Patent ID: 12223777

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG.1shows a view of an overall configuration of a vehicle management system10. The vehicle management system10includes a plurality of vehicles20and a management server100. The vehicles20and the management server100are communicatively connected with each other via a communication network50. The communication network50includes an IP network such as the Internet, a P2P network, a dedicated line including a VPN, a virtual network, a mobile communication network, or the like. The vehicle20includes a battery30and a control system200.

The control system200is configured to control charge and discharge of the battery30. The battery30is one example of a component mounted on the vehicle20. The component may be an exchangeable consumable mounted on the vehicle20. The control system200is configured to perform control of the vehicle20, and communication between the vehicle20and the management server100via the communication network50. The management server100is configured to perform management of the plurality of vehicles20. For example, the vehicle20may be a vehicle managed by a company in the car leasing industry, the transportation industry, or the like.

A lifetime of a component such as the battery30mounted on the vehicle20varies depending on a usage manner of the vehicle20by the user40of the vehicle20. However, it is desired to suppress variation of the lifetime of the component to extend the entire lifetime of the plurality of vehicles20.

Therefore, the management server100is configured to periodically change combinations of the vehicles20or the components mounted on the vehicle20and the users40so as to extend the entire time that the components, such as the battery mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles20, take to reach an end of a lifetime thereof. The management server100is configured to determine optimal combinations of target components of the vehicle20and the users40, based on a degradation value that indicates a degradation degree of a component such as the battery mounted on the vehicle20and a usage value of the component depending on a usage manner of the user40owning the vehicle20. The management server100is one example of a determination device. In the present embodiment, a component mounted on the vehicle is described as an example. However, the component may be a component mounted on a device other than the vehicle, as long as a degradation degree of the component changes depending on a usage manner of the user and a usage environment such as a place where the component is used.

FIG.2shows a schematical view of a system configuration of the control system200equipped in the vehicle20. The control system200includes an HVECU210, various types of ECUs230, various types of sensors250, an MID271, an IVI272, a GNSS receiver273, and a TCU274.

The HVECU210is a hybrid ECU (Electronic Control Unit) configured to control the vehicle20. The HVECU210and the various types of ECUs230may be configured to include a so-called microcomputer consisting of a CPU, an ROM, an RAM, and an input/output interface, etc. The HVECU210is configured to perform a signal processing according to a program prestored in the ROM while utilizing a temporary storage function of the RAM.

The HVECU210is connected to the MID271, the IVI272, the TCU274, and various types of ECUs230, via an in-vehicle communication circuit. The HVECU210is configured to communicate with the MID271, the IVI272, the TCU274, and various types of ECUs230, via the in-vehicle communication circuit. The HVECU210is configured to collectively control the MID271, the IVI272, the TCU274, and various types of ECUs230, via the in-vehicle communication circuit. The in-vehicle communication circuit may be configured to include, for example, CAN (Controller Area Network), Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

The MID271is a multi-information display. The IVI272is an in-vehicle infotainment information appliance (IVI), for example. The MID271and the IVI272are connected to the HVECU210via an in-vehicle communication line. The MID271and the IVI272may function as a display control unit. The IVI272has a wireless LAN communication function. The IVI272is configured to determine a location of the vehicle20based on a signal received from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite. The IVI272is configured to acquire location information of the vehicle20from the GNSS receiver273. The IVI272is configured to output the location information acquired from the GNSS receiver273to the HVECU210.

The TCU274is a telematics control unit. The TCU274is mainly responsible for mobile communication. The TCU274is configured to perform sending and receiving of data to and from the management server100based on control by the HVECU210.

Various types of ECUs230include an MGECU231, an engine ECU232, a transmission ECU233, and a battery ECU234. The MGECU231is configured to control a driving motor generator mounted on the vehicle20. The engine ECU232is configured to control an engine mounted on the vehicle20. The transmission ECU233is configured to control a transmission mounted on the vehicle20. The battery ECU234is configured to control a battery that is a high voltage battery mounted on the vehicle20.

The HVECU210is configured to perform hybrid driving control over the motor generator via the MGECU231and the engine via the engine ECU232. The HVECU210is configured to perform speed control of the transmission via the transmission ECU233. The HVECU210is configured to perform charge and discharge control of the battery via the battery ECU234.

Various types of sensors250include a vehicle speed sensor251, an accelerator opening sensor252, a tilt angle sensor253, a MG rotation speed sensor254, a shift position sensor255, an engine rotation speed sensor256, a throttle opening sensor257, and a battery temperature sensor258. Various types of sensors250may include other sensors.

The vehicle speed sensor251is configured to detect a vehicle speed of the vehicle20. The accelerator opening sensor252is configured to detect an accelerator opening in accordance with an operation by a driver, i.e., an operation amount of an accelerator pedal. The tilt angle sensor253is configured to detect a tilt of the vehicle20. The MG rotation speed sensor254is configured to detect a rotation speed of the motor generator. The shift position sensor255is configured to detect a shift position of a shift lever. The engine rotation speed sensor256is configured to detect a rotation speed of the engine. The throttle opening sensor257is configured to detect an opening of a throttle valve of the engine. The battery temperature sensor258is configured to detect a temperature of the battery. A battery current sensor259is configured to detect charging and discharging current of the battery.

The HVECU210is configured to set a required driving force, based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor251and the accelerator opening detected by the accelerator opening sensor252. The HVECU210is configured to judge whether the vehicle20is starting to move, based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor251. The HVECU210is configured to judge whether the vehicle20is on a uphill road or a downhill road, based on the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle sensor253. The engine ECU232is configured to control output torque from the engine according to the set required driving force, based on a command from the HVECU210. The MGECU231is configured to control output torque from the motor generator according to the set required driving force, based on a command from the HVECU210. The transmission ECU233is configured to perform speed control of the transmission according to the set required driving force.

The battery ECU234is configured to control charge and discharge of the battery, based on battery information that indicates a state of the battery such as a terminal voltage of the battery, the charging and discharging current of the battery from the battery current sensor259, and the battery temperature from the battery temperature sensor258. The battery ECU234is configured to calculate a state of charge (SOC) based on an integrated value of the charging and discharging current of the battery.

In the present embodiment, a hybrid vehicle is described as an example of the vehicle20. However, the vehicle20may be a vehicle having any type of drive system, such as an engine vehicle or an electric vehicle.

FIG.3shows a view of one example of a functional block of the management server100. The management server100includes an acquisition unit102, a determination unit104, and a storage unit106.

The acquisition unit102is configured to acquire degradation values A1that indicate respective degradation degrees of a plurality of components of a same type mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles20. A degradation value A1may indicate a consumption amount of a component.FIG.4shows one example of a histogram that indicates a relationship between degradation values A1of respective components and a number of components having each degradation value A1.

The plurality of components of the same type may be components having the same function. The component may be a consumable that is consumed as the vehicle20travels. The component may be a consumable that is consumed in accordance with a travel distance of the vehicle20. The degradation value A1may be indicated in a percentage on a basis of a maximum degradation degree at which the component reaches an end of a lifetime thereof. When the degradation value A1is 100%, it may indicate that the component has reached the end of the lifetime thereof. The degradation value A1may be a value based on a predetermined index C1. The degradation value A1may be a value based on a travel distance of the vehicle20, for example. The degradation value A1may be indicated in a percentage on a basis of a predetermined maximum travel distance of the vehicle20at which it is likely that a target component reaches an end of a lifetime thereof. In other words, the degradation value A1may be indicated by “a current travel distance of the vehicle20(km)/a maximum travel distance (km) of the vehicle20at which it is likely that a target component reaches an end of a lifetime thereof×100”. For example, if the maximum travel distance of the vehicle20at which it is likely that the component reaches the end of a lifetime thereof is 240,000 km and the current travel distance of the vehicle20is 24,000 km, then the degradation value A1of the component may be 10%.

In a case where the component is the battery30, the degradation value A1may be a value calculated by using, as an index, the battery information such as the terminal voltage of the battery or resistance in the battery. The acquisition unit102may acquire the degradation value A1of the battery from the vehicle20. The acquisition unit102may acquire the degradation value A1by calculating the degradation value A1of the battery according to a predetermined algorithm based on the battery information provided from the vehicle20. The vehicle20may calculate the degradation value A1of the component according the predetermined algorithm based on various types of parameters detected by the various types of sensors250. The acquisition unit102may acquire a measured value A1by calculating the degradation value A1of the component according to the predetermined algorithm based on various types of parameters detected by the various types of sensors250.

The acquisition unit102may regard respective degradation values A1of the plurality of components as respective usage values P1in a plurality of usage environments in which the plurality of components are used. The acquisition unit102may regard respective degradation values A1of the plurality of components as respective usage values P1of a plurality of users using each of the plurality of components. The acquisition unit102may regard respective degradation values A1of the plurality of components as usage values P1that indicate respective future degradation degrees of the plurality of components when each of the plurality of components is used by each of the plurality of users. For example, the usage environment may be a user of the vehicle20or an owner of the vehicle20.

The acquisition unit102may regard the degradation value A1of the component during a predetermined time period W1from a past timepoint to a current timepoint as the usage value P1of the user of the component during a predetermined time period W2(W1=W2) from the current timepoint to a future timepoint. For example, the acquisition unit102may regard the degradation value A1of the component during six years from a past timepoint to a current timepoint as the usage value P1of the user of the component during six years from the current timepoint to a future timepoint.

FIG.5shows one example of a histogram illustrating a relationship between respective usage values P1of the users and a number of users having each usage value P1. Because the degradation values A1are regarded as the usage values P1, the histogram shown inFIG.5and the histogram shown inFIG.4match. In other words, the total number of components and the total number of users match.

Here, it is conceivable that the acquisition unit102is configured to estimate a usage value P1according to a predetermined algorithm from a past usage condition of the vehicle20, the degradation degree of the component or the like based on various types of parameters detected by the various types of sensors250. However, estimation accuracy may vary, and in some cases the component may reach an end of a lifetime thereof before a planned time period elapses. In other words, the component can fail. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the acquisition unit102is configured to regard a past degradation value A1directly as a future usage value P1.

The acquisition unit102is configured to store, in the storage unit106, a degradation value A1acquired from each vehicle20in association with a component ID of the component mounted on the vehicle20and a usage value P1in association with a user ID of the user of the vehicle20.

The determination unit104is configured to determine optimal combinations of respective degradation values A1of the components and respective usage values P1of the users of the component, based on a target value G that indicates a predetermined target degradation degree of the plurality of components. The determination unit104may determine, as the optimal combinations, combinations of respective degradation values A1of the plurality of components and respective usage value P1of the plurality of users with a smallest number of sums of the degradation values A1and the usage values P1exceeding an upper limit value H1that indicates a maximum degradation degree at which the plurality of components reach an end of a lifetime thereof.

The determination unit104may calculate a sum T1of a degradation value A1and a usage value P1for all combinations of each of the plurality of components and each of the plurality of users, and determine from the all combinations, as the optimal combinations, combinations of respective components from the plurality of components and respective users from the plurality of users with a smallest number of sums T1of the degradation values A1and the usage values P1exceeding the upper limit value H1.

The determination unit104may perform a first process of determining whether respective degradation values A1of the plurality of components exceed the target value G that indicates a future target degradation degree. The target value G may be a degradation value that indicates a target degradation degree of a component at a future predetermined timepoint. For example, the target value G may be a degradation value that indicates a target degradation degree of the component after six years. Further, the determination unit104may perform a second process of choosing, in order, for each component of the plurality of components the degradation value A1of which exceeds the target value G, users by whom each of the sums T1does not exceed the upper limit value H1and an absolute value of a difference between each of the sums T1and the target value G is smallest. In addition, the determination unit104may perform a third process of choosing, in order, for each component of the plurality of components the degradation value A1of which is equal to or lower than the target value G, users by whom each of the sums T1does not exceed the upper limit value H1and an absolute value of a difference between each of the sums T1and the target value G is smallest, from users among the plurality of users who are not chosen at the second process. The determination unit104may determine optimal combinations by performing the first process, the second process, and the third process.

As the third process, the determination unit104may choose, in order, combinations by which each of the sums T1does not exceed the upper limit value H1and an absolute value of a difference between each of the sums T1and the target value G is smallest, from combinations by which each of the sums T1exceeds the target value G among combinations of respective components the degradation value A1of which is equal to or lower than the target value G and users from the plurality of users who are not chosen at the second process. Thereafter, the determination unit104may perform a process of choosing, in order, combinations by which each of the sums T1does not exceed the upper limit value H1and an absolute value of a difference between each of the sums T1and the target value G is smallest, from combinations by which each of the sums T1is equal to or lower than the target value G among combinations of respective components the degradation value A1of which is equal to or lower than the target value G and users from the plurality of users who are not chosen at the second process.

A number of the sums T1of the degradation values A1and the usage values P1exceeding the upper limit value H1changes according to a magnitude of the target value G. An optimal target value G varies according to a distribution of degradation values A1of the plurality of components. Therefore, the determination unit104may further perform the first process, the second process, and the third process in accordance with a plurality of target values G having different values, and determine, as optimal combinations, combinations of respective components from the plurality of components and respective users from the plurality of users in accordance with the target value G with a smallest number of the sums T1exceeding the upper limit value H1is smallest, among combinations of each of the plurality of components and each of the plurality of users in accordance with the plurality of target values G. The determination unit104may perform the first process, the second process, and the third process in accordance with integral values from 1% to 100% as the plurality of target values G, i.e., 100 target values G. The determination unit104may perform the first process, the second process, and the third process in accordance with integral values from 50% to 100% or from 30% to 100%.

For example, the degradation value A1is a value calculated using a travel distance of the vehicle20as the index C1. However, the index for calculating the degradation value that indicates the degradation degree of the component may be chosen from various types of indices. Then, the degradation value that indicates the degradation degree of the component may vary according to the difference between the indices. Therefore, the determination unit104may determine, as optimal combinations, combinations of components and users by which each of the sums of the degradation values calculated using various types of indices and the usage values does not exceed the upper limit value.

The acquisition unit102may further acquire degradation values A2that indicate respective degradation degrees of the components based on an index C2that is different from the index C1for each of the plurality of components. The acquisition unit102may regard respective degradation values A2of the plurality of components as respective usage values P2based on the index C2in a plurality of usage environments in which the plurality of components are used. If the component is the battery30, the index C2may be a terminal voltage of the battery30. The index may be an index based on an environment where the vehicle20is present. The index may be a weather condition such as temperature or humidity in a region where the vehicle20is present. The index may be a characteristic of the region where the vehicle20is present which affects the lifetime of each component mounted on the vehicle20, such as a salt damaged region, a cold weather region, or the like. If the component is composed of a plurality of constituent elements, the index may be an index for each constituent element. For example, the component may be a drive unit. In this case, the index may be an index for each of a plurality of gears constituting the drive unit such as a transmission. In other words, the acquisition unit102may acquire respective degradation values calculated according to a predetermined algorithm based on a travel distance or the like for each gear. For example, if the index is different for each constituent element, the degradation value that indicates the degradation degree for each component may differ. For example, even if the sum T1of the degradation value A1and the usage value P1based on the first index C1does not exceed an upper limit value TH1, a sum T2of the degradation value A2and the usage value P2based on the second index C2may exceed an upper limit value H2. In this case, if combinations of the components and the users are determined based only on the first index C1, the components can degrade faster than expected, resulting in failure of the components. Therefore, the determination unit104may determine, as optimal combinations, combinations of the components and the users by which respective sums T based on the plurality of indices does not exceed respective threshold values TH. This can reliably prevent a component from degrading faster than expected, resulting in failure.

The determination unit104may determine optimal combinations of the components and the users based further on the degradation value A2and the usage value P2in addition to the degradation value A1, the usage value P1, and the target value G. The determination unit104may determine tentative optimal combinations of each of the plurality of components and each of the plurality of users by performing the first process, the second process, and the third process. Further, the determination unit104may finally determine the optimal combinations by further repeating the first process, the second process, and the third process, without determining, as the optimal combinations, combinations of the components and the users by which each of the sums T2of the degradation values A2and the usage values P2exceeds the upper limit value H2that indicates a maximum degradation degree of the component that are tolerable based on the index C2of the plurality of component, among combinations of components and users in the tentative optimal combinations.

FIG.6AandFIG.6Bis a flowchart illustrating one example of a procedure of determining optimal combinations of the components and the users by the management server100.

The acquisition unit102acquires degradation values A1based on the index C1of the components of the same type mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles20(S100). The acquisition unit102may acquire degradation values A1that indicate respective degradation degrees of target components of the plurality of vehicles20. The acquisition unit102may acquire degradation values A1calculated by a travel distance of each of the plurality of vehicles20(km)/a maximum travel distance as a predetermined lifetime travel distance (km)×100.

The acquisition unit102regards respective degradation values A1of the plurality of components as respective usage values P1of the plurality of users corresponding to usage of each of the plurality of components (S102). The determination unit104sets target values G. The determination unit104may sequentially set the target values G by decreasing a highest target value G of 100% by 1%.

The determination unit104judges whether there exists a component the degradation value A1of which exceeds the target value G among target components to be combined (S106).

If there exists a component the degradation value A1of which exceeds the target value G, the determination unit104calculates a sum T1of the degradation value A1and the usage value P1for all combinations of respective degradation values A1of target components and respective usage values P1of target users. For example, if a number of components is 10 and a number of users is 10, as shown inFIG.7, the determination unit104calculates 10×10 respective sums T1. The determination unit104judges whether there exists a combination by which the sum T1of the degradation value A1of a target component and the usage value P1of a target user is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1, from combinations of the target components the degradation value A1of which exceeds the target value G and the users (S108).

If there exists a combination by which the sum T1of the degradation value A1of the target component and the usage value P1of the target user is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1, the determination unit104determines a combination by which the sum T1of the degradation value A1of the target component and the usage value P1of the target user is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1and an absolute value of a difference between the sum T1and the target value G is smallest, tentatively determines the determined combination as one of the optimal combinations, and excludes the determined combination from the target components and the target users (S110).

The determination unit104calculates the sum T1of the degradation value A1and the usage value P1for all combinations of the rest of the target components and the rest of the target users. Because one combination is excluded, the determination unit104excludes, for example, a combination of a component ID:3 and a user ID:7 from 10×10 respective sums T1as shown inFIG.7and calculates 9×9 respective sums T1. The determination unit104repeats Step S106to Step S110until there exists no component the degradation value A1of which exceeds the target value G among the target components to be combined and there exists no combination by which the sum T1of the degradation value A1of the target component and the usage value P1of the target user is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1.

When Step S106to Step S110ends, the determination unit104judges whether there exists a component the degradation value A1of which does not exceed the target value G among the target components (S112). If there exists a component the degradation value A1of which does not exceed the target value G among the target components, the determination unit104calculates the sum T1of the degradation value A1and the usage value P1for all combinations of the rest of the target components and the rest of the target users.

Next, the determination unit104judges whether there exists a combination by which the sum T1of the degradation value A1of the target component and the usage value P1of the target user is higher than the target value G and equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1(S114). If there exists a combination by which the sum T1is higher than the target value G and equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1, the determination unit104determines, from combinations by which the sum T1is higher than the target value G and equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1, a combination by which an absolute value of a difference between the sum T1and the target value G1is smallest, tentatively determines the determined combination as one of the optimal combinations, and excludes the determined combination from the target components and the target users (S116).

The determination unit104calculates anew the sum T1of the degradation value A1and the usage value P1for all combinations of the rest of the target components and the rest of the target users. The determination unit104repeats Step S112to Step S116until there exists no combination in the target components to be combined by which the sum T1is higher than the target value G and equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1.

When Step S112to Step S116ends, the determination unit104judges whether there exists a combination in the target components to be combined by which the sum T1is equal to or lower than the target value G (S118). If there exists a combination by which the sum T1is equal to or lower than the target value G, the determination unit104determines a combination by which an absolute value of a difference between the sum T1and the target value G is smallest, tentatively determines the determined combination as one of the optimal combinations, and excludes the determined combination from the target components and the target users (S120). The determination unit104repeats Step S118to Step S120until there exists no component in the target components to be combined the degradation value A1of which is equal to or lower than the target value G.

When Step S118to Step S120ends, the determination unit104determines a number of tentatively determined combinations (S122). Next, the determination unit104judges whether the combination processes of Step S104to Step S120are performed in accordance with all preset target values G (S124). If the combination processes of Step S104to Step S120are not performed in accordance with all preset target value G, the determination unit104repeats the combination processes of Step S104to Step S120.

If the combination processes of Step S104to Step S120are performed in accordance with all preset target value G, the determination unit104determines, as optimal combinations, a group of combinations in accordance with the target value G by which a largest number of combinations can be obtained (S126).

As described above, with the management server100according to the present embodiment, optimal combinations of the vehicles20or the components mounted on the vehicles20and the users40can be determined so as to extend the entire time the components such as the battery mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles20take to reach an end of a lifetime thereof.

Described above is an example where optimal combinations of the components and the users are determined by using the degradation values A1based on the index C1.

Described below is a case where optimal combinations of the components and the users are determined considering, in addition, degradation value A2of the components based on the index C2that is different from the index C1for each of the plurality of components. In this case, the determination unit104calculates the sum T2of the degradation value A2and the usage value P2for all combinations of degradation values A2of the components based on the index C2and the usage values P2of the users, as shown inFIG.8. At step S110, for example, for a combination by which the sum T1of the degradation value A1of the target component and the usage value P1of the target user is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1and an absolute value of a difference between the sum T1and the target value G is smallest, the determination unit104judges whether the sum T2of the degradation value A2and the usage value P2exceeds the upper limit value H2. Then, when the sum T2of the degradation value A2and the usage value P2does not exceed the upper limit value H2, the determination unit104tentatively determines the combination as one of the optimal combinations, and excludes the determined combination from the target components and the target users. Similarly, at Step S116and Step S120, if the sum T2of the degradation value A2and the usage value P2does not exceed the upper limit value H2, the determination unit104tentatively determines the combination as one of the optimal combinations and excludes the determined combination from the target components and the target users.

The determination unit104calculates the sum T1of the degradation value A1and the usage value P1for all combinations of respective degradation values A1of the target components based on the index C1and respective usage values P1of the target users. Further, the determination unit104calculates the sum T2of the degradation value A2and the usage value P2for all combinations of respective degradation values A2of the target components based on the index C2and respective usage values P2of the target users. The determination unit104performs the first process regarding the index C1and the index C2. Then, the determination unit104tentatively determine, as one of the optimal combinations, a combination by which the sum T1based on the index C1is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1and the sum T2based on the index C2is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H2and an absolute value of a difference between the sum and the target value is smallest, and excludes the tentatively determined combination from the target components and the target users.

After performing the first process until there exists no target combination, the determination unit104performs the second process regarding the index C1and the index C2. Then, the determination unit104tentatively determine, as one of the optimal combinations, a combination by which the sum T1based on the index C1is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1and the sum T2based on the index C2is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H2, and the absolute value of the difference between the sum and the target value is smallest, and excludes the tentatively determined combination from the target components and the target users. After performing the second process until there exists no target combination, the determination unit104performs the third process regarding the index C1and the index C2. The determination unit104tentatively determine, as one of the optimal combinations, a combination by which the sum T1based on the index C1is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H1and the sum T2based on the index C2is equal to or lower than the upper limit value H2, and the absolute value of the difference between the sum and the target value is smallest, and excludes the combination from the target components and the target users. The determination unit104performs combined processes of the first process, the second process, and the third process in accordance with all preset target values G, and determines, as optimal combinations, a group of combinations in accordance with the target value G by which a largest number of combinations can be obtained.

In this manner, by determining optimal combinations of the components and the users considering the degradation degree based on a plurality of indices, the components can be prevented from failing due to the lifetime of the components being shorter than expected and variation of the lifetime of the components can be suppressed so as to extend the entire lifetime of the plurality of vehicles20.

FIG.9shows one example of a computer1200in which a plurality of aspects of the present invention may be entirely or partially embodied. A program installed in the computer1200can cause the computer1200to function as an operation associated with a device according to embodiments of the present invention or one or more “units” of the device. Or, the program can cause the computer1200to execute the operation or the one or more “units”. The program can cause the computer1200to execute a process according to embodiments of the present invention or a step of the process. Such program may be performed by the CPU1212in order to cause the computer1200to execute a specific operation associated with some or all of the flowcharts and block diagrams described in the specification.

The computer1200according to the present embodiment includes a CPU1212and an RAM1214. The CPU1212and the RAM1214are connected with each other by a host controller1210. The computer1200also includes a communication interface1222and an input/output unit. The communication interface1222and the input/output unit are connected with the host controller1210via an input/output controller1220. The computer1200also includes an ROM1230. The CPU1212is configured to operate according to a program stored in the ROM1230and the RAM1214and thereby control each unit.

The communication interface1222is configured to communicate with other electronic devices via a network. A hard disk drive may store a program and data to be used by the CPU1212in the computer1200. The ROM1230is configured to store therein a boot program or the like that will be executed by the computer1200upon activation and/or a program depending on a hardware of the computer1200. A program is provided via a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a USB memory, or an IC card, or via a network. The program is installed in the RAM1214or the ROM1230, which are examples of the computer-readable recording medium, and is executed by the CPU1212. An information processing written in these programs is read by the computer1200, and provides cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. A device or a method may be configured by implementing an operation or a processing of information according to usage of the computer1200.

For example, when communication is performed between the computer1200and an external device, the CPU1212may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM1214, and instruct the communication interface1222to execute a communication processing based on a processing written in the communication program. The communication interface1222is configured, under control of the CPU1212, to read transmission data stored in a sending buffer region provided in a recording medium such as the RAM1214or the USB memory, and send the read transmission data to a network, or write the reception data received from the network in a receiving buffer region or the like provided on the recording medium.

In addition, all or necessary parts of a file or a database stored in an external recording medium such as the USB memory or the like are read into the RAM1214so that CPU1212may perform variety types of processes on data on the RAM1214. The CPU1212may be configured to write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the recording medium to undergo an information processing. The CPU1212may also be configured to execute various types of processings on the data read from the RAM1214, which includes various types of operations, processings of information, condition judging, conditional branching, unconditional branching, search/replacement of information or the like described in the present disclosure and designated by an instruction sequence of programs, and to write the result back to the RAM1214. The CPU1212may also be configured to search for information in a file, a database, etc., in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, are stored in the recording medium, the CPU1212may search for an entry, whose attribute value of the first attribute is designated, that matches with the condition from among the plurality of entries, and read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, thereby obtaining the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute satisfying the predetermined condition.

The program or software module described above may be stored in the computer-readable storage medium on the computer1200or near the computer1200. Also, a recording medium such as a hard disk or an RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or Internet can be used as the computer-readable storage medium, and thereby provide the program to the computer1200via the network.

The computer-readable medium may include any tangible device that can store an instruction to be executed by an appropriate device. As a result, the computer-readable medium having an instruction stored thereon includes a product including an instruction that can be executed in order to implement a means for executing an operation designated in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of the computer-readable medium may include an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, or the like. More specific examples of the computer-readable medium may include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a BLU-RAY (registered trademark) disc, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, etc.

The computer-readable instruction may include any of a source code or an object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The source code or the object code includes a conventional procedural programming language. The conventional procedural programming language may be an assembler instruction, an instruction set architecture (ISA) instruction, a machine instruction, a machine dependent instruction, a microcode, a firmware instruction, a state setting data, or an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk (registered trademark), JAVA (registered trademark), C++ or the like, and a “C” programming language or a similar programming language. The computer-readable instruction may be provided locally or via a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as Internet to a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or a processor or a programmable circuitry of another programmable data processing device. The processor or the programmable circuitry may execute a computer-readable instruction in order to implement means for executing an operation designated in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, or the like.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the technical scope of the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments. It is apparent to persons skilled in the art that various alterations or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments. It is also apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such alterations or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the invention.

It should be noted that the operations, procedures, steps, and stages of each process performed by a device, system, program, and method shown in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams can be performed in any order as long as the order is not indicated by “prior to,” “before,” or the like and as long as the output from a previous process is not used in a later process. Even if the process flow is described using phrases such as “first” or “next” in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams, it does not necessarily mean that the process must be performed in this order.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

10: vehicle management system20: vehicle30: battery40: user50: communication network100: management server102: acquisition unit104: determination unit106: storage unit200: control system210: HVECU230: ECU231: MGECU232: engine ECU233: transmission ECU234: battery ECU250: sensor251: vehicle speed sensor252: accelerator opening sensor253: tilt angle sensor254: rotation speed sensor255: shift position sensor256: engine rotation speed sensor257: throttle opening sensor258: battery temperature sensor259: battery current sensor271: MID272: IVI273: GNSS receiver274: TCU1200: computer1210: host controller1212: CPU1214: RAM1220: input/output controller1222: communication interface1230: ROM