Information processing device

Abstract

To provide a technology applicable to more various kinds of vehicles and accurately calculating a carbon emission amount of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a control part. The control part calculates a carbon emission amount of a vehicle 1 on the basis of fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 acquired from a detection result of a fuel sensor 21 when detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 of the vehicle 1 is a threshold value or more. The control part calculates the carbon emission amount of the vehicle 1 on the basis of data on travel distance of the vehicle 1 when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is lower than the threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the modified ton-kilometer method, the fuel method, and the fuel economy method are known as methods for calculating the carbon emissions of a vehicle. Among these methods, the fuel method can be used to calculate the carbon emissions of a vehicle with high accuracy. Here, the fuel method uses data on the vehicle's fuel consumption. Therefore, a method for detecting the fuel consumption of a vehicle is known that detects the fuel consumption of a vehicle based on a signal output from an injection solenoid of a fuel injection nozzle attached to the engine (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-257985 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the vehicle model, there are cases where the signal output from the injection solenoid cannot be detected. In such cases, the fuel consumption of the vehicle cannot be detected using the method of Patent Document 1. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can be applied to more vehicle models and that can accurately calculate the carbon emissions of a vehicle.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can be applied to a greater number of vehicle types and that accurately calculates the carbon emissions of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit, which, when the detection accuracy of a vehicle's fuel sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold, calculates the vehicle's carbon emissions based on the vehicle's fuel consumption amount obtained from the detection results of the fuel sensor, and, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor is below the threshold, calculates the vehicle's carbon emissions based on data on the vehicle's mileage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technology that can be applied to a greater number of vehicle types and that accurately calculates the carbon emissions of a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 4 is a graph illustrating a relationship between the output voltage of a fuel sensor and the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Vehicle configuration) 1, a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a control device 10, a fuel tank 20, and an electronic control unit 30. The fuel tank 20 includes a fuel sensor 21. The control device 10, the fuel sensor 21, and the electronic control unit 30 can communicate with each other via an in-vehicle network such as a controller area network (CAN), a dedicated line, or short-range wireless communication.

[0011] The control device 10 is an information processing device. The control device 10 is capable of communicating with a server 3 via a network 2. The network 2 may be any network including a mobile communication network, the Internet, etc. The server 3 may be any server.

[0012] As will be described later, the control device 10 calculates the amount of carbon emissions from the vehicle 1. The control device 10 transmits data on the calculated amount of carbon emissions to the server 3 via the network 2.

[0013] The fuel tank 20 includes a tank body in which fuel is stored. In addition to the tank body and the fuel sensor 21, the fuel tank 20 may include an inlet pipe for injecting fuel into the tank body, etc.

[0014] The fuel sensor 21 is attached to the fuel tank 20. The fuel sensor 21 outputs output voltage data corresponding to the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank 20 to the control device 10.

[0015] The electronic control unit 30 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 1. The electronic control unit 30 controls various functions of the vehicle 1.

[0016] (Control device configuration) The control device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0017] The communication unit 11 is configured to include at least one communication module connectable to the network 2. The communication module is a communication module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation).

[0018] The communication unit 11 is configured to include at least one communication module capable of communicating with components of the vehicle 1. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with an in-vehicle network such as CAN, a dedicated line, or a short-range wireless communication standard.

[0019] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 12 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used in the operation of the control device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the control device 10. The storage unit 12 may store any program used in the operation of the control device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 stores at least one of a system program, an application program, and embedded software.

[0020] The memory unit 12 stores characteristic data indicating the characteristics of the fuel sensor 21. The characteristic data according to this embodiment is data indicating the relationship between the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 and the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle 1, as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 20. The vertical axis indicates the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21. As shown in FIG. 2, when the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is within the range from voltage V1 to voltage V2, the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is improved. In other words, when the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is within the range from voltage V1 to voltage V2, the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 changes in accordance with changes in the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 20. In the example of FIG. 2, when the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is within the range from voltage V1 to voltage V2, the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 increases as the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 20 decreases. In contrast, when the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is less than voltage V1 or more than voltage V2, the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 decreases. In other words, when the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is less than the voltage V1 or exceeds the voltage V2, the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 does not change in accordance with the change in the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank 20.

[0021] The characteristic data of the fuel sensor 21 as shown in FIG. 2 may be generated by any method. As an example, the characteristic data of the fuel sensor 21 may be generated by performing calibration. In the calibration, data of multiple plots as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained. Here, some of the multiple plots as shown in FIG. 2 may not be obtained by calibration. For example, among the multiple plots, plots in a range where the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is less than voltage V1 or more than voltage V2 may not be obtained by calibration. Data of such plots that cannot be obtained by calibration may be measured by auxiliary measurement in calibration. Here, the characteristic data of the fuel sensor 21 may vary depending on the structure of the fuel tank 20 and the fuel sensor 21. Because the structure of the fuel tank 20 and the fuel sensor 21 varies depending on the vehicle model, the characteristic data of the fuel sensor 21 may vary depending on the vehicle model. Therefore, the characteristic data of the fuel sensor 21 may be generated by individually calibrating the vehicle 1, or may be generated by calibrating a vehicle of the same vehicle model as the vehicle 1.

[0022] The memory unit 12 stores data on carbon dioxide emission coefficients according to the type of fuel used by the vehicle 1. The carbon dioxide emission coefficients are also referred to as "CO2 emission coefficients." The memory unit 12 also stores data on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 1.

[0023] The control unit 13 is configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 13 controls each part of the control device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the control device 10.

[0024] 2 is generated by calibrating a vehicle of the same model as vehicle 1, the control unit 13 may receive the characteristic data of fuel sensor 21 from the server 3 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 may store the received characteristic data of fuel sensor 21 in the memory unit 12.

[0025] (Control device operation) Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device 10 shown in Fig. 1. For example, when the ignition of the vehicle 1 is turned on and then turned off, the control unit 13 starts the process of S1.

[0026] In the process of S1, the control unit 13 receives data on the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 from the fuel sensor 21 via the communication unit 11.

[0027] In the process of S2, the control unit 13 determines whether the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In this embodiment, the control unit 13 determines whether the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold value based on characteristic data indicating the characteristics of the fuel sensor 21. As described above, the characteristic data of the fuel sensor 21 according to this embodiment is data indicating the relationship between the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 and the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle 1, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 13 determines whether the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 received in the process of S1 is within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is, for example, a range from voltage V1 to voltage V2. If the control unit 13 determines that the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is within the predetermined range, the control unit 13 determines that the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S2: YES). If the control unit 13 does not determine that the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is within the predetermined range, i.e., if the control unit 13 determines that the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 is outside the predetermined range, the control unit 13 determines that the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is below the threshold value (S2: NO).

[0028] If the control unit 13 determines that the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold (S2: YES), the control unit 13 proceeds to the process of S3. If the control unit 13 determines that the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is lower than the threshold (S2: NO), the control unit 13 proceeds to the process of S4.

[0029] In the processing of S3, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 using the fuel law. That is, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 by multiplying the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient according to the type of fuel used by the vehicle 1. The control unit 13 obtains the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 from the detection result of the fuel sensor 21. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 13 calculates the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 from the output voltage of the fuel sensor 21 received in the processing of S1. The control unit 13 also obtains data on the carbon dioxide emission coefficient according to the type of fuel used by the vehicle 1 from the memory unit 12. For example, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 using the following formula (1): Carbon emissions = fuel consumption of vehicle 1 × carbon dioxide emission coefficient Equation (1)

[0030] In the processing of S4, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 using the fuel efficiency method. That is, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 by dividing the travel distance of the vehicle 1 by the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 1 and multiplying the result by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient according to the type of fuel used by the vehicle 1. The control unit 13 receives data on the travel distance of the vehicle 1 from the electronic control unit 30 via the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 also acquires data on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 1 and data on the carbon dioxide emission coefficient according to the type of fuel used by the vehicle 1 from the memory unit 12. For example, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 using the following equation (2). Carbon emissions = distance traveled ÷ fuel efficiency × carbon dioxide emission coefficient Equation (2)

[0031] In the process of S5, the control unit 13 transmits the data of the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 calculated in the process of S3 or S4 to the server 3 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11.

[0032] Here, in the processing of S3, the control unit 13 has been described as calculating the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 by the fuel method. However, the control unit 13 may calculate the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 by any method other than the fuel method, as long as the calculation is based on the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1.

[0033] In the process of S4, the control unit 13 is described as calculating the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 by the fuel method. However, the control unit 13 may calculate the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 by any method other than the fuel method, as long as the calculation is based on data on the travel distance of the vehicle 1.

[0034] As described above, in the control device 10 according to this embodiment, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 based on the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 obtained from the detection results of the fuel sensor 21. When the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the detection accuracy of the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 20 detected by the fuel sensor 21 improves. In other words, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the detection accuracy of the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 improves. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 emits carbon by consuming fuel. Therefore, when the detection accuracy of the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 is good, the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 can be calculated with high accuracy by using the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is below a threshold, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 based on the data on the distance traveled by the vehicle 1. When the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is below a threshold, the detection accuracy of the remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank 20 detected by the fuel sensor 21 deteriorates. In other words, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is below the threshold, the detection accuracy of the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 deteriorates. In this case, the carbon emissions of the vehicle cannot be calculated accurately based on the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is below a threshold, the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 are calculated based on the data on the distance traveled by the vehicle 1. With this configuration, the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 can be calculated accurately even when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is below the threshold.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, the detection result of the fuel sensor 21 is used. The fuel sensor 21 is applied to many vehicle types. Therefore, the method according to this embodiment is applicable to many vehicle types.

[0037] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a technology that can be applied to a greater number of vehicle types and that can accurately calculate the carbon emissions of a vehicle.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when calculating the carbon emissions of vehicle 1 based on the fuel consumption of vehicle 1, control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of vehicle 1 by multiplying the fuel consumption of vehicle 1 by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient according to the type of fuel used by vehicle 1. In other words, when the detection accuracy of fuel sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a threshold, control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of vehicle 1 using the fuel method. Of the improved ton-kilometer method, the fuel method, and the fuel efficiency method, the fuel method can most accurately calculate the carbon emissions of vehicle 1. With this configuration, the carbon emissions of vehicle 1 can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 based on the data of the distance traveled by the vehicle 1, it calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 by dividing the distance traveled by the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 1 and multiplying the result by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. The carbon dioxide emission coefficient depends on the type of fuel used by the vehicle 1. In other words, if the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor 21 is below a threshold, the control unit 13 calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 using the fuel efficiency method. The calculation accuracy of the carbon emissions using the fuel efficiency method is worse than that of the fuel efficiency method, but is better than that of the improved ton-kilometer method. With this configuration, the carbon emissions of the vehicle 1 can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0040] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0041] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 10 has been described as an information processing device that executes various processes. However, the information processing device that executes various processes according to the above-described embodiment is not limited to the control device 10. As another example, the server 3 may execute various processes that are executed by a terminal device as an information processing device. In this case, the control device 10 may transmit any data, such as the detection result of the fuel sensor 21, to the server 3.

[0042] For example, an embodiment is also possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the control device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the control device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1: Vehicle, 2: Network, 3: Server, 10: Control device, 11: Communication unit, 12: Storage unit, 13: Control unit, 20: Fuel tank, 21: Fuel sensor, 30: Electronic control unit

Claims

1. A control unit is provided, the control unit If the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a threshold, calculate the carbon emissions of the vehicle based on the fuel consumption of the vehicle obtained from the detection result of the fuel sensor; When the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor is below the threshold, the information processing device calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle based on data on the travel distance of the vehicle.

2. the control unit determines whether the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor is equal to or greater than the threshold value based on characteristic data indicating characteristics of the fuel sensor; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the characteristic data is obtained for each vehicle model.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic data indicates a relationship between an output voltage of the fuel sensor and a remaining amount of fuel in the vehicle.

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit calculates the carbon dioxide emission amount of the vehicle by multiplying the fuel consumption of the vehicle by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient according to the type of fuel of the vehicle.

5. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the detection accuracy of the fuel sensor is below the threshold, the control unit calculates the carbon emissions of the vehicle by dividing the mileage of the vehicle by the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and multiplying the result by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient according to the type of fuel of the vehicle.

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