Method for recycling secondary battery

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of recycling reusable secondary batteries by receiving and returning them to users.

[0002] With the advancement of a variety of portable apparatuses in late years, many batteries are used widely in light of convenience in portability and general versatility, such as AA-type alkaline storage batteries (type LR6), and the like.

[0003] On the other hand, small secondary batteries like rechargeable nickel metal hydride storage batteries, and lithium ion secondary batteries are expanding their market rapidly, including applications in the fields of cellular phones, laptop computers, video cameras, and the like.

[0004] Alkaline dry batteries are readily available and easily usable. However, they are high in running cost, and heavy in environmental load, because they are disposed when completely discharged in headphone stereos and digital cameras, for instance.

[0005] On the other hand, although the secondary batteries are superior in cost performance including their running cost, they are not quite popular because of such reasons as high initial cost, taking time to recharge, requiring fully-charged spare batteries ready to use in case of replacement, high price of battery charger, and so forth.

[0006] In addition, even though the secondary batteries consume less amount of natural resources than the primary batteries because they can be recharged many times for repeated use, a ratio of their reclamation is only about 10% at the most since collection of those once-sold secondary batteries is dependent only upon goodwill of the individual users.

[0007] Because of the above reasons, there were proposed number of ideas, such as recharging collected secondary batteries and reselling them as second-hand goods, renting secondary batteries to the users with collateral recharge service, and the like.

[0008] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publications, (1) H03-41594, (2) 2001-283931, (3) S61-501289, (4) H01-173289, (5) H10-293874, (6) H11-150809, (7) 2000-90348, and (8) 2001-23037 are some examples of the ideas (these publications are referred to as prior art examples 1 through 8).

[0009] The prior art example 1 discloses a vending machine used to sell second-hand secondary batteries that are collected and classified according to their levels of quality. However, the vending machine provided on a site where secondary batteries are exchanged with users (may also be referred to as location) needs to be a large scale equipment, if the batteries are classified properly according to their levels in addition to the reuse process such as recharging. Furthermore, the recycle rate would likely go down extremely low, if the vending machine executes at the site only a simple process of inspection and revitalization for reuse.

[0010] In addition, secondary batteries applicable to this vending machine are limited to small sealed lead-acid batteries as described in this prior art example 1, since they are the only batteries, capacities of which can be determined based on open-circuit voltages and internal impedance. Thus, the invention is not applicable to nickel metal hydride batteries and lithium rechargeable batteries which are used mainly in the late years.

[0011] Moreover, although the prior art example 1 makes reference to recovery of resources by recycling, an anticipated rate of recovery would be considerably low in the reality, since collection of used batteries depends solely upon goodwill of the users once they were sold to them, as described above.

[0012] On the other hand, prior art example 2 discloses a method of providing exchange services, in which discharged secondary batteries used by users are replaced with fully-charged secondary batteries.

[0013] However, the disclosed method takes some time to complete, and it does not provide prompt services, because it needs to execute placement of a tag for controlling history of each secondary battery in addition to recharging it at a site where batteries are brought in and exchanged with users.

[0014] In addition, since degradation of the secondary batteries varies according to conditions of use by individual users, it is not possible to assure quality of the batteries when being used by the users, if they are controlled simply by time and number of usages. It also makes the recycling difficult when all secondary batteries that have exceeded certain usable periods are discarded automatically, since this leads to disposal of the unusable batteries without separating them into groups of the same kind.

[0015] In other words, none of the above examples provides sound method of assuring quality of the secondary batteries easily on the site where the secondary batteries are exchanged with users.

[0016] The present invention is derived in view of the above, with an object of providing a method of receiving and replacing secondary batteries in serviceable condition with users while assuring their quality in a simple manner, thereby promoting repeated use and recycling of the secondary batteries.

[0017] To achieve the above object, the method comprises the steps of determining a secondary battery collected from a user as to whether it is reusable when being handed over again to the user after recharged, by performing a simple inspection on a site where the battery is received and returned to the user, and transferring the battery to another site for additional detailed inspection to further examine whether the battery is reusable when the determination is such that quality up to the specified capacity is not assured if the battery is given back for further usage to the user only after recharging it.

[0018] The processes described in the above method can ensure the user that it has a reusable quality to the specified capacity, while the battery can be given back quickly.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a system which achieves a method of recycling secondary batteries according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail the system of achieving the method of recycling secondary batteries according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processes in the method of recycling secondary batteries according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processes of visual inspection by means of image processing according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 5 is an external view of a secondary battery;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a management table showing information relating to classification levels in the visual inspection according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a box used for the visual inspection according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of recycling processes according to a second exemplary embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a user according to the second exemplary embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of recycling processes according to a third exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of verifying a battery according to the third exemplary embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a secondary battery bearing a rewritable memory sheet according to the third exemplary embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of an information management system for managing recycling process data and the like according to a fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing architecture of a user identification unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing architecture of a battery identification unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing architecture of a first processing unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing architecture of a second processing unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing architecture of a server unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operating process of the server unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 20 is a management table for users according to the fourth exemplary embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 21 is a management table for secondary batteries according to the fourth exemplary embodiment; and

[0040] FIG. 22 is a map showing a structure of data transmitted to the server unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

[0041] Referring to the accompanying drawings, description will be provided hereinafter of methods of recycling secondary batteries according to the preferred embodiments. Like reference marks are used throughout this document for structural components and steps having like functions and like operations, and details of them may be omitted from one place to another.

[0042] (First Exemplary Embodiment)

[0043] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a system of achieving a method of recycling secondary batteries in this invention. FIG. 1 shows first site 101, second site 102 and third site 103.

[0044] First site 101 is a point of location for receiving used secondary batteries (i.e., discharged secondary batteries) from users of the secondary batteries (hereinafter referred to as user when appropriate), and handing over to the users secondary batteries that have been processed for revitalization such as recharging. Each arrow with solid line indicates reception of a battery from each user, and each arrow with dotted line indicates handing the battery over to the user. The secondary battery being handed over to the user needs not necessarily be the received same battery. First site 101 means any of such stores as convenience stores, shops in railroad stations and the like situated throughout the country, as concrete examples. There are generally a large number of first sites 101.

[0045] In first site 101, a predetermined inspection is performed to classify batteries into at least two groups of different levels, those in one group that can be handed over to the user as they are, and the others in another group that need to be forwarded to second site 102. Processes are then carried out according to the levels of the individual groups. One of the processings is to make the batteries reusable, details of which will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0046] In second site 102, the secondary batteries transferred from first site 101 are received, and a predetermined inspection is again performed to classify the batteries into at least two groups of different levels, those in one group that are returned to first site 101, and the others in another group that need to be forwarded to a third site. Next, those secondary batteries having a certain level of quality and therefore to be returned to first site 101 are subjected to a predetermined reuse process. To be more specific, the second site 102 includes a reconditioning factory for the secondary batteries.

[0047] Third site 103 receives the secondary batteries that are not reusable from second site 102, and they are put into a recycling process. The third site 103 includes a recycling factory, to be more specific.

[0048] What has been described above is the system of accomplishing the method of recycling the secondary batteries according to this invention.

[0049] The processes to be carried out in first site 101, second site 102 and third site 103 are now described by referring to a flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0050] The process performed in first site 101 is described first.

[0051] Step S2011: A first inspection is performed on secondary batteries received from a user, and these secondary batteries are separated into two or more groups of different levels based on a result of the first inspection. This step is called first quality control process, and the batteries are separated here into a first group (Gp.1) to be transferred to a first reuse process and a second group (Gp.2) transferred to a second quality control process. The first inspection may include two or more different kinds of examinations.

[0052] Step S2012: The secondary batteries separated into one or more levels and belonging to Gp.1 are subjected to a first reuse processing which consists of different processes according to the classified levels, to make them reusable. Thus, the process is called the first reuse process. The first reuse process may include two or more different kinds of processing for revitalization.

[0053] Describing next pertains to the process performed in second site 102.

[0054] Step S2021: The secondary batteries separated into at least one level that belong to Gp.2 are subjected to a second inspection, and these secondary batteries are again separated into two or more groups of different levels based on a result of the second inspection. This step is called second quality control process, and the batteries are separated here into a third group (Gp.3) to be transferred to a second reuse process and a fourth group (Gp.4) transferred to a recycling factory. The second inspection may include two or more different kinds of examinations.

[0055] Step S2022: The secondary batteries separated into one or more levels among those belonging to Gp.3 are subjected to a second reuse process which consists of different processes according to the classified levels, to make them reusable. This process is thus called the second reuse process. Processes as to how the revitalization is carried out on the secondary batteries of each level are determined beforehand. The second reuse process may include two or more different kinds of processing for revitalization.

[0056] Describing next pertains to a process performed in third site 103.

[0057] Step S2031: The secondary batteries separated into one or more levels that belong to Gp.4 and not subjected to the second reuse process as a result of the separation in the second quality control process are disassembled to collect useful materials. This process is called recycling process.

[0058] Described above is the basic flow of reusing the secondary batteries.

[0059] It is desirable that the first quality control process to be carried out in first site 101 is comparatively simple inspection than that of the second quality control process performed in second site 102. The simple inspection means such that requires inexpensive equipment to perform the inspection, and needs a short time and little man-hour to carry out the inspection.

[0060] In addition, it is also desirable that the first reuse process to be carried out in first site 101 is comparatively simple process than the second reuse process performed in second site 102. The simple process means such that requires inexpensive equipment, short time and little man-hour to complete the processing.

[0061] First site 101 is considered to be any of such places as convenience stores, shops in railroad stations and the like situated throughout the country, and the inspection and reuse process carried out in first site 101 thus need to be simple using inexpensive equipment. It is also desirable that the inspection and reuse process carried out in first site 101 can be completed in a short time. On the other hand, second site 102 may be established in just one or a few locations to cover the whole country, and takes difficult tasks of the inspection and the reuse process.

[0062] Description is provided hereinafter of specific details about the first inspection, the second inspection, the first reuse process, and the second reuse process by referring to FIG. 3.

[0063] First, a used battery is brought into a site by a user. The site means first site 101, which can be one of many convenience stores located throughout the country, for example.

[0064] Next, identification is made of the battery. The identification of the battery is a process of determining whether it is one of secondary batteries that are subject of this method of recycling according to the present invention. If the recycling process is intended only for secondary batteries of certain manufacturers, for instance, any secondary batteries made by other manufacturers are rejected as NG as a result of the identification, and it is returned to the user. This identification can be made by means of image processing of the exterior view of the battery, or by reading a barcode or a data recorded in a rewritable memory sheet placed on the exterior of the battery. A method of identifying the battery will be described in detail in the subsequent exemplary embodiment. The identification of battery is not limited to identifying the manufacturer. Such secondary batteries that are subject of the recycling process of this invention may be provided individually with a barcode or a rewritable memory sheet having information recorded as to whether it is one of the pre-selected applicable secondary batteries. This facilitates the identification of the battery by simply reading the information.

[0065] Performed next is an open-circuit voltage check as one item of the first inspection (inspection 1-1). The open-circuit voltage check is a process of measuring a value of open-circuit voltage and separating the secondary battery into any of two or more groups of different levels according to the voltage value. In the case the secondary battery is an AA-size nickel metal hydride battery, as a specific example, it is judged Good in quality level if it has an open-circuit voltage in a range of 1.0V and 1.4V and an internal resistance in a range of 10 m and 40 m, but it is judged NG if any of the values is outside of the above ranges. In FIG. 2, Gp.1 corresponds to the level of Good, and Gp.2 the level of NG.

[0066] Next, a secondary battery classified into the level of Good as a result of the above open-circuit voltage check is put to a predetermined recharging process. This recharging process is one of steps in the above first reuse process. The first reuse process may include only one, two, or more kinds of processing steps, however.

[0067] A secondary battery, if classified to be the level of NG as a result of the open-circuit voltage check, is transferred to the second site for processing. Concrete example of the process performed in the second site will be described in detail in the later paragraph.

[0068] The secondary battery classified as being the level of Good (Gp.1) as a result of the above open-circuit voltage check is put to the recharging process, as described already. The recharged secondary battery can be handed over to the user. However, it is preferable to carry out the following inspection before it is handed over. It is a closed-circuit voltage check (inspection 1-2) for measuring a value of closed-circuit voltage. It is desirable to complete the inspection and the recycling process in first site 101 only when a result of this closed-circuit voltage check satisfies a prescribed condition. In the case of AA-size nickel metal hydride battery, the prescribed condition to be satisfied with is a minimum voltage value of 1.10V (or higher) when the closed-circuit voltage is measured for a duration of 0.5 second in a circuit of 0.3 resistance. Any secondary battery that can meet the above requirement is considered to satisfy the need of user.

[0069] Description is now provided of the process carried out in second site 102, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0070] First, those secondary batteries that are classified in (Gp.2) as having the level of NG in the inspection and processing in first site 101 are delivered.

[0071] The received secondary batteries are placed under a visual inspection. The visual inspection is to check the secondary batteries for their stain, scratches and the like damages. The visual inspection includes the following methods.

[0072] A first visual inspection is to check an external appearance by means of image processing. This inspection using image processing is described by referring to a flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0073] Step S401: Determination is made as to whether a device for the visual inspection, not shown here, has accepted a secondary battery. The process proceeds to step S402 if the determination is that the device has accepted a secondary battery, or the process goes back to the step S401 if a battery is not accepted.

[0074] Step S402: Appearance data covering information on external appearance of the accepted secondary battery is produced. The appearance data includes such information as an external view of the secondary battery taken by a camera, scanner and the like, for example. It is desirable that this appearance data covers pictures taken from a plurality of directions rather than just one view taken from one direction.

[0075] Step S403: A normal appearance data is retrieved from those stored beforehand in the device for carrying out the visual inspection.

[0076] Step S404: Comparison is made between the appearance data produced in step S402 with the normal appearance data retrieved in step S403.

[0077] Step S405: A determination is then made as to if a difference between the two data is equal to or larger than a predetermined ratio as a result of the comparison in step S404. If it is equal to or larger than the predetermined ratio, the process goes on to step S406, or the process ends if it is smaller than the predetermined ratio. This ratio can be set to any value as deemed appropriate. For instance, any secondary battery having scratches, etc. over 10% or larger area of it is sent to step S406. Subsequently, the secondary battery can be delivered after the exterior surface having scratches is renewed.

[0078] Step S406: The exterior is renewed. Renewal of the exterior includes such a process as, for example, stripping an old exterior cover of the secondary battery and placing a new exterior cover. This process of renewing the exterior is one of the processes made in the second reuse process.

[0079] In the visual inspection performed by image processing, it is desirable to thoroughly check the exterior around positive terminal 51 of the secondary battery shown in FIG. 5. The reason is that any swelling or deformation present in this area, even small in size, prevents the battery from being reused. Therefore, if the secondary battery has any swelling or deformation in the vicinity of positive terminal 51, it is put into disposal in FIG. 3. The secondary battery separated into the group of disposal may be transferred to the recycling process.

[0080] The predetermined ratio used for screening the secondary batteries may be set differently from one area to another. In other words, there are different values of predetermined ratios for positive terminal 51, exterior surface 52 and negative terminal portion 53 of the secondary battery as indicated in a table shown in FIG. 6. A battery is grouped into the level of NG if a result of the visual inspection is any of 1% or larger in the vicinity of positive terminal 51, 10% or larger in exterior surface 52 and 5% or larger in negative terminal portion 53.

[0081] A second visual inspection is a method to mechanically check a swelling, scratch and the like of the secondary battery with a simple visual inspection tool. The tool shown in FIG. 7 has a hole of similar shape as the battery (a cylindrical shape in this case). It is a method of placing the secondary battery into insertion opening 71, and determining automatically that the battery has a swelling or the like if it does not fit in the hole. The determination can be made easily as to whether the secondary batteries is inserted, by using pressure sensor 72 provided in the bottom of the hole. Further details are not given here, since such method is a well-known technique.

[0082] All of secondary batteries classified as being the level of Good as a result of the visual inspection and those given the process of exterior renewal are subjected to an electrical charge capacity inspection (i.e. inspection 2-1), and separated into two or more groups. The electrical charge capacity inspection is an inspection to examine an electrical charge and discharge capacity of the secondary batteries, and it includes the following inspections as specific example.

[0083] In the case of an AA-size nickel metal hydride storage battery of 1600 mAh in the rated capacity (commercially available AA-type battery), the electrical charge and discharge check is made in the following steps.

[0084] First, the battery is charged for 12 hours with an electric current of 160 mA (this is called a 120% charge of the rated capacity).

[0085] Next, the battery is discharged with an electric current of 320 mA until a terminal voltage (i.e. the voltage measured with a voltmeter across a positive and a negative terminals) of the battery drops down to 1.0V.

[0086] A capacity of the battery is calculated as 320 mA5 hours to obtain 1600 mAh, if it takes 5 hours to drop the voltage to 1.0V.

[0087] The battery is classified into the group of Good if the battery capacity calculated above satisfies the rated capacity or a given level of capacity (i.e. quality-guaranteed capacity). Or, the battery is classified as NG if it does not meet any of the criteria.

[0088] Any of the secondary batteries classified Good as a result of the above electrical charge capacity inspection is then put to a charging process. It is normal to provide the batteries with an aging period after the charging process. This process is also one of steps in the second reuse process described above.

[0089] On the other hand, the other secondary batteries of which results of the above electrical charge capacity inspection are classified as NG are put to a disposing process or a recycling process. The recycling process is to disassemble the secondary batteries, and to collect useful materials for recycling.

[0090] Those secondary batteries that have been charged and gone through the aging period are examined again for the open-circuit voltage check and the closed-circuit voltage check. The secondary batteries are separated into two or more groups of different levels based on results of the open-circuit voltage check and the closed-circuit voltage check. The open-circuit voltage check and the closed-circuit voltage check fall under the second inspection (inspection 2-2) shown in FIG. 3. In the case of AA-size nickel metal hydride storage battery, for example, it can be classified Good if an open-circuit voltage is within a range of 1.30V and 1.40V, and an internal resistance is in a range of 10 m and 40 m.

[0091] In measuring a closed-circuit voltage in the second inspection, it is desirable that a resistance of 0.3 and a measuring time of 0.5 second are used as the measurement conditions in the case of AA-size nickel metal hydride storage battery, for example. Under the above condition, it is desirable to classify any battery as Good when it has a closed-circuit voltage value of 1.10V or higher.

[0092] If results of the open-circuit voltage check and the closed-circuit voltage check are preferable, or judged Good, the secondary battery is returned to first site 101. Or, it is put to the disposing process or the recycling process described above if judged NG.

[0093] The description given above is the basic flow of the method of recycling secondary batteries in this exemplary embodiment. According to this exemplary embodiment, simple inspection and simple revitalizing process are carried out in first site 101, and all secondary batteries not properly processable in first site 101 are transferred to second site 102. Relatively complicated inspection and reuse process are then performed in second site 102. By establishing the inspection and the reuse processes in two stages, this embodiment can thereby increase substantially a recycling rate of the secondary batteries and promote realization of the recycle-oriented society of secondary batteries. Adoption of this recycling method of the invention can thus remarkably contribute to solving the environmental problems.

[0094] In addition, since the secondary batteries not processable in second site 102 are brought to third site 103 for the recycling process, this further improves effective use of the resources.

[0095] In this exemplary embodiment, although the plurality of inspections and the plurality of recycling processes have been described as being carried out in first site 101 and second site 102, all of these processes need not be completed in the two sites. Instead, only some of the inspections and the processes described above may be done selectively when appropriate.

[0096] Moreover, although the visual inspection has been described in this exemplary embodiment as being carried out in the second site, a process of examining the exterior may be executed in the first site. In this case, the secondary batteries classified as NG in the result of the visual inspection are normally transferred to second site 102 for renewal of the exterior finish.

[0097] Furthermore, it is desirable in this exemplary embodiment that the secondary batteries are recharged complementally before they are handed over to users, if a certain time has passed after they were gone through the reuse process. To determine the elapsed time, an identification label may be placed on a surface of each battery or above a wrapping after it is recharged. The user can purchase the fully recharged secondary batteries trustfully, by confirming a date of the recharge which is printed in characters or marked otherwise in the identification labels placed on them. In addition, a form of wrapping the batteries can be changed in a manner so that the users can easily determine whether the batteries are unused at the time of purchase. There are number of ways to achieve this object, including a method of wrapping the entire battery, wrapping a part of the battery or affixing a seal in a manner to insulate one of positive and negative terminals of the battery. If batteries are wrapped in this manner so that they cannot be used unless the wrapping or the seals are removed, the user can easily determine that the batteries are not used.

[0098] Moreover, the second quality control process in this exemplary embodiment may include additional inspections for short-circuit and the like. The inspection for short-circuit is to determine whether the secondary battery has any internal defect such as short-circuit or a partial short-circuit, and that the secondary battery maintain a predetermined capacity.

[0099] While there are many types of secondary batteries such as lead acid batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium secondary batteries, and the like, this recycling method of the invention is applicable to any of these secondary batteries.

[0100] Among these listed above, the nickel metal hydride batteries are the most suitable secondary batteries for this recycling method of the invention, since they have such superior characteristics as very safe and not likely to deteriorate easily in the discharge capacity even after repeated use as many as 500 times of charging and discharging cycles under the normal use condition.

[0101] (Second Exemplary Embodiment)

[0102] Description is provided in this exemplary embodiment of the case which includes an authentication process of users. Inspections for quality control and reuse process are performed in the like manner as described in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0103] In this exemplary embodiment, a system is so designed that only registered users (may be referred to as user) can use a method of reuse secondary batteries described in this document of the invention. User authentication is a process of determining that a user is registered. This process of user authentication is carried out prior to the quality control process and the reuse process described above.

[0104] Referring to a flowchart of FIG. 8, description is given below of a relation among the user authentication process, the quality control process and the reuse process.

[0105] Step S801: A user identifier for identifying a user is retrieved. This step is called a user identifier retrieving process.

[0106] Step S802: Determination is made as to whether the user is legitimate as identified by the retrieved user identifier.

[0107] Step S2011: A first quality control process is performed.

[0108] Step S2012: A first reuse process is performed.

[0109] Step S2021: A second quality control process is performed.

[0110] Step S2022: A second reuse process is performed.

[0111] Step S2031: A recycling process is performed.

[0112] Description is provided hereinafter of the user identifier retrieving process and the user authentication process in detail using a flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

[0113] Step S901: Determination is made as to whether there is an input of user identifier. The process goes on to step S902 if there is an input, or goes back to step S901 if there is no input. The user identifier may be such data as a series of characters, a barcode, and the like. Input of the user identifier can be made using a variety of means such as entry through a keyboard, reading a barcode with a barcode reader, reading the user identifier recorded in an IC card, reading the user identifier recorded on a memory sheet placed on the exterior of the secondary battery, and the like.

[0114] Step S902: The user identifier is acquired.

[0115] Step S903: Using the user identifier as a key, a user management database prepared beforehand is searched. The user management database may be so designed as to store user identifiers individually, or certain conditions corresponding to users.

[0116] Step S904: Determination is made on a result of the search as to whether the user is legitimate. If the user is legitimate, the process proceeds to step S905, or proceeds to step S906 if not. The user is determined legitimate if the user management database stores a user identifier that matches with the user identifier input to it, or a condition stored therein corresponds to the user identifier input to it.

[0117] Step S905: A series of inspection and reuse processes are carried out from step S2011 to step S2031 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0118] Step S906: Error process is made. The error process means any of a process of providing an error message, a process of preventing a battery from being inserted into the box shown in FIG. 7, and a process of rejecting the inserted battery as it is to be returned to the user.

[0119] In the second exemplary embodiment, details have been given above of the user authentication process. By executing the user authentication, this exemplary embodiment allows a party promoting this business to carry out the method of recycling secondary batteries under it own control, thereby helping it to further promote recycling of the secondary batteries, and to contribute to the environment protection.

[0120] The process of user authentication in this second exemplary embodiment is carried out mainly as a part of the method of recycling the secondary batteries described in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0121] (Third Exemplary Embodiment)

[0122] Description is provided in the third exemplary embodiment of the case which includes a process of battery verification using a battery identification data. The battery verification means a process of identifying batteries to be reused or recycled according to the recycling method described above, so as to exclude any of batteries that are not subject of this process. Inspections for quality control and reuse process are performed in the like manner as described in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0123] Referring to a flowchart of FIG. 10, description is given hereinafter of a relation among the user verification process, the quality control process and the reuse process.

[0124] Step S1001: A secondary battery identifier for identifying a secondary battery is retrieved. This step is called a battery identifier retrieving process.

[0125] Step S1002: Determination is made as to whether the secondary battery is suitable as identified by the retrieved secondary battery identifier. This step is called a battery verification process.

[0126] Step S2011: A first quality control process is performed.

[0127] Step S2012: A first reuse process is performed.

[0128] Step S2021: A second quality control process is performed.

[0129] Step S2022: A second reuse process is performed.

[0130] Step S2031: A recycling process is performed.

[0131] Description is provided hereinafter of the battery identifier retrieving process and the battery verification process in detail using a flowchart shown in FIG. 11.

[0132] Step S1101: Determination is made as to whether a secondary battery identifier is received. The process goes on to step S1102 if a secondary battery identifier is received, or goes back to a point preceding step S1101 if a secondary battery identifier is not received. The secondary battery identifier can be of any data so long as it can identify a type of secondary batteries. The secondary battery identifier can be of any such data that can identify the secondary batteries individually, a name of manufacturer or distributor of the secondary batteries, and a date of manufacture of the secondary batteries.

[0133] The secondary battery identifier can be of any form such as a series of characters, barcode, image data, and the like. Input of the secondary battery identifier can be made using a variety of means such as entry through a keyboard, reading a barcode with a barcode reader, reading the secondary battery identifier recorded in an IC card, reading the secondary battery identifier recorded on a memory sheet placed on the exterior of the secondary battery, and the like.

[0134] Step S1102: The secondary battery identifier is retrieved.

[0135] Step S1103: Determination is made as to whether the secondary battery is suitable based on the retrieved secondary battery identifier. The process goes on to step S1104 if it is suitable, or the process proceeds to step S1105 if it is not suitable. The secondary battery is suitable if it is one of the objects to be processed using this method of recycling according to this invention.

[0136] Step S1104: A series of inspection and reuse processes are carried out from step S2011 to step S2031 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0137] Step S1105: Error process is carried out. The error process means any of a process of providing an error message, a process of preventing a battery from being inserted into the box shown in FIG. 7, and a process of rejecting the inserted battery as it is to be returned to the user.

[0138] Description given above is the operating steps of the battery verification process. A concrete example of the battery verification is described hereinafter.

[0139] Assume that there is a secondary battery here as shown in FIG. 12. This secondary battery is provided with rewritable memory sheet 121 affixed thereto. This memory sheet 121 has 24 bits of data, in which two higher bits 1 and 2 represent a manufacturer identifier for identification of the manufacturer, and the following four bits 3 to 6 represent a data indicating year of manufacture of the battery. Digits 0010 indicate the year 2,002, as an example of identifying manufacturing year. In this example, digits in these four bits can identify any year from 2,000 to 2,015.

[0140] The next four bits 7 to 10 show month of manufacture. It represents January in this example because the digits are 0001. The next five bits 11 to 15 indicate day of manufacture. In this example, it is the fourth day because they are 00100. In other words, the date of manufacture of this example is Jan. 4, 2002.

[0141] Finally, the following nine bits 16 to 24 represent a manufacturing serial number at the date of manufacture. Original identification of the secondary battery can be made as described by using the date of manufacture and the manufacturing serial number.

[0142] Describing next pertains to the battery verification when the above data are recorded in memory sheet 121 of the secondary battery. Determination is made first as to whether there is a memory sheet affixed to it when making verification, and a battery is considered not suitable if it does not bear a memory sheet. This is because any battery without a memory sheet is treated as not suitable for reuse.

[0143] In addition, the manufacturer identifier is examined, and the battery is determined not suitable if it is not one of the batteries made by any of reregistered manufacturers. The purpose of this is to enable the system to handle only batteries made by certain manufacturers as reusable batteries.

[0144] Furthermore, the date of manufacture is examined, and the battery is determined not suitable if it is manufactured before a specified date. The purpose of this is to exclude old batteries from a flow of the reuse process.

[0145] Moreover, the manufacturing serial number is also used for determination that only secondary batteries having manufacturing serial numbers larger than a predetermined number are suitable. This is for the reason that a predetermined number of batteries are put on sale in the regular channel, and all other secondary batteries manufactured in excess of the predetermined number are used for the business through the process of this recycling method.

[0146] In the third exemplary embodiment, the method of recycling secondary batteries using the secondary battery identifier was described as above. Since this puts only the suitable secondary batteries into the flow of this recycling method, it can establish a system of reusing the suitable batteries.

[0147] In the third exemplary embodiment, although the determination is made directly from the secondary battery identifier to verify that the battery is suitable, the same determination may be made by contacting a center computer via a network or the like by referring the secondary battery identifier. In this case, the center computer is designed to store in advance such information as manufacturer identifiers, dates of manufacture, history of use as well as history of reuse processes, and the like as will be described in a fourth exemplary embodiment, in a corresponding manner to the individual secondary battery identifiers.

[0148] Furthermore, this third exemplary embodiment may be provided additionally with the process of user authentication using user identifier described in the second exemplary embodiment.

[0149] In addition, the user identifier may also be included into the secondary battery identifier.

[0150] In this third exemplary embodiment, although what has been described is a variety of ways in the method of verifying the secondary batteries (i.e. data and process used for the verification), this invention is not restrictive to those described. Memory sheet 121 used here may be made of heat-sensitive rewritable card and the like which can be written in with a thermal head or a thermal laser, for instance.

[0151] Alternatively, a heat-sensitive rewritable card may be so designed and used in such a manner that it has printed data including characters, symbols, and other markings used as conventional label, beside a certain area for recording additional information required as the memory sheet described above. Use of the label in this way can omit extra labels on batteries. In addition, a recharge date may be recorded by printing it with a character data in a portion of the heat-sensitive rewritable card. The user can thus purchase the fully recharged secondary batteries trustfully, by confirming the date of recharge.

[0152] (Fourth Exemplary Embodiment)

[0153] In the fourth exemplary embodiment, description is provided of a system of managing information relating to inspections, reuse processes and the like performed in a first quality control process, a first reuse process, a second quality control process, a second reuse process, and a recycling process.

[0154] FIG. 13 shows a conceptual architecture of an information management system for managing information on the inspections and the reuse processes and the like.

[0155] The information management system comprises user identification unit 1011, battery identification unit 1012, first processing unit 1013, second processing unit 1021 and server unit 21.

[0156] User identification unit 1011, battery identification unit 1012 and first processing unit 1013 are normally located in first site 101. Second processing unit 1021 is normally located in second site 102.

[0157] User identification unit 1011, battery identification unit 1012, first processing unit 1013, and second processing unit 1021 are connected to a network with a cable or wireless means so as to communicate data with server unit 21. However, communication between user identification unit 1011, etc. and server unit 21 needs not be limited only to the network, so long as the data are exchangeable. In other words, the communication can be achieved by broadcasting means such as ground wave and satellite, CATV, and the like.

[0158] User identification unit 1011 carries out a process of user authentication as described in the second exemplary embodiment. For instance, it reads a user identifier from an IC card, and makes an inquiry about legitimacy of the user from server unit 21.

[0159] Battery identification unit 1012 carries out verification process of secondary batteries as described in the third exemplary embodiment. For example, it reads data on exterior view of a secondary battery with a scanner or the like, obtains a manufacturer name of the secondary battery, and determines whether the battery identified by the manufacturer name is one of covered objects to be processed in the subsequent step.

[0160] There is also the following process as another example. Battery identification unit 1012 obtains a secondary battery identifier recorded in a memory sheet affixed to a secondary battery, and acquires a variety of information on the secondary battery from server unit 21 using the secondary battery identifier as a key. The subsequent inspection processes and reuse processes may vary depending on the obtained information.

[0161] First processing unit 1013 is a device to achieve the first quality control process (S2011) and the first reuse process (S2012) described in the first exemplary embodiment. Details of it will be described below.

[0162] Second processing unit 1021 is a device to achieve the second quality control process (S2021) and the second reuse process (S2022) also described in the first exemplary embodiment. Details of it will be described below.

[0163] Server unit 21 receives and stores results of the variety of inspections and information of the reuse processes carried out on the secondary battery identified by the user identifier and the secondary battery identifier. Details will also be described below.

[0164] Each of the above units is described hereinafter in the sequential order.

[0165] FIG. 14 shows a block diagram representing a structure of user identification unit 1011. The user identification unit 1011 comprises user identifier acquiring section 10111, user inquiry section 10112, first result receiving section 10113 and first result output section 10114.

[0166] User identifier acquiring section 10111 acquires a user identifier. It may be comprised of an IC card reader, and software for retrieving the user identifier from data stored in the IC card and read out by the reader, for example.

[0167] User inquiry section 10112 makes an inquiry from server unit 21 as to whether a user identified by the user identifier acquired by user identifier acquiring section 10111 is a registered user. User inquiry section 10112 can be comprised of communication mans such as a modem and driver software. In the fourth exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the user is not given any service of the reuse process of the secondary batteries unless he is registered.

[0168] First result receiving section 10113 receives information representing a response to the inquiry on registration of the user. First result receiving section 10113 can be comprised of a modem and driver software, like the user inquiry section 10112.

[0169] First result output section 10114 outputs the result received by first result receiving section 10113. This output may include any such forms as an image produced on display, though not shown in the figure, voice output, and an output by printing. A secondary battery brought in by a user carries a memory sheet with a user identifier recorded therein, and the user identifier can be used to authenticate legitimacy of the user. When the user is authenticated as not legitimate, in this instance, the above output includes a process of rejecting the secondary battery outside of the unit.

[0170] This operation of user identification unit 1011 has already been described in the second exemplary embodiment with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 9.

[0171] FIG. 15 shows a block diagram representing a structure of battery identification unit 1012. Battery identification unit 1012 comprises secondary battery identifier acquiring section 10121, secondary battery inquiry section 10122, second result receiving section 10123, and second result output section 10124.

[0172] Secondary battery identifier acquiring section 10121 acquires a secondary battery identifier. Acquiring methods include (1) method of reading a secondary battery identifier recorded in a memory sheet affixed to a secondary battery, (2) method of acquiring a secondary battery identifier input from a keyboard or the like, (3) method of scanning an exterior view of secondary battery using a scanner and driver software, and acquiring a secondary battery identifier from data on the exterior view, and (4) method of acquiring a secondary battery identifier by reading a barcode on a secondary battery with a barcode reader.

[0173] Secondary battery inquiry section 10122 sends an inquiry to server unit 21 on whether a secondary battery identified by a secondary battery identifier acquired by secondary battery identifier acquiring section 10121 is a suitable secondary battery. The determination as to whether the secondary battery is suitable may be made simply by confirming that it is a registered one, or checking a period of time after the secondary battery is manufactured, or a number of times it has been processed for reusing. If the determination is made according to the time period and the number of reuses, information on a variety of processes made to the secondary battery as described below are stored in the server unit or recorded in a memory sheet affixed to the secondary battery as its historical data.

[0174] Secondary battery inquiry section 10122 can be comprised of communication means such as a modem and driver software.

[0175] Second result receiving section 10123 is also comprised of a modem and driver software, for instance, and it receives information representing a result, or a response to the inquiry on suitability of the secondary battery.

[0176] Second result output section 10124 outputs the result received by second result receiving section 10123. The output can be of a variety of forms like those described as output of first result output section 10114.

[0177] Battery identification unit 1012 operates in the like manner as already described in the third exemplary embodiment with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11.

[0178] Description is given next about first processing unit 1013. FIG. 16 shows a block diagram representing a structure of first processing unit 1013.

[0179] First processing unit 1013 comprises first battery receiving section 10131, first quality control section 10132, first inspection result transmitter section 10133, first reuse processing section 10134, first processed result transmitter section 10135, recharging section 10136, and recharge result transmitter section 10137.

[0180] First battery receiving section 10131 receives a secondary battery for first inspection and reuse process. For instance, first battery receiving section 10131 receives a secondary battery after the battery is verified suitable as a result of user identification and battery identification and delivered with a conveyer (not shown), or the like. At the same time, related information on user identifier and secondary battery identifier are forwarded via a bus (not shown) within the unit.

[0181] First quality control section 10132 conducts a first inspection described with FIG. 3 in the first exemplary embodiment, and classifies the secondary battery into appropriate group of level based on a result of the inspection. Details of the first inspection are not repeated here since they were described in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0182] First inspection result transmitter section 10133 transmits to server unit 21 information on the first inspection, which shows the result of the inspection conducted by first quality control section 10132, in connection with the user identifier and the secondary battery identifier. First inspection result transmitter section 10133 can be comprised of any means, not only such cable-communication means as a modem and radio-communication means as PHS, but also broadcasting means such as CATV.

[0183] First reuse processing section 10134 carries out a reuse process of the secondary battery that has been classified into one of a plurality of levels as the result of the first inspection by first quality control section 10132. Since this reuse process was described in the first exemplary embodiment, it is not repeated here.

[0184] First processed result transmitter section 10135 transmits to server unit 21 the first reuse information, which represents data related to the reuse process carried out in first reuse processing section 10134, in connection with the user identifier and the secondary battery identifier. First processed result transmitter section 10135 can also be comprised of any means, not only such cable-communication means as a modem and radio-communication means as PHS, but also broadcasting means such as CATV.

[0185] Recharging section 10136 complementally recharges the once reused secondary battery before it is handed over to a user, if a certain time has passed after it was gone through the reuse process.

[0186] Recharge result transmitter section 10137 transmits to server unit 21 the recharge information, which represents data on the recharge process done by recharging section 10136, in connection with the user identifier and the secondary battery identifier. Recharge result transmitter section 10137 can also be comprised of any such means, not only cable-communication means like a modem and radio-communication means as PHS, but also broadcasting means such as CATV. The recharge information includes such data as a proof to the effect that the recharge was actually made, an amount of recharged electric power, and the like.

[0187] Description is provided next of second processing unit 1021. FIG. 17 shows a block diagram representing a structure of second processing unit 1021.

[0188] Second processing unit 1021 comprises second battery receiving section 10211, second quality control section 10212, second inspection result transmitter section 10213, second reuse processing section 10214, and second processed result transmitter section 10215.

[0189] Second battery receiving section 10211 receives the secondary battery having gone through the process by first processing unit 1012. The secondary battery processed by first processing unit 1012 is transferred with a conveyer (not shown) or the like, for example. At the same time, related information on user identifier and secondary battery identifier are forwarded via an internal Bus (not shown).

[0190] Second quality control section 10212 conducts a second inspection similar to that described in the first exemplary embodiment, and classifies the secondary battery into appropriate level based on a result of the inspection. Details of the second inspection are not repeated here since they were described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0191] Second inspection result transmitter section 10213 transmits to server unit 21 the second inspection information, which shows the result of the inspection conducted by second quality control section 10212, in connection with the user identifier and the secondary battery identifier. Second inspection result transmitter section 10213 can be comprised of any such means, as not only cable-communication means like a modem and radio-communication means as PHS, but also broadcasting means such as CATV.

[0192] Second reuse processing section 10214 carries out another reuse process (second reuse process) of the secondary battery that has been classified into one of a plurality of levels as the result of the second inspection by second quality control section 10212. This second reuse process was already described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0193] Second processed result transmitter section 10215 transmits to server unit 21 the second reuse information, which represents data related to the reuse process carried out by second reuse processing section 10214, in connection with the user identifier and the secondary battery identifier. Second processed result transmitter section 10215 can also be comprised of any such means, as not only cable-communication means like a modem and radio-communication means as PHS, but also broadcasting means such as CATV.

[0194] Description is provided next of server unit 21. FIG. 18 shows a structure of server unit 21.

[0195] Server unit 21 comprises information receiving section 2101, information identification section 2102, information recording section 2103, information storage section 2104, inquiry receiving section 2105, retrieving section 2106, and result transmitter section 2107.

[0196] Information receiving section 2101 receives a variety of information from the individual units in first site 101 and second site 102. Information receiving section 2101 generally comprises communications means such as a modem, driver software, and the like.

[0197] Information identification section 2102 identifies a kind of information received in information receiving section 2101. Information identification section 2102 comprises software. The software is normally stored in a semiconductor memory. Or, information identification section 2102 may be composed of a custom design electronic circuit.

[0198] Information recording section 2103 records the information in appropriate storage area (i.e. information storage section 2104 described hereinafter) according to the kind identified by information identification section 2102. Information recording section 2103 can be comprised of software.

[0199] Information storage section 2104 has information stored therein. The information means those recorded by information recording section 2103. More specifically, the information includes such information as used for managing the users, covering data of secondary batteries (including usage and other historical data of the secondary batteries), and the like. Information storage section 2104 may be comprised of any of a hard disk, rewritable optical disk, and the like medium capable of storing the information.

[0200] Inquiry receiving section 2105 receives inquiries from user identification unit 1011 and battery identification unit 1012. Inquiry receiving section 2105 is normally comprised of a modem and driver software.

[0201] Retrieving section 2106 retrieves information in response to the inquiry received in inquiry receiving section 2105. Retrieving section 2106 is normally comprised of software.

[0202] Result transmitter section 2107 transmits a retrieved result of retrieving section 2106, or a response to the inquiry. Result transmitter section 2107 is also comprised generally of a modem and the driver software.

[0203] The processes made on the inquiries from user identification unit 1011 and battery identification unit 1012 are not repeated here since they were already described using FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 respectively.

[0204] Server unit 21 receives information on the inspection and the reuse processes carried out in first processing unit 1013 and second processing unit 1021, and stores them. The above operation of server unit 21 is described next with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 19.

[0205] Step S1901: Determination is made as to whether information receiving section 2101 received information. If it received information the process goes on to step S1902, or the process goes back to a point preceding the step S1901 if not received.

[0206] Step S1902: Information identification section 2102 identifies a kind of the received information.

[0207] Step S1903: Information recording section 2103 records data in a table corresponding to the kind of information. The table is provided inside information storage section 2104.

[0208] The operation is described more concretely as follows.

[0209] A user management table shown in FIG. 20 is stored in information storage section 2104 within server unit 21. The user management table is a table used to determine whether a user is legitimate or not. The user management table includes data comprising user identifier, number of new batteries purchased, number of reuses, and the like.

[0210] User identifier is identification information assigned in advance to each user when the user is registered, and it is recorded in the user management table upon registration. In other words, a number of records in the table increase one by one whenever a new user is registered. Number of new batteries purchased is a number of new secondary batteries purchased by the user who can be identified by the user identifier. When a user purchases a new battery at the time of registration, for instance, a data of 1 is recorded in the table. It may be possible to keep record of any user who frequently loses secondary batteries and purchases new butteries, so that he may be offered the new batteries at higher prices when he purchases the new batteries again. This may be a way to deter him from purchasing new batteries, and to promote use of recycled batteries.

[0211] Number of reuses indicates a number of purchases of reusable batteries. This data provides ideas about use behaviors of individual users, which can be used for marketing ploy and the like.

[0212] Furthermore, a secondary battery management table shown in FIG. 21 is also stored in information storage section 2104 of server unit 21. The secondary battery management table contains a number of recorded data for secondary batteries beside secondary battery identifier. The data included are date of manufacture, first time user identifier, number of reuses, first inspection data, first reuse data, second inspection data, second reuse data, and so on. Data is revised repeatedly in first inspection data, first reuse data, second inspection data, and second reuse data for the number of times (n times) the reuse processes are executed. These numbers differ from one battery to another as identified by the second battery identifiers.

[0213] When a new secondary battery is sold, for instance, the unit located in first site 101 transmits information on the secondary battery identifier, date of manufacture, and first time user identifier to server unit 21, and these information are stored in server unit 21. The information of secondary battery identifier and date of manufacture are obtained, for instance, by reading a barcode or a memory sheet placed on the secondary battery.

[0214] A period of time from manufacturing date to the present can be calculated with the date of manufacture and clock provided in server unit 21. Server unit 21 can transmit the calculated time period to the unit in first site 101 when there is an inquiry about it. (In addition, the above time period can be used as a period after the transfer of the battery to the user, although it is not accurate.)

[0215] The first time user identifier is information which is input when the user authentication is made as described above at the time of his purchasing the secondary battery.

[0216] The number of reuses is incremented by information recording section 2103, when the server unit receives information to the effect that the first inspection is started, for example. However, a timing of the increment needs not be restrictive to the time when the information of the first inspection is transmitted, but that the number of reuses may be incremented at any other timing such as when first reuse data is transmitted, or when both first reuse data and second reuse data are transmitted.

[0217] The first inspection data needed here is only information that includes a result of inspection in the first quality control process. In specific, the first inspection data includes information indicating that a closed-circuit voltage is checked, a value of the closed-circuit voltage, a value of internal resistance, information indicating that an open-circuit voltage is checked, a value of the open-circuit voltage, measurement conditions for the above checks (e.g. 0.3 in resistance, 0.5 second in measuring time, temperature during the measurement, etc.), and a classified level. The first inspection data further includes information indicating that a visual inspection is performed, and information showing a level resulted from the visual inspection. This information on the visual level also includes information suggesting that the battery is suitable for sell to a user, for example.

[0218] The first reuse data can be any such information that relates to a first reuse process in the first reuse step. In specific, the first reuse data is information indicating that the battery is in fact charged. The first reuse data includes an amount of charged capacity, ambient condition when the battery is being charged (i.e. temperature, etc.), and the like.

[0219] The second inspection data can be just information including a result of inspection in the second quality control process. Specifically, the second inspection data includes information indicating that a visual inspection is performed, information indicating that charge/discharge capacity is checked, data showing a result of the charge/discharge capacity check, and other similar information as noted in the first inspection data.

[0220] The second reuse data can also be any such information that relates to a second reuse process in the second reuse step. In specific, the second reuse data includes information indicating that the exterior is renewed, information showing an illustration pattern of the renewed exterior, information to identify the exterior, information indicating that the battery is in fact charged, an amount of charged capacity, and ambient condition when the battery is being charged (i.e. temperature, etc.). The second reuse data further includes information indicating that the battery has been given a certain period of aging, condition of the aging, and the like.

[0221] FIG. 22 shows an example of data configuration of the information transmitted to server unit 21. Information received by server unit 21 includes user identifier, secondary battery identifier, kind of information and the information itself. The kind of information is the information covering the data in the secondary battery management table. They are first inspection data, first reuse data, second inspection data, and second reuse data, to be specific. Server unit 21 records the received information in a data area corresponding to the kind of information.

[0222] According to this exemplary embodiment as described above, wherein the server unit manages information on the inspection process and the reuse process of the secondary batteries, it can efficiently exclude all the secondary batteries that are not suitable for reuse during the process of recycling, thereby promoting realization of the fairly recycle-oriented society.

[0223] Since the server unit manages information on the users, this invention makes possible the user authentication, so as to promote improvement of the reuse rate of secondary batteries. In other words, this invention makes possible to take measures on certain users who purchase many new butteries instead of using recycled batteries, so that new batteries are offered at higher prices when they purchase the new batteries. These measures provide for the possibility of improving the reuse rate.

[0224] In this exemplary embodiment, server unit 21 manages a variety of data for the secondary batteries using the secondary battery management table. However, the variety of data for the secondary battery may be recorded in a rewritable memory sheet placed on the secondary battery. As a concrete example, first processing unit 1013 and second processing unit 1021 may be provided with means of recording into memory sheet 121, so that first inspection data, first reuse data, second inspection data, and second reuse data recorded individually in memory sheet 121 are read and used whenever necessary.

[0225] Memory sheet 121 can be used in the following manner.

[0226] In the first inspection, first processing unit 1013 reads a transfer date of secondary battery to a user as recorded in memory sheet 121 of the battery, obtains the present time from its own clock, and classifies the secondary battery into one of a plurality of levels according to a period of elapsed time after the transfer as calculated between these times. In particular, all secondary batteries exceeding one year are regarded as low level that need to be disposed to the recycling process without subjecting them to the reuse process.

[0227] In the first inspection, first processing unit 1013 also obtains information on number of times that the secondary battery has undergone the first reuse process and /or the second reuse process, and classifies the secondary battery into one of a plurality of levels according to the number. In particular, any of the secondary batteries is considered to be in the low level, if it is reused 500 times or more, so that it is disposed to the recycling process without subjecting to the reuse process.

[0228] As described above, the present invention can improve a reuse rate and a recycling rate of secondary batteries while assuring quality of the secondary batteries with the simple method, and thereby the invention can contribute to the recycle-oriented society.