Information processing apparatus

Abstract

An information processing device is provided with: a storage unit in which information about a plurality of hydrogen consumption devices operated by receiving hydrogen supply from a detachable hydrogen tank is registered; a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank on the basis of information transmitted from a hydrogen consumption device to which the hydrogen tank is attached among the plurality of hydrogen consumption devices; a calculation unit that calculates an operable amount for each of the plurality of hydrogen consumption devices on the basis of the hydrogen remaining amount acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit; and a display control unit that displays the calculation result of the calculation unit on a predetermined display unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to information processing related to the use of hydrogen tanks. Background Technology

[0002] There is a known type of detachable hydrogen tank that can be loaded and unloaded relative to hydrogen consumption equipment.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-56869 discloses a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell and a hydrogen cooker. According to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-56869, the fuel cell vehicle can be equipped with and detached from a hydrogen tank, and hydrogen can be supplied to the fuel cell and the hydrogen cooker from the hydrogen tank installed in the fuel cell vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Users can reuse the removable hydrogen tanks across various hydrogen consumption devices, such as installing them on one device and then removing them to install on another. However, when considering this usage pattern, it is inconvenient for users of each hydrogen consumption device if they do not know the extent to which the tank can be used when installed.

[0005] This specification proposes a technique to improve the convenience for users of loading and unloading hydrogen tanks in hydrogen consumption equipment.

[0006] This specification discloses an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores information about multiple hydrogen consumption devices that operate by receiving hydrogen from a removable hydrogen tank; a balance acquisition unit that acquires the remaining hydrogen level in the hydrogen tank based on information sent from the hydrogen consumption device equipped with the hydrogen tank; a calculation unit that calculates the operational capacity of each of the multiple hydrogen consumption devices based on the remaining hydrogen level acquired by the balance acquisition unit; and a display control unit that displays the calculation results of the calculation unit on a designated display unit.

[0007] Based on the above configuration, the information processing device calculates the operational capacity of each of the multiple hydrogen consumption devices based on the remaining hydrogen quantity obtained by the surplus acquisition unit, and displays the calculation results on the display unit. Thus, for each of the multiple hydrogen consumption devices, the user can know the extent of remaining operation when a removable hydrogen tank is installed. Attached Figure Description

[0008] 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 components, wherein,

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram that simply illustrates the system configuration of the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by the hydrogen consumption device and the information processing device in the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a graph that uses curves to represent an example of historical hydrogen balance.

[0012] Figure 4 This is an example image showing information about a hydrogen tank.

[0013] Figure 5 This is another example of a screen displaying information about a hydrogen tank.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a diagram used to illustrate the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] This embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely illustrative, and this embodiment is not limited to the content shown. Furthermore, since the drawings are illustrative, some parts have been omitted.

[0016] (First Embodiment)

[0017] Figure 1 The configuration of the system 10 according to the first embodiment is briefly shown. The system 10 includes a hydrogen tank 20, a hydrogen consumption device 30, and an information processing device 40. The hydrogen tank 20 is filled with hydrogen. The hydrogen tank 20 is a removable hydrogen tank. The user can install the hydrogen tank 20 onto the connection port 31 of the desired hydrogen consumption device 30, or remove the hydrogen tank 20 from the connection port 31 of the hydrogen consumption device 30. For example, the hydrogen tank 20 can also be referred to as a hydrogen cartridge.

[0018] A tag 21 is attached to the hydrogen tank 20. The tag 21 contains a unique identification information (hereinafter referred to as the hydrogen tank ID) used to identify the individual hydrogen tank 20. The hydrogen tank ID can be a user-readable string. Alternatively, the hydrogen tank ID can be a barcode, QR code, or other identifier written into code 22, which is printed on the tag 21.

[0019] The hydrogen consumption device 30 operates by receiving hydrogen from a hydrogen tank 20 installed at the connection port 31. The hydrogen consumption device 30 can be, for example, a mobile vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel, a generator, or a hydrogen cooker. Besides four-wheeled vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, and golf carts, the mobile vehicle can be various types of equipment such as boats and aircraft. The hydrogen consumption device 30 includes a hydrogen consumption unit 33 that actually consumes the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 through the connection port 31 and the flow path 32. The hydrogen consumption unit 33 can be, for example, a fuel cell or hydrogen engine mounted on the aforementioned mobile vehicle, or a hydrogen heater in a hydrogen cooker. A single hydrogen consumption device 30 can also be configured to have multiple hydrogen consumption units 33.

[0020] The hydrogen consumption device 30 only needs to have at least one connection port 31, but... Figure 1 In this example, the hydrogen consumption device 30 has multiple connection ports 31. The user can attach or detach the hydrogen tank 20 to each of the multiple connection ports 31. The flow path 32 has: a common flow path 32a connected to the hydrogen consumption unit 33, and branch flow paths 32b that branch off between the common flow path 32a and each connection port 31, corresponding to each connection port 31. A valve 34 is provided in each branch flow path 32b, corresponding one-to-one with each connection port 31, and opening and closing the branch flow path 32b. The valve 34 is, for example, a solenoid valve.

[0021] Furthermore, the hydrogen consumption device 30 includes a pressure sensor 35, a temperature sensor 36, a first control unit 37, and a first wireless communication unit 38. The first control unit 37 is a controller for controlling the hydrogen consumption device 30, and may include at least one of the ECUs (Electronic Control Units) mounted on the hydrogen consumption device 30. The first control unit 37 can control the hydrogen supply to the hydrogen consumption unit 33 for each hydrogen tank 20 by independently opening and closing the valves 34 that correspond one-to-one with the connection port 31.

[0022] Pressure sensor 35 and temperature sensor 36 are installed in common flow path 32a. Pressure sensor 35 detects the gas pressure of hydrogen flowing in common flow path 32a. Temperature sensor 36 detects the gas temperature of hydrogen flowing in common flow path 32a. The detection results of pressure sensor 35 and temperature sensor 36 are output to first control unit 37.

[0023] Sometimes Figure 1 The multiple hydrogen tanks 20 shown are distinguished by being labeled hydrogen tanks 20a and 20b. Furthermore, the connection port 31 for hydrogen tank 20a is labeled as connection port 31a, and the valve 34 corresponding to connection port 31a is labeled as valve 34a. Similarly, the connection port 31 for hydrogen tank 20b is labeled as connection port 31b, and the valve 34 corresponding to connection port 31b is labeled as valve 34b. The first control unit 37 can obtain the gas pressure and gas temperature for each of the multiple hydrogen tanks 20 by independently opening and closing the valves 34 corresponding one-to-one with the connection ports 31.

[0024] That is, according to Figure 1For example, by closing valve 34b and opening valve 34a, the first control unit 37 enables pressure sensor 35 to detect the gas pressure of hydrogen tank 20a and temperature sensor 36 to detect the gas temperature of hydrogen tank 20a. Thus, the first control unit 37 obtains the gas pressure and gas temperature of hydrogen tank 20a. Similarly, by closing valve 34a and opening valve 34b, the first control unit 37 enables pressure sensor 35 to detect the gas pressure of hydrogen tank 20b and temperature sensor 36 to detect the gas temperature of hydrogen tank 20b. Thus, the first control unit 37 obtains the gas pressure and gas temperature of hydrogen tank 20b.

[0025] The first control unit 37 calculates the remaining hydrogen level in the hydrogen tank 20 based on the gas pressure and gas temperature. For example, the first control unit 37 can calculate the remaining hydrogen level by inputting the gas pressure and gas temperature into a pre-set function or table. Since the calculation method for the remaining hydrogen level based on gas pressure and gas temperature can be any known method, details of the calculation method are omitted. In summary, the first control unit 37 can calculate the remaining hydrogen level in the hydrogen tank 20a based on the gas pressure and gas temperature obtained from the pressure sensor 35 and temperature sensor 36. Similarly, the first control unit 37 can calculate the remaining hydrogen level in the hydrogen tank 20b based on the gas pressure and gas temperature obtained from the pressure sensor 35 and temperature sensor 36.

[0026] The first wireless communication unit 38 is a general term for the interface used by the hydrogen consumption device 30 to perform wireless communication. Wireless communication includes so-called short-range wireless communication and communication via network lines. The first wireless communication unit 38 is capable of communicating with the information processing device 40 and external devices other than the information processing device 40.

[0027] The information processing device 40 includes a second control unit 41, a second wireless communication unit 42, a storage unit 43, a display unit 44, and an operation receiving unit 45. The second control unit 41 is configured to include a processor and a memory. The processor executes a program 46 stored in the memory or the like to perform functions such as a margin acquisition unit 46a, a calculation unit 46b, an inference unit 46c, an evaluation unit 46d, and a display control unit 46e. The program 46 can be understood as one of the application programs installed in the information processing device 40.

[0028] Information processing device 40 is a device that executes program 46. Information processing device 40 is, for example, a user-operated smartphone. Alternatively, information processing device 40 can be any of various information processing devices such as a personal computer (PC), tablet terminal, various mobile terminals, or a server. Information processing device 40 can also be a system implemented by multiple devices connected and capable of communication, rather than being implemented by a single device.

[0029] The second wireless communication unit 42 is a general term for the interface used by the information processing device 40 to perform wireless communication. Of course, the hydrogen consumption device 30 and the information processing device 40 are not limited to wireless communication; they can also perform communication with the outside via wired connections. In this embodiment, the communication standard is not particularly limited.

[0030] The storage unit 43 is composed of a storage medium. The memory included in the second control unit 41 can be understood as at least a part of the storage unit 43, or the storage unit 43 can be understood as a part of the second control unit 41. The display unit 44 is a mechanism for displaying visual information, equivalent to an example of a "prescribed display unit". However, a prescribed display unit can also be an external display device different from the display unit 44 included in the information processing device 40.

[0031] Operation receiving unit 45 is a general term for a user interface used to accept user operations. For example, switches, buttons, keyboards, mice, etc. are equivalent to operation receiving unit 45. If display unit 44 also functions as a touch panel, then display unit 44 also serves as at least a part of operation receiving unit 45.

[0032] Figure 2 The processes performed by the hydrogen consumption device 30 and the information processing device 40 in the first embodiment are shown side-by-side in flowchart form. The second control unit 41 of the information processing device 40 registers the hydrogen tank ID (step S200). The hydrogen tank 20 is provided to the user, for example, by a company providing the service of the hydrogen tank 20. Upon receiving the hydrogen tank 20, the user first registers the hydrogen tank ID of the hydrogen tank 20 with the information processing device 40. The user, for example, operates the operation receiving unit 45 to input the hydrogen tank ID of the hydrogen tank 20 into the information processing device 40. Alternatively, the user may use a barcode scanner (not shown) connected to the information processing device 40 to read code 22, or use a camera (not shown) on the information processing device 40 to read code 22, to input the hydrogen tank ID into the information processing device 40.

[0033] In step S200, the second control unit 41 establishes a correspondence between the hydrogen tank ID entered by the user and the user's identification information and registers it in the storage unit 43. The user's identification information is the personal identification information of the user who has been identified by the second control unit 41 as the user of the information processing device 40. Then, the user installs the hydrogen tank 20, whose hydrogen tank ID has been registered with the information processing device 40, into the connection port 31 of the desired hydrogen consumption device 30.

[0034] The following states will be used as examples to continue. Figure 2Explanation: The user registers the hydrogen tank ID of hydrogen tank 20a with the information processing device 40 and installs hydrogen tank 20a to the connection port 31a of "hydrogen consumption device 30a", which is one of the hydrogen consumption devices 30. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, hydrogen tanks 20 other than hydrogen tank 20a are not registered with the information processing device 40, and no hydrogen tanks 20 other than hydrogen tank 20a are installed on the hydrogen consumption device 30a.

[0035] In the hydrogen consumption device 30a, the first control unit 37 sends the device ID of the hydrogen consumption device 30a to the information processing device 40 via the first wireless communication unit 38 (step S100). The device ID is a unique identification information used to identify each individual hydrogen consumption device 30 and is pre-assigned to each hydrogen consumption device 30. The first control unit 37 executes step S100, for example, when the hydrogen consumption device 30a is started. That is, step S100 is executed when the user starts the hydrogen consumption device 30a.

[0036] In the information processing device 40, the device ID sent in step S100 is received via the second wireless communication unit 42. Consequently, the second control unit 41 establishes a correspondence between the device ID and the hydrogen tank ID and registers it in the storage unit 43 (step S210). That is, the second control unit 41 establishes a correspondence between the user, the registered hydrogen tank ID, and the received device ID, recognizing that the user is using the hydrogen tank 20a for the hydrogen consumption device 30a. However, if the second control unit 41 receives another device ID that has already been corresponded to and registered in the storage unit 43, it does not need to re-establish a correspondence between the device ID and the corresponding hydrogen tank ID and re-register it.

[0037] In the hydrogen consumption device 30a, the first control unit 37 calculates the remaining hydrogen level at the start of use of the hydrogen tank 20a and sends this remaining hydrogen level value to the information processing device 40 via the first wireless communication unit 38 (step S110). The term "start of use" does not need to be strictly defined; for example, the first control unit 37 can calculate the remaining hydrogen level based on the gas pressure and gas temperature detected by the pressure sensor 35 and temperature sensor 36 immediately after the valve 34a is opened to begin supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption unit 33, for example, after a specified number of seconds. Then, the first control unit 37 simply sends this remaining hydrogen level as the remaining hydrogen level at the start of use of the hydrogen tank 20a to the information processing device 40.

[0038] Furthermore, in the hydrogen consumption device 30a, the first control unit 37 calculates the remaining hydrogen level at the end of the use of the hydrogen tank 20a and sends this remaining hydrogen level value to the information processing device 40 via the first wireless communication unit 38 (step S120). The term "end of use" here does not need to be strictly defined. For example, when the first control unit 37 determines that the hydrogen supply to the hydrogen consumption unit 33 is about to end, it can calculate the remaining hydrogen level based on the gas pressure and gas temperature detected by the pressure sensor 35 and temperature sensor 36 respectively before the valve 34a is about to be closed. Then, the first control unit 37 simply sends this remaining hydrogen level as the remaining hydrogen level at the end of the use of the hydrogen tank 20a to the information processing device 40.

[0039] In the information processing device 40, the hydrogen balance at the start of use, transmitted in step S110, is received by the second wireless communication unit 42, thereby the balance acquisition unit 46a acquires the hydrogen balance at the start of use of the hydrogen tank 20a (step S220). Additionally, in the information processing device 40, the hydrogen balance at the end of use, transmitted in step S120, is received by the second wireless communication unit 42, thereby the balance acquisition unit 46a acquires the hydrogen balance at the end of use of the hydrogen tank 20a (step S230).

[0040] The calculation of the remaining hydrogen quantity based on gas pressure and gas temperature can also be performed by the information processing device 40 instead of the hydrogen consumption device 30a. That is, in steps S110 and S120, the first control unit 37 can also send the gas pressure and gas temperature information detected by the pressure sensor 35 and temperature sensor 36 respectively to the information processing device 40 via the first wireless communication unit 38. Then, in steps S220 and S230, the remaining hydrogen quantity acquisition unit 46a can calculate the remaining hydrogen quantity based on the received gas pressure and gas temperature information, thereby obtaining the remaining hydrogen quantity at the start of use of the hydrogen tank 20a, or the remaining hydrogen quantity at the end of use of the hydrogen tank 20a.

[0041] When a user repeatedly starts and stops the hydrogen consumption device 30a while it is installed, i.e., when the hydrogen tank 20a is used intermittently and repeatedly, such as... Figure 2 As shown, steps S100 to S120 are executed repeatedly. Correspondingly, steps S220 and S230 are executed repeatedly in the information processing device 40. The information processing device 40 naturally knows the date and time of receiving the information sent in step S110 and the date and time of receiving the information sent in step S120.

[0042] Therefore, each time steps S220 and S230 are repeated, the remaining hydrogen acquisition unit 46a updates information related to the remaining hydrogen, including the period during which the hydrogen tank 20a was used by the hydrogen consumption device 30a and the amount of hydrogen consumed during that period (hydrogen remaining history record) (step S240). The remaining hydrogen acquisition unit 46a stores the hydrogen remaining history record in the storage unit 43 and updates it. For example, the period from the date and time of receiving the information sent via step S110 to the date and time of receiving the information sent via step S120 is defined as one usage period of the hydrogen tank 20a. In addition, the difference between the remaining hydrogen acquired in step S220 and the remaining hydrogen acquired in step S230 is defined as the amount of hydrogen consumed during that one usage period.

[0043] Furthermore, hydrogen consumption devices 30, which are different from hydrogen consumption device 30a, also undergo steps S100 to S120 in the same manner as hydrogen consumption device 30a. For example, hydrogen consumption device 30a is referred to as "first hydrogen consumption device," and each hydrogen consumption device 30, which is different from hydrogen consumption device 30a, is referred to as "second hydrogen consumption device," "third hydrogen consumption device," etc. The user can install and use the hydrogen tank 20a on various hydrogen consumption devices 30, such as the first hydrogen consumption device, the second hydrogen consumption device, and the third hydrogen consumption device, at the desired time, and can also remove the hydrogen tank 20a.

[0044] Based on this situation, the first hydrogen consumption device, the second hydrogen consumption device, and the third hydrogen consumption device each execute steps S100 to S120 at different times. Therefore, in the information processing device 40 that executes steps S210 to S230 corresponding to steps S100 to S120, the remaining amount acquisition unit 46a obtains the usage period and hydrogen consumption amount of each hydrogen consumption device 30 (device ID) as a historical record of the remaining hydrogen amount of the hydrogen tank 20a (step S240). In this way, the remaining amount acquisition unit 46a acquires the remaining hydrogen amount of the hydrogen tank 20a based on information sent from the hydrogen consumption devices 30 among the multiple hydrogen consumption devices 30 that have installed the hydrogen tank 20a.

[0045] Next, steps S250, S260, and S270 will be described. Each of steps S250, S260, and S270 is executed with reference to the hydrogen balance history updated continuously by the balance acquisition unit 46a as described above. In this embodiment, the timing and number of times steps S250, S260, and S270 are not particularly limited. The second control unit 41 may execute steps S250, S260, and S270 in a specific order, or at least some of them simultaneously. The second control unit 41 may also execute each of steps S250, S260, and S270 according to user operations.

[0046] The calculation unit 46b calculates the operational capacity of each of the multiple hydrogen consumption devices 30 based on the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit 46a, and the display control unit 46e displays the calculation results of the calculation unit 46b on the display unit 44 (step S250). The multiple hydrogen consumption devices 30 referred to here are those whose device IDs are registered in the storage unit 43 at the time of step S250. As an example, the device IDs of the first hydrogen consumption device, the second hydrogen consumption device, and the third hydrogen consumption device are correspondingly registered in the storage unit 43 with the user's and the registered hydrogen tank ID (the hydrogen tank ID of hydrogen tank 20a). According to this example, at the time of step S250, the storage unit 43 is equivalent to "the storage unit that registers information about the multiple hydrogen consumption devices 30".

[0047] The operational capacity varies depending on the hydrogen consumption device 30, such as the travel distance (driving range) and the length of time it can operate. The calculation unit 46b identifies the remaining hydrogen level in the hydrogen tank 20a at that moment by referring to the latest historical hydrogen level record, and calculates the operational capacity of each hydrogen consumption device 30 corresponding to that remaining hydrogen level. The calculation unit 46b can determine the type of hydrogen consumption device 30 based on its device ID. As an example, suppose the first hydrogen consumption device is a fuel cell two-wheeled vehicle, the second hydrogen consumption device is a fuel cell generator, and the third hydrogen consumption device is a hydrogen cooker (see reference). Figure 4 Therefore, the calculation unit 46b uses a prescribed conversion formula and conversion table to convert the remaining hydrogen amount into the travel distance of the fuel cell two-wheeled vehicle, and uses this travel distance as the operating capacity of the first hydrogen consumption device. In addition, the calculation unit 46b converts the remaining hydrogen amount into the operating time of the fuel cell generator and the operating time of the hydrogen cooker, and uses them as the operating capacity of the second and third hydrogen consumption devices respectively.

[0048] The calculation unit 46b calculates the hydrogen usage fee corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed in the hydrogen tank 20a based on the historical records of the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit 46a, and the display control unit 46e displays the calculation result of the calculation unit 46b on the display unit 44 (step S260).

[0049] Figure 3 The historical hydrogen balance of hydrogen tank 20a is simply shown. Figure 3 In a two-dimensional coordinate system where the vertical axis is set to hydrogen balance and the horizontal axis to time, the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit 46a is shown using white and black circles. The white circle indicates the hydrogen balance at the start of use of hydrogen tank 20a, obtained in step S220, and the black circle indicates the hydrogen balance at the end of use of hydrogen tank 20a, obtained in step S230. Figure 3The example illustrates four usage periods of hydrogen tank 20a. The period from time T1 to time T2 is referred to as the first usage period, the period from time T3 to time T4 as the second usage period, the period from time T5 to time T6 as the third usage period, and the period from time T7 to time T8 as the fourth usage period. Each of the first to fourth usage periods refers to the usage period of hydrogen tank 20a when it is installed in any one of the first to third hydrogen consumption devices.

[0050] The difference between the hydrogen balance S1 at the start of the first usage period and the hydrogen balance E1 at the end of the first usage period corresponds to the hydrogen consumption during the first usage period. For hydrogen tank 20a, the initial hydrogen balance S1 at the start of the first usage period can be understood as 100%, for example. Similarly, the difference between the hydrogen balance S2 at the start of the second usage period and the hydrogen balance E2 at the end of the second usage period is the hydrogen consumption during the second usage period. The difference between the hydrogen balance S3 at the start of the third usage period and the hydrogen balance E3 at the end of the third usage period is the hydrogen consumption during the third usage period, and the difference between the hydrogen balance S4 at the start of the fourth usage period and the hydrogen balance E4 at the end of the fourth usage period is the hydrogen consumption during the fourth usage period.

[0051] Since these hydrogen balance values ​​are calculated, for example, the hydrogen balance E1 at the end of the first usage period and the hydrogen balance S2 at the beginning of the second usage period may not be the same. However, since the hydrogen balance E1 and hydrogen balance S2 should theoretically be the same or nearly the same, in Figure 3 In this context, they are simply represented as the same value. For the same reason, in... Figure 3 In this context, the hydrogen balance E2 and hydrogen balance S3 are represented as the same value, and the hydrogen balance E3 and hydrogen balance S4 are represented as the same value.

[0052] The calculation unit 46b, for example, calculates the difference between the maximum hydrogen surplus S1 and the minimum hydrogen surplus E4 obtained from historical hydrogen surplus records as the current hydrogen consumption in the hydrogen tank 20a. Then, based on a prescribed fee schedule, this hydrogen consumption is converted into a hydrogen usage fee.

[0053] The estimation unit 46c estimates the replacement period (tank replacement period) of hydrogen tank 20a based on the historical records of hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit 46a. The display control unit 46e displays the tank replacement period estimated by the estimation unit 46c on the display unit 44 (step S270).

[0054] Inference part 46c is generated in Figure 3 In the two-dimensional coordinate system shown, for example, the straight lines connecting the hydrogen balance S1 at the beginning of the first usage period and the hydrogen balance E1 to E4 at the end of each usage period are taken as inference lines L1 to L4. Figure 3In the diagram, inference lines L1 to L4 are indicated by double-dotted lines. The inference unit 46c infers the tank replacement period when inference lines L1 to L4 reach a specified margin, for example, a hydrogen margin of 10%. Based on... Figure 3 The time when inference line L1 reaches a hydrogen balance of 10% is time Ta. Furthermore, the times when inference lines L2, L3, and L4 each reach a hydrogen balance of 10% are time Tb, Tc, and Td, respectively.

[0055] Therefore, during the period from the end of the first usage period to the end of the second usage period, inference line L1 is valid, and the inference unit 46c infers the tank replacement period as time Ta. Furthermore, during the period from the end of the second usage period to the end of the third usage period, inference line L2 is valid, and the inference unit 46c infers the tank replacement period as time Tb. During the period from the end of the third usage period to the end of the fourth usage period, inference line L3 is valid, and the inference unit 46c infers the tank replacement period as time Tc. From the end of the fourth usage period onwards, inference line L4 is valid, and the inference unit 46c infers the tank replacement period as time Td.

[0056] The inference unit 46c can also set the aforementioned specified margin to 0%. That is, the inference unit 46c can also infer the period when the inference lines L1 to L4 reach 0% hydrogen margin as the tank replacement period. The inference unit 46c's method for inferring the tank replacement period is not limited to the method described above. For example, the inference unit 46c can also generate... Figure 3 The two-dimensional coordinate system shown is a straight line or curve that approximates the coordinates of each hydrogen balance. The period when the straight line or curve generated by this approximation reaches the specified balance is inferred as the tank replacement period.

[0057] Figure 4 The display control unit 46e displays the hydrogen tank information screen 47 shown on the display unit 44. The result of step S250, for example, is that the operability 47a, along with the user's identification information and the hydrogen tank ID of the hydrogen tank 20a, is displayed on the hydrogen tank information screen 47. According to... Figure 4 The operational capacity 47a displays the travel distance and operating time calculated by the calculation unit 46b for each hydrogen-consuming device 30, registered by device ID such as fuel cell two-wheeled vehicles, fuel cell generators, and hydrogen cookers. The device ID of each hydrogen-consuming device 30 can also be displayed on the hydrogen tank information screen 47. Through the display of this hydrogen tank information screen 47, the user can know specifically how much hydrogen is still usable when the hydrogen tank 20a is installed for each of the multiple hydrogen-consuming devices 30.

[0058] according to Figure 4The result of step S260 is the hydrogen usage fee 47b calculated by the calculation unit 46b, displayed on the hydrogen tank information screen 47. Thus, the user can know the hydrogen usage fee corresponding to the hydrogen consumption of the hydrogen tank 20a to date. Furthermore, according to... Figure 4 The result of step S270 is that the hydrogen tank information screen 47 displays the tank replacement period 47c predicted by the inference unit 46c. Thus, the user can know when the hydrogen tank 20a should be replaced with a new hydrogen tank 20.

[0059] according to Figure 4 The operational capacity 47a, hydrogen usage fee 47b, and tank replacement period 47c are simultaneously displayed on the hydrogen tank information screen 47, but this is just one example. The display control unit 46e can display the operational capacity 47a, hydrogen usage fee 47b, and tank replacement period 47c simultaneously on a common screen, or it can display each one on different screens at different times. For example, the user can switch the screen of the display unit 44 to display each of the operational capacity 47a, hydrogen usage fee 47b, and tank replacement period 47c.

[0060] In step S270, the inference unit 46c may also infer the tank replacement period from the period earlier than the period when the hydrogen tank 20a was emptied, based on the historical record of the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit 46a. Figure 3 The times Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td shown are examples of periods earlier than the time when hydrogen tank 20a becomes empty. Furthermore, the display control unit 46e can also display a notification prompting the replacement of hydrogen tank 20a on the display unit 44 when the replacement period predicted by the prediction unit 46c is reached.

[0061] Figure 5 The display control unit 46e causes the display unit 44 to display the hydrogen tank information screen 47, showing the information related to... Figure 4 Different examples. According to... Figure 5 The hydrogen tank information screen 47 displays a tank replacement request notification 47d. Tank replacement request notification 47d is an example of a notification prompting the replacement of hydrogen tank 20a. The estimation unit 46c, for example, estimates the time Td as the tank replacement period. When the current date and time reach time Td, the display control unit 46e displays the tank replacement request notification 47d on the display unit 44. Thus, the user recognizes that hydrogen tank 20a should be replaced. The tank replacement request notification 47d may also include an order button 47d1 for hydrogen tank 20. The user can operate the order button 47d1. When the order button 47d1 is operated, the information processing device 40 notifies the aforementioned company of the hydrogen tank 20 replacement order via email or any other communication means.

[0062] This embodiment has been described in the context of a user installing and using a single hydrogen tank 20a in various hydrogen consumption devices 30. Alternatively, a user can use multiple hydrogen tanks 20. For example, suppose that the hydrogen tank IDs of each of the hydrogen tanks 20a and 20b are registered in the storage unit 43 in correspondence with the user's identification information. In this case, the information processing device 40 performs steps S210 to S270 according to the hydrogen tank 20. In the hydrogen consumption device 30, the first control unit 37 can determine when and which hydrogen tank 20 is used by opening and closing each valve 34. Therefore, when the first control unit 37 sends information such as the remaining hydrogen level to the information processing device 40 in steps S110 and S120, it also sends information corresponding to this information, identifying the hydrogen tank 20 (hydrogen tank ID, etc.). Upon receiving this information, the second control unit 41 monitors the remaining hydrogen level for each of the hydrogen tanks 20a and 20b. Therefore, the second control unit 41 can provide the user with information such as the available capacity 47a, hydrogen usage fee 47b, tank replacement period 47c, and tank replacement request notification 47d for each hydrogen tank 20, such as hydrogen tanks 20a and 20b.

[0063] (Second Embodiment)

[0064] Next, the second embodiment will be described. Regarding the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be explained, while the descriptions common to the first embodiment will be omitted. Figure 6 This is a diagram used to illustrate the second embodiment. Figure 6 The flowchart is executed by the evaluation unit 46d, which includes the information processing device 40.

[0065] From the perspective of the information processing device 40, the management device 50 is an external device, such as the PC, server, or other information processing device used by the aforementioned enterprise. Alternatively, the management device 50 may also be a hydrogen consumption device 30. Or, if the information processing device 40 is a system implemented by multiple devices connected in a communicable manner, the management device 50 may be a device included in such a system (information processing device 40). The management device 50 may be part of the system 10 or may not be included in the system 10.

[0066] The management device 50 naturally possesses typical functions as an information processing unit, including a processor for executing programs, a memory, communication functions with external systems, and a user interface. The third control unit 51, acting as the controller of the management device 50, obtains the final hydrogen balance E0 of the hydrogen tank 20a from an external source. The final hydrogen balance E0 is the hydrogen balance measured in the hydrogen tank 20a recycled from the user. For example, a company receiving the aforementioned replacement order provides a new hydrogen tank 20 to the user and recycles unwanted hydrogen tanks 20a from the user. The company then measures the hydrogen balance of the recycled hydrogen tank 20a and inputs the measurement result as the hydrogen balance E0 into the management device 50. The management device 50 does not particularly limit the method for obtaining the hydrogen balance E0.

[0067] The third control unit 51 sends the final hydrogen balance E0 and the initial hydrogen balance S0 of the hydrogen tank 20a to the second control unit 41, and the evaluation unit 46d obtains the hydrogen balance S0 and the hydrogen balance E0. The initial hydrogen balance S0 is the hydrogen balance measured in the hydrogen tank 20a before delivery to the user, for example, by the company in advance. Alternatively, the hydrogen balance S0 is a value determined according to the specifications of the hydrogen tank 20a. The third control unit 51 has such an initial hydrogen balance S0 as information.

[0068] Hydrogen balance S0 and hydrogen balance E0 are examples of the hydrogen balance obtained by the management device 50 from the hydrogen tank 20a, i.e., the "second hydrogen balance". The evaluation unit 46d obtains the second hydrogen balance from the management device 50 and evaluates the difference between the second hydrogen balance and the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit 46a (step S300). The hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit 46a in the evaluation in step S300 is the hydrogen balance S1 at the beginning of the first use period of the hydrogen tank 20a (refer to...). Figure 3 The hydrogen balance E4 is the hydrogen balance Ex obtained at the end of the recovery process 46a. For example, if the fourth usage period is the last usage period before recovery for hydrogen tank 20a, then the hydrogen balance E4 is equivalent to the hydrogen balance Ex.

[0069] The evaluation methods in step S300 are varied. For example, the evaluation section 46d evaluates whether the following inequalities A, B, and C are true.

[0070] Equation A: |S0-S1|≤TH1

[0071] Equation B: |E0-Ex|≤TH2

[0072] Equation C: |(S0-E0)-(S1-Ex)|≤TH3

[0073] The specified values ​​TH1, TH2, and TH3 are preset thresholds. TH1, TH2, and TH3 can be the same value or different values. According to Equation A, the difference between the initial hydrogen balance S0 of the hydrogen tank 20a identified by the management device 50 and the initial hydrogen balance S1 of the hydrogen tank 20a identified by the information processing device 40 based on information from the hydrogen consumption device 30 on which the hydrogen tank 20a is installed is evaluated. According to Equation B, the difference between the final hydrogen balance E0 of the hydrogen tank 20a identified by the management device 50 and the final hydrogen balance Ex of the hydrogen tank 20a identified by the information processing device 40 based on information from the hydrogen consumption device 30 on which the hydrogen tank 20a is installed is evaluated. According to Equation C, the difference between the hydrogen consumption (S0-E0) of the hydrogen tank 20a identified by the management device 50 and the hydrogen consumption (S1-Ex) of the hydrogen tank 20a identified by the information processing device 40 based on information from the hydrogen consumption device 30 on which the hydrogen tank 20a is installed is evaluated.

[0074] If the evaluation unit 46d evaluates that the difference is below a predetermined value ("Yes" in step S310), the process proceeds to step S320; if the evaluation determines that the difference exceeds a predetermined value ("No" in step S310), the process proceeds to step S330. For example, if one or more of equations A, B, and C are not true, the evaluation unit 46d determines "No" in step S310. In step S330, the display control unit 46e displays a predetermined alarm on the display unit 44.

[0075] The aforementioned alarm is based on the information sent by the hydrogen consumption device 30 with hydrogen tank 20a installed, indicating that an accurate hydrogen balance cannot be obtained. More specifically, the display control unit 46e can notify the user of any concerns regarding abnormalities or malfunctions in the pressure sensor 35, temperature sensor 36, controller (first control unit 37), etc., of the hydrogen consumption device 30. Additionally, the display control unit 46e can also include information confirming the installation and use of the hydrogen consumption device 30 with hydrogen tank 20a, such as the device ID, in the alarm and notify the user. In step S320, the flowchart ends without displaying the aforementioned alarm. According to this second embodiment, the user can recognize that an accurate hydrogen balance cannot be obtained based on the information sent by the hydrogen consumption device 30 with hydrogen tank 20a installed. As a result, the user can, for example, stop using the hydrogen consumption device 30.

[0076] (Third Embodiment)

[0077] The management device 50 can also execute at least a portion of the processes described as being executed by the information processing device 40 in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the management device 50 can also execute at least a portion of the processes described as being executed by the information processing device 40 in the first embodiment. That is, through communication between the information processing device 40 and the management device 50, the management device 50 can appropriately obtain the necessary information from the information processing device 40 to perform the required actions. Figure 2 The processing is shown.

[0078] Since the management device 50 can obtain the hydrogen balance S0 and the hydrogen balance E0, it can accurately calculate the hydrogen usage fee of the hydrogen tank 20a based on the difference between the hydrogen balance S0 and the hydrogen balance E0. Therefore, the management device 50 can display the hydrogen usage fee calculated based on the difference between the hydrogen balance S0 and the hydrogen balance E0 on the display unit 44 of the information processing device 40 or other display devices to notify the user. The display of the hydrogen usage fee calculated based on the difference between the hydrogen balance S0 and the hydrogen balance E0 can be performed in place of the display involved in step S260, or it can be performed as a different process than the display involved in step S260.

[0079] The specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the technical solutions. The technology described in the technical solutions includes embodiments obtained by various modifications and alterations to the specific examples described above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exert their technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the technical solutions at the time of application. In addition, the technology illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

Claims

1. An information processing device, wherein, have: The storage department registers information on multiple hydrogen-consuming devices that operate by receiving hydrogen supplies from loading and unloading hydrogen tanks. The remaining amount acquisition unit acquires the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank based on information sent from the hydrogen consumption device that has the hydrogen tank installed among the plurality of hydrogen consumption devices; The calculation unit calculates the operational capacity of each of the plurality of hydrogen consumption devices based on the hydrogen surplus obtained by the surplus acquisition unit; and The display control unit displays the calculation results of the calculation unit on a designated display unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The calculation unit calculates the hydrogen usage fee corresponding to the amount of hydrogen consumed in the hydrogen tank based on the historical records of the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The system includes an inference unit that estimates the replacement period of the hydrogen tank based on the historical records of the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance acquisition unit. The display control unit causes the replacement period inferred by the inference unit to be displayed on the display unit.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The inference unit uses the historical records to infer the replacement period from a period earlier than the time when the hydrogen tank was emptied. When the replacement period predicted by the inference unit is reached, the display control unit displays a notification prompting the replacement of the hydrogen tank on the display unit.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, An evaluation unit is provided that obtains a second hydrogen balance, which is the hydrogen balance of the hydrogen tank obtained by the management device, from the management device, and evaluates the difference between the second hydrogen balance and the hydrogen balance obtained by the balance obtaining unit. If the evaluation unit determines that the difference exceeds a predetermined value, the display control unit displays a predetermined alarm on the display unit.

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