Control unit, system, external server and notification procedure

Abstract

A battery information server (100) (control unit) includes a processor (110) that acquires position information of an electric vehicle (300) (vehicle) and battery information based on a battery pack ID (information) of a battery pack (320) (battery) installed in the electric vehicle (300). The battery information server (100) includes a communication unit (130) and a processor (112) (third processor). The processor (112) determines whether or not the battery pack (320) complies with battery regulations in a country (area) corresponding to the position information based on information about the battery regulations set in advance for each country and the battery information. If it is determined that the battery pack (320) does not comply with the battery regulations, the communication unit (130) transmits a determination result by the processor (112) to the electric vehicle (300).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-201946 filed on Nov. 29, 2023 in the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUNDField of InterestThe present disclosure relates to a control device, a system, an external server, and a notification method.Description of the Prior ArtJapanese Patent Application No. 2012-128548 discloses a vehicle whose battery is replaceable in a battery distributor. A battery installed in the vehicle as a result of the battery replacement includes an IC chip on which an ID is stored. Code information is printed on a package of the battery. The ID is read by the vehicle and transmitted to a center. The code information is read in the battery distributor and transmitted to the central station. The center checks whether the ID and the code information constitute an allowed sentence or not. When the ID and the code information constitute the permitted set, the use of the battery is permitted.SUMMARYIn Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-128548, it is determined whether or not the battery is an allowed product, whereas it is not determined whether or not the battery complies with the battery laws and regulations (hereinafter, also battery regulations) in an area where the vehicle is used.The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problem, and its object is to provide a control apparatus, a system, an external server, and a notification method with which use of a battery that does not conform to battery regulations in an area in which a vehicle is used can be prevented.A control apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication unit, a first processor including an information acquisition unit, a second processor that controls the communication unit, and a third processor. The information acquisition unit acquires position information of a vehicle and battery information based on information on a battery mounted in the vehicle. The third processor determines whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the individual areas and the battery information. When it is determined that the battery does not conform to the battery regulations, the communication unit transmits a determination result by the processor to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal belonging to a user of the vehicle.In the control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, as set forth above, when it is determined that the battery does not conform to the battery regulations in the area corresponding to the position information, the determination result is transmitted by the third processor to at least one of the vehicle and the user's terminal. The user may thus recognize that the battery is not compliant with the battery regulations in the area. Thus, the user can be prompted to leave the area or to replace the battery with another battery. The use of the battery that does not conform to the battery regulations in the area in which the vehicle is deployed can thus be prevented.In the control apparatus according to the first aspect, preferably, the communication unit transmits, to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal, information on a device in which battery replacement can be performed with another battery conforming to the battery regulations in the area corresponding to the position information, together with the determination result. According to such a configuration, the user can be prompted to replace the electric vehicle-mounted battery that does not conform to the battery regulations with another battery that conforms to the battery regulations.In the control apparatus according to the first aspect, preferably, the third processor determines that the battery is not in compliance with the battery regulations when the battery mounted on the vehicle is an unauthorized product. According to such a configuration, the user can be prompted to end use of an unauthorized battery.In the control apparatus according to the first aspect, preferably, the third processor determines conformity of the battery with the battery regulations corresponding to the changed area when the area corresponding to the position information changes. According to such a configuration, the above determination can be prevented from being made even though the area where the electric vehicle is located has not changed. Consequently, the processing load of the controller can be reduced.Preferably, in this case, when the vehicle is in an area where the battery regulations apply with which the battery does not conform, for a prescribed period or longer, the communication unit transmits the determination result to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal. According to such a configuration, the transmission of the above-mentioned result of the determination made only due to temporary (temporary) entry of the vehicle into the area to the user can be prevented. Consequently, the processing load of the controller can be reduced.The control device according to the first aspect preferably includes a memory in which information on the battery regulations corresponding to the respective areas is stored. According to such a configuration, it can be determined whether or not the battery conforms to the battery regulations in each area without externally obtaining information on the battery regulations corresponding to the respective areas.A system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes the controller according to the first aspect and at least one of a vehicle and a terminal belonging to a user of the vehicle. The controller determines whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information of the vehicle based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the individual areas and battery information based on information about a battery installed in the vehicle, and, when it is determined that the battery does not conform to the battery regulations, transmits a result of the determination to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal.As described above, in the system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the determination result is transmitted to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal when the battery is not compliant with the battery regulations. In this way, a system may be provided that may prevent the use of a battery that does not conform to battery regulations in the area in which the vehicle is being used.An external server according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes an information acquisition unit that acquires position information of a vehicle and battery information based on information on a battery mounted in the vehicle. The external server includes a determination unit that determines whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the respective areas and the battery information.As set forth above, the external server according to the third aspect of the present disclosure determines whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in the area corresponding to the position information, based on the battery regulations information and the battery information set in advance for the individual areas. Thus, a user of the vehicle can recognize that the battery is not compliant with the battery regulations in the area based on the determination result by the determination unit in the external server. Consequently, the external server can be provided that can prevent the use of the battery that does not conform to the battery regulations in the area in which the vehicle is used.A notification method according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes: acquiring position information of a vehicle; acquiring battery information based on information about a battery mounted in the vehicle; determining, based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the individual areas and the battery information, whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information; and transmitting a determination result to at least one of the vehicle, the terminal belonging to a user of the vehicle when it is determined that the battery does not conform to the battery regulations.As set forth above, in the notification method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the determination result is transmitted to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal of a user when it is determined that the battery is not compliant with the battery regulations in the area corresponding to the position information. In this way, the notification method may be provided with which usage of the battery that does not conform to the battery regulations in the area in which the vehicle is being used.The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of this disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information stored in a memory of a battery information server according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control in the system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating information displayed on an automotive navigation device of an electric vehicle, according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information displayed on a user terminal according to a modification of an embodiment, according to an embodiment.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSHereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and will not be described again.<System Configuration>FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system 1 according to the present embodiment. The system 1 includes a battery information server 100, a smart center 200, and an electric vehicle 300. FIG. 1 shows a user terminal 400 (e.g., a smartphone) belonging to a user of the electric vehicle 300. The battery information server 100 in the present disclosure represents an exemplary "controller" and an exemplary "external server". The electric vehicle 300 and the user terminal 400 represent an exemplary "vehicle" and an exemplary "terminal", respectively, in the present disclosure.The electric vehicle 300 includes, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).The electric vehicle 300 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 310, a battery pack 320, a human machine interface (HMI) device 330, a data communication module (DCM) 340, and a global positioning system (GPS) module 350. The battery pack 320 represents an example "battery" in the present disclosure.The electric power for driving the electric vehicle 300 is stored in the battery pack 320. A plurality of cells are accommodated in the battery pack 320. The battery pack 320 is provided in the electric vehicle 300 interchangeably with another battery pack in a battery replacement apparatus, which is not illustrated, or at a dealer.The battery pack 320 is made of, for example, lithium ferrous sulfate (LFP) batteries. The battery pack 320 may also be made of batteries (for example, ternary batteries) other than the LFP batteries.For the battery pack 320, ID information (hereinafter, referred to as battery pack ID) is set. The battery pack ID is stored in a not-shown memory or the like for the battery pack 320. The battery pack ID is transmitted to the DCM 340 via the controller area network (CAN) communication. The battery pack ID represents "information about the battery" by way of example in the present disclosure.The HMI device 330 includes, for example, an auto navigation device 331 (see FIG. 4 ) or a speaker not shown.The DCM 340 is configured to communicate with both the battery information server 100 (a communication unit 130 described below) and the smart center 200 (a communication unit 230 described below). The electric vehicle 300 can thus exchange various kinds of information with the battery information server 100 and the smart center 200 via DCM 340.The GPS module 350 receives a GPS signal transmitted from at least three (preferably at least four) satellites via the electric vehicle 300 and determines a position of the electric vehicle 300 (object vehicle). The position information of the electric vehicle 300 determined by the GPS module 350 is transmitted to the DCM 340 via CAN communication. The GPS module 350 may be included in the car navigation device 331 (see FIG. 4 ).The ECU 310 is configured to transmit and receive information to and from the battery pack 320, the HMI device 330, the DCM 340, and the GPS module 350 and control the individual devices. The detailed control by the ECU 310 will be described later.The battery information server 100 includes a processor 110, a processor 111, a processor 112, a memory 120, and a communication unit 130. The processor 110 includes an information acquisition unit 110 a. The processor 111 controls the communication unit 130. The processor 112 in the present disclosure represents an example "third processor" and an example "determination unit". The processor 110 and processor 111 in the present disclosure represent an example "first processor" and an example "second processor", respectively. An information acquisition unit 110 amay represent software that is a functional feature of the processor 110 expressed as a block.The memory 120 stores not only a program to be executed by the individual processors 110, 111, and 112 but also information (e.g., a map, a mathematical expression, and various parameters) used in the program. The memory 120 represents an example "memory" in the present disclosure.As shown in FIG. 2, in the memory 120, information on battery law and regulation information (hereinafter referred to as battery law information) set in advance for each country is stored. Specifically, the memory 120 stores a table 121 in which battery policy information corresponding to a country and the country are associated with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the battery regulation information corresponding to France is expressed as battery regulation information F. The battery regulation information corresponding to Germany is expressed as battery regulation information G. The battery regulation information corresponding to Italy is expressed as battery regulation information I. The battery policy information includes, for example, information on a minimum value of a percentage of recyclable material.Further, the storage 120 stores the battery information corresponding to each of a plurality of battery packs registered in the battery information server 100. Specifically, the storage 120 stores a table 122 in which the battery pack ID, battery information corresponding to the battery pack ID, and a location of the battery pack are associated with each other. The battery information includes information on a percentage of recyclable material or the like. The recycleable material percentage information in the present disclosure represents exemplary "battery information".As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication unit 130 is configured to communicate with the DCM 340 of the electric vehicle 300 and the smart center 200 (the communication unit 230 described later).The smart center 200 includes a processor 210, a memory 220, and a communication unit 230. In the memory 220, not only a program to be executed by the processor 210 is stored, but also information (for example, a map, a mathematical expression, and various parameters) to be used in the program is stored.The communication unit 230 is configured to communicate with both the DCM 340 of the electric vehicle 300 and the communication unit 130 of the battery information server 100. The communication unit 230 is controlled by the processor 210.The conventional controller does not determine whether or not a battery pack satisfies battery regulations in an area where the vehicle is used. Therefore, a battery pack that does not meet the battery regulations can be used.In the present embodiment, the processor 112 of the battery information server 100 determines whether the battery pack 320 is compliant with the battery regulations in a country corresponding to the position information of the electric vehicle 300 based on battery regulation information set in advance for each country and the battery information of the battery pack 320. Then, when it is determined that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations, the communication unit 130 of the battery information server 100 transmits the determination result by the processor 112 to the electric vehicle 300 (DCM 340). The details will be described with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 3. The country represents an example "area" in the present disclosure.< In System>FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sequence control in the system 1. The processing in the electric vehicle 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 is executed by the ECU 310. Processing in the smart center 200 is performed by the processor 210.In step S 1, the electric vehicle 300 acquires position information of the electric vehicle 300 (itself) with the GPS module 350. The processing in step S 1 may be executed every prescribed period (for example, one second).In step S 2, the electric vehicle 300 transmits the position information acquired in step S 1 to the smart center 200 via the DCM 340.In step S 3, the smart center 200 determines a country where the electric vehicle 300 is located (location country) based on the position information transmitted from the electric vehicle 300 in step S 2.In step S 4, the smart center 200 determines whether or not the location country determined in step S 3 has changed from the previously determined location country. It may be determined whether or not the location country of the electric vehicle 300 has changed from a country where the electric vehicle 300 is normally used (e.g., the user's residence country). When the country of location has changed (Yes in S 4), the process proceeds to step S 5. If the country of location has not changed (No in S 4), the process ends in the smart center 200.In step S 5, the smart center 200 220 notifies the electric vehicle 300 and the battery information server 100 of the location country determined in step S 3 via the communication unit. Thereafter, the process ends in the smart center 200.In step S 6, the electric vehicle 300 determines whether or not it has received the notification in step S 5. When the electric vehicle has received the notification in step S 5 (Yes in S 6), the process proceeds to step S 7. When the electric vehicle has not received the notification in step S 5 (No in S 6), the process in the electric vehicle 300 ends.In step S 7, the electric vehicle 300 acquires the battery pack ID from the battery pack 320.In step S 8, the electric vehicle 300 transmits information through the DCM 340 to the battery information server 100 (the communication unit 130) via the battery pack ID obtained in step S 7. When the electric vehicle 300 has not obtained the battery pack ID in step S 7, it notifies the battery information server 100 via DCM 340 that it has not obtained the battery pack ID. The case that the battery pack ID cannot be acquired is due to the battery pack 320 being an unauthorized product, or the like. This notification may be transmitted to the battery information server 100 via the smart center 200.In step S 9, the battery information server 100 determines whether or not the processor 110 (the information acquisition unit 110 a) has acquired information on the location country in step S 5. When the battery information server 100 has obtained the information on the location country (Yes in S 9), the process proceeds to step S 10. When the battery information server 100 has not obtained the information on the location country (No in S 9), the process ends in the battery information server 100.In step S 10, the battery information server 100 determines whether or not the processor 110 (the information acquisition unit 110 a) has acquired the information on the battery pack ID in step S 7. When battery information server 100 has obtained the information about the battery pack ID (YES in S 10), the process proceeds to step S 11. When the battery information server 100 has not obtained the information about the battery pack ID (NO in S 10), the process proceeds to step S 12.In step S 11, the battery information server 100 (the processor 112) determines whether or not the received battery pack ID is an unauthorized ID. For example, when the received battery pack ID is not included in the battery pack IDs in table 122 (see FIG. 2 ), the battery information server 100 determines that the received battery pack ID is an unauthorized ID. When the battery pack ID is the prohibited ID (YES in S 11), the process proceeds to step S 12. When the battery pack ID is not the prohibited ID (NO in S 11), the process proceeds to step S 13.In step S 12, the battery information server 100 (the processor 112) identifies the battery pack 320 installed in the electric vehicle 300 as an unauthorized product, and determines that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S 16.In step S 13, the battery information server 100 (the processor 112) acquires, based on information in table 122, the battery information corresponding to the received battery pack ID (see FIG. 2 ). The battery information server 100 (the processor 112) then determines whether or not the battery pack 320 conforms to the battery regulations in the location country based on the information in table 121 (see FIG. 2 ) and the battery information. For example, it is determined whether the percentage of recyclable material corresponding to the obtained battery information is equal to or greater than a minimum value of the percentage of recyclable material defined by the battery regulations information in the location country. When the battery pack 320 complies with the battery regulations (Yes in S 13), the process ends in the battery information server 100. If the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations (No in S 13), the process proceeds to step S 14.In step S 14, the battery information server 100 (the processor 112) determines whether or not the electric vehicle 300 is in the location country (the country corresponding to the battery policy information in S 13). For example, it determines that the electric vehicle 300 is in the location country when the battery information server 100 has not newly obtained the notification in step S 5. When the electric vehicle 300 is in the location country (Yes in S 14), the process proceeds to step S 15. When the electric vehicle 300 is not in the location country (No in S 14), the process returns to step S 10.In step S 15, the battery information server 100 (the processor 112) determines whether or not a stay period of the electric vehicle 300 in the location country is equal to or longer than one week. For example, when one week or longer has elapsed since the receipt of the notification in step S 5, the battery information server 100 determines that the stay period of the electric vehicle 300 in the location country is equal to or longer than one week. When the stay period in the location country is equal to or longer than one week (Yes in S 15), the process proceeds to step S 16. If the stay period in the location country is shorter than one week (No in S 15), the process returns to step S 14. A criterion in step S 15 does not need to be set to one week. A period other than one week may be defined as a criterion as long as the period may serve as a threshold for determination as temporarily stay of the electric vehicle 300 in the location country for traveling or the like.In step S 16, the battery information server 100 (the processor 111) transmits information indicating that the battery pack 320 does not conform to the battery regulations to the electric vehicle 300 via the communication unit 130. The information may be transmitted to the electric vehicle 300 via the smart center 200.In step S 17, the battery information server 100 (the processor 111) transmits information to the electric vehicle 300 via the communication unit 130 via a device in which battery replacement with another battery pack conforming to the battery regulations in the Location Country can be performed. The information may be transmitted to the electric vehicle 300 via the smart center 200. The process in steps S 9 to S 17 illustrates an exemplary "notification method" in the present disclosure.In step S 18, the electric vehicle 300 displays the information from step S 16 and the information from step S 17 on the car navigation device 331 (see FIG. 4 ).As shown in FIG. 4, a message 331 b "assembled battery is not compliant with the battery regulations in the location country" is displayed on a display screen 331 aof the car navigation device 331. Further, on the display screen 331 a, a code 331 ccorresponding to a facility in which battery replacement with another battery pack conforming to the battery regulations in the location country can be performed is displayed. When the user selects the code 331c on the display screen 331a, a home page (a screen for reservation of battery replacement in the facility) or the like of the facility may be displayed. The device corresponding to the code 331 cmay be a device closest to the electric vehicle 300. The code 331 cmay be, for example, a QR-Code® or a barcode.Further, an incentive may be presented to the user when using the device according to code 331c. The incentive is, for example, to sacrifice or reduce the cost of battery replacement.As set forth above, in the present embodiment, the battery information server 100 (the processor 112) determines whether the battery pack 320 conforms to the battery regulations in the country corresponding to the position information of the electric vehicle 300 based on the battery regulations information set in advance for each country and the battery information of the battery pack 320. When it is determined that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations, the battery information server 100 (the communication unit 130) transmits the determination result to the electric vehicle 300. Thus, the user of the electric vehicle 300 using the battery pack 320 that is not compliant with the battery regulations in the location country may be aware that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations. Consequently, further use of the battery pack 320, which is not compliant with battery regulations, can be prevented by the user. Thus, the use of the battery pack 320 that does not meet the battery regulations in the area where the electric vehicle 300 is used can be prevented.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the information on the device in which battery replacement can be made is notified to the user together with the notification that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations (the determination result), the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The user may also be only notified that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the user is notified that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery policy information when the battery pack 320 is an unauthorized product, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The user may be notified that the battery pack 320 is an unauthorized product or the battery pack 320 has not been registered in the battery information server 100 when the battery pack 320 is an unauthorized product.Although the embodiment shows the example that the conformity of the battery pack 320 is determined when the country (area) in which the electric vehicle 300 is located changes, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the conformance of the battery pack 320 may be determined each time the position information of the electric vehicle 300 is obtained.Although the embodiment shows the example that the notification that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations is transmitted when the electric vehicle 300 is located in the country (the area) in which the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations for one week (prescribed period) or longer, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The notification that the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations may be made at the time of entry of the electric vehicle 300 into the country (area) where the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the battery policy information corresponding to each country (each area) is stored in the memory 120 of the battery information server 100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The battery information server 100 may receive, from a cloud, the battery policy information stored in the cloud.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the battery pack 320 that is not compliant with the battery regulations is displayed on the car navigation device 331, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The battery pack 320 that is not compliant with the battery regulations may be displayed on the user terminal 400. The battery pack 320 that does not conform to the battery regulations may be displayed on both the car navigation device 331 and the user terminal 400.In an example shown in FIG. 5, a message 420 is displayed on a display screen 410 of the user terminal 400 indicating: "Assembled battery is not compliant with battery regulations in the Location Country.". Further, displayed on the display screen 410 is code 430 that indicates information about a facility where battery replacement can be made with another battery pack that conforms to the battery regulations in the location country.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the electric vehicle 300 is provided in the system 1, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Instead of the electric vehicle 300, a user terminal 400 can also be provided in the system 1. In this case, the electric vehicle 300 shown in FIG. 3 is controlled by the user terminal 400.Although the embodiment shows the example in which it is determined whether the battery pack 320 in which electric power for the operation of the electric vehicle 300 is stored is compliant with the battery regulations, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It may also be determined whether or not an auxiliary battery or a portable battery of the electric vehicle 300 complies with battery regulations.Although the embodiment shows the example in which it is determined whether or not the battery pack 320 is compliant with the battery regulations, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It may also be determined whether or not each of the plurality of cells housed in the battery pack 320 conforms to the battery regulations. In this case, an individual ID is set for each cell.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the battery information server 100 determines whether or not the battery pack 320 is compliant with the battery regulations, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The ECU of the electric vehicle may also determine whether or not the battery pack 320 complies with the battery regulations. In this case, the electric vehicle 300 may externally acquire the battery regulation information for each country (area).Although the embodiment shows the example in which it is determined whether the battery pack 320 is compliant with the battery regulations set in advance for each country, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, it may also be determined whether or not the battery pack 320 is compliant with the battery regulations set for each individual area in a country.Although the embodiment shows the example where information on the location of the battery pack is stored in the memory 120 of the battery information server 100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The battery pack location information need not be stored in the memory 120.Although the embodiment shows the example that the notification of the battery pack 320 is not compliant with the battery regulations, and the notification of a device in which battery replacement can be made is displayed on the car navigation device 331, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The notification may be transmitted as sound from a speaker or the like.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the system 1 includes the smart center 200 and the battery information server 100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A control system may also include a single server, which is an integration of smart center 200 and battery information server 100.Although the embodiment shows the example in which the battery pack ID is transmitted from the electric vehicle 300 to the battery information server 100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Also, the battery information (for example, the recycleable material percentage information) may be transmitted from the electric vehicle 300 to the battery information server 100.Although the embodiment shows the example in which a processor 110, a processor 111, and a processor 112 that perform different controls are provided in the battery information server 100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, only a single processor capable of executing control by each of the processors 110, 111, and 112 may be provided in the battery information server.The control in the above embodiment and various modifications may be implemented in combination.Although an embodiment of the present disclosure is described above, the embodiment disclosed herein is exemplary in all respects and is not limiting. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the wording of the claims and is intended to include all changes within the scope and meaning corresponding to the wording of the claims.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedJP 2023-201946

[0001] JP 2012-128548 [0003, 0004]

Claims

A control apparatus (100) comprising: a communication unit (130); a first processor (110) including an information acquisition unit (110a); a second processor (111) that controls the communication unit; and a third processor (112), wherein the information acquisition unit acquires position information of a vehicle (300) and battery information based on information about a battery (320) mounted in the vehicle, the third processor determines whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the individual areas and the battery information, and when it is determined that the battery does not conform to the battery regulations, the communication unit transmits a determination result by the third processor to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal (400) belonging to a user of the vehicle.The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits, to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal, information about a device in which battery replacement can be performed with another battery conforming to the battery regulations in the area corresponding to the position information, together with the determination result.The controller of claim 1 or 2, wherein if the vehicle-mounted battery is an unauthorized product, the third processor determines that the battery is not compliant with battery regulations.The controller of claim 1 or 2, wherein when the area corresponding to the position information changes, the third processor determines conformity of the battery with the battery regulations corresponding to the changed area.The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the vehicle is in an area where the battery regulations to which the battery does not conform apply for a prescribed period or longer, the communication unit transmits the determination result to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal.The controller according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a memory (120) storing information on the battery regulations corresponding to the respective areas.A system (1) comprising: the controller according to claim 1 or 2; and at least one of a vehicle (300) and a terminal (400) belonging to a user of the vehicle, wherein the controller determines whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information of the vehicle based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the individual areas and battery information based on information about a battery (320) installed in the vehicle, and transmits a determination result to at least one of the vehicle and the terminal when it is determined that the battery does not conform to the battery regulations.An external server (100) comprising: an information obtaining unit (110a) that obtains position information of a vehicle (300) and battery information based on information about a battery (320) mounted in the vehicle; and a determining unit (112) that determines whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the respective areas and the battery information.A notification method, comprising: acquiring position information of a vehicle (300); acquiring battery information based on information about a battery (320) installed in the vehicle; determining, based on information about battery regulations set in advance for the individual areas and the battery information, whether the battery conforms to the battery regulations in an area corresponding to the position information; and transmitting a determination result to at least one of the vehicle, the terminal (400) belonging to a user of the vehicle when it is determined that the battery does not conform to the battery regulations.

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