Processing device and processing method for power management system, and power management system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate a low state of charge of an in-vehicle battery by a simple method. A processing device (40) is provided with: a charge state monitoring unit (41) that monitors the charge level of an in-vehicle battery (60) that supplies power to electronic devices (70, 80) mounted on a vehicle (100); a connection authentication unit (42) that authenticates the connection between an external device (10) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port (20), said USB port (20) having an interface corresponding to a DRP (Dual Role Power) that can be either a power supply side or a power reception side; and a current switching unit (46) that switches a current direction to either a direction in which the external device (10) is charged or a direction in which power is supplied from the external device (10), in accordance with the charging level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device and a processing method of a power management system that can simply charge an in-vehicle battery when the charge level of the in-vehicle battery is low, and a power management system including the processing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a dedicated fast charging device for vehicles that converts alternating current into direct current and supplies power to an in-vehicle battery.

[0003] According to this device, since it is equipped with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the charging cable, it is possible to know in advance the reference of the time from the end of the fast charging performed by the previous user until the cable is cooled from a high temperature state to a specified low temperature at which the next charging can be performed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-150748 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in such a fast charging device, a power converter, a special cable and a connector for connecting to the vehicle are required, so the device becomes large-scale and the installation location of the fast charging device is limited.

[0009] On the other hand, in a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, once the engine is started, the in-vehicle battery can be charged via a generator such as an alternator. Therefore, even if the in-vehicle battery is in a low charge state, as long as the in-vehicle battery is charged to a level that can start the engine, the low charge state of the in-vehicle battery can be eliminated.

[0010] The present invention is made based on the above technical problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a processing device and a processing method of a power management system that can simply eliminate the low charge state of an in-vehicle battery, and a power management system including the processing device.

[0011] Means for Solving the Technical Problem

[0012] The processing device according to the present invention includes: a charging state monitoring unit that monitors the charging level of a vehicle-mounted battery that supplies power to an electronic device mounted on a vehicle; a connection authentication unit that authenticates the connection between a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port and an external device, the USB port having an interface corresponding to DRP (Dual Role Power) that can be either the power supply side or the power receiving side; and a current switching unit that switches the current direction to either the direction of charging the external device or the direction of supplying power from the external device according to the charging level.

[0013] In addition, the power management system according to the present invention includes: the above-described processing device; a USB port; a power transfer device that controls the charging and discharging of the vehicle-mounted battery based on a command from the processing device; a vehicle-mounted battery; and an electronic device.

[0014] In addition, the processing method according to the present invention includes: a monitoring step of monitoring the charging level of a vehicle-mounted battery that supplies power to an electronic device mounted on a vehicle; an authentication step of authenticating the connection between a USB port and an external device, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port having an interface corresponding to DRP (Dual Role Power) that can be either the power supply side or the power receiving side; a determination step of determining whether the charging level is greater than a specified level; and a switching step of switching the current direction to either the direction of charging the external device or the direction of supplying power from the external device according to the result obtained in the determination step.

[0015] Advantages of the Invention

[0016] In the processing device, power management system, and processing method according to the present invention, it is possible to charge the vehicle-mounted battery or supply power to an electronic device mounted on a vehicle using a USB port corresponding to DRP mounted on the vehicle.

[0017] Thus, the user can eliminate the low charging state of the vehicle-mounted battery without specifically moving the vehicle to a place where a fast charging device can be used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing the mounting state of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention on a motorized two-wheeler.

[0019] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram showing the system configuration of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the power management system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the power management system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0024] Hereinafter, the processing device, power management system, and processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] In addition, the structures, operations, etc. described below are examples, and the processing device, power management system, and processing method according to the present invention are not limited to such structures, operations, etc.

[0026] For example, the case where the vehicle is a motorcycle is described below, but as long as the vehicle is a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle battery, it is not limited to a riding type vehicle such as a motorcycle, and may also be a three-wheeled motor vehicle or a four-wheeled motor vehicle.

[0027] In addition, the same or similar descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted below. In addition, in each figure, the same or similar parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, the illustration of the detailed structure is appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0028] Embodiment 1.

[0029] Hereinafter, the power management system according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0030] <Structure of the Power Management System>

[0031] The structure of the power management system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the mounting state of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention on a motorcycle. Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining the system structure of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0033] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the power management system 1 mainly includes a USB port 20 mounted on the motorcycle 100, a processing device 40, a power transfer device 50, an in-vehicle battery 60, and electronic devices 70 and 80.

[0034] The USB port 20 has a USB Type-C interface. The USB port 20 connects the external device 10 to the power transfer device 50 via the power line 21. In addition, the USB port 20 connects the external device 10 to the processing device 40 via the communication line 22. Hereafter, the power line and the communication line are collectively referred to as the USB cable.

[0035] The power transfer device 50 corresponds to a charge and discharge control circuit that controls the charge and discharge of the in-vehicle battery 60 according to a command from the processing device 40. Specifically, the power transfer device 50 can selectively execute a charging operation of storing the power supplied from the external device 10 in the in-vehicle battery 60, a power supply operation of supplying the power supplied from the external device 10 to the electronic devices 70 and 80, and a discharging operation of supplying the power stored in the in-vehicle battery 60 to the external device 10.

[0036] The in-vehicle battery 60 is a storage battery configured to be chargeable and dischargeable, and supplies power to the electronic devices 70 and 80. The in-vehicle battery 60 uses, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery, a lithium-ion polymer secondary battery, a nickel / hydrogen rechargeable battery, a lead storage battery, etc.

[0037] The processing device 40 provides a USB port corresponding to DRP (Dual Role Power) that can be either the power supply side or the power receiving side according to the USB Type-C specification. That is, the processing device 40 functions as a DRP and manages communication, charging, and power supply operations with the connection target via the USB cable.

[0038] In Figure 1 the example, the processing device 40 is disposed in the instrument panel 30 of the two-wheeled motor vehicle 100 equipped with various instruments. The more specific structure of the processing device 40 will be described in detail later.

[0039] The electronic devices 70 and 80 are devices that execute various functions of the vehicle by being supplied with power from the in-vehicle battery 60.

[0040] The electronic device 70 is, for example, a keyless entry device that controls the locking and unlocking of the vehicle. In the case of a two-wheeled motor vehicle, the locking / unlocking of the handlebar lock is controlled, and in the case of a four-wheeled vehicle, the locking / unlocking of the vehicle door is controlled.

[0041] The electronic device 80 is, for example, an engine management device that performs start control of the engine and fuel injection control.

[0042] The external device 10 refers to a device that functions as a power supply source capable of supplying power to charge the in-vehicle battery 60 and can be connected to a connector with a USB Type-C interface. Specifically, it corresponds to a portable charger that can be connected to USB Type-C, or a portable terminal with a USB Type-C interface.

[0043] In addition, the external device 10 is not only a charger or a portable terminal that can be carried and moved, but can also be a household power supply connected via the USB Type-C interface.

[0044] Next, Figure 2 Details of the processing device 40 will be described. The processing device 40 mainly includes a charging state monitoring unit 41, a connection authentication unit 42, a determination unit 43, an indication unit 44, a selection unit 45, a current switching unit 46, a communication unit 47, and a storage unit 48. Each part of the processing device 40 can also be centrally arranged in one box, or can be separately arranged in multiple boxes. In addition, part or all of the processing device 40 can be constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, etc., or can be constituted by an updatable unit such as firmware, or can be a program module executed by instructions from a CPU, etc.

[0045] The charging state monitoring unit 41 monitors the charging state of the in-vehicle battery 60. Specifically, it obtains the measurement result of the charging level of the in-vehicle battery 60 via the in-vehicle LAN and stores this value in the storage unit 48. The monitoring by the charging state monitoring unit 41 can be performed at regular intervals, or can obtain the measurement result of the charging level whenever the connection authentication unit 42 authenticates the connection with the external device 10.

[0046] The connection authentication unit 42 performs connection authentication with the external device 10 via the USB port 20. Specifically, if the external device 10 is connected via the USB port 20, the connection authentication unit 42 authenticates that the external device 10 is connected to the processing device 40. When the connection is authenticated, it can also be determined whether the power supply capacity of the external device 10 has a power output sufficient to charge the in-vehicle battery 60.

[0047] The determination unit 43 reads out the charging level of the in-vehicle battery 60 obtained by the charging state monitoring unit 41 from the storage unit 48, and determines whether it is greater than a specified threshold Th_01 indicating a low charging state of the in-vehicle battery 60, or whether the charging level of the in-vehicle battery 60 is in a full charge state, etc. The threshold Th_01 can be set, for example, to the charging level required to start the internal combustion engine. In addition, the threshold Th_01 can also be set to a level sufficient to release the locked state of the vehicle by the keyless entry device.

[0048] The instruction unit 44 generates a command for determining the current direction based on the input made by the user. Specifically, via the input interface, the user can indicate whether to set the current direction to the direction of charging the external device 10 or the direction of supplying power from the external device 10. The input interface can also be, for example, a touch panel (not shown) on the instrument panel 30. In addition, if the external device 10 is a portable terminal, the input interface can also be set on the operation panel (not shown) of the portable terminal.

[0049] The selection unit 45 generates a command for selecting the power supply target from the external device 10 as the in-vehicle battery 60 or setting it to the electronic devices 70, 80 based on the input made by the user. Similar to the instruction unit 44, the user's input interface can also be set on the touch panel (not shown) of the instrument panel 30 or the operation panel (not shown) of the portable terminal.

[0050] The current switching unit 46 generates a command for controlling the current direction executed by the power transfer device 50 based on at least one of the determination result determined by the determination unit 43, the instruction by the instruction unit 44, and the selection by the selection unit 45.

[0051] Specifically, the current switching unit 46 generates a command for determining to set the current direction executed by the power transfer device 50 to one of the current directions from the external device 10 to the in-vehicle battery 60, from the external device 10 to the electronic devices 70, 80, or from the in-vehicle battery 60 to the external device 10, and performs the switching of the current direction.

[0052] The communication unit 47 sends the command generated by the current switching unit 46 to the power transfer device 50. The sending to the power transfer device 50 is performed via the in-vehicle LAN.

[0053] The storage unit 48 temporarily stores the measurement results, the generated commands, the determination results, etc. measured in each functional unit.

[0054] <Operation of the power management system>

[0055] The operation of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0056] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0057] The processing device 40 executes Figure 3 the operation flow shown.

[0058] (Monitoring step)

[0059] In step S101, the charge state monitoring unit 41 confirms the charge level of the in-vehicle battery 60.

[0060] (Authentication Step)

[0061] In step S102, the connection authentication unit 42 authenticates whether the processing device 40 and the external device 10 are connected via the USB port 20.

[0062] (Judgment Step)

[0063] In step S103, the determination unit 43 compares the charging level of the in-vehicle battery 60 measured in step S101 with a specified threshold Th_01, and determines whether the measured charging level is greater than the threshold Th_01. If the charging level is greater than the threshold Th_01 (Y), the process ends. If the charging level is not greater than the threshold Th_01 (N), that is, if it is less than the threshold Th_01, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0064] (Switching Step)

[0065] If it is determined in step S103 that the charging level of the in-vehicle battery 60 is not greater than the threshold Th_01, the current switching unit 46 generates a command in step S104 to switch the current direction to the direction of supplying power from the external device 10.

[0066] (Communication Step)

[0067] In step S105, the communication unit 47 sends the command generated by the current switching unit 46 in step S104 to the power transfer device 50.

[0068] (Charging Step)

[0069] In step S105, if a command is sent from the communication unit 47 to the power transfer device 50, then in step S106, the power transfer device 50 executes the switching of the current direction to the direction of supplying power from the external device 10, thereby starting the charging of the in-vehicle battery 60 from the external device 10.

[0070] (Full Charge Monitoring Step)

[0071] In step S107, the charge state monitoring unit 41 confirms whether the charging level of the in-vehicle battery 60 is in a full charge state. If it is determined that it is not in a full charge state (N), the process returns to step S106 to continue charging the in-vehicle battery 60. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is in a full charge state (Y), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0072] (Charging End Step)

[0073] In step S107, if it is determined that the in-vehicle battery 60 is in a fully charged state (Y), then in step S108, the charging of the in-vehicle battery 60 is forcibly ended. Thereby, the in-vehicle battery 60 can be protected from overcharging.

[0074] <Effect of the power management system>

[0075] The effect of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0076] The processing device of the power management system includes: a charge state monitoring unit that monitors the charge level of an in-vehicle battery that supplies power to electronic devices mounted on a vehicle; a connection authentication unit that authenticates the connection between a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port and an external device (10), the USB port having an interface corresponding to DRP (Dual Role Power) that can be either the power supply side or the power receiving side; and a current direction switching unit that switches the current direction to either the direction of charging the external device or the direction of supplying power from the external device according to the charge level.

[0077] Therefore, according to the charge level of the in-vehicle battery, it is possible to selectively perform charging the in-vehicle battery from an external device such as a portable terminal or charging the external device from the in-vehicle battery.

[0078] In addition, if the charge level is lower than a specified threshold (Th_01), the current switching unit switches the current direction to the direction of supplying power from the external device. Therefore, it is possible to charge the in-vehicle battery required to start the internal combustion engine of the vehicle via the external device without moving the vehicle to the installation site of a large-scale charging device.

[0079] Furthermore, when the charge level of the in-vehicle battery is in a fully charged state, the charging of the in-vehicle battery by the external device is ended. Thereby, the in-vehicle battery can be protected from overcharging.

[0080] Embodiment 2.

[0081] Hereinafter, the power management system according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0082] In addition, in the power management system according to Embodiment 2, compared with the power management system according to Embodiment 1, only the operation flow of the processing device 40 after step 107 (fully charged monitoring step) is different. The descriptions that are repeated or similar to those of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0083] <Operation of the power management system>

[0084] The operation of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0085] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0086] The processing device 40 executes Figure 4 the operation flow shown. Steps S201 to S206 are common to steps S101 to S106 of Embodiment 1, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0087] (Engine start confirmation step)

[0088] In step S206, after charging of the in-vehicle battery 60 is started, in step S207, it is determined whether the vehicle engine has started. If it is determined that the engine has not started (N), charging of the in-vehicle battery 60 continues, and if it is determined that the engine has started (Y), the process proceeds to step S208. Here, whether the engine has started can be determined by obtaining a signal from the engine management device.

[0089] In step S207, if it is determined that the engine has started (Y), then in step S208, the current switching unit 46 generates a command for switching the current direction to the direction of charging the external device 10, and the transmitting unit transmits this command to the power transfer device 50.

[0090] (Effects of the power management system)

[0091] The effects of the power management system according to Embodiment 2 are described.

[0092] According to Embodiment 2, during the period when the vehicle engine has not started, the current switching unit switches the current direction to the direction of supplying power from the external device, and if the vehicle engine starts, the current switching unit switches the current direction to the direction of charging the external device. Therefore, if the vehicle engine starts and the in-vehicle battery is charged by the action of the engine, the current direction can be automatically switched to the direction of charging the external device, improving user convenience.

[0093] Embodiment 3.

[0094] Hereinafter, the power management system according to Embodiment 3 is described.

[0095] In addition, in the power management system according to Embodiment 3, compared with the power management system according to Embodiment 1, only the operation flow of the processing device 40 after step 104 (switching step) is different. Descriptions that are repetitive or similar to those of the power management system according to Embodiment 1 are appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0096] (Operation of the power management system)

[0097] The operation of the emergency notification system according to Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0098] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the alarm system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0099] The processing device 40 executes Figure 5 the operation flow shown. Steps S301 to S303 are common to steps S101 to S103 of Embodiment 1, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0100] (Instruction step)

[0101] In step S303, when the measured charge level is greater than the threshold Th_01 (Y), in step S304, the current switching unit 46 confirms whether the current direction of the command generated by the instruction unit 44 is indicated as the direction of power supply from the external device 10. When the command given by the instruction unit 44 is in the direction of power supply from the external device 10 (Y), the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, when the command given by the instruction unit 44 is not in the direction of power supply from the external device 10 (N), the process ends.

[0102] (Switching step)

[0103] When the command given by the instruction unit 44 in step S304 is in the direction of power supply from the external device 10, the current switching unit 46 generates a command for switching the current direction to the direction of power supply from the external device 10 in step S305.

[0104] (Communication step)

[0105] In step S306, the communication unit 47 sends the command generated by the current switching unit 46 in step S305 to the power transmission device 50.

[0106] <Effect of the power management system>

[0107] The effect of the power management system according to Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0108] According to Embodiment 3, there is an instruction unit for instructing the current direction by the user's operation. When the charge level is greater than a specified threshold, the current direction switching unit also switches the current direction according to the instruction given by the instruction unit. Therefore, even when the charge level of the in-vehicle battery is in a charge state sufficient to start the internal combustion engine or in a charge level sufficient to release the vehicle locking state by the keyless entry device, but not in a state sufficient to operate other in-vehicle devices (such as in-vehicle lights, instrument panels, etc.), the current direction can be switched to the direction of power supply from the external device by the user's operation, and the charging of the in-vehicle battery can continue.

[0109] Embodiment 4.

[0110] Hereinafter, a power management system related to Embodiment 4 will be described.

[0111] In addition, in the power management system related to Embodiment 4, compared with the power management system related to Embodiment 1, only the operation flow of the processing device 40 after step 104 (switching step) is different. Descriptions that are repeated or similar to those of the power management system related to Embodiment 1 will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0112] <Operation of the power management system>

[0113] The operation of the power management system related to Embodiment 4 will be described.

[0114] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the operation flow of the processing device of the power management system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0115] The processing device 40 executes Figure 6 the operation flow shown. Steps S401 to S403 are common to steps S101 to S103 of Embodiment 1, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0116] (Selection step)

[0117] In step S403, when the measured charge level is not greater than the threshold Th_01 (N), in step S404, it is confirmed whether the power supply target of the command generated by the selection unit 45 is the vehicle-mounted battery 60 or the electronic devices 70, 80. In addition, the command generated by the selection unit 45 is determined by an operation of an input unit (not shown) by the user. When the command given by the selection unit 45 selects the vehicle-mounted battery or the electronic device as the power supply target (Y), the process proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, when there is no command given by the selection unit 45 (N), the process proceeds to step S406. In addition, in step S403, when the measured charge level is greater than the threshold Th_01 (Y), the process ends.

[0118] (Switching step)

[0119] In the case (Y) where the command given by the selection unit 45 in step S404 selects the in-vehicle battery or the electronic device as the power supply target, in step S405, the current switching unit 46 generates a command for switching the current direction from the external device 10 to the in-vehicle battery 60 when the power supply target is selected as the in-vehicle battery, and switching the current direction from the external device 10 to the electronic device when the power supply target is selected as the electronic device. On the other hand, in the case where there is no command given by the selection unit 45 in step S404, in step S406, the current switching unit 46 generates a command for switching the current direction to the default-set power supply target (for example, the in-vehicle battery).

[0120] (Communication step)

[0121] In step S407, the communication unit 47 sends the command generated by the current switching unit 46 in step S405 or step S406 to the power transmission device 50.

[0122] <Effect of the power management system>

[0123] The effect of the power management system according to Embodiment 4 will be described.

[0124] According to Embodiment 4, there is a selection unit that selects the power supply target to the in-vehicle battery or the electronic device by the user's operation, and when the current direction is the direction of power supply from the external device, it supplies power from the external device corresponding to the selection in the selection unit. Therefore, in a state where power can be supplied from the external device, it is possible to decide whether to charge the in-vehicle battery or supply power to the electronic device according to the user's will. Specifically, in the case where the user only aims to unlock the vehicle, the power supply target from the external device can be selected as the keyless entry device by the user's operation. Or, in the case where the user only aims to start the engine, the power supply target from the external device can be selected as the engine management device by the user's operation.

[0125] As described above, Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3, and Embodiment 4 have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the descriptions of the respective embodiments. For example, only a part of each embodiment may be implemented, and in addition, all or a part of each embodiment may be combined. In addition, all or a part of the steps of the operation process may be executed in a different order.

[0126] For example, steps S106 to S108 of Embodiment 1 may be executed in Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3, and Embodiment 4. In addition, steps S206 to S208 in Embodiment 2 may be executed in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 3, and Embodiment 4.

[0127] Description of Reference Numerals

[0128] 1 power management system; 10 external device; 20 USB port; 21 power line; 22 communication line; 40 processing device; 50 power transmission device; 60 vehicle battery; 70, 80 electronic device; 100 motorized two-wheeled vehicle.

Claims

1. A processing device (40), characterized in that: It includes: A charging state monitoring unit (41) that monitors the charging level of an in-vehicle battery (60) that supplies power to electronic devices (70, 80) mounted on a vehicle (100); A connection authentication unit (42) that authenticates the connection between a USB port (20) and an external device (10), and the USB port (20) has an interface corresponding to a dual-role power supply that can be either the power supply side or the power receiving side; And A current switching unit (46) that switches the current direction to either the direction of charging the external device (10) or the direction of supplying power from the external device (10) according to the aforementioned charging level.

2. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: If the aforementioned charging level is lower than a specified threshold value (Th_01), the aforementioned current switching unit (46) switches the aforementioned current direction to the direction of supplying power from the external device (10).

3. The processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It has an indication unit (44) that indicates the aforementioned current direction by means of a user's operation; When the aforementioned charging level is greater than the aforementioned specified threshold value, the aforementioned current switching unit also switches the aforementioned current direction according to the indication by the aforementioned indication unit.

4. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the aforementioned current direction is the direction of supplying power from the external device, the in-vehicle battery (60) is charged with the power of the external device (10).

5. The processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the aforementioned charging level of the in-vehicle battery (60) is in a fully charged state, the charging of the in-vehicle battery (60) by the external device (10) is ended.

6. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the aforementioned current direction is the direction of supplying power from the external device (10), power is supplied from the external device (10) to the electronic devices (70, 80).

7. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It has a selection unit (45) that selects the power supply target to the in-vehicle battery or the electronic device by means of a user's operation; When the aforementioned current direction is the direction of supplying power from the external device, power is supplied from the external device according to the selection in the aforementioned selection unit (45).

8. The processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The aforementioned electronic device is a keyless entry device that controls the unlocking and locking of the aforementioned vehicle.

9. The processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The aforementioned electronic device is an engine management device that controls the starting of the engine of the aforementioned vehicle.

10. The processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aforementioned vehicle is a riding-type vehicle.

11. A power management system, characterized in that: It has: The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; The aforementioned USB port; A power transmission device (50) that controls the charging and discharging of the in-vehicle battery (60) based on a command from the aforementioned processing device; the aforementioned in-vehicle battery (60); and the aforementioned electronic devices (70, 80).

12. A processing method, characterized by comprising: a monitoring step (S101, S201, S301) of monitoring the charge level of an in-vehicle battery (60) that supplies power to electronic devices (70, 80) mounted on a vehicle (100); an authentication step (S102, S202, S302) of authenticating the connection between a USB port (20) and an external device (10), the USB port (20) having an interface corresponding to a dual-role power supply that can be either a power supply side or a power receiving side; a determination step (S103, S203, S303) of determining whether the aforementioned charge level is greater than a specified level; and a switching step (S104, S206, S305) of switching the current direction to either a direction of charging the aforementioned external device (10) or a direction of supplying power from the aforementioned external device (10) according to the result obtained in the aforementioned determination step.

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