JP2010273419A - System and method for charging service, store terminal, and management terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system for charging service that reduces burdens on users. <P>SOLUTION: Portable charging units 1a, ..., 1n include charging means 4a, ..., 4n for portable terminals, respectively. Store terminals 2a, ..., 2m where the portable charging units 1a, ..., 1n are placed include input means 5a, ..., 5m and control means 6a, ..., 6m. When model information on a portable terminal is input from the input means 5a, ..., 5m, the control means transmit the model information to a management terminal 3. When specification information on a portable charging unit 1a, ..., 1n is received, the control means allows a predetermined portable unit 1a, ..., 1n to be lent based on the specification information. The management terminal 3 includes: a storage means 7 that relates position information and model information to each portable charging unit 1a, ..., 1n; and a control means 8 that, when model information is received from a store terminal 2a, ..., 2m, refers to the storage means 7 and selects a portable charging unit 1a, ..., 1n corresponding to the position information on the store terminal 2a, ..., 2m as well as the model information thereon and then transmits it as specification information to the store terminal 2a, ..., 2m. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging service system, a charging service method, a store terminal, and a management terminal for charging a portable terminal driven by a rechargeable battery.

  In recent years, mobile terminals such as mobile phones, notebook personal computers, and digital cameras have become highly functional. As mobile terminals become more sophisticated, power consumption of mobile terminals tends to increase. A rechargeable battery is mainly used as the power source of these mobile terminals, and the remaining battery level of the rechargeable battery decreases while the mobile terminal is in use, and the user cannot use the mobile terminal while away from home. Is prone to occur.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, when the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal is reduced, the mobile terminal that notifies the user that the battery needs to be charged together with information on a store that can charge the battery. Is disclosed. Patent Document 2 proposes a charging service for charging a rechargeable battery at a charging station having a plurality of charging means. In Patent Document 2, a user brings a mobile terminal to the charging station and charges a rechargeable battery of the mobile terminal. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a power storage device that is charged by receiving power signals from a plurality of terminal charging devices connected to a power supply network.

JP 2004-56555 A JP 2003-348757 A JP 2008-154446 A

  In Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, when charging a rechargeable battery of a mobile terminal, the user brings the mobile terminal to a store or a charging station where charging is possible, and performs charging. The user has to wait on the spot until the charging is completed, or return to receiving the portable terminal after the charging is completed, which places a heavy burden on the user. Further, in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to provide the mobile terminal with means for receiving a power signal from the terminal charging device, and it is difficult to apply to a general mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a notebook personal computer, and a digital camera. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a charging service system and a charging service method applicable to a general portable terminal, which provide a charging service system and a charging service method with a small burden on a user. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a charging service system according to the present invention includes a plurality of portable charging units, a plurality of store terminals on which portable charging units are arranged, and a management terminal. Each portable charging unit includes charging means for charging the rechargeable battery of the portable terminal. Each store terminal receives the input from the user, and when the model information of the mobile terminal is input from the input means, the model terminal transmits the model information to the management terminal and receives the designation information of the mobile charging unit from the management terminal And a control unit that allows a predetermined portable charging unit to be lent out based on the designation information. Furthermore, the management terminal refers to the storage means when receiving the model information from the store terminal and the storage means for storing the position information and the model information of the mobile charging unit in association with each portable charging unit. And a control unit that selects a portable charging unit that matches the position of the shop terminal and that matches the model information received by the model information, and returns the selected charging information to the shop terminal as designation information.

  In order to achieve the above object, a charging service method according to the present invention uses a plurality of portable charging units that charge a rechargeable battery of a portable terminal, a plurality of store terminals in which the portable charging unit is arranged, and a management terminal. . Here, the management terminal includes storage means for storing the position information and the model information in association with each portable charging unit. When the model information of the mobile terminal is input, the store terminal transmits the model information to the management terminal. When the management terminal receives the model information from the store terminal, the store terminal refers to the storage means and receives the position information. The mobile charging unit that matches the position of the shop terminal and the model information that matches the received model information is selected and sent back as designation information. When the store terminal receives the specified information from the management terminal, the store terminal can lend a predetermined mobile charging unit based on the specified information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the store terminal according to the present invention includes an input unit that accepts input from a user, and transmits model information when the model information of the mobile terminal is input from the input unit, and designates the mobile charging unit. And a control unit that enables a predetermined portable charging unit to be lent based on the designation information when the information is received.

  In order to achieve the above object, the management terminal according to the present invention receives, for each mobile charging unit, storage means for storing the location information of the mobile charging unit and the model information of the mobile terminal in association with each other, and when receiving the model information, A control unit that refers to the storage unit, selects a mobile charging unit whose position information matches the position of the model information transmission source and also matches the model information received by the model information, and returns to the transmission source as designation information; Prepare.

  In the charging service system, the charging service method, the store terminal, and the management terminal according to the present invention, a plurality of portable charging units are arranged in a plurality of store terminals. The user can take out a mobile charging unit that conforms to the model information from the store terminal by accessing the desired store terminal and inputting the model information of the mobile terminal that the user has into the store terminal. The user can charge the rechargeable battery of the portable terminal at a time and place convenient for the user. Therefore, the charging service system, the charging service method, the store terminal, and the management terminal according to the present embodiment can charge a rechargeable battery of a general mobile terminal, and the charging service system and charging service with a small burden on the user A method, a store terminal and a management terminal.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a charging service system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage means 7 of the management terminal 3 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a flowchart which shows the procedure which borrows a portable charging unit. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which returns a portable charging unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a system configuration figure of charging service system 100A concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a system configuration | structure figure of the charging service system 200 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the portable charging unit which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the charging center which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the management center which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which reserves a portable charging unit in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which borrows a portable charging unit in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which returns a portable charging unit in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
A charging service system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a charging service system according to the present embodiment. 1, the charging service system 100 includes a plurality of portable charging units 1a,..., 1n, a plurality of store terminals 2a,. In the present embodiment, the store terminals 2a, ..., 2m are arranged in the stores 2'a, ..., 2'm, respectively. In addition, a plurality of portable charging units 1a,..., 1n can be arranged in the stores 2′a,.

  In FIG. 1, the mobile charging units 1 a,..., 1 n include charging means 4 a,. The store terminals 2a, ..., 2m include input means 5a, ..., 5m and control means 6a, ..., 6m, respectively. The store terminal 2a will be described representatively. The input means 5a accepts various user inputs. When the model information is input using the input unit 5a, the control unit 6a transmits the input model information to the management terminal 3. The other store terminals 2b,..., 2m have the same configuration.

  The management terminal 3 includes a storage unit 7 and a control unit 8. The storage means 7 stores, for each mobile charging unit 1a,..., 1n, the location information of the mobile charging unit and the model information of the mobile terminal that can be charged in association. FIG. 2 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 7. In FIG. 2, for example, the mobile charging unit 1 a is located in the store 2 ′ a where the store terminal 2 a is arranged, and charging of the mobile terminal whose model information is N90XX is impossible, but the model information is F90YY. The mobile terminal can be charged. For example, when the model information is received from the store terminal 2a via the network, the control means 8 is located and received from the storage means 7 at the store 2′a where the store terminal 2a that has received the model information is located. Select a mobile charging unit that can support model information. Furthermore, the control means 8 returns the designation information indicating the selected portable charging unit to the store terminal 2a.

  Next, a procedure when the user rents a portable charging unit using the charging service system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, when the user charges the rechargeable battery of the mobile terminal using the charging service system 100, the user accesses a desired store, for example, the nearest store 2'a. And the model information of the portable terminal which the user possesses is input using the input means 5a of the store terminal 2a installed in the accessed store 2'a. When the control means 6a of the store terminal 2a detects the input of the model information by the input means 5a (S101), it transmits the input model information to the management terminal 3 (S102). In the present embodiment, the store terminal 2a transmits N90XX to the management terminal 3 as model information.

  When the control unit 8 of the management terminal 3 receives the model information from the store terminal 2a, the control unit 8 refers to the storage unit 7 shown in FIG. 3 and stores the store 2 where the store terminal 2a is installed as the source of the model information. A portable charging unit that matches the received model information (N90XX) is selected from the portable charging units 1a, 1c,... located in 'a (S103). Furthermore, the control means 8 returns the designation information indicating the selected mobile charging unit to the store terminal 2a (S104). For example, the control means 8 selects the mobile charging unit 1c based on the model information N90XX, and returns the designation information (mobile charging unit 1c) to the store terminal 2a as the transmission source of the model information.

  The control means 6a of the store terminal 2a makes it possible to lend the mobile charging unit 1c corresponding to the designation information (mobile charging unit 1c) received from the management terminal 3 (S105). Furthermore, the control means 6a transmits a rental signal indicating that the portable charging unit 1c has been rented to the management terminal 3 (S106).

  When receiving the lending signal from the store terminal 2a, the control means 8 of the management terminal 3 changes the position information of the portable charging unit 1c in the storage means 7 to “lending” (S107).

  Since the mobile charging unit 1c can be rented, the user can take out the mobile charging unit 1c from the store 2'a. The user can charge the rechargeable battery of the portable terminal at a time and place convenient to the user.

  Next, the procedure when the user returns the mobile charging unit 1c will be described with reference to FIG. After completing the charging of the portable terminal, the user has the portable charging unit 1c to be returned and accesses a desired store, for example, a store 2'b different from the store 2'a that borrows the portable charging unit 1c. Then, after placing the mobile charging unit 1c in a predetermined position, the user uses the input means 5b of the store terminal 2b installed in the store 2′b to specify the designated information (mobile charge) of the mobile charging unit 1c to be returned. Enter unit 1c).

  When the designation information (mobile charging unit 1c) is input (S201), the control means 6b of the store terminal 2b disables the mobile charging unit 1c placed at a predetermined position (S202). Furthermore, the control means 6b of the store terminal 2b transmits the input designation information (mobile charging unit 1c) to the management terminal 3 (S203).

  When the control means 8 of the management terminal 3 receives the designation information (mobile charging unit 1c) from the store terminal 2b, the control means 8 determines that the mobile charging unit 1c has been returned, and determines the location information of the mobile charging unit 1c in the storage means 7 as follows: It changes to store 2'b where store terminal 2b is arranged (S204).

  As described above, in the charging service system 100 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of portable charging units are installed in a plurality of stores, respectively. The user can take out a mobile charging unit that conforms to the model information from the store by accessing the desired store and inputting the model information of the mobile terminal that the user has at the store terminal. The user can charge the rechargeable battery of the portable terminal at a time and place convenient for the user. Furthermore, after charging is completed, the user can return the mobile charging unit to another store without being limited to the store that borrowed the mobile charging unit. Therefore, the charging service system 100 according to the present embodiment is a charging service system that can be applied to a general mobile terminal, and is a charging service system with a small burden on the user.

  Here, it is desirable to charge the returned mobile charging unit by providing charging means for charging the mobile charging unit in the store terminal or the store, taking in power from a commercial power source (not shown).

  In order to prevent the mobile charging unit from being returned to the store, the storage unit 7 of the management terminal 3 may store the identification information of the rented user in association with the rented mobile charging unit. The user identification information can be input together when the user inputs the model information.

  Also, a predetermined charge can be made according to the rental period of the portable charging unit. In this case, the control means 8 of the management terminal 3 stores the date and time when the lending signal is received in the storage means 7 as the lending start date and time. Further, the date and time when the specified information is received is set as the lending end date and time. Then, the usage fee is charged to the user according to the lending period calculated by subtracting the lending start date from the lending end date. Further, when the usage fee is paid in advance, the portable charging unit can be lent out in S105 of FIG. 3 on the condition that the predetermined usage fee has been paid. And when the lending period has passed, an additional fee can be charged.

  Furthermore, in the charging service system 100, it is desirable to correct the uneven distribution of the mobile charging units caused by returning the mobile charging unit to a store different from the store from which the mobile charging unit was rented. In this case, the storage unit 7 of the management terminal 3 stores in advance a first threshold value that represents the minimum holding number of the mobile charging unit and a second threshold value that represents the maximum holding number. For example, when the number of remaining mobile charging units installed in the store 2′a becomes smaller than the first threshold due to the rental of the mobile charging unit from the store 2′a, the management terminal 3 The rental of the mobile charging unit at the store 2'a is stopped. In addition, return acceptance of the returned mobile charging unit continues. On the other hand, when the number of mobile charging units installed in the store 2′b becomes larger than the second threshold due to the return of the mobile charging unit to the store 2′b, the management terminal 3 The return acceptance of the portable charging unit in b is stopped. In addition, rental of a portable charging unit will continue. Then, when the number of portable charging units held in the stores 2′a and 2′b returns to the appropriate range, the management terminal 3 normally lends and accepts return of portable charging units in the stores 2′a and 2′b. Return to.

(Second Embodiment)
A charging service system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 shows a system configuration diagram of the charging service system according to the present embodiment. 5, the charging service system 100A includes a plurality of portable charging units 1a,..., 1n, a plurality of store terminals 2Aa,. The portable charging units 1a,..., 1n and the management terminal 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the store terminals 2Aa, ..., 2Am are arranged in an unattended state. The store terminals 2Aa,..., 2Am include input means 5a,..., 5m, control means 6Aa,. Typically, the store terminal 2Aa will be described. The input unit 5a is the same as the input unit of the store terminal described in the first embodiment, and accepts various user inputs. The management unit 9a fixes the mobile charging units at predetermined positions, and supplies power to the mobile charging unit by taking in power from a commercial power source (not shown) while the mobile charging unit is fixed. The control means 6Aa controls each means.

  Next, a procedure when a user borrows a portable charging unit using the charging service system 100A according to the present embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  When a user borrows a portable charging unit using the charging service system 100A, the user accesses a desired store terminal, for example, the nearest store terminal 2Aa. And the model information of a portable terminal is input using the input means 5a of 2 Aa of shop terminals. The control means 6Aa of the store terminal 2Aa transmits the input model information to the management center 3.

  When the management center 3 receives the model information, the management center 3 is fixed to the store terminal 2Aa, selects a portable charging unit that conforms to the received model information, and returns specification information indicating the selected portable charging unit to the store terminal 2Aa. Also in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile charging unit 1c is selected.

  When receiving the designation information from the management terminal 3, the control means 6Aa of the store terminal 2Aa controls the management means 9a to release the fixing of the mobile charging unit 1c corresponding to the designation information. Then, after the fixation is released, the control means 6Aa transmits a lending signal to the management center 3. When the management center 3 receives the lending signal, the management center 3 changes the position information of the mobile charging unit 1c to “lending”.

  By releasing the fixation of the mobile charging unit 1c, the user can take out the mobile charging unit 1c. The user can charge the rechargeable battery of the portable terminal at a time and place convenient for the user.

  Next, the procedure when the user returns the mobile charging unit 1c will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. When the user returns the mobile charging unit 1c, the user accesses a desired store terminal. In this embodiment, a user accesses store terminal 2Ab different from store terminal 2Aa which borrowed portable charging unit 1c. After placing the mobile charging unit 1c in a predetermined position, the user inputs designation information (mobile charging unit 1c) using the input means 5b of the store terminal 2Ab.

  When the designation information is input using the input means 5b, the control means 6Ab of the store terminal 2Ab transmits the input designation information to the management terminal 3. Further, the control means 6Ab uses the management means 9b to fix the portable charging unit 1c placed at a predetermined position, and takes in power from a commercial power source to charge the portable charging unit 1c. When the management center 3 receives the designation information (mobile charging unit 1c) from the store terminal 2Ab, the management center 3 determines that the mobile charging unit 1c has been returned to the store terminal 2Ab, and changes the position information of the mobile charging unit 1c to the store terminal 2Ab. To do.

  As described above, in the charging service system 100A according to the present embodiment, the user can charge the rechargeable battery of the mobile terminal at a time and place convenient for the user. Furthermore, the mobile charging unit can be returned to a store terminal different from the store terminal that borrowed the mobile charging unit. Therefore, the charging service system 100A according to the present embodiment is a charging service system that can be applied to a general mobile terminal, and is a charging service system with a small burden on the user. Furthermore, in the charging service system 100A according to the present embodiment, by fixing the mobile charging unit to the store terminal, the store terminal can be arranged in an unattended state. Therefore, the charging service system 100A according to the present embodiment is a charging service system with a low maintenance cost.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 shows a system configuration diagram of the charging service system according to the present embodiment. 6, the charging service system 200 includes a plurality of portable charging units 10a,..., 10n, a plurality of charging centers 20a,..., 20m, a management center 30, and a collection and delivery vehicle 40. Here, the charging center corresponds to the store terminal, and the management center corresponds to the management terminal.

  In the present embodiment, the management center 30 is connected to each charging center 20 a,..., 20 m and the collection and delivery vehicle 40 via the Internet 50. The charging centers 20a,..., 20m are each installed in a chain store such as a convenience store.

  In FIG. 6, a radio base station 60 and a credit card company 70 are connected to the Internet 50. The management center 30 communicates with a mobile terminal owned by the user via the Internet 50 and the radio base station 60. Here, the mobile terminal is a general mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a notebook personal computer, and a digital camera, and is supplied with power from a rechargeable battery. In this embodiment, a mobile phone 80 having a GPS function is applied as a mobile terminal. The management center 30 communicates with the credit card company 70 via the Internet 50.

  Next, the mobile charging units 10a, ..., 10n will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram representatively showing an example of components of the mobile charging unit 10a. In FIG. 7, the portable charging unit 10a includes a large capacity battery 101, a power integrating circuit 102, a DC / AC control circuit 103, a primary coil unit 104, a display control circuit 105, a memory 106, and a microcomputer 107.

  The large capacity battery 101 is a large capacity rechargeable battery. The large-capacity battery 101 supplies power stored when charging the mobile terminal. Here, the large-capacity battery 101 includes a protection circuit (not shown) that electrically protects the large-capacity battery 101. The power integration circuit 102 measures increase / decrease in the amount of power of the large capacity battery 101 and transmits the measurement result to the microcomputer 107 as used power information and capacity reduction information. The DC / AC control circuit 103 converts electric power stored in the large capacity battery 101 into appropriate electric power and transmits the electric power via the primary coil unit 104. Here, the DC / AC control circuit 103 corresponds to power conversion means. The primary coil unit 104 transmits power to the mobile terminal and transmits / receives various communication data. The display control circuit 105 includes a display such as a liquid crystal panel and displays various types of information. The memory 106 temporarily stores various measurement results measured by the power integrating circuit 102. The microcomputer 107 controls each circuit. Other mobile charging units have the same configuration.

  Next, the charging center 20a, ..., 20m will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram representatively showing an example of components of the charging center 20a. 8, the charging center 20a includes a GUI (Graphical User Interface) 201, a power supply circuit 202, a plurality of charge / discharge circuits 203a,..., 203p, a communication control circuit 204, a display control circuit 205, a card reader 206, and a print output circuit 207. And a microcomputer 208.

  The GUI 201 accepts various inputs from the user. The power supply circuit 202 takes in electric power from the commercial power supply 90, and charges or discharges each portable charging unit via each charging / discharging circuit 203a, ..., 203p. Each of the charging / discharging circuits 203a,..., 203p can be connected to one portable charging unit. Then, the charging / discharging circuits 203a,..., 203p acquire the amount of power used from the portable charging unit and transmit it to the microcomputer 208 when the portable charging unit is connected. Further, the charging / discharging circuits 203a,..., 203p transmit the power converted by the power supply circuit 202 to the portable charging unit. The communication control circuit 204 mainly communicates with the management center 30 via the Internet 50. The display control circuit 205 includes a display such as a liquid crystal panel and displays various types of information. The card reader 206 reads card information of various cards. The print output circuit 207 includes a general printer and prints out various information. The microcomputer 208 controls each circuit. Other charging centers also have the same configuration.

  Next, the management center 30 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the components of the management center 30. In FIG. 9, the management center 30 includes a communication control circuit 301, a memory 302, and a microcomputer 303. The communication control unit 301 communicates with each charging center 20a,..., 20m, the collection and delivery vehicle 40, and the credit card company 70 via the Internet 50. Further, it communicates with a mobile phone 80 possessed by the user via the Internet 50 and the radio base station 60. The memory 302 stores the position information of the portable charging unit and the model information of the mobile phone 80 that can be charged for each of the portable charging units 10a,. Further, in the present embodiment, the memory 302 stores map information and user identification information as position information of each charging center 20a,. The microcomputer 303 controls these.

  The collection and delivery vehicle 40 collects and delivers the portable charging units 10a,..., 10n to the charging centers 20a,.

  Next, a procedure for renting a portable charging unit using the charging service system 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. Here, in the present embodiment, the user transmits the identification information such as the address and name, the password, and the model information of the mobile phone 80 to the management center 30 in advance to obtain the member ID.

  FIG. 10 shows a procedure until the user acquires map information of a convenience store where the charging center 20 is installed. In FIG. 10, when the user recognizes that the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery of the mobile phone 80 has decreased, the user transmits a member ID to the management center 30 using the mobile phone 80. At this time, the mobile phone 80 transmits the location information of the mobile phone 80 acquired by the GPS function to the management center 30 together with the member ID. When the management center 30 receives the member ID and the location information of the mobile phone 80 from the mobile phone 80 (S301), the management center 30 acquires the model information of the mobile phone 80 stored in association with the member ID from the memory 302 (S302). ). Further, a charging center that is equipped with a portable charging unit that can be adapted to the acquired model information and that is closest to the position information of the cellular phone 80 is selected (S303). Then, the map information of the convenience store where the charging center is installed is returned to the user's mobile phone 80 as the position information of the selected charging center (S304). In the present embodiment, the management center 30 selects the charging center 20a and transmits map information of a convenience store in which the charging center 20a is installed as position information of the charging center 20a.

  When the mobile phone 80 receives the map information of the convenience store where the charging center 20a is installed, the mobile phone 80 displays on the display a screen for inputting whether or not to reserve the mobile charging unit together with the map information. When the user makes an input for making a reservation, a signal indicating the necessity of reservation is transmitted to the management center 30. When the management center 30 receives a signal indicating that a reservation is required (S305), the management center 30 generates a reservation number. Then, the generated reservation number is returned to the mobile phone 80 (S306), and the position information of the reserved mobile charging unit is changed to “reserving” in the memory 302 (S307). Further, the management center 30 stores the generated reservation number and the member ID of the user in the memory 302 in association with the mobile charging unit (S308). In the present embodiment, the management center 30 selects the mobile charging unit 10c, changes the position information of the mobile charging unit 10c during the reservation in the memory 302, and carries the generated reservation number and the user's member ID as a mobile phone. It is stored in association with the charging unit 10c.

  On the other hand, the user records the reservation number, etc., and accesses the convenience store where the charging center 20a is installed according to the map information of the convenience store displayed on the display.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows a procedure for borrowing the mobile charging unit 1c reserved by the user at the accessed convenience store. In FIG. 11, the user inputs a reservation number and a member ID using the GUI 201 of the charging center 20a installed in the convenience store. When the reservation number and the member ID are input using the GUI 201 (S401), the microcomputer 208 of the charging center 20a transmits the input reservation information and the member ID to the management center 30 using the communication control unit 204. (S402).

  When the microcomputer 303 of the management center 30 receives the reservation information and the member ID from the charging center 20a, it searches the memory 302 and the received reservation number and member ID match the registered reservation number and member ID. It is confirmed whether or not to perform (S403). If they match, a signal indicating verification OK is returned to the charging center 20a (S404).

  When the microcomputer 208 of the charging center 20a receives the verification OK signal, the microcomputer 208 uses the display control circuit 205 to perform display for prompting the user to input a password. When the user inputs a password using the GUI 201 (S405), the charging center 20a transmits the input password to the management center 30 (S406). When the received password matches the password registered in the memory 302 in association with the member ID (S407), the management center 30 charges specified information (mobile charging unit 10c) indicating the mobile charging unit 10c to be lent. A reply is sent to the center 20a (S408). When the charging center 20a receives the designation information (mobile charging unit 10c), the charging center 20a prints out the received designation information using the print output circuit 207 (S409). The user presents the printed designation information (mobile charging unit 10c) to a store clerk of the convenience store and borrows the mobile charging unit 10c. Here, in the present embodiment, the store clerk rents the mobile charging unit 10 c to the user, and then transmits information indicating that the lending process is completed to the management center 30 via the Internet 50. When the management center 30 receives the lending process completion information (S410), the management center 30 changes the position information of the mobile charging unit 10c to be rented to “lending” (S412), and receives the lending process completion information (lending start date and time). ) And the user identification number are stored in the memory 302 in association with the mobile charging unit 10c to be lent (S411).

  The user takes out the mobile charging unit 10c to charge the rechargeable battery of the mobile phone 80 using the mobile charging unit 10c at a time and place convenient for the user. That is, when the user connects the mobile phone 80 to the primary coil unit 104 of the mobile charging unit 10c, the maximum received power information is transmitted from the mobile phone 80 to the mobile charging unit 10c. The microcomputer 107 of the mobile charging unit 10c controls the DC / AC control circuit 103 based on the received maximum received power information, and converts the power stored in the large-capacity battery 101 into appropriate power for the mobile phone 80. Then, power is transmitted to the mobile phone 80 via the primary coil unit 104. The mobile charging unit 10 c converts power using the DC / AC control circuit 103, thereby supporting various mobile terminals with different types of received power.

  In the present embodiment, the power integrating circuit 102 of the mobile charging unit 10 c measures the increase or decrease in the amount of power output from the large-capacity battery 101 and transmits it to the microcomputer 107 as power usage information. The microcomputer 107 temporarily stores power usage information in the memory 106. Furthermore, the portable charging unit 10c determines that the remaining capacity has decreased when the power usage information exceeds a predetermined amount of power. Then, the mobile charging unit 10c displays an alarm on the display that the remaining capacity has decreased.

  Next, a procedure when the user returns the mobile charging unit 10c will be described. When returning the mobile charging unit 10 c, the user uses the mobile phone 80 to transmit the designation information of the mobile charging unit 10 c to be returned to the management center 30 and the location information of the mobile phone 80. When receiving the designation information of the mobile charging unit 10c, the management center 30 determines that the mobile charging unit 10c is returned, and selects the nearest charging center using the received location information of the mobile phone 80. And the map information of the convenience store where the selected charging center is installed is returned.

  In the present embodiment, the user receives map information of a convenience store (charging center 20b) different from the convenience store (charging center 20a) that borrows the portable charging unit 10c. And a user accesses the convenience store in which the charging center 20b is installed, and returns the portable charging unit 10c to a salesclerk. At this time, the store clerk places the returned mobile charging unit 10c at a predetermined return position, and gives the user a non-contact IC card in which the ending date and time of lending and the specified information of the returned mobile charging unit 10c are stored. The charging center 20b reads the used power information stored in the memory 106 of the portable charging unit 10c when the portable charging unit 10c is placed at a predetermined return position. Based on the read used power information, the charging center 20b The charge / discharge circuit 203 is used to charge / discharge the large capacity battery 101 of the portable charging unit 10c.

  Next, the procedure in the case of performing the return procedure of the portable charging unit 10c using the contactless IC card received by the user from the store clerk will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, when the user causes the card reader 206 of the charging center 20b to read the non-contact IC card and inputs the lending end date and time and designation information (S501), the charging center 20b reads the lending end date and time and designation information. Is transmitted to the management center 30 (S502).

  The management center 30 changes the position information of the portable charging unit that matches the received designation information (the portable charging unit 10c) to the charging center that transmitted the designation information, that is, the charging center 2b (S503). Further, the management center 30 calculates a lending period from the received lending end date and time and the lending start date and time stored in the memory 302, determines a usage fee according to the lending period, and returns it to the charging center 20b ( S504). The management center 30 transmits the determined usage fee, the user identification information, and the card information to the credit card company 70 via the Internet 50 (S505).

  When receiving the usage fee, the charging center 20b displays the usage fee and completion of the return procedure on the display (S506). Further, the credit card company 70 charges the user for payment of the usage fee based on the received information.

  Here, when the portable charging unit is returned to a charging center different from the rented charging center, the distribution state of the portable charging units is biased. In the present embodiment, the management center 30 controls the collection and delivery vehicle 40 to correct the distribution state deviation of the mobile charging units. That is, the first threshold value as the minimum holding number of the portable charging unit and the second threshold value as the maximum holding number are stored in advance in the memory 302 of the management center 30. For example, when the portable charging unit 10c is lent out from the charging center 20a, the number of portable charging units installed in the charging center 20a becomes smaller than the first threshold value, and the portable charging unit 10c is returned to the charging center 20b. Thus, when the number of portable charging units installed in the charging center 20b becomes larger than the second threshold, the management center 30 controls the collection / delivery vehicle 40 and is arranged in the charging center 20b. Some of the mobile charging units are moved to the charging center 20a. By using the collection and delivery vehicle 40 to arrange the mobile charging units evenly at the respective charging centers 20a, ..., 20m, the user can easily access the most convenient charging center and lend and return the mobile charging units. It can be carried out.

  In this embodiment, the charging centers 20a,..., 20m determine the lifespans of the mobile charging units 10a,..., 10n in the time zone when the mobile charging units 10a,. That is, the charging / discharging circuits 203a, ..., 203p are used to charge / discharge the mobile charging units 10a, ..., 10n connected to the charging / discharging circuits 203a, ..., 203p. The power integration circuits 102 of the mobile charging units 10a,. The mobile charging units 10a,..., 10n transmit the capacity reduction information to the management center 30 via the charging center. The management center 30 determines the lifetime of each portable charging unit 10a, ..., 10n based on the received capacity reduction information. When the mobile charging unit that has reached the end of its life is detected, the management center 30 transmits a signal that disables the mobile charging unit to the charging center where the mobile charging unit that has reached the end of its life is arranged. Furthermore, using the collection and delivery vehicle 40, the portable charging unit that has reached the end of its life is collected.

  As described above, in the charging service system 200 according to the present embodiment, the user can take out the mobile charging unit from the charging center and charge the rechargeable battery of the mobile phone 80 at a time and place convenient for the user. . Since the portable charging unit includes the DC / AC control circuit 103, the power stored in the large-capacity battery 101 can be converted according to the type of portable terminal that the user has. Therefore, the mobile charging unit can be adapted to various mobile terminals with different received power. Furthermore, after completing the charging, the user can return the portable charging unit to a charging center different from the charging center that borrowed the portable charging unit. Therefore, the charging service system 200 according to the present embodiment is a charging service system for a rechargeable battery of a general mobile terminal, and is a charging service system with a small burden on the user.

  In addition, the management center 30 grasps the distribution state of the mobile charging units, and by using the collection and delivery vehicle 40, the mobile charging units are evenly arranged at the respective charging centers, so that the user becomes the most convenient charging center. It is easy to access and lend and return mobile charging units.

  Furthermore, by determining the lifetime of each mobile charging unit in the management center 30, it is possible to prevent the mobile charging unit having a reduced charging function from being lent out. In addition, since the portable charging unit that has reached the end of its life is collected by the collection and delivery vehicle 40, there is no need for a convenience store, a user, or the like to perform processing. The collected mobile charging units are appropriately sorted and recycled.

  Here, in each of the above-described embodiments, the portable charging unit is charged using electric power obtained from a commercial power source in the charging center, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to place a solar cell in the charging center and charge the portable charging unit using electric power obtained from solar energy. Furthermore, electric power obtained from a DC power source can be used.

1a, ..., 1n, 10a, ..., 10n, mobile charging unit 2a, ..., 2m, 2Aa, ..., 2Am, shop terminal 3, management terminal 4a, ... 6Aa, ..., 6Am Control means 7 Storage means 8 Control means 9a, ..., 9m Management means 20a, ..., 20m Charging center 30 Management center 40 Pick-up and delivery vehicle 50 Internet 60 200 Charging service system

Claims (10)

A plurality of mobile charging units, a plurality of store terminals in which the mobile charging units are arranged, and a management terminal,
Each of the mobile charging units is
Charging means for charging the rechargeable battery of the mobile terminal,
Each store terminal is
Input means for receiving input from the user;
When the model information of the portable terminal is input from the input means, the model information is transmitted to the management terminal, and when the designation information of the portable charging unit is received from the management terminal, the predetermined information is determined based on the designation information. Control means for enabling the portable charging unit to be lent,
The management terminal
For each of the mobile charging units, storage means for storing the location information of the mobile charging unit and the model information in association with each other,
When the model information is received from the store terminal, the portable charging unit refers to the storage means, and the position information matches the received position of the store terminal and the model information matches the received model information. And a control means for returning to the store terminal as the designation information,
Charging service system. When the store terminal makes it possible to lend the mobile charging unit, it sends a lending signal to the management terminal,
The charging service system according to claim 1, wherein, when the management terminal receives the lending signal from the store terminal, the management terminal changes the position information of the corresponding mobile charging unit during lending. The store terminal, when the designation information is input from the input means, transmits the designation information to the management terminal and disables the corresponding portable charging unit,
The said management terminal changes the positional information on the said portable charging unit corresponding to the information which shows the shop terminal which received the said designation information, when the said designation information is received from the said shop terminal. Charging service system. The charging service system according to claim 3, wherein the store terminal further includes charging means for charging the portable charging unit that cannot be rented. The mobile charging unit includes power conversion means for converting power according to the model information, and the charging means charges the mobile terminal using the converted power. The charging service system described in the section. A charging service method using a plurality of portable charging units for charging a rechargeable battery of a portable terminal, a plurality of store terminals in which the portable charging unit is arranged, and a management terminal,
The management terminal includes storage means for storing location information and model information in association with each portable charging unit,
When the model information of the portable terminal is input, the store terminal transmits the model information to the management terminal,
When the management terminal receives the model information from the store terminal, the management terminal refers to the storage means, and the position information matches the received position of the store terminal and the model information matches the received model information. Select the mobile charging unit to reply as specified information,
When the store terminal receives the specified information from the management terminal, the store terminal enables the predetermined mobile charging unit to be lent based on the specified information.
Charging service method. When the store terminal makes it possible to lend the mobile charging unit, it sends a lending signal to the management terminal,
The charging service method according to claim 6, wherein, when the management terminal receives the lending signal from the store terminal, the position information of the corresponding mobile charging unit is changed to lending. The store terminal, when the designation information is input, transmits the designation information to the management terminal and disables the corresponding portable charging unit to be lent out,
The said management terminal, when receiving the said designation | designated information from the said shop terminal, changes the positional information on the said portable charging unit into the information which shows the shop terminal which received the said designation | designated information. Charging service method. Input means for receiving input from the user;
When the model information of the portable terminal is inputted from the input means, the model information is transmitted, and when the designation information of the portable charging unit is received, the predetermined portable charging unit can be lent based on the designation information Means,
Store terminal equipped with. For each mobile charging unit, storage means for storing the location information of the mobile charging unit and the model information of the mobile terminal in association with each other;
If the model information is received, the storage unit is referred to, and the position information matches the position of the transmission source of the model information, and the portable charging unit that matches the model information received by the model information is selected. Control means for sending back to the transmission source as designation information;
Management terminal equipped with.

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