Apparatus for updating program in a fuel cell unit

• US 7,620,805 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Ninomiya, Ryoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Cao; Chun
• Application Number:
  US11/528,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20070020493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 713/2, 713/100, 429/22
• US Class Current: 713/100
• 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 connectable to a fuel cell unit, the fuel cell unit including a fuel cell, a storage unit storing a first program, and a fuel cell control unit, the information processing apparatus comprising:

an input unit for externally inputting a second program;

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

a secondary cell;

wherein the second program is transmitted to the fuel cell unit; and

the first program is undated with the second program when the fuel cell control unit is in a standby state and operative with electric power supplied from the secondary cell.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second program 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 second program is a program to be executed by the fuel cell control 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 second program to the fuel cell unit.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second program 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 second program 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 second program in the storage unit.

8. A fuel cell unit connectable to an external apparatus having a secondary cell, the fuel cell unit comprising:

a fuel cell for generating electricity;

a storage unit storing a first program; and

a control unit for receiving a second program transmitted from the external apparatus and used for control of the fuel cell unit,

wherein the first program is undated with the second program when the control unit is in a standby state and operative with electric power supplied from the secondary cell.

9. A fuel cell unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit executes the second program.

10. A fuel cell unit according to claim 8,

wherein the control unit stores the second 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 to claim 8, wherein the control unit is supplied with electric power from the external apparatus when the control unit receives the second program.

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

13. A method for updating a program used for controlling a fuel cell unit, the fuel cell unit including a storage unit storing a first program and a control unit, the fuel cell unit being capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus, the method comprising:

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

transmitting the second program from the information apparatus to the fuel cell unit; and

updating the first program with the second program when the control unit is in a standby state and operative with electric power supplied from a secondary cell in the information processing apparatus.

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

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

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the second 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 second 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 second program in the storage unit.