Patent ID: 12244165

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, (some) embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described. The embodiment(s) do(es) not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, all the combinations of the features described in the embodiment(s) are not necessarily essential to means provided by aspects of the invention. It should be noted that in the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted with the same reference signs and the overlapping descriptions may be omitted.

FIG.1is a view for illustrating that a selecting device100of the present embodiment selects a combination of a plurality of secondary batteries10used for a residential20of a user25. The secondary battery10of the present embodiment is primarily used in a vehicle configured to drive by a secondary battery, such as an EV and a PHEV, is then stored by a lender15who picks up and lends the secondary battery10primarily used, and is then secondarily used as a stationary storage battery in the residential20of the user25, or the like, as one example. It should be noted that the secondary battery10primarily used may also be picked up and stored by a seller and may be then sold to the user25.

In the residential20of the user25, a combination of a plurality of secondary batteries10is installed. The plurality of secondary batteries10included in the combination may be connected with each other in series or in parallel or may be connected partially in parallel in a series connection. In the present embodiment, the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10is used as a buffer for emergency in the residential20, but instead of this, may also be used as a supply source of electrical power that is usually used together with electrical power from a system, electrical power generated by a solar light panel, or the like, in the residential20. It should be noted that the residential20is one example of the facility, and other facilities such as buildings and factories other than the residential20are also possible.

The secondary battery10is, for example, an all-solid-state battery, a lithium ion battery or the like.FIG.1shows, as one example, N secondary batteries10from a secondary battery10-1to a secondary battery10-N (N: natural number) stored under control of the lender15. Specific IDs of 1 to N, for example, are allotted to the N secondary batteries10and are managed by the selecting device100. The 1 to N secondary batteries10may be different from each other in current peak power and future deterioration speed, i.e., a degree of decrease of future peak power. In addition, the 1 to N secondary batteries10may be different from each other in stains and scratches in current look, i.e., in an aesthetic degree. It should be noted that the N secondary batteries10are one example of the secondary battery10group.

The user25has, for example, a user terminal30that is mobile communication equipment such as a smart phone and a tablet. The user terminal30may also be stationary communication equipment such as a desktop PC arranged in the residential20of the user25. The user25inputs period information and facility consumption information to the user terminal30to transmit the same to the selecting device100via a communication network50, together with a user ID for identifying the user25.

The period information is information about a period of time desired by the user25for which a combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10is used in the residential20. For example, the period information may be information indicative of a frequency to exchange the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10with a new combination of a plurality of secondary batteries10, such as once every 5 years and once every 10 years. In addition, for example, the period information may be information indicative of a designated date to exchange the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10with a new combination of a plurality of secondary batteries10, such as the end of 2025 and Apr. 18, 2026.

The facility consumption information is information about power consumption of the residential20. For example, the facility consumption information may be information indicative of an amount of electrical power that the residential20consumes one day, such as 20 kWh/one day. In the present embodiment, the power consumption amount is, for example, a value that is recognized by the user25from description on a bill of electricity expense, but instead of this, may also be a measured value that is measured by an electricity meter installed in the residential20.

In the present embodiment, the user25further inputs aesthetic information about an aesthetic degree of each secondary battery10of the combination desired by the user25to the user terminal30to transmit the same to the selecting device100via the communication network50, together with the user Idling addition, in the present embodiment, the user25further confirms information of a plurality of combinations that is received from the selecting device100by the user terminal30, inputs determination information, which indicates that it is determined that any one of the plurality of combinations indicated in the information is to be installed in the residential20, and transmits the same to the selecting device100via the communication network50, together with the user ID.

The selecting device100is configured to select, from the secondary battery10group becoming a candidate for the combination, one or more combinations, which at least, can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20recognized by the user25longer than the period of time desired by the user25and satisfy a predetermined condition corresponding to that a degree of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time is relatively great, based on the period information, the facility consumption information and output information. The output information includes information of current peak power and information about a temporal change of future peak power of each secondary battery10of the secondary battery10group.

The selecting device100of the present embodiment is further configured to select, from the one or more of the combinations selected from the secondary battery10group, one or more combinations that satisfy the aesthetic degree desired by the user25, based on the aesthetic information and evaluation information about an evaluation on an aesthetic degree of each secondary battery in the secondary battery group. The selecting device100of the present embodiment may also be configured to select one or more secondary combinations that do not satisfy the at least any one condition, in addition to the one or more of the combinations.

The selecting device100of the present embodiment may be stationary communication equipment such as a desktop PC and a server that can communicate with the user terminal30via the communication network50and is installed in a retail store of the lender15, for example. The selecting device100of the present embodiment is connected by wire to each secondary battery10of the secondary battery10group, which is managed by the lender15. The selecting device100may also be wirelessly connected to each secondary battery10of the secondary battery10group. The selecting device100is configured to acquire the output information from each secondary battery10, together with a secondary battery ID for identifying the secondary battery10. It should be noted that the selecting device100may not be wiredly or wirelessly connected to each secondary battery10of the secondary battery10group and may be configured to acquire the output information from another device wiredly or wirelessly connected to the secondary battery10group, together with the secondary battery ID.

FIG.2is a block diagram of one example of the selecting device100of the present embodiment configured to acquire information from the user terminal30and information from the plurality of secondary batteries10. The selecting device100of the present embodiment comprises a control unit101, an input unit102, a storage unit103and a display unit105. The control unit101includes an acquisition unit111and an output unit113. The control unit101of the present embodiment further includes a calculation unit115. The input unit102is, for example, the above-mentioned input device, and the display unit105is, for example, the above-described display.

The acquisition unit111is configured to acquire the period information and the facility consumption information from the user terminal30, together with the user ID. The acquisition unit111is also configured to acquire the output information from each secondary battery10of the secondary battery10group, together with the secondary battery ID. The acquisition unit111of the present embodiment is further configured to acquire the aesthetic information from the user terminal30, together with the user ID. The acquisition unit111of the present embodiment is also configured to acquire the evaluation information together with the secondary battery ID of each secondary battery10, through an input to the input unit102by the lender15, for example. The acquisition unit111is configured to store the output information and evaluation information of each secondary battery10in the storage unit103, together with the secondary battery ID. The acquisition unit111is also configured to output the period information, facility consumption information and aesthetic information of the user25to the output unit113, together with the user ID.

The output unit113is configured to select, from the secondary battery10group, one or more combinations that can supply electrical power, which corresponds to the power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information, longer than the period of time indicated in the period information and satisfy the above-mentioned condition, based on the period information, facility consumption information and output information of the user25input by the acquisition unit111.

The output unit113of the present embodiment is configured to select, from the secondary battery10group, one or more combinations that satisfy the aesthetic degree indicated in the aesthetic information, based on the aesthetic information input by the acquisition unit111and the evaluation information of each secondary battery10stored in the storage unit103. In other words, the output unit113of the present embodiment is configured to select one or more combinations that satisfy the aesthetic degree indicated in the aesthetic information, from the selected one or more combinations. The output unit113is further configured to output information of the selected one or more combinations.

The output unit113of the present embodiment is configured to output the information of the plurality of selected combinations to the calculation unit115and to transmit the information to the user terminal30, together with a calculation result that is input from the calculation unit115as a result of the output. In addition, when the output unit113of the present embodiment receives the determination information indicative of the combination determined by the user25from the user terminal30, the output unit113is configured to output the determination information to the display unit105.

The calculation unit115is configured to calculate a total expense for exchange of a combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10, for each of the plurality of combinations selected by the output unit113, based on a price of each secondary battery10of the secondary battery10group and a labor charge. The price of each secondary battery10is determined according to at least the current peak power and the temporal change of the future peak power. The labor charge is a required expense for exchange of the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10in the residential20. The calculation unit115is configured to output a calculation result to the output unit113.

The input unit102is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, for example. Information is input to the input unit102by the lender15.

The storage unit103is configured to store each of the above-mentioned information, in addition to a sequence and a program for controlling each configuration of the selecting device100. The storage unit103is referred by the control unit101.

The display unit105is a display such as a monitor of a PC, for example. The display unit105is configured to display the determination information input by the output unit113to the lender15. It should be noted that the display unit105may also be a touch panel display, for example. In this case, the display unit105may be integrated with the input unit102.

FIG.3is one example of a flow diagram of a selecting method of the present embodiment. Also,FIG.4is, as one example, a table that is stored in the storage unit103in the selecting device100of the present embodiment. The table ofFIG.4is a matrix shape of (N+1) rows by six columns. On a first row of the table ofFIG.4, the secondary battery ID, the current SOH, the current peak power [kWh], the predicted lifespan, the aesthetic degree and the price [10,000 Yen] are indicated in order from a first column. On a second row to an (N+1)throw of the table ofFIG.4, N of10-1,10-2,10-3,10-4,10-5,10-6, . . . ,10-N are indicated, as the secondary battery ID. The respective secondary battery IDs of10-1to10-N correspond to the N secondary batteries10of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-N, respectively. In a second column to a sixth column of each row from the second row to the (N+1)throw of the table ofFIG.4, the information of the current SOH and the like of the secondary battery10having each secondary battery ID is input.

In the below, the flow ofFIG.3is described with reference to the table ofFIG.4. The flow ofFIG.3starts when a power supply of the selecting device100is turned on by the lender15, as one example.

When the secondary battery10is newly connected to the selecting device100(step S101: YES), the acquisition unit111of the selecting device100acquires the output information from the secondary battery10, together with the secondary battery ID, and acquires the evaluation information together with the secondary battery ID by the input of the lender15via the input unit102(step S102). It should be noted that the display unit105of the selecting device100may also display a message for causing the lender15to input the evaluation information.

In the information about the temporal change of the future peak power of the secondary battery10, which is included in the output information, a deterioration degree (SOH [State of Health]) indicative of a degree of deterioration of the secondary battery10is indicated, as one example. The SOH of the secondary battery10is indicated by a capacity maintenance rate that is a percentage of a ratio of a capacity of the secondary battery10in a current state to a capacity of the secondary battery10in an under-utilized state. The SOH can also be defined as a value indicating a ratio of a current capacity to a nominal capacity of the secondary battery10, as a percentage. It should be noted that in a case where the SOH of the secondary battery10is not indicated in the above-mentioned information and a capacity of the secondary battery10in an under-utilized state and a capacity of the secondary battery10in a current state are indicated, the acquisition unit111may calculate a current SOH, based on the information of the two types of capacities.

In addition, in the information about the temporal change of the future peak power of the secondary battery10, a current deterioration state of the secondary battery10is also indicated, as one example The deterioration state indicates which member of a plurality of members such as a negative electrode and a positive electrode, for example, constituting the secondary battery10is damaged.

In the present embodiment, the evaluation information of the secondary battery10is input by the lender15, as described above. For example, when the lender15newly picks up the primarily used secondary battery10, the lender15may rank an aesthetic degree of the secondary battery10, according to a predetermined evaluation criterion. The evaluation criterion may be one that evaluates the aesthetic degree of the secondary battery10low, proportional to a peeling degree of paint on a surface of the secondary battery10, a number of scratches, an adhesion rate of stains that are difficult to remove, and the like, for example. The rank may be in order of B, C, D and F as the aesthetic degree decreases, with a state where the aesthetic degree is the best being A, for example.

In addition, the selecting device100itself may also be configured to acquire the evaluation information of the secondary battery10by using an imaging means or the like, irrespective of determination and input by a person such as the lender15. Specifically, the selecting device100may be configured to image-capture a look of each secondary battery10by an imaging means such as a camera, and to analyze the captured image. The selecting device100may also be further configured to rank the aesthetic degree of the secondary battery10from the analyzed image, according to the evaluation criterion.

The acquisition unit111stores, in association with the secondary battery ID, the acquired output information and evaluation information, in the storage unit103. The calculation unit115of the selecting device100further refers to the secondary battery ID and output information stored in the storage unit103, and predicts the lifespan of the corresponding secondary battery10, based on the output information (step S104).

The calculation unit115further refers to the evaluation information stored in the storage unit103, and calculates a price of the corresponding secondary battery10, considering the output information, the evaluation information and a result of the prediction (step S104). As one more specific example, the calculation unit115may calculate the price of the secondary battery10to be proportional to each of (1) a height of the current SOH of the secondary battery10, (2) a magnitude of the current peak power of the secondary battery10, (3) a length of the predicted lifespan of the secondary battery10and (4) goodness of the aesthetic degree of the secondary battery10. The calculation unit115may also be configured to calculate the price of the secondary battery10by using a predetermined function where the above (1) to (4) are input variables. In addition, the price of the secondary battery10may be determined and input to the selecting device100by the lender15, for example, instead of being calculated by the selecting device100. The calculation unit115stores information indicative of the lifespan predicted for each secondary battery10, and price information indicative of the calculated price in the storage unit103, and the flow returns to step S101.

In step S101, when the secondary battery10is not newly connected to the selecting device100(step S101: NO), the acquisition unit111stands by until the period information, the facility consumption information and the aesthetic information are received from the user terminal30, together with the user ID (step S105: NO). It should be noted that, when the secondary battery10is newly connected to the selecting device100during the standby, the acquisition unit111repeats step S102to step S104.

The N secondary batteries10of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-N are connected to the selecting device100and S102to S104of the flow are executed for all of the N secondary batteries10, so that all the information is input into the table shown inFIG.4.

When the acquisition unit111receives the period information, the facility consumption information and the aesthetic information from the user terminal30, together with the user ID (step S105: YES), the acquisition unit111outputs the information to the output unit113.

The output unit113selects, from the secondary battery10group, a plurality of combinations that satisfy a predetermined condition, based on the period information, facility consumption information and aesthetic information and the output information and evaluation information of each secondary battery10stored in the storage unit103(step S107). The condition includes that the aesthetic degree indicated in the aesthetic information is satisfied. The condition also includes that electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information can be supplied longer than a period of time indicated in the period information. The condition also includes a condition corresponding to that a degree of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time is relatively great.

The output unit113of the present embodiment is configured to select, as one of conditions corresponding to that the degree of decrease in peak power is relatively great, one combination including a plurality of secondary batteries10in order from a secondary battery whose degree of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time is greatest among a plurality of secondary batteries10that can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information longer than the period of time indicated in the period information. The output unit113of the present embodiment may also be configured to select the combination in plural.

The output unit113of the present embodiment may also be configured to select, as one of the conditions, a plurality of combinations, which can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information longer than the period of time indicated in the period information and whose degrees of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time are relatively great and available periods of time in the residential20are different from each other.

The output unit113of the present embodiment may also be further configured to select, from the secondary battery10group, one or more secondary combinations, which cannot supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information longer than the period of time indicated in the period information and satisfy a predetermined condition corresponding to that a degree of decrease in peak power prior to elapse of the period of time is relatively great, based on the period information and the facility consumption information input from the acquisition unit111and the output information of each secondary battery10stored in the storage unit103.

The output unit113outputs the information of the plurality of combinations to the calculation unit115, together with the information about the number of the secondary batteries10included in each combination and the secondary battery ID. When the information is input from the output unit113, the calculation unit115calculates, for each combination, a labor charge necessary to exchange the combination in the residential20. The calculation unit115further refers to the price information of each of the plurality of secondary batteries10included in the combinations among the price information of the plurality of secondary batteries10stored in the storage unit103in step S104, and calculates, for each combination, a total expense for exchange of the combination by summing the prices of the plurality of secondary batteries10included in the combination and the labor charge (step S109). It should be noted that the labor charge may be determined and input to the selecting device100by the lender15, for example, instead of being calculated by the selecting device100.

The calculation unit115of the present embodiment may also be configured to calculate, for each of one or more combinations and one or more secondary combinations selected by the output unit113, the total expense for exchange of the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10, based on the prices and the labor charge.

The calculation unit115outputs, for each of the plurality of combinations, the information of each price of the plurality of secondary batteries10included in the combination, and the labor charge and the total expense necessary to exchange of the combination to the output unit113, together with a combination ID for identifying the combination. The output unit113refers to the storage unit103and transmits the information of the plurality of combinations to an address of the user terminal30associated with the user ID, together with the user Idling the information of the plurality of combinations, as one example, for each of the plurality of combinations selected by the output unit113, the predicted lifespan of the combination, the number, each secondary battery ID, each aesthetic degree and each price of the plurality of secondary batteries10included in the combination, the labor charge and the total expense for exchange of the combination are indicated together with the combination ID.

When the user terminal30receives the information of the plurality of combinations from the selecting device100, together with the user ID, the user terminal30presents the information of the plurality of combinations to the user25. The user25confirms the information of the plurality of combinations, inputs determination information, which indicates that it is determined that any one of the plurality of combinations indicated in the information is to be installed in the residential20, and transmits the same to the selecting device100via the communication network50, together with the user ID (step S111).

When the output unit113of the selecting device100receives the determination information indicative of the combination determined by the user25from the user terminal30, the output unit113outputs the determination information to the display unit105. The display unit105displays the determination information to the lender15(step S113), and the flow ends. It should be noted that the lender15may deliver the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10determined by the user25, which is indicated in the determination information displayed on the display unit105of the selecting device100, to the residential20of the user25, in a case where the secondary battery10has not been installed in the residential20, the lender15may newly install the plurality of secondary batteries10of the combination in the residential20, and in a case where a combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10has been installed in the residential20, the lender15may exchange the combination with a new carried combination.

In the above flow, it has been described that step S102to step S104are executed when the secondary battery10is newly connected to the selecting device100. However, since the information that is input to the table ofFIG.4is all information that changes over time, the information is preferably updated periodically or all the time. Therefore, the selecting device100may be configured to periodically acquire the output information from each secondary battery10of the secondary battery10group under control, for example, to acquire new evaluation information that is input via the input unit102by the lender15, and to change and store the same in the storage unit103. Additionally or alternatively, the selecting device100may also be configured to update periodically or all the time the SOH and the like at first stored in the storage unit103at the time when each secondary battery10is first connected to the selecting device100by using a specific algorithm configured to lower each value over time.

FIG.5is a graph for illustrating one example of a method by which the selecting device100of the present embodiment selects a combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10used for the residential20of the user25. In the graph, the horizontal axis indicates time and the vertical axis indicates peak power [kW].

On the graph ofFIG.5, the temporal change of the peak power is shown with a linear solid line for each of the six secondary batteries10of the secondary battery10-1, the secondary battery10-2, the secondary battery10-3, the secondary battery10-4, the secondary battery10-5and the secondary battery10-6shown in the table ofFIG.4. Also, on the graph ofFIG.5, in order to indicate a period of time desired by the user25for which a combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10is used in the residential20, an end of the period of time is shown with a linear dashed line and an outlined arrow.

On the vertical axis of the graph ofFIG.5, intercepts of the solid lines indicative of the temporal changes of the peak powers of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6are denoted with X10-1to X10-6, respectively, and values of X10-1to X10-6mean the current peak powers of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6. For example, also as shown in the table ofFIG.4, the current peak power X10-6of the secondary battery10-6is greatest (1.2 [kW]), and the current peak power X10-1of the secondary battery10-1is 1.0 [kW], the current peak power X10-4of the secondary battery10-4is 0.8 [kW], the current peak power X10-5of the secondary battery10-5is 0.6 [kW], the current peak power X10-2of the secondary battery10-2is 0.5 [kW], and the current peak power X10-3of the secondary battery10-3is 0.4 [kW] in order.

In addition, on the graph ofFIG.5, gradients of solid lines indicative of the temporal changes of the peak powers of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6are denoted with K10-1to K10-6, respectively, and values of K10-1to K10-6may mean an example of degrees of decrease in peak powers of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6. That is, the smaller a negative value of K is, the greater the degree of decrease in peak power may be. In the graph ofFIG.5, since K10-3>K10-4=K10-5>K10-2>K10-6>K10-1, the selecting device100may regard that it is most difficult for the peak power of the secondary battery10-3to decrease and it is easier for the peak power to decrease in order of the secondary battery10-4and the secondary battery10-5, the secondary battery10-2, the secondary battery10-6and the secondary battery10-1.

On the horizontal axis of the graph ofFIG.5, intercepts of the solid lines indicative of the temporal changes of the peak powers of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6are denoted with T10-1to T10-6, respectively, and values of T10-1to T10-6mean the predicted lifespans of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6. The values of T10-1to T10-6may mean an example of degrees of decrease in peak powers of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6. That is, the smaller a value of T is, the greater the degree of decrease in peak power may be. For example, also as shown in the table ofFIG.4, the predicted lifespan T10-3of the secondary battery10-3is greatest (10 [year]), and the predicted lifespan T10-6of the secondary battery10-6is 9.6 [year], the predicted lifespan T10-4of the secondary battery10-4is 9.3 [year], the predicted lifespan T10-5of the secondary battery10-5is 7.6 [year], the predicted lifespan T10-1of the secondary battery10-1is 7.1 [year], and the predicted lifespan T10-2of the secondary battery10-2is 5.2 [year] in order. Therefore, the selecting device100may regard that it is most difficult for the peak power of the secondary battery10-3to decrease and it is easier for the peak power to decrease in order of the secondary battery10-6, the secondary battery10-4, the secondary battery10-5, the secondary battery10-1and the secondary battery10-2.

As one example, it is assumed that the six-secondary battery10group of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6, as shown inFIG.5, is a candidate for the plurality of secondary batteries10that is used in the residential20of the user25. In a case where 7 years are indicated in the period information acquired from the user terminal30, i.e., in a case where the desired period of time of the user25indicated on the graph ofFIG.5is 7 years, the selecting device100of the present embodiment does not include the secondary battery10-2that cannot maintain a state where the peak power is greater than 0 kW for 7 years or longer, in the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10that is presented to the user25.

The selecting device100further selects the secondary batteries in order from the secondary battery10whose predicted lifespan is short, for example, of the five-secondary battery10group where the secondary battery10-2is excluded from the six-secondary battery10group. In a case where the total value of the peak powers of the plurality of selected secondary batteries10at a point of time of the end of the desired period of time of the user25indicated on the graph ofFIG.5exceeds the power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information, the selecting device100may end the additional selection of the secondary battery10and determine one combination by the plurality of selected secondary batteries10.

FIG.6is a display screen example on the user terminal30for displaying a plurality of combinations selected by the selecting device100of the present embodiment to the user25, as one example. On the display screen ofFIG.6, in detail information of the plurality of combinations selected by the selecting device100, one of the six secondary batteries10of the secondary battery10-1to the secondary battery10-6described with reference to the table ofFIG.4and the graph ofFIG.5is shown.

At the top portion of the display screen ofFIG.6, in order from the top of the screen, three messages “designated power consumption amount: 4.0 kWh/day⇒expected peak power 0.40 kW”, “desired period of time: 7 years” and “desired aesthetic degree: C or higher” are shown. The contents of the three messages correspond to the facility consumption information, the period information and the aesthetic information, respectively, which are input to the user terminal30by the user25before the selecting device100transmits the information of the plurality of combinations to the user terminal30.

In the display screen ofFIG.6, a table including detail information of two combinations according to the designation and desire of the user25indicated in the three messages is shown immediately below the display position of the three messages. More specifically, the table is a matrix shape of 3 rows by 5 columns, and on a first row of the table, the combination ID, the predicted lifespan [year], details such as the number of the secondary batteries, the labor charge [10,000 Yen] (official trip expense: construction expense) and the total expense [10,000 Yen] are indicated in order from a first column. On a second row of the table, detail information of a combination A is indicated, and on a third row of the table, detail information of a combination B is indicated. The combination A and the combination B are different from each other in the period of time for which they can be used in the residential20, as indicated in the second column of the table where the predicted lifespan is 7.1 [year] and 9.3 [year], respectively.

In addition, in the display screen ofFIG.6, a message “when the period of time is changed to 5 years’ is indicated immediately below the table, and a table including detail information of a secondary combination with the change indicated in the message is indicated immediately below the message. More specifically, the table is a matrix shape of 2 rows by 6 columns, and on a first row of the table, the combination ID, the predicted lifespan [year], details such as the number of the secondary batteries, the labor charge [10,000 Yen] (official trip expense: construction expense), the incentive [−10,000 Yen] and the total expense [10,000 Yen] are indicated in order from a first column. On a second row of the table, detail information of a secondary combination C is indicated. The secondary combination C does not satisfy the desired period of time ‘7 years’ of the designation and desire of the user25indicated in the three messages, as indicated with ‘predicted lifespan is 5.2 [year]’ on a second row of the table. However, the secondary combination C satisfies the designation and other desire of the user25indicated in the three messages.

In the present embodiment, in the display screen ofFIG.6, the labor charge indicated in the fourth columns of both the tables includes, as one example, an official trip expense for the lender15to deliver the plurality of secondary batteries10of each combination to the residential20of the user25and a construction expense for the lender15to install the plurality of secondary batteries10of each combination in the residential20of the user25. The official trip expense may vary, according to a distance from a location of the lender15to the residential20of the user25. In addition, the construction expense may vary, according to the number of the secondary batteries10included in the combination.

In the shown example, for the combination A, the combination B and the secondary combination C, since the delivery destination is the same, the official trip expense is the same2[10,000 Yen]. In addition, since the three secondary batteries10are included in the combination A, the construction expense is 3 [piece]×0.5 [10,000 Yen/piece]=1.5 [10,000 Yen]. In addition, since the two secondary batteries10are included in each of the combination B and the secondary combination C, the construction expense is 2 [piece]×0.5 [10,000 Yen/piece]=1.0 [10,000 Yen].

In this case, when the user ID and the information of the plurality of combinations are input from the output unit113, for example, the calculation unit115of the present embodiment may refer to information of a function for performing the above-mentioned calculation and address information of the residential20associated with the user ID, which are stored in the storage unit103, calculate the official trip expense and the construction expense, respectively, and therefore, calculate the labor charge.

As can be understood from both the tables in the display screen ofFIG.6, the output unit113of the present embodiment may further output information of an available period of time in the residential20and a total expense of each of one or more combinations and one or more secondary combinations and information of an incentive that is provided to the user25when at least one of the one or more secondary combinations is used in the residential20. The incentive may be a pay-as-you-go value corresponding to a difference between a period of time desired by the user25and a period of time changed to shorten the period of time or may be a fixed value, for example.

It should be noted that additionally or alternatively, the selecting device100may also be configured to select and display one or more secondary combinations, which satisfy the period of time desired by the user25for which the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10is used in the residential20but do not satisfy the aesthetic degree desired by the user25, on the screen of the user terminal30. In addition, additionally or alternatively, the selecting device100may also be configured to select and display one or more secondary combinations, which do not satisfy both the period of time desired by the user25for which the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10is used in the residential20and the aesthetic degree desired by the user25, on the screen of the user terminal30.

According to the above-described embodiment, the selecting device100is configured to select, from the secondary battery10group, one or more combinations, which at least, can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20of the user25longer than the period of time desired by the user25and satisfy a predetermined condition corresponding to that a degree of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time is relatively great, based on (1) the period information about the period of time desired by the user25for which the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10is used in the residential20of the user25, (2) the facility consumption information about power consumption of the residential20of the user25, and (3) the output information about the current peak power and the temporal change of the future peak power of each secondary battery10in the secondary battery10group becoming a candidate for the combination, and to output the information of the selected one or more combinations.

Thereby, as shown in the upper table of the display screen example ofFIG.6, the user25can acquire the information of the combinations whose degrees of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time desired by the user are relatively great, i.e., total expenses are relatively less expensive, within a range that satisfies the user's desire. On the other hand, the lender15who lends the above-mentioned combination to the user25can effectively lend the secondary battery10, which is difficult to be reused and has low output power and short lifespan, to the user25from the secondary battery10group stocked for reuse, and can effectively utilize the plurality of secondary batteries10included in the secondary battery10group as much as possible.

In addition, the selecting device100having the above-mentioned configuration can disperse the combinations of the secondary batteries10, which meet the demands of each user25, in the right places. Therefore, the selecting device100can lend the secondary battery10of a low specification to the user25who does not need the secondary battery10of a high specification, and can lend the secondary battery10of a high specification to the user25who needs the secondary battery10of a high specification.

In addition, the selecting device100also may also be configured to select a plurality of combinations, which can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information longer than the period of time indicated in the period information and whose degrees of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time are relatively great and available periods of time in the residential20are different from each other, and to output the information of the plurality of selected combinations. In this case, as shown in the upper table of the display screen example ofFIG.6, the user25can acquire the information of the plurality of combinations whose degrees of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time desired by the user are relatively great, i.e., total expenses are relatively less expensive, within a range that satisfies the user's desire, i.e., can increase a degree of freedom to determine one combination from a plurality of choices. For example, in a case where the user25determines the combination B, instead of the combination A shown in the upper table of the display screen example ofFIG.6, the total expense is 2 [10,000 Yen] more but the predicted lifespan is 2.1 [year] longer. Therefore, in the long term, the user25can reduce the expense, as compared to a case where the combination A is determined.

In addition, the selecting device100may also be configured to select, from the one or more of the combinations selected from the secondary battery10group, one or more combinations that satisfy the aesthetic degree desired by the user25, based on the aesthetic information about the aesthetic degree of each secondary battery10of the combination desired by the user25and the evaluation information about the evaluation on the aesthetic degree of each secondary battery in the secondary battery group, and to output the information of the selected one or more combinations. In this case, as shown in the upper table of the display screen example ofFIG.6, the user25can reflect the user's desire about the aesthetic degree of the secondary battery10on the combination whose total expense is relatively less expensive. The above configuration can satisfy a degree of aesthetic satisfaction of the user25when the combination is installed so that the user25can visually recognize the combination as a part of the interior of the residential20, for example.

In addition, the selecting device100may also be configured to select, from the secondary battery10group, one or more secondary combinations, which cannot supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20indicated in the facility consumption information longer than the period of time indicated in the period information and satisfy a predetermined condition corresponding to that a degree of decrease in peak power prior to elapse of the period of time is relatively great, based on the period information, the facility consumption information and the output information, and to output information of the selected one or more combinations. In this case, the selecting device100may be further configured to output the information of the available period of time in the residential20and the total expense of each of one or more combinations and one or more secondary combinations and the information of the incentive that is provided to the user25when at least one of the one or more secondary combinations is used in the residential20.

In this case, as shown in the lower table of the display screen example ofFIG.6, the user25can acquire the information of the plurality of combinations, which can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the residential20designated by the user for a period of time slightly shorter than the period of time desired by the user and whose degrees of decrease in peak power following elapse of the slightly short period of time are relatively great, i.e., total expenses are relatively less expensive, i.e., can increase a degree of freedom to determine one combination from a plurality of choices. For example, in a case where the user25determines the secondary combination C, instead of the combination A shown in the upper table of the display screen example ofFIG.6, the predicted lifespan is 1.9 [year] shorter. However, in the short term, the user25can reduce the total expense by 8.0 [10,000 Yen], as compared to a case where the combination A is determined.

In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the selecting device100is installed in the retail store of the lender15. Instead of this, the selecting device100may also be arranged in the residential20of the user25. In this case, the selecting device100may be configured to receive the output information of the secondary battery10group, which is retained and managed by the lender15, for example, via the communication network50. In addition, the selecting device100may be configured to transmit information, which indicates the combination determined by the user25from one or more combinations and the like selected by the above-described selecting method, to the communication equipment of the lender15. The lender15may deliver the combination of the plurality of secondary batteries10determined by the user25to the residential20of the user25, according to the received information.

In addition, in a case where the selecting device100is arranged in the residential20of the user25and is wiredly or wirelessly connected to one or more secondary batteries10installed and used in the residential20, the selecting device100may be configured to additionally acquire the information indicative of the current SOH, the deterioration state and the like of the one or more secondary batteries10, and to determine whether to exchange the one or more secondary batteries10with one or more secondary batteries10included in the secondary battery10group. The acquisition of the information may be repeatedly performed periodically from the time when the one or more secondary batteries10are installed in the residential20, or periodically from the time when a predetermined period of time elapses after the one or more secondary batteries10are installed in the residential20, by measuring the capacities of the one or more secondary batteries10or inspecting the deterioration state by the selecting device100. The period of time may be designated via the input unit102of the selecting device100by the user25, for example.

In addition, in a case where the selecting device100is arranged in the residential20of the user25, additionally or alternatively, the selecting device100may be configured to estimate the current SOH, the deterioration state and the like of the one or more secondary batteries10installed and used in the residential20, and to determine whether to exchange the one or more secondary batteries10with one or more secondary batteries10included in the secondary battery10group. Instead of this, the selecting device100may also be configured to estimate a time to exchange one or more secondary batteries10installed and used in the residential20with one or more secondary batteries10included in the secondary battery10group. In these cases, for example, when the one or more secondary batteries10are installed in the residential20by the lender15, the selecting device100may be input with the information of the SOH, the deterioration state and the like of the one or more secondary batteries10at the time of the installation from the input unit102by the lender15.

In any of the cases, when it is determined to exchange the one or more secondary batteries10with one or more secondary batteries10included in the secondary battery10group, the selecting device100may be configured to additionally notify the user25of the determination, thereby causing the user25to input the period information and the like. The notification may be transmission of an electronic mail to the user terminal30, for example.

Also, instead of this, the user25may register in advance, in the selecting device100, that the lender15automatically delivers one or more secondary batteries10for exchange when it is time to exchange the one or more secondary batteries10. In this case, the user25also additionally registers the period information and the like in advance in the selecting device100. When the selecting device100determines to exchange the one or more secondary batteries10with one or more secondary batteries10included in secondary battery10group, the selecting device100may execute the above-described selecting method, based on the period information and the like registered in advance. In addition, in this case, the selecting device100may not request the user25to input information by selecting one combination and transmitting information indicative of the combination to the communication equipment of the lender15. In this case, it should be noted that the user25may register in advance, in the selecting device100, for example, that the expense for exchange of the one or more secondary batteries10is paid from a designated bank account by automatic withdrawal.

In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the selecting device100receives the period information, the facility consumption information, the aesthetic information and the like based on the input of the user25, together with the user ID, via the communication network50from the user terminal30. Instead of this, the lender15may hear the period information and the like from the user25and input the period information and the like from the input unit102of the selecting device100, for example, instead of the user25. In addition, instead of the user25, the lender15may input the period information and the like to the communication equipment of the lender15, the user terminal30tentatively borrowed from the user25, or the like, and transmit the period information and the like to the selecting device100.

Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams whose blocks may represent (1) steps of processes in which operations are performed or (2) units of devices responsible for performing operations. Certain steps and units may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on computer-readable media, and/or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on computer-readable media. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and/or analog hardware circuits and may include integrated circuits (IC) and/or discrete circuits. Programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuits comprising logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements, etc., such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic arrays (PLA), etc.

Computer-readable media may include any tangible device that can store instructions for execution by a suitable device, such that the computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable media may include an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a BLU-RAY (registered trademark) disc, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, etc.

Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, JAVA (registered trademark), C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

Computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, or to programmable circuitry, locally or via a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, etc., to execute the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

FIG.7shows an example of the computer1200which can realize a plurality of aspects of the present invention entirely or partially. A program installed on the computer1200can cause the computer1200to function as an operation associated with an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention or as one or more “unit(s)” of the apparatus, or to perform the operation or the one or more “unit(s)”, and/or can cause the computer1200to perform processes according to embodiments of the present invention or steps of the processes. Such a program may be executed by a CPU1212to cause the computer1200to perform particular operations associated with some or all blocks in the flowcharts or block diagrams described herein.

The computer1200according to the present embodiment includes a CPU1212, a RAM1214, a graphic controller1216and a display device1218, which are connected to each other by a host controller1210. The computer1200also includes input/output units such as a communication interface1222, a hard disk drive1224, a DVD-ROM drive1226and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller1210via an input/output controller1220. The computer also includes legacy input/output units such as a ROM1230and a keyboard1242, which are connected to the input/output controller1220via an input/output chip1240.

The CPU1212operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM1230and the RAM1214, and controls each unit accordingly. The graphic controller1216acquires image data generated by the CPU1212on a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM1214or in the graphic controller1216itself, and displays the image data on the display device1218.

The communication interface1222communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive1224stores programs and data to be used by the CPU1212in the computer1200. The DVD-ROM drive1226reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM1201, and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive1224via the RAM1214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and/or writes programs and data into the IC card.

The ROM1230has stored therein a boot program or the like to be executed by the computer1200at the time of activation, and/or a program that depends on the hardware of the computer1200. The input/output chip1240may also connect various input/output units to the input/output controller1220via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port or the like.

Programs are provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as the DVD-ROM1201or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable storage medium, installed on the hard disk drive1224, the RAM1214or the ROM1230, which are also examples of a computer-readable storage medium, and executed by the CPU1212. The information processing described in the programs is read into the computer1200, resulting in cooperation between the programs and the above various types of hardware resources. An apparatus or method may be constituted by implementing the operation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer1200.

For example, if a communication is performed between the computer1200and external devices, the CPU1212may execute a communication program loaded on the RAM1214, and instruct the communication interface1222to perform communication process based on the process described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU1212, the communication interface1222reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer region provided in a recording medium such as the RAM1214, the hard disk drive1224, the DVD-ROM1201or an IC card, and sends the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network into a reception buffer region or the like provided in the recording medium.

The CPU1212may also make all or required portions of the files or databases stored in an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive1224, the DVD-ROM drive1226(DVD-ROM1201) or an IC card to be read by the RAM1214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM1214. Then, the CPU1212may write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables and databases may be stored in the recording medium for information processing. The CPU1212may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM1214, which includes various types of operations, information processing, condition judging, conditional branch, unconditional branch, search/replacement of information, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by an instruction sequence of programs, and writes the result back to the RAM1214. In addition, the CPU1212may search for information in a file, a database, etc., in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, are stored in the recording medium, the CPU1212may search the plurality of entries for an entry whose attribute value of the first attribute matches a designated condition, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby acquire the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that meets a predetermined condition.

The programs or software modules in the above description may be stored on the computer1200or a computer-readable storage medium near the computer1200. Further, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage media, which provides programs to the computer1200via the network.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the technical scope of the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments. It is apparent to persons skilled in the art that various alterations or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments. Also, matters explained with reference to a particular embodiment can be applied to other embodiments as long as such application does not cause a technical contradiction. Also, each component may have similar features to another component having the same name and a different reference number. It is also apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such alterations or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the invention.

For example, the acquisition unit of the selecting device may be further configured to acquire vehicle consumption information about power consumption of a vehicle that is used by the user and driven by a secondary battery. In the vehicle, one or more secondary batteries for driving the vehicle are freely removed by the user. The vehicle may be a motorcycle, an automatic three-wheeled vehicle, an automatic four-wheeled vehicle or the like. The vehicle consumption information may be input to the user terminal together with the period information and the like by the user, and therefore, may be acquired via the communication network by the acquisition unit of the selecting device.

In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be configured to select, from the secondary battery group under control, one or more secondary batteries, which can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the vehicle indicated in the vehicle consumption information longer than the period of time indicated in the period information and satisfy a predetermined condition corresponding to that a degree of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time is relatively great, as a secondary battery that is shared in the facility and the vehicle of the user, based on the vehicle consumption information. The number of the one or more secondary batteries that are shared in the facility and the vehicle of the user may be equal to or smaller than the number of the secondary batteries that can be together attached to the vehicle. While the one or more secondary batteries are not used in the vehicle by the user, the one or more secondary batteries may be conveyed from the vehicle to the facility and attached to the facility by the user.

In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be further configured to select, from the secondary battery group, one or more combinations including one or more secondary batteries, which can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the facility longer than the period of time, have a relatively great degree of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time and satisfy the above condition, based on the period information, the facility consumption information and the output information. In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be configured to select one or more secondary batteries in order from a secondary battery whose degree of decrease in peak power following elapse of the period of time is greatest among a plurality of secondary batteries that can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the vehicle indicated in the vehicle consumption information longer than the period of time indicated in the period information, as the condition.

Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit of the selecting device may be further configured to acquire maximum number information about a maximum quantity of pieces of the secondary batteries desired by the user, which are installed in the facility of the user. In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be configured to select, from the secondary battery group, one or more combinations consisting of secondary batteries equal to or smaller than the maximum quantity of pieces, based on the maximum number information.

In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be further configured to select, from the secondary battery group, one or more second secondary combinations, which consist of secondary batteries larger than the maximum quantity of pieces, can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the facility longer than the period of time and satisfy the condition, based on the period information, the facility consumption information, the output information and the maximum number information.

In this case, the calculation unit of the selecting device may be configured to calculate a total expense for exchange of a combination of a plurality of secondary batteries, for each of one or more combinations and one or more second secondary combinations, based on a price determined according to at least the current peak power and the temporal change of the future peak power of each secondary battery in the secondary battery group, and a labor charge necessary to exchange a combination of a plurality of secondary batteries in the facility.

In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be further configured to output the information of the total expense of each of one or more combinations and one or more second secondary combinations, the number of secondary batteries included in the one or more second secondary combinations, and the information of the incentive that is provided to the user when at least one of the one or more second secondary combinations is used in the facility.

In addition, the facility consumption information may include actual measurement information about a measured value of power consumption of the facility, for example. In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be configured to select, from the secondary battery group, one or more combinations that can supply electrical power corresponding to the measured value longer than the period of time and satisfy the condition, based on the period information, the actual measurement information and the output information.

In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be configured further to newly select, from the secondary battery group, one or more new combinations that can supply electrical power corresponding to the measured value longer than the period of time and satisfy the condition, based on the period information, the actual measurement information and the output information, and to output information of the one or more new combinations.

In this case, the measured value of power consumption of the facility may be measured by a meter attached to the facility. Also, in this case, a communication device for transmitting the measured value to the selecting device via the communication network may be installed in the facility, and information recorded on a bill of electricity expense may be input to the user terminal and transmitted to the selecting device by the user, or information recorded on a bill of electricity expense may be directly transmitted from an electricity provider to the selecting device without passing through the user, based on a contract between the user and the electricity provider.

Furthermore, for example, the output unit of the selecting device may be further configured to select, from the secondary battery group, one or more third secondary combinations, which do not satisfy the aesthetic degree, can supply electrical power corresponding to power consumption of the facility longer than the period of time and satisfy the condition, based on the period information, the facility consumption information, the output information, the aesthetic information and the evaluation information. In this case, the output unit of the selecting device may be further configured to output the information of the total expense for exchange of a combination of a plurality of secondary batteries different from each other according to the aesthetic degree of each of one or more combinations and one or more third secondary combinations, the information of aesthetic degrees of one or more third secondary combinations, and the information of the incentive that is provided to the user when at least one of the one or more third secondary combinations is used in the facility.

The operations, procedures, steps, and stages of each process performed by an apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, specification, or diagrams can be performed in any order as long as the order is not indicated by “prior to,” “before,” or the like and as long as the output from a previous process is not used in a later process. Even if the process flow is described using phrases such as “first” or “next” in the claims, specification, or diagrams, it does not necessarily mean that the process must be performed in this order.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

10,10-1,10-2,10-3,10-4,10-5,10-6,10-N: secondary battery;15lender;20residential;25user;30user terminal;50communication network;100selecting device;101control unit;102input unit;103storage unit;105display unit;111acquisition unit;113output unit;115calculation unit;1200computer;1201DVD-ROM;1210host controller;1212CPU;1214RAM;1216graphic controller;1218display device;1220input/output controller;1222communication interface;1224hard disk drive;1226DVD-ROM drive;1230ROM;1240input/output chip1242keyboard