Information processing device, battery device, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of appropriately tracking a battery of a vehicle.SOLUTION: The control unit of the information processing device determines whether or not registration information for tracking the location of the battery mounted on the vehicle is registered in a predetermined management device. Also, the control unit of the information processing device outputs data permitting removal of the battery from the vehicle if the registration information is registered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a battery device, and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a management device that manages secondary batteries installed in vehicles. The management device disclosed in Patent Document 1 stores management information for each of a plurality of vehicles indicating whether the vehicle is a target vehicle for which battery replacement timing is to be managed. The management device estimates the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery installed in the target vehicle using history information indicating the usage history of the secondary battery installed in the target vehicle. Then, when the estimated degree of deterioration of the secondary battery reaches a predetermined threshold, the management device transmits a notification signal notifying the target vehicle of the need to replace its battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-191159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a technology that enables proper tracking of vehicle batteries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: Determining whether registration information for tracking the location of a battery installed in a vehicle is registered in a predetermined management device; outputting data permitting removal of the battery from the vehicle when the registration information is registered; The controller is configured to:

[0006] A battery device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: A battery device mounted on a vehicle, determining whether registration information for tracking the location of the device is registered in a predetermined management device; If the registration information is registered, outputting an unlocking permission signal to a lock mechanism between the device and the vehicle; The controller is configured to:

[0007] An information processing system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes: An information processing system including an information management device and a battery management device, The information management device Accepting registration information for tracking the location of a battery installed in a vehicle; Run The battery management device determining whether the registration information is registered in the information management device; outputting data permitting removal of the battery from the vehicle when the registration information is registered; Execute. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure allows for proper tracking of vehicle batteries. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a locking / unlocking management system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional configuration of each of the battery, the information server, and the management server in this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of registration information held in the registration information database. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of registered battery information held in the registered battery information database. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of information processing in the locking / unlocking management system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the determination process executed by the control unit of the management server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The location of a battery removed from a vehicle may become unknown. In such cases, if a battery of unknown origin is traded and malfunctions occur, it may be difficult to identify the cause. Furthermore, if the battery is not used or disposed of appropriately at its location after removal, there is a risk of harm caused by the battery.

[0011] Therefore, the control unit of the information processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure determines whether registration information for tracking the location of the battery installed in the vehicle has been registered in a predetermined management device, and if the registration information has been registered, the control unit of the information processing device outputs data permitting removal of the battery from the vehicle.

[0012] As described above, the information processing device allows the battery to be removed from the vehicle when registration information is registered. This makes it possible to prevent the battery from being removed in a situation where the battery's location cannot be tracked. As a result, it becomes possible to properly track the vehicle's battery.

[0013] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to those configurations.

[0014] <Embodiment> (System Overview) A locking / unlocking management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the locking / unlocking management system 1 according to this embodiment. The locking / unlocking management system 1 includes a battery 100, a business operator terminal 200, an information server 300, and a management server 400. In the locking / unlocking management system 1, the battery 100, the business operator terminal 200, the information server 300, and the management server 400 are interconnected by a network N1. The network N1 may be, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), which is a global public communication network such as the Internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone.

[0015] (battery) The battery 100 is a battery that can be installed in the vehicle 10. Battery 100 is a drive battery for vehicle 10. Battery 100 may also be, for example, an auxiliary battery for vehicle 10. After being removed from vehicle 10, battery 100 can be reinstalled in another vehicle or reused as a home storage battery, etc.

[0016] When the battery 100 is installed in the vehicle 10, it is locked by a locking mechanism between the battery 10 and the vehicle 10. In other words, the battery 100 cannot be removed from the vehicle 10 unless the locking state between the battery 10 and the vehicle 10 is released. In this embodiment, the battery 100 outputs an unlocking permission signal to the locking mechanism, which activates an actuator in the locking mechanism and releases the locking state between the battery 10 and the vehicle 10.

[0017] (operator terminal) The business operator terminal 200 is a terminal used by a business operator (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "business operator") that removes the battery. When the battery 100 is removed from the vehicle 10, the business operator terminal 200 receives input of information for tracking the vehicle 10 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "registration information") from the business operator. The business operator inputs the registration information into the business operator terminal 200. Here, the business operator inputs, as registration information, an identifier (battery ID) for identifying the battery 100, the date of removal of the battery 100, the previous owner of the battery 100, the purpose of the removal, and the recipient of the battery 100 after removal, etc., into the business operator terminal 200. The business operator terminal 200 transmits the registration information to the information server 300 via the network N1.

[0018] (information server) The information server 300 is a server device that manages registration information. The information server 300 receives the registration information from the business operator terminal 200 via the network N1. The information server 300 registers the registration information received from the business operator terminal 200.

[0019] (Management Server) The management server 400 is a server device that manages the removal of the battery. When the battery 100 is removed from the vehicle 10, the location of the battery 100 may become unknown. In this case, if a battery of unknown origin is traded and a malfunction occurs, it may be difficult to identify the cause. Furthermore, if the battery is not used or disposed of appropriately at its location, there is a risk of harm caused by the battery.

[0020] Therefore, the management server 400 permits removal of the battery 100 from the vehicle 10 if registration information about the battery 100 is registered. Specifically, if registration information about the battery 100 is registered, the management server 400 transmits unlocking permission information to the battery 100 via the network N1. Here, the unlocking permission information is information that permits unlocking of the lock mechanism between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10. In other words, the unlocking permission information is information that permits the battery 100 to output an unlocking permission signal to the lock mechanism between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10. On the other hand, if registration information about the battery 100 is not registered, the management server 400 prohibits removal of the battery 100 from the vehicle 10. A method by which the management server 400 determines whether registration information about the battery 100 is registered and a method by which the management server 400 permits or prohibits removal of the battery 100 from the vehicle 10 will be described in detail below.

[0021] The management server 400 is configured to include a computer having a processor 410, a main memory 420, an auxiliary memory 430, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 440. The processor 410 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main memory 420 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 430 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage unit 430 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. The auxiliary storage unit 430 may also be a removable medium (portable storage medium). Examples of removable media include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 440 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0022] In the management server 400, the auxiliary storage unit 430 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, and the like. Furthermore, in the management server 400, the processor 410 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 430 into the main storage unit 420 and executes them, thereby realizing various functions as described below. However, some or all of the functions of the management server 400 may be realized by hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs. Furthermore, the management server 400 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be configured by multiple computers that work together. Furthermore, like the management server 400, the battery 100, the business operator terminal 200, and the information server 300 are also configured to include computers.

[0023] (Functional configuration) Next, the functional configurations of the battery 100, the information server 300, and the management server 400 that constitute the locking / unlocking management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a block diagram that schematically shows an example of the functional configurations of the battery 100, the information server 300, and the management server 400 according to this embodiment.

[0024] (Battery 100) The battery 100 is configured to include a control unit 101, a communication unit 102, an input unit 103, and a locking / unlocking unit 104. The control unit 101 has a function of performing arithmetic processing to control the battery 100. The control unit 101 can be realized by a processor in the battery 100. The communication unit 102 has a function of connecting the battery 100 to the network N1. The communication unit 102 can be realized by a communication I / F in the battery 100.

[0025] The input unit 103 has a function for a user of the vehicle 10 (battery 100) to input various information to the battery 100. The input unit 103 can be realized by a touch panel or the like on the battery 100. The control unit 101 receives an input via the input unit 103 instructing that the battery 100 be removed from the vehicle 10. For example, a business operator inputs to the input unit 103 an instruction to remove the battery 100 from the vehicle 10. At this time, the control unit 101 transmits unlocking request information to the management server 400 via the communication unit 102.

[0026] The locking / unlocking unit 104 has a function of controlling the locking / unlocking state between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10. The locking / unlocking unit 104 can be realized by a locking mechanism between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10. The locking mechanism between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10 is provided on the battery 100 side. The locking mechanism may also be provided on the vehicle 10 side. In this case, the locking / unlocking unit 104 is electrically connected to the locking mechanism on the vehicle 10 side. When the control unit 101 receives unlocking permission information from the management server 400 in response to the unlocking request information, it outputs an unlocking permission signal to the locking / unlocking unit 104. When the locking / unlocking unit 104 receives the unlocking permission signal from the control unit 101, it releases the lock between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10. Specifically, the locking / unlocking unit 104 causes the locked locking mechanism to perform an unlocking operation by transmitting an unlocking permission signal to an actuator in the locking mechanism.

[0027] (Information Server 300) The information server 300 is configured to include a control unit 301, a communication unit 302, and a registration information database 303 (registration information DB303). The control unit 301 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the information server 300. The control unit 301 can be realized by a processor in the information server 300. The communication unit 302 has a function of connecting the information server 300 to the network N1. The communication unit 302 can be realized by a communication I / F in the information server 300.

[0028] The control unit 301 receives registration information from the business operator terminal 200 via the communication unit 302. The control unit 301 stores the received registration information in the registration information DB 303. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of the registration information held in the registration information DB 303. The registration information DB 303 can be realized by an auxiliary storage unit in the information server 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the registration information has a battery ID field, a battery model number field, a removal date field, a previous owner field, a removal purpose field, and a transferee field.

[0029] The battery ID field stores an identifier (battery ID) for identifying the battery. The battery model number field stores information indicating the model number of the battery with the corresponding battery ID. The removal date field stores information indicating the date on which the battery with the corresponding battery ID was removed. The previous owner field stores information indicating the previous owner (former owner) of the battery with the corresponding battery ID. The removal purpose field stores information indicating the purpose for which the battery with the corresponding battery ID was removed. The transferee field stores information indicating the transferee of the battery after removal. Here, the information regarding the battery ID, battery model number, removal date, previous owner, removal purpose, and transferee is information included in the registration information received from the business operator terminal 200.

[0030] Here, there may be cases where the battery has been removed from the vehicle multiple times. In this case, information is stored in the removal date field, previous owner field, removal purpose field, and transferee field for the number of times the battery has been removed. The registration information may also include information indicating the business (enterprise) that removed the battery. The control unit 301 can track the location of the battery (the previous owner, removal business, and transferee after removal) by referring to the registration information held in the registration information DB 303.

[0031] When the control unit 301 stores the registration information about the battery 100 in the registration information DB 303, it transmits registration completion information about the battery 100 to the management server 400 via the communication unit 302. Here, the registration completion information about the battery 100 is information including the battery ID of the battery 100 and the registration completion date and time of the registration information about the battery 100.

[0032] (Management Server 400) The management server 400 is configured to include a control unit 401, a communication unit 402, and a registered battery information database 403 (registered battery information DB403). The control unit 401 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the management server 400. The communication unit 402 has a function of connecting the management server 400 to the network N1. The communication unit 402 can be realized by a communication I / F 440 in the management server 400.

[0033] The control unit 401 receives registration completion information from the information server 300 via the communication unit 402. The control unit 401 updates the registered battery information held in the registered battery information DB 403 in accordance with the received registration completion information. Here, the registered battery information DB 403 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 430 in the management server 400. The registered battery information is information indicating batteries for which removal from the vehicle is permitted as a result of the registration of the registration information being completed.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of registered battery information held in the registered battery information DB 403. As shown in Fig. 4, the registered battery information has a battery ID field and a registration completion date and time field. The battery ID field stores an identifier (battery ID) for identifying the battery whose registration information is registered. The registration completion date and time field stores information indicating the date and time when registration of the registration information for the battery with the corresponding battery ID was completed. The control unit 401 obtains the battery ID and registration completion date and time included in the registration completion information and stores them in the battery ID field and registration completion date and time field.

[0035] The control unit 401 can determine whether or not the registration of the registration information of a battery has been completed, without accessing the information server 300, by referring to the registered battery information held in the registered battery information DB 403. This allows the control unit 401 to determine whether or not the registration of the registration information of a battery has been completed, with a smaller load than when the control unit 401 accesses the information server 300 to determine whether or not the registration of the registration information has been completed. Furthermore, even if the control unit 401 cannot access the information server 300, it can determine whether or not the registration of the registration information of a battery has been completed. Note that, if the information server 300 is an accessible server, the control unit 401 may refer to the registration information DB 303 in the information server 300 to determine whether or not the registration information of the battery 100 has been registered.

[0036] The control unit 401 receives unlocking request information from the battery 100 via the communication unit 402. Here, the unlocking request information includes the battery ID of the battery 100. The control unit 401 refers to the unlocking request information and executes a process (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "determination process") to determine whether or not the registration information for the battery 100 is registered. Specifically, the control unit 401 refers to the registered battery information held in the registered battery information DB 403 and determines whether or not the battery ID of the battery 100 included in the unlocking request information is registered.

[0037] If the battery ID of battery 100 is registered in the registered battery information, the registration information about battery 100 is registered in information server 300. Therefore, if the battery ID of battery 100 is registered in the registered battery information, control unit 401 permits removal of battery 100 from vehicle 10. In this case, control unit 401 transmits unlocking permission information to battery 100 via communication unit 402. This makes it possible to remove battery 100 from vehicle 10.

[0038] Furthermore, if the battery ID of battery 100 is not registered in the registered battery information, the registration information of battery 100 is not registered in the information server 300. Therefore, if the battery ID of battery 100 is not registered in the registered battery information, control unit 401 prohibits removal of battery 100 from vehicle 10. At this time, control unit 401 prohibits removal of battery 100 from vehicle 10 by not transmitting unlocking permission information. Furthermore, control unit 401 may prohibit removal of battery 100 from vehicle 10 by transmitting unlocking prohibition information to battery 100 indicating that unlocking is prohibited.

[0039] (Information processing flow) The flow of information processing in the locking / unlocking management system 1 will be explained with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of information processing in the locking / unlocking management system 1. Fig. 5 shows the flow of information processing when a business operator registers registration information about the battery 100. The processes executed by the battery 100, the business operator terminal 200, the information server 300, and the management server 400 are executed by the control unit 101 of the battery 100, the control unit of the business operator terminal 200, the control unit 301 of the information server 300, and the control unit 401 of the management server 400. It will be carried out.

[0040] In the locking / unlocking management system 1, the business operator terminal 200 accepts input of registration information by the business operator (S11). When the business operator has completed input of the registration information, the business operator terminal 200 transmits the registration information to the information server 300 (S12). Next, the information server 300 registers the registration information received from the business operator terminal 200 (S13). When the information server 300 has completed registering the registration information, it transmits registration completion information to the management server 400 (S14). When the management server 400 receives the registration completion information from the information server 300, it updates the registered battery information (S15).

[0041] Thereafter, the battery 100 transmits unlocking request information to the management server 400 (S16). Then, the management server 400 executes a determination process (S17). In the example shown in Fig. 5, the registration information for the battery 100 has already been registered, so the management server 400 transmits unlocking permission information to the battery 100 (S18). Upon receiving the unlocking permission information, the battery 100 outputs an unlocking permission signal to the lock mechanism, thereby releasing the lock between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10 (S19).

[0042] (Determination process) Next, the determination process executed by the control unit 401 in the management server 400 in the locking / unlocking management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the determination process executed by the control unit 401 of the management server 400. The determination process starts when unlocking request information is received from the battery 100, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0043] In the determination process, first, in S101, registered battery information is acquired from the registered battery information DB 403. Next, in S102, it is determined whether the battery ID of the battery 100 is registered in the acquired registered battery information. If a negative determination is made in S102, the registration information is not registered in the information server 300, and there is a risk that the location of the battery 100 will become unknown if the battery 100 is removed from the vehicle 10. Therefore, if a negative determination is made in S102, unlocking is prohibited in S103. Then, the determination process ends.

[0044] On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S102, the registration information has been registered in the information server 300. Therefore, unlocking is permitted in S104, and the determination process ends. As a result, unlocking permission information is sent to the battery 100 in the process of S18 shown in FIG. 5, and the battery 100 and the vehicle 10 are unlocked.

[0045] As described above, in the locking / unlocking management system 1, if registration information about the battery 100 is registered in the information server 300, the battery 100 can be removed from the vehicle 10. On the other hand, if registration information about the battery 100 is not registered, the battery 100 is prohibited from being removed from the vehicle 10. This makes it possible to prevent the battery 100 from being removed from the vehicle 10 in a situation where the location of the battery 100 cannot be traced. As a result, the battery 100 can be tracked appropriately.

[0046] (Variation 1) In this embodiment, the management server 400 determines whether registration information for the battery 100 is registered and transmits unlocking permission information. As a result, the battery 100 that has received the unlocking permission information outputs an unlocking permission signal, thereby releasing the locked state between the battery 10 and the vehicle 10.

[0047] On the other hand, in this modification, the battery 100 registers the registration information about the battery 100. The battery 100 determines whether the registration information has been registered and outputs an unlocking permission signal to the locking mechanism. When the battery 100 receives registration completion information from the information server 300, it can determine that the registration information has been registered. Therefore, when the battery 100 determines that the registration completion information has been received from the information server 300, it permits the output of the unlocking permission signal to the locking mechanism when it receives an input instructing unlocking. Furthermore, when the battery 100 determines that the registration completion information has not been received from the information server 300, it prohibits the output of the unlocking permission signal. This also makes it possible to properly track the battery 100.

[0048] (Variation 2) In this embodiment, the battery 100 outputs an unlocking permission signal to a locking mechanism between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10. However, an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle 10 may output the unlocking permission signal to the locking mechanism between the battery 100 and the vehicle 10. In this case, the ECU of the vehicle 10 is connectable to the network N1, and outputs the unlocking permission signal to the locking mechanism when it receives unlocking permission information from the management server 400. Note that the ECU of the vehicle 10 may also output the unlocking permission signal when it receives registration completion information from the information server 300. This also makes it possible to properly track the battery 100.

[0049] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the processes and means described in the present disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0050] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0051] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or an optical card. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Locking and unlocking management system 10. Vehicle 100··Battery 101 Control unit 102··Communications Department 103 Input section 104 Locking / unlocking section 200··Operator terminal 300··Information Server 301 Control Unit 302··Communications Department 303··Registration Information DB 400 Management Server 401 Control section 402··Communications Department 403 Registered Battery Information DB

Claims

1. Determining whether registration information for tracking the location of a battery installed in a vehicle is registered in a predetermined management device; outputting data permitting removal of the battery from the vehicle when the registration information is registered; a control unit configured to perform Information processing device.

2. outputting the data permitting removal includes outputting an unlocking permission signal to a lock mechanism between the battery and the vehicle. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The registration information is information indicating at least one of an owner of the battery, a removal company of the battery, and a recipient of the battery after removal.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A battery device mounted on a vehicle, determining whether registration information for tracking the location of the device is registered in a predetermined management device; If the registration information is registered, outputting an unlocking permission signal to a lock mechanism between the device and the vehicle; a control unit configured to perform Battery device.

5. An information processing system including an information management device and a battery management device, The information management device Accepting registration information for tracking the location of a battery installed in a vehicle; Run The battery management device determining whether the registration information is registered in the information management device; outputting data permitting removal of the battery from the vehicle when the registration information is registered; To execute Information processing system.

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