Abstract: A battery pack comprises a master battery management system, three or more battery blocks, three or more local battery management systems, three or more optical or magnetic isolated communications, and a wire assembly. Each of the three or more battery blocks comprises a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel so that form a common equipotential positive terminal and a common equipotential negative terminal. The three or more battery blocks comprises a low battery block, a high battery block, and one or more mid-range battery blocks between the low battery block and the high battery block. The negative terminal of each of the one or more mid-range battery blocks is electrically connected to the positive terminal of a respective adjacent battery block of the three or more battery blocks.

Abstract: A method for formation of cylindrical and prismatic can cells may include providing a battery, where the battery includes one or more cells, with each cell including at least one silicon-dominant anode, a cathode, and a separator. The battery also includes a metal can that contains the one or more cells such that during formation a pressure between 50 kPa and 1 MPa is applied to the one or more cells. The battery may include strain absorbing materials arranged between the one or more cells and interior walls of the can. The strain absorbing materials may include foam. The strain absorbing materials may include a solid electrolyte layer. The strain absorbing materials may include PMMA, PVDF, or a combination thereof. The pressure during a formation process may be due to a thickness of the strain absorbing materials being thicker than an expansion of the one or more cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a safety devices adapted to prevent workers from going into hazardous environment, such as underground using the faulty safety device. As a safety device, typically embodied as a cap lamp, must be charged prior to each use, the device is adapted to detect when the device is removed from the charger. The device starts to blink continuously when disconnected from the charger. An automated test procedure is completed on the device. The user may also complete a manual portion of the test procedure to make the device usable. When the test procedure is completed successfully, the lamp stops blinking. If the test procedure is not successful, the lamp continues blinking to effectively prevent user from using a faulty device.

Abstract: A degradation-determination system includes a volume change detecting unit configured to detect a volume change of a lithium-ion battery, a capacity change detecting unit configured to detect a capacity change of the lithium-ion battery, and a charge control unit configured to control charge of the lithium-ion battery. The charge control unit is configured to determine that the lithium-ion battery is in a state of degradation, upon occurrence of a condition in which volume expansion of the lithium-ion battery is detected by the volume change detecting unit, in conjunction with a condition in which a decrease in a capacity of the lithium-ion battery is not detected by the capacity change detecting unit.

Abstract: A power conversion assembly includes a power converter having a plurality of switching devices, a power source electrically coupled to the power converter, and a direct current (DC) filter circuit bridging the power converter and the power source. The DC filter circuit includes a DC link having a positive rail, a negative rail, and a capacitor bank. The capacitor bank includes a first set of capacitors being a first type of capacitors and a second set of capacitors being a different, second type of capacitors. Each capacitor in the first set of capacitors is positioned closer to a respective switching device of the plurality of switching devices than a corresponding capacitor of the second set of capacitors to minimize impedance between each capacitor in the first set of capacitors and the respective switching device such that a majority of ripple current from the plurality of switching devices passes through the first set of capacitors.

Abstract: A method of setting phases of a multitude of transmit elements of a phased array includes, in part, setting a phase of a first transmit element to N different values during each of N different time intervals, transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the first transmit element at each of the N time intervals, measuring a power of the electromagnetic signal at a receiving unit during each of the N time intervals, and selecting coefficients of a basis function such that a difference between a power value computed by the basis function and the measured power value associated with each of the N phases is smaller than a threshold value. The threshold value is optionally defined by a minimum of the sum of squares of the difference between a power value computed by the basis function and the power value for each of the N phases.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for solar energy management are described. A described system includes circuitry to determine a solar power generation value based on a power output of a solar power generator configured to supply electricity to a plurality of devices associated with a property; circuitry to determine a power consumption value of the plurality of devices; and a controller configured to determine a power status based on the solar power generation value and the power consumption value. The controller can be configured to selectively enable additional power consumption among the plurality of devices to an extent of the solar power generation value based on the power status indicating a power surplus state. The controller can be configured to selectively reduce power consumption among the plurality of devices based on the power status indicating a power deficit state.

Abstract: This invention provides an energy storage device manager, a system comprising the energy storage device manager, computer-readable media configured for providing the energy storage device manager, and methods of using the energy storage device manager. The energy storage device manager can optionally control charge buses and/or load buses to modulate the state of charge of an energy storage device. The energy storage device manager can optionally be configured with a plurality of modes that target different states of charge. The plurality of modes can optionally comprise a maintain mode which targets a nominal (e.g. 50%) charge state and a high-charge mode that targets a state of charge greater than the maintain mode. The plurality of modes can optionally further include an in-use mode which targets a state of charge greater than the maintain mode, and turns on a load bus that is turned off in the preparation mode.

Abstract: A system may obtain data related to hearing instruments, such as data indicating answers of a user to a questionnaire or historical usage data of the hearing instruments. For each respective feature of one or more features, the system may determine a feature duty cycle corresponding to an amount of time during a period in which the respective feature is anticipated to be active based on the data related to the hearing instruments. The system may further determine an energy cost for the respective feature at least based on the respective feature duty cycle for the respective feature and a power consumption rate of the respective feature. The system may calculate a battery life of one or more batteries in the hearing instruments at least based on the energy costs for each feature of the one or more features.

Abstract: A portable programmable display and control module which serves as a basic light switch and a digital custom light switch display. The control module can be removed from the electrical box when power fails to provide for an emergency flashlight. The control module can be provided with a mini-hard drive and microprocessor in order to be able to download digital content and display it on a lighted touch screen. The control module can also be controlled and programmed wirelessly by a computer or smart phone to control light switches, outlets, and other devices. The control module can also include a built-in solar cell to charge the module for prolonged power failures. A battery back-up can also be provided. The module can be provided with a front camera and a rear camera and can be used in emergency events to transmit images and video to first responders.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a battery charged with electric power generated by the engine, and a motor as a drive source and having multiple running modes that can be selected through a mode operation. As the running mode, the method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes a normal mode configured to perform charging of the battery according to a running state; and a charge mode configured to electric power generation by the engine according to a mode operation, the method comprising setting an upper limit of charging electric power based on the generated electric power in the charge mode to be lower than an upper limit of charging electric power based on the generated electric power in the normal mode.

Abstract: A server includes a charge schedule creation unit that creates a charge schedule for external charging of a vehicle. When user-specified-time information for determining a time to perform the external charging is not given by a user of the vehicle, the charge schedule creation unit creates a first charge schedule. When the user-specified-time information is given, the charge schedule creation unit creates a second charge schedule. In the first charge schedule, a battery mounted in the vehicle is pre-charged with some of power to be charged to the battery, and, after the pre-charging is performed, the battery is charged with a remaining amount of the power during a time period in which an electricity cost is inexpensive. In the second charge schedule, the battery is charged, without the pre-charging being performed.

Abstract: A wireless charging device in communication with an electronic device is provided. The wireless charging device includes a charging circuit configured to communicate with the electronic device at a first frequency that is included in a frequency band of the electronic device and supple power received from an external power source to the electronic device depending on a communication result at the first frequency, and a control circuit configured to convert the first frequency, based on a response of the electronic device to a first connection signal that is transmitted from the charging circuit to the electronic device.

Abstract: Land vehicles and methods of operating land vehicles are disclosed. A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of electric motors. The frame structure includes a front cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the front cage in a longitudinal direction. The plurality of wheels are supported by the frame structure. The plurality of wheels includes a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels positioned rearward of the pair of front wheels in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A liquid cooled charging cable system may be provided. The liquid cooled charging cable system may comprise a source, a load, a liquid cooled charging cable, and a cooling device. The liquid cooled charging cable may connect the source to the load, and may supply electric energy from the source to the load. The liquid cooled charging cable may comprise a supply conductor and a return conductor. The cooling device may pump a coolant around the supply conductor and the return conductor where the supply conductor and the return conductor may be immersed in the coolant.

Abstract: Technologies for providing secure emergency power control of a high voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) system include a controller. The controller includes circuitry configured to receive status data indicative of a present physical status of a power system. The circuitry is also configured to obtain an emergency power control command triggered by a remote source. The emergency power control command is to be executed by an HVDC transmission system of the power system. Further, the circuitry is configured to determine, as a function of the status data, whether the emergency power control command is consistent with the present physical status of the power system and block, in response to a determination that the emergency power control command is not consistent with the present physical status of the power system, execution of the emergency power control command by the HVDC transmission system.

Abstract: A system includes spatially isolated nodes proximal to a cortical surface or spinal cord, a telemetric antenna array located above the dura, the telemetric antenna array configured to provide power to and exchange data with the spatially isolated nodes, and a power and data distribution unit configured to power the spatially isolated nodes, aggregate recorded data, send the aggregated recorded data and commands through a wireless link.

Abstract: An power supply apparatus includes a first power supply unit configured to wirelessly supply power based on a first power supply method, a second power supply unit configured to wirelessly supply power based on a second power supply method different from the first power supply method, a communication unit configured to communicate with an electronic device, a selection unit configured to select one of the first and second power supply units based on a communication with the electronic device, and a control unit configured to perform a process to wirelessly supply power to the electronic device using the selected power supply unit, wherein the control unit controls the selection unit to select one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit depending on a state of the electronic device.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes a first capacitor, first to fourth switches connected in series between first and second electrodes of the first capacitor, a second capacitor connected to a connection node of the first switch and the second switch and a connection node of the third switch and the fourth switch, an inductor connected to a connection node of the second switch and the third switch, and a controller that performs PWM control. In a case where a failure occurs in the second capacitor, the DC-to-DC converter performs PWM control such that the first switch and the second switch enter the same state and the third switch and the fourth switch enter the same state on the basis of a result of comparison between a first detection voltage that is a measured output voltage and a target output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: A Power Management Controller (PMC) which manages power states of a platform, informs a power accumulator device to start measuring the platform power during entry into the low power state (e.g., S0iX). The power accumulator device starts measuring the power until a stop message comes from the PMC. The PMC on detection of any wake event initiates a stop message to the power accumulator device. Once an operating system (OS) context is restored, software can read the measured data from the power accumulator device. The measured data is accessible to a host software using standard software application programming interface (API) and can be used to influence the power policies of the system.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed, a rechargeable flow battery, wherein the flow battery comprises: first and second electrodes, separated such that ions are allowed to flow between them, wherein a first reservoir comprising or for holding a first fluid electrolyte is fluidly connected to the first electrode, to allow circulation of the first fluid electrolyte from the first reservoir to the first electrode and from the first electrode to the first reservoir; and a first current collector comprising a layer of electrically conductive material having opposing first and second sides, wherein the first electrode is disposed on the first side of the first current collector, such that electrons can flow from the electrode to the first current collector, and a first layer of dielectric material is disposed on the second side of the first current collector.

Abstract: A display device includes: a display panel configured to display an image; a sound element on a rear side of the display panel; and a rear chassis configured to receive the display panel and protect the rear side of the display panel, and including a protruding portion protruding away from the rear side of the display panel and corresponding to the sound element. The sound element includes a pair of electrodes, and a vibration material layer between the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling the power transfer coverage of a wireless power transmission network are disclosed. The method for controlling the power transfer coverage of a wireless power transmission network, which includes a plurality of peripheral devices for receiving power from a main device through a resonant channel within the power transfer coverage of the main device, comprises the steps of: checking a wireless power transmission network disconnection state of any one of the plurality of peripheral devices by a procedure gradually decreasing the amount of transmission power of the main device; and forming the power transfer coverage on the basis of the amount of transmission power at the moment of the wireless power transmission network disconnection.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquirer that is configured to acquire information regarding charging and discharging of a traveling battery provided in a vehicle with respect to an electric power system, and a communication controller that is configured to cause a communicator mounted on the vehicle to transmit the information acquired by the acquirer to a server apparatus in a case where a predefined condition associated with the type of the information is satisfied.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a plurality of rectifier, a plurality of switches respectively for the plurality of rectifier elements, a zero-crossing detector, a switch controller, and a detection reference changer. The plurality of rectifier elements rectify AC voltages of three phases output from a power generator. The plurality of rectifier elements, in an off-state, causes the plurality of rectifier elements to rectify the AC voltages to charge a battery. The plurality of rectifier elements, in an on-state, causes the AC voltages to be short-circuited to a negative side of the battery. The zero-crossing detector detects zero-crossings of the AC voltages. The switch controller outputs, based on the zero crossings, a gate signal for turning on and off the plurality of switches. The detection reference changer changes a reference for the zero-crossing detector to detect the zero crossings.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automobile including a steam washer mounted thereon capable of removing water remaining in the steam washer within a short period of time through the use of an air compressing tank and a compressed air feeding pump for feeding compressed air stored in the air compressing tank to a water chamber of a steam generator and a water tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a battery management system for periodically determining at least one of charge power limit and discharge power limit of a battery. The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes predicting the terminal voltage and the net resistance of the battery after a predefined time from the current time using an equivalent circuit model for the battery, and determining the charge power limit or the discharge power limit of the battery from the predicted terminal voltage and net resistance.

Abstract: A power feed system includes a power feed controller that controls a plurality of vehicles including a first vehicle and a second vehicle to successively carry out external power feed in a relayed manner. In passing on external power feed in the relayed manner from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, the power feed controller controls the first vehicle and the second vehicle to make transition from external power feed by the first vehicle to external power feed by the second vehicle with an overlapping period being interposed. During the overlapping period, both of the first vehicle and the second vehicle simultaneously carry out external power feed. The power feed controller controls at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle to set total electric power to target electric power during the overlapping period.

Abstract: An apparatus, for charging a battery for a vehicle, includes a PFC circuit comprising a rectifier for rectifying an AC power to a DC power, and a link capacitor for smoothing the rectified DC power, a bidirectional DC-DC converter including a first switch for converting the DC power of the PFC circuit to an AC power, a transformer for boosting or reducing a voltage of the AC power converted at the first switch, and a second switch for rectifying an AC power from the transformer to a DC power, and a controller configured to control a phase of a PWM signal applied to the second switch such that the link capacitor is charged by an electrical power from the battery, when a voltage of the link capacitor is below a predetermined voltage prior to entering a battery charging mode.

Abstract: A method for operating a power factor correction (PFC) circuit of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) apparatus is provided. The PFC circuit includes two T-type converters, and each of the T-type converters includes four switching tubes. The method includes: converting AC input voltage into a positive bus voltage across a first capacitor and a negative bus voltage across a second capacitor that is connected in series with the first capacitor when the UPS apparatus is operated under a normal supply mode; and controlling conduction states of the switching tubes of the T-type converters to balance the positive bus voltage and the negative bus voltage when the UPS apparatus is operated under a battery supply mode.

Abstract: A charge and power supply circuit includes: a first switch coupled between a first node and a positive terminal of a battery; a second switch coupled between a USB connector and one of the first node and a second node; a third switch coupled to a load in series between the first and second nodes; and a control unit controlling the switches. In a USB charge mode, an input voltage from the USB connector is permitted to charge the battery via the conducting first and second switches. In a battery supply mode, the battery is permitted to supply a battery voltage to the load via the conducting first and third switches. In a USB supply mode, the input voltage is permitted to be supplied to the load via the conducting second and third switches.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transmitting elements in an electroacoustical transceiver transmit acoustic energy to an electroacoustical transponder, which includes ultrasonic receiving elements to convert the acoustic energy into electrical power for the purposes of powering one or more sensors that are electrically coupled to the electroacoustical transponder. The electroacoustical transponder transmits data collected by the sensor(s) back to the electroacoustical transceiver wirelessly, such as through impedance modulation or electromagnetic waves. A feedback control loop can be used to adjust system parameters so that the electroacoustical transponder operates at an impedance minimum. An implementation of the system can be used to collect data in a vehicle, such as the tire air pressure. Another implementation of the system can be used to collect data in remote locations, such as in pipes, enclosures, in wells, or in bodies of water.

Abstract: An electronic device including a battery, a wireless interface operatively or electrically connected with the battery, a display, a memory, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: detect an event while the electronic device is in contact with or is connected to another electronic device via the wireless interface and wirelessly charging-shares power of the battery with the another electronic device via the wireless interface; turn off a wireless charging-sharing function when the event corresponds to a predetermined condition; provide a user notification about the turning-off of the wireless charging-sharing function via the display; and turn on the wireless charging-sharing function when a state of the electronic device corresponds to a wireless charging-sharing condition. The various embodiments also a method of operating the electronic device. Various embodiments are also possible.

Abstract: A battery pack configured to be housed in an electronic device, the electronic device including a near field communication (NFC) tag, the battery back including a battery housing. The battery housing includes a rechargeable battery cell configured to provide power to the electronic device, the rechargeable battery cell initially in a first power mode, an NFC antenna configured to detect a presence of the NFC tag within the electronic device, and processing circuitry including a memory and a processor, the memory in communication with the processor, the memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to convert the rechargeable battery cell from the first power mode to a second power mode when the NFC antenna has detected the presence of the NFC tag within the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some embodiments, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode with at least about 20% to about 99% by weight of silicon. The method can include providing a formation charge current at greater than about 1C to the electrochemical cell. Alternatively or additionally, the method can include providing a formation charge current at a substantially constant charge voltage to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A converter includes an input configured to be connected to a DC source, at least one transducer module coupled to the input, and comprising a first, a second and a third bridge arm, wherein each of the bridge arms respectively has a phase output, and a common DC link circuit coupled to the input and the bridge arms. The first and second bridge arms are configured to provide a first power in the form of alternating current at their respective phase outputs. An energy store is configured to be connected to the phase output of the third bridge arm, and the third bridge arm is configured to exchange a second power between the DC source and the energy store and between the energy store and the DC link circuit/ A control unit is configured to control the bridge arms in such a manner that the sum of the first power and the second power corresponds to a constant set point.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a current sampling method and a current sampling circuit. The method comprises: obtaining a detected temperature of each semiconductor switch device of a plurality of parallel semiconductor switch devices; determining that the plurality of parallel semiconductor switch devices are in a current equalization state based on the detected temperature of each semiconductor switch device; obtaining an equalized current flowing through a target semiconductor switch device in the current equalization state, the target semiconductor switch device being any one of the plurality of parallel semiconductor switch devices; determining a total current of a main circuit connected to the plurality of parallel semiconductor switch devices according to the equalized current.

Abstract: At least some embodiments described herein relate to the field of product scanning systems and arrangements used within a retail venue. In an embodiment, the present invention is a system including: a barcode reader repository having docking stations each with a power connector and a lock; barcode readers docked at and locked by the docking stations, each receiving an electrical charge from the respective power connector; a data acquisition assembly configured to capture and decode a symbol associated with an operator profile, and forward the decoded data for further processing; and a server configured to: receive the decoded data; responsively select one of the plurality of barcode readers resulting in a selected barcode reader; transmit, an unlock signal to the lock locking the selected barcode reader to enable removal; and transmit a beacon signal to activate a beacon that is indicative of a physical location of the selected barcode reader.

Abstract: Exemplary implementations include dynamically compensating a system voltage by determining an actual load current based on a sense voltage across a sense resistor and a resistance of the sense resistor, the sense resistor being operatively coupled to a system node, generating a gain current based on the actual load current and a predetermined load current, determining a gain voltage based on a system gain and the gain current, and generating a compensation voltage based on a predetermined system voltage at a system node, an actual system voltage at the system node, and the gain voltage.

Abstract: A battery pack (2000) includes a battery (2020), a contact-type switch (2040), a control unit (2060), and a sensor (2080). The battery pack (2000) is connected to a charger (10) through an electric power line (30). The battery (2020) is charged with a charging current supplied from the charger (10). The battery pack (2000) is connected to a load (20) through an electric power line (40). The contact-type switch (2040) is provided between the charger (10) and the battery (2020). The control unit (2060) turns off the contact-type switch (2040) in a case where a value detected by the sensor (2080) is equal to or smaller than a reference value decided based on specifications of the contact-type switch (2040).

Abstract: A power failure prevention system and method with a power management mechanism are provided. A switch circuit is connected to a first terminal of an inductor. An energy storage circuit is connected to the switch circuit. A pre-charged circuit is connected to an input power source and a second terminal of the inductor. A pre-charging control circuit is connected to the pre-charged circuit and configured to obtain a voltage of a node between the pre-charged circuit and the second terminal of the inductor, a voltage of the switch circuit or a voltage of the energy storage circuit as a pre-charged voltage. The input power source pre-charges the pre-charged circuit. When the pre-charging control circuit determines that the pre-charged voltage is higher than or equal to a reference voltage, the pre-charging control circuit controls the pre-charged circuit, allowing the input power source to charge the energy storage circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided with a battery and a controller. The battery includes a first module having a first capacity and a second module. The controller programmed to responsive to indication that the second module has been replaced by a new module with a second capacity that is greater than the first capacity for a corresponding state of charge (SOC), adjust a second SOC of the new module such that a maximum SOC value of the new module aligns with a maximum SOC value of the first module. The controller is further programmed to balance the first module and the new module separately.

Abstract: A family of wall-mounted electrical fixtures, both for lighting control and electrical power or signal delivery, having a modular design. Said modular design predominately isolating those components that are directly connected to in-wall wiring within a wall-mounted base and low-voltage control and communication components, such as sensors, user-interface elements, programmable logic and wireless communication modules, within an aesthetically-appealing, easily-detachable faceplate assembly.

Abstract: A power supply method includes detecting whether a battery is newly connected to an unused battery interface of an electronic device during operation of the electronic device. The power supply method also includes, based on detecting that the battery is newly connected to the unused battery interface, and determining that a capacity of the newly connected battery is greater than a capacity of a currently operating battery, controlling the newly connected battery to function as an operating battery to provide an electric power to the electronic device.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting a missing electrical connection of an energy store to an energy-supply system, particularly an electrical system of a motor vehicle, in which at least one current-sensing device senses at least one current flowing in the energy-supply system or energy store, at least one dispersion of the current being determined and compared to at least one threshold value in order to detect a missing electrical connection of the energy store to the energy-supply system.

Abstract: A heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle is provided, including: an engine cooling circuit through which cooling water for cooling an internal combustion engine circulates; a MG cooling circuit through which a refrigerant for cooling a motor generator circulates; and a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the cooling water and the refrigerant. When it is determined based on a charging rate SOC of a battery that the battery can be charged, charging control is performed to charge the battery with electric power generated in a regenerative operation; when it is determined that the battery cannot be charged, heat dissipation control is performed to dissipate the heat generated by the regenerative operation to the engine cooling circuit side by the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the cooling water in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for guiding a motor vehicle into a charging position at an inductive charging station. When the charging position is being approached, a control device of the motor vehicle determines a relative position of the motor vehicle with respect to the charging position at least up to a first distance from the charging station by way of a first location-determining device and, starting from a second distance from the charging station up to the charging position by way of a second location-determining device. The control device estimates the relative position at least in a transition region between the first distance and the second distance on the basis of the motor vehicle's own movement, by way of an odometry device.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption and enable a quick change from one communication path to another when detecting a decrease in quality of communication for communicating user data, a first base station determines a second base station and a third base station, and then the first base station transmits a connection request message to a terminal, the second base station and the third base station concurrently with transmitting a communication request message to the second base station, and, while the second base station is in communication with the terminal, upon detecting a decrease in quality of communication with the terminal based on a reception status of an uplink signal from the terminal, the second base station transmits a path switching request message to the first base station, which in turn transfers the received path switching request message transmitted from the second base station to the third base station.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a degradation degree of a secondary battery includes a pulse current applying unit that applies a pulse current; a voltage acquiring unit that acquires a charge voltage and a discharge voltage which are produced at the secondary battery by applying the pulse current; a relative value calculation unit that calculates a relative value between the charge voltage and the discharge voltage; a correlation storage unit that stores a correlation between a relative value between the charge voltage and the discharge voltage, and a degradation degree of the secondary battery; and a degradation degree estimation unit that obtains a degradation degree of the secondary battery from the correlation storage unit, based on the relative value calculated by the relative value calculation unit.

Abstract: Vehicle control systems can include one or more location sensors, an energy storage device, one or more charge sensors and one or more vehicle computing devices. The location sensor(s) can determine a current location of a vehicle, while the charge sensor(s) can determine a current state of charge of an energy storage device that can be located onboard the vehicle to provide operating power for one or more vehicle systems. The vehicle computing device(s) can communicate the current location of the vehicle and current state of charge of the energy storage device to a remote computing device, receive from the remote computing device a charging control signal determined, at least in part, from the current location of the vehicle and the current state of charge of the energy storage device, and control charging of the energy storage device in accordance with the charging control signal.