Information processing apparatus, method and storage medium

Abstract

The information processing apparatus, method, and storage medium are disclosed. The control unit of the information processing apparatus acquires the number of times or the working time of the working section installed in a vehicle, acquires environmental information about the vehicle's surroundings during the working time, and multiplies the acquired number of times or the working time by a consumption coefficient corresponding to the environment represented by the acquired environmental information, thereby calculating the consumption level of the working section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to information processing apparatus, methods, and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-041304 discloses a technology for measuring the state of a vehicle after it has been in use for many years. Summary of the Invention

[0003] There is room for improvement in correlation technology in properly monitoring the wear and tear of vehicle components.

[0004] This disclosure improves the technology for properly controlling the wear and tear of vehicle components.

[0005] The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of this disclosure is an information processing apparatus equipped with a control unit, wherein...

[0006] The control unit:

[0007] Obtain the number of times or the working time of the working part set on the vehicle.

[0008] Obtain environmental information about the vehicle's surroundings when the working unit is operating.

[0009] The consumption level of the work unit is calculated by multiplying the number of work sessions or the work time by a consumption coefficient corresponding to the environment represented by the acquired environmental information.

[0010] The second aspect of this disclosure relates to a method executed by an information processing apparatus, comprising:

[0011] Get the number of times or the working time of the working part set in the vehicle when it is working;

[0012] Obtain environmental information about the vehicle's surroundings when the working unit is operating; and

[0013] The consumption level of the work unit is calculated by multiplying the number of work sessions or the work time by a consumption coefficient corresponding to the environment represented by the acquired environmental information.

[0014] The storage medium involved in the third aspect of this disclosure is a storage medium that stores a program that causes a computer to execute:

[0015] Get the number of times or the working time of the working part set in the vehicle when it is working;

[0016] Obtain environmental information about the vehicle's surroundings when the working unit is operating; and

[0017] The consumption level of the work unit is calculated by multiplying the number of work sessions or the work time by a consumption coefficient corresponding to the environment represented by the acquired environmental information.

[0018] According to the various methods disclosed herein, it is possible to improve the technology for properly controlling the wear and tear of vehicle components. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the general structure of a system according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic structure of an information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a first operational example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following describes the implementation of this disclosure.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 This section provides an overview of System 1, which is involved in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0027] System 1 includes a vehicle 10 and an information processing device 20. The vehicle 10 and the information processing device 20 are communicatively connected to a network 30.

[0028] Vehicle 10 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited to, and can be any vehicle. An automobile can be, for example, a gasoline-powered automobile, an electric vehicle, a hybrid automobile, a plug-in hybrid automobile, or a fuel cell vehicle, but is not limited to these. Vehicle 10 can be driven by a driver or can be automated at any level. The level of automation can be, for example, any level from Level 1 to Level 5 in the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) classification. Vehicle 10 can also be a MaaS (Mobility as a Service) dedicated vehicle.

[0029] Information processing device 20 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0030] Network 30 includes the Internet, at least one WAN (Wide Area Network), at least one MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or any combination thereof. Network 30 may also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. Wireless networks are, for example, ad hoc networks, cellular networks, wireless LANs (Local Area Networks), satellite communication networks, or terrestrial microwave networks.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 This section provides an overview of the implementation method.

[0032] The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the number of times or the working time of the working unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10 during operation. Additionally, the control unit 21 acquires environmental information about the surrounding environment of the vehicle 10 during the operation of the working unit 14. Furthermore, the control unit 21 calculates the consumption level of the working unit 14 by multiplying the acquired number of times or the working time by a consumption coefficient corresponding to the environment represented by the acquired environmental information.

[0033] Thus, according to this embodiment, when calculating the wear level of the working part 14 provided in the vehicle 10, in addition to the number of times or the working time of the working part 14, a wear coefficient corresponding to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 10 is also considered. Therefore, it is possible to improve the technology for appropriately controlling the wear level of vehicle parts. As a result, it is possible to recommend the replacement or maintenance of vehicle parts at the appropriate time.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 This describes the structure of the vehicle 10 involved in this embodiment.

[0035] The vehicle 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, a working unit 14, and a detection unit 15.

[0036] The control unit 11 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is, for example, a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited to these. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited to these. The control unit 11 controls the various parts of the vehicle 10 while performing processing related to the operation of the vehicle 10. In addition, the control unit 11 measures the number of operations or the operating time of the working unit 14.

[0037] The communication unit 12 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface can also be, for example, 4G (4G...). th Generation) or 5G (5 th The interface corresponds to mobile communication standards such as Generation. For example, an in-vehicle communication unit such as a DCM (Data Communication Module) can also function as the communication unit 12. The communication unit 12 receives data used in the operation of the vehicle 10 and transmits data obtained through the operation of the vehicle 10.

[0038] Storage unit 13 may be at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. Semiconductor memory may be, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). RAM may be, for example, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). ROM may be, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Storage unit 13 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. Storage unit 13 stores data used in the operation of vehicle 10 and data obtained through the operation of vehicle 10. Data used in the operation of vehicle 10 includes system programs, application programs, and databases, etc.

[0039] The working unit 14 includes vehicle components disposed on the vehicle 10. These vehicle components can be either major components with an ECU (Electric Control Unit) or structural components without an ECU. Examples of components in the working unit 14 include windshield wipers, vehicle-mounted cameras, tires, a hybrid power control ECU, or brakes.

[0040] The detection unit 15 includes at least one GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver. GNSS receivers may be, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System), GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), or Galileo. The detection unit 15 detects the position of the vehicle 10.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 This section explains the structure of the information processing apparatus 20 involved in this embodiment.

[0042] The information processing device 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0043] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA, but is not limited to these. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC, but is not limited to these. The control unit 21 controls the various parts of the information processing device 20 while performing processing related to the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0044] The communication unit 22 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface may correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these; it may correspond to any communication standard. The communication unit 22 receives data used in the operation of the information processing device 20 and transmits data obtained through the operation of the information processing device 20.

[0045] Storage unit 23 may be at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory may be, for example, RAM or ROM. RAM may be, for example, SRAM or DRAM. ROM may be, for example, EEPROM. Storage unit 23 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. Storage unit 23 stores data used in the operation of information processing device 20 and data obtained through the operation of information processing device 20. In this embodiment, the data used in the operation of information processing device 20 includes system programs, application programs, and databases, etc.

[0046] Reference Figure 4 This section describes the first operation example of the information processing apparatus 20 involved in this embodiment.

[0047] In this example, it is described as follows: during one trip of vehicle 10, the weather around vehicle 10 changes from sunny to rainy or snowy, and the windshield wipers, corresponding to the working unit 14, operate. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the working unit 14 could also be a vehicle-mounted camera or tires, etc. Furthermore, one trip of vehicle 10 means the movement of vehicle 10 from the time the ignition switch or power switch of vehicle 10 is turned on until it is turned off.

[0048] Step S10: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the position information of the vehicle 10 when the working unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10 is working.

[0049] Specifically, when the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 detects the operation of the working unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10, it acquires the location information of the vehicle 10 via the detection unit 15. Next, the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 sends the acquired location information of the vehicle 10 to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 12. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the location information of the vehicle 10 from the vehicle 10 via the communication unit 22. Finally, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 saves the acquired location information of the vehicle 10 to the storage unit 23.

[0050] Step S11: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the meteorological information at the location indicated by the vehicle 10's location information acquired in step S10, which is equivalent to the environmental information surrounding the vehicle 10 when the working unit 14 of the vehicle 10 is working.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 obtains weather information at the location indicated by the vehicle 10's location information obtained in step S10 from a server of a weather information provider, via the communication unit 22. For example, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 associates the vehicle 10's location information with the weather information by obtaining weather information at multiple locations set at predetermined intervals along the vehicle 10's travel path for one trip. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 saves the obtained weather information to the storage unit 23.

[0052] Step S12: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the number of times the working unit 14 installed on the vehicle 10 operates. Alternatively, the working time can be acquired instead of the number of operations.

[0053] Specifically, when the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 detects the operation of the working unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10, it counts the number of times the working unit 14 operates. Next, the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10, via the communication unit 12, associates the location information of the vehicle 10 obtained in step S10 with the counted number of times the working unit 14 operates and sends it to the information processing device 20. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20, via the communication unit 22, obtains the location information of the vehicle 10 obtained in step S10 and the associated number of times the working unit 14 operates. Here, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 can also determine the number of times the working unit 14 operates during rainy or snowy weather (hereinafter referred to as "number of times during rainy or snowy weather") and the number of times the working unit 14 operates during sunny weather (hereinafter referred to as "number of times during sunny weather") from the number of times the working unit 14 operates using meteorological information equivalent to the environmental information obtained in step S11.

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 executes the above-described steps S10 to S12 at a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be the end of one trip of the vehicle 10, or once a day, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0055] Step S13: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the consumption coefficient corresponding to the meteorological information, which is equivalent to the environmental information acquired in step S11.

[0056] Specifically, the storage unit 23 of the information processing device 20 stores consumption coefficients corresponding to various weather conditions in advance. The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 retrieves the consumption coefficient corresponding to the weather conditions represented by the weather information obtained in step S11 from the consumption coefficients corresponding to various weather conditions stored in the storage unit 23. For example, the storage unit 23 of the information processing device 20 stores consumption coefficients multiplied by the number of operations during rainy or snowy days (hereinafter referred to as "consumption coefficients during rainy or snowy days") and consumption coefficients multiplied by the number of operations during sunny days (hereinafter referred to as "consumption coefficients during sunny days"). Here, the value of the consumption coefficient during rainy or snowy days may be greater than the value of the consumption coefficient during sunny days. For example, the value of the consumption coefficient during rainy or snowy days may be "2", etc. In addition, for example, the value of the consumption coefficient during sunny days may be "1", etc. This is because the wear and tear on the windshield wipers, which correspond to the operating unit 14, is severe in areas with heavy rain or snow, and maintenance is recommended at about half the time compared to areas with more sunny days.

[0057] Step S14: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the consumption level of the work unit 14 by multiplying the number of work operations obtained in step S12 by the consumption coefficient obtained in step S13.

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the consumption level using the following formula (1). Alternatively, the consumption level can be a cumulative value of the consumption level calculated for each trip.

[0059]

Number 1

[0060] Consumption level = [Consumption coefficient during rainy or snowy days] × [Number of work sessions during rainy or snowy days] + [Consumption coefficient during sunny days] × [Number of work sessions during sunny days] ... (1)

[0061] Step S15: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether to replace the working unit 14 based on the comparison between the consumption level calculated in step S14 and the predetermined threshold.

[0062] Specifically, if the consumption level calculated in step S14 by the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it determines that the working unit 14 should be replaced. Furthermore, the predetermined threshold can be preset by any method, or it can be preset in the storage unit 23 in a way that can be referenced when the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 performs this step.

[0063] Step S16: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 outputs the judgment result of step S15.

[0064] Specifically, if the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines in step S15 that the working unit 14 needs to be replaced, it notifies the vehicle 10 or any user terminal of the determination result via the communication unit 22. This allows the user to be notified, for example, of the appropriate replacement time for the windshield wipers corresponding to the working unit 14 in areas with heavy rain or snow.

[0065] Reference Figure 5 This describes a second operation example of the information processing apparatus 20 involved in this embodiment.

[0066] In this example, the description assumes that the vehicle 10 travels on flat ground and slopes during one trip of a hybrid electric vehicle equivalent to vehicle 10. Furthermore, in this example, the working unit 14 is described as a hybrid power control ECU. However, this disclosure is not limited to these. For example, vehicle 10 could be a vehicle other than a hybrid electric vehicle. Additionally, the working unit 14 could be a brake or tire, etc. Furthermore, a slope could be defined as, for example, a lane with a gradient of 4 degrees or more, either an uphill or downhill slope. Similarly, flat ground could be defined as, for example, a lane with a gradient of less than 4 degrees.

[0067] Step S20: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the position information of the vehicle 10 when the working unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10 is working.

[0068] Specifically, when the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 detects the operation of the working unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10, it acquires the location information of the vehicle 10 via the detection unit 15. Next, the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 sends the acquired location information of the vehicle 10 to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 12. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the location information of the vehicle 10 from the vehicle 10 via the communication unit 22. Finally, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 saves the acquired location information of the vehicle 10 to the storage unit 23.

[0069] Step S21: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the slope information at the location indicated by the position information of the vehicle 10 acquired in step S20, which is equivalent to the environmental information surrounding the vehicle 10 when the working unit 14 of the vehicle 10 is working.

[0070] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines the driving path of the vehicle 10 by analyzing the temporal shift of the position represented by the location information of the vehicle 10 obtained in step S20. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 obtains altitude information representing the altitude of any two locations on the determined driving path from a server of an operator providing 3D map information, via the communication unit 22. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the slope between any two locations on the driving path (e.g., a predetermined small interval) based on the obtained altitude information. Finally, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 saves the slope information, represented by the calculated slope, to the storage unit 23.

[0071] Step S22: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the working time of the working unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10 during operation. Alternatively, the number of operations can be acquired instead of the working time.

[0072] Specifically, when the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 detects the operation of the working unit 14 installed on the vehicle 10, it measures the operating time of the working unit 14. Next, the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10, via the communication unit 12, associates the location information of the vehicle 10 obtained in step S20 with the measured operating time of the working unit 14 and sends it to the information processing device 20. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20, via the communication unit 22, obtains the location information of the vehicle 10 obtained in step S20 and the associated operating time of the working unit 14 from the vehicle 10. Here, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 can also determine, from the operating time of the working unit 14 obtained by the above method, the operating time of the working unit 14 in the driving path of the vehicle 10 with a slope of a predetermined value or higher (hereinafter referred to as "operating time on a slope") and the operating time of the working unit 14 in the driving path of the vehicle 10 with a slope less than a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as "operating time on flat ground"), based on slope information equivalent to the environmental information obtained in step S21.

[0073] Furthermore, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 executes the aforementioned steps S20 to S22 at a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be the end of one trip of the vehicle 10, or once a day, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0074] Step S23: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 acquires the consumption coefficient corresponding to the slope, which is equivalent to the slope information acquired in step S21.

[0075] Specifically, the storage unit 23 of the information processing device 20 stores in advance consumption coefficients corresponding to various slopes. The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 retrieves the consumption coefficient corresponding to the slope information obtained in step S21 from the consumption coefficients stored in the storage unit 23. For example, the storage unit 23 of the information processing device 20 stores in advance consumption coefficients multiplied by the working time of the vehicle 10 on a driving path with a slope of a predetermined value or higher (hereinafter referred to as "consumption coefficient on a slope") and consumption coefficients multiplied by the working time of the vehicle 10 on a driving path with a slope of less than a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as "consumption coefficient on flat ground"). Here, the value of the consumption coefficient on a slope may be greater than the value of the consumption coefficient on flat ground. For example, the value of the consumption coefficient on a slope is "2", etc. In addition, for example, the value of the consumption coefficient on flat ground is "1", etc. This is because, for example, in hybrid vehicles, there is a tendency for the consumption of the hybrid control ECU to be more significant on slopes compared to flat ground.

[0076] Step S24: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the consumption level of the working unit 14 by multiplying the working time obtained in step S22 by the consumption coefficient obtained in step S23.

[0077] Specifically, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the consumption level using the following formula (2). Alternatively, the consumption level can be the cumulative value of the consumption level calculated for each trip.

[0078]

Number 2

[0079] Consumption level = [Consumption coefficient on the slope] × [Working time on the slope] + [Consumption coefficient on flat ground] × [Working time on flat ground] ... (2)

[0080] Step S25: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines whether to maintain the work unit 14 based on the comparison between the consumption level calculated in step S24 and the predetermined threshold.

[0081] Specifically, if the consumption level calculated by the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 in step S24 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it determines that maintenance work unit 14 is in operation. Furthermore, the predetermined threshold can be preset by any method, or it can be preset in the storage unit 23 in a way that can be referenced when the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 performs this step.

[0082] Step S26: The control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 outputs the judgment result of step S25.

[0083] Specifically, if the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 determines in step S25 that it is the maintenance work unit 14, it notifies the vehicle 10 or any user terminal of its determination result via the communication unit 22. This allows the user to be notified of appropriate maintenance schedules, for example, for hybrid vehicles used in challenging terrain.

[0084] As described above, the control unit 21 of the information processing apparatus 20 according to this embodiment acquires the number of times the work unit 14 operates or the working time of the work unit 14 installed in the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the control unit 21 of the information processing apparatus 20 acquires environmental information about the surrounding environment of the vehicle 10 when the work unit 14 is operating. Additionally, the control unit 21 of the information processing apparatus 20 calculates the consumption level of the work unit 14 by multiplying the acquired number of times or working time by a consumption coefficient corresponding to the environment represented by the acquired environmental information.

[0085] Based on the above structure, when calculating the wear level of the working part 14 installed in the vehicle 10, in addition to the number of times or the working time of the working part 14, a wear coefficient corresponding to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 10 is also considered. Therefore, it is possible to improve the technology for appropriately controlling the wear level of vehicle parts. As a result, it is possible to recommend the replacement or maintenance of vehicle parts at the appropriate time.

[0086] This disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it is desirable to understand that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions included in each structural part or each step can be reconfigured in a logically consistent manner, and multiple structural parts, steps, or action examples can be combined into one or divided.

[0087] As a variation, another implementation could be one in which the structure and operation of the information processing device 20 are distributed among multiple computers capable of communicating with each other. Alternatively, for example, another implementation could be one in which some or all of the components of the information processing device 20 are housed within the vehicle 10.

[0088] As a variation, instead of steps S15 or S25, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may estimate the replacement or maintenance period of the working unit 14 based on the cumulative consumption level calculated in steps S14 or S24. For example, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 may also determine that the working unit 14 should be replaced or maintained in the next inspection if it is estimated that the consumption level exceeds a predetermined threshold in the period from the next inspection to the inspection after that, based on the increase in consumption level from the previous inspection to the previous inspection and the current consumption level.

[0089] As a variation, steps S15 and S16, or steps S25 and S26, can be substituted for the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20, which outputs the consumption level calculated in step S14 or S24.

[0090] As a variation, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 can also calculate the consumption coefficient based on the type of vehicle 10 or the driver's driving skills or habits. For example, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 uses any machine learning technology to learn the correspondence between the type of vehicle 10, the driver's driving skills or habits, and the replacement or maintenance frequency of the working unit 14. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 calculates the consumption coefficient corresponding to the type of vehicle 10 or the driver's driving skills or habits based on its learning results. For example, regarding tires or brakes corresponding to the working unit 14, there is a tendency that heavier vehicles 10, vehicles 10 driven by drivers with low driving skills, or vehicles 10 driven by drivers with frequent emergency braking have a higher replacement or maintenance frequency than lighter vehicles 10, vehicles 10 driven by drivers with high driving skills, or vehicles 10 driven by drivers with fewer emergency braking frequencies, so the consumption coefficient is set to be larger. Next, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 20 saves the calculated consumption coefficient to the storage unit 23. Therefore, consumption coefficients are customized based on vehicle type, driver's skills, or driving habits.

[0091] As a variation, it can also be an implementation that enables a general-purpose computer to function as the information processing apparatus 20 according to the above embodiments. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for implementing the functions of the information processing apparatus 20 according to the above embodiments is stored in the memory of a general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the invention according to this embodiment can also be implemented as a processor-executable program or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is an example of a storage medium.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a control unit, wherein, The control unit: The number of times or the duration of operation of the working unit set in the vehicle is obtained, wherein the working unit is a hybrid power control ECU. Obtain slope information at the location indicated by the vehicle's position information, which is equivalent to the environmental information surrounding the vehicle when the hybrid power control ECU is operating. Based on the slope information, from the acquired number of operations or the operating time, the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the vehicle's driving path where the slope is above a predetermined value and the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the vehicle's driving path where the slope is below the predetermined value are determined. The consumption level of the hybrid power control ECU is calculated by multiplying the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the driving path of the vehicle with a slope greater than a predetermined value by a first consumption coefficient corresponding to a slope greater than the predetermined value, which is represented by slope information equivalent to the acquired environmental information; and multiplying the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the driving path of the vehicle with a slope less than the predetermined value by a second consumption coefficient corresponding to a slope less than the predetermined value, and then adding the multiplication results together. The first consumption coefficient is greater than the second consumption coefficient.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit determines whether to replace or maintain the working unit based on a comparison between the consumption level and a predetermined threshold.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control unit calculates the consumption coefficient based on the type of vehicle or the driver's driving skills or habits.

4. A method executed by an information processing device, comprising: The number of times or the working time of the working part set in the vehicle is obtained when the working part is working, wherein the working part is a hybrid power control ECU; Acquire the slope information at the location indicated by the vehicle's position information, which is equivalent to the environmental information surrounding the vehicle when the hybrid power control ECU is operating. Based on the slope information, from the acquired number of operations or the operating time, determine the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the vehicle's driving path where the slope is above a predetermined value, and the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the vehicle's driving path where the slope is below a predetermined value; and The consumption level of the hybrid power control ECU is calculated by multiplying the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the driving path of the vehicle with a slope greater than a predetermined value by a first consumption coefficient corresponding to a slope greater than the predetermined value, which is represented by slope information equivalent to the acquired environmental information; and multiplying the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the driving path of the vehicle with a slope less than the predetermined value by a second consumption coefficient corresponding to a slope less than the predetermined value, and then adding the multiplication results together. The first consumption coefficient is greater than the second consumption coefficient.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Also includes: Based on a comparison between the level of consumption and a predetermined threshold, it is determined whether the working part should be replaced or maintained.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, Also includes: The consumption coefficient is calculated based on the type of vehicle or the driver's driving skills or driving habits.

7. A storage medium for storing a program that causes a computer to execute: The number of times or the working time of the working part set in the vehicle is obtained. The working unit is a hybrid power control ECU; Acquire the slope information at the location indicated by the vehicle's position information, which is equivalent to the environmental information surrounding the vehicle when the hybrid power control ECU is operating. Based on the slope information, from the acquired number of operations or the operating time, determine the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the vehicle's driving path where the slope is above a predetermined value, and the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the vehicle's driving path where the slope is below a predetermined value; and The consumption level of the hybrid power control ECU is calculated by multiplying the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the driving path of the vehicle with a slope greater than a predetermined value by a first consumption coefficient corresponding to a slope greater than the predetermined value, which is represented by slope information equivalent to the acquired environmental information; and multiplying the operating time of the hybrid power control ECU in the driving path of the vehicle with a slope less than the predetermined value by a second consumption coefficient corresponding to a slope less than the predetermined value, and then adding the multiplication results together. The first consumption coefficient is greater than the second consumption coefficient.

8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein, The computer also performs: Based on a comparison between the level of consumption and a predetermined threshold, it is determined whether the working part should be replaced or maintained.

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