate meeting place.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may also suggest, for example, facilities, buildings, etc. that exist in the vicinity of the user position or the delivery person position as a candidate meeting place.
  • the facilities, buildings, etc. may function as landmarks when the user searches for the delivery person and may also function as landmarks when the delivery person searches for the user.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may use the above-mentioned future user position as the user position information.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest multiple candidates for the meeting place.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest any point on the delivery route as a candidate meeting place.
  • the number of candidate meeting places may be one or more.
  • the information indicating the candidate meeting places proposed by the suggestion unit 420 may be transmitted by the control unit 408 of the management device 400 to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 216 may cause the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 to display a map MP, and may cause a figure indicating the candidate meeting places to be displayed on the map MP.
  • the user may select a meeting place from among the candidates displayed on the display unit 204.
  • information indicating candidate meeting places proposed by the suggestion unit 420 may be transmitted by the control unit 408 of the management device 400 to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 316 may cause the display unit 304 of the delivery person terminal 300 to display a map MP, and may also cause a figure indicating the candidate meeting places to be displayed on the map MP.
  • the delivery person may select a meeting place from the candidates displayed on the display unit 304.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16. An example of the case where a meeting place is proposed is shown in FIG. 14.
  • the management system 16 may execute steps S31 and S32 illustrated in FIG. 14. Steps S31 and S32 may be included in the management method according to this embodiment.
  • step S31 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates information indicating potential meeting places.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate information indicating potential meeting places based on user location information indicating the location of the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 and delivery person location information indicating the location of the delivery person who accepted the request from the user. More specifically, the information generating unit 418 may generate information indicating potential meeting places based on user location information indicating the location of the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100, delivery person location information indicating the location of the delivery person who accepted the request from the user, and map information.
  • the user location information and delivery person location information used by the information generating unit 418 in step S31 are appropriately acquired by the location information acquiring unit 412.
  • step S32 information indicating potential meeting places is transmitted from the management device 400.
  • the information indicating potential meeting places is transmitted via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • the information indicating potential meeting places may be received by the communication unit 208 of the user terminal 200 carried by the user who requested collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the information indicating potential meeting places may also be received by the communication unit 308 of the delivery person terminal 300 carried by the delivery person who accepted the request from the user. In this way, the operation shown in FIG. 14 is completed.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest as a receiving location a specific facility 20 where a delivery person can place the mobile battery 100.
  • the facility 20 may be, for example, a locker (see also FIG. 1) capable of storing the mobile battery 100, but is not limited to this.
  • the facility 20 may be, for example, a battery holder capable of holding the mobile battery 100.
  • the battery holder may be, for example, a small container that is easy to install in the city.
  • the facility 20 may be appropriately installed in the city, for example, by an operating company that operates the sharing system 10.
  • the delivery person may place the mobile battery 100 in the facility 20 proposed by the suggestion unit 420. Meanwhile, the user may receive the mobile battery 100 placed in the facility 20. This allows the user to receive the mobile battery 100 without meeting the delivery person.
  • the proposal unit 420 may select the facility 20 to be used to receive the mobile battery 100 based on the user location information, the delivery person location information, and information indicating the location of the facility 20.
  • the information indicating the location of the facility 20 may be included in map information pre-stored in the memory unit 406. Note that the proposal unit 420 may use the above-mentioned future user location as user location information when selecting the facility 20 to be used to receive the mobile battery 100.
  • the information indicating the location of the selected facility 20 is provided to the user by the information provision unit 216 of the user terminal 200.
  • the information indicating the location of the selected facility 20 is provided to the delivery person by the information provision unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest the facility 20 as a collection location where the user will hand over the mobile battery 100 to a collection and delivery person.
  • the user may deliver the mobile battery 100 that needs to be collected by a collection and delivery person to the facility 20.
  • the collection and delivery person may collect the mobile battery 100 that has been delivered to the facility 20. This allows the user to hand over the mobile battery 100 to the collection and delivery person without meeting them face to face.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest potential meeting places to the user before the user requests collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the display screen 204a of FIG. 8 may display a figure indicating a delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the user.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest potential meeting places between the user and the delivery person, assuming that the user requests the delivery person to collect and deliver the mobile battery 100.
  • the information provision unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may display a figure or the like indicating the potential meeting places proposed by the suggestion unit 420 on the display screen 204a. This allows the user to select a delivery person to request collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 based on the proposed potential meeting places.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest potential meeting places to the delivery person before the delivery person accepts a request from the user.
  • the display screen 304a shown in FIG. 11 may show the location of a user who may need the mobile battery 100 picked up and delivered.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest potential meeting places between the user and the delivery person, assuming that the delivery person accepts a request from the user.
  • the information provision unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 may cause a figure or the like showing the potential meeting places suggested by the suggestion unit 420 to be displayed on the display screen 304a. This allows the delivery person to decide whether or not to accept the request from the user, based on the proposed potential meeting places.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may also suggest to a user who may require delivery of the mobile battery 100 that he or she go to the battery station 12.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may select a battery station 12 at which the user can receive the mobile battery 100 based on the user location information, information indicating the location of the battery station 12, and information indicating the operating status of the battery station 12. More specifically, the suggestion unit 420 may select a battery station 12 at which the user can receive the mobile battery 100 based on the user location information, information indicating the location of the battery station 12, information indicating the operating status of the battery station 12, and map information.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may select a battery station 12 that is operating within a predetermined range from the user location and suggest to the user that he or she receive the mobile battery 100 arranged at the battery station 12.
  • the user location information may be appropriately acquired by the location information acquisition unit 412.
  • the information indicating the location of the battery station 12 may be included in the map information stored in the memory unit 406.
  • Information indicating the operating status of the battery station 12 may be provided from the battery station 12 to the management system 16 as appropriate, for example.
  • information indicating the planned operation (business schedule) of the battery station 12 may be stored in advance by the storage unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may use information indicating the future user position as user position information when selecting the battery station 12 to be used to receive the mobile battery 100.
  • the information indicating the location of the battery station 12 selected by the suggestion unit 420 is transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 can provide the user with information indicating the location of the battery station 12 selected by the suggestion unit 420.
  • the information providing unit 216 can display a figure or the like indicating the location of the selected battery station 12 on the display screen 204a shown in FIG. 8.
  • the information providing unit 216 can also display a text message indicating that the mobile battery 100 can be received at the battery station 12 shown on the display screen 204a on the display screen 204a.
  • the user can receive the mobile battery 100 arranged at the battery station 12 by going to the battery station 12 proposed by the suggestion unit 420. Since the user can receive the mobile battery 100 arranged at the battery station 12, the user can receive the mobile battery 100 even if there is no delivery person who will accept the request from the user.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may also suggest to a user who may need to retrieve the mobile battery 100 that he or she go to a battery station 12.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may select a battery station 12 based on the user location information, information indicating the location of the battery station 12, and information indicating the operating status of the battery station 12. More specifically, the suggestion unit 420 may select a battery station 12 based on the user location information, information indicating the location of the battery station 12, information indicating the operating status of the battery station 12, and map information.
  • the information providing unit 216 may display a figure or the like indicating the location of the battery station 12 selected by the suggestion unit 420 on the display screen 204b shown in FIG. 9. The user may also hand over the mobile battery 100 to the proposed battery station 12.
  • the management system 16 can provide the user with information about a delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 using the user terminal 200.
  • the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 may generate information about a collector/deliverer who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to a location where a device managed by the user as an administrator is installed.
  • information about a collector/deliverer who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to a location where the device is installed is also referred to as device collector/deliverer information.
  • the collection and delivery information for the equipment is generated based on the equipment location information and the collection and delivery person location information.
  • the equipment location information is information indicating the equipment location, which is the location of the equipment managed by the user as an administrator.
  • the equipment location information can be appropriately input by the user to the user terminal 200.
  • the equipment location information input to the user terminal 200 can be transmitted to the management device 400 by the communication unit 208.
  • the equipment location information transmitted to the management device 400 can be acquired by the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400.
  • the collection and delivery person location information used to generate the collection and delivery information for the equipment indicates the location of a collection and delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the equipment is installed.
  • a collection and delivery person who possesses a mobile battery 100 of a type capable of supplying power to the equipment and is located within a specified range from the equipment location can be a collection and delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the equipment is installed.
  • a collection and delivery person who is located within a specified range from the equipment location which is the location of the equipment, can be a collection and delivery person who can collect the mobile battery 100 connected to the equipment.
  • the delivery person information for the device includes, for example, information for displaying a graphic showing the delivery person's location on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 together with the map MP.
  • the delivery person information for the device is transmitted to the user terminal 200 by the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 can provide the delivery person information for the device to the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 causes the display unit 204 to display a map MP, and also causes a graphic to be displayed on the map MP indicating the location of a delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the device is installed.
  • FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 15 shows an example of the case where delivery and collection information for a device is provided to a user who is the administrator of the device.
  • step S41 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires delivery person location information.
  • step S42 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires device location information.
  • step S43 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates delivery person information for the device.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates delivery person information for the device based on the device location information and the delivery person location information.
  • step S44 the communication unit 402 of the management device 400 transmits the delivery person information for the device generated in step S43 to the user terminal 200.
  • step S45 the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 provides the information transmitted to the user terminal 200 in step S44 to the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 for example, displays a map MP on the display unit 204, and also displays a figure indicating the delivery person's location on the map MP. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 15 is completed.
  • the information providing unit 216 may further provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered by the delivery person.
  • the information providing unit 216 may further provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 capable of supplying power to a device.
  • the information providing unit 216 may, for example, cause the display unit 204 to display the graphic 504 described above using FIG. 8 (see also FIG. 16).
  • the graphic 504 changes, for example, in color, size, etc., depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person.
  • the information providing unit 216 may further provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the information providing unit 216 causes the display unit 204 to display a figure 512 indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 connected to the device (see also FIG. 16).
  • the figure 512 changes, for example, in color, size, etc., depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 connected to the device.
  • the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 connected to the device can be appropriately acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 416.
  • FIG. 16 shows an example of a display on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may cause the display unit 204 to display, for example, the display screen 204c illustrated in FIG. 16.
  • a map MP and figures 500, 502, 504, and 508 may be displayed on the display screen 204c.
  • the figures 500, 502, 504, and 508 may be displayed on the map MP.
  • the figure 500 indicates the location of the delivery person.
  • a number of figures 500 corresponding to the number of delivery persons who can deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the device is installed may be displayed on the display screen 204c.
  • the figure 502 indicates the location of the user who is the manager of the device.
  • the figure 504 indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered by the delivery person indicated by the figure 500.
  • a number of figures 504 corresponding to the number of mobile batteries 100 possessed by the delivery persons may be displayed on the display screen 204c.
  • Figure 508 indicates that the delivery person shown in figure 500 can collect the mobile battery 100 as a collector.
  • the display screen 204c may further display a figure 510 and a figure 512.
  • the figure 510 and the figure 512 may be displayed on a map MP.
  • the figure 510 indicates the device location described above. In the example shown in FIG. 16, one figure 510 is shown.
  • the number of figures 510 corresponding to the number of devices managed by the user may be displayed on the display screen 204c.
  • the figure 512 indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 connected to the device. If the mobile battery 100 is not connected to the device, the display of the figure 512 may be omitted.
  • the color, size, etc. of the graphic 512 can change depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 indicated by the graphic 512.
  • the graphic 512 shown in FIG. 16 represents a remaining capacity meter that indicates the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the user can easily find a delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the device is installed, based on the position of the figure 500 displayed on the display screen 204c.
  • the user can request the delivery person shown on the display screen 204c to collect and deliver the mobile battery 100.
  • the user can request the collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 using the user terminal 200 (request information generation unit 218).
  • the display screen 204c may further display a graphic 504 indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person. Therefore, the user may determine which delivery person to request delivery of the mobile battery 100, taking into consideration the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 that each of the multiple delivery persons can deliver.
  • the user can easily grasp the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 connected to the device based on the graphic 512 displayed on the display screen 204c. This allows the user to determine whether or not to request collection of the mobile battery 100 based on the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the display screen 204a shown in FIG. 8 and the display screen 204c shown in FIG. 16 may be displayed together on one display screen. That is, the information providing unit 216 may display on one display screen a collector/deliverer who can deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the user is located and a collector/deliverer who can deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the device is installed.
  • the shape, color, size, etc. of the figure 500 indicating the collector/deliverer position is set depending on whether the collector/deliverer is capable of delivering the mobile battery 100 to the location where the user is located or the collector/deliverer is capable of delivering the mobile battery 100 to the location where the device is installed. This allows the user to easily distinguish between a collector/deliverer who can deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the user is located and a collector/deliverer who can deliver the mobile battery 100 to the location where the device is installed.
  • the display screen 204b shown in FIG. 9 and the display screen 204c shown in FIG. 16 may be displayed together on one display screen. That is, the information providing unit 216 may display on one display screen the collector/deliverer who can collect the mobile battery 100 from the user and the collector/deliverer who can collect the mobile battery 100 connected to the device.
  • the shape, color, size, etc. of the figure 500 indicating the collector/deliverer position is set depending on whether the collector/deliverer is able to collect the mobile battery 100 from the user or the collector/deliverer who can collect the mobile battery 100 connected to the device. This allows the user to easily distinguish between the collector/deliverer who can collect the mobile battery 100 from the user and the collector/deliverer who can collect the mobile battery 100 connected to the device.
  • the management system 16 can provide a user, via the user terminal 200, with information about a delivery person who can collect and deliver the mobile battery 100 to a location where the device managed by the user as an administrator is located.
  • the management system 16 may be configured as follows.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be provided with a past demand information generation unit 422 (see FIG. 5).
  • the past demand information generation unit 422 generates past demand information.
  • the past demand information is information indicating the number of collection and delivery requests for the mobile battery 100 in the past.
  • the past demand information is information indicating the past collection and delivery demand of the mobile battery 100.
  • the past demand information may be generated based on the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100 and the conditions specified by the collector/deliverer. As described above, information indicating the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100 may be stored by the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the conditions specified by the collector/deliverer may include, for example, at least one of the area specified by the collector/deliverer (XX Station, YY Park, etc.) and the past date and time specified by the collector/deliverer.
  • Information indicating the conditions may be appropriately input by the collector/deliverer to the collector/deliverer terminal 300.
  • the collector/deliverer may use the operation unit 302 to input information indicating the above conditions to the collector/deliverer terminal 300.
  • the information entered into the delivery/collection terminal 300 can be transmitted to the management device 400 by the communication unit 308, and can also be acquired by the past demand information generation unit 422.
  • the past demand information generating unit 422 may generate past demand information indicating, for example, the collection and delivery demand (number of requests) that occurred within the specified area at the specified date and time based on the specified conditions and the collection and delivery history.
  • the past demand information may include information for displaying a figure indicating the collection and delivery demand that occurred within the specified area at the specified date and time together with the map MP on the display unit 304 of the collection and delivery terminal 300 (see also FIG. 18).
  • the past demand information generating unit 422 may determine the appearance of the figure according to the collection and delivery demand that occurred within the specified area at the specified date and time. Specifically, the past demand information generating unit 422 may determine the color, etc.
  • the past collection and delivery demand threshold may be stored in advance by the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the control unit 408 can transmit the past demand information to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 that receives the past demand information can display the past demand information on the display unit 304. In this way, the past demand information is provided to the delivery person.
  • FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 17 shows an example of providing past demand information to a delivery person.
  • step S51 the communication unit 308 of the delivery person terminal 300 transmits information indicating the conditions used to generate the past demand information (condition information) to the management device 400.
  • the information indicating the conditions used to generate the past demand information is input by the delivery person using the delivery person terminal 300.
  • step S52 the past demand information generating unit 422 of the management device 400 generates past demand information based on the past collection and delivery history and the conditions specified by the collection and delivery person.
  • step S53 the communication unit 402 of the management device 400 transmits the past demand information generated by the past demand information generation unit 422 to the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • step S54 the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 provides the collector/deliverer with the past demand information received from the communication unit 402. This completes the operation illustrated in FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit 304 of the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • An example of a display screen 304b displayed on the display unit 304 of the delivery/collection terminal 300 is shown in FIG. 18.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collection/delivery person terminal 300 may display a display screen 304b as shown in FIG. 18 on the display unit 304 of the collection/delivery person terminal 300.
  • a map MP may be displayed on the display screen 304b.
  • a figure 612 may further be displayed on the display screen 304b.
  • the figure 612 corresponds to an area specified by the collection/delivery person as a condition.
  • the figure 612 may be displayed in a manner corresponding to the collection/delivery demand that occurred in the specified area at the specified date and time. For example, the greater the number of collection/delivery requests that occurred on the specified date and time, the higher the display density of the figure 612 may be set.
  • the collection/delivery person can easily grasp the past collection/delivery demand by looking at the display screen 304b.
  • a pop-up window 614 showing the number of collection/delivery requests that occurred in the specified date and time and area may further be displayed on the display screen 304b.
  • the information providing unit 316 may further display a figure 604 on the display screen 304b. As described above, the figure 604 indicates the location of the delivery person.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be provided with a collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 may predict future collection and delivery demand for the mobile battery 100.
  • the future collection and delivery demand may be predicted, for example, based on the future user position and the collection and delivery history.
  • the future user position is the future position of the user.
  • Information indicating the future user position may be predicted by the future position prediction unit 414, as described above.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 predicts future collection and delivery demand, for example, by assuming that a collection and delivery request for the mobile battery 100 will occur at the future location of a user who frequently requests collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100. Whether or not a user frequently requests collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 can be determined based on the collection and delivery history.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 can predict future collection and delivery demand based on multiple future user locations and the collection and delivery history.
  • the demand for the mobile battery 100 may be high in places where a large number of people gather.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 may predict future collection and delivery demand based on the schedule of an event.
  • An event is, for example, a gathering held in a park, square, etc.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 may predict that the demand for collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 in the park or other place where the gathering is held will be high during the period of the gathering.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 may obtain information indicating the event schedule from a website or the like via the network NW.
  • the control unit 408 may transmit information indicating the collection and delivery demand predicted by the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 to the collection and delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402. This allows the information provision unit 316 of the collection and delivery person terminal 300 to provide information indicating future collection and delivery demand to the collection and delivery person.
  • the information indicating the collection and delivery demand predicted by the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 may include information for displaying a figure indicating the collection and delivery demand together with the map MP on the display unit 304 of the collection and delivery person terminal 300.
  • the information provision unit 316 may cause the display unit 304 to display the map MP and display the figure on the map MP.
  • Information for displaying a figure indicating future collection and delivery demand together with the map MP on the display unit 304 of the collection and delivery person terminal 300 may be generated by the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 may determine the form of the figure according to the predicted collection and delivery demand. Specifically, the delivery demand prediction unit 424 may determine the color of the graphic depending on whether the predicted delivery demand is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (delivery demand threshold).
  • the delivery demand threshold may be stored in advance in the storage unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 19 shows an example of a case where information indicating future collection and delivery demand is provided to a delivery person.
  • step S61 the future position prediction unit 414 of the management device 400 predicts the future user position.
  • the future position prediction unit 414 predicts the future user position based on the user position information and the user's action plan.
  • the user position information can be appropriately acquired by the position information acquisition unit 412.
  • the user's action plan is appropriately transmitted to the management device 400 by the user using the user terminal 200.
  • step S62 the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 of the management device 400 predicts future collection and delivery demand.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 predicts future collection and delivery demand, for example, based on the future user position and collection and delivery history.
  • the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 can generate information indicating the predicted future collection and delivery demand.
  • step S63 the communication unit 402 of the management device 400 transmits information indicating the future collection and delivery demand predicted by the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 to the collection and delivery person terminal 300.
  • step S64 the information providing unit 316 of the collection/delivery terminal 300 provides the collection/delivery person with the information indicating future collection/delivery demand received from the communication unit 402. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 19 is completed.
  • FIG. 20 shows an example of a display on the display unit 304 of the delivery/collection terminal 300.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collector/delivery terminal 300 that has received the information indicating future collection and delivery demand may display, for example, a display screen 304c as shown in FIG. 20 on the display unit 304 of the collector/delivery terminal 300.
  • a map MP may be displayed on the display screen 304c.
  • a graphic 616 may further be displayed on the display screen 304c.
  • the graphic 616 may be superimposed on a specific area on the map MP, for example.
  • the graphic 616 indicates future collection and delivery demand in that area.
  • the color, size, etc. of the graphic 616 may be set according to the predicted collection and delivery demand.
  • a collector/delivery person may easily grasp future collection and delivery demand based on the graphic 616 displayed on the display screen 304c.
  • a pop-up window 618 may further be displayed on the display screen 304c, indicating the number of collection and delivery requests that are predicted to occur in the future in the area indicated by the graphic 616.
  • the information providing unit 316 may further display a figure 604 on the display screen 304c. As described above, the figure 604 indicates the location of the delivery person.
  • the delivery person can determine locations where it is most likely to receive requests from users, taking into account past delivery demand. Also, with the management system 16, the delivery person can determine locations where it is most likely to receive requests from users, taking into account future delivery demand.
  • the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 may generate information regarding charging spots where the user can charge the mobile battery 100 that he or she owns.
  • charging spots may include locations equipped with public chargers and locations equipped with public outlets to which the user can connect his or her personal charger.
  • Information regarding charging spots where the user can charge the mobile battery 100 that he or she owns is also referred to as charging spot information in the following description.
  • the charging spot information may be generated based on user position information and information indicating the position of the charging spot.
  • the user position information and the information indicating the position of the charging spot may be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400.
  • the information indicating the position of the charging spot may be included in the map information stored in the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the information generation unit 418 may include information indicating the position of the charging spot located within a predetermined range from the user position in the charging spot information. When generating the charging spot information, the information generation unit 418 may use the above-mentioned future user position as the user position.
  • the future user position may be predicted by the future position prediction unit 414 of the management device 400.
  • the charging spot information generated by the information generation unit 418 may be transmitted to the user terminal 200 by the communication unit 402.
  • the information provision unit 216 of the user terminal 200 that receives the charging spot information may provide the charging spot information to the user.
  • the information provision unit 216 may cause the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 to display a map MP, and may also cause a graphic indicating the location of the charging spot to be displayed on the map MP. This allows the user to know the location of the charging spot where the mobile battery 100 can be charged.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate charging spot information based not only on the user position information and information indicating the position of the charging spot, but also on information indicating the operation status of the charging spot. For example, the information generating unit 418 generates charging spot information such that only the positions of operating charging spots among multiple charging spots within a specified range from the user position are displayed on the display unit 204.
  • the information indicating the operation status of the charging spot may be stored by the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate charging spot information using information indicating the operation status of the facility in which the charging spot is provided, instead of the operation status of the charging spot.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate charging spot information based not only on user position information and information indicating the positions of charging spots, but also on information indicating the user's usage history of the charging spots. For example, the information generating unit 418 may generate charging spot information such that only the positions of charging spots that are used relatively frequently by the user are displayed on the display unit 204. By providing the user with charging spot information including the positions of charging spots that are used relatively frequently by the user, the user's convenience can be improved.
  • the information indicating the user's usage history of charging spots can be stored by the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the charging spot information may include required time information.
  • the required time information is information indicating the estimated required time to fully charge the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate the required time information using, for example, information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user may be acquired by the battery information acquiring unit 416 of the management device 400.
  • FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 21 shows an example of the case where charging spot information is provided to a user.
  • step S71 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires user location information.
  • step S72 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires information indicating the location of the charging spot.
  • step S73 the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 generates charging spot information based on the user position information and information indicating the positions of the charging spots.
  • the information generation unit 418 may further use information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user, so that required time information is included in the charging spot information.
  • the information generation unit 418 may further use information indicating the usage history of charging spots by the user, so that information indicating the positions of charging spots that are used relatively frequently by the user is included in the charging spot information.
  • step S74 the communication unit 402 of the management device 400 transmits the charging spot information generated by the information generation unit 418 to the user terminal 200.
  • step S75 the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 provides the charging spot information transmitted from the communication unit 402 to the user. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 21 is completed.
  • FIG. 22 shows an example of a display on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may cause the display unit 204 to display, for example, a display screen 204d as illustrated in FIG. 22.
  • a map MP may be displayed on the display screen 204d.
  • a figure 502 indicating the user's position may further be displayed on the display screen 204d.
  • a figure 514 indicating the position of the charging spot may further be displayed on the display screen 204d.
  • a number of figures 514 corresponding to the number of charging spots that can be displayed on the map MP may be displayed on the display screen 204d. Based on the figures 514 displayed on the display screen 204d, the user may easily find a charging spot where the mobile battery 100 owned by the user can be charged.
  • the appearance of the graphic 514 may change depending on the expected length of time required to fully charge the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user at the charging spot indicated by the graphic 514.
  • the information generating unit 418 may change the color, size, etc. of the graphic 514 depending on the expected length of time described above, for example.
  • the appearance of the graphic 514 may also change depending on the user's usage history of the charging spot indicated by the graphic 514.
  • the information generating unit 418 may change the color, size, etc. of the graphic 514 depending on the frequency of usage by the user. Only charging spots that are used relatively frequently by users may be displayed on the display screen 204d. This provides convenience to the user.
  • Display screen 204d may be displayed on one display screen together with at least one of display screen 204a shown in Fig. 8, display screen 204b shown in Fig. 9, and display screen 204c shown in Fig. 16.
  • information providing unit 216 may further display figure 514 shown in Fig. 22 on at least one of display screen 204a shown in Fig. 8, display screen 204b shown in Fig. 9, and display screen 204c shown in Fig. 16.
  • the management system 16 can provide the user with information regarding charging spots where the mobile battery 100 can be charged.
  • the management system 16 may be configured as follows.
  • the management device 400 may be equipped with a usage history information acquisition unit 426 and a status determination unit 428.
  • the usage history information acquisition unit 426 acquires usage history information.
  • the usage history information is information that indicates the usage history of the mobile battery 100.
  • the usage history information may be appropriately stored, for example, by the memory unit 112 of the mobile battery 100.
  • the usage history information acquisition unit 426 may acquire the usage history information via the inspection device 700.
  • the inspection device 700 is a device that inspects the mobile battery 100.
  • the inspection device 700 may be provided in, for example, the battery station 12 (see also FIG. 1).
  • the inspection device 700 is provided in the charger 14 installed in the battery station 12.
  • the inspection device 700 may be connected to the mobile battery 100 via the battery port 14a of the charger 14.
  • the inspection device 700 may read data from the memory unit 112 of the mobile battery 100.
  • the data read from the memory unit 112 by the inspection device 700 may be supplied from the inspection device 700 to the management device 400 via the network NW.
  • the data that the inspection device 700 can read from the memory unit 112 may include data related to the usage history of the mobile battery 100. Therefore, as described above, the usage history information acquisition unit 426 may acquire usage history information via the inspection device 700.
  • the usage history information may include at least one of total usage time information, charge/discharge count information, and warranty period information.
  • the total usage time information is information about the total usage time of the mobile battery 100.
  • the charge/discharge count information is information about the number of times the mobile battery 100 has been charged/discharged.
  • the warranty period information is information about the warranty period of the mobile battery 100. The warranty period is the period during which the manufacturer/seller of the mobile battery 100 guarantees the functionality, quality, etc. of the mobile battery 100.
  • the usage history information acquired by the usage history information acquisition unit 426 may be stored in the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the usage history information may be stored in the memory unit 406 in association with the identification information of the mobile battery 100.
  • the state determination unit 428 determines whether the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state based on the usage history information.
  • the usage restriction state is one state of the mobile battery 100. More specifically, the usage restriction state is a state of the mobile battery 100 in which usage should be restricted.
  • the status determination unit 428 can determine whether the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state based on the total usage time information included in the usage history information. For example, when the total usage time indicated by the total usage time information has reached a predetermined usage time threshold, the status determination unit 428 determines that the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state.
  • the state determination unit 428 can determine whether the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state based on the charge/discharge count information included in the usage history information. For example, when the number of charges/discharges indicated by the charge/discharge count information has reached a predetermined charge/discharge count threshold, the state determination unit 428 determines that the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state.
  • the status determination unit 428 can determine whether the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state based on the warranty period information included in the usage history information. For example, if the warranty period indicated by the warranty period information has expired, the status determination unit 428 determines that the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state.
  • Information indicating the result of the determination made by the state determination unit 428 may be stored by the memory unit 406 of the management device 400. That is, information indicating whether or not the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state may be stored by the memory unit 406. Information indicating whether or not the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state may be stored in the memory unit 406 in association with the identification information of the mobile battery 100. This allows the operator of the sharing system 10 to easily check whether or not the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state. For example, the operator of the sharing system 10 can easily check whether or not the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state by accessing the management device 400 (memory unit 406) using a terminal not shown.
  • a low-quality mobile battery 100 It is not desirable for a low-quality mobile battery 100 to be provided to a user.
  • the quality of the mobile battery 100 may deteriorate as the total usage time or number of charging and discharging of the mobile battery 100 increases. In other words, it is desirable to restrict the use of a mobile battery 100 whose total usage time or number of charging and discharging has increased to a certain extent. It is also not desirable for a mobile battery 100 whose quality is not guaranteed to be provided to a user. In other words, it is desirable to restrict the use of a mobile battery 100 whose warranty period has expired.
  • the operator of the sharing system 10 management system 16
  • FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 23 shows an example of determining whether the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state.
  • step S81 the usage history information acquisition unit 426 of the management device 400 acquires usage history information of the mobile battery 100.
  • step S82 the state determination unit 428 of the management device 400 determines whether the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state based on the usage history information.
  • the memory unit 406 of the management device 400 stores information indicating the mobile battery 100 that has reached the usage restriction state.
  • the information indicating the mobile battery 100 that has reached the usage restriction state is information indicating the result of the determination made by the state determination unit 428 in step S82.
  • the information indicating the result of the determination made by the state determination unit 428 in step S82 can be stored in the memory unit 406 in association with the identification information of the mobile battery 100. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 23 is completed.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be provided with a replacement time estimation unit 432.
  • the replacement time estimation unit 432 estimates the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the usage history information.
  • the replacement time estimation unit 432 may estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the usage history of the mobile battery 100.
  • the usage history information may be acquired by the usage history information acquisition unit 426.
  • the replacement time estimation unit 432 may estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on, for example, the total usage time information included in the usage history information. In this case, the replacement time estimation unit 432 may estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the difference between a predetermined usage time threshold and the total usage time indicated by the total usage time information.
  • the replacement time estimation unit 432 may estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the charge/discharge count information included in the usage history information. In this case, the replacement time estimation unit 432 may estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the difference between a predetermined charge/discharge count threshold and the charge/discharge count indicated by the charge/discharge count information.
  • the replacement time estimation unit 432 can estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the warranty period information included in the usage history information. In this case, the replacement time estimation unit 432 can estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the warranty period indicated by the warranty period information.
  • the information indicating the replacement time estimated by the replacement time estimation unit 432 may be stored in the memory unit 406 of the management device 400.
  • the information indicating the replacement time estimated by the replacement time estimation unit 432 may be stored in the memory unit 406 in association with the identification information of the mobile battery 100.
  • the operator of the sharing system 10 may use the information indicating the replacement time estimated by the replacement time estimation unit 432 to systematically manage the mobile battery 100. For example, the operator described above may create a procurement plan for a new mobile battery 100 by referring to the information indicating the replacement time estimated by the replacement time estimation unit 432.
  • the quality control of the mobile battery 100 is explained further below.
  • the battery station 12 may be equipped with an inspection device 700.
  • the inspection device 700 may inspect the mobile battery 100 connected to the inspection device 700.
  • the inspection device 700 may perform inspections, such as capacity measurement and resistance measurement, on the mobile battery 100 connected to the inspection device 700. By performing inspections such as capacity measurement and resistance measurement, the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 of the mobile battery 100 may be detected.
  • Information indicating the inspection results by the inspection device 700 may be supplied from the inspection device 700 to the management device 400 via the network NW.
  • Information indicating the inspection results by the inspection device 700 may be used by the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430.
  • the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430 may be provided in the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400.
  • the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430 may determine the maximum charging capacity of the mobile battery 100 based on the inspection results by the inspection device 700.
  • Information indicating the maximum charging capacity determined by the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430 may be supplied from the management device 400 to the charger 14 (control computer not shown) via the network NW. This allows the charger 14 to charge the mobile battery 100 within a range where the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 does not exceed the maximum charging capacity.
  • the maximum charging capacity is the upper limit of the charging capacity permitted when the mobile battery 100 is charged.
  • the maximum charging capacity may vary depending on the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 of the mobile battery 100.
  • the criteria for determining whether charging the mobile battery 100 will result in overcharging may vary depending on the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102. Overcharging the mobile battery 100 is not desirable.
  • the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430 can determine the maximum charging capacity based on the inspection results by the inspection device 700 as described above. That is, according to this embodiment, the maximum charging capacity determination unit 430 can determine the maximum charging capacity according to the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102. Therefore, overcharging of the mobile battery 100 can be prevented.
  • the inspection by the inspection device 700 described above is performed according to the usage history of the mobile battery 100. In other words, it is preferable that the inspection by the inspection device 700 is performed according to the total usage time, the number of charging and discharging, or the warranty period of the mobile battery 100.
  • the inspection device 700 may inspect the mobile battery 100 only when the total usage time of the mobile battery 100 has reached a predetermined threshold.
  • the predetermined threshold may be smaller than the above-mentioned predetermined total usage time threshold.
  • a mobile battery 100 with a short total usage time is unlikely to have a problem with the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 provided in the mobile battery 100.
  • inspection of a mobile battery 100 with a short total usage time is likely to be an unnecessary inspection.
  • the inspection device 700 may inspect the mobile battery 100 only when the number of times the mobile battery 100 has been charged and discharged reaches a predetermined threshold.
  • the predetermined threshold may be smaller than the above-mentioned predetermined number of times of charging and discharging.
  • a mobile battery 100 with a low number of times of charging and discharging is unlikely to have a problem with the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 provided in the mobile battery 100.
  • an inspection of a mobile battery 100 with a low number of times of charging and discharging is likely to be an unnecessary inspection.
  • the inspection device 700 may inspect the mobile battery 100 only if the usage period of the mobile battery 100 has reached a predetermined threshold.
  • the predetermined threshold may be determined in advance within the range of the warranty period described above.
  • a mobile battery 100 with a short usage period is unlikely to have a problem with the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 provided in the mobile battery 100.
  • inspection of a mobile battery 100 with a short usage period is likely to be an unnecessary inspection.
  • the management system 16 allows the operator of the sharing system 10 to properly manage the quality of the mobile battery 100.
  • the management system 16 may be configured as follows. As described above, the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be equipped with an inventory shortage station determination unit 434, a requested delivery person selection unit 438, a low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442, and a time allowance determination unit 444.
  • the inventory shortage station determination unit 434 determines whether the battery station 12 is an inventory shortage station based on information regarding future demand for the mobile battery 100 and inventory information of the battery station 12.
  • the inventory information indicates the inventory of the mobile battery 100 at the battery station 12.
  • An inventory shortage station is a battery station 12 where the inventory of the mobile battery 100 is expected to be insufficient in the future. In other words, an inventory shortage station is a battery station 12 that is likely to be unable to meet the demand of users who wish to rent the mobile battery 100.
  • Information regarding the future demand for the mobile battery 100 can be generated, for example, by the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 described above. Inventory information indicating the inventory of the mobile battery 100 at the battery station 12 can be stored, for example, by the memory unit 406.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate information regarding the shortage station based on the result of the determination by the shortage station determination unit 434.
  • the information regarding the shortage station includes, for example, information indicating the shortage station location, which is the location of the shortage station.
  • the information generating unit 418 may further generate delivery request information.
  • the delivery request information is information for requesting a delivery person to deliver the mobile battery 100 to the shortage station.
  • the delivery request information may include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 to be delivered.
  • the target collector/deliverer selection unit 438 selects a target collector/deliverer who is the subject of a request to deliver the mobile battery 100 to the stock shortage station. In other words, the target collector/deliverer selection unit 438 selects the collector/deliverer terminal 300 to which the delivery request information is sent. The target collector/deliverer selection unit 438 selects a collector/deliverer located within a specified range from the stock shortage station based on the collector/deliverer location and the stock shortage station location. The collector/deliverer selected in this way becomes the target collector/deliverer. The target collector/deliverer selection unit 438 may select multiple target collectors/deliverers.
  • the information regarding the station with low inventory and the delivery request information can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 held by the requested delivery person via the communication unit 402. This allows the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 to provide the information regarding the station with low inventory and the delivery request information to the requested delivery person.
  • the requested collection and delivery party can ascertain the location of the stock shortage station. Furthermore, by providing the requested collection and delivery party with delivery request information, the requested collection and delivery party can deliver the mobile battery 100 to the stock shortage station. In other words, the stock shortage station can be replenished with mobile batteries 100. This prevents the stock shortage station from actually reaching a stock shortage in the future. Furthermore, the demand of users who wish to rent a mobile battery 100 located at the battery station 12 can be satisfied.
  • the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442 determines whether the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person is a low remaining capacity battery.
  • a low remaining capacity battery is a mobile battery 100 whose remaining capacity is less than a predetermined low remaining capacity threshold.
  • the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442 determines whether the mobile battery 100 is a low remaining capacity battery based on remaining capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100. As described above, the remaining capacity information can be acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 416.
  • the time allowance determination unit 444 determines whether or not the battery station 12 determined by the inventory shortage station determination unit 434 to be an inventory shortage station is a time allowance station.
  • a time allowance station is an inventory shortage station in which the time allowance, which is the amount of time before inventory shortage occurs, is equal to or exceeds a predetermined time allowance threshold.
  • the time allowance can be determined based on future collection and delivery demand predicted by the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates delivery request information to request the collector/deliverer (requested collector/deliverer) who has the low remaining battery to deliver the battery to a station with time to spare.
  • the delivery request information can be transmitted to the collector/deliverer terminal 300 of the collector/deliverer who has the low remaining battery via the communication unit 402. This allows the information providing unit 316 provided in the collector/deliverer terminal 300 to notify the collector/deliverer of the request to deliver the low remaining battery to a station with time to spare.
  • a low remaining capacity battery is a mobile battery 100 that is likely not to be preferred by users who wish to rent the mobile battery 100.
  • a low remaining capacity battery delivered to a time-margin equipped station can be charged at that time-margin equipped station. Since a time-margin equipped station is a battery station 12 that has time to spare before running out of stock, that time margin can be used to fully charge a low remaining capacity battery. This not only prevents a time-margin equipped station from running out of stock in the future, but also satisfies the demand of users who wish to rent a mobile battery 100 with sufficient remaining capacity.
  • the information generating unit 418 also generates information for restricting the delivery of low-capacity batteries to low-stock stations that are not time-rich stations.
  • the information includes, for example, a request to the collector/deliverer not to deliver low-capacity batteries to low-stock stations that are not time-rich stations.
  • the information for restricting the delivery of low-capacity batteries to low-stock stations that are not time-rich stations can be transmitted to the collector/deliverer terminal 300 of the collector/deliverer who possesses the low-capacity battery via the communication unit 402. This allows the information providing unit 316 provided in the collector/deliverer terminal 300 to notify the collector/deliverer of the restriction on delivery of low-capacity batteries to low-stock stations that are not time-rich stations. By restricting the delivery of low-capacity batteries to low-stock stations that are not time-rich stations, it is possible to prevent low-capacity batteries, which are likely not preferred by users, from being replenished to low-stock stations.
  • information for restricting the delivery of low-capacity batteries to low-stock stations that are not time-available stations may be provided to a collector/delivery party other than the requested collector/delivery party described above. This can prevent low-capacity batteries that are likely not preferred by users from being replenished to low-stock stations by a collector/delivery party other than the requested collector/delivery party.
  • inventory adjustments of mobile batteries 100 can be appropriately performed at stations with inventory shortages.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be equipped with an excess inventory station determination unit 436 and a delivery restriction courier selection unit 440.
  • the overstock station determination unit 436 determines whether the battery station 12 is an overstock station based on information about future demand for the mobile battery 100 and inventory information of the battery station 12.
  • An overstock station is a battery station 12 that is expected to have an excess inventory of mobile batteries 100 in the future.
  • a battery station 12 with excess inventory cannot accept the return of a mobile battery 100.
  • an overstock station is a battery station 12 that is likely to be unable to meet the demand of users who wish to return a mobile battery 100 to the battery station 12.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate information regarding the overstock station based on the result of the determination by the overstock station determining unit 436.
  • the information regarding the overstock station includes, for example, information indicating the overstock station location, which is the location of the overstock station.
  • the information generating unit 418 may further generate delivery restriction information.
  • the delivery restriction information is information for restricting the delivery of the mobile battery 100 to the overstock station.
  • the delivery restriction information includes, for example, a request to a courier not to deliver the mobile battery 100 to the overstock station.
  • the delivery-restricted collector/delivery selection unit 440 selects a delivery-restricted collector/delivery that is a collector/delivery that is subject to restrictions on delivery of the mobile battery 100 to the overstock station. In other words, the delivery-restricted collector/delivery selection unit 440 selects the collector/delivery terminal 300 to which the delivery restriction information is sent. The delivery-restricted collector/delivery selection unit 440 selects a collector/delivery that is located outside a specified range from the overstock station based on the collector/delivery location and the overstock station location. The collector/delivery selected in this way becomes the delivery-restricted collector/delivery. The delivery-restricted collector/delivery selection unit 440 may select multiple delivery-restricted collectors/delivery.
  • Information regarding overstocked stations and delivery restriction information can be transmitted to the collector/delivery terminal 300 carried by the delivery-restricted collector/delivery agent via the communication unit 402. This allows the information providing unit 316 of the collector/delivery agent terminal 300 to provide information regarding overstocked stations and delivery restriction information to the delivery-restricted collector/delivery agent.
  • the delivery-restricted collector/courier can ascertain the location of the overstock stations. Furthermore, by providing the delivery-restricted information to a delivery-restricted collector/courier, delivery of mobile batteries 100 to overstock stations can be restricted. In other words, replenishing stock of mobile batteries 100 at overstock stations can be restricted. This prevents overstock stations from actually reaching an overstock in the future. Furthermore, the demand of users who wish to return mobile batteries 100 to the battery station 12 can be satisfied.
  • a collector/deliverer located outside a predetermined range from an overstock station can be selected as a delivery restriction collector/deliverer. Therefore, information about the overstock station and delivery restriction information can be provided at least to a collector/deliverer located outside a predetermined range from the overstock station.
  • a collector/deliverer located outside a predetermined range from an overstock station takes more effort to reach the overstock station than a collector/deliverer located within a predetermined range from the overstock station.
  • information about the overstock station and delivery restriction information may be provided to a collector/deliverer located within a predetermined range from the overstock station. This can prevent a collector/deliverer located within a predetermined range from the overstock station from replenishing the mobile battery 100 at an overstock station. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent an overstock station from actually reaching overstock in the future.
  • inventory adjustments of mobile batteries 100 can be appropriately performed at stations with excess inventory.
  • FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 24 shows an example of the case where information for appropriately deploying the mobile battery 100 is provided to a delivery person.
  • step S91 the collection and delivery demand prediction unit 424 of the management device 400 predicts future demand for the mobile battery 100.
  • step S92 the inventory shortage station determination unit 434 of the management device 400 determines whether there is a battery station 12 that corresponds to an inventory shortage station.
  • step S93 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates information about the station with low inventory.
  • the information about the station with low inventory may include information indicating the location of the station with low inventory.
  • step S94 the request target delivery person selection unit 438 of the management device 400 selects the request target delivery person.
  • step S95 the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442 of the management device 400 determines whether the mobile battery 100 possessed by the delivery person is a low remaining capacity battery. In other words, the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442 determines whether the delivery person possesses a low remaining capacity battery.
  • step S96 the time allowance determination unit 444 of the management device 400 determines whether there is a station with insufficient stock that corresponds to a station with time allowance.
  • step S97 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates delivery request information.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates delivery request information for requesting the requested delivery agent to deliver the low-capacity battery to the station with time to spare.
  • the information generating unit 418 may further generate information for restricting the delivery of low-capacity batteries to stations with low inventory that are not stations with time to spare.
  • step S95 if it is determined in step S95 that the delivery person does not have a low-capacity battery, the process proceeds to step S97, and the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 generates delivery request information.
  • step S98 may be executed.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates information for restricting the delivery of low-capacity batteries to stations with low inventory.
  • step S97 may also be executed when step S98 is executed.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate delivery request information for requesting the requested delivery person to deliver a mobile battery 100 other than a low-capacity battery to a station with a shortage of stock.
  • step S92 If it is determined in step S92 above that there is no station with insufficient inventory, or if step S97 is completed, the process proceeds to step S99.
  • step S99 the overstock station determination unit 436 of the management device 400 determines whether there is a battery station 12 that is an overstock station.
  • step S100 the information generating unit 418 generates information about the overstock station.
  • the information about the overstock station may include information indicating the location of the overstock station.
  • step S101 the delivery restriction collector/delivery selection unit 440 of the management device 400 selects a delivery restriction collector/delivery.
  • step S102 the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 provides the information to the delivery person. This completes the operation illustrated in FIG. 24.
  • step S102 the information provided to the collector/deliverer differs depending on the results of the determinations made in steps S91 to S101 described above. For example, depending on the result of the determination of whether or not there is a station that is low on stock (step S92), whether or not information about stations that are low on stock is provided to the collector/deliverer (requested collector/deliverer) in step S102 differs. Also, depending on the result of execution of step S99, whether or not information about stations that are overstock is provided to the collector/deliverer (delivery-limited collector/deliverer) in step S102 differs. If neither a station that is low on stock nor a station that is overstock exists, step S102 may be skipped.
  • the management system 16 may be configured as follows.
  • the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates information also referred to as low remaining capacity battery information in this embodiment.
  • the low remaining capacity battery information is information about a low remaining capacity battery that can be provided to a user.
  • the low remaining capacity battery information can be generated based on a low remaining capacity battery position, which is the location of the low remaining capacity battery, and a user position, which is the location of the user.
  • the low remaining capacity battery location can be acquired by the location information acquisition unit 412 described above.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 can acquire the location of the delivery person who has the low remaining capacity battery as the low remaining capacity battery location.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 can also acquire the location of the battery station 12 where the low remaining capacity battery is located as the low remaining capacity battery location.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may acquire the low remaining capacity battery location based on the positioning results by the positioning unit 106 provided in the mobile battery 100 (low remaining capacity battery).
  • the low remaining battery information may be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 216 may display a map MP on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200, and may also display a figure 516 indicating the location of the low remaining battery on the map MP (see also FIG. 26).
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be equipped with a remaining capacity information acquisition unit 448 and a mobile battery selection unit 450.
  • the remaining capacity information acquisition unit 448 acquires information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery.
  • the mobile device battery is a battery provided in a mobile device owned by a user.
  • the mobile device battery may be included in the user's personal belongings.
  • An example of a mobile device owned by a user is the user terminal 200, but is not limited to this.
  • the remaining capacity information acquisition unit 448 acquires information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery, for example, by communicating with the mobile device.
  • the mobile battery selection unit 450 selects a mobile battery 100 that can be provided to the user depending on the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery. For example, if the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the mobile battery selection unit 450 selects a low remaining capacity battery as the mobile battery 100 that can be provided to the user. On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery is less than the predetermined threshold, the mobile battery selection unit 450 selects a mobile battery 100 other than a low remaining capacity battery as the mobile battery 100 that can be provided to the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may change the information provided to the user depending on the selection result by the mobile battery selecting unit 450. For example, if the mobile battery selecting unit 450 selects a low remaining capacity battery, the information providing unit 216 causes the display unit 204 to display the low remaining capacity battery information in priority over information other than the low remaining capacity battery information. Also, for example, if the mobile battery selecting unit 450 selects a low remaining capacity battery, the information providing unit 216 causes the display unit 204 to display the low remaining capacity battery information so that it stands out more than information other than the low remaining capacity battery information. This can increase the likelihood that the user will refer to the low remaining capacity battery information. As a result, it is possible to encourage the user to use a low remaining capacity battery.
  • the mobile battery selection unit 450 selects a low remaining capacity battery.
  • the remaining capacity of the personal mobile device battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the user is likely not to need the mobile battery 100 to be fully charged.
  • the remaining capacity of the personal mobile device battery is less than a predetermined threshold, the user is likely to want the mobile battery 100 to be fully charged.
  • a user whose personal mobile device battery has a remaining capacity less than a predetermined threshold is likely not to need a low remaining capacity battery.
  • encouraging a user who is likely not to need a low remaining capacity battery to use a low remaining capacity battery is avoided.
  • FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system. An example of providing low remaining battery capacity information to a user is shown in FIG. 25.
  • the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442 of the management device 400 determines whether or not the mobile battery 100 is a low remaining capacity battery. For example, remaining capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 can be acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 416 described above. Based on the results acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 416, the low remaining capacity battery determination unit 442 determines that the mobile battery 100 whose remaining capacity is less than the low remaining capacity threshold described above is a low remaining capacity battery.
  • step S111 the process proceeds to step S112 and step S113.
  • step S112 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires low remaining capacity battery location information indicating the location of the low remaining capacity battery.
  • step S113 the location information acquisition unit 412 acquires user location information indicating the user location.
  • step S114 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates low remaining capacity battery information.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates low remaining capacity battery information based on the user position information and the low remaining capacity battery position information.
  • the low remaining capacity battery information may include information about low remaining capacity batteries that are located within a predetermined range from the user position.
  • step S115 the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 provides the user with low remaining capacity battery information.
  • the low remaining capacity battery information can be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • the operation illustrated in FIG. 25 is completed. Note that, even if it is determined in step S111 that the mobile battery 100 is not a low remaining capacity battery, the operation illustrated in FIG. 25 is also terminated.
  • FIG. 26 shows an example of a display on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 that receives the low remaining capacity battery information may cause the display unit 204 to display, for example, the display screen 204e illustrated in FIG. 26.
  • the display screen 204e may be displayed on the display unit 204 when, for example, the above-mentioned mobile battery selection unit 450 selects a low remaining capacity battery.
  • a map MP may be displayed on the display screen 204e.
  • a figure 502 indicating the user's position may further be displayed on the display screen 204e.
  • the display screen 204e may further display a graphic 516 indicating the location of a low-capacity battery.
  • the graphic 516 in FIG. 26 indicates the location of a delivery person who has a low-capacity battery as the low-capacity battery location.
  • a plurality of graphics 516 (516A to 516C) may be displayed on the display screen 204e.
  • Display data 518 based on the low remaining capacity battery information may further be displayed on the display screen 204e.
  • the display data 518 indicates, for example, the remaining capacity of the low remaining capacity battery.
  • the display data 518 is not limited to this.
  • the display data 518 may further indicate the time required for delivery when a user requests delivery of a low remaining capacity battery, the cost of using the low remaining capacity battery, etc.
  • the display data 518 may be generated as appropriate by the information generation unit 418.
  • the display screen 204e can display a plurality of display data 518 (518A to 518C).
  • display data 518A For example, in FIG. 26, the position of the low remaining battery shown in the display data 518A is indicated by the graphic 516A.
  • the position of the low remaining battery shown in the display data 518B is indicated by the graphic 516B.
  • the position of the low remaining battery shown in the display data 518C is indicated by the graphic 516C.
  • providing the user with low remaining capacity battery information can encourage the user to use the low remaining capacity battery.
  • the number of times the low remaining capacity battery is charged and discharged can be reduced.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be provided with a bonus granting unit 446.
  • the bonus granting unit 446 grants a bonus to a user who has used a low remaining capacity battery.
  • the bonus is, for example, a special service provided only to a user who has used a low remaining capacity battery, but is not limited to this.
  • the display data 518 described above may include information indicating a bonus that will be granted to the user when the low remaining capacity battery shown in the display data 518 is used.
  • Information regarding the bonus granted to the user by the bonus granting unit 446 may be stored in the storage unit 406 in association with user identification information, which is the user's identification information.
  • the reward providing unit 446 can further encourage users to use a battery with a low remaining capacity.
  • the charged mobile battery 100 it is not desirable for the charged mobile battery 100 to be left unused. Furthermore, from the standpoint of preventing deterioration of the mobile battery 100, it is also not desirable for the mobile battery 100 to remain in an overcharged state for a long period of time.
  • the management system 16 may be configured as follows.
  • the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates information, which is also referred to as high remaining capacity battery information in this embodiment.
  • the high remaining capacity battery information is information about a high remaining capacity battery that can be provided to a user.
  • a high remaining capacity battery is a mobile battery 100 whose remaining capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined high remaining capacity threshold.
  • the high remaining capacity threshold is greater than the low remaining capacity threshold described above.
  • the high remaining capacity threshold is, for example, but is not limited to, the maximum charging capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the high remaining capacity battery information may be generated based on the high remaining capacity battery position, which is the position of the high remaining capacity battery, and the user position.
  • the high remaining capacity battery location can be acquired by the location information acquisition unit 412.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 can acquire the location of the delivery person who has the high remaining capacity battery as the high remaining capacity battery location.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 can also acquire the location of the battery station 12 where the high remaining capacity battery is located as the high remaining capacity battery location.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may acquire the high remaining capacity battery location based on the positioning results by the positioning unit 106 provided in the mobile battery 100 (high remaining capacity battery).
  • the high remaining capacity battery information can be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 216 can display a map MP on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200, and can also display a figure 520 indicating the location of the high remaining capacity battery on the map MP (see also FIG. 28).
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 may be provided with a time series data acquisition unit 454 and a long-term high remaining capacity battery determination unit 456.
  • the time series data acquisition unit 454 acquires time series data regarding the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100.
  • the time series data acquisition unit 454 may acquire time series data regarding the remaining capacity of a high remaining capacity battery.
  • the acquired time series data may be stored by the memory unit 406.
  • the long-term high remaining capacity battery determination unit 456 determines whether a high remaining capacity battery is a long-term high remaining capacity battery.
  • a long-term high remaining capacity battery is a high remaining capacity battery whose remaining capacity remains equal to or exceeds a high remaining capacity threshold for a period of time equal to or exceeds a predetermined long-term threshold.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates long-term high remaining capacity battery information based on the user position and the position of the long-term high remaining capacity battery.
  • the long-term high remaining capacity battery information is information about a long-term high remaining capacity battery that can be provided to the user.
  • the long-term high remaining capacity battery information is information about a long-term high remaining capacity battery among the high remaining capacity battery information. Therefore, the long-term high remaining capacity battery information can be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402. Furthermore, the long-term high remaining capacity battery information can be provided to the user by the information providing unit 216.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may change the information provided to the user depending on the selection result by the mobile battery selecting unit 450. Based on this, the mobile battery selecting unit 450 may select a high remaining capacity battery when the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery is less than a predetermined threshold. As a result, when the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery is less than the predetermined threshold, the information providing unit 216 may, for example, cause the display unit 204 to display high remaining capacity battery information in priority over information other than the high remaining capacity battery information. When the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery is less than the predetermined threshold, the information providing unit 216 may, for example, cause the display unit 204 to display high remaining capacity battery information more prominently than information other than the high remaining capacity battery information.
  • the remaining capacity of the personal mobile device battery when the remaining capacity of the personal mobile device battery is less than a predetermined threshold, the user is likely to need the mobile battery 100 to be fully charged. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to encourage users who are likely to need the mobile battery 100 to be fully charged to use a high remaining capacity battery. Furthermore, when the remaining capacity of the personal mobile device battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the user is likely not to need the mobile battery 100 to be fully charged. In other words, when the remaining capacity of the personal mobile device battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the user is likely not to need a high remaining capacity battery. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid encouraging users who are likely not to need a high remaining capacity battery to use a high remaining capacity battery.
  • FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 27 shows an example of a case where high remaining capacity battery information and long-term high remaining capacity battery information are appropriately provided to the user.
  • step S121 the high remaining capacity battery determination unit 452 of the management device 400 determines whether or not the mobile battery 100 is a high remaining capacity battery. For example, remaining capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 can be acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 416 described above. Based on the results acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 416, the high remaining capacity battery determination unit 452 determines that the mobile battery 100 whose remaining capacity is equal to or greater than the high remaining capacity threshold described above is a high remaining capacity battery.
  • step S121 the process proceeds to step S122 and step S123.
  • step S122 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires high remaining capacity battery location information indicating the location of the high remaining capacity battery.
  • step S123 the location information acquisition unit 412 acquires user location information indicating the user location.
  • step S124 the long-term high remaining capacity battery determination unit 456 of the management device 400 determines whether the high remaining capacity battery is a long-term high remaining capacity battery. If the high remaining capacity battery is a long-term high remaining capacity battery, step S125 is executed. If the high remaining capacity battery is not a long-term high remaining capacity battery, step S126 is executed.
  • step S125 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates long-term high remaining capacity battery information.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates the long-term high remaining capacity battery information based on the user position information and the long-term high remaining capacity battery position information.
  • the long-term high remaining capacity battery information may include information about long-term high remaining capacity batteries that are located within a specified range from the user position.
  • step S126 the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 generates high remaining capacity battery information.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates high remaining capacity battery information based on the user position information and the high remaining capacity battery position information.
  • the high remaining capacity battery information may include information about high remaining capacity batteries that are located within a predetermined range from the user position.
  • step S127 is started.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 provides information to the user. If step S125 is executed, long-term high remaining capacity battery information is provided to the user in step S127. If step S126 is executed, high remaining capacity battery information is provided to the user in step S127.
  • the high remaining capacity battery information or long-term high remaining capacity battery information can be transmitted to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 27 is completed. Note that the operation illustrated in FIG. 27 also ends if it is determined in step S121 that the battery is not a high remaining capacity battery.
  • FIG. 28 shows an example of a display on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 that has received the high remaining capacity battery information and the long-term high remaining capacity battery information may cause the display unit 204 to display, for example, the display screen 204f illustrated in FIG. 28.
  • the display screen 204f may be displayed on the display unit 204 when, for example, the mobile battery selection unit 450 described above selects a high remaining capacity battery.
  • a map MP may be displayed on the display screen 204f.
  • a figure 502 indicating the user's position may further be displayed on the display screen 204f.
  • a graphic 520 may further be displayed on the display screen 204f.
  • the graphic 520 indicates the location of a high remaining capacity battery (long-term high remaining capacity battery location).
  • the graphic 520 in FIG. 28 indicates the location of a delivery person who has a high remaining capacity battery as the high remaining capacity battery location.
  • a plurality of graphics 520 (520A to 520C) may be displayed on the display screen 204f. Note that the graphic 520 may change depending on whether it indicates a long-term high remaining capacity battery location or the location of a high remaining capacity battery that is not a long-term high remaining capacity battery.
  • the display screen 204f may further display display data 522 based on high remaining capacity battery information (long-term high remaining capacity battery information).
  • the display data 522 indicates, for example, the remaining capacity of a high remaining capacity battery (long-term high remaining capacity battery).
  • the display data 522 is not limited to this.
  • the display data 522 may further indicate the required delivery time when a user requests delivery of a high remaining capacity battery (long-term high remaining capacity battery), the cost of using the high remaining capacity battery, etc.
  • the display data 522 may further indicate whether the high remaining capacity battery indicated by the display data 522 corresponds to a long-term high remaining capacity battery.
  • the display data 522 may be generated as appropriate by the information generating unit 418.
  • the display screen 204f can display multiple pieces of display data 522 (522A to 522C).
  • the position of the high remaining capacity battery shown in the display data 522A is indicated by a figure 520A.
  • the position of the high remaining capacity battery shown in the display data 522B is indicated by a figure 520B.
  • the position of the high remaining capacity battery shown in the display data 522C is indicated by a figure 520C.
  • Display screen 204e (FIG. 26) and display screen 204f (FIG. 28) may be combined.
  • a graphic 516 indicating a low remaining capacity battery position and a graphic 520 indicating a high remaining capacity battery position (long-term high remaining capacity battery position) may be displayed together on display unit 204.
  • Display data 518 relating to a low remaining capacity battery and display data 522 relating to a high remaining capacity battery position (long-term high remaining capacity battery position) may be displayed together on display unit 204.
  • the management system 16 can provide the user with information regarding a high remaining capacity battery (long-term high remaining capacity battery). This can encourage the user to use a high remaining capacity battery (long-term high remaining capacity battery). By encouraging the user to use a high remaining capacity battery (long-term high remaining capacity battery), deterioration of the mobile battery 100 can be suppressed.
  • the battery station 12 described above can be used as a base of operations for the delivery person.
  • the battery station 12 can be provided with a waiting area (rest area) for the delivery person. This allows the delivery person to use the battery station 12 as a rest facility.
  • the battery station 12 can also be provided with items that can be used by the delivery person.
  • the items can be provided in the battery station 12 as appropriate, for example, by the operating company that operates the sharing system 10.
  • An example of an item that can be provided in the battery station 12 for the delivery person is a mobile object (bicycle, etc.) that can be lent to the delivery person.
  • the item provided in the battery station 12 for the delivery person is not limited to a mobile object.
  • the battery station 12 can be provided with equipment, consumables, etc.
  • the equipment can be, for example, rain gear (umbrella, raincoat) that can be used by the delivery person in rainy weather.
  • the equipment can also be communication equipment (router), etc.
  • the equipment is not limited to these.
  • the consumables can be, for example, beverages that the delivery person can drink during a break, but are not limited to this.
  • the management system 16 can support the activities of delivery personnel by encouraging them to use the rest facilities, items, etc. described above.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 is equipped with an operation status information acquisition unit 458, a rest necessity determination unit 460, and a provision information selection unit 462.
  • Operation status information is information related to the operation status of a delivery or collection service provider.
  • Operation status information includes, for example, delivery or collection service provider movement information.
  • Delivery or collection service provider movement information indicates at least one of the movement distance and movement time of the delivery or collection service provider.
  • the content of the operation status information is not limited to delivery or collection service provider movement information.
  • operation status information may include information related to the number of requests completed by a delivery or collection service provider.
  • the break necessity determination unit 460 determines whether the delivery person needs to take a break based on the operating status information. For example, the break necessity determination unit 460 determines whether the distance, time, etc. traveled by the delivery person without taking a break exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the operating status information (delivery person movement information). In this case, the break necessity determination unit 460 can determine that the delivery person needs to take a break if the distance, time, etc. traveled by the delivery person without taking a break exceeds a predetermined threshold. In addition, for example, the break necessity determination unit 460 can also determine that the delivery person needs to take a break if the number of cases that the delivery person has processed consecutively without taking a break exceeds a predetermined number.
  • the break recommendation information is information for recommending the delivery person to take a break.
  • the break recommendation information includes, for example, information for displaying a message on the display unit 304 of the delivery person terminal 300 to encourage the delivery person to take a break.
  • the rest-taking recommendation information can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402. This allows the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 to provide the rest-taking recommendation information to the delivery person. In other words, the management system 16 can encourage the delivery person to take a break.
  • FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 29 shows an example of providing information recommending rest breaks to delivery personnel.
  • step S131 the operation status information acquisition unit 458 of the management device 400 acquires operation status information.
  • the operation status information is information related to the operation status of the delivery/collection company.
  • step S132 the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 generates break recommendation information based on the operating status information.
  • the break recommendation information is information that recommends the delivery person to take a break.
  • the generated break recommendation information can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • step S133 the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 provides the delivery person with the rest-taking recommendation information. That is, the delivery person is provided with the rest-taking recommendation information using the delivery person terminal 300. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 29 is completed.
  • the information generation unit 418 it is preferable for the information generation unit 418 to include rest facility information in the rest taking recommendation information.
  • the rest facility information is information that indicates facilities that can be used by collection/delivery personnel to take a break.
  • An example of a facility that can be used by collection/delivery personnel to take a break is the battery station 12 as described above, but is not limited to this.
  • the rest facility information may indicate a coffee shop or the like that can be used by collection/delivery personnel to take a break.
  • the rest facility information may be stored in advance by the memory unit 406.
  • the information generation unit 418 can include rest facility information indicating facilities corresponding to the delivery/collection person location in the rest-taking recommendation information.
  • the information generation unit 418 can include rest facility information indicating facilities located within a specified range from the delivery/collection person location in the rest-taking recommendation information.
  • the delivery/collection person location information can be acquired by the location information acquisition unit 412 as described above.
  • the information generation unit 418 may use the future location of the collector/deliverer to include rest facility information indicating facilities corresponding to the future location of the collector/deliverer in the rest taking recommendation information.
  • the future location of the collector/deliverer is also referred to as the future collector/deliverer location in the following description.
  • the future location of the collector/deliverer may be predicted by the future location prediction unit 414.
  • the future location prediction unit 414 may predict the future location of the collector/deliverer based on the action plan of the collector/deliverer.
  • the action plan of the collector/deliverer may be transmitted to the management device 400 as appropriate by the collector/deliverer using the collector/deliverer terminal 300.
  • the action plan of the collector/deliverer may be understood based on the contents of the collection and delivery request for the mobile battery 100 that the collector/deliverer has received.
  • the future location prediction unit 414 may predict the future location of the collector/deliverer based on the current behavior of the collector/deliverer. For example, if the collector/deliverer is using a train, the future location of the collector/deliverer may be predicted based on the timetable of the train, etc. For example, when a delivery person is walking on a road, the future location of the delivery person can be predicted based on map information about the road, the moving speed of the delivery person, and the moving direction of the delivery person.
  • the future location prediction unit 414 may also predict the future location of the delivery person based on the schedule information of the delivery person.
  • the schedule information can be stored in advance in the memory unit 312 provided in the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 300 is provided with an operation unit 302.
  • the operation unit 302 may receive an operation by the delivery/collection person to indicate to the management system 16 the intention to take a break.
  • the intention may be transmitted to the management device 400 via the communication unit 308 of the delivery/collection person terminal 300.
  • the provided information selection unit 462 may select rest facility information indicating a facility that the delivery/collection person can use for a break in response to the intention.
  • rest facility information is stored in the memory unit 406.
  • the memory unit 406 may store multiple pieces of rest facility information.
  • the provided information selection unit 462 may select rest facility information indicating a facility within a predetermined range from the delivery/collection person position based on the delivery/collection person position information.
  • the rest facility information selected by the provided information selection unit 462 may be transmitted to the delivery/collection person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402. As a result, the rest facility information may be provided to the delivery/collection person in response to the operation received by the operation unit 302.
  • the management device 400 is also provided with a collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464.
  • the collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464 acquires collection and delivery environment information.
  • the collection and delivery environment information is information related to the collection and delivery environment of the delivery person. More specifically, the collection and delivery environment information includes, for example, at least one of weather information, road surface information, and communication environment information.
  • the weather information is information related to the weather conditions when the delivery person collects and delivers the mobile battery 100.
  • the road surface information is information related to the road surface conditions when the delivery person collects and delivers the mobile battery 100.
  • the communication environment information is information related to the communication environment when the delivery person collects and delivers the mobile battery 100.
  • the collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464 acquires collection and delivery environment information (weather information, road surface information, communication environment information) using, for example, the Internet.
  • the provided information selection unit 462 selects item information based on collection and delivery environment information, delivery person location information, and item location information.
  • Item information is information indicating items (supplies, consumables) that can be used by delivery persons.
  • Item location information is information indicating the location where an item is provided. In other words, item location information indicates the location of an item.
  • the item information and item location information may be stored in advance by the storage unit 406.
  • the storage unit 406 may store the item information and item location information in association with each other.
  • the provided information selection unit 462 may select item information, for example, as described below.
  • the provided information selection unit 462 determines whether the weather will be rainy when the delivery person collects and delivers the mobile battery 100 based on meteorological information. If the weather will be rainy when the delivery person collects and delivers the mobile battery 100, the provided information selection unit 462 selects item information indicating items (e.g., rain gear) that the delivery person can use in rainy weather, from among items located within a specified range from the delivery person's location.
  • items e.g., rain gear
  • the item information selected by the provided information selection unit 462 and item location information indicating the location of the item related to the item information can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402.
  • the management system 16 can encourage the delivery person to use items corresponding to the delivery environment information.
  • FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 30 shows an example of a case where item information according to the collection and delivery environment is provided to a delivery person.
  • step S134 the collection and delivery environment information acquisition unit 464 of the management device 400 acquires the collection and delivery environment information.
  • the collection and delivery environment information is information about the collection and delivery environment of the delivery person.
  • step S135 the provided information selection unit 462 of the management device 400 selects item information based on the collection and delivery environment information.
  • the item information is information that indicates items that can be used by the delivery person.
  • the selected item information can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • step S136 the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 provides the item information to the delivery person. That is, the item information is provided to the delivery person using the delivery person terminal 300. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 30 is completed.
  • the calculation unit 404 of the management device 400 is equipped with a malfunction information acquisition unit 466.
  • the malfunction information acquisition unit 466 acquires malfunction information.
  • the malfunction information is information related to a malfunction of a mobile object used by a delivery person.
  • the malfunction information is appropriately transmitted to the management device 400 by the delivery person using the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the provided information selection unit 462 selects item information (repair item information) based on the malfunction information, the delivery person location information, and item location information (repair item location information).
  • Repair item information is information that indicates a repair item.
  • a repair item is an item that can be used by a delivery person to repair a mobile object.
  • Repair item location information is information that indicates the location where the repair item is provided.
  • the repair item may be provided as equipment in the battery station 12, for example.
  • the repair item location information may indicate the location of the battery station 12 where the repair item is provided.
  • the provided information selection unit 462 selects, for example, repair item information that indicates repair items that are located within a specified range from the delivery/collection location.
  • the repair item information selected by the provided information selection unit 462 and repair item location information indicating the location of the repair item related to the repair item information can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402. This allows the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 to provide the delivery person with repair item information corresponding to the malfunction information. In other words, the management system 16 can encourage the delivery person to use repair items corresponding to the malfunction state of the mobile object.
  • FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 31 shows an example of a case where repair item information according to the breakdown state of a mobile object is provided to a delivery person.
  • step S137 the malfunction information acquisition unit 466 of the management device 400 acquires the malfunction information.
  • the malfunction information is information regarding a malfunction of a mobile object used by a delivery person.
  • step S138 the provided information selection unit 462 of the management device 400 selects repair item information based on the malfunction information.
  • the repair item information is information that indicates repair items that are items that can be used by the delivery person.
  • the selected repair item information can be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 300 via the communication unit 402 of the management device 400.
  • step S139 the information providing unit 316 of the collector/delivery terminal 300 provides the repair item information to the collector/delivery. That is, the repair item information is provided to the collector/delivery using the collector/delivery terminal 300. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 31 is completed.
  • the management system 16 can support the activities of delivery personnel.
  • the user terminal 200 is equipped with an operation unit 202.
  • the user may use the operation unit 202 to notify the management device 400 that the user wishes to give a discretionary reward to the collector/deliverer.
  • the discretionary reward is a reward that the user may give at his/her discretion to the collector/deliverer for collecting and delivering the mobile battery 100.
  • the discretionary reward may be a consumable item.
  • the consumable item is, for example, a beverage that the collector/deliverer may drink during a break, but is not limited to this.
  • the user may wish to give a discretionary reward to a collector/deliverer who has provided the user with good service.
  • the control unit 408 of the management device 400 may transmit discretionary reward information corresponding to the content of the notification to the collector/deliverer terminal 300.
  • the discretionary reward information is information related to the discretionary reward.
  • the discretionary reward information indicates, for example, consumables that the user wishes to give to the collector/deliverer, but is not limited to this.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 that receives the optional reward information can provide the optional reward information to the collector/deliverer. This allows the collector/deliverer to know that the optional reward will be given to the collector/deliverer. As a result, the motivation of the collector/deliverer can be increased.
  • the person who uses the mobile battery 100 is the user, and the person who collects and delivers the mobile battery 100 to the user is the delivery person.
  • the information generating unit 418 provided in the management device 400 generates delivery request information for requesting a user to deliver the mobile battery 100. For example, when the number of users in a specified area reaches or exceeds a predetermined user number threshold, the information generating unit 418 generates delivery request information for requesting a user to deliver the mobile battery 100 to the specified area.
  • the determination of whether the number of users in the specified area is equal to or greater than the user number threshold may be performed by the calculation unit 404 (e.g., the control unit 408).
  • the number of users in the specified area may be acquired, for example, based on user position information.
  • the user position information may be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 412.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating the location of the battery station 12 in the delivery request information.
  • the battery station 12 is a battery station 12 in which mobile batteries 100 that can be delivered within a specified area are located.
  • the information generating unit 418 may also include information indicating, for example, the location of the delivery destination in the delivery request information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating the location of the specified area in the delivery request information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 to be delivered to the delivery destination in the delivery request information.
  • the management device 400 is equipped with a delivery request information distribution unit 478.
  • the delivery request information distribution unit 478 distributes delivery request information to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402.
  • the delivery target of the delivery request information may include at least the user terminal 200 held by a user located within a specified distance from the battery station 12 where the mobile battery 100 that can be delivered to the specified area is located. Multiple user terminals 200 may receive the delivery request information.
  • the information providing unit 216 provided in the user terminal 200 that receives the delivery request information can provide the delivery request information to the user. This allows the management system 16 to request the user to deliver the mobile battery 100 within a specified area.
  • the delivery request information may include information indicating the battery station 12.
  • the delivery request information may also include information indicating the location of the delivery destination.
  • the delivery request information may include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 that need to be delivered to the delivery destination. Taking into account this information included in the delivery request information, the user may consider whether or not to accept the delivery request.
  • a user who wishes to accept the delivery request related to the delivery request information can use the user terminal 200 to respond to the management device 400 that the user can accept the delivery request.
  • the management device 400 can formally request the delivery of the mobile battery 100 to the user who has responded that they can accept the delivery request related to the delivery request information.
  • FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 32 shows an example of a case where a user is requested to deliver a mobile battery 100.
  • step S141 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires user location information.
  • step S142 the control unit 408 of the management device 400 determines whether the number of users in the specified area is equal to or greater than the user number threshold.
  • the number of users in the specified area can be determined, for example, based on user position information. If the number of users in the specified area is equal to or greater than the user number threshold, step S143 is started. If the number of users in the specified area is less than the user number threshold, the operation of FIG. 32 ends.
  • step S143 the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 generates delivery request information.
  • step S144 the delivery request information distribution unit 478 of the management device 400 distributes the delivery request information to the user terminal 200.
  • the delivery request information distribution unit 478 distributes the delivery request information to a mobile terminal 200 held by a user located within a predetermined distance from a battery station 12 in which a mobile battery 100 that can be delivered within a predetermined area is located. In this way, the operation illustrated in FIG. 32 is completed.
  • the determination in step S142 may be made based on the future user position predicted by the future position prediction unit 414. In other words, the number of users in a specified area may be determined based on the future user positions.
  • a user may possess a mobile device.
  • the mobile device may be connected to the mobile battery 100.
  • a user may possess multiple mobile devices. That is, the number of users located within a specified range does not necessarily match the number of mobile devices possessed by the users located within the specified range.
  • the control unit 408 may determine whether the number of mobile devices possessed by the users within the specified range is equal to or greater than a predetermined device number threshold. That is, in step S142, the control unit 408 may determine at least one of whether the number of users within the specified range is equal to or greater than a predetermined user number threshold and whether the number of mobile devices within the specified range is equal to or greater than a predetermined device number threshold.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 acquires mobile device location information indicating the location of the mobile device as necessary. For example, if the user possesses a mobile device other than the user terminal 200, the location information acquisition unit 412 acquires the mobile device location information separately from the information indicating the location of the user terminal 200 (user location information). For example, the location information acquisition unit 412 can track the location of the mobile device by the user (user terminal 200) providing the identification information of the mobile device to the management device 400 in advance. In this way, the location information acquisition unit 412 can acquire the mobile device location information.
  • the storage unit 406 can store the user identification information and the identification information of the mobile device possessed by the user in association with each other.
  • step S144 the delivery request information distribution unit 478 distributes the delivery request information to the user terminal 200 located within a predetermined distance from the battery station 12.
  • a user located within a predetermined distance from the battery station 12 has a smaller burden to reach the battery station 12 than a user located outside the predetermined distance from the battery station 12.
  • the management system 16 can request delivery of the mobile battery 100 to a user who has a relatively small burden to reach the battery station 12.
  • the delivery request information distribution unit 478 may select a user (user terminal 200) to which the delivery request information is to be distributed based on the user's action plan.
  • the delivery request information distribution unit 478 selects, for example, a user who is located within a predetermined distance from the battery station 12 and plans to pass through the battery station 12. This can reduce the impact of the mobile battery 100's request to the user on the action plan of the user. It is more preferable that the delivery request information distribution unit 478 selects a user who is located within a predetermined distance from the battery station 12 and plans to go to a predetermined area via the battery station 12. This can further reduce the impact of the mobile battery 100's request to the user on the action plan of the user.
  • information indicating the user's action plan may be transmitted in advance to the management device 400 via the user terminal 200 by a user who intends to receive a delivery request for the mobile battery 100, but is not limited to this.
  • the management system 16 can request delivery of the mobile battery 100 to a certain user. This allows the mobile battery 100 to be delivered by the user even if, for example, it is difficult for a delivery person to deliver the mobile battery 100.
  • the delivery request information may be distributed to the user terminal 200 regardless of whether a delivery request to the specified area has actually been made. This allows a user who needs a mobile battery 100 after the mobile battery 100 has been delivered to the specified area to use the mobile battery 100 that has already been delivered to the specified area.
  • the mobile battery 100 can be stored in equipment 20 such as a battery holder.
  • equipment 20 such as a battery holder.
  • a battery holder for storing a mobile battery 100 that can be delivered within a specified range may be installed in advance at a location where it is estimated that a person heading within the specified range will pass through. This allows, for example, a user heading within the specified range to collect the mobile battery 100 stored in the battery holder and deliver the mobile battery 100 to another user who is within the specified range. This point will be explained in more detail below.
  • the management device 400 (calculation unit 404) is equipped with a people flow data acquisition unit 480, a holder position determination unit 482, and a delivery destination information provision unit 484.
  • the people flow data acquisition unit 480 acquires people flow data. People flow data is data acquired based on the movement of people.
  • the people flow data acquisition unit 480 may acquire people flow data supplied from a business that provides people flow data, but is not limited to this.
  • the people flow data acquisition unit 480 may grasp people flow based on user location information, for example.
  • the people flow data acquisition unit 480 may also grasp people flow based on delivery person location information, for example.
  • the holder position determination unit 482 detects a flow of people reaching a specified area based on the people flow data acquired by the people flow data acquisition unit 480.
  • This flow of people is, for example, a flow of people along a road that reaches within a specified range. If there are multiple roads that reach within the specified range, multiple flows of people may occur that reach within the specified range.
  • the holder position determination unit 482 determines the installation position of the battery holder according to the flow of people. It is preferable that the flow of people taken into consideration when determining the installation position of the battery holder is limited to a certain extent. For example, the flow of people located within a range of a predetermined distance from a specified area can be taken into consideration when determining the installation position of the battery holder. Because the flow of people taken into consideration when determining the installation position of the battery holder is limited to a certain extent, the processing load when the holder position determination unit 482 determines the installation position of the battery holder can be reduced.
  • Figure 33 is a diagram illustrating the flow of people HF reaching the specified area and the installation position P20 of the battery holder.
  • a map MP and multiple flow of people HF (HF1 to HF3) are shown diagrammatically in Figure 33.
  • the hatched area is the specified area.
  • the holder position determination unit 482 may determine the installation position P20 of the battery holder according to the pedestrian flow HF. More specifically, the holder position determination unit 482 may determine multiple installation positions P20 of the battery holder according to the pedestrian flow HF. For example, the holder position determination unit 482 may determine the installation positions P20 of the battery holder on the passage paths of multiple pedestrian flows HF as illustrated in FIG. 33. In this case, as shown in FIG. 33, the installation positions P20 (P20A to P20D) may be determined on the passage path of the pedestrian flow HF1, on the passage path of the pedestrian flow HF2, on the passage path of the pedestrian flow HF3, and on the passage path of the pedestrian flows HF1+HF2. The holder position determination unit 482 may also determine multiple installation positions P20 on the passage path of one pedestrian flow HF.
  • the number of installation positions P20 determined by the holder position determination unit 482 is the minimum necessary.
  • the installation position P20 of the battery holder may be determined according to multiple pedestrian flows HF that reach multiple predetermined areas. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 33, the pedestrian flows HF1 and HF2 merge before reaching the predetermined area.
  • the holder position determination unit 482 may determine the location where the pedestrian flows HF1 and HF2 reach after merging with each other as the installation position P20C of the battery holder. In this case, the holder position determination unit 482 may omit the installation position P20A located on a path where only the pedestrian flow HF1 passes and the installation position P20B located on a path where only the pedestrian flow HF2 passes.
  • the holder position determination unit 482 may determine, as the installation position P20 of the battery holder, a location through which a pedestrian flow HF containing a predetermined number of people or more passes, among multiple pedestrian flows HF that reach within a predetermined range. The holder position determination unit 482 may also determine, as the installation position P20 of the battery holder, a location through which a pedestrian flow HF containing the largest number of people passes, among multiple pedestrian flows HF that reach within a predetermined range. In these cases as well, the number of installation positions P20 can be reduced.
  • the installation position P20 of the battery holder determined by the holder position determination unit 482 is notified to a terminal (not shown) owned by, for example, the operating company that operates the sharing system 10. This allows the operating company to install the battery holder at the installation position P20 determined by the holder position determination unit 482.
  • the battery holder installed at the installation position P20 determined by the holder position determination unit 482 may be equipped with a display unit (display) (not shown), but is not limited to this. The significance of providing a display unit on the battery holder will be described later.
  • the battery holder installed at the installation position P20 determined by the holder position determination unit 482 accommodates a mobile battery 100 that can be delivered within a specified range.
  • the task of accommodating the mobile battery 100 in the battery holder can be performed, for example, when installing the battery holder, but is not limited to this.
  • the delivery destination information providing unit 484 provides delivery destination information to the battery holder.
  • the delivery destination information is information indicating the delivery destination (specified area) of the mobile battery 100 housed in the battery holder. This allows the battery holder to display the delivery destination of the mobile battery 100 on a display unit (not shown) provided on the battery holder. Therefore, people included in the people flow HF passing through the installation position P20 can easily confirm the delivery destination of the mobile battery 100.
  • the mobile battery 100 housed in the battery holder can be collected by a person heading within a specified range, and can also be delivered to the destination.
  • the mobile battery 100 may be charged before being placed in the battery station 12. Charging of the mobile battery 100 may be performed, for example, at a power generation facility 22 (see also FIG. 1), but is not limited to this.
  • the power generation facility 22 is equipped with power generation equipment for generating power using, for example, renewable energy. More specifically, the power generation facility 22 may perform, for example, solar power generation, vibration power generation, etc.
  • the power generation facility 22 may be installed appropriately throughout the city.
  • the mobile battery 100 may be charged using the power obtained by the power generation facility 22.
  • the mobile battery 100 charged at the power generation facility 22 can be placed in the battery station 12 and used by a user visiting the battery station 12.
  • the mobile battery 100 charged at the power generation facility 22 is collected, for example, by a delivery person.
  • the mobile battery 100 collected by the delivery person is transported to the battery station 12 by the delivery person.
  • the management system 16 may be configured as follows. As described above, the management device 400 is equipped with a charging status information acquisition unit 468 and a collection request information distribution unit 470.
  • the charging status information acquisition unit 468 acquires charging status information.
  • the charging status information is information that indicates the charging status at the power generation facility 22 that can generate power and charge the mobile battery 100.
  • the charging status information indicates, for example, whether charging of the mobile battery 100 has been completed.
  • the charging status information can be provided, for example, from the power generation facility 22 to the management device 400 as appropriate.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates collection request information based on the charging status information acquired by the charging status information acquiring unit 468.
  • the collection request information is information for requesting the user to collect the mobile battery 100 from the power generation facility 22.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates collection request information, for example, when the charging status information indicates that charging of all the mobile batteries 100 arranged at the power generation facility 22 has been completed.
  • the information generating unit 418 may include information indicating the location of the power generation facility 22 in the collection request information.
  • the information generating unit 418 may also include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 to be collected from the power generation facility 22 in the collection request information.
  • the collection request information distribution unit 470 distributes the collection request information to the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 402.
  • the user terminals 200 located within a predetermined distance from the power generation facility 22 may at least be included in the distribution targets of the collection request information. Multiple user terminals 200 may receive the collection request information.
  • the information providing unit 216 provided in the user terminal 200 that receives the collection request information can provide the collection request information to the user. This allows the management system 16 to request the user to collect the mobile battery 100 from the power generation facility 22.
  • the collection request information may include information indicating the power generation facility 22.
  • the collection request information may also include information indicating the number of mobile batteries 100 to be collected. Taking into account this information included in the collection request information, the user may consider whether or not to accept the collection request.
  • a user who wishes to accept the collection request related to the collection request information can use the user terminal 200 to respond to the management device 400 that the user can accept the collection request.
  • the management device 400 can formally request the collection of the mobile battery 100 to a user who has responded that they can accept the collection request related to the collection request information.
  • FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system.
  • FIG. 34 shows an example of the operation of the management system regarding a request for collection of the mobile battery 100 from a user.
  • step S151 the location information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 acquires user location information.
  • step S152 the charging status information acquisition unit 468 of the management device 400 acquires charging status information.
  • step S153 the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 generates collection request information based on the charging status information.
  • step S154 the collection request information distribution unit 470 of the management device 400 distributes the collection request information to the user terminal 200.
  • the collection request information distribution unit 470 distributes the collection request information to the user terminal 200 (user) located within a predetermined distance from the power generation facility 22. In this way, the operation of FIG. 34 is completed.
  • the collection request information distribution unit 470 distributes collection request information to user terminals 200 located within a predetermined distance from the power generation facility 22.
  • a user located within the predetermined distance from the power generation facility 22 has a smaller burden to reach the power generation facility 22 than a user located outside the predetermined distance from the power generation facility 22.
  • the management system 16 can request collection of the mobile battery 100 from a user who has a relatively small burden to reach the power generation facility 22.
  • the collection request information distribution unit 470 may select a user (user terminal 200) to which collection request information is to be distributed based on the user's action plan.
  • the collection request information distribution unit 470 selects, for example, a user who is located within a predetermined distance from the power generation facility 22 and plans to pass through the power generation facility 22. This can reduce the impact of the request for the mobile battery 100 to the user on the action plan of the user. It is more preferable that the collection request information distribution unit 470 selects a user who is located within a predetermined distance from the power generation facility 22 and plans to pass through the power generation facility 22 and enter a predetermined area. This can further reduce the impact of the request for the mobile battery 100 to the user on the action plan of the user.
  • information indicating the user's action plan can be transmitted in advance to the management device 400 via the user terminal 200 by, for example, a user who intends to receive a collection request for the mobile battery 100.
  • the information generation unit 418 may generate delivery request information to request the user to deliver the mobile battery 100 collected from the power generation facility 22 to the battery station 12.
  • the delivery request information may include information indicating the location of the battery station 12 to which the mobile battery 100 is to be delivered.
  • the delivery request information may be transmitted to the user terminal 200 by the delivery request information distribution unit 478.
  • the delivery request information distribution unit 478 may transmit the delivery request information to the user terminal 200 of the user who accepted the collection request.
  • the information generating unit 418 may determine the battery station 12 to which the mobile battery 100 collected by the user will be delivered based on the user's action plan. For example, the information generating unit 418 may identify the battery station 12 that the user plans to pass through based on the user's action plan, and may set the identified battery station 12 as the delivery destination. This may reduce the impact that a request for a mobile battery 100 from a user has on the user's action plan.
  • the management system 16 can request the user to collect the mobile battery 100. This allows the user to collect the mobile battery 100 even if, for example, it is difficult for a delivery person to collect the mobile battery 100 from the power generation facility 22.
  • the management system 16 may be configured as follows. As described above, the management device 400 is equipped with a usage demand information acquisition unit 472 and an operation instruction notification unit 474.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 acquires usage demand information.
  • the usage demand information is information that indicates the usage demand of the mobile battery 100.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may acquire usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range from the battery station 12, for example, based on the number of users within a specified range from the battery station 12. That is, the greater the number of users located around the battery station 12, the greater the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 around the battery station 12.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may grasp the number of users within a specified range from the battery station 12 based on the user positions.
  • user position information indicating the user positions may be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 412.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may also grasp the number of users within a specified range from the battery station 12 based on the future user positions. As described above, the future user positions may be predicted by the future position prediction unit 414.
  • the operation instruction notification unit 474 issues an operation instruction notification based on the usage demand information.
  • the operation instruction notification is a notification to instruct the operation of the battery station 12.
  • the operation instruction notification unit 474 determines whether or not the number of users within a specified range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined user number threshold. If the number of users within a specified range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than the predetermined user number threshold, the operation instruction notification unit 474 issues an operation instruction notification to the battery station 12.
  • the operation instruction notification can be issued using, for example, a message, an image, a sound, etc.
  • the operation instruction notification may be sent to a specified communication terminal via a specified communication line.
  • the communication terminal may be, for example, a personal computer or a telephone provided in the battery station 12, but is not limited to these.
  • the communication terminal may also be a portable mobile terminal carried by the administrator who manages the battery station 12.
  • the battery station 12 can start operating.
  • a battery station 12 start operating in an area where demand for use is high convenience for users can be provided. For example, a user can visit a battery station 12 that has started operating and borrow a mobile battery 100.
  • information indicating whether the battery station 12 is operating or not can be collected as appropriate by the control unit 408 of the management device 400 via the communication unit 402, and can be stored as appropriate in the storage unit 406.
  • the transmission of an operation instruction notification to an operating battery station 12 can be omitted.
  • FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 35 shows an example of a case where an operation instruction is given to the battery station 12.
  • step S161 the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 of the management device 400 acquires usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range from the battery station 12.
  • the usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range from the battery station 12 can be acquired based on the number of users within the specified range from the battery station 12.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 can appropriately acquire user location information in step S161.
  • step S162 the operation instruction notification unit 474 of the management device 400 determines whether or not to issue an operation instruction notification. This determination may be made based on whether or not the demand for use of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range from the battery station 12 has increased to a certain extent. Specifically, the operation instruction notification unit 474 may determine to issue an operation instruction notification when, for example, the number of users within a specified range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than the user number threshold.
  • step S162 If it is determined in step S162 that an operation instruction notification should be issued, the process proceeds to step S163, in which the operation instruction notification unit 474 issues an operation instruction notification.
  • step S163 is completed or it is determined in step S162 that an operation instruction notification should not be issued, the operation in FIG. 35 ends.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may acquire usage demand information based on the number of mobile devices within a predetermined range from the battery station 12 in step S161.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 appropriately acquires mobile device location information indicating the locations of mobile devices located within a predetermined range from the battery station 12. This allows the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 to ascertain the number of mobile devices within a predetermined range from the battery station 12.
  • the operation instruction notification unit 474 may determine in step S162 whether the number of mobile devices within a predetermined range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined mobile device number threshold. In such a case, if the number of mobile devices within a predetermined range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than the mobile device number threshold, step S163 may be started. Step S163 may also be started if the future number of mobile devices within a predetermined range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than the mobile device number threshold.
  • the future mobile devices may be predicted by the future position prediction unit 414 based on the user's action plan. In other words, since the mobile devices are owned by the user, they necessarily move with the user. Therefore, the future positions of the mobile devices owned by the user may be predicted based on the user's action plan.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may acquire usage demand information based on the number of delivery personnel within a predetermined range from the battery station 12.
  • the position information acquisition unit 412 appropriately acquires delivery personnel position information indicating the positions of delivery personnel located within a predetermined range from the battery station 12. This allows the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 to know the number of delivery personnel within a predetermined range from the battery station 12.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may use the future delivery personnel positions to know the number of delivery personnel within a predetermined range from the battery station 12.
  • the future delivery personnel positions may be predicted by the future position prediction unit 414.
  • step S162 the operation instruction notification unit 474 may determine whether the number of delivery persons within a predetermined range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined delivery person number threshold. In this case, if the number of delivery persons within a predetermined range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than the delivery person number threshold, step S163 is started. Step S163 may also be started if the number of future delivery persons within a predetermined range from the battery station 12 is equal to or greater than the delivery person number threshold.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may acquire usage demand information based on the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100.
  • the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100 may be stored in the memory unit 406.
  • the collection and delivery history indicates the track record of collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 to the user.
  • the usage demand information may be acquired based on the track record of collection and delivery performed within a specified area from the battery station 12.
  • the management system 16 of this embodiment can manage the battery station 12 according to the usage demand of the mobile battery 100. This can provide convenience to users and delivery personnel.
  • the mobile station 24 is a battery station 12 that can be moved.
  • the battery station 12 itself can move, providing convenience to users who wish to use the battery station 12.
  • the mobile station 24 may be equipped with a mobile body 26 and a battery holder 28 (see also FIG. 1).
  • the mobile body 26 may be, for example, but is not limited to, a vehicle such as a bicycle.
  • the battery holder 28 holds a plurality of mobile batteries 100.
  • the battery holder 28 may be equipped with a charger for charging the mobile batteries 100.
  • the battery holder 28 may be, for example, but is not limited to, a box-like shape capable of storing a plurality of mobile batteries 100.
  • the mobile station 24 may be equipped with a generator (not shown) that generates electricity to charge the mobile battery 100.
  • the generator generates electricity using, for example, the rotational force of the wheels of a vehicle, which is the mobile body 26, but is not limited to this.
  • the mobile station 24 may further include a communicator 30.
  • the communicator 30 communicates via the network NW.
  • the communicator 30 may include a positioning sensor such as a GNSS sensor. This allows the communicator 30 to obtain mobile station position information indicating the position of the mobile station 24.
  • the communicator 30 may also transmit the mobile station position information to the management device 400 as appropriate.
  • the mobile station position information transmitted to the management device 400 may be obtained by the position information acquisition unit 412.
  • the communicator 30 is provided in the battery holder 28, but is not limited to this.
  • the mobile station 24 can operate as a battery station 12 while moving. However, it is not desirable for the mobile station 24 to move randomly within an area where the demand for the use of the mobile battery 100 is low.
  • the management device 400 is provided with an operating location notification unit 476.
  • the operating location notification unit 476 notifies the mobile station 24 of the operating location of the mobile station 24 based on usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100. More specifically, for example, the operating location notification unit 476 notifies a communication terminal carried by a staff member managing the mobile station 24 of operating location information indicating the operating location of the mobile station 24. As a result, the operating location information can be displayed on a display screen provided on the communication terminal carried by the staff member. In the following description, this notification is also referred to as an operating location notification.
  • the usage demand information can be acquired by the usage demand information acquisition unit 472.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 acquires usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range.
  • the specified range in this case is, for example, a range based on a point that has been determined in advance as a candidate installation location.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may also acquire usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range from the position (current position) of the mobile station 24.
  • the operating location information may indicate a point where the mobile station 24 is stopped, or may indicate the range of movement of the mobile station 24. If the operating location information indicates a point, the mobile station 24 may stop moving at that point and operate as a battery station 12. If the operating location information indicates a range of movement, the movement of the mobile station 24 may be limited within that range of movement. The range of movement may be the same as or different from the specified range used by the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 to acquire the usage demand information.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may acquire usage demand information based on the number of users, the number of delivery persons, the number of mobile devices, etc. within a specified range.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 may acquire user location information, delivery person location information, and mobile device location information as appropriate.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may ascertain the number of future users within a specified range based on future user positions.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may ascertain the number of future delivery persons within a specified range based on future delivery person positions.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may ascertain the number of future mobile devices within a specified range based on future positions of the mobile devices. As described above, the future positions of the users, delivery persons, and mobile devices can be predicted by the future position prediction unit 414.
  • the operation location notification unit 476 may notify a reference point within the specified range as the operation location. As described above, the reference point is a candidate installation location or the location of the mobile station 24. Note that the user number threshold used by the operation location notification unit 476 and the user number threshold used by the operation instruction notification unit 474 described above may be different.
  • the operation location notification unit 476 may notify the reference location as the operation location.
  • the mobile device number threshold used by the operation location notification unit 476 and the mobile device number threshold used by the operation instruction notification unit 474 described above may be different.
  • the operation location notification unit 476 may notify the reference location as the operation location.
  • the delivery personnel number threshold used by the operation location notification unit 476 and the delivery personnel number threshold used by the operation instruction notification unit 474 described above may be different.
  • the mobile station 24 can be used by a user in the vicinity of the operating location notified by the operating location notification unit 476 by moving to the operating location. In other words, the mobile station 24 can be used by a user in the vicinity of the operating location by operating at the operating location notified by the operating location notification unit 476. As described above, the mobile station 24 is mobile, and therefore can be easily moved to the operating location notified by the operating location notification unit 476.
  • FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management system 16.
  • FIG. 36 shows an example of the operation of the management system 16 with respect to notifying the mobile station 24 of the operating location.
  • step S171 the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 of the management device 400 acquires usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range.
  • the usage demand information indicating the usage demand of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range can be acquired based on the number of users within the specified range.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 can appropriately acquire user location information in step S171.
  • step S172 the operating location notification unit 476 of the management device 400 determines whether or not to issue an operating location notification. This determination may be made based on whether or not the demand for use of the mobile battery 100 within a specified range has increased to a certain extent. Specifically, the operating location notification unit 476 may determine to issue an operating location notification when, for example, the number of users within the specified range is equal to or greater than the user number threshold.
  • step S172 If it is determined in step S172 that the operating location is to be notified, the process proceeds to step S173, in which the operating location notification unit 476 notifies the mobile station 24 of the operating location.
  • step S173 is completed or it is determined in step S172 that the operating location is not to be notified, the operation in FIG. 36 ends.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may acquire usage demand information based on the number of mobile devices within a specified range in step S171.
  • the operation location notification unit 476 may determine in step S172 whether the number of mobile devices within the specified range is equal to or greater than a predetermined mobile device number threshold. In such a case, if the number of mobile devices within the specified range is equal to or greater than the mobile device number threshold, step S173 may be started. Step S173 may also be started if the number of future mobile devices within the specified range is equal to or greater than the mobile device number threshold.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may also acquire usage demand information based on the number of collection and delivery personnel within a specified range in step S171.
  • the location information acquisition unit 412 appropriately acquires delivery personnel location information indicating the locations of delivery personnel located within the specified range. This allows the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 to ascertain the number of delivery personnel within the specified range.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may also ascertain the number of delivery personnel within the specified range using the future delivery personnel locations.
  • the operating location notification unit 476 may determine whether the number of delivery personnel within the specified range is equal to or greater than a predetermined delivery personnel number threshold. In this case, if the number of delivery personnel within the specified range is equal to or greater than the delivery personnel number threshold, step S173 is started. Step S173 may also be started if the number of future delivery personnel within the specified range is equal to or greater than the delivery personnel number threshold.
  • the usage demand information acquisition unit 472 may acquire usage demand information based on the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100.
  • the collection and delivery history of the mobile battery 100 may be stored in the memory unit 406.
  • the collection and delivery history indicates the results of collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100 to the user.
  • the usage demand information may be acquired based on the collection and delivery results performed within a specified area.
  • the management system 16 can manage the mobile station 24, which is a mobile battery station 12.
  • the management system 16 can instruct the mobile battery 100 to operate in a location where there is high demand for use. This can be convenient for users.
  • FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a user terminal 200 (user terminal 2001) according to the first modification.
  • the user terminal 2001 is equipped with an information generation unit IGU.
  • the information generation unit IGU can generate at least a portion of the various pieces of information that were generated by the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 in the above embodiment. In this case, at least a portion of the functions of the information generation unit 418 can be omitted.
  • the information generation unit IGU may generate the above-mentioned delivery person information.
  • the delivery person information may be generated based on the user position information and the delivery person position information.
  • the information generation unit IGU of the user terminal 2001 may acquire the user position information by the positioning unit 206 of the user terminal 200.
  • the delivery person position information may be supplied to the information generation unit IGU from the position information acquisition unit 412 of the management device 400 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information that can be generated by the information generating unit IGU of the user terminal 2001 is not limited to delivery and collection information.
  • the charging spot information and the like described above may be generated by the information generating unit IGU.
  • All of the various types of information generated by the information generating unit 418 in the above embodiment may be generated by the information generating unit IGU of the user terminal 2001. In that case, the information generating unit 418 of the management device 400 may be omitted.
  • FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a collector/deliverer terminal 300 (collector/deliverer terminal 3002) according to the second modification.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 3002 is equipped with an information generation unit IGA.
  • the information generation unit IGA can generate at least some of the various pieces of information that were generated by the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 in the above embodiment. In this case, at least some of the functions of the information generation unit 418 can be omitted.
  • the information generating unit IGA may generate the user information described above. As described above, the user information may be generated based on the delivery person location information and the user location information.
  • the information generating unit IGA of the delivery person terminal 3002 may acquire the delivery person location information by the positioning unit 306 of the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the user location information may be supplied to the information generating unit IGA from the location information acquiring unit 412 of the management device 400 via the communication unit 402.
  • the information that can be generated by the information generation unit IGA of the collector/delivery terminal 3002 is not limited to user information.
  • the above-mentioned past demand information may be generated by the information generation unit IGA.
  • All of the various types of information that can be generated by the information generation unit 418 in the above embodiment may be generated by the information generation unit IGA of the collector/delivery terminal 3002. In that case, the information generation unit 418 of the management device 400 may be omitted.
  • the user terminal 200 is not limited to a smartphone.
  • the user terminal 200 may be a tablet terminal or a wearable terminal.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 300 is not limited to a smartphone.
  • the delivery/collection terminal 300 may be a tablet terminal or a wearable terminal.
  • the notification unit 118 may control the speaker of the lighting unit 104 to emit a sound from the speaker when a user who is to receive the mobile battery 100 approaches the mobile battery 100. This allows the user to recognize the location of the mobile battery 100.
  • the notification unit 118 may also control the speaker of the lighting unit 104 to emit a sound from the speaker when a collector who is to collect the mobile battery 100 approaches the mobile battery 100. This allows the collector to recognize the location of the mobile battery 100.
  • the management device 400 may be realized by multiple computers working together.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate delivery person information based on the user location information and delivery person location information acquired by the location information acquiring unit 412.
  • the information generating unit 418 may generate user information based on information indicating the future user position predicted by the future position predicting unit 414 and the delivery person position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 412.
  • the information generation unit 418 may generate route candidate information based on the future user position, delivery person position information, and map information.
  • the information generation unit 418 may generate recommended route information, which is information regarding the collection and delivery route of the mobile battery 100, based on the user location, the delivery person location, and map information.
  • the information provision unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 may provide the generated recommended route information to the delivery person. This allows the delivery person to know the collection and delivery route that the delivery person can use to collect and deliver the mobile battery 100. Note that the collection and delivery route indicated by the recommended route information may be the same as the candidate collection and delivery route provided to the delivery person before the delivery person receives an order for collection and delivery of the mobile battery 100.
  • the route candidate information or recommended route information may be provided to the user by the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200.
  • the route candidate information or recommended route information is transmitted from the management device 400 to the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 216 causes the route candidate information and recommended route information received by the user terminal 200 to be displayed on the display unit 204. This allows the user to know the collection and delivery route used by the delivery person who collects and delivers the mobile battery 100 for the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may further provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • the user terminal 200 may, for example, communicate with the management device 400 to obtain information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user.
  • the information providing unit 216 may provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user by displaying figures, text, etc. on the display unit 204.
  • the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user may be material for the user to determine whether or not the mobile battery 100 needs to be collected and delivered.
  • the information providing unit 216 may provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user using voice.
  • the information providing unit 216 may further provide the user with information indicating the future remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user at the future user location.
  • the future remaining capacity may be predicted, for example, based on the battery information of the mobile battery 100 and the user's action plan.
  • the information indicating the future remaining capacity may be displayed on the display unit 204 of the user terminal 200 by the information providing unit 216.
  • the information indicating the future remaining capacity may be further displayed on the display screen 204a (FIG. 8), the display screen 204b (FIG. 9), etc.
  • a processor provided in the user terminal 200, the management device 400, etc. may predict the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 at the future user location, but is not limited to this.
  • the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile battery 100 possessed by the user at the future user location may be material for the user to determine whether or not the mobile battery 100 needs to be collected and delivered.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may further display on the display unit 204 information indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been delivered to the delivery location by the delivery person. This allows the user to know that the mobile battery 100 has been delivered to the delivery location.
  • the delivery person operates the delivery person terminal 300 to send a notification to the management device 400 that the mobile battery 100 has been delivered to the delivery location.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates information indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been delivered to the delivery location by the delivery person. The generated information is transmitted to the user terminal 200 by the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the delivery/collection terminal 300 may further display information on the display unit 304 indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been received by the user. This allows the delivery/collection person to know that the user has received the mobile battery 100.
  • the user operates the user terminal 200 to send a notification to the management device 400 that the mobile battery 100 has been received.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates information indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been received by the user. The generated information is sent to the delivery/collection terminal 300 by the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 may further display on the display unit 304 information indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been placed at the collection location by the user. This allows the collector/deliverer to know that the mobile battery 100 has been placed at the collection location.
  • the user operates the user terminal 200 to send a notification to the management device 400 that the mobile battery 100 has been placed at the collection location.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates information indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been placed at the collection location by the user. The generated information is sent to the collector/deliverer terminal 300 by the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may further display on the display unit 204 information indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been collected by a delivery person from the collection location. This allows the user to know that the mobile battery 100 has been collected.
  • the delivery person operates the delivery person terminal 300 to send a notification to the management device 400 that the mobile battery 100 has been collected.
  • the information generating unit 418 generates information indicating that the mobile battery 100 has been collected by a delivery person from the collection location. The generated information is transmitted to the user terminal 200 by the communication unit 402.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may further provide the user with information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery at the future user position.
  • the mobile device battery is a battery provided in the mobile device that is charged using the mobile battery 100 carried by the user.
  • the information indicating the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery at the future user position may be generated based on information indicating the remaining capacity of the current mobile device battery and information indicating the future user position.
  • the future user position may be predicted by the above-mentioned future position prediction unit 414.
  • the information indicating the remaining capacity of the current mobile device battery may be acquired by the user terminal 200.
  • the remaining capacity of the mobile device battery at the future user position may be predicted by the user terminal 200 (calculation unit 210) or may be predicted by the management device 400 (calculation unit 404).
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may provide information to the user not only using graphics, but also using, for example, text displayed in a pop-up window displayed on the display unit 204.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the collector/deliverer terminal 300 may provide information to the collector/deliverer not only using graphics, but also using, for example, text displayed in a pop-up window displayed on the display unit 304.
  • the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200 may provide the user with various information such as delivery person information by voice. For example, the information providing unit 216 may notify the user of the location of a delivery person within a specified range from the user by voice. This allows the user to know the location of the delivery person without looking at the display unit 204.
  • Whether the user is moving or not may be determined by the user terminal 200 (the calculation unit 210) or the management device 400 (the calculation unit 404) based on a change in the user's position.
  • the user terminal 200 or the management device 400 may determine whether the user is moving or not based on detection signals from a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like that are appropriately provided in the user terminal 200.
  • the information providing unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300 may provide various information such as user information to the delivery person by voice.
  • the information providing unit 316 may inform the delivery person of the location of the user who is within a predetermined range from the delivery person by voice. This allows the delivery person to know the location of the user without looking at the display unit 304.
  • the delivery person terminal 300 (calculation unit 310) or the management device 400 (calculation unit 404) may determine whether the delivery person is moving based on a change in the delivery person's location.
  • the delivery person terminal 300 or the management device 400 may determine whether the delivery person is moving based on detection signals from a vibration sensor, acceleration sensor, etc. that are appropriately provided in the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the suggestion unit 420 may suggest not only the meeting place between the user and the delivery person, but also the meeting time between the user and the delivery person. For example, the suggestion unit 420 estimates the expected travel time until the user arrives at the meeting place based on user location information indicating the location of the user and information indicating the meeting place. The suggestion unit 420 also estimates the expected travel time until the delivery person arrives at the meeting place based on delivery person location information indicating the location of the delivery person and information indicating the meeting place. The suggestion unit 420 estimates the time when the user and the delivery person can meet based on the expected travel time until the user arrives at the meeting place and the expected travel time until the delivery person arrives at the meeting place. The suggestion unit 420 may suggest the estimated time as the meeting time to the user and the delivery person.
  • Information indicating the meeting time proposed by the suggestion unit 420 is provided to the user by the information providing unit 216 of the user terminal 200.
  • information indicating the meeting time proposed by the proposal unit 420 is provided to the delivery person by the information provision unit 316 of the delivery person terminal 300.
  • the inspection device 700 does not have to be provided in the charger 14.
  • the inspection device 700 may be a personal battery checker carried by a delivery person or a user.
  • the inspection device 700 may be provided in a charging spot.
  • the status determination unit 428 may determine whether the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state based on the inspection results by the inspection device 700. For example, as described above, the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 of the mobile battery 100 may be detected by performing inspections such as capacity measurement and resistance measurement. Information indicating the degree of deterioration may be included in information indicating the inspection results by the inspection device 700. When the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 of the mobile battery 100 has reached a predetermined deterioration threshold, the status determination unit 428 may determine that the mobile battery 100 has reached a usage restriction state.
  • the replacement time estimation unit 432 may estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the inspection results by the inspection device 700. For example, as described above, information indicating the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 of the mobile battery 100 may be included in the information indicating the inspection results by the inspection device 700. In this case, the replacement time estimation unit 432 may estimate the replacement time of the mobile battery 100 based on the difference between the degree of deterioration of the battery cells 102 of the mobile battery 100 and a predetermined deterioration level threshold.
  • Data regarding the usage history of the mobile battery 100 may be transmitted from the communication unit 108 of the mobile battery 100 to the management device 400 via the network NW.
  • the usage history information acquisition unit 426 may acquire at least a portion of the data received by the management device 400 as usage history information.
  • the battery station 12 may be provided with items (supplies, consumables) that can be used by delivery personnel. Such items may also be provided in the mobile station 24. In this way, the mobile station 24 can provide convenience not only for users but also for delivery personnel.
  • the work location notification unit 476 may notify the work location to the communication device 30 as well as to the communication terminal carried by the staff member.
  • the work location information received by the communication device 30 may be displayed, for example, on a display (not shown) provided on the mobile station 24.
  • a management system (16) that manages a mobile battery (100) shared by multiple users includes a management device (400), and the management device includes a usage history information acquisition unit (426) that acquires usage history information that is information indicating the usage history of the mobile battery, and a status determination unit (428) that determines whether the mobile battery has reached a usage restriction state in which usage should be restricted, based on the usage history information.
  • the usage history information may include total usage time information, which is information regarding the total usage time of the mobile battery, and the state determination unit may determine whether the mobile battery has reached the usage restriction state based on the total usage time information.
  • the usage history information may include charge/discharge count information, which is information regarding the number of times the mobile battery is charged and discharged, and the state determination unit may determine whether the mobile battery has reached the usage restriction state based on the charge/discharge count information.
  • the usage history information may include warranty period information, which is information regarding the warranty period of the mobile battery, and the state determination unit may determine whether the mobile battery has reached the usage restriction state based on the warranty period information.
  • the state determination unit may determine whether the mobile battery has reached the usage restriction state based on an inspection result by an inspection device (700) that inspects the mobile battery.
  • the inspection by the inspection device may be performed according to the total usage time of the mobile battery.
  • the inspection by the inspection device may be performed according to the number of times the mobile battery is charged and discharged.
  • the inspection by the inspection device may be performed according to the warranty period of the mobile battery.
  • the management device may further include a maximum charging capacity determination unit (430) that determines the maximum charging capacity of the mobile battery based on the inspection results by an inspection device (700) that inspects the mobile battery.
  • a maximum charging capacity determination unit (430) that determines the maximum charging capacity of the mobile battery based on the inspection results by an inspection device (700) that inspects the mobile battery.
  • the mobile battery may be provided with a memory unit (112) that stores data related to the usage history, and the usage history information acquisition unit may acquire, as the usage history information, the data read from the memory unit (112) via an inspection device (700) that inspects the mobile battery.
  • the inspection device may be provided in a battery station (12) where the mobile battery can be placed, or in a charging spot where the mobile battery can be charged.
  • the mobile battery can communicate with the management device, the mobile battery is provided with a memory unit (112) that stores data related to the usage history, and the usage history information acquisition unit may acquire the data received from the mobile battery via a communication network as the usage history information.
  • the management device may further include a replacement time estimation unit (432) that estimates the time to replace the mobile battery based on the usage history information.
  • a management device (400) that manages a mobile battery (100) shared by multiple users includes a usage history information acquisition unit (426) that acquires usage history information that is information indicating the usage history of the mobile battery, and a status determination unit (428) that determines whether the mobile battery has reached a usage restriction state in which usage should be restricted, based on the usage history information.
  • a method for managing a mobile battery (100) shared by multiple users includes a step (S81) of acquiring usage history information that is information indicating the usage history of the mobile battery, and a step (S82) of determining whether the mobile battery has reached a usage restriction state in which usage should be restricted, based on the usage history information.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations may be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

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Abstract

Le présent système de gestion (16) comprend un dispositif de gestion (400), le dispositif de gestion comprenant : une unité d'acquisition d'informations d'enregistrement d'utilisation (426) qui acquiert des informations d'enregistrement d'utilisation indiquant un enregistrement d'utilisation concernant une batterie mobile (100) ; et une unité d'évaluation d'état (428) qui, en fonction des informations d'enregistrement d'utilisation, évalue si la batterie mobile a atteint un état de limite d'utilisation où l'utilisation de cette dernière doit être limitée.
PCT/JP2023/035152 2022-09-29 2023-09-27 Système de gestion, dispositif de gestion et procédé de gestion WO2024071202A1 (fr)

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JP2022155706A JP2024049470A (ja) 2022-09-29 2022-09-29 管理システム、管理装置及び管理方法
JP2022-155706 2022-09-29

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001306961A (ja) * 2000-04-27 2001-11-02 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd サーバコンピュータ、レンタル制御システム、レンタル制御方法およびバッテリー充電システム
JP2007223386A (ja) * 2006-02-21 2007-09-06 Fujitsu Ten Ltd 車両用バッテリの監視装置及びその方法
JP2013186956A (ja) * 2012-03-06 2013-09-19 Shindengen Electric Mfg Co Ltd 充電管理装置
KR20160036170A (ko) * 2014-09-24 2016-04-04 이재성 Pos 단말을 이용한 대여 가능한 렌탈 배터리 관리 시스템 및 관리 방법
WO2016143373A1 (fr) * 2015-03-12 2016-09-15 オムロン株式会社 Dispositif de traitement d'informations, son procédé de commande, programme de commande, et support d'enregistrement
WO2019181659A1 (fr) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-26 本田技研工業株式会社 Serveur et système de gestion
KR102205996B1 (ko) * 2019-07-16 2021-01-21 주식회사 투힘 Ｏ２ｏ 기반 실시간 재고관리를 제공하는 보조배터리 대여반납 관리 서비스 제공 시스템

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001306961A (ja) * 2000-04-27 2001-11-02 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd サーバコンピュータ、レンタル制御システム、レンタル制御方法およびバッテリー充電システム
JP2007223386A (ja) * 2006-02-21 2007-09-06 Fujitsu Ten Ltd 車両用バッテリの監視装置及びその方法
JP2013186956A (ja) * 2012-03-06 2013-09-19 Shindengen Electric Mfg Co Ltd 充電管理装置
KR20160036170A (ko) * 2014-09-24 2016-04-04 이재성 Pos 단말을 이용한 대여 가능한 렌탈 배터리 관리 시스템 및 관리 방법
WO2016143373A1 (fr) * 2015-03-12 2016-09-15 オムロン株式会社 Dispositif de traitement d'informations, son procédé de commande, programme de commande, et support d'enregistrement
WO2019181659A1 (fr) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-26 本田技研工業株式会社 Serveur et système de gestion
KR102205996B1 (ko) * 2019-07-16 2021-01-21 주식회사 투힘 Ｏ２ｏ 기반 실시간 재고관리를 제공하는 보조배터리 대여반납 관리 서비스 제공 시스템

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