Information processing device

Abstract

To recommend a user of a vehicle for which fuel consumption is increased by use of a low-viscosity oil to use the low-viscosity oil.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a control unit that specifies a setting condition under which fuel consumption of a vehicle is increased by use of a low-viscosity oil based on data of a plurality of vehicles for each setting area that is preliminarily set. When the data of a vehicle which does not use a low-viscosity oil satisfies the setting condition in the setting area, the control unit executes notification processing for recommending a user of the vehicle which does not use the low-viscosity oil to use the low-viscosity oil.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, low-viscosity oils that can be used as engine oil are known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the fuel efficiency of a vehicle improves by using a low-viscosity oil, it would be useful if the user of the vehicle could be recommended to use the low-viscosity oil.

[0005] In view of this point, an object of the present disclosure is to recommend to the user of a vehicle whose fuel efficiency improves by using a low-viscosity oil to use the low-viscosity oil.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that specifies setting conditions for improving the fuel efficiency of a vehicle by using a low-viscosity oil based on data of a plurality of vehicles for each preset setting area. When data of a vehicle that does not use a low-viscosity oil satisfies the setting conditions in the setting area, the control unit executes notification processing for recommending to the user of the vehicle that does not use the low-viscosity oil to use the low-viscosity oil.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the use of low-viscosity oil can be recommended to users of vehicles whose fuel efficiency improves by using low-viscosity oil. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the system's operation. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the setting conditions. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the system 1 according to this embodiment includes a server device 10 and a plurality of vehicles 20. The server device 10 and the vehicles 20 can communicate with each other via a network 2. The network 2 may be any network, including a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0011] The server device 10 is an information processing device. The server device 10 is, for example, a dedicated computer, a general-purpose personal computer, or a cloud computing system configured to function as a server.

[0012] The server device 10 is managed, for example, by an engine oil supplier. The server device 10 has information on the type of engine oil used in each of the multiple vehicles 20. Using low-viscosity oil in a vehicle 20 may improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency. Improved fuel efficiency means that the vehicle 20 can travel a longer distance with less fuel.

[0013] Here, the degree to which the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 improves with the use of low-viscosity oil varies from region to region. For example, there are more traffic lights in urban areas compared to suburban areas. Therefore, vehicle 20 stops more frequently in urban areas compared to suburban areas. When vehicle 20 stops more frequently, the engine of vehicle 20 starts more often. The resistance on the engine of vehicle 20 is particularly high when the engine is started. When the resistance on the engine of vehicle 20 increases, the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 deteriorates. Here, using low-viscosity oil can reduce the resistance on the engine when vehicle 20 is started. In other words, in areas with a larger urban area, the degree to which the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 improves with the use of low-viscosity oil is greater than in other areas.

[0014] Furthermore, the degree to which the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 improves due to the use of low-viscosity oil depends on at least one of the environmental conditions and driving conditions of vehicle 20. For example, when the vehicle speed of vehicle 20 changes, the engine speed changes. When the engine speed changes, the degree to which the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 improves due to the use of low-viscosity oil also changes.

[0015] Therefore, the server device 10 identifies setting conditions for improving the fuel efficiency of multiple vehicles 20 based on data from multiple vehicles 20 for each of the multiple setting regions. The setting regions are set in advance. The setting regions may be set by prefecture, or by regional divisions such as Tohoku or Kanto. Furthermore, as will be described later, the server device 10 identifies the setting conditions by identifying the environmental information and driving information of vehicles 20 whose fuel efficiency improves by using low-viscosity oil. In addition, if the data of vehicles 20 that are not using low-viscosity oil in a setting region meets the setting conditions, the server device 10 executes a notification process to recommend the use of low-viscosity oil to the users of vehicles 20 that are not using low-viscosity oil. In this way, by identifying the setting conditions for improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles 20 for each setting region, it is possible to more accurately recommend the use of low-viscosity oil to users of vehicles 20 that are not using low-viscosity oil in a setting region.

[0016] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0017] The communication unit 11 is configured to include at least one communication module that can be connected to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compliant with a standard such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 11 is connected to the network 2 via a wired LAN or a wireless LAN by the communication module.

[0018] The storage unit 12 is configured to include at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The storage unit 12 may function as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. Data used for the operation of the server device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the server device 10 are stored in the storage unit 12. For example, information on the type of engine oil used in each of a plurality of vehicles 20 is stored in the storage unit 12.

[0019] The control unit 13 is configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 13 executes processes related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each part of the server device 10.

[0020] The vehicle 20 is, for example, an automobile such as a gasoline vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). However, the vehicle 20 is not limited thereto. The vehicle 20 may be any type of automobile as long as it has an engine.

[0021] The vehicle 20 includes a temperature sensor 21, an electronic control unit 22, and an in-vehicle device 30.

[0022] The temperature sensor 21 can detect the ambient temperature of the vehicle 20. The ambient temperature of the vehicle 20 is also referred to as the outside air temperature of the vehicle 20. At least a part of the temperature sensor 21 may be disposed outside the vehicle 20.

[0023] The electronic control unit 22 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 20. The electronic control unit 22 controls various functions of the vehicle 20.

[0024] The in-vehicle device 30 is an information processing device. The in-vehicle device 30 is, for example, a navigation device. The in-vehicle device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a positioning unit 32, an output unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

[0025] The communication unit 31 is configured to include at least one communication module connectable to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation).

[0026] The communication unit 31 may be configured to include at least one communication module communicable with the temperature sensor 21 and the electronic control unit 22. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with an in-vehicle network or a dedicated line standard.

[0027] The positioning unit 32 can acquire the position information of the vehicle 20 on which the in-vehicle device 30 is mounted. The positioning unit 32 is configured to include at least one receiving module corresponding to a satellite positioning system. The receiving module is, for example, a receiving module compatible with GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0028] The output unit 33 is capable of outputting data. The output unit 33 is configured to include at least one output interface capable of outputting data. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0029] The configuration of the memory unit 34 may be the same as or similar to the configuration of the memory unit 12. The memory unit 34 stores data used for the operation of the in-vehicle equipment 30 and data obtained from the operation of the in-vehicle equipment 30.

[0030] The configuration of the control unit 35 may be the same as or similar to that of the control unit 13. The control unit 35 controls each part of the in-vehicle equipment 30 and performs processing related to the operation of the in-vehicle equipment 30.

[0031] (System operation) Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of System 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0032] The processes S1 and S2 may be performed by the on-board equipment 30 of any vehicle 20 among the multiple vehicles 20 included in System 1.

[0033] In the process of S1, the control unit 35 of the in-vehicle device 30 acquires data from the vehicle 20. The data from the vehicle 20 may be any data as long as it is related to the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the data from the vehicle 20 includes environmental data and driving data of the vehicle 20.

[0034] The environmental data of the vehicle 20 includes, for example, time-series data of the ambient temperature of the vehicle 20. The control unit 35 acquires the time-series data of the ambient temperature of the vehicle 20 by, for example, sequentially receiving the ambient temperature data of the vehicle 20 detected by the temperature sensor 21 via the communication unit 31.

[0035] The vehicle 20's driving data includes, for example, time-series data of the vehicle 20's position, time-series data of the vehicle 20's speed, trip time data, and fuel consumption data for each trip time. In addition to or in place of these data, the vehicle 20's driving data may also include data on the usage history of the heating system, time-series data of the engine coolant temperature, and time-series data of the engine speed. The engine coolant temperature is the so-called engine water temperature. The trip time is the time the vehicle 20 traveled from the departure point to the destination. The vehicle 20's fuel consumption is the distance the vehicle 20 traveled per unit volume of fuel. The control unit 35 acquires time-series data of the vehicle 20's position by, for example, sequentially acquiring the vehicle 20's position information from the positioning unit 32. The control unit 35 acquires time-series data of the vehicle 20's speed, trip time data, and fuel consumption data for each trip time by, for example, communicating with the electronic control unit 22 via the communication unit 31. The control unit 35, for example, communicates with the electronic control unit 22 via the communication unit 31 to acquire data on the usage history of the heating system, time-series data on the engine coolant temperature, and time-series data on the engine speed.

[0036] In the processing of S2, the control unit 35 transmits data from the vehicle 20 to the server device 10 via the network 2 using the communication unit 31.

[0037] In the S3 process, the server device 10's control unit 13 receives data from the vehicle 20 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 stores the received data from the vehicle 20 in the storage unit 12.

[0038] The processes from S1 to S3 may be executed repeatedly for a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be set based on the frequency of travel of the multiple vehicles 20 included in System 1. As the processes from S1 to S3 are repeatedly executed, data of the multiple vehicles 20 is accumulated in the storage unit 12 of the server device 10.

[0039] In the S4 process, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 acquires data on the vehicle 20 stored in the storage unit 12. Based on the acquired data on the vehicle 20, the control unit 13 identifies setting conditions for each set region in which the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 20 will improve by using low-viscosity oil. An example of this process is described below.

[0040] The control unit 13 calculates the fuel efficiency difference for vehicle 20 by subtracting the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 using high-viscosity oil from the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 using low-viscosity oil for each set region. Here, the high-viscosity oil can be any engine oil with a viscosity higher than that of the low-viscosity oil. The high-viscosity oil may be selected according to the low-viscosity oil for which use is recommended. For example, let's assume that 0W-8 engine oil in the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) viscosity classification is the low-viscosity oil for which use is recommended. In this case, the control unit 13 may calculate the fuel efficiency difference for vehicle 20 using 0W-16 engine oil as the high-viscosity oil, or it may calculate the fuel efficiency difference for vehicle 20 using 0W-20 engine oil as the high-viscosity oil. The control unit 13 may distinguish between vehicle 20 using low-viscosity oil and vehicle 20 using high-viscosity oil based on the information of the type of engine oil used for each of the multiple vehicles 20 stored in the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the control unit 13 may identify a vehicle 20 traveling in a designated area based on time-series data of the vehicle 20's position included in the vehicle 20's travel data.

[0041] The greater the difference in fuel efficiency among vehicles 20, the greater the degree to which the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20 improves by using low-viscosity oil.

[0042] Therefore, the control unit 13 identifies the setting conditions under which the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 20 improves by using low-viscosity oil, by identifying the environmental and driving conditions of the vehicle 20 where the fuel efficiency difference is large. For example, the control unit 13 divides the environmental data and driving data of the vehicle 20 stored in the storage unit 12 into data groups. Based on the engine oil type information stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 13 calculates the fuel efficiency difference in each data group, thereby identifying the environmental and driving conditions of the vehicle 20 where the fuel efficiency difference is large.

[0043] For example, the control unit 13 identifies the setting conditions as shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the setting conditions are identified for each setting region, "aaa" and "bbb". In the setting region with "aaa", condition A is identified as the setting condition that results in a large difference in fuel efficiency. In condition A, the ambient temperature range from temperature Ta1 to temperature Ta2 is identified as the environmental condition of the vehicle 20. In condition A, the vehicle speed range from speed Ra1 to speed Ra2 is identified as the driving condition of the vehicle 20. In the setting region with "bbb", condition B is identified as the setting condition that results in a large difference in fuel efficiency. In condition B, the ambient temperature range from temperature Tb1 to temperature Tb2 is identified as the environmental condition of the vehicle 20. In condition B, the vehicle speed range from speed Rb1 to speed Rb2 is identified as the driving condition of the vehicle 20.

[0044] In the processing of S4, the control unit 13 may specify the setting conditions for each vehicle type 20. The engine structure and other aspects differ depending on the vehicle type 20. Therefore, by specifying the setting conditions for each vehicle type 20, it is possible to accurately identify the setting conditions that improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 20 by using low-viscosity oil.

[0045] After processing S4, processing S5 and S6 are executed. Processing S5 and S6 may be executed by the onboard equipment 30 of any vehicle 20 among the multiple vehicles 20 included in System 1. The onboard equipment 30 executes processing S5 and S6 in the same or similar manner as processing S1 and S2.

[0046] In processing S7, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 receives data from multiple vehicles 20 via the network 2 using the communication unit 11.

[0047] In the S8 process, the control unit 13 refers to the engine oil type information in the storage unit 12 and identifies the vehicle 20 that does not use low-viscosity oil from among the multiple vehicles 20 whose data was received in the S7 process. Hereinafter, the identified vehicle 20 that does not use low-viscosity oil will also be referred to as "vehicle 20A". If the data of vehicle 20A received in the S7 process satisfies the set conditions, the control unit 13 executes a notification process. In this embodiment, the control unit 13 executes a notification process if the environmental data and driving data of vehicle 20A satisfy the set conditions.

[0048] For example, the control unit 13 may determine that the designated area in which vehicle 20A travels is "aaa" as shown in Figure 3, based on the time-series data of the vehicle 20's position included in the vehicle 20A's travel data. Furthermore, the vehicle speed included in the vehicle 20A's travel data is within the range of speed Ra1 to Ra2, and the ambient temperature included in the vehicle 20A's environmental data is within the range of temperature Ta1 to Ta2. In this case, the control unit 13 determines that the vehicle 20A's environmental data and travel data satisfy condition A as shown in Figure 3.

[0049] As an example of notification processing, the control unit 13 may send a notification recommending the use of low-viscosity oil to the user's terminal device of vehicle 20A via the network 2 using the communication unit 11. The user's terminal device of vehicle 20A may be a smartphone or an in-vehicle device 30 installed in vehicle 20A. When the user's terminal device of vehicle 20A receives a notification recommending the use of low-viscosity oil from the server device 10, it may display the received notification on the terminal device. For example, if the user's terminal device of vehicle 20A is an in-vehicle device 30, the control unit 35 will display the notification recommending the use of low-viscosity oil on the display of the output unit 33. By executing such notification processing, the user of vehicle 20A can be recommended to use low-viscosity oil. In addition, the user of vehicle 20A may not be aware of the existence of low-viscosity oil. In this case, by executing the notification processing, the user of vehicle 20A can be made aware of the existence of low-viscosity oil. Here, the control unit 13 may send a notification recommending the use of low-viscosity oil, along with information indicating the effects of using low-viscosity oil, to the terminal device of the vehicle 20A user. The information indicating the effects of using low-viscosity oil is, for example, information indicating the degree to which the fuel efficiency of vehicle 20A improves by using low-viscosity oil. In this case, the control unit 13 obtains data similar to the environmental data and driving data of vehicle 20A received in processing S7 from the driving data and environmental data stored in the storage unit 12 by processing S1 to S3. The control unit 13 generates information indicating the effects of using low-viscosity oil by calculating the fuel efficiency difference in vehicle 20 using the acquired driving data and environmental data. By sending the information indicating the effects of using low-viscosity oil along with the notification to the terminal device of the vehicle 20A user, the use of low-viscosity oil can be more strongly recommended to the user of vehicle 20A.

[0050] As another example of notification processing, the control unit 13 may transmit information about the vehicle 20A user to the engine oil dealer's terminal device via the communication unit 11. With this configuration, the use of low-viscosity oil can be recommended to the vehicle 20A user through the engine oil dealer. Along with the notification, the control unit 13 may also transmit information indicating the effects of using the low-viscosity oil to the engine oil dealer's terminal device.

[0051] Here, in the processing of S8, even if the environmental data and driving data of vehicle 20A satisfy the set conditions, the control unit 13 does not have to perform the notification process if the driving data of vehicle 20A received in the processing of S7 satisfies the conditions that cause engine deterioration. The conditions that cause engine deterioration may be that the number of trips exceeding a predetermined time exceeds a predetermined number, or that the frequency of driving at a vehicle speed exceeding a predetermined speed exceeds a predetermined frequency. The predetermined time, predetermined number of trips, predetermined speed, and predetermined frequency may be set with engine deterioration in mind. In this way, by not performing the notification process when the driving data of vehicle 20A satisfies the conditions that cause engine deterioration, the engine of vehicle 20 can be protected.

[0052] In this way, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 identifies the setting conditions for improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 20 by using low-viscosity oil for each set region. The control unit 13 executes a notification process when the data of a vehicle 20 that is not using low-viscosity oil in a set region meets the setting conditions. As described above, the degree to which the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 20 improves by using low-viscosity oil differs from region to region. In this embodiment, by identifying the setting conditions for improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 20 for each set region, it is possible to more accurately recommend the use of low-viscosity oil to users of vehicle 20 that are not using low-viscosity oil in a set region.

[0053] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0054] For example, in the embodiment described above, the server device 10, as an information processing device, was described as identifying setting conditions for improving vehicle fuel efficiency by using low-viscosity oil, based on data from multiple vehicles 20 for each set region. Furthermore, the server device 10 was described as executing a notification process if the data of vehicles 20 that do not use low-viscosity oil in the set region meets the setting conditions. However, any information processing device may identify such setting conditions and execute the notification process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1: System, 2: Network, 10: Server device, 11: Communication unit, 12: Memory unit, 13: Control unit, 20: Vehicle, 21: Temperature sensor, 22: Electronic control unit, 30: In-vehicle equipment, 31: Communication unit, 32: Positioning unit, 33: Output unit, 34: Memory unit, 35: Control unit

Claims

1. The system includes a control unit that identifies setting conditions for improving vehicle fuel efficiency by using low-viscosity oil, based on data from multiple vehicles, for each pre-set region. The control unit, If, in the specified region, data from vehicles using high-viscosity oil meets the specified conditions, a notification process is executed to recommend the use of low-viscosity oil to the users of the vehicles using high-viscosity oil. The low-viscosity oil is an engine oil with a viscosity classification of 0W-8 according to the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards. The aforementioned high-viscosity oil is an engine oil with a higher viscosity than low-viscosity oil, in an information processing device.

2. The control unit, The fuel efficiency difference is calculated by subtracting the fuel efficiency of the vehicle when using the high-viscosity oil from the fuel efficiency of the vehicle when using the low-viscosity oil, and the setting conditions are determined by identifying the environmental and driving conditions of the vehicle in which the fuel efficiency difference is large. The information processing device according to claim 1, which performs the notification process when the environmental data and driving data of a vehicle using the high-viscosity oil meet the set conditions.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not perform the notification process if the environmental data and driving data of the vehicle using the high-viscosity oil satisfy the set conditions, but the driving data of the vehicle using the high-viscosity oil satisfies the conditions that cause engine deterioration.

4. With an additional communications unit, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, as part of the notification process, transmits a notification to the terminal device of a vehicle user using the high-viscosity oil, recommending the use of the low-viscosity oil, via the communication unit.

5. With an additional communications unit, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits information of the user of a vehicle using the high-viscosity oil to a terminal device of an engine oil dealer as part of the notification process, via the communication unit.

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