Server for controlling battery

Abstract

To specify positional information of a stolen battery.SOLUTION: A server 20 according to an embodiment comprises: a monitoring unit 21 that monitors positional information of a battery device 10 installed in an electric vehicle 1; and a control unit 22 that determines whether to prohibit charging or discharging of the battery device 10. When it is determined that the battery device 10 has been stolen, the control unit 22 determines to prohibit charging or discharging of the battery device 10 based on the positional information of the battery device 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server that controls a battery. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for preventing theft of a battery device by a battery device with a communication function transmitting location information to a server (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-291110 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, because the battery device constantly transmits location information, the location information at the time the battery device was removed cannot be identified, and it is therefore impossible to determine where the battery device was stolen.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a control server for a battery that can specify the location information of a stolen battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The server in one embodiment is a server that manages an electric vehicle equipped with a battery device, and includes a monitoring unit that monitors location information of the battery device, and a control unit that decides whether to prohibit charging or discharging of the battery device, and the control unit decides to prohibit charging or discharging of the battery device when it can be determined that the battery device has been stolen based on the location information of the battery device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control server for a battery that is capable of identifying the location information of a stolen battery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a control system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the battery device 10 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system 100 according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are given the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of the dimensions are different from the actual ones. Therefore, the specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated.

[0010] (First embodiment) A control system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a control system 100 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a battery device 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0012] The control system 100 according to this embodiment is configured for the purpose of preventing an electric vehicle (EV: Electronic Vehicle) 1 from being stolen.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a service providing system 100 according to this embodiment includes a battery device 10 mounted on an electric vehicle 1, a server 20, a communication terminal 30, a power plant 40, and a charging station 50.

[0014] In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 1 may include a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), or the like.

[0015] Furthermore, the electric vehicle 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a vehicle that can be driven by wheels, caterpillars, or the like (including, for example, construction machinery and agricultural machinery), and in addition to a normal four-wheeled vehicle, it may be, for example, a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, or a six-wheeled vehicle.

[0016] The electric vehicle 1 may also include a vehicle capable of unmanned driving by remote control (Level 4: fully autonomous driving under specific conditions, Level 5: fully autonomous driving).

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to a battery device 10, an electric vehicle 1 is equipped with electrical devices such as a drive unit, headlights, a car stereo, and an air conditioner, electronic devices such as various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) and TCUs (Telematics Control Units), various harnesses, etc.

[0018] The driving device is configured to be activated by a start-up operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied, where the driving device is a motor.

[0019] For example, the predetermined condition may be that the shift lever is in the parking range, that the brake is depressed, etc. The predetermined condition may also include that the encryption key held by the electric vehicle 1 matches the encryption key in the predetermined application, that the communication terminal 30 is inside the electric vehicle 1, that the distance between the electric vehicle 1 and the communication terminal 30 is within a certain range, etc.

[0020] In addition, startup operations may include the driver inserting and turning a key, pressing a start switch, or pressing a button on an application (digital key) installed on a smartphone serving as the communication terminal 30.

[0021] A mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone is assumed as the communication terminal 30. Although the configuration of the communication terminal 30 is not specifically illustrated, it has, for example, a CPU that executes applications downloaded from the server 30 and controls execution of communications via short-distance communication, WiFi, mobile phone line communication, etc., a screen that displays the execution contents of the application, a GPS that detects position information, an input unit that accepts user input, a speaker that outputs sound, etc.

[0022] The power plant 40 is configured to generate power and transmit the power to the charging station 50. The power plant 40 may be a thermal power plant, a nuclear power plant, a wind power plant, or the like, or may be a solar power generation system.

[0023] The charging station 50 is configured to charge the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1 via a charging plug.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery device 10 includes a charging unit 11, a power storage unit 12, a discharging unit 13, and an in-vehicle device 15.

[0025] The charging unit 11 is configured to obtain electricity via a charging plug at a charging station. The power storage unit 12 is configured to store the electricity obtained by the charging unit 11. The discharging unit 13 is configured to discharge the electricity stored in the power storage unit 13 to various circuits of the electric vehicle 1.

[0026] 2, the vehicle-mounted device 15 includes a detection unit 15A, a communication unit 15B, and a control unit 15C. The vehicle-mounted device 15 may be provided in a location other than the battery device 10.

[0027] The detection unit 15A is configured to detect that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1.

[0028] For example, the detection unit 15A may be configured to sense vibrations in the electric vehicle 1 and detect that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1.

[0029] Alternatively, the detection unit 15A may be configured to detect disconnection between the electric vehicle 1 and the battery device 10, and to detect that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1.

[0030] The communication unit 15B is configured to be able to communicate with the server 20, the communication terminal 30, and the charging station 50.

[0031] The communication unit 15B may also be configured to be able to collect vehicle information about the electric vehicle 1 in which it is installed.

[0032] Here, the vehicle information preferably includes the position of the shift lever, detection information indicating whether the brake is being depressed or not, and vehicle position information obtained by GPS.

[0033] The communication unit 15B may be configured to transmit the collected vehicle information to the server 20 via a wireless network, and to receive a control signal from the server 20 via the wireless network.

[0034] Here, the communication unit 15B is configured to transmit to the server 20 the position information of the battery device 10 when the detection unit 15A detects that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1.

[0035] For example, the communication unit 15B may be configured to transmit position information of the battery device 10 to the server 20 at the time when the detection unit 15A detects that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1.

[0036] Alternatively, the communication unit 15B may be configured to store position information of the battery device 10 at the time when the detection unit 15A detects that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1, and to transmit the position information of the battery device 10 to the server 20 at a predetermined timing. For example, the communication unit 15B may be configured to transmit the position information of the battery device 10 to the server 20 when the battery device 10 is not remounted on the electric vehicle 1 before a predetermined time has elapsed after the detection unit 15A detects that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1.

[0037] Moreover, the communication unit 15B may be configured to transmit the location information of the battery device 10 to at least one of the communication terminal 30 of the user of the electric vehicle 1, a security company, and the police.

[0038] Here, the communication unit 15B may be configured to check with the server 20 regarding the destination of the location information of the battery device 10, and transmit the location information of the battery device 10 to the destination notified by the server 20 (e.g., the communication terminal 30 of the user of the electric vehicle 1, a security company server, a police server, etc.).

[0039] According to this configuration, the fact that the battery device 10 has been stolen can be quickly notified to the user, a security company, the police, etc., and the like, thereby increasing the possibility that the battery device 10 can be recovered.

[0040] Furthermore, after the detection unit 15A detects that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1, the communication unit 15B may be configured to periodically transmit the position information of the battery device 10.

[0041] According to this configuration, the location of the stolen battery device 10 can be tracked.

[0042] Furthermore, the communication unit 15B may be configured to transmit to the server 20 the position information of the battery device 10 when the battery device 10 is attached to an electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1.

[0043] Specifically, when the detection unit 15A detects that the battery device 10 has been attached to an electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1 corresponding to the battery device 10, the communication unit 15B may be configured to transmit position information of the battery device 10 at that time to the server 20. In this case, the communication unit 15B may be configured to transmit the position information to at least one of the communication terminal 30 of the user of the electric vehicle 1, a security company, and the police.

[0044] Here, the electric vehicle 1 corresponding to the battery device 10 may be managed by the server 20 or may be managed by the battery device 10. For example, in the former case, the detection unit 15A may confirm with the server 20 via the communication unit 15B whether or not the electric vehicle to which the battery device 10 is attached is the electric vehicle 1 corresponding to the battery device 10.

[0045] According to this configuration, the stolen battery device 10 can be tracked by tracking the electric vehicle in which the stolen battery device 10 is attached.

[0046] The control unit 15C is configured to be able to control the electric vehicle 1 based on control signals and the like from the server 20 acquired by the communication unit 15B. For example, the control unit 15C has a control function for performing start-up control of the above-mentioned drive device and the like based on such control signals and the like.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 15C may be configured to control whether or not to prohibit charging or discharging the battery device 10. Here, the control unit 15C may be configured to control whether or not to prohibit charging or discharging the battery device 10 based on an instruction from the server 20.

[0048] The control unit 15C may be configured to suppress discharging to an electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1 when the battery device 10 is attached to the electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1.

[0049] According to this configuration, even if a stolen battery device 10 is attached to an electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1 corresponding to the battery device 10 (for example, a stolen electric vehicle), the battery device 10 will not discharge, so there is no point in stealing the battery device 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 15C is configured to be able to set the start of the above-mentioned drive device to either enabled or disabled.

[0051] Here, the control unit 15C may be configured to, when the battery device 10 is attached to an electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1, set the start-up of the drive device of the electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1 as not possible.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the server 20 includes a monitor unit 21 and a control unit 22.

[0053] The monitoring unit 21 is configured to monitor the location information of the battery device 10 mounted in each user's electric vehicle 1, thereby monitoring the occurrence of theft of the battery device 10 and tracking the location of the stolen battery device 10.

[0054] Here, the monitoring unit 21 may be configured to manage the electric vehicles 1 corresponding to the respective battery devices 10.

[0055] The control unit 22 is configured to determine whether or not charging or discharging of the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1 is to be prohibited.

[0056] For example, if the control unit 22 acquires location information of the above-mentioned battery device 10 and determines that the battery device 10 has been stolen, the control unit 22 may instruct the vehicle-mounted device 15 to prohibit charging or discharging the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1.

[0057] When an electric vehicle equipped with a stolen battery device 10 attempts to charge at a charging station 50, the charging station 50 may be configured to prevent charging of the electric vehicle and to notify the server 20, the user's communication terminal 30, a security company, the police, etc. that the electric vehicle is at the charging station 50.

[0058] Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, when it is detected in step S101 that the battery device 10 has been removed from the electric vehicle 1, the operation proceeds to step S102.

[0060] In step S102, the battery device 10 or another function of the electric vehicle 1 issues a warning.

[0061] In step S103, the battery device 10 transmits the position information at this time to the server 20, and in step S104, transmits the position information to at least one of the communication terminal 30 of the user of the electric vehicle 1, the security company, and the police.

[0062] If the battery equipment 10 is equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 15 (YES in step S105), in step S106, it sets the device 10 to prohibit discharging, and in step S107, if the battery equipment 10 is equipped with an electric vehicle other than the electric vehicle 1, it transmits position information at that time to the server 20.

[0063] According to this embodiment, it is possible to identify the location information of the stolen battery device 10.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, even after the battery equipment 10 is removed from the electric vehicle 1, it is possible to track the battery equipment 10 and to inhibit the battery equipment 10 from being used in another electric vehicle 1.

[0065] In addition, by using the battery device 10 of this embodiment in a subscription service related to electric vehicles, theft of the battery device 10 installed in the electric vehicle 1 used by the user of the subscription service can be prevented, and the subscription service can be provided safely.

[0066] The subscription service includes at least one of a subscription service for an electric vehicle (EV: Electronic Vehicle) 1, a subscription service for a battery device 10, and a subscription service for a charging service for the battery device 10.

[0067] Here, the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1 is a service that allows a user to rent and use the electric vehicle 1 on a flat-rate basis. Note that in the subscription service for the electric vehicle 1, the type of electric vehicle 1 that can be used and the available time vary depending on the fee type.

[0068] The subscription service for the battery device 10 is a service that allows a user to rent and use a battery device 10 that can be installed in an electric vehicle 1 on a flat-rate basis. When using such a subscription service for the battery device 10, the user must prepare the electric vehicle 1 by himself / herself. In addition, in the subscription service for the battery device 10, the type of battery device 10 that can be used and the timing of replacement, etc. vary depending on the fee type.

[0069] Furthermore, the subscription service for charging the battery device 10 is a service that allows a user to charge the battery device 10 mounted on the electric vehicle 1 at a flat rate. When using such a subscription service for charging the battery device 10, the user needs to prepare the electric vehicle 1 and the battery device 10 by himself / herself. Note that in the subscription service for charging the battery device 10, the number of times that charging is possible (the number of times of quick charging) and the like vary depending on the fee type.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-mentioned embodiment, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the present specification. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 100…Control system 1. Electric vehicles 10...Battery device 11...Charging part 12…Electricity storage unit 13…Discharge part 15...Onboard equipment 15A…Detection section 15B…Communication Department 15C…Control section 20…Server 21…Monitoring Department 22...Control section 30...Communication terminal 40…Power plant 50…Charging station

Claims

1. A server for managing an electric vehicle equipped with a battery device, a monitoring unit that monitors position information of the battery device; a control unit that determines whether or not to prohibit charging or discharging the battery device, The control unit determines to prohibit charging or discharging of the battery device when it can be determined that the battery device has been stolen based on the location information of the battery device.

2. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the battery device has been stolen based on the location information of the battery device, the monitoring unit transmits the location information of the battery device to at least one of a communication terminal of a user of the electric vehicle, a security company, and the police.

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