Abstract: Provided is a battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries; and a plurality of memories that correspond respectively to the batteries and that each record deterioration information of the corresponding battery. Each set of a battery and a corresponding memory may be formed integrally as a battery cell. As a result, the deterioration information of each battery cell can be known even after the battery pack is disassembled.

Abstract: Provided is a battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries; and a plurality of memories that correspond respectively to the batteries and that each record deterioration information of the corresponding battery. Each set of a battery and a corresponding memory may be formed integrally as a battery cell. As a result, the deterioration information of each battery cell can be known even after the battery pack is disassembled.

Abstract: A natural language processing apparatus configured to analyze a plurality of natural language elements, includes processing configured to input for each natural language element, multiple sign language images for a certain natural language together with the respective natural language, extract multiple feature points of a first sign language motion from the input sign language images and analyze a common point or a differing point between the first sign language motion and a second sign language motion, for each of the extracted feature points, deduce semantic content of the natural language element from the analyzed common point or the differing point, and a storage configured to store in association with the natural language element, information regarding the deduced semantic content. The processing circuitry analyzes the natural language using an artificial intelligence algorithm.

Abstract: Provided is a battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries; and a plurality of memories that correspond respectively to the batteries and that each record deterioration information of the corresponding battery. Each set of a battery and a corresponding memory may be formed integrally as a battery cell. As a result, the deterioration information of each battery cell can be known even after the battery pack is disassembled.

Abstract: A natural language processing apparatus configured to analyze a plurality of natural language elements, includes processing configured to input for each natural language element, multiple sign language images for a certain natural language together with the respective natural language, extract multiple feature points of a first sign language motion from the input sign language images and analyze a common point or a differing point between the first sign language motion and a second sign language motion, for each of the extracted feature points, deduce semantic content of the natural language element from the analyzed common point or the differing point, and a storage configured to store in association with the natural language element, information regarding the deduced semantic content. The processing circuitry analyzes the natural language using an artificial intelligence algorithm.

Abstract: A power demand management apparatus comprising a power demand acquiring section acquiring a predicted power demand; a consumer house information holding section that, for each of a plurality of request methods or request conditions, and for each of a plurality of consumer houses, holds a sensitivity indicating a probability that the consumer house will comply with a request; a consumer house selecting section that, when the predicted power demand exceeds a target value, selects a first consumer house whose sensitivity for a first request method or request condition is no less than a first reference value and selects a second consumer house whose sensitivity for a second request method or request condition is no less than a second reference value; and a restriction requesting section that issues requests for power demand restriction to the first and second consumer houses respectively using the first and second request methods or request conditions.

Abstract: A power demand management apparatus comprises a schedule holding section that holds a power restriction schedule indicating a device on which a mobile robot is to perform power restriction, in association with a power restriction execution time; a movement instructing section that transmits movement instructions to the robot such that, prior to the power restriction execution time indicated in the power restriction schedule, the robot moves to an area in which is arranged the device on which the power restriction is to be performed at the execution time; and a restriction instructing section that transmits power restriction instructions to the robot, thereby causing the robot to perform the power restriction on the device at the execution time.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a vehicle, includes: preparing a chassis of the vehicle in which a plurality of battery modules are installed; forming a wiring section in a body of the vehicle; and electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules by means of the wiring section, by coupling the chassis to the body.

Abstract: A battery control apparatus includes: a battery circuit in which a plurality of batteries are connected in series; a plurality of bypass circuits, each of which removes a corresponding battery from the battery circuit; a plurality of switches, each of which switches whether to connect a corresponding battery in series with the other batteries, or to connect the corresponding battery to a corresponding bypass circuit to remove the corresponding battery from the battery circuit; a deterioration detecting section that detects deterioration of each of the plurality of batteries; and a switch control section that controls the plurality of switches to remove, from the battery circuit, the batteries having greater deterioration and connects, in series, the batteries having smaller deterioration.

Abstract: A battery control apparatus comprising a battery circuit in which a plurality of batteries are connected to each other; a plurality of first switches that switch whether the batteries are connected in series or connected in parallel; a voltage detecting section that detects a maximum voltage output by the battery circuit; and a switch control section that, when the maximum voltage of the battery circuit occurring when the batteries are connected in parallel is less than or equal to a first threshold value, controls the first switches to connect at least a portion of the batteries in series.

Abstract: Provided is a battery assembling apparatus comprising a selecting section that selects as battery cells to be assembled into a battery pack, from among a plurality of battery cells, battery cells having similar charge curves that indicate a relationship between voltage and charge period, which is a time period necessary for a battery cell to be charged from a first voltage to a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. As a result, the lifetimes of battery cells and of a battery pack assembled from a plurality of battery cells can be extended.

Abstract: Included are a power-generation amount calculating section calculating an expected amount of power-generation being an amount of power generated by a power generating section in the future, for each predetermined period, a power-consumption amount calculating section calculating an expected amount of power-consumption being an amount of power consumed by a power load, for the predetermined period, an excess power period determining section determining an excess power period, an excess power amount calculating section calculating an expected excess power amount, and a charge/discharge control section controlling charge/discharge of a battery so that a remaining amount of the battery at the beginning of the excess power period becomes an amount resulting from subtracting the expected excess power amount from a pre-set charge amount.

Abstract: A power demand management apparatus comprises a schedule holding section that holds a power restriction schedule indicating a device on which a mobile robot is to perform power restriction, in association with a power restriction execution time; a movement instructing section that transmits movement instructions to the robot such that, prior to the power restriction execution time indicated in the power restriction schedule, the robot moves to an area in which is arranged the device on which the power restriction is to be performed at the execution time; and a restriction instructing section that transmits power restriction instructions to the robot, thereby causing the robot to perform the power restriction on the device at the execution time.

Abstract: Provided is a robot comprising a device manipulating section that turns ON and OFF a plurality of devices that operate by receiving power from a power supply; a power value acquiring section that acquires a first total power value that is a power value before one of the devices is turned ON or OFF by the device manipulating section and a second total power value that is a power value after the device is turned ON or OFF, via a power sensor that measures a total power value supplied to the plurality of devices from the power supply; and a power consumption estimating section that estimates power consumption of the device based on the first total power value and the second total power value.

Abstract: A power demand management apparatus comprising a power demand acquiring section acquiring a predicted power demand; a consumer house information holding section that, for each of a plurality of request methods or request conditions, and for each of a plurality of consumer houses, holds a sensitivity indicating a probability that the consumer house will comply with a request; a consumer house selecting section that, when the predicted power demand exceeds a target value, selects a first consumer house whose sensitivity for a first request method or request condition is no less than a first reference value and selects a second consumer house whose sensitivity for a second request method or request condition is no less than a second reference value; and a restriction requesting section that issues requests for power demand restriction to the first and second consumer houses respectively using the first and second request methods or request conditions.

Abstract: A charge control apparatus for controlling how to charge a battery unit having a plurality of batteries connected in series, includes a connection control section that divides the batteries into a plurality of groups of batteries by switching connections between the batteries, according to a received current amount indicative of an amount of a current that can be received from one or more external power sources, and a charge control section that charges the groups of batteries in parallel with power received from the external power sources.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a vehicle, includes: preparing a chassis of the vehicle in which a plurality of battery modules are installed; forming a wiring section in a body of the vehicle; and electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules by means of the wiring section, by coupling the chassis to the body.

Abstract: Provided is a battery assembling apparatus comprising a selecting section that selects as battery cells to be assembled into a battery pack, from among a plurality of battery cells, battery cells having similar charge curves that indicate a relationship between voltage and charge period, which is a time period necessary for a battery cell to be charged from a first voltage to a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. As a result, the lifetimes of battery cells and of a battery pack assembled from a plurality of battery cells can be extended.

Abstract: A charge control apparatus for controlling how to charge a battery unit having a plurality of batteries connected in series, includes a connection control section that divides the batteries into a plurality of groups of batteries by switching connections between the batteries, according to a received current amount indicative of an amount of a current that can be received from one or more external power sources, and a charge control section that charges the groups of batteries in parallel with power received from the external power sources.

Abstract: A battery control apparatus comprising a battery circuit in which a plurality of batteries are connected to each other; a plurality of first switches that switch whether the batteries are connected in series or connected in parallel; a voltage detecting section that detects a maximum voltage output by the battery circuit; and a switch control section that, when the maximum voltage of the battery circuit occurring when the batteries are connected in parallel is less than or equal to a first threshold value, controls the first switches to connect at least a portion of the batteries in series.