Vehicle information distribution device

Abstract

To grasp a performance of a vehicle in an area to which the vehicle belongs.SOLUTION: An execution section of a data center repetitively acquires a battery performance Z at predetermined timing. The execution section of the data center extracts battery performances Z of the same vehicle type in the same area from the acquired battery performances Z for each vehicle. The execution section of the data center calculates a statistic value being the value obtained by statistically analyzing the extracted battery performances Z. The execution section outputs the calculated battery performance Z to an external side together with information indicating the area to which the battery performance Z being a basis of calculation of the statistic value belongs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle information distribution device. [Background technology]

[0002] The system of Patent Document 1 includes a fuel economy information management server and a terminal device. The fuel economy information management server acquires fuel economy from multiple vehicles. The fuel economy information management server also ranks the fuel economy of each vehicle based on the acquired fuel economy for each vehicle. The terminal device then acquires information related to the fuel economy ranking from the fuel economy information management server. The user can understand the performance of the vehicle based on the fuel economy ranking displayed on the display of the terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-081558 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Vehicle performance, such as fuel economy, can vary depending on the region the vehicle is used in, even for the same model. The system in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration such regional differences in vehicle performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle information distribution device for solving the above problem includes an execution unit that repeatedly acquires performance values ​​indicating the performance of a vehicle from the vehicle at predetermined timings, extracts performance values ​​for the same vehicle model and the same region from the acquired performance values ​​for each vehicle, calculates a statistical value that is a value obtained by statistically analyzing the extracted performance values, and outputs the calculated statistical value to the outside together with information indicating the region to which the performance value that was the basis for calculating the statistical value belongs.

[0006] According to the above configuration, for example, by comparing the performance value of the target vehicle with the statistical value, it is possible to grasp the performance of the vehicle in the area to which the target vehicle belongs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information distribution system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process executed by the information distribution system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to the display of a personal terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Outline of information distribution system configuration> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. First, a schematic configuration of an information distribution system 100 will be described.

[0009] As shown in Fig. 1, an information distribution system 100 includes a plurality of vehicles 10. The vehicles 10 are, for example, automobiles owned by users. Note that Fig. 1 shows only one vehicle 10 as a representative.

[0010] The vehicle 10 is equipped with a current sensor 31, a voltage sensor 32, a battery temperature sensor 33, and a GNSS receiver 34. The current sensor 31 detects a current IB, which is a current input to and output from a battery (not shown). Here, the battery is a secondary battery that supplies power to a motor generator that functions as a drive source for the vehicle 10. The voltage sensor 32 detects a voltage VB, which is a terminal voltage of the battery. The battery temperature sensor 33 detects a battery temperature TB, which is the temperature of the battery. The GNSS receiver 34 detects a position coordinate PC, which is the coordinate of the point where the vehicle 10 is located, by communicating with a GNSS satellite (not shown). GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System.

[0011] The vehicle 10 includes a control device 20. The control device 20 acquires signals indicating various values ​​from a current sensor 31, a voltage sensor 32, a battery temperature sensor 33, and a GNSS receiver .

[0012] The control device 20 includes an execution unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The communication unit 23 is capable of communicating with devices external to the vehicle 10 via the communication network 200. The storage unit 22 stores information acquired by the control device 20, etc. The storage unit 22 also stores various programs in advance. The storage unit 22 also stores vehicle model information IM, which is information indicating the vehicle model of the vehicle 10. The execution unit 21 executes various processes by reading the programs in the storage unit 22. An example of the execution unit 21 is a CPU.

[0013] The execution unit 21 calculates the battery performance Z at each predetermined control cycle. Specifically, the execution unit 21 calculates the battery performance Z based on the current IB, the voltage VB, and the battery temperature TB from the present time up to a certain period of time ago. Here, the battery performance Z is a value indicating the ratio of the actual maximum charge capacity of the battery to the maximum charge capacity for which the battery is designed. Therefore, if the battery is in a new condition and in an optimal environment for the battery, the battery performance Z will be close to 100%. The battery performance Z decreases as the battery is used. Furthermore, if the battery is used in, for example, an extremely high temperature environment or an extremely low temperature environment, the battery performance Z decreases more quickly than when used in an optimal environment. In this embodiment, the battery performance Z is an example of a performance value indicating the performance of the vehicle 10. Note that the above-mentioned certain period is, for example, several hours to several days.

[0014] Furthermore, the execution unit 21 identifies a target area TA for each predetermined control cycle. Here, the target area TA indicates a prefecture as an area where the battery performance Z is calculated. The execution unit 21 identifies the target area TA, for example, as follows: First, the execution unit 21 selects a prefecture that may be a target based on the position coordinates PC acquired up to a certain period of time before the present time. Then, the execution unit 21 identifies, from among the selected prefectures, the prefecture whose position coordinates PC have been acquired for the longest period of time as the target area TA.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution system 100 includes a data center 50. The data center 50 includes an execution unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a communication unit 53. The communication unit 53 is capable of communicating with devices external to the data center 50 via a communication network 200. The storage unit 52 stores information acquired by the data center 50. The storage unit 52 also stores various programs in advance. The execution unit 51 executes various processes by reading the programs from the storage unit 52. An example of the execution unit 51 is a CPU. An example of the data center 50 is a so-called server. In this embodiment, the data center 50 functions as a vehicle information distribution device.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the information distribution system 100 includes a plurality of personal terminals 70. The personal terminals 70 are, for example, smartphones owned by users. Note that Fig. 1 illustrates only one personal terminal 70 as a representative.

[0017] The personal terminal 70 includes an execution unit 71, a storage unit 72, a communication unit 73, and a display 74. The communication unit 73 is capable of communicating with devices external to the personal terminal 70 via the communication network 200. The storage unit 72 stores information acquired by the personal terminal 70. The storage unit 72 also stores various programs in advance. The storage unit 72 also stores information related to the vehicle 10 linked to the user of the personal terminal 70 in advance in order to execute the distribution control described below. The execution unit 71 executes various processes by reading the programs in the storage unit 72. An example of the execution unit 71 is a CPU. The display 74 is capable of displaying various information. The display 74 is a so-called touch panel display. Therefore, the user can also input various information via the display 74.

[0018] <Acquisition Control> Next, the acquisition control executed by the data center 50 and the control device 20 of the vehicle 10 will be described. The acquisition control is executed between one data center 50 and the control device 20 of multiple vehicles 10. The control device 20 of the vehicle 10 executes the acquisition control every time the control device 20 starts operation.

[0019] In the acquisition control, the control device 20 calculates the battery performance Z and the target area TA as described above. Then, as shown in Fig. 2, the control device 20 transmits a signal indicating the latest battery performance Z and the target area TA to the data center 50 together with a signal indicating the vehicle model information IM each time the control device 20 finishes its operation. In other words, the timing when the control device 20 transmits the battery performance Z, etc. is predetermined as the timing when the control device 20 finishes its operation. Note that while Fig. 2 illustrates battery performance Z, etc. being transmitted from one vehicle 10 to the data center 50, in reality, multiple vehicles 10 transmit battery performance Z, etc. to the data center 50.

[0020] The data center 50 receives signals indicating the battery performance Z, the target area TA, and the vehicle model information IM. In other words, the execution unit 51 of the data center 50 repeatedly acquires the performance values ​​of the vehicle 10 from the vehicle 10 at a timing predetermined as the timing at which the operation of the control device 20 ends. Furthermore, the memory unit 52 of the data center 50 stores the battery performance Z, the target area TA, and the vehicle model information IM for each vehicle 10 in association with one another. At this time, if the memory unit 52 has already stored the battery performance Z and the target area TA for the same vehicle 10, it rewrites them with the latest battery performance Z and the target area TA. Thereafter, the data center 50 ends the current acquisition control.

[0021] <Calculation control> Next, a description will be given of the calculation control executed by the data center 50. For example, the execution unit 51 of the data center 50 executes the calculation control every time midnight arrives.

[0022] 2, when the execution unit 51 of the data center 50 starts calculation control, it executes the process of step S11. In step S11, the execution unit 51 extracts the battery performance Z for each vehicle model from the battery performance Z stored in the storage unit 52 based on the vehicle model information IM. Thereafter, the execution unit 51 proceeds to step S12.

[0023] In step S12, the execution unit 51 extracts battery performance Z for each of the same regions from the battery performance Z of the same vehicle model extracted in step S11 based on the target region TA. After that, the execution unit 51 proceeds to step S13.

[0024] In step S13, the execution unit 51 calculates a statistical value, which is a value obtained by statistically analyzing the multiple battery performance Zs extracted in step S12. In this embodiment, the execution unit 51 calculates the average value of the multiple battery performance Zs extracted in step S12 as the statistical value. Note that the average value of the multiple battery performance Zs extracted in step S12 indicates the average value of the battery performance Zs for each prefecture. Also, in step S13, the execution unit 51 identifies the maximum and minimum values ​​of the multiple battery performance Zs extracted in step S12. Note that the maximum and minimum values ​​of the multiple battery performance Zs extracted in step S12 indicate the maximum and minimum values ​​of the battery performance Zs for each prefecture.

[0025] Furthermore, in step S13, the execution unit 51 calculates the average value of the multiple battery performance values ​​Z extracted in step S11. Note that the average value of the multiple battery performance values ​​Z extracted in step S11 indicates the average value of battery performance Z for all prefectures, i.e., nationwide. Also, in step S13, the execution unit 51 identifies the maximum and minimum values ​​of the multiple battery performance values ​​Z extracted in step S11. Note that the maximum and minimum values ​​of the multiple battery performance values ​​Z extracted in step S11 indicate the maximum and minimum values ​​of battery performance Z for the entire country. After step S13, the execution unit 51 ends the current calculation control.

[0026] <Distribution Control> Next, the distribution control executed by the data center 50 and the personal terminal 70 will be described. The distribution control is executed between one data center 50 and multiple personal terminals 70. The personal terminal 70 executes the distribution control each time a user performs an operation to request distribution of statistical values, etc. via the display 74 of the personal terminal 70. As shown in FIG. 2 , in the distribution control, the personal terminal 70 transmits a signal requesting distribution of statistical values, etc. to the data center 50. Furthermore, the personal terminal 70 transmits a signal indicating information related to the vehicle 10 linked to the user of the personal terminal 70 to the data center 50.

[0027] The execution unit 51 of the data center 50 transmits signals indicating various values ​​calculated by the calculation control to the personal terminal 70. Specifically, in the above transmission, the execution unit 51 identifies the model of the corresponding vehicle 10 based on information about the vehicle 10 linked to the user of the personal terminal 70. Furthermore, the execution unit 51 identifies the same prefecture as the target area TA corresponding to the vehicle 10 based on the information about the vehicle 10 linked to the user of the personal terminal 70. Then, the execution unit 51 transmits signals indicating the average, maximum, and minimum values ​​of battery performance Z for the same model as the user's vehicle 10 and the same prefecture as the target area TA to the personal terminal 70, along with a signal indicating the target area TA. In other words, the execution unit 51 outputs the statistical values ​​calculated by the calculation control to the outside, along with information indicating the region to which the performance values ​​used as the basis for calculating the statistical values ​​belong. Furthermore, the execution unit 51 transmits signals indicating the nationwide average, maximum, and minimum values ​​of battery performance Z to the personal terminal 70. Furthermore, the execution unit 51 transmits a signal indicating the battery performance Z of the vehicle 10 linked to the user of the personal terminal 70 to the personal terminal 70. Then, as shown in Fig. 3, the execution unit 71 of the personal terminal 70 displays a table indicating various values ​​on the display 74. Thereafter, the personal terminal 70 ends the current distribution control.

[0028] <Operation of this embodiment> In the calculation control, the data center 50 calculates the average value of battery performance Z for each prefecture. In addition, in the distribution control, the personal terminal 70 acquires the average value of battery performance Z for the same model of vehicle as the user's vehicle 10 and for the prefecture in which the user's vehicle 10 was used, and the battery performance Z of vehicles 10 linked to the user. Then, as shown in FIG. 3 , the display 74 of the personal terminal 70 displays the average value of battery performance Z for the prefecture in which the user's vehicle 10 was used, and the battery performance Z of the user's vehicle 10.

[0029] <Effects of this embodiment> By referring to the display on display 74, the user can compare the average value of battery performance Z for the prefecture in which the user's vehicle 10 is used with the battery performance Z of the user's vehicle 10. As a result, the user can understand the battery performance Z of the vehicle 10 in the region in which the user's vehicle 10 is located.

[0030] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the statistical value in step S13 may be changed. For example, the execution unit 51 may calculate the median value of the multiple battery performance Z values ​​extracted in step S12 as the statistical value. Furthermore, for example, in addition to the average value and median value of the battery performance Z, the standard deviation, standard error, etc. of the battery performance Z may be calculated as the statistical value.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the performance value indicating the performance of the vehicle 10 may be changed. For example, the performance value may be fuel efficiency indicating the distance traveled by the vehicle 10 per unit amount of fuel used by the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the performance value may be electricity efficiency indicating the distance traveled by the vehicle 10 per unit amount of electricity used by the vehicle 10.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the timing at which the execution unit 51 of the data center 50 acquires the performance value of the vehicle 10 may be changed. For example, the execution unit 51 of the data center 50 may acquire the performance value of the vehicle 10 from the vehicle 10 immediately before executing the process of step S11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] Z...battery performance, 10...vehicle, 20...control device, 21...execution unit, 22...memory unit, 23...communication unit, 31...current sensor, 32...voltage sensor, 33...battery temperature sensor, 34...GNSS receiver, 50...data center, 51...execution unit, 52...memory unit, 53...communication unit, 70...personal terminal, 71...execution unit, 72...memory unit, 73...communication unit, 74...display, 100...information distribution system, 200...communication network.

Claims

[Claim 1] repeatedly acquiring, at predetermined timings, from a vehicle, battery performance of a secondary battery that supplies power to a motor generator that functions as a drive source of the vehicle, among performance values ​​that indicate the performance of the vehicle; extracting the battery performance for each vehicle of the same model and the same prefecture from the battery performance for each vehicle obtained; calculating a first statistical value that is a value obtained by statistically analyzing the battery performances of a plurality of vehicles extracted for the same vehicle type and the same prefecture; extracting the battery performance for each vehicle type from the battery performance for each vehicle acquired, for a nationwide range that is all prefectures; calculating a second statistical value that is a value obtained by statistically analyzing the battery performances extracted for each vehicle type nationwide; When requested by a user, outputting to the outside the first statistical value for a vehicle of the same model as a vehicle linked to the user and for a prefecture corresponding to the vehicle linked to the user, together with information indicating the prefecture to which the battery performance that was the basis for calculating the first statistical value belongs; When requested by the user, outputting the second statistical value for the same vehicle type as the vehicle linked to the user to the outside together with information indicating the nationwide area on which the second statistical value was calculated; When requested by the user, outputting the battery performance of the vehicle associated with the user to an external device; It has an execution unit that executes Vehicle information distribution device.

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