Battery exchange station (BSS) management device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A BSS management device according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification includes an acquisition unit that acquires firmware update data, and a management unit that remotely manages a battery swapping station (BSS) and a replacement battery inserted into a slot of the BSS, and the management unit can update the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery based on the firmware update data.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0190693, filed on December 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery swap station (BSS) management apparatus and method of operation. [Background technology]

[0003] A battery swapping station (BSS) is designed to store and manage multiple replacement batteries so that the multiple replacement batteries can be easily used by users of electrically powered vehicles such as electric cars, electric scooters, electric bicycles, etc. For example, the battery swapping station can charge a replacement battery using power from an external power supply and provide the fully charged replacement battery to the user of the electrically powered vehicle.

[0004] A user can remove a charged replacement battery from the battery exchange station and install it in an electric vehicle for use, or remove a worn-out replacement battery from an electric vehicle and install it in a battery exchange station for charging. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Previously, if a problem occurred with the BSS or replacement battery, a worker would visit the site in person to manage the power supply, charging voltage, charging current, etc. of the BSS or replacement battery, or attach a USB to the actual replacement battery to update the firmware.

[0006] This method was inefficient and reduced the efficiency of workers, making it impossible to respond quickly.

[0007] The embodiments disclosed herein can provide a BSS management device and a method of operating the same that can simultaneously and remotely manage a BSS and a replacement battery inserted into a slot in the BSS.

[0008] The embodiments disclosed in this specification may provide a BSS management device and a method of operating the same that can update the firmware of a BSS to a specified version and update the firmware of a replacement battery from the specified version to a version compatible with the updated functions.

[0009] The technical objectives of the embodiments disclosed in this specification are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A BSS management device according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification includes an acquisition unit that acquires firmware update data, and a management unit that remotely manages a battery swapping station (BSS) and a replacement battery inserted into a slot of the BSS, and the management unit can update the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery based on the firmware update data.

[0011] In the BSS management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification, the management unit can manage the BSS and the replacement battery in a wired or wireless manner depending on the communication environment.

[0012] In one embodiment of a BSS management device disclosed in this specification, the management unit updates the firmware of the BSS to a first version and updates the firmware of the replacement battery to a second version that is compatible with functions updated from the first version, and the firmware update data may include first update data that updates the firmware of the BSS to the first version and second update data that updates the firmware of the replacement battery to the second version.

[0013] In one embodiment of a BSS management device disclosed in this specification, the acquisition unit acquires status data of the BSS, and the management unit can control at least one of a power supply, a charging voltage, or a charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

[0014] In one embodiment of a BSS management device disclosed in this specification, the acquisition unit acquires status data of the replacement battery, and the management unit can control at least one of the power supply, charging voltage, or charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

[0015] A BSS management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification further includes an authentication unit that performs authentication on the BSS and / or the replacement battery, and the management unit can remotely manage the BSS and the replacement battery based on the authentication.

[0016] In one embodiment of a BSS management device disclosed in this specification, the authentication unit performs a first authentication for the BSS and a second authentication for the replacement battery, and if both the first authentication and the second authentication are successful, the management unit can update the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery.

[0017] In one embodiment of a BSS management device disclosed in this specification, the authentication unit performs a first authentication for the BSS, and if the first authentication is successful, performs a second authentication for the replacement battery, and if the first authentication is successful, the management unit updates the firmware of the BSS, and if the second authentication is successful, updates the firmware of the replacement battery.

[0018] A method for managing a BSS according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes an operation of acquiring firmware update data and an operation of remotely managing a battery swapping station (BSS) and a replacement battery inserted into a slot of the BSS, wherein the operation of remotely managing the BSS and the replacement battery may include an operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery based on the firmware update data.

[0019] In one embodiment of a BSS management method disclosed in this specification, the operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery includes an operation of updating the firmware of the BSS to a first version and an operation of updating the firmware of the replacement battery to a second version that is compatible with functions updated from the first version, and the firmware update data may include first update data that updates the firmware of the BSS to the first version and second update data that updates the firmware of the replacement battery to the second version.

[0020] The method for managing a BSS according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification may further include an operation of acquiring status data of the BSS, and the operation of remotely managing the BSS may include an operation of controlling at least one of a power source, a charging voltage, or a charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

[0021] The method for managing a BSS according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification may further include an operation of acquiring status data of the replacement battery, and the operation of remotely managing the BSS may include an operation of controlling at least one of a power source, a charging voltage, or a charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

[0022] A method for managing a BSS according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification may further include an operation for authenticating the BSS and / or the replacement battery, and an operation for remotely managing the BSS and the replacement battery may include an operation for remotely managing the BSS and the replacement battery based on the authentication.

[0023] In one embodiment of a BSS management method disclosed in this specification, the operation of performing authentication may include an operation of performing a first authentication for the BSS and a second authentication for the replacement battery, and the operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery may include an operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery if both the first authentication and the second authentication are successful.

[0024] In one embodiment of a BSS management method disclosed in this specification, the operation of performing authentication may include an operation of performing a first authentication for the BSS, and an operation of performing a second authentication for the replacement battery if the first authentication is successful, and the operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery may include an operation of updating the firmware of the BSS if the first authentication is successful, and an operation of updating the firmware of the replacement battery if the second authentication is successful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The BSS management device and its operating method according to various embodiments disclosed in this specification can simultaneously and remotely manage a BSS and a replacement battery inserted into a slot in the BSS, thereby not only improving the work efficiency of workers but also enabling them to respond quickly to any problems that arise.

[0026] The effects of the replacement battery and its operating method disclosed in this specification are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of this specification.

[0027] In addition, various other effects can be provided that can be directly or indirectly grasped from this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery exchange system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of a BSS management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a BSS management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a BSS management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a BSS management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a BSS management device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] The various embodiments and terms used in this specification should not be understood to limit the technical features described herein to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals are used for like or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the said item, unless a clearly different meaning is indicated in the relevant context.

[0031] As used herein, each of the phrases "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed with that phrase or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," or "(b)" are used merely to distinguish one element from other elements and do not limit the element in other respects (e.g., weight or order) unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0032] As used herein, when a (e.g., first) component is referred to as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another (e.g., second) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," or when a reference is made to being "coupled" or "connected," it means that the component can be coupled to the other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0033] According to one embodiment, a method according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store or directly between two user devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store server, or an intermediary server.

[0034] According to various embodiments, each of the aforementioned components (e.g., modules or programs) may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be located separately in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the respective components of the multiple components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by modules, programs, or other components may be performed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be performed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a battery exchange system according to an embodiment.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery swapping system may include a battery swapping station (BSS) 110, a replacement battery 120, and a BSS management device .

[0037] A BSS 110 may be provided for each designated charging station. According to one embodiment, the BSS 110 may include a plurality of slots 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 that can accommodate a replacement battery 120 for charging. When a replacement battery 120 is accommodated in one of the plurality of slots 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116, the BSS 110 may supply power to the accommodated replacement battery 120.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the BSS 110 receives a replacement battery 120 that a user of an electrically driven vehicle (e.g., an electric car, an electric scooter, an electric bicycle, etc.) returns after use, and can provide one of the other replacement batteries that have already been charged to the user once the user has paid for the charging fee. For example, when the user returns the replacement battery 120 that they used to the BSS 110 to the slot 113, the replacement battery 120 can be installed in the slot 113. After that, once the user has paid for the charging fee, the other replacement battery installed in one of the remaining slots 111, 112, 114, 115, and 116 can be detached from the slot and provided to the user.

[0039] The replacement battery 120 may be a battery pack that can be installed and used in an electric vehicle. The replacement battery 120 may be separated from the electric vehicle and housed in one of a plurality of slots 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 of the BSS 110. The replacement battery 120 housed in one of the plurality of slots 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 may receive power supplied from the BSS 110.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the BSS 110 may be coupled to the BSS manager 130 via wired and / or wireless connections.

[0041] In one embodiment, the connection 101 between the BSS 110 and the BSS manager 130 may be a communication connection via a wired and / or wireless network. In one embodiment, the wired network may be based on a local area network (LAN) communication or a power line communication. In one embodiment, the wireless network may be based on a local area network (e.g., Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi), or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a wide area network (e.g., a cellular network, a 4G network, or a 5G network).

[0042] According to one embodiment, the BSS 110 can obtain signals related to at least one of firmware update, power control, charging voltage control, or charging current control from the BSS management device 130 through a connection 101 with the BSS management device 130.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the BSS 110 may receive from the BSS management device 130 a firmware update signal for the BSS 110 and / or a firmware update signal for the replacement battery 120 inserted into the slot 113 of the BSS 110. For example, the BSS 110 may receive a first update signal for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and / or a second update signal for updating the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version, where the second version may be a version compatible with the updated functionality from the first version.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the first update signal may be acquired to update the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version. Furthermore, the second update signal may be acquired to enable the BSS 110 to update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version. According to another embodiment, the BSS 110 may transmit the acquired second update signal to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection. The replacement battery 120 may acquire the second update signal to enable the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to be updated to the second version.

[0045] In one embodiment, the replacement battery 120 may directly acquire the second update signal via a wired or wireless connection with the BSS manager 130 .

[0046] According to one embodiment, the BSS 110 may acquire, from the BSS management device 130, a control signal related to at least one of power supply control, charging voltage control, or charging current control. For example, the BSS 110 may acquire, from the BSS management device 130, a power supply control signal for turning off the power. In this case, the BSS 110 may turn off the power in response to the acquired power supply control signal. As another example, the BSS 110 may acquire, from the BSS management device 130, a charging voltage control signal for controlling the charging voltage of the replacement battery 120 inserted in the slot 113 to a specified voltage. In this case, the BSS 110 may control the charging voltage of the replacement battery 120 to a specified voltage in response to the acquired charging voltage control signal.

[0047] In one embodiment, the BSS manager 130 can authenticate to the BSS 110 and the replacement battery 120 via the connection 101 .

[0048] According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may transmit a first authentication request signal for the BSS 110 and a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110 via the connection 101. The BSS 110 may transmit a first authentication signal to the BSS manager 130 via the connection 101 in response to the first authentication request signal. Upon receiving the first authentication signal, the BSS manager 130 may determine that authentication for the BSS 110 has been successful. The BSS 110 may transmit a second authentication request signal to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection. In response to the second authentication request signal, the replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS 110 via a wired or wireless connection, and the BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS manager 130 via the connection 101. Upon receiving the second authentication signal, the BSS manager 130 may determine that authentication for the replacement battery 120 has been successful.

[0049] In one embodiment, the BSS manager 130 can directly authenticate the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection with the replacement battery 120 .

[0050] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection with the replacement battery 120. The replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130 in response to the second authentication request signal. Upon receiving the second authentication signal, the BSS management device 130 may determine that authentication of the replacement battery 120 has been successful.

[0051] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a BSS management device according to one embodiment. The BSS 110, replacement battery 120, BSS management device 130, and connection 101 shown in Figures 1 and 2 may have the same configuration, and redundant description of the same configuration will be omitted. However, the replacement battery 120 in Figure 2 may be inserted into a slot in the BSS 110 (e.g., slot 113 in Figure 1).

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the BSS manager 130 may be coupled to the BSS 110, the replacement battery 120, and / or the external device 210 via wires and / or wirelessly.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the connection 201 between the BSS manager 130 and the external device 210 may be a communication connection via a wired and / or wireless network. For example, the external device 210 may be a firmware management system, a user terminal, or an external server. Here, the user terminal may be a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a smart pad), or a personal computer (PC). According to one embodiment, the wired network may be based on local area network (LAN) communication or power line communication. According to one embodiment, the wireless network may be based on a local area network (e.g., Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi), or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a wide area network (e.g., a cellular network, a 4G network, or a 5G network).

[0054] In another embodiment, the connection 201 between the BSS management device 130 and the external device 210 may be a connection via an inter-device communication method (e.g., a bus, a general purpose input and output (GPIO), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), or a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

[0055] According to one embodiment, BSS manager 130 may include communication circuitry 140, memory 150, and processor 160. According to an embodiment, BSS manager 130 shown in FIG. 2 may further include at least one component (e.g., a display, an input device, or an output device) other than the components shown in FIG.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the communication circuitry 140 can establish a wired and / or wireless communication channel between the BSS management device 130 and the BSS 110 and / or the external device 210, and can transmit and receive data to and from the BSS 110 and / or the external device 210 via the established communication channel.

[0057] According to one embodiment, memory 150 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory.

[0058] In one embodiment, memory 150 may store data used by at least one component (e.g., processor 160) of BSS manager 130. For example, the data may include software (or instructions therefor), input data, or output data. In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by processor 160, may cause BSS manager 130 to perform the operation defined by the instructions.

[0059] According to one embodiment, memory 150 may include one or more pieces of software (eg, an acquirer 151, an authenticator 153, and an administrator 155).

[0060] In one embodiment, processor 160 may include a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the processor 160 executes software (e.g., the acquisition unit 151, the authentication unit 153, and the management unit 155), can control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the BSS management device 130 coupled to the processor 160, and can perform various data processing or calculations.

[0062] The following describes how the BSS manager 130 manages the BSS 110 and the replacement battery 120 through the acquirer 151, the authenticator 153, and / or the manager 155.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the acquiring unit 151 may acquire firmware update data. According to an embodiment, the acquiring unit 151 may acquire the firmware update data from the external device 210 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. According to an embodiment, the firmware update data may include first update data for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and second update data for updating the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version. Here, the second version may be a version compatible with the updated functions from the first version.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the acquisition unit 151 may acquire status data of the BSS 110. According to an embodiment, the acquisition unit 151 may acquire the status data of the BSS 110 from the BSS 110 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. Here, the status data of the BSS 110 may include various data related to the BSS 110. For example, the status data of the BSS 110 may include data related to the communication environment of the BSS 110, data related to whether or not a replacement battery 120 is inserted, and / or data related to the power source, charging voltage, or charging current of the BSS 110.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the acquisition unit 151 may acquire status data of the replacement battery 120. According to one embodiment, the acquisition unit 151 may acquire the status data of the replacement battery 120 from the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. Here, the status data of the replacement battery 120 may include various data related to the replacement battery 120. For example, the status data of the replacement battery 120 may include state of charge (SOC) data and / or state of health (SOH) data of the replacement battery 120.

[0066] In one embodiment, the authenticator 153 may perform authentication on the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 .

[0067] According to an embodiment, the authentication unit 153 may perform a first authentication for the BSS 110. According to an embodiment, the authentication unit 153 may transmit a first authentication request signal for the BSS 110 to the BSS 110. In response to the first authentication request signal, the BSS 110 may transmit a first authentication signal to the BSS management device 130. When the authentication unit 153 receives the first authentication signal, it may determine that the authentication for the BSS 110 has been successful.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the authentication unit 153 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120. For example, the authentication unit 153 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. The BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication request signal to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection. The replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS 110 via a wired or wireless connection in response to the second authentication request signal, and the BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130. As another example, the authentication unit 153 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the replacement battery 120. The replacement battery 120 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130 in response to the second authentication request signal. When the authentication unit 153 receives the second authentication signal, it may determine that authentication of the replacement battery 120 has been successful.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the authentication unit 153 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120 if the first authentication on the BSS 110 is successful.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 can remotely manage the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120. According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 can manage the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 wired or wirelessly depending on the communication environment. Here, the communication environment may refer to the communication environment of the BSS 110, the replacement battery 120, and / or the BSS management device 130. For example, if the BSS 110 is currently in a communication environment that is not suitable for wired communication (e.g., if the BSS 110 is located in a location where it is difficult to establish a wired network), the management unit 155 can manage the BSS 110 wirelessly.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and / or the firmware of the replacement battery 120 based on the firmware update data acquired by the acquisition unit 151. According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version. According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 may update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version. Here, the second version may be a version compatible with the updated functions from the first version.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 can transmit a firmware update signal for the BSS 110 and / or a firmware update signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. For example, the management unit 155 can transmit a first update signal to the BSS 110 to update the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and / or a second update signal to update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0073] According to one embodiment, management unit 155 may directly transmit a firmware update signal for replacement battery 120 to replacement battery 120. For example, management unit 155 may directly transmit a second update signal to replacement battery 120 to update the firmware of replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 may control at least one of the power supply, the charging voltage, or the charging current of the BSS 110 based on the status data of the BSS 110 and / or the status data of the replacement battery 120 acquired by the acquisition unit 151. According to one embodiment, the management unit 155 may control at least one of the charging voltage or the charging current of the BSS 110 according to the SOH of the replacement battery 120 based on the status data of the replacement battery 120. For example, the management unit 155 may control the charging voltage to a first voltage when the SOH of the replacement battery 120 is equal to or greater than a first level and less than a second level, and may control the charging voltage to a second voltage when the SOH of the replacement battery 120 is equal to or greater than a second level and less than a third level.

[0075] In one embodiment, the management unit 155 can remotely manage the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 based on the authentication performed by the authentication unit 153 .

[0076] In one embodiment, the management unit 155 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and the firmware of the replacement battery 120 if both the first authentication for the BSS 110 and the second authentication for the replacement battery 120 are successful.

[0077] According to one embodiment, management unit 155 may perform firmware updates for BSS 110 and replacement battery 120 upon successful authentication of each of them. For example, management unit 155 may update the firmware of BSS 110 upon successful first authentication of BSS 110. Furthermore, management unit 155 may update the firmware of replacement battery 120 upon successful second authentication of replacement battery 120.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the management unit 155 may control at least one of the power supply, the charging voltage, or the charging current of the BSS 110 if the first authentication for the BSS 110 is successful.

[0079] 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the BSS management device according to an embodiment, which will be explained using the configurations of FIGS.

[0080] The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is just one embodiment, and the order of steps according to various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in Figure 3, such as some steps being omitted, the order of steps being changed, or steps being combined. For example, operation 310 in Figure 3 may be omitted.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 3, in operation 305, the BSS manager 130 may acquire data.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may acquire firmware update data. According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may acquire firmware update data from an external device 210 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. According to one embodiment, the firmware update data may include first update data for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and second update data for updating the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version. Here, the second version may be a version compatible with the updated functions from the first version.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may acquire status data of the BSS 110. According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may acquire status data of the BSS 110 from the BSS 110 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. Here, the status data of the BSS 110 may include various data related to the BSS 110. For example, the status data of the BSS 110 may include data related to the communication environment of the BSS 110, data related to whether a replacement battery 120 is inserted, and / or data related to the power source, charging voltage, or charging current of the BSS 110.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may acquire status data of the replacement battery 120. According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may acquire the status data of the replacement battery 120 from the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. Here, the status data of the replacement battery 120 may include various data related to the replacement battery 120. For example, the status data of the replacement battery 120 may include state of charge (SOC) data and / or state of health (SOH) data of the replacement battery 120.

[0085] At operation 310 , the BSS manager 130 may perform authentication for the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 .

[0086] According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may perform a first authentication for the BSS 110. According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may transmit a first authentication request signal for the BSS 110 to the BSS 110. The BSS 110 may transmit a first authentication signal to the BSS manager 130 in response to the first authentication request signal. When the BSS manager 130 receives the first authentication signal, it may determine that the authentication for the BSS 110 has been successful.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. The BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication request signal to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection. The replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS 110 via a wired or wireless connection in response to the second authentication request signal, and the BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130. As another example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the replacement battery 120. The replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130 in response to the second authentication request signal. Upon receiving the second authentication signal, the BSS management device 130 may determine that authentication of the replacement battery 120 has been successful.

[0088] In one embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120 upon successful first authentication on the BSS 110 .

[0089] In operation 315, the BSS management device 130 can remotely manage the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120. According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 can manage the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 wired or wirelessly depending on the communication environment. Here, the communication environment may refer to the communication environment of the BSS 110, the replacement battery 120, and / or the BSS management device 130. For example, if the BSS 110 is currently in a communication environment that is not suitable for wired communication (e.g., if the BSS 110 is located in a location where it is difficult to establish a wired network), the BSS management device 130 can manage the BSS 110 wirelessly.

[0090] In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and / or the firmware of the replacement battery 120 based on the firmware update data acquired in operation 305. In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version. In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version, where the second version may be a version compatible with the updated features from the first version.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a firmware update signal for the BSS 110 and / or a firmware update signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a first update signal to the BSS 110 for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and / or a second update signal to update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0092] According to one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a firmware update signal for replacement battery 120 to replacement battery 120. For example, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a second update signal to replacement battery 120 to update the firmware of replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may control at least one of the power supply, charging voltage, or charging current of the BSS 110 based on the status data of the BSS 110 and / or the status data of the replacement battery 120 acquired in operation 305. According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may control at least one of the charging voltage or charging current of the BSS 110 according to the SOH of the replacement battery 120 based on the status data of the replacement battery 120. For example, the BSS management device 130 may control the charging voltage to a first voltage when the SOH of the replacement battery 120 is equal to or greater than a first level and less than a second level, and may control the charging voltage to a second voltage when the SOH of the replacement battery 120 is equal to or greater than a second level and less than a third level.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may remotely manage the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 based on the authentication performed in operation 310 .

[0095] In one embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and the firmware of the replacement battery 120 if both the first authentication for the BSS 110 and the second authentication for the replacement battery 120 are successful.

[0096] According to one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may perform firmware updates for BSS 110 and replacement battery 120 upon successful authentication of each of them. For example, BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of BSS 110 upon successful first authentication of BSS 110. Furthermore, BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of replacement battery 120 upon successful second authentication of replacement battery 120.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may control at least one of the power supply, charging voltage, or charging current of the BSS 110 upon successful first authentication to the BSS 110.

[0098] The operation of the BSS management device 130 to update the firmware of the BSS 110 and the firmware of the replacement battery 120 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0099] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the BSS management device according to an embodiment, which will be explained using the configurations of FIGS.

[0100] The embodiment shown in Figure 4 is just one embodiment, and the order of steps according to various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in Figure 4, and some steps shown in Figure 4 may be omitted, the order of steps may be changed, or steps may be combined. For example, operation 410 in Figure 4 may be omitted.

[0101] 4, in operation 405, the BSS management device 130 may acquire firmware update data. According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may acquire the firmware update data from the external device 210 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. According to one embodiment, the firmware update data may include first update data for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and second update data for updating the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version. Here, the second version may be a version compatible with the updated functions from the first version.

[0102] At operation 410 , the BSS manager 130 may perform authentication for the BSS 110 and / or the replacement battery 120 .

[0103] According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may perform a first authentication for the BSS 110. According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may transmit a first authentication request signal for the BSS 110 to the BSS 110. The BSS 110 may transmit a first authentication signal to the BSS manager 130 in response to the first authentication request signal. When the BSS manager 130 receives the first authentication signal, it may determine that the authentication for the BSS 110 has been successful.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. The BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication request signal to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection. The replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS 110 via a wired or wireless connection in response to the second authentication request signal, and the BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130. As another example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the replacement battery 120. The replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130 in response to the second authentication request signal. Upon receiving the second authentication signal, the BSS management device 130 may determine that authentication of the replacement battery 120 has been successful.

[0105] In one embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120 upon successful first authentication on the BSS 110 .

[0106] In operation 415 , the BSS manager 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and the firmware of the replacement battery 120 .

[0107] In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and / or the firmware of the replacement battery 120 based on the firmware update data acquired in operation 405. In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version. In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version, where the second version may be a version compatible with the updated features from the first version.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a firmware update signal for the BSS 110 and / or a firmware update signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a first update signal to the BSS 110 for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and / or a second update signal to update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0109] According to one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a firmware update signal for replacement battery 120 to replacement battery 120. For example, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a second update signal to replacement battery 120 to update the firmware of replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0110] The following describes, with reference to Figure 5, the operation of the BSS management device 130 to update the firmware of the BSS 110 and the firmware of the replacement battery 120 when both the first authentication for the BSS 110 and the second authentication for the replacement battery 120 are successful.

[0111] 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the BSS management device according to an embodiment, which will be explained using the configurations of FIGS.

[0112] The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is only one embodiment, and the order of steps in various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in FIG. 5, and some steps shown in FIG. 5 may be omitted, the order of steps may be changed, or steps may be combined.

[0113] 5, in operation 505, the BSS management device 130 may acquire firmware update data. According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may acquire the firmware update data from the external device 210 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. According to one embodiment, the firmware update data may include first update data for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and second update data for updating the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version. Here, the second version may be a version compatible with the updated functions from the first version.

[0114] At operation 510 , the BSS manager 130 may perform a first authentication for the BSS 110 and a second authentication for the replacement battery 120 .

[0115] According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may perform a first authentication for the BSS 110. According to an embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may transmit a first authentication request signal for the BSS 110 to the BSS 110.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. The BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication request signal to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection. As another example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the replacement battery 120.

[0117] At operation 515, the BSS manager 130 may determine whether the first authentication and the second authentication were both successful.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the BSS 110 may transmit a first authentication signal to the BSS manager 130 in response to the first authentication request signal. Upon receiving the first authentication signal, the BSS manager 130 may determine that authentication for the BSS 110 has been successful.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS 110 via a wired or wireless connection in response to the second authentication request signal, and the BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130. According to another embodiment, the replacement battery 120 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130 in response to the second authentication request signal. Upon receiving the second authentication signal, the BSS management device 130 may determine that authentication of the replacement battery 120 has been successful.

[0120] If it is determined in operation 515 that both the first authentication and the second authentication are successful (“YES”), then in operation 520, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and the firmware of the replacement battery 120.

[0121] In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 and / or the firmware of the replacement battery 120 based on the firmware update data acquired in operation 505. In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version. In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version, where the second version may be a version compatible with the updated features from the first version.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a firmware update signal for the BSS 110 and / or a firmware update signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a first update signal to the BSS 110 for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and / or a second update signal to update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0123] According to one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a firmware update signal for replacement battery 120 to replacement battery 120. For example, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a second update signal to replacement battery 120 to update the firmware of replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0124] If it is determined in operation 515 that at least one of the first authentication or the second authentication has failed ("NO"), the BSS manager 130 may terminate the operation according to FIG.

[0125] The following describes, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the BSS management device 130 to perform firmware updates for the BSS 110 and the replacement battery 120 when authentication of each of them is successful.

[0126] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the BSS management device according to an embodiment, which will be explained using the configurations of FIGS.

[0127] The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is just one embodiment, and the order of steps according to various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in Fig. 6. Some steps shown in Fig. 6 may be omitted, the order of steps may be changed, or steps may be combined. For example, the procedure of operation 620 and operation 625 in Fig. 6 may be changed.

[0128] 6, in operation 605, the BSS management device 130 may acquire firmware update data. According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may acquire the firmware update data from the external device 210 connected via a wired and / or wireless network. According to one embodiment, the firmware update data may include first update data for updating the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version and second update data for updating the firmware of the replacement battery 120 to a second version. Here, the second version may be a version compatible with the updated functions from the first version.

[0129] In operation 610, the BSS manager 130 may perform a first authentication for the BSS 110. According to one embodiment, the BSS manager 130 may transmit a first authentication request signal for the BSS 110 to the BSS 110.

[0130] In operation 615, the BSS manager 130 may determine whether the first authentication was successful.

[0131] According to an embodiment, the BSS 110 may transmit a first authentication signal to the BSS manager 130 in response to the first authentication request signal. Upon receiving the first authentication signal, the BSS manager 130 may determine that authentication for the BSS 110 has been successful.

[0132] If it is determined in operation 615 that the first authentication failed ("NO"), the BSS manager 130 may terminate the operations according to FIG.

[0133] If it is determined in operation 615 that the first authentication was successful (“YES”), then in operation 620 the BSS manager 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 .

[0134] In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 based on the firmware update data obtained in operation 605. In one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of the BSS 110 to the first version.

[0135] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a firmware update signal for the BSS 110 to the BSS 110. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a first update signal to the BSS 110 to update the firmware of the BSS 110 to a first version.

[0136] In operation 625 , the BSS manager 130 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120 .

[0137] According to one embodiment, the BSS management device 130 may perform a second authentication on the replacement battery 120. For example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the BSS 110. The BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication request signal to the replacement battery 120 via a wired or wireless connection. As another example, the BSS management device 130 may transmit a second authentication request signal for the replacement battery 120 to the replacement battery 120.

[0138] At operation 630, BSS manager 130 may determine whether the second authentication was successful.

[0139] According to one embodiment, the replacement battery 120 may transmit a second authentication signal to the BSS 110 via a wired or wireless connection in response to the second authentication request signal, and the BSS 110 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130. According to another embodiment, the replacement battery 120 may transmit the second authentication signal to the BSS management device 130 in response to the second authentication request signal. Upon receiving the second authentication signal, the BSS management device 130 may determine that authentication of the replacement battery 120 has been successful.

[0140] If it is determined in operation 630 that the second authentication was successful (“YES”), then in operation 635 the BSS manager 130 may update the firmware of the replacement battery 120 .

[0141] In one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of replacement battery 120 based on the firmware update data obtained in operation 605. In one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may update the firmware of replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0142] According to one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may transmit a firmware update signal for replacement battery 120 to BSS 110. For example, BSS management device 130 may transmit a second update signal to BSS 110 to update the firmware of replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0143] According to one embodiment, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a firmware update signal for replacement battery 120 to replacement battery 120. For example, BSS management device 130 may directly transmit a second update signal to replacement battery 120 to update the firmware of replacement battery 120 to a second version.

[0144] If it is determined in operation 630 that the second authentication has failed ("NO"), the BSS manager 130 may terminate the operations according to FIG.

[0145] As used above, terms such as "comprise," "constitute," and "have," unless otherwise specified, mean that the relevant element can be present within the term, and should be interpreted as including other elements rather than excluding other elements. All terms, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein belong, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as dictionary-defined terms, should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

Claims

1. an acquisition unit for acquiring firmware update data; a management unit that remotely manages a BSS (battery swapping station) and a replacement battery inserted into a slot of the BSS; The management unit a BSS management device that updates the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery based on the firmware update data;

2. The BSS management device according to claim 1 , wherein the management unit manages the BSS and the replacement battery in a wired or wireless manner depending on a communication environment.

3. The management unit updating the firmware of the BSS to a first version; updating the firmware of the replacement battery to a second version that is compatible with updated features from the first version; 2. The BSS management device of claim 1, wherein the firmware update data includes first update data for updating the firmware of the BSS to the first version and second update data for updating the firmware of the replacement battery to a second version.

4. The acquisition unit acquires status data of the BSS; The BSS management device according to claim 1 , wherein the management unit controls at least one of a power supply, a charging voltage, and a charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

5. the acquisition unit acquires status data of the replacement battery; The BSS management device according to claim 1 , wherein the management unit controls at least one of a charging voltage or a charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

6. further comprising an authentication unit that performs authentication for the BSS and / or the replacement battery; The BSS management device according to claim 1 , wherein the management unit remotely manages the BSS and the replacement battery based on the authentication.

7. the authentication unit performs a first authentication for the BSS and a second authentication for the replacement battery; The BSS management device according to claim 6 , wherein the management unit updates the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery when both the first authentication and the second authentication are successful.

8. The authentication unit performing a first authentication to the BSS; If the first authentication is successful, a second authentication is performed on the replacement battery; The management unit If the first authentication is successful, updating the firmware of the BSS; The BSS management device of claim 6 , further comprising: updating the firmware of the replacement battery if the second authentication is successful.

9. An operation of acquiring firmware update data; and remotely managing a battery swapping station (BSS) and a replacement battery inserted into a slot of the BSS; The operation of remotely managing the BSS and the replacement battery comprises: A BSS management method including an operation of updating firmware of the BSS and firmware of the replacement battery based on the firmware update data.

10. The operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery includes: updating the firmware of the BSS to a first version; updating the firmware of the replacement battery from the first version to a second version that is compatible with updated functionality; 10. The BSS management method of claim 9, wherein the firmware update data includes first update data for updating the firmware of the BSS to the first version and second update data for updating the firmware of the replacement battery to a second version.

11. further comprising an operation of acquiring status data of the BSS; The operation of remotely managing the BSS comprises:

10. The method of claim 9, comprising controlling at least one of a power source, a charging voltage, or a charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

12. further comprising an operation of obtaining status data for the replacement battery; The operation of remotely managing the BSS comprises: The method of claim 9 , further comprising controlling at least one of a charging voltage or a charging current of the BSS based on the status data.

13. further comprising the act of authenticating the BSS and / or the replacement battery; The method of claim 9 , wherein the act of remotely managing the BSS and the replacement battery comprises the act of remotely managing the BSS and the replacement battery based on the authentication.

14. the act of authenticating includes an act of first authenticating the BSS and a act of second authenticating the replacement battery; 14. The BSS management method of claim 13, wherein the operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery includes an operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery if both the first authentication and the second authentication are successful.

15. The authentication operation includes: performing a first authentication to the BSS; and if the first authentication is successful, performing a second authentication on the replacement battery; The operation of updating the firmware of the BSS and the firmware of the replacement battery includes: updating the firmware of the BSS if the first authentication is successful; 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: updating the firmware of the replacement battery if the second authentication is successful.

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