JP2002142378A - Apparatus and method for charging and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and a method for charging and a storage medium where ease of use is maintained and degradation in a secondary battery is restrained. SOLUTION: The user specifies a planned time, at which the user starts using a lithium-ion battery 7 and stores the time in memory 2. If power supply from an AC adaptor 8 is detected, a charging circuit 9 is driven to start charging of the battery 7 (first charging means). When the battery 7 is charged to a specified capacity (50% of the value of capacity in fully-charged state), the charging operation is stopped, and the time when charging should be started to fully charge the battery 7 (charging start time) is calculated and stored in memory 2. The charging start time is calculated, by subtracting a time required for charging the remaining capacity, to fully charged state from the above planned use start time. When the present time thereafter becomes equal to the charging start time, charging of the battery 7 is restarted (second charging means). The battery 7 is fully charged by the planned use start time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a charging device, a method and a storage medium for charging a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, portable telephones, PHS telephones, portable personal computers, PDAs (Personal Digital
Assistant), cameras, VCRs, and other portable devices have been realized.
Secondary batteries such as rechargeable lithium ion secondary batteries are commonly used. Generally, when the secondary battery is discharged,
Charging is performed by attaching a secondary battery to a dedicated charger. Alternatively, when the mobile device has a built-in charging control circuit, charging is performed using power from an AC adapter. There are the following methods for controlling the charge of the lithium ion secondary battery.

(1) A method of starting charging immediately after external power is supplied from an AC adapter.

(2) A method of monitoring the terminal voltage of a secondary battery and starting charging when the terminal voltage drops to a predetermined value.

(3) A method of controlling the battery to be fully charged at the scheduled use start time of the secondary battery (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-1)
No. 75365 (by the applicant).

(4) A method in which charging is not performed immediately, but is performed during a time period when the power rate is low (Japanese Patent No. 02785).
No. 316).

In the above method (3), a scheduled start time of use of the secondary battery is set in advance, and charging is controlled so that the secondary battery is fully charged at the set time. Alternatively, the estimated use time of the secondary battery is estimated from the use history of the device, and charge control is performed so that the secondary battery is fully charged at the estimated time. The charging control is achieved by delaying the charging start until the calculated charging start time or controlling the charging current according to the adapter connection time.

In the above method (4), the time zone where the power rate is low is stored in advance, the charging station time is calculated, and the charging start time is set so that the charging is executed and completed in the time zone where the power rate is low. Control. In addition to the above, a method of setting a drive start time is also disclosed. In this method, a charging start time at which the power rate is low and charging is completed by the driving start time is obtained from the calculated charging station time and the set driving start time, and charging is started.

When storing (including leaving) a lithium ion secondary battery, it is generally known that the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery varies depending on the remaining capacity during storage. Due to this deterioration, the internal resistance increases, and the usable time of the secondary battery is shortened. For example, a lithium ion secondary battery tends to have a particularly high degree of deterioration when stored in a fully charged state or when stored in a completely discharged state.
When stored at a residual capacity value of about 0%, there is a storage characteristic that the degree of deterioration tends to be low.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional charging device, since the storage characteristics of a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery are hardly taken into consideration, it is improved from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration of the secondary battery. There was room for

That is, in the methods (1) and (2), the secondary battery is left in a fully charged state from the completion of charging to the start of use. Has a problem that the secondary battery is severely deteriorated. For example, on a commercial mobile device, A
Connect to the C adapter and remove the AC adapter when going out the next morning.

Generally, the standard charging time of a lithium ion secondary battery is about 3 hours.
Every day, it will be left in a fully charged state for several hours.
In the method (2), charging is performed irrespective of the connection time of the AC adapter. Therefore, in the above-described normal use mode, the time of being left in a fully charged state is long. If it is intended to suppress the deterioration of the secondary battery in such a situation, it is necessary for the user to take care to shorten the period of the fully charged state, such as connecting an AC adapter for the first time several hours before going out. It was very annoying.

On the other hand, in the methods (3) and (4), A
Since charging may not be performed immediately after the connection of the C adapter, the secondary battery is left as it is until the charging start time. If the state of charge (remaining capacity) at that time is poor in view of the storage characteristics of the secondary battery, the secondary battery will be severely deteriorated. For example, in the case where the lithium ion secondary battery is completely discharged and the charging start time is long, a large deterioration is caused.

In the above methods (3) and (4), A
Since charging may not be performed immediately after connecting the C adapter, it is necessary to use the battery in a state where charging has not been completed, such as when using a secondary battery before the scheduled use start time. In such a case, the secondary battery must be used with a small remaining capacity. For this reason, there has been a problem that the equipment cannot be used sufficiently and it is impossible to respond in an emergency. In order to solve this problem, the set time can be changed to an earlier time each time, but it is troublesome for the user to perform each time. Also, if the need for urgent use suddenly occurred unexpectedly, it could not be handled. In addition, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 02785316 (4), in addition to the above, a configuration including an emergency charging switch for immediately starting charging is disclosed, but in this configuration, the user must switch the switch one by one. Not easy to use.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned (4) Patent No. 0278316
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-216555 discloses a configuration in which a step for performing charging for a certain period of time immediately after pressing a charge switch is provided. However, in this step, the charging is performed for a short time for the purpose of calculating the charging station time, so that only a small amount of charging capacity is secured. Therefore, if it becomes necessary to use a secondary battery in this state, it can only be used for a very short time, and in the same way as above, it solves the problem of sufficient use of the equipment and emergency response I couldn't do that.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charging device, a method, and a storage medium which can suppress deterioration of a secondary battery while maintaining usability. To provide.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging apparatus for charging a secondary battery, wherein a charging completion time for completing the charging of the battery is set. A charging completion time setting unit, a first charging unit that charges the battery until the battery has a predetermined capacity value, and the battery that has been charged by the first charging unit is set by the charging completion time setting unit. And second charging means for charging based on the completed charging time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device according to the first aspect, wherein the charging completion time setting means sets a time input by a user as the charging completion time. It is characterized by setting.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the first aspect, the charging completion time setting means is configured to input a scheduled use start time of the battery input by a user. The charging completion time is set based on the following.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the charging device according to the first aspect, wherein operation history storage means for storing operation history information of the battery;
A scheduled use start time estimating means for estimating a scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated by the operation history accumulating means, wherein the charging completion time setting means includes the scheduled use start time estimating means Is set as the charging completion time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the operation history storage means for storing operation history information of the battery;
A scheduled use start time estimating means for estimating a scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated by the operation history accumulating means, wherein the charging completion time setting means includes the scheduled use start time estimating means The charging completion time is set based on the estimated use start time estimated by the above.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first charging means may charge the battery. In this case, the charging is started immediately when the battery is in a state where the battery is in a state.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the second charging means is provided with the first charging means. And charging the battery so that the battery is fully charged at the charging completion time set by the charging completion time setting means.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging device according to claim 8 of the present invention is the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second charging means charges the battery. In this case, the charging start time is controlled.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the second charging means charges the battery. In this case, the charging current at the time is controlled.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the charging device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the predetermined capacitance value is determined by the capacitance value. The battery is characterized in that the battery has a small capacity value when the battery is left unattended.

[0027] In order to achieve the same object, a charging device according to claim 11 of the present invention is the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the secondary battery is a lithium ion secondary battery. It is characterized by the following.

To achieve the same object, a charging method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a charging method for charging a secondary battery, wherein a charging completion time setting step for setting a charging completion time at which the charging of the battery is to be completed. A first charging step of charging the battery until the battery has a predetermined capacity value, and charging the battery after the charging in the first charging step based on the charging completion time set in the charging completion time setting step. And a second charging step of charging the battery.

To achieve the same object, a charging method according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the charging method according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the charging completion time setting step sets a time input by a user as the charging completion time. It is characterized by setting.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the charging method according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the charging completion time setting step includes the scheduled use time of the battery input by a user. The charging completion time is set based on the following.

To achieve the same object, a charging method according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the charging method according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the operation history accumulating step of accumulating the operation history information of the battery; And a use start estimated time estimating step of estimating the scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated in the step (a). The charging completion time setting step is estimated by the estimated use start time estimation step. A scheduled use start time is set as the charge completion time.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging method according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the charging method according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the operation history accumulating step of accumulating the operation history information of the battery; And a use start estimated time estimating step of estimating the scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated in the step (a). The charging completion time setting step is estimated by the estimated use start time estimation step. The charging completion time is set based on the scheduled use start time.

To achieve the same object, a charging method according to claim 17 of the present invention is directed to any one of claims 12 to 16 above.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, in the first charging step, charging is started immediately when the battery is in a chargeable state.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging method according to claim 18 of the present invention is directed to any one of claims 12 to 17 described above.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, in the second charging step, the battery after being charged in the first charging step is charged so as to be fully charged at a charging completion time set in the charging completion time setting step. It is characterized by doing.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging method according to claim 19 of the present invention is directed to any one of claims 12 to 18 above.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, the second charging step controls a charging start time when charging the battery.

To achieve the same object, a charging method according to claim 20 of the present invention is directed to any one of claims 12 to 18 above.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, the second charging step controls a charging current when charging the battery.

In order to achieve the same object, a charging method according to claim 21 of the present invention is directed to any one of claims 12 to 20 described above.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, the predetermined capacity value is a capacity value that causes little deterioration of the battery when the battery is left at the capacity value.

To achieve the same object, a charging method according to claim 22 of the present invention is directed to any one of claims 12 to 21.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, the secondary battery is a lithium ion secondary battery.

In order to achieve the same object, a storage medium according to claim 23 of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program used in a charging method for charging a secondary battery. A code of a charging completion time setting step of setting a completion time, a code of a first charging step of charging the battery until the battery has a predetermined capacity value, and the battery after being charged by the code of the first charging step. And a code of a second charging step for charging based on the charging completion time set by the code of the charging completion time setting step.

[0040]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a terminal device incorporating a charging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a portable information terminal device will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 1 includes a memory 2 (charge completion time setting means), a communication I / F (interface) 3, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 4, a digitizer 5
And a charging control unit 10 (part of the first charging unit, part of the second charging unit). The charge control unit 10 includes A
C adapter 8, charging circuit 9 (part of first charging means, second charging means
(A part of the charging means) and the lithium ion battery 7 are connected. The AC adapter 8, the charging circuit 9, the lithium ion battery 7, and the DCDC converter 6 are connected in series.

The CPU 1 controls the entire terminal device and executes various processes such as calculation, I / O (input / output) control, communication, and display according to a program stored in the memory 2. The memory 2 includes a primary storage element such as a RAM and a ROM, and a secondary storage element such as a hard disk device, and stores a control program of the CPU 1, user data, and the like. Communication I / F3
Is based on protocols such as TCP / IP, IrDA, etc.
Input and output data with external devices. The LCD 4 performs display output of various data. The digitizer 5 detects position coordinates on a tablet (neither is shown) specified by the dedicated pen, and accepts data input from a user.

The lithium ion battery 7 supplies operating power when the terminal device is used in a portable manner. The DCDC converter 6 stabilizes and outputs the input voltage from the battery 7 and the AC adapter 8. When the power is supplied from the AC adapter 8, the power from the AC adapter 8 is used. Otherwise, the power of the battery 7 is used. The AC adapter 8 converts an external AC power into a DC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to the terminal device.

The charging circuit 9 charges the battery 7 with the electric power from the AC adapter 8. The charging circuit 9 employs a constant current and constant voltage system, and includes a constant current control circuit and a constant voltage control circuit (not shown). The constant current / constant voltage method is known as a method for charging a lithium ion battery, and a description thereof will be omitted. The charging control unit 10 controls the driving of the charging circuit 9 according to an algorithm described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment and its related components. This charging device includes a charging circuit 9 and a charging control unit 10.

The charge control unit 10 includes an A / D converter 20, an RTC (real-time clock) 21, a time memory 22, an On / Off latch 25, an adapter detection unit 24, and a comparator 23 connected to the CPU bus. It consists of. The A / D converter 20 is connected to the battery 7. The RTC 21 and the time memory 22 are connected to the charging circuit 9 via the comparator 23. The charging On / Off latch 25 is connected to the charging circuit 9. The adapter detection unit 24 is connected to a connection line between the AC adapter 8 and the charging circuit 9.

The A / D converter 20 measures the terminal voltage of the battery 7. The RTC 21 counts the current time and outputs it to the comparator 23. The time memory 22 stores the charging start time (the time at which charging for fully charging the battery 7 should be started) written from the CPU 1 and the comparator 23
Output to The comparator 23 compares the output of the RTC 21 with the output of the time memory 22, and outputs a signal for turning on the charging circuit 9 (referred to as a charging-on signal) to the charging circuit 9 when they match.

The adapter detecting section 24 detects whether or not power is supplied from the AC adapter 8 and generates an interrupt signal to the CPU 1 based on the detection result. The circuit of the adapter detection unit 24 may be configured by a voltage comparator, or may use an empty channel of the A / D converter 20. The charge On / Off latch 25
The CPU 1 outputs a charging ON signal to the charging circuit 9 by writing a predetermined value.

In such a configuration, the adapter detecting section 24
Detects that power is being supplied from the AC adapter 8, the time is written to the time memory 22.
This is the set charging start time. Then, when the charging start time comes, the output of the time memory 22 matches the output of the RTC 21, so that the comparator 23 generates a charging ON signal for the charging circuit 9 and outputs it to the charging circuit 9. Charging circuit 9
Receives the charge-on signal, starts charging the battery 7.
In this way, charging of the battery 7 is started at the set charging start time. In addition, the charging On / Off latch 2
Even when a predetermined value is written to 5, the charging circuit 9 outputs a charge-on signal, and charging of the battery 7 is started.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a charging start time setting process. This process is executed when the AC adapter 8 is inserted and the adapter detection unit 24 detects that power is being supplied from the AC adapter 8.

Prior to the processing, the user designates the scheduled use time of the battery 7 and stores the time in the memory 2. For example, if the user goes out at 10:00 the next morning, the time is input and stored. The scheduled use start time may be input every day, but when going out at the same time every day, the value once stored may be retained.

When the adapter detector 24 outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 1, first, the charging On / Off latch 25
By writing a predetermined value in the charging circuit 9, the charging circuit 9 is driven to start charging the battery 7 (step S100) (first charging means). Next, it is determined whether or not the battery 7 has been charged to a predetermined capacity (step S101). This determination is based on the A / D
The determination is made based on the terminal voltage of the battery 7 measured by the converter 20, and when the battery 7 has reached the predetermined voltage, it is determined that the battery 7 has been charged to the predetermined capacity.

Here, the predetermined capacity is set to a value of 50% of the capacity value at the time of full charge. Since the battery 7 is a lithium battery, the capacity value is set to 50% based on its deterioration characteristics. However, the predetermined capacity may be set according to the deterioration characteristics of the applied battery. However, it is desirable to set the capacity value to a value that ensures a certain amount of use time (for example, at least 30% or more) even if the capacity value is small enough to cause deterioration when left unattended and urgent use is required.

As a result of the determination in step S101, the determination is repeated until the battery 7 is charged to a predetermined capacity.
When the battery 7 has been charged to a predetermined capacity, charging On / O
The charging of the battery 7 is stopped by the ff latch 25 (step S102). Next, a charging start time is calculated (step S103). As described above, this charging start time is a time at which charging for fully charging the battery 7 should be started after 50% charging (so-called recharging), and timing is different from the first charging at step S100. different. The charging start time is calculated by subtracting the time required to charge the remaining capacity to a full charge from the preset scheduled use start time (AM 10:00) of the battery 7. At this time, the charge start time may be set so as to provide a margin (for example, several tens of minutes) between the scheduled use start time and the time when the battery is fully charged. In this case, the battery is fully charged slightly before the scheduled use start time (charge completion time).

Next, the calculated charging start time is set and stored in the memory 2 (step S104), and this processing ends.

If the disconnection of the AC adapter 8 is detected before the completion of the charging, a process (not shown) for inhibiting the generation of the charging ON signal from the charging On / Off latch 25 again is performed. You may.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a temporal change in the state of charge of the battery 7. In the figure, the vertical axis indicates the battery capacity (%), and the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time. FIG. 3 shows a transition when the AC adapter 8 is inserted and the adapter detection unit 24 detects that power is being supplied from the AC adapter 8.

Time point t1 when AC adapter 8 is inserted
(Charge is started when the adapter is inserted) and charging is started, and time t2 when the capacity value reaches 50% (pre-charging end)
Until then, the battery capacity increases linearly. And time t
2, the charging is temporarily stopped, and the battery capacity remains at 50% charge state until time t3 (remaining charging start) which is the charging start time set in the memory 2. Thereby, the deterioration of the battery 7 is suppressed. Then, at time t3, charging of the remaining capacity is started under the control of the charge control unit 10, and the battery capacity linearly increases until time t4 (start of battery use), which is the scheduled start time of use, and becomes fully charged at time t4. . Immediately thereafter, at time t5, the AC adapter 8 is removed, and the use of the battery 7 in the portable information terminal device is started.
From time t5, the capacity of the battery 7 decreases.

According to the present embodiment, the charging start time is calculated from the scheduled use start time set by the user, and A
Immediately after the insertion of the C adapter 8, the battery is charged to a predetermined capacity (50%), and the charge state is maintained until the charge start time. Control can be performed so that the battery is fully charged. As a result, the battery 7 can be stored in a fully discharged state or a state close to a fully charged state in which the battery 7 is easily deteriorated, and the storage time is minimized.
The storage time in the 0% charged state can be lengthened. Therefore, deterioration of the battery 7 can be suppressed. In addition, the user sets the scheduled use start time, and then simply attaches and detaches the AC adapter 8 as usual, and the appropriate charge control is automatically performed. In addition, even if the need for use suddenly occurs before the scheduled use start time, since the 50% charge state is promptly secured by charging from the time of insertion of the AC adapter 8, use of the terminal device is hardly hindered. No emergency response is possible.

Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the secondary battery while maintaining the usability.

In this embodiment, the charging from the 50% charged state to the fully charged state is started at the charging start time, that is, the full charging state period is shortened by delaying the recharging time. The method of shortening the full charge state period is not limited to this.

For example, when the AC adapter 8 is inserted (at time t)
The time from 1) to the scheduled use start time (time t4) may be calculated, and the charging current may be controlled accordingly. In this configuration, the time memory 22 and the comparator 23 shown in FIG.
Instead, a current selector for switching the charging current of the charging circuit 9 may be provided. When the AC adapter 8 is inserted, the current time is subtracted from the scheduled use start time, and a current value at which the remaining capacity can be fully charged is calculated at this time interval. If the time interval is long, the charging current is set to a low value, and if it is short, the charging current is set to a high value. The calculated value is set in the current selector, and the remaining capacity is charged with the set current.

As a result, according to the transition diagram shown in FIG. 4, the battery capacity increases (slower than in FIG. 4) from time t2 to time t4.
According to this, the 50% charged state is quickly secured, and the charge from the 50% charged state to the fully charged state is 50%.
It is started from the point of time when the battery is in the charged state, and is controlled so that the battery is fully charged at the scheduled use start time.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the scheduled use start time of the battery 7 is specified by the user. In the second embodiment, the scheduled use start time is used. It is estimated from the history and is controlled to be fully charged at the estimated time. At this time, the average value of the removal time of the AC adapter 8 every day is used as the estimated value.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment and its related components. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the charge control unit. The charge control unit 100 is different from the charge control unit 10 in the first embodiment in that the time memory 22 and the comparator 2
3 in that a time memory 30 (operation history accumulating means), a comparator 32, and a time calculating unit 31 (expected use start time estimating means, charging completion time setting means) are provided in place of 3. The overall configuration of the terminal device (FIG. 1) is the same as in the first embodiment.

The adapter detector 24, the time memory 30, the time calculator 31, the comparator 32, and the charging circuit 9 are connected in series. The RTC (real-time clock) 21 is connected to a comparator 32. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The time memory 30 records the time at which the AC adapter 8 was detached, and stores a predetermined number of past times (for example, 30 times).
Times) is stored. The time calculation unit 31
The charging start time is estimated and output to the comparator 32. For example, the time calculation unit 31 calculates an average value of the data (removal time) accumulated in the time memory 30 and uses the average value as an estimated value of the scheduled use start time, and calculates the average value of the battery 7 from the estimated use start time. A value obtained by subtracting the time required for full charging is set as an estimated value of the charging start time and output.

The comparator 32 compares the output of the RTC 21 with the output of the time calculation unit 31, and outputs a charge-on signal for turning on the charging circuit 9 to the charging circuit 9 when they match.

In this embodiment, the charge control up to 50% charge is the same as in the first embodiment. However, in the first embodiment, charging of the remaining capacity from the 50% charge is started at the charging start time calculated based on the scheduled use start time specified by the user, whereas in the second embodiment, At the charging start time (estimated value) calculated from the scheduled use start time (estimated value), charging of the remaining capacity from 50% charging is started.

According to the present embodiment, not only the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, but also it is not necessary for the user to set the scheduled use start time, so that usability can be further improved. it can.

As in the first embodiment, the charging current may be controlled instead of delaying the recharging time.

Although the average value is used for the scheduled use start time, the present invention is not limited to this, and another estimation method such as a mode value or a median value may be used. The weight may be divided into weekdays and holidays in consideration of the day of the week information.

In the first and second embodiments,
Although the lithium-ion battery is exemplified as the secondary battery 7, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to charge control of a secondary battery of a type that is severely deteriorated when left at a specific capacity value.

The storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the charge control unit, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the charge control unit stores the program code in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus set.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

The functions of each of the above-described embodiments are realized not only by executing the program code read by the computer, but also by operating the OS or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Deterioration of the secondary battery can be suppressed while maintaining usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a terminal device incorporating a charging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging device according to the embodiment and components related thereto.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a charging start time setting process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a temporal change in a state of charge of a battery.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging device according to a second embodiment and components related thereto.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 Memory (charge completion time setting means) 7 Lithium ion battery 8 AC adapter 9 Charging circuit (part of 1st charging means, part of 2nd charging means) 10 Charge control part (part of 1st charging means) , Part of the second charging means) 21 RTC (real-time clock) 22 time memory 23 comparator 24 adapter detection unit 25 On / Off latch 30 time memory (operation history storage means) 31 time calculation unit (expected use start time estimation means) Charge completion time setting means) 32 comparator 100 charge control unit

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A charging device for charging a secondary battery, comprising: charging completion time setting means for setting a charging completion time at which charging of the battery is to be completed; and a first charging device for charging the battery until a predetermined capacity value is reached. A charging unit; and a second charging unit for charging the battery after being charged by the first charging unit based on a charging completion time set by the charging completion time setting unit. Charging device. 2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charging completion time setting means sets a time input by a user as the charging completion time. 3. The charging completion time setting means sets the charging completion time based on a scheduled use start time of the battery input by a user.
The charging device as described. 4. An operation history accumulating means for accumulating operation history information of the battery, and a scheduled use start time estimation for estimating a scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated by the operation history accumulation means. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a charging completion time setting unit configured to set the estimated use start time estimated by the estimated use start time estimation unit as the charging completion time. 5. An operation history accumulating means for accumulating operation history information of the battery, and a scheduled use start time estimation for estimating a scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated by the operation history accumulation means. 2. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a charging completion time setting unit configured to set the charging completion time based on the estimated use start time estimated by the estimated use start time estimation unit. . 6. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the first charging unit starts charging immediately when the battery is in a chargeable state. 7. The second charging means charges the battery after being charged by the first charging means so as to be fully charged at a charging completion time set by the charging completion time setting means. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the second charging unit controls a charging start time when charging the battery. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second charging unit controls a charging current when charging the battery.
The charging device according to claim 7. 10. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined capacity value is a capacity value that causes little deterioration of the battery when the battery is left at the capacity value. The charging device as described. 11. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery is a lithium ion secondary battery.
The charging device according to the paragraph. 12. A charging method for charging a secondary battery, comprising: a charging completion time setting step of setting a charging completion time at which charging of the battery is to be completed; and a first charging step of charging the battery until the battery reaches a predetermined capacity value. Charging, comprising: a charging step; and a second charging step of charging the battery after being charged in the first charging step based on the charging completion time set in the charging completion time setting step. Method. 13. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein the charging completion time setting step sets a time input by a user as the charging completion time. 14. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein in the charging completion time setting step, the charging completion time is set based on a scheduled use start time of the battery input by a user. 15. An operation history accumulating step of accumulating operation history information of the battery, and a scheduled use start time estimation for estimating a scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated in the operation history accumulation step. 13. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein the charging completion time setting step sets the estimated usage start time estimated by the estimated usage start time estimation step as the charging completion time. 16. An operation history accumulation step of accumulating operation history information of the battery, and a scheduled use start time estimation for estimating a scheduled use start time of the battery based on the operation history information accumulated in the operation history accumulation step. 13. The charging according to claim 12, wherein the charging completion time setting step sets the charging completion time based on the estimated use start time estimated by the estimated use start time estimation step. Method. 17. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein, in the first charging step, charging is started immediately when the battery is in a chargeable state. 18. The second charging step includes charging the battery after being charged in the first charging step so that the battery is fully charged at a charging completion time set in the charging completion time setting step. The charging method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein: 19. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein the second charging step controls a charging start time when charging the battery. 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second charging step controls a charging current when charging the battery.
The charging method according to any one of claims 2 to 18. 21. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined capacity value is a capacity value that causes little deterioration of the battery when the battery is left at the capacity value. The charging method described. 22. The charging method according to claim 12, wherein the secondary battery is a lithium ion secondary battery. 23. A storage medium storing a program used in a charging method for charging a secondary battery, wherein: a code for a charging completion time setting step for setting a charging completion time at which charging of the battery is to be completed; And a charge completion time set by the code of the charge completion time setting step, wherein the battery is charged by the code of the first charge step. And a code for a second charging step of charging based on the following.