Information processing apparatus, fuel cell unit, and program updating method thereof

• US 20070020493A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Ninomiya, Ryoji
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,805 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04313 characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04447 of anode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04798 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04955 Shut-off or shut-down of fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04992 characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An information processing apparatus, to which a fuel cell unit having a fuel cell and a storage unit is connectable, the information processing apparatus comprises: an input unit for externally inputting a program; and a control unit for performing communication with the fuel cell unit. The program inputted via the input unit is transmitted to the fuel cell unit and stored in the storage unit. According to the configuration described above, control programs for fuel cell units can be easily updated.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus to which a fuel cell unit having a fuel cell and a storage unit is connectable, the information processing apparatus comprising:

an input unit for externally inputting a program; and

a control unit for performing communication with the fuel cell unit;

wherein the program inputted via the input unit is transmitted to the fuel cell unit and stored in the storage unit.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program transmitted to the fuel cell unit by the control unit is a program to be used for control performed at the fuel cell unit.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program transmitted to the fuel cell unit by the control unit is a program to be executed by a fuel cell control unit provided within the fuel cell unit.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops generation of an electric power by the fuel cell and transmits the program inputted via the input unit to the fuel cell unit.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program transmitted to the fuel cell unit by the control unit, is stored in the storage unit in a state in which generation of an electric power is stopped.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electric power supply unit which supplies electric power to the fuel cell unit, wherein the electric power supply unit supplies electric power to the fuel cell unit when the program inputted via the input unit is transmitted to the fuel cell unit.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit;

wherein the display unit displays states of processing which stores the program inputted via the input unit in the storage unit.

8. A fuel cell unit to which an external apparatus is connectable, the fuel cell unit comprising:

a storage unit; and

a control unit for receiving a program which is transmitted from the external apparatus and used for control of the fuel cell unit, and storing the received program in the storage unit.

9. A fuel cell unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit executes-the program stored in the storage unit.

10. A fuel cell unit according to claim 8, further comprising a fuel cell for generating electric power;

wherein the control unit stores the program in the storage unit in a state in which generation of electric power by the fuel cell is stopped.

11. A fuel cell unit according 8, wherein the control unit is supplied with electric power from the external apparatus when the control unit receives the programs.

12. A fuel cell unit- according 8, wherein the control unit notifies the external apparatus of states of processing which stores the program in the storage unit.

13. A method for updating a program used for controlling a fuel cell unit which is capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus, the method comprising:

inputting externally a program used for controlling the fuel cell unit to the information processing apparatus;

transmitting the inputted program from the information apparatus to the fuel cell unit;

storing the program transmitted from the information processing apparatus in a storage unit in the fuel cell unit.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the program is a program executed by a control unit provided in the fuel cell unit.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the program is transmitted after generation of electric power by the fuel cell unit is stopped.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the program is stored in the storage unit after generation of electric power by the fuel cell unit is stopped.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein the information processing apparatus supplies electric power to the fuel cell unit when the program is transmitted to the fuel cell unit.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein a display unit provided in the information processing apparatus displays states of processing which stores the program in the storage unit.