Patent ID: 12237704

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, in the detailed description, an unnecessary part of the description relating to the prior art and substantially the sane configuration may be omitted. This is for the sake of simplicity of the description. Further, the description below and accompanying drawings are disclosed so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter of claims.

First Embodiment

1. Configuration

The battery management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a system that remotely monitors the status of a battery incorporated in each information device, and transmits, to each information device, a control parameter for controlling a battery in the device according to the monitored battery status.

FIG.1is a diagram showing a configuration of the battery management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery management system1includes an information processing device100and a management server300. The information processing device100and the management server300are connected to each other via a network200, and can perform data communication with each other.

The information processing device100incorporates a battery that supplies power to its own device. The management server300is a server that manages a battery of a plurality of the information processing devices100. The management server300acquires battery information including information relating a battery, which is information indicating the battery status, from the information processing device100via the network200. The management server300accumulates the acquired battery information. The management server300predicts the battery status of the information processing device100based on the accumulated battery information of the information processing device100, and based on the prediction result, transmits control information regarding the battery control of the information processing device100to the information processing device100. The control information includes, for example, a parameter indicating the battery status or a command for controlling the function of the battery.

The management server300is also connected to an administrator terminal400via the network200. The administrator can make an access to information managed by the management server300via the administrator terminal400and perform browsing and the like.

1.1 Information Processing Device

The information processing device100is an information device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.FIG.2is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information processing device100. As shown inFIG.2, the information processing device100includes a controller11, a display13, an operation unit15, a RAM17, a flash memory18, a storage19, a network interface (I/F)21, a device interlace (I/F)23, a battery25, and a battery controller27.

The controller11is a controller that controls the entire information processing device100. The controller11includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or MPU that realizes a predetermined function by executing a program. The controller11realizes various types of control in the information processing device100by calling and executing a control program stored in the storage19, The controller11is not limited to one that realizes a predetermined function by the cooperation of hardware and software, and may be a hardware circuit specially designed to realize a predetermined function. That is, the controller11can be realized by various processors such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, FPGA, DSP, and ASIC.

The RAM17is a memory that functions as a work area of the controller11, and is a DRAM, SRAM, or the like. The flash memory18is a non-volatile memory that records information acquired from the battery25.

The display13is a display device that displays various types of information such as an image and text. The display13is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like.

The operation unit15is an input interface that receives an input instruction from the user. The operation unit15converts the input instruction and the content of operation received from the user into an electric signal and transmits the signal to the controller11. The operation unit15includes a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a touch pad, a switch, a button, and the like.

The storage19is a recording medium for recording various types of information. The storage19is realized by, for example, a flash memory, a solid state device (SSD), a hard disk, another storage device, or a combination of these as appropriate. The storage19stores a control program executed by the controller11, various types of information detected for determining the battery status, and the like. The storage19stores a battery management application19a.

The network I/F21is an interface circuit (module) for enabling communication with the management server300via the network200. The network I/F21performs communication according to a standard such as Wi-Fi, IEEE802.2, IEEE802.3, 3G, LTE, or the like.

The network200is, in addition to the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, an ISDN, a VAN, a CATV communication network, a virtual dedicated network, a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like.

The device I/F23is an interface circuit (module) that connects the information processing device100and a peripheral device (for example, a printer). As the device I/F23, various interfaces such as a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI, registered trademark), IEEE1394, and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used.

The battery25is a power source that supplies drive voltage to the information processing device100. The battery25is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a nickel hydrogen battery. The battery25includes a plurality of cells. When the battery25is in a healthy state, voltages are equal between the cells. However, as the use of the battery25progresses, a difference occurs in voltages between the cells, and the performance of the battery deteriorates according to the magnitude of the difference. Hereinafter, the voltage difference between the cells will be referred to as “cell voltage difference”.

The battery controller27is a circuit that controls the battery25of the information processing device100. The battery controller27controls, for example, the charging/discharging of the battery25and the operation of the information processing device100when the power is turned off. The battery controller27, which can be composed of a programmable microcomputer, may be composed of a CPU or the like, like the controller11.

The battery controller27can acquire battery information (described later) from the battery25. The controller11acquires the battery information of the battery25via the battery controller27. The acquired information is stored in the flash memory18.

1.2 Management Server

FIG.3is a block diagram showing a configuration of the management server300. As shown inFIG.3, the management server300includes a controller31, a RAM33, a storage35, and a network interface (I/F)37.

The controller31is a controller that controls the entire management server300. The controller31includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or MPU that realizes a predetermined function by executing a program. The controller31realizes various types of control in the management server300by calling and executing a control program stored in the storage35. The controller31is not limited to one that realizes a predetermined function by the cooperation of hardware and software, and may be a hardware circuit specially designed to realize a predetermined function. That is, the controller31can be realized by various processors such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, FPGA, DSP, and ASIC. The storage35is a recording medium for recording various types of information. The storage35is realized by, for example, a flash memory, a solid state device (SSD), a hard disk, another storage device, or a combination of these as appropriate.

The RAM33functions as a work area of the controller31. The network I/F37is an interface circuit (module) for enabling communication with the information processing device100via the network200. The network I/F37performs communication according to a standard such as Wi-Fi, IEEE802.2, IEEE802.3, 3G, LTE, or the like.

FIG.4is a diagram explaining a function of the controller31of the management server300. The controller31has a function of predicting the battery status based on the battery information and a function of generating control information for controlling the battery control in the information processing device100based on the prediction result.

The function of predicting the battery status of the controller31is realized by a learning model313that is machine-learned to receive input of battery information including information on predetermined items related to each battery, and output the degree of deterioration (states of health, SOH), the cell voltage difference, and charge/discharge efficiency of the battery. The learning model includes, for example, a convolutional neural network (CNN). The convolutional neural network includes an input layer, an intermediate layer, and an output layer, and each layer has a plurality of nodes. A weighting coefficient of each node is determined by learning as shown below. The learning model is not limited to a convolutional neural network, and may be other neural networks (for example, a recurrent neural network).

FIG.5is a diagram showing an example of the battery information used for machine learning for the learning model of the management server300, The battery information includes information that is unique to the battery and does not change over time, and information that changes over time. The information that changes over time includes one that changes from moment to moment and one that changes in a stepwise manner. In the example ofFIG.5, the battery information includes the firmware version of the battery and the deterioration information (degree of deterioration) of the battery. The battery information also includes the remaining capacity of the battery, the current voltage of the battery (voltage of each cell), and the current of the battery. Further, the battery information also includes the date of manufacture of the battery and a serial number. Furthermore, the battery information includes the start date of use of the battery, a battery temperature, an ambient temperature, and the current state (capacity) of the battery.

The data shown inFIG.5is collected from a large number of the information processing devices100mounted with a battery, and the learning model313is trained using the data. Specifically, the time series of information on the battery as shown inFIG.5collected from each information processing device is input to the learning model313. Then, the learning model is trained to output the tendency of changes over time in the degree of deterioration, the cell voltage difference, and the charge/discharge efficiency (=capacity that can be discharged/charge capacity) of the battery.

FIG.6is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in the degree of deterioration (SOH) of the battery. The longer the usage time, the lower the value of the degree of deterioration (SOH) of the battery (the more the deterioration progresses). The learning model313receives input of time-series data (information indicating a change over time) of the battery information, and, based on the input, predicts a change over time in the degree of deterioration of the battery as shown by the broken line inFIG.6.

2. Operation

Operation of the battery management system1configured as described above will be described.

The information processing device100collects the battery information on the battery25that is incorporated, and transmits the battery information to the management server300via the network200. This function of the information processing device100is performed by the battery management application19a. The battery information includes information unique to the battery, such as a serial number, the date of manufacture, and the date of start of use, and information that changes temporally, such as voltage of the battery, current, remaining capacity, and capacity, as shown inFIG.5. Pieces of the information that change temporally do not need to be measured all at the same timing, and may be measured at timings different between the pieces of the information. Further, as to the battery information, a plurality of pieces of the information shown inFIG.5do not always need to be transmitted at the same time, and may be transmitted to the management server300at timings different between each type of information. For example, the information unique to the battery that does not change, such as a serial number does not need to be transmitted every time, and may be transmitted to the management server300at least once.

The information that changes temporally such as voltage of the battery is collected at predetermined intervals or at any time. The information processing device100transmits the information collected at a predetermined timing to the management server300as battery information. While the information processing device100is turned on, the battery management application19a(controller11) collects information on the battery25. While the information processing device100is turned off, the battery controller27collects information on the battery25, and the collected information is stored in the flash memory18. Then, when the information processing device100is turned on, the battery management application19areads the information from the flash memory18and transmits the information to the management server300. In this way, even in a case where the information processing device100is turned off, the information on the battery25is collected and transmitted to the management server300when the power is turned on.

The management server300receives the battery information from a plurality of the information processing devices100and stores the battery information in the storage19. At this time, the management server300manages the battery information separately for each of the information processing devices100, Since the battery information is transmitted from the information processing device100to the management server300periodically or at any time, the battery information is accumulated in the management server300in time series for each information processing device. The time-series data of the accumulated battery information may be used for updating the learning model313implemented in the controller31at an appropriate timing.

The management server300analyzes the battery status of the information processing device100based on the information accumulated in the storage35at a predetermined timing or when a request is received from the information processing device100. Further, the management server300sets a parameter related to battery control in the information processing device100as necessary based on the analysis result. The management server300transmits the analysis result and the parameter to the information processing device.

FIG.7is a flowchart showing analysis processing of the battery status and parameter setting processing for a specific information processing device by the management server300. Hereinafter, the processing of the flowchart ofFIG.7will be described.

The management server300receives the battery information from the information processing device100via the network200(S10). This battery information includes information as shown inFIG.5regarding the battery25of the information processing device100, and includes at least information on the degree of deterioration of the battery, or information substantially equivalent to the degree of deterioration.

The management server300reads the time series data of the past battery information on the battery25related to the received battery information from the storage35(S11). That is, based on the serial number of the battery included in the battery information, the management server300reads the past battery information for the same battery from the storage35as time series data.

The management server300synthesizes the battery information received this time and the read past t e series data and inputs them into the learning model313, and acquires a prediction value of each of the degree of deterioration, the efficiency, and the cell voltage difference of the battery from the learning model313(S12).

Next, the controller31determines the battery status and the necessity of stopping the battery function based on the degree of deterioration, the efficiency, and the cell voltage difference of the battery (S13to S15), and transmits control information based on the determination result to the information processing device100(S16to S18).

Specifically, the controller31obtains a difference between the predicted degree of deterioration and the latest degree of deterioration actually measured of the battery25of the target information processing device100, and compares the difference in the degree of deterioration with a first threshold value (S13). In a case where the difference in the degree of deterioration is larger than the first threshold value (YES in S13), the controller31transmits a function stop command for stopping the function of the battery of the information processing device100to the information processing device100as control information (S18). In a case where the difference in the degree of deterioration is larger than the first threshold value, that is, in a case where the latest degree of deterioration actually measured is significantly lower than the predicted degree of deterioration, it is considered that the deterioration of the battery is progressing rapidly. In such a case, it is determined that the battery is not in a normal state, and the function of the battery is stopped.

Further, the controller31determines whether or not the predicted cell voltage difference is larger than a second threshold value (S14). In a case where the predicted cell voltage difference is larger than the second threshold value (YES in S14), the controller31transmits a function stop command as control information to the information processing device100(S18). In a case where the cell voltage difference is large, there is a possibility of ignition. Therefore, in a case where the cell voltage difference is larger than the second threshold value, the function of the battery25is stopped.

Further, the controller31determines whether or not the predicted efficiency is smaller than a third threshold value (S15). In a case where the predicted efficiency is smaller than the third threshold value (YES in S15), the controller31transmits a function stop command as control information to the information processing device100(S18). In a case where the efficiency is smaller than the third threshold value, it is considered that the deterioration of the battery25has progressed considerably, so that the function of the battery25is stopped.

In a case where there is no problem in any of the degree of deterioration, the cell voltage difference, and the efficiency (NO in any of S13, S14, and S15), the controller31sets a stage of the battery25according to the degree of deterioration (S16). Here, the stage of the battery25will be described.

The stage is a classification for managing a deterioration status of the battery25in a stepwise manner. “Stage 0” indicates an excellent battery status. “Stage 1” indicates a slightly deteriorated status of the battery25. “Stage 2” indicates the battery status that is further deteriorated than that of “Stage 1”.FIG.8is a diagram explaining correspondence between the stage of the battery25and the degree of deterioration and the cell voltage difference of the battery25. As the stage progresses from 0 to 2, the degree of deterioration deteriorates (the smaller the value, the more the deterioration progresses). Further, as the stage progresses from 0 to 2, the cell voltage difference increases. The information processing device100has a function of changing the control for the battery25according to the stage of the battery25. For example, the information processing device100changes the charge voltage of the battery25according to the stage. The full charge voltage is controlled to 4.2 V at Stage 0, the full charge voltage is controlled to 4.1 V at Stage 1, and the full charge voltage is controlled to 3.8 V at Stage 2.

Returning toFIG.7, the controller31transmits information indicating the set stage to the information processing device100as the control information (control parameters) (S17). When receiving the control information (control parameter) indicating the stage from the management server300, the information processing device100updates the information on the stage managed by the own device based on the received control information.

As described above, the management server300analyzes the battery status of the target information processing device100, and transmits the control information on battery control to the information processing device100based on the analysis result. The information processing device100appropriately changes the settings of the own device according to the control information received from the management server300.

FIG.9is a flowchart showing the processing of the information processing device100. The information processing device100periodically collects predetermined information (information shown inFIG.5) from the battery25(S31), For example, the information processing device100collects the voltage, current, remaining amount, capacity, and the like of the battery25every one hour.

When the collection of the information is finished, the information processing device100transmits the battery information based on the collected information to the management server300(32). The management server300analyzes the status of the battery25of the information processing device100based on the battery information received from the information processing device100as described above, and transmits the control information on battery control based on the analysis result to the information processing device100.

The information processing device100receives the control information on battery control from the management server300(S33). The control information includes information indicating the stage predicted by the management server300, or a command instructing stopping of the battery function.

The information processing device100performs control and the like of the battery25based on the control information (S34). For example, in a case where the information indicating the current stage of the battery25managed by the own device is different from the stage included in the battery information received from the management server300, the information processing device100updates the information indicating the stage to be managed based on the stage included in the received battery information.

Note that a warning message may be displayed when the stage is changed.FIG.10is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the stage of the battery25and the warning message. When a change is made from Stage 0 to Stage 1 or from Stage 1 to Stage 2, a message of warning level1or2, that is, the message “Battery is depleted. Consider replacing the battery” may be displayed.

Alternatively, when the function stop command is received from the management server300, the information processing device100performs control to stop the function of the battery25. In this case, the warning message of warning level3shown inFIG.10is displayed and the battery function is stopped.

As described above, in the battery management system1, the management server300implements a learning model in which the degree of deterioration of the battery is learned based on the battery information collected from various devices. The management server300acquires the battery information from the information processing device100, determines the deterioration status of the battery25of the information processing device100by a learning model based on the battery information, and, according to the determination result, transmits a control parameter related to battery control to the information processing device100, In response to this control parameter, the information processing device100updates the control parameter related to the battery control managed by the own device, and controls the function of the battery control. According to the battery management system1, the degree of deterioration of the battery can be accurately determined, and the information processing device100can be operated so as to perform appropriate control of the battery according to the degree of deterioration of the battery.

3. Effect, and the Like

As described above, the battery management system1of the present embodiment includes the information processing device100provided with the battery25, and the management server300connected to the information processing device100via the network200. The information processing device100transmits the battery information including information indicating the status of the battery25to the management server300. The management server300accumulates the battery information received from the information processing device100in the storage35. The management server300predicts the current status of the battery25of the information processing device100based on the battery information of the information processing device100, and based on the prediction result, transmits control information regarding the battery control of the information processing device100to the information processing device100.

With the above configuration, the management server300can predict the battery status of the information processing device100based on the battery information received from the information processing device100, and control the information processing device100to be in a preferable state according to the battery status.

The management server300implements the learning model313that is machine-learned based on the battery information collected from a plurality of the information processing devices100. The learning model313receives input of the battery information and causes the management server300to function to output at least one of information indicating the degree of deterioration of the battery, information indicating the difference between voltages of the cells constituting the battery, and information indicating the charge/discharge efficiency of the battery.

The battery information includes at least one of information for identifying the battery, information indicating the physical status of the battery, and information indicating a usage status of the battery.

For example, the battery information includes at least one of a serial number of the battery, the date of manufacture of the battery, a firmware version, the date of start of use of the battery, the degree of deterioration of the battery, a voltage of the battery, a current of the battery, a temperature of the battery, an ambient temperature, and the capacity of the battery.

The control information includes, for example, classification information (for example, a stage) indicating the deterioration status of the battery of the information processing device100in a stepwise manner, or a command for stopping the function of the battery25of the information processing device100.

The present embodiment also discloses the information processing device100including the battery25and the management server300connected via the network200. The management server300includes the network interface37(an example of a receiving unit) that receives the battery information including information indicating the battery status from the information processing device100, the storage35that accumulates the battery information received from the information processing device100, the controller31that predicts the current status of the battery25of the information processing device100based on the battery information of the information processing device100, and generates the control information for the battery control of the information processing device100based on the prediction result, and the network interface37(an example of a transmission unit) that transmits the control information to the information processing device100.

The present embodiment also discloses the information processing device100which is an electronic device to which a drive power source is supplied from the battery25. The information processing device100includes the battery controller27(an example of an acquisition unit) that acquires the battery information including information on the battery status, the storage19that stores the acquired battery information, the controller11that controls the battery, and the network interface21(an example of a communication unit) that communicates with the management server300via the network200. The controller11transmits the battery information to the management server300via the network interface21. The controller11receives the control information related to control of the battery from the management server300via the network interface21, and controls the battery according to the received control information.

The present embodiment also discloses a battery management method in the management system1including the information processing device100provided with the battery25, the management server300connected to the information processing device100via the network200. According to the battery management method, the information processing device100transmits the battery information including information indicating the battery status to the management server300. The management server300accumulates the battery information received from the information processing device100in the storage35. The management server300predicts the current status of the battery of the information processing device100based on the battery information of the information processing device100, and based on the prediction result, transmits control information regarding the battery control of the information processing device100to the information processing device100. The information processing device100performs battery control of the information processing device100according to the control information received from the management server.

Other Embodiments

The idea of the above embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described above. Various embodiments may be considered. Hereinafter, other embodiments to which the idea of the above embodiment can be applied will be described.

The battery information shown in the above embodiment (FIG.5) is merely an example, and the content of the battery information is not limited to the information shown inFIG.5. Various types of information on the battery can be included in the battery information. For example, the battery information may include information that identifies the battery, physical information on the battery, and information indicating the usage status of the battery.

In the above embodiment, as the control information related to battery control transmitted from the management server300to the information processing device100, information indicating the stage of the battery and the command for stopping the function of the battery are exemplified. However, the control information is not limited to these. The control information related to the battery control may include various parameters or commands used for the battery control in the information processing device100.

In the above embodiment, the management server300analyzes the battery status of the information processing device100in synchronization with the timing of receiving the battery information from the information processing device100, and transmits the control information according to the battery status to the information processing device100. However, the timing of analyzing the battery status and transmitting the control information is not limited to this. The management server300may analyze the battery status of each information processing device and transmit the control information at an optional timing or a predetermined timing.

In the above embodiment, the controller of the management server300trains the learning model313so as to receive input of the battery information and output the degree of deterioration, the cell voltage difference, and the charge/discharge efficiency. However, the method of learning of the learning model313is not limited to this. The learning model313may be trained to receive input of the battery information and output other pieces of information regarding deterioration of the battery.

In the above embodiment, the information processing device is exemplified as the electronic device. However, the electronic device is not limited to this. The battery management control of the present disclosure can be applied to any electronic device as long as the device is driven by a battery as a power source, can collect the battery information, and can communicate with an external server.

As described above, the embodiment has been described as an example of the technique in the present disclosure. To that end, detailed description and accompanying drawings are disclosed. Therefore, the constituents described in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings may include a constituent that is not essential for solving the problem. Therefore, even if those non-essential constituents are described in the detailed description and accompanying drawings, those non-essential constituents should not be immediately recognized to be essential.

The above embodiment is for exemplifying the technique in the present disclosure. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, various modifications, substitutions, additions, and/or omissions may be made within the scope of claims or the scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The present disclosure may be applied to a system that manages the state of a battery for an electronic device driven by a power source from the battery.