Information processing system and cartridge

Abstract

To enable the amount of hydrogen absorbed in a hydrogen storage alloy to be specified. [Solution] A parameter acquisition unit acquires a variation parameter (step S101). In step S102, an identification unit identifies the remaining amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the variation parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit and relationship information stored in a storage unit (step S102). In step S103, the identification unit registers the remaining amount of hydrogen in the cartridge identified in step S102 in a management table (step S103).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that has a detachable hydrogen cartridge containing a hydrogen storage alloy and that can operate using the hydrogen cartridge as an energy source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-10894 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Fuel cells are known to generate electricity by using fuel. When hydrogen fuel is used, hydrogen storage alloys are often used to store the fuel. However, it has been difficult to determine the amount of hydrogen stored in these alloys. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to specify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in a hydrogen storage alloy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing system to which the present invention is applied is an information processing system comprising an acquisition means for acquiring parameters that change according to the consumption of hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen storage alloy, and an identification means for identifying the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the parameters acquired by the acquisition means.

[0006] Here, the acquisition means may acquire, as the parameter, information output from a detection unit that detects the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to the outside of the hydrogen storage alloy, and the identification means may identify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the information output from the detection unit that detects the amount of hydrogen. In addition, the acquisition means may acquire as the parameter the amount of electricity generated by a fuel cell unit that generates electricity using hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy, and the identification means may identify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the amount of electricity generated. In addition, the acquisition means may acquire, as the parameter, information output from a detection unit that detects the amount of products produced when power generation is performed using hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy, and the identification means may identify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the information output from the detection unit that detects the amount of products. In addition, the acquisition means may acquire, as the parameter, the supply time of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to a fuel cell unit that generates electricity using hydrogen, and the identification means may identify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the supply time of hydrogen. In addition, the identification means may be configured to identify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the parameters acquired by the acquisition means and temperature information, which is information about the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy. The device may further include a deterioration information acquisition means for acquiring deterioration information, which is information about the deterioration of the hydrogen storage alloy, and the identification means may identify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the parameters acquired by the acquisition means and the deterioration information acquired by the deterioration information acquisition means. In addition, the identification means may correct the initial value of the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the deterioration information, and identify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the corrected initial value and the parameter acquired by the acquisition means. The deterioration information acquiring means may acquire, as the deterioration information, information about the number of times the hydrogen storage alloy has been filled with hydrogen. The degradation information acquisition means may acquire, as the degradation information, an elapsed time from a predetermined reference time.

[0007] From another perspective, an information processing system to which the present invention is applied is an information processing system comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring information about the operating status of an apparatus to which electricity is supplied from power generation using hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen storage alloy; and an identification means for identifying the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the information about the operating status of the apparatus acquired by the acquisition means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to specify the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a fuel cell management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a management server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks realized by a management server. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the management server. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing relationship information representing the relationship between a change parameter and the amount of hydrogen consumed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a management table registered in a storage unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Management system configuration> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a fuel cell management system 10. The management system 10 of this embodiment is provided with a fuel cell 11 that generates electricity. A plurality of fuel cells 11 are provided. The fuel cell 11 is installed in, for example, a house or a factory. There are also portable fuel cells 11. The portable fuel cell 11 is taken out to, for example, a campsite and used outdoors. The fuel cell 11 is also installed in, for example, a home appliance. Fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 11 by a cartridge 12 containing the fuel.

[0011] Each user attaches the cartridge 12 to a housing in which the fuel cell 11 is installed. This causes fuel to be supplied from the cartridge 12 to the fuel cell 11. The fuel cell 11 generates electricity. When the fuel cell 11 is installed in a house, a factory, or outdoors, the electric power generated by the fuel cell 11 is supplied to devices installed around the fuel cell 11. Furthermore, when the fuel cell 11 is installed in a home appliance, the electric power generated by the fuel cell 11 is supplied to the home appliance.

[0012] Furthermore, the management system 10 of this embodiment is provided with a management server 20 . As will be described later, the management server 20 acquires parameters that change according to the consumption of fuel, and identifies the remaining amount of fuel in the cartridge 12.

[0013] The fuel cell 11 generates electricity through a redox reaction between a fuel such as hydrogen and an oxidant. Oxygen in the air is often used as the oxidant. The fuel is supplied to the fuel cell 11 from the cartridge 12. In this embodiment, the cartridge 12 contains a hydrogen storage alloy M that stores hydrogen as fuel. Hydrogen is supplied as fuel to the fuel cell 11 from a cartridge 12. The air around the fuel cell 11 is also supplied to the fuel cell 11. In the fuel cell 11, gaseous hydrogen and oxygen contained in the air are used to generate electricity.

[0014] Two electrodes are installed in the fuel cell 11. An electrolyte is provided between the two electrodes. Furthermore, an electric wire is provided to connect the two electrodes. In the fuel cell 11, hydrogen is split into hydrogen ions and electrons at one electrode. The hydrogen ions travel through the electrolyte to the other electrode. The electrons travel through the wire to the other electrode. This electron movement generates electricity. At the other pole, oxygen contained in the air, hydrogen ions that have passed through the electrolyte, and electrons that have passed through the electric wire react to produce water, which is an example of a product.

[0015] <Hardware configuration of the management server> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server 20. As shown in FIG. The management server 20 is provided with a processing unit 901 and an information storage device 902 for storing information. The processing unit 901 is configured by a computer. The processing unit 901 has a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) 911 as an example of a processor. The processing unit 901 also has a ROM (=Read Only Memory) 912 in which a program is stored. The processing unit 901 also has a RAM (=Random Access Memory) 913 used as a work area. The information storage device 902 is realized by an existing device such as a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape. The processing unit 901 and the information storage device 902 are connected via a bus 906 and a signal line (not shown).

[0016] The program executed by the CPU 911 can be provided to the management server 20 via a recording medium. Examples of recording media include magnetic recording media such as magnetic tapes and magnetic disks. Other examples of recording media include optical recording media such as optical disks. Other examples of recording media include magneto-optical recording media. Other examples of recording media include semiconductor memories. The program executed by the CPU 911 may be provided to the management server 20 using a communication means such as the Internet. In this embodiment, the CPU 911 executes programs stored in the ROM 912 and the information storage device 902 .

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks realized by the management server 20. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the CPU 911 provided in the management server 20 executes a program stored in the ROM 912, thereby realizing each of the functional units shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the management server 20 functions as an information processing system. The management server 20 processes information about the fuel cell 11. In this embodiment, the information processing system is realized by one device, the management server 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing system may be configured by a plurality of information processing devices.

[0018] <Management Server Functional Configuration> In this embodiment, a parameter acquisition unit 21, a storage unit 22, an identification unit 23, and a degradation information acquisition unit 24 are provided as functional units.

[0019] The parameter acquisition unit 21 acquires parameters that change in response to the consumption of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen absorbing alloy M provided in the cartridge 12. Hereinafter, this parameter may be referred to as the "variation parameter." There are a number of types of change parameters, including, for example, the flow rate of hydrogen, the time for supplying hydrogen, the amount of power generated in the fuel cell 11, and the amount of the above-mentioned product produced in the oxidation-reduction reaction. The above-mentioned change parameters are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0020] In this embodiment, sensors serving as an example of a detection unit are provided in the fuel cell 11, the cartridge 12, and the like, so that the change parameters can be detected. The parameter acquisition unit 21 acquires the variation parameters detected by the detection unit.

[0021] The storage unit 22 stores various types of information. The storage unit 22 stores, for example, identification information for identifying each cartridge 12 for each cartridge 12. Each cartridge 12 is previously assigned identification information for identifying the cartridge 12. Each piece of this identification information is previously registered in the storage unit 22. In detail, each piece of this identification information is previously registered in a management table (described later) stored in the storage unit 22.

[0022] Furthermore, the memory unit 22 stores the amount of hydrogen filled in each cartridge 12 for each cartridge 12. More specifically, the memory unit 22 stores the initial value of the amount of hydrogen in each cartridge 12. In other words, the memory unit 22 stores the amount of hydrogen in each cartridge 12 before use of the cartridge 12 begins. The storage unit 22 also stores relationship information indicating the relationship between the change parameter and the amount of hydrogen consumed. The memory unit 22 also stores the remaining amount of hydrogen for each cartridge 12.

[0023] The specifying unit 23 specifies the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy M. In other words, the specifying unit 23 specifies the remaining amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy M. The determination unit 23 determines the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy M based on the change parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 21 and the relationship information stored in the storage unit 22. The determination of the amount of hydrogen will be described later.

[0024] The deterioration information acquisition unit 24 acquires deterioration information, which is information about the deterioration of the hydrogen storage alloy M. The cartridge 12 provided with the hydrogen storage alloy M can be used repeatedly by filling it with hydrogen. However, repeated use may cause deterioration of the hydrogen storage alloy M. Furthermore, deterioration of the hydrogen storage alloy M may occur over time after the cartridge 12 begins to be used.

[0025] Deterioration of the hydrogen storage alloy M may result in, for example, a decrease in the hydrogen storage capacity. In this embodiment, the deterioration information acquiring unit 24 acquires, for example, information about the number of times the hydrogen storage alloy M has been filled with hydrogen as the deterioration information. Additionally, the deterioration information acquisition unit 24 acquires, as the deterioration information, for example, the elapsed time from a predetermined reference time. Examples of the predetermined reference time include the manufacturing date of the cartridge 12 and the date and time when the cartridge 12 started to be used.

[0026] <Management Server Processing Flow> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the management server 20. In this embodiment, first, the parameter acquisition unit 21, which is an example of an acquisition unit, acquires a variation parameter (step S101). The parameter acquisition unit 21 acquires the change parameters for each cartridge 12.

[0027] Although not described above, in this embodiment, each cartridge 12 is provided with a communication unit that communicates with external devices. Also, each cartridge 12 is provided with a control board that controls each part of the cartridge 12. The communication unit outputs the variation parameters to an external device, such as a communication device such as a user's smartphone or PC (Personal Computer). In this embodiment, the communication unit outputs a change parameter that changes in response to hydrogen consumption. In this embodiment, a change parameter is output from a sensor, which is an example of a detection unit, and the communication unit outputs the change parameter obtained from the sensor.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when use of the cartridge 12 is started, start information, which is information indicating that use of the cartridge 12 has started, is output from the communication unit. A sensor that detects the discharge of fuel is provided in the cartridge 12. When the sensor detects the discharge of fuel, the cartridge 12 detects that use of the cartridge 12 has started. In response to this, start information is output from the communication unit of the cartridge 12.

[0029] The start information and change parameters output from the communication unit are received by the external device located in the vicinity via wired or wireless communication. That is, the start information and change parameters are received by a communication device such as a user's smartphone or PC. The start information and the change parameters are then transmitted via this communication device to the management server 20. A communication line (not shown) is provided between this communication device and the management server 20 to connect them.

[0030] As a result, the management server 20 acquires start information, which is information indicating that use of the cartridge 12 has started. The start information includes information on the date and time when use of the cartridge 12 started. Furthermore, the management server 20 acquires a change parameter that changes depending on the consumption of hydrogen. The management server 20 acquires the start information and the change parameters for each cartridge 12 .

[0031] Each cartridge 12 is provided with a memory (not shown), which stores identification information used to distinguish each cartridge 12 from other cartridges 12. This identification information is output in addition to the start information and the change parameters from each cartridge 12. As a result, the management server 20 acquires the start information, the change parameters, and the identification information for each cartridge 12.

[0032] The start information and change parameters acquired by the management server 20 are temporarily registered in a management table stored in the storage unit 22. This registration is performed using the identification information as a key. The management table has registered therein identification information assigned to each cartridge 12. The start information and change parameters transmitted from the cartridge 12 together with the identification information are registered in the management table in association with the identification information already registered in the management table.

[0033] Further explanation will be given with reference to FIG. After the process of step S101, the process of step S102 is performed. In step S102, the identification unit 23, which is an example of an identification means, identifies the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy M based on the change parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 21 and the relationship information stored in the memory unit 22. In other words, the identification unit 23 identifies the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy M.

[0034] As a specific flow, first, the identification unit 23 reads the above information that was temporarily registered in the management table from this management table. Specifically, the identification unit 23 reads the variation parameters that were temporarily registered in the management table from this management table.

[0035] Next, the identification unit 23 reads out from the storage unit 22 the relationship information that indicates the relationship between the change parameter and the amount of hydrogen consumed. Although not described above, in this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores relationship information that describes the relationship between the variable parameters and the amount of hydrogen consumed. The specifying unit 23 reads out this relationship information from the storage unit 22.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing relationship information indicating the relationship between the change parameters and the amount of hydrogen consumed. The change parameters are registered in the change parameter registration field 51. As described above, the change parameters include, for example, the flow rate of hydrogen, the time for supplying hydrogen, the amount of power generated in the fuel cell 11, and the amount of the above-mentioned product produced in the oxidation-reduction reaction. Furthermore, in the hydrogen consumption registration field 52, the hydrogen consumption corresponding to the amount of change in the variation parameter is registered.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the correspondence between the change parameter and the amount of hydrogen consumed is divided into five stages. 5, the amount of change in the change parameters is indicated by 1 to 5. The amount of hydrogen consumed corresponding to the change parameters 1 to 5 is also indicated by 1 to 5. Of the values ​​1 to 5, 1 is the smallest value and 5 is the largest value. Each of the variation parameters 1 to 5 has an upper limit and a lower limit, and has a range of values. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a stepwise correspondence relationship is shown without using specific numerical values, but in reality, the relationship information between the change parameter and the amount of hydrogen consumed is specified by numerical values. The storage unit 22 stores relationship information indicating the relationship with the amount of hydrogen consumed for each type of variable parameter. In this embodiment, relationship information is prepared for each type of variable parameter.

[0038] The determination unit 23 refers to the relationship information shown in FIG. 5 and determines the amount of hydrogen consumed from the acquired change parameters. For example, if the acquired variation parameter belongs to variation parameter 1, the identification unit 23 identifies the amount of hydrogen consumed as consumption amount 1. Then, the specifying unit 23 subtracts this consumption amount 1 from the latest remaining amount registered in the management table, which will be described later, to specify a new remaining amount.

[0039] In this embodiment, the latest remaining amount of the cartridge 12 is registered in the management table. When the cartridge 12 starts to be used, the latest remaining amount is the initial value that was first registered in the management table.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the specifying unit 23 specifies the remaining amount of hydrogen while taking into consideration the deterioration of the hydrogen storage alloy M. Specifically, the identifying unit 23 acquires the deterioration information of the hydrogen storage alloy M, which is acquired by a deterioration information acquiring unit 24 as an example of a deterioration information acquiring means. Then, the identifying unit 23 corrects the initial value of the remaining amount of hydrogen based on the acquired deterioration information.

[0041] In this embodiment, the maximum amount of hydrogen that can be stored in the hydrogen storage alloy M decreases depending on the number of times hydrogen has been stored and the time that has elapsed since the reference time. In this embodiment, the initial value of this maximum amount of the hydrogen storage alloy M is registered in a management table, which will be described later. The specifying unit 23 corrects and changes this initial value based on the deterioration information of the hydrogen storage alloy M. For example, if the number of times hydrogen has been filled is the second time, the specifying unit 23 corrects this initial value by multiplying the initial value by a predetermined coefficient that is less than 1. Then, for example, when the determination unit 23 acquires the change parameter after the second filling, it subtracts the consumption amount calculated based on the change parameter from this corrected initial value to determine the latest remaining amount.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a management table registered in the storage unit 22. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, information about each cartridge 12 is registered in a management table shown in Figure 6. The management table is stored in the storage unit 22. In the management table, identification information and user information, which is information for specifying a user, are registered in a form corresponding to each cartridge 12.

[0043] The management table has an identification information registration field 61 for registering identification information. The identification information of the cartridge 12 is registered in the identification information registration field 61. The management table also includes a user information registration field 62 for registering user information. User information is registered in the user information registration field 62. In this embodiment, each cartridge 12 is registered in the management table in association with its identification information and user information.

[0044] In this embodiment, before the process shown in FIG. 4 is started, the identification information and user information are registered in advance in the management table. Examples of user information include the user's name and address, information about the destination of information, such as an email address, and the user's gender and age. The user inputs this information in advance by operating a device such as his / her own smartphone, PC, etc. Then, this information is transmitted from this device to the management server 20 and registered in the management table of the storage unit 22.

[0045] The management table also has a start information registration field 63 for registering start information. In this embodiment, the acquired start information is registered in this start information registration field 63. The management table also has a change parameter registration field 64 for registering change parameters. In this embodiment, the change parameters that are sequentially acquired and transmitted to the management server 20 are registered in the change parameter registration field 64. In this embodiment, the cartridge 12 transmits the identification information, start information, and change parameters to the management server 20. As described above, the management server 20 registers the start information and change parameters in the management table using the identification information as a key.

[0046] Furthermore, the management table is provided with a remaining amount registration field 65 for registering the remaining amount indicating the amount of hydrogen in the cartridge 12 . The remaining amount of hydrogen identified by the identifying unit 23 is registered in this remaining amount registration field 65.

[0047] In this embodiment, when a change parameter is registered in the change parameter registration field 64 of the management table, the latest remaining amount of hydrogen in the cartridge 12 is identified based on this change parameter. Then, this latest remaining amount is registered in the remaining amount registration field 65.

[0048] Furthermore, the management table is provided with an initial value registration field 66 in which the initial value of the hydrogen absorbing alloy M is registered. The initial value of the maximum charge amount of hydrogen that can be absorbed in the hydrogen absorbing alloy M is registered in the initial value registration field 66 . This initial value is corrected based on the deterioration information of the hydrogen storage alloy M as described above.

[0049] Furthermore, the management table is provided with a degradation information registration field 67 for registering degradation information, which is information relating to the degradation of the hydrogen storage alloy M. The degradation information of the hydrogen storage alloy M is registered in the degradation information registration field 67. As described above, the deterioration information includes the number of times the cartridge 12 has been filled with hydrogen and information regarding the deterioration of the cartridge 12 over time.

[0050] Although not explained above, each cartridge 12 is provided with a memory for registering the number of times it has been refilled. In this embodiment, the cartridge 12 is filled with hydrogen at a location where a filling facility is available. When the cartridge 12 is filled with hydrogen, the number of fillings registered at that time in the memory is incremented by 1. This updates the number of fillings.

[0051] When the cartridge 12 is installed in the fuel cell 11, the number of times of filling is read from the memory and transmitted to a communication device such as a user's smartphone or PC. This number of times of filling is then transmitted to the management server 20 via the communication device. As a result, the deterioration information acquisition unit 24 of the management server 20 acquires this number of times of refilling. Then, this number of times of refilling is registered in the deterioration information registration field 67.

[0052] In this embodiment, the initial value of the hydrogen storage alloy M is corrected based on the deterioration information of the hydrogen storage alloy M, as described above. In this embodiment, each piece of degradation information and each of the above coefficients used for correction are registered in the storage unit 22 in a state where they are associated with each other. In this embodiment, the number of times hydrogen is filled is associated with the coefficient so that the coefficient increases as the number of times hydrogen is filled increases. In this embodiment, the elapsed time and the coefficient are associated with each other so that the longer the time elapsed from the reference time, the larger the coefficient.

[0053] The specifying unit 23 corrects the initial value relating to the initial value of the hydrogen storage alloy M using these correspondence relationships. Specifically, for example, if the number of times hydrogen has been filled is the second time, the specifying unit 23 acquires a coefficient associated with this second time, and then corrects the initial value using this coefficient. Then, the determination unit 23 subtracts the consumption amount calculated based on the variation parameters from the corrected initial value to determine the remaining amount of hydrogen.

[0054] Furthermore, when the specifying unit 23 acquires the time elapsed since the reference time, for example, the specifying unit 23 acquires a coefficient associated with this elapsed time, and then corrects the initial value using this coefficient. Then, the determination unit 23 subtracts the consumption amount calculated based on the variation parameters from the corrected initial value to determine the remaining amount of hydrogen.

[0055] Further explanation will be given with reference to FIG. After the process of step S102, the process of step S103 is performed. In step S103, the identification unit 23 registers in the management table the remaining amount of hydrogen in the cartridge 12 identified in step S102. More specifically, the identification unit 23 registers the latest remaining amount of hydrogen in the remaining amount registration field 65 of the management table. Through this series of processes, the amount of hydrogen remaining in the cartridge 12 is determined.

[0056] <Example> As described above, the change parameters include, for example, the flow rate of hydrogen, the time for supplying hydrogen, the amount of power generated in the fuel cell 11, and the amount of the above-mentioned product produced in the oxidation-reduction reaction. When the determination unit 23 acquires the flow rate of hydrogen as a variation parameter, it acquires the amount of hydrogen consumed corresponding to this flow rate of hydrogen based on the relationship information shown in FIG. Thereafter, the specifying unit 23 subtracts the acquired consumption amount from the initial value, as described above, to specify the latest remaining amount. Then, the specifying unit 23 registers this latest remaining amount in the remaining amount registration field 65.

[0057] As described above, if the number of times hydrogen has been filled is the second or subsequent time, the determination unit 23 corrects the initial value and then subtracts the acquired consumption amount from the corrected initial value to determine the latest remaining amount.

[0058] Furthermore, when the specifying unit 23 acquires the time elapsed since the reference time, it corrects the initial value based on this elapsed time. Then, the specifying unit 23 subtracts the acquired consumption amount from the corrected initial value to specify the latest remaining amount. In addition, the above coefficients may not be set when the time elapsed since the reference time is short. In this case, if the time elapsed since the reference time is short, the initial value is not corrected.

[0059] Furthermore, when the specifying unit 23 acquires, for example, the hydrogen supply time as a variation parameter, it similarly acquires the hydrogen consumption amount corresponding to this hydrogen supply time based on the relationship information. Thereafter, the specifying unit 23 subtracts the acquired consumption amount from the initial value in the same manner as above to specify the latest remaining amount. Then, the specifying unit 23 registers this latest remaining amount in the remaining amount registration field 65. As in the above, this initial value is corrected based on the number of times the fuel is filled and the time elapsed since the reference time.

[0060] When the change parameter is the supply time of hydrogen, it is preferable to also correct the consumption amount by subtracting it from the initial value. This is because the amount of hydrogen released from the hydrogen absorbing alloy M varies depending on the temperature, the number of times the cartridge 12 has been used, and the time elapsed since the reference time. When the specifying unit 23 acquires information about the temperature, the number of times of use, and the time elapsed since the reference time, the specifying unit 23 acquires a coefficient to be used for correcting the consumption amount based on the information stored in the storage unit 22 .

[0061] Although not explained above, information on temperature, number of uses, and time elapsed since the reference time, and coefficients used to correct the consumption amount are stored in a mutually associated state in the memory unit 22. The memory unit 22 registers the correspondence between information on temperature, number of uses, and time elapsed since the reference time, and coefficients used to correct the consumption amount. The specification unit 23 acquires the coefficients based on this correspondence. Then, the determination unit 23 multiplies the consumption amount obtained based on the hydrogen supply time, which is a change parameter, by this coefficient to obtain the corrected consumption amount. Next, the determination unit 23 subtracts the corrected consumption amount from the initial value to determine the latest remaining amount. The coefficient used to correct the consumption amount may exceed 1. For example, when the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy M is high, the release of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy M is promoted. In this case, a coefficient exceeding 1 is used.

[0062] Furthermore, when the specifying unit 23 acquires, for example, the amount of power generated in the fuel cell 11 as a variation parameter, it similarly acquires the amount of hydrogen consumed corresponding to this amount of power generated based on the relationship information. Thereafter, the specifying unit 23 subtracts the acquired consumption amount from the initial value in the same manner as above to specify the latest remaining amount. Then, the specifying unit 23 registers this latest remaining amount in the remaining amount registration field 65. As in the above, the initial value is corrected based on the number of times of filling and the time elapsed since the reference time.

[0063] When the amount of power generated in the fuel cells 11 is acquired as a change parameter, information on the amount of power generated in the fuel cells 11 is transmitted from each of the fuel cells 11 to the management server 20 . The specifying unit 23 receives this information transmitted from the fuel cell 11 and obtains the amount of power generated in the fuel cell 11.

[0064] Furthermore, when the determination unit 23 acquires the amount of product generated in the oxidation-reduction reaction as a change parameter, the determination unit 23 similarly acquires the amount of hydrogen consumed corresponding to this amount of product based on the relationship information. Note that an example of the product is water. In this embodiment, information about the amount of water produced as a result of power generation by the fuel cells 11 is acquired by a sensor provided in the fuel cells 11. In this embodiment, information about the amount of water is transmitted from each of the fuel cells 11 to the management server 20. The determination unit 23 obtains the amount of product by receiving this information transmitted from the fuel cell 11. Then, the determination unit 23 obtains the amount of hydrogen consumed based on this amount of product and related information. Thereafter, the specifying unit 23 subtracts the acquired consumption amount from the initial value in the same manner as above to specify the latest remaining amount. Then, the specifying unit 23 registers this latest remaining amount in the remaining amount registration field 65. As in the above, this initial value is corrected based on the number of times the fuel is filled and the time elapsed since the reference time.

[0065] Furthermore, the determination unit 23 may determine the amount of hydrogen consumed based on information about the operating status of the device to which power from the fuel cell 11 is supplied. The information on the operating status may include, for example, the power consumption of the supply device, which is the device to which power is supplied. In addition, if the supply device is provided with a driving unit C (see FIG. 1) such as a rotating body, information on the status of this driving unit C may be acquired as information on the operating status.

[0066] Examples of the supply device include household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners installed in homes. To perform its function, the supply device consumes, for example, power and is driven by a drive unit C. Examples of the drive unit C include a motor and a compressor. In this embodiment, the amount of hydrogen consumed can also be determined by determining the power consumption of the supply device and the operating status of the drive unit C. In this embodiment, by providing a sensor in the supply device, it is possible to detect the power consumption of the supply device, the driving status of the driving unit C, and the operating time.

[0067] In this embodiment, the supply device transmits to the management server 20 information about the operating status of the supply device detected by the sensor. The specifying unit 23 receives this information transmitted from the supply device and acquires information about the operating status of the supply device.

[0068] In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores relationship information that indicates the relationship between information about the operating status of the supply device and the amount of hydrogen consumed. The identifying unit 23 acquires the amount of hydrogen consumed based on the acquired information about the operating status of the supply device and related information. Thereafter, the specifying unit 23 subtracts the acquired consumption amount from the initial value in the same manner as above to specify the latest remaining amount. Then, the specifying unit 23 registers this latest remaining amount in the remaining amount registration field 65. As in the above, this initial value is corrected based on the number of times the fuel is filled and the time elapsed since the reference time.

[0069] <Other> In this embodiment, when the latest remaining amount of hydrogen registered in the management table falls below a predetermined amount, the administrator of the management system 10 or the owner of the cartridge 12 is notified of the decreasing remaining amount. Upon receiving this notification, the administrator of the management system 10 collects the cartridge 12 from the owner of the cartridge 12 and provides a new cartridge 12 in its place. The user is charged for the replacement of the cartridge 12. The fee charged to the user may be determined based on the remaining amount registered in the remaining amount registration field 65 of the management table. Alternatively, the user may be charged based on a so-called subscription system. Even when billing is performed using a subscription system, the fee charged to the user may be determined based on the remaining amount registered in the remaining amount registration field 65.

[0070] In this embodiment, the fuel cell 11 and the cartridge 12 that contains the hydrogen storage alloy M are provided separately. However, it is also possible to provide a device that includes the fuel cell 11 and the hydrogen storage alloy M integrally. An example of an integrated device is a mobile battery in which the fuel cell 11 and the hydrogen storage alloy M are housed in a cartridge 12. In this case, the hydrogen storage alloy M, the fuel cell 11, and the control board are provided in the cartridge 12 that functions as a mobile battery. Then, identification information is provided to this cartridge 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10... management system, 11... fuel cell, 12... cartridge, 20... management server, 21... parameter acquisition unit, 22... storage unit, 23... identification unit, 24... deterioration information acquisition unit

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring parameters that change in response to consumption of hydrogen supplied from a cartridge containing a hydrogen storage alloy and having a communication unit that outputs start information that indicates that use of the cartridge has begun; a deterioration information acquiring means for acquiring deterioration information relating to the deterioration of the hydrogen storage alloy; an identification means for identifying the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the parameters acquired by the acquisition means and the deterioration information acquired by the deterioration information acquisition means; Equipped with the deterioration information acquisition means acquires, as the deterioration information, the elapsed time from the start of use of the cartridge based on the start information output by the communication unit of the cartridge; the specifying means specifies the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the parameter and the elapsed time acquired based on the start information output by the communication unit of the cartridge. Information processing system.

2. The cartridge is provided with a sensor that detects the release of hydrogen from the cartridge, the communication unit of the cartridge outputs the start information when the discharge of hydrogen is detected by the sensor; the deterioration information acquisition means acquires the elapsed time based on the start information output in response to the detection of hydrogen discharge by the sensor; the specifying means specifies the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the parameter and the elapsed time acquired based on the start information output in response to the detection of hydrogen discharge by the sensor. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the acquiring means acquires, as the parameter, information output from a detecting unit that detects the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to the outside of the hydrogen storage alloy; The specifying means specifies the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the information output from the detecting unit that detects the amount of hydrogen and the elapsed time.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein:

4. the acquisition means acquires, as the parameter, an amount of power generated by a fuel cell unit that generates power using hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy; The specifying means specifies the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the amount of power generation and the elapsed time.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein:

5. the acquiring means acquires, as the parameter, information output from a detecting unit that detects an amount of a product generated when power is generated using hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy; The specifying means specifies the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the information output from the detecting unit that detects the amount of the product and the elapsed time.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein:

6. the acquisition means acquires, as the parameter, a supply time of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to a fuel cell unit that generates power using hydrogen; The specifying means specifies the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the hydrogen supply time and the elapsed time.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The specifying means corrects an initial value of the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the elapsed time, and specifies the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy based on the corrected initial value and the parameter acquired by the acquiring means.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein:

8. A cartridge containing a hydrogen storage alloy, The cartridge includes a communication unit that outputs start information, which is information indicating that use of the cartridge has begun.

9. The cartridge is further provided with a sensor that detects the release of hydrogen from the cartridge, the communication unit outputs the start information when the discharge of hydrogen is detected by the sensor. The cartridge of claim 8.

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