JP2002164974A - Battery residual capacity confirming device for folded type portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a folded type portable telephone that a user can easily confirm the residual capacity of battery even when the portable telephone is closed. SOLUTION: The battery residual capacity confirming device for the folded type portable telephone is provided with a key that is placed at a depressible position and used to confirm the battery residual capacity even when the portable telephone is in a folded state, an LED that is placed at a position at which the user can confirm the light emission even in the folded state and informs the user about the battery residual capacity in a visible way, and a control section that controls monitoring of the battery residual capacity including lighting control of the LED depending on the battery residual capacity when the key is depressed and including control of charging temporary stop when the key is depressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for checking the remaining battery level of a portable telephone, and more particularly to an apparatus for checking the remaining battery level of a folding portable telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional portable telephone, the remaining battery level is confirmed by visually confirming the remaining battery level display on an LCD. Japanese Patent Application No. 3-149498 discloses a method for easily and surely checking the remaining battery level by automatically switching the emission color of the LCD backlight according to the remaining battery level.

[0003]

However, the foldable portable telephone is different from the integrated (non-foldable) portable telephone in that the display of the LCD is confirmed and the application disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
In order to confirm the emission color of the LCD backlight according to No. 9498, it is necessary to open the main body of the mobile phone. In other words, with the mobile phone body closed,
There was a problem that the remaining battery level could not be checked.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable telephone capable of easily confirming the remaining battery level even when the foldable portable telephone is closed.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a battery level checking device for a foldable portable telephone, comprising: a key for checking the remaining battery level; an LED for visually notifying the remaining battery level; And a control unit that controls monitoring of the remaining battery level, including lighting control of the LED in accordance with the remaining battery level, and control of temporarily stopping charging when a key is pressed.

[0006] A key for checking the remaining battery level is arranged on the side of the mobile phone which can be pressed even when the mobile phone is folded.

Further, an LED for visually notifying the remaining battery level is provided.
Is disposed on the back surface (the surface opposite to the surface having the display unit) of the mobile phone, which is capable of confirming light emission even when the mobile phone is folded.

Further, the lighting control of the LEDs is characterized in that the lighting control is performed by distinguishing the remaining battery level by lighting a plurality of LEDs having different emission colors according to the remaining battery level.

Further, the lighting control of the LED is characterized in that the lighting control is performed by distinguishing the remaining amount of the battery by the number of times of lighting of the LED used for the charging display according to the remaining amount of the battery.

Further, the control of the temporary stop is characterized in that when the portable telephone is being charged, the charge is cut off for a certain time when a key is pressed.

Further, the control of the temporary stop is characterized in that when the remaining charge is distinguished based on the number of lighting of the LED used for the charge display, the charge display is cut off for a certain time when the LED is displaying the charge. And

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are external views of a case where the present embodiment is realized in a foldable mobile phone. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the mobile phone is opened.

According to FIG. 1, the circuit configuration of the present embodiment is such that a battery 3 which is a main power source of a portable telephone and a voltage value of the battery 3 are A
An A / D converter 2 for performing A / D conversion, an LED control unit 1 for controlling the circuit operation of the present embodiment, LEDs 4, 5, and 6 that light up while distinguishing the remaining amount of the battery 3, and confirmation of the remaining amount of the battery 3 And a charge control unit 8 that controls the suspension of battery charging in conjunction with the operation of the key 7 for performing the remaining amount check.
And its control signal (Sig1 / Sig2).

The A / D converter 2 A / D converts the voltage value of the battery 3 which is the main power supply of the mobile phone, and inputs the converted value to the LED control unit 1. The LED control unit 1 has several battery levels set according to the remaining battery power.
Monitors the battery level based on the A / D conversion value input from the A / D converter 2 and determines whether the battery level has changed. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the battery level is set in three stages, and a state where the remaining battery level is two thirds or more is “battery level 3”, and a state where the remaining battery level is one third to two thirds is “battery level”. The state of the battery level 2 and one third or less is referred to as “battery level 1”. In addition, the charge control unit 8 controls the charge of the battery 3 and constantly reports to the LED control unit 1 whether the battery is being charged or not being charged (Sig2). At the time of charging, the input to the A / D converter 2 is the battery voltage in the state where the charging voltage is applied, so that the LED control unit 1 determines that the battery is “charging” regardless of the remaining battery level.

LED4, LED5, and LED6 are LEDs having different emission colors, respectively, and are installed for the purpose of displaying an incoming call of the mobile phone and displaying a state of whether or not charging is being performed. Is performed, the LED control unit 1 controls, for example, L for battery level 1
ED4, LED5 for battery level 2 and LED6 for battery level 3 are selected. As shown in the external view of FIG. 2, the LEDs 4, 5, and 6 have a structure that emits light from the back so that they can be visually checked even in a folded state.

As shown in the external view of FIG. 3, a display unit 10 for displaying various information such as a telephone number and a remaining battery level, and a key 9 for performing various operations at the time of a call or a standby state,
Since both are arranged on the surface that is inside when the mobile phone is folded, they can be visually checked only when the mobile phone is opened. The key 7 is a key for confirming the battery level, and is arranged at a position (here, the side of the mobile phone) that can be pressed even in a folded state, as shown in FIG.

During normal operation, the LED control unit 1
When it is detected that the key 7 is pressed, the LED selected according to the battery level is turned on for a certain period of time.

On the other hand, at the time of charging, the LED
The control unit 1 determines that “charging” is performed regardless of the remaining battery level, and continuously turns on the LED 6 as a display of the charging state.
Therefore, when checking the battery level during charging,
When the key 7 detects that the key 7 is pressed, the ED control unit 1 outputs a charge stop signal (Sig1) to the charge control unit 8 to temporarily stop charging, and performs selection switching of the LED according to the determination result of the battery level. The LED is turned on for a certain time. L
When the lighting of the ED is completed, the LED control unit 1 outputs a charging start signal (Sig2) to the charging control unit 8 to restart charging. After the charging is restarted, the LED 6 is continuously lit as a display of the charging state again.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for switching the LED selection according to the battery level during normal use, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for lighting the selected LED, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment when charging the battery.

According to FIG. 4, first, the A / D converter 2 A / D converts the voltage value of the battery 3 and inputs the voltage value to the LED control unit 1 (S11). The LED control unit 1 monitors the voltage level based on the input A / D conversion value, and determines whether the voltage level has changed (S12). If the battery level has changed in S13, the LED control unit 1 switches the selection of the LED according to the change in the battery level (S14), and returns to S11. If the battery level does not change in S13, the process returns to S11 without switching the selection of the LED.

According to FIG. 5, first, the LED control unit 1 detects the presence or absence of a battery level confirmation request by pressing the key 7 (S).
21). In S22, if there is a battery level confirmation request, the LED control unit 1 turns on the LED of the emission color selected according to the battery level for a certain period of time (S23), and S2
Return to 1. In S22, if there is no request for checking the battery level, the LED is not turned on and the process returns to S21.

Next, referring to FIG. 6 for the operation at the time of charging, first, the LED control section 1 detects the presence or absence of a battery level confirmation request by pressing the key 7 (S31). S32
In the case where there is a battery level confirmation request, the LED control unit 1 sends a charge stop signal (Sig1) to the charge control unit 8.
Is output to stop charging (S33), and the LED 6 indicating charging is turned off (S34). After the charging is stopped, the A / D converter 2 A / D converts the voltage value of the battery 3 and inputs the voltage value to the LED control unit 1 (S35). The LED control unit 1 determines the battery level based on the input A / D conversion value (S3).
6), the selection of the LED is switched according to the battery level (S37), and the LED is turned on for a certain time (S38).
After the LED lighting is completed, the LED control unit 1 outputs a charging start signal (Sig2) to the charging control unit 8 to restart charging (S39), turns on the LED 6 indicating that charging is in progress (S40), and returns to S31. Return. If there is no battery level confirmation request in S32, the process returns to S31 again.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are external views when the present embodiment is realized in a foldable mobile phone. FIG. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the mobile phone is opened.

According to FIG. 7, the circuit configuration of the present embodiment is such that the battery 3 as the main power source of the portable telephone and the voltage value of the battery 3 are set to A.
A / D converter 2 for performing A / D conversion, LED control unit 1 for controlling the circuit operation of the present embodiment, LED 11 that lights up while distinguishing the remaining amount of battery 3, and a key for confirming the remaining amount of battery 3 7, a charging control unit 8 for controlling the suspension of battery charging in conjunction with the operation of a key 7 for checking the remaining amount, and a control signal (Sig1 / Sig2) thereof.

First, the A / D converter 2 A / D converts the voltage value of the battery 3 and inputs it to the LED control unit 1. LE
The D control unit 1 determines the battery level based on the input A / D conversion value, and sets the number of times the LED 11 is turned on according to the battery level. The LED 11 is provided for the purpose of displaying an incoming call of the mobile phone and displaying the state of whether or not charging is being performed. When displaying the remaining battery level in the present embodiment, the LED 11 is used.
Under the control of the control unit 1, for example, the number of times of lighting is one for the battery level 1, the number of times of lighting is two for the battery level 2,
For the battery level 3, the number of lighting times is set to three times. FIG.
According to the external view of, the LED 11 has a structure that emits light from the back surface so that it can be visually checked even in the folded state. The charge control for the battery 3 is performed by the charge control unit 8. At the time of charging, the input to the A / D converter 2 is the battery voltage in a state where the charging voltage is applied, so that the LED control unit 1 determines that the battery is “charging”.

As shown in the external view of FIG. 9, a display section 10 for displaying various information such as a telephone number and a remaining battery level, and a key 9 for performing various operations during a call and a standby state are provided.
Since both are arranged on the surface which becomes inside when the mobile phone is folded, it is effective only when the mobile phone is opened. The key 7 is a key for checking the battery level, and as shown in FIG. 8, is located at a position (here, the side of the mobile phone) that can be pressed even in a folded state.

During normal operation, the LED control unit 1
When it is detected that the key 7 has been pressed, the LED 11 is turned on the number of times set according to the battery level.

On the other hand, during charging, the LED
The control unit 1 determines that “charging” is performed regardless of the remaining battery level, and continuously turns on the LED 11 as a display of the charging state. Therefore, when checking the battery level at the time of charging, when the LED control unit 1 detects that the key 7 is pressed, the LED control unit 1 outputs a charging stop signal (Sig1) to the charging control unit 8 to temporarily stop charging, and the battery level is checked. The LED 11 is turned on the number of times according to the determination result. When the lighting of the LED is completed, the LED control unit 1 outputs a charge start signal (Sig2) to the charge control unit 8 to restart charging. After the charging is restarted, the LED 11 is continuously lit as a display of the state of charging again.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described separately for normal operation and charging.

First, the operation during normal use will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operation for setting the LED lighting frequency according to the battery level. Referring to FIG. 10, first, the A / D converter 2 A / D converts the voltage value of the battery 3 and inputs the voltage value to the LED control unit 1 (S41). The LED control unit 1 monitors the voltage level based on the input A / D value,
It is determined whether or not the voltage level has changed (S42). If the battery level has changed in S43, the LED control unit 1 sets (changes) the number of times of turning on the LED 11 according to the change in the battery level (S44), and returns to S41. If the battery level has not changed in S43, the process returns to S41 without changing the setting of the number of times of lighting of the LED 11.

Next, LE for the number of times set in the above flow
The operation of turning on D11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Referring to FIG. 11, first, L
The ED control unit 1 detects the presence or absence of a battery level confirmation request by pressing the key 7 (S51). If there is a battery level confirmation request in S52, the LED control unit 1 turns on the LED 11 for the number of times corresponding to the battery level (S53), and S51
Return to In S52, when there is no request for checking the battery level, the LED 11 is not turned on and the process returns to S51.

Next, the operation during charging will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. Referring to FIG. 12, first, the LED
The control unit 1 detects the presence or absence of a battery level confirmation request by pressing the key 7 (S61). In S62, if there is a battery level confirmation request, the LED control unit 1 outputs a charge stop signal (Sig1) to the charge control unit 8 to stop charging (S63), and indicates that charging is in progress. Is stopped (S64). After the charging is stopped, the A / D converter 2 A / D converts the voltage value of the battery 3 and inputs the voltage value to the LED control unit 1 (S65). The LED control unit 1 determines the battery level based on the input A / D value (S66), sets the number of times of turning on the LED according to the battery level (S67), and turns on the LED for the set number of times (S68). . LED
After the lighting is completed, the LED control unit 1 outputs a charge start signal (Sig2) to the charge control unit 8 to restart the charge (S
69), "Continuous lighting of LED 11" indicating charging is restarted (S70), and the process returns to S61. If there is no battery level confirmation request in S62, the process returns to S61 again.

[0033]

As described above, according to the battery level checking device for a foldable portable telephone according to the present invention, by pressing a key arranged at a position that can be pressed even when folded, each battery level can be reduced. The battery level can be checked even when the main body is folded by turning on the LED corresponding to. Thereby, there is an effect that the battery level of the foldable mobile phone can be checked without opening the main body.

During charging, the battery level can be checked without removing the mobile phone from the charger.

Further, only a certain time when the key is pressed, L
Since the ED is turned on, an increase in unnecessary current consumption is small, and no additional parts are required by using the LED as another LED display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a state in which the mobile phone according to the first embodiment is closed.

FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating a state in which the mobile phone according to the first embodiment is opened.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of LED selection switching according to the battery level during normal use of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for lighting a selected LED according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation during charging of the battery of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing a state in which the mobile phone according to the second embodiment is closed.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a state in which the mobile phone according to the second embodiment is opened.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of LED selection switching according to the battery level during normal use of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for lighting a selected LED according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation during charging of the battery of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 LED control part 2 A / D converter 3 Battery 4, 5, 6, 11 LED 7, 9 key 8 Charge control part 10 Display part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/00 H04B 7/26 L 1/725 109T F term (Reference) 5H030 AA08 AS14 FF41 FF66 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD08 EE02 GG06 HH01 HH08 LL04 LL06 5K027 AA11 BB01 FF01 FF22 FF23 GG04 GG08 MM04 MM16 5K067 AA34 BB04 EE02 FF19 FF24 FF31 KK06 KK17

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A device for checking the remaining battery level of a foldable mobile phone, comprising: a key for checking a remaining battery level which can be pressed even when the mobile phone is folded; An LED for visually notifying the remaining battery power, which is disposed at a position where light emission can be confirmed, an LED lighting control according to the remaining battery power when the key is pressed, and a charge when the key is pressed. A control unit that controls monitoring of the remaining battery level including a control of a temporary stop; and a battery level checking device for a foldable mobile phone, comprising: 2. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the key for checking the remaining battery level is arranged on a side of the mobile phone which can be pressed even when the mobile phone is folded. Battery level check device. 3. An LED for visually notifying the remaining battery power.
The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the mobile phone is disposed on a back surface of the mobile phone, which is capable of confirming light emission even when the mobile phone is folded, that is, a surface opposite to a surface having a display unit. Battery check device. 4. The folding method according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control of the LED is performed such that a plurality of LEDs having different emission colors are lit according to the remaining amount of the battery to distinguish the remaining battery amount. Device for checking the battery level of mobile phones. 5. The lighting control of the LED according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control of the LED is performed in accordance with the remaining amount of the battery so as to distinguish the remaining amount of the battery by the number of times of lighting of the LED used for the charging display. Battery level check device for foldable mobile phones. 6. The control according to claim 1, wherein the control of the temporary stop is such that when the mobile phone is charging, the charging is cut off for a predetermined time when the key is pressed. A battery remaining amount checking device for the foldable mobile phone according to any one of the above. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the control of the temporary stop includes, when distinguishing the remaining amount of the battery based on the number of times of lighting of the LED used for the charge display, disconnecting the charge display for a certain time when the LED is displaying the charge. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining battery level of the foldable mobile phone is checked.