Information Processing Method

Abstract

To optimize a charging amount.SOLUTION: An information processing method by an information processing device 1 includes specifying a first vehicle 2 which can supply power generated by a fuel battery to the outside, and controlling an amount of power supplied to the outside according to a residual quantity of hydrogen in the first vehicle 2 and a distance to a next hydrogen station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known a vehicle that stores electric power generated by a fuel cell and supplies the stored electric power to devices external to the vehicle (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-057942 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned background art does not take into consideration optimal external power supply by fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) used in logistics.

[0005] The present disclosure was made in consideration of the above circumstances and aims to optimize the amount of charge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An information processing method by an information processing device, Identifying a first vehicle that is capable of supplying power generated by a fuel cell to an external device; controlling the amount of power supplied to the outside in accordance with the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first vehicle and the distance to the next hydrogen station; Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of charge can be optimized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a vehicle DB (database). [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system S of this embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information processing device 1, a first vehicle 2, and a second vehicle 3. The information processing device 1 is capable of communicating with the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, a mobile communication network, the Internet, or a fixed communication network.

[0010] 1, for ease of explanation, one information processing device 1, one first vehicle 2, and one second vehicle 3 are illustrated. However, the number of information processing devices 1, first vehicles 2, and second vehicles 3 is not limited to this. For example, the processing performed by the information processing device 1 may be performed by multiple information processing devices 1 that are distributed.

[0011] The information processing device 1 may be a server that supports the provision of services by a business operator. The information processing device 1 may be installed, for example, in a facility dedicated to the business operator or in a shared facility including a data center. As an alternative example, the information processing device 1 may be mounted on the first vehicle 2 or the second vehicle 3. The information processing device 1 may be referred to as a center server.

[0012] The first vehicle 2 or the second vehicle 3 may include any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. The driving of the first vehicle 2 may be automated at any level. The level of automation may be, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. The first vehicle 2 may be a dedicated MaaS vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service. Alternatively, the first vehicle 2 may be driven by a driver.

[0013] The internal configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0014] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The components of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other via, for example, a dedicated line so that they can communicate with each other.

[0015] The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Instead of including a processor, the control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 may include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0016] The communication unit 12 includes a communication module compatible with one or more wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards for connecting to a network. The communication unit 12 may include a module compatible with one or more mobile communication standards including LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 12 may include a communication module compatible with one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), IrDA, ZigBee (registered trademark), FeliCa (registered trademark), or RFID. The communication unit 12 transmits and receives any information via the network.

[0017] The memory unit 13 includes, for example, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these, but is not limited to these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The memory unit 13 may function, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 13 may store information resulting from analysis or processing by the control unit 11. The memory unit 13 may store various information related to the operation or control of the information processing device 1. The memory unit 13 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. The memory unit 13 may be provided outside the information processing device 1 and may be accessed by the information processing device 1. The memory unit 13 includes a vehicle DB.

[0018] The internal configuration of the first vehicle 2 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 3. In this embodiment, the first vehicle 2 is an FCEV. As an example, when the hydrogen tank of the first vehicle 2 is full, it generates enough electricity to power an average household for four or five days.

[0019] The first vehicle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a power supply device 24. The components of the first vehicle 2 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, for example, via a dedicated line.

[0020] The hardware configuration of the control unit 21, the communication unit 22, and the storage unit 23 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the storage unit 13. The description here will be omitted.

[0021] The power supply device 24 is capable of supplying electric power generated by the fuel cell of the first vehicle 2 to the external second vehicle 3 via a cable CA shown in FIG.

[0022] The internal configuration of the second vehicle 3 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 4. The second vehicle 3 in this embodiment is a BEV.

[0023] The second vehicle 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a battery 34. The components of the second vehicle 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, via a dedicated line.

[0024] The hardware configuration of the control unit 31, the communication unit 32, and the storage unit 33 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the storage unit 13. The description here will be omitted.

[0025] The process executed by the information processing system S of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0026] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 identifies a first vehicle that can supply power generated by a fuel cell to the outside. The control unit 11 may determine that power supply is to be performed when the first vehicle 2 is moving or stopped. The load of power supply is lower when the vehicle is stopped than when it is moving.

[0027] The control unit 11 determines the second vehicle 3 to be the power supply destination. The control unit 11 determines that the power is to be charged into the battery 34 of the second vehicle 3. The method for determining the second vehicle 3 is arbitrary. As an alternative, the power supply destination may be a charging station or an electrically assisted bicycle instead of the second vehicle 3.

[0028] The point where power supply (charging) is performed may be a rest area or a destination point along the way for the first vehicle 2 or the second vehicle 3 while in motion.

[0029] The control unit 11 controls (adjusts) the amount of power supplied to the outside in accordance with the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first vehicle 2 and the distance to the next hydrogen station. For example, the control unit 11 may control the amount of power supplied so that the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first vehicle 2 becomes zero (i.e., so that the hydrogen is used up). For example, if the first vehicle 2 is a delivery vehicle, the control unit 11 may control the amount of power supplied to the outside of the first vehicle 2 so that the remaining amount of hydrogen becomes zero after the first vehicle 2 has traveled the remaining delivery distance. As an alternative, the control unit 11 may control the amount of power supplied to the outside of the first vehicle 2 so that the remaining amount of hydrogen becomes zero after the first vehicle 2 has traveled the distance to the next hydrogen station. As another alternative, if there is no hydrogen station near the destination and hydrogen filling is not possible, the control unit 11 may control the amount of power supplied to the outside so that the first vehicle can travel on the way home (i.e., so that hydrogen does not run out on the way home).

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 11 stores, in association with the first vehicle 2 that is the power source, the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first vehicle 2, the distance to the next hydrogen station, the identification information of the second vehicle 3 that is the power source, and the amount of electricity to be supplied to the second vehicle 3.

[0031] The first vehicle 2, which is an FCEV, may carry the second vehicle 3, which is a BEV. That is, in one section, the first vehicle 2 carries the second vehicle 3, and in another section, the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 are separated.

[0032] When power is supplied externally, the power may be converted from DC to AC.

[0033] An information processing method performed by the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] In step S1, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 identifies the first vehicle 2 that is the power supply source. In step S2, the control unit 11 determines the second vehicle 3 that is the power supply destination. In step S3, the control unit 11 controls the amount of power supplied to the outside depending on the amount of hydrogen remaining in the first vehicle 2 and the distance to the next hydrogen station. Step S2 may be executed before step S1 or after step S3.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, the operation of the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 includes identifying a first vehicle 2 that can supply power generated by a fuel cell to the outside, and controlling the amount of power supplied to the outside in accordance with the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first vehicle 2 and the distance to the next hydrogen station. This configuration allows the information processing device 1 to optimize the amount of charge.

[0036] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation of the control unit 11 includes determining to charge the battery 34 of the second vehicle 3, which is a BEV, with the power generated by the first vehicle 2. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can optimize the amount of charge to the second vehicle 3.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation of the control unit 11 includes determining to supply power when the first vehicle 2 is stopped. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can reduce the power supply load of the first vehicle 2.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation of the control unit 11 includes controlling the amount of electric power so that the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first vehicle 2 becomes zero. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can increase the efficiency of the next hydrogen filling of the first vehicle 2.

[0039] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation of the control unit 11 includes controlling the amount of power so that the remaining amount of hydrogen becomes zero after the first vehicle 2 has traveled the remaining delivery distance. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can reduce the occurrence of a shortage of hydrogen while the first vehicle 2 is traveling the remaining delivery distance.

[0040] Although the present disclosure will be described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step may be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means or steps may be combined or divided into one.

[0041] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a program for executing all or part of the functions or processes of the information processing device 1 can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include non-transitory computer-readable media, such as magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or semiconductor memories. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), on which the program is recorded. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transmitting the program from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0042] A computer temporarily stores a program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that does not directly instruct a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "equivalent to a program." [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] S Information Processing System

Claims

1. An information processing method by an information processing device, Identifying a first vehicle that is capable of supplying electric power generated by a fuel cell to an external device; controlling the amount of electric power supplied to an external device in accordance with the remaining amount of hydrogen in the first vehicle and the distance to the next hydrogen station; Including, The information processing method includes controlling the amount of electricity so that the remaining amount of hydrogen becomes zero after the first vehicle travels the remaining delivery distance.

2. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method including determining to charge the battery of a second vehicle, which is a BEV, with electric power generated by the first vehicle.

3. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method including determining that the power supply is to be performed when the first vehicle is stopped.

4. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method including determining to supply the electric power while the first vehicle is traveling.

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