JP2004071556A - Method and apparatus for determining power source classification, and power source apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for determining power source classification, and a power source apparatus capable of determining classification of a battery with a high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: In addition to a main microcomputer 14, a sub-microcomputer 18 is provided. The sub-microcomputer 18 is initiated when a battery 26 is inserted and measures a voltage at roughly no load to store it. When a power source switch 22 is turned on, the main microcomputer 14 is initiated and measures voltages at light load and heavy load. The main microcomputer 14 obtains the voltage at the no load from the sub-microcomputer 18, and calculates a difference between the voltages at the no load and the light load, and a difference between the voltages at the no load and the heavy load. The main microcomputer 14 determines a classification of the battery 26 with reference to those differences and the voltage at the no load. A lithium battery and an exhausted nickel-hydrogen battery can be accurately distinguished. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a power supply type determination method, a power supply type determination device, and a power supply device for determining a plurality of types of batteries or batteries and an external power supply.

Conventionally, for example, in a device using a so-called AA type battery (AA type battery) for power supply, a plurality of types of batteries such as a nickel hydride battery, an alkaline battery, a manganese battery, a lithium battery, or a nickel manganese battery are used. Possible devices are known. And since these batteries have greatly different characteristics such as discharge characteristics, by determining the type of the attached battery, it is possible to accurately determine the remaining amount and display the remaining amount in consideration of the characteristics of the battery, The battery can be used effectively.

In this regard, a configuration is known in which a dedicated battery displaying a code indicating an attribute is used, or a battery to which a code indicating an attribute is attached is used, and a code is read by a sensor on the device side to determine the type of the battery ( For example, see Patent Document 1.). However, in this configuration, although the type of the battery can be reliably determined, it is necessary to provide a code on the battery side, which has a problem of low versatility.

On the other hand, there is known a configuration of a battery check device that measures the voltage of a battery after starting the device and compares the value with a predetermined comparison value to display the remaining battery level. For example, a method is known in which a load is applied to a battery after the power of the device is turned on, and a difference between the internal resistance of the battery and the battery is measured by measuring a voltage difference between a low load and a high load. For example, see Patent Document 2.)

An example of such battery type determination will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Assuming that the batteries to be determined are battery A and battery B, first, at the stage when the device is started (step 1001), the voltage of the battery is measured (step 1002), and the measured value _VA of this voltage is determined to be volatile. It is stored in the memory (step 1003). Then, applying a high load on the battery by some means (step 1004), measures the voltage of this point (step 1005), stores the measured value V _B of the voltage in the volatile memory (step 1006), the load Stop (step 1007). Then, the difference between the measured value V _B measurements V _A and the voltage of the voltage calculated (step 1008), the higher or lower than the threshold value n which is the difference, performs the type determination of the battery. Here, if, towards the battery A is than battery B, and it is assumed the difference voltage between the high load and low load is large, the difference (V _B -V _A) is at least the threshold value n If, it is determined that the battery a (step 1009), determines the difference _(V B -V _a) is a threshold value smaller than n, a battery B (step 1010).

However, in the method based on the difference between the voltage at the time of high load and the voltage at the time of low load, it may be difficult to improve the determination rate depending on the characteristics of the battery. For example, when a nickel-metal hydride battery and a lithium battery are subjected to the determination, the difference between the voltage at the time of high load and the voltage at the time of low load is greatly different in a new battery, but when the battery is consumed to some extent, this difference is large. The value gradually becomes closer. As described above, according to the conventional method using only the difference as a criterion, when the target battery is an alkaline battery and a nickel-metal hydride battery, the difference greatly differs even when the batteries are exhausted, and the probability is high. Although the determination is possible, when the target is a nickel-metal hydride battery and a lithium battery, the difference value approaches as the batteries are consumed, and the erroneous determination rate increases.

In addition, when an external power supply and a battery, which are converted from an alternating current (AC) power supply to a direct current (DC), are to be determined, the voltage of the external power supply is stable. In the battery, the determination is made using the characteristic that the difference in voltage between a low load and a high load is large, while the difference is almost nil. However, in a battery under specific conditions, such as a nickel-metal hydride battery at the time of full charge, there is almost no difference in voltage between a low load and a high load, and the erroneous determination rate increases when only the difference is used as a criterion.

A configuration is also known in which a plurality of types of batteries can be mounted, and switches can be switched by a user's operation or the like (for example, see Patent Document 3). That is, in this configuration, the device is provided with two different battery boxes, so that two types of batteries such as AA type and CR2 can be mounted. When batteries are installed in both of the two battery boxes, the user of the device selects one of the batteries by operating a mechanical switch, and according to the state of this switch, the device determines whether the battery is in the battery state. , A remaining amount is determined, a battery check is repeated, and a battery is activated by applying a load. That is, in this determination process (activation process), as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 of Patent Document 3, for example, the state of a battery changeover switch is checked, and the number of times of applying a load is simply determined according to the state of this switch. Set for 3 type battery or CR2. Then, the number of times set according to the type of battery, according to the state of the switch, that is, applying a load set according to the type of battery to activate the battery and measure the voltage of the battery, and further according to the state of the switch, The remaining amount of the battery is determined based on a threshold set according to the type of the battery. That is, this battery type determination method does not automatically make a determination on the device side without the user's consciousness. The user selects one of the batteries and gives the selected information to the device. Things.

In addition, in a battery check device of a camera which incorporates an electronic flash device and is capable of flash photography using the electronic flash device and a normal device not using the electronic flash device, the battery remaining amount display is used in detail to enable use. A configuration is known that indicates to a user how many images can be taken thereafter (for example, see Patent Document 4). In other words, in this configuration, as shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 4, the control circuit calculates the number of images that can be shot from the number of images and the remaining battery power, and divides the calculation result into five-stage segments of the liquid crystal display device. It is displayed.

他 In addition, there is known a battery voltage detection device capable of measuring the capacity of a battery in multiple stages by measuring the return time of the voltage after heavy load (for example, see Patent Document 5).

Further, there is known a battery remaining capacity display method that includes two types of batteries having different discharge characteristics and displays the remaining capacity of a battery selected by a power supply selection unit among the two types of batteries (for example, see Patent Document 1). 6). This configuration does not identify the mounted battery and does not perform control according to the characteristics of the battery.

Also, the current supplied from the battery to the load is converted into a digital value, measured at predetermined time intervals, the product of the digital value and the time interval is accumulated, and the battery consumption is calculated and displayed. A quantity indicating device is known. This configuration measures the exact amount of consumption regardless of the type of battery, but does not identify the mounted battery and does not perform control according to the characteristics of the battery (for example, Reference 7).

充電 Also, there is known a charger that determines the type of battery and performs appropriate charging under optimal charging conditions for various types of batteries (for example, see Patent Document 8). However, this configuration only shows that the voltage detection circuit detects the battery voltage to determine the type of battery, and does not show a specific configuration for determining the type of battery.

Furthermore, a battery storage device that can store both a rechargeable battery and a dry battery is known (for example, see Patent Document 9). In this configuration, dedicated charging terminals different from the dry batteries are provided for these rechargeable batteries, and the shape of the rechargeable batteries is made different from that of the dry batteries to prevent erroneous mounting. In other words, this configuration has a problem that although the type of the battery can be reliably determined, the shape and structure of the battery must be dedicated, and the versatility is low.

In addition, by judging the exact amount of battery consumption and notifying the appropriate time to replace the battery, for the camera battery check device, after turning on the power of the device, prior to the predetermined operation of the camera, the load due to the operation is reduced. A configuration is known in which the voltage of a battery is measured while an appropriate electric load is applied (for example, see Patent Document 10).

Further, in a computer device capable of switching between a plurality of modes, the voltage of a power supply such as a battery is detected before switching the operation mode, and if the detected voltage is lower than a predetermined value, the switching of the operation mode is restricted. A configuration that prevents stable operation is known (for example, see Patent Document 11). In this configuration, the voltage check of the power supply is performed a plurality of times with a certain period of time while the switch is turned on, and the later check level is made higher than the previous check level, thereby causing unstable operation. The operation is prevented.
JP-A-1-69224 (page 1, FIG. 3) JP-A-6-215803 (page 1, FIG. 1) JP-A-2000-81469 (FIGS. 3 to 5) JP-A-3-175432 (FIG. 3) Japanese Patent No. 2673217 (page 1, FIG. 2) JP-A-4-50785 (page 1, FIG. 1) JP-A-4-166779 (page 1, FIG. 1) Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2523857 (page 2, FIG. 1) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-25498 (page 1-2, FIG. 3) Japanese Patent No. 3215710 (page 2, FIG. 6) JP-A-11-53070 (pages 2-4, FIG. 2)

As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-69224, in a configuration using a dedicated battery that displays a code indicating an attribute, it is necessary to process the battery side, which has a problem of low versatility. .

As described in JP-A-6-215803, a load is applied to the battery after the power of the device is turned on, and the voltage difference between a low load and a high load is measured, whereby the difference in the internal resistance of the battery is measured. The method of detecting and judging the problem has a problem that it is difficult to improve the accuracy.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply type determination method, a power supply type determination device, and a power supply device capable of determining a battery type with high accuracy.

The method for determining the type of power supply according to claim 1, further comprising: a no-load measurement step of measuring a voltage of the power supply in a substantially no-load state; and a low-load measurement of the power supply in a state where a first load is applied. A measuring step; a high-load measuring step of measuring the voltage of the power supply means with a second load greater than the first load applied; and determining the power supply means from these voltages and a difference between these voltages. And a determining step.

In this configuration, in addition to the voltage at the time of low load and the voltage at the time of high load, the voltage at the time of no load is measured under almost no load, thereby obtaining three measured values and two differences. . Therefore, by using these values as determination criteria, the type of the power supply means can be accurately determined as compared with a method of determining from two measured values and one difference.

3. The power supply type determination device according to claim 2, further comprising a first control unit and a second control unit, wherein the second control unit is activated before the first control unit is activated, and the power supply unit is activated. The first control means applies a first load and a second load larger than the first load to the power supply means, and stores the voltage. And the voltage at the time of high load, the voltage at the time of no load is obtained from the second control means, the difference between these voltages is calculated, and the power supply means is calculated based on the difference and the measured voltage. Is determined.

In this configuration, in addition to the first control means for determining the power supply means, the second control means which is activated before the activation of the first control means is provided. Can be measured and stored at almost no load. Therefore, the first control means obtains the no-load voltage stored by the second control means after the start-up, so that in addition to the low-load voltage and the high-load voltage, the non-load voltage Three measurements and two differences are obtained. Therefore, by using these values as determination criteria, the type of the power supply means can be accurately determined as compared with a method of determining from two measured values and one difference.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the power supply type determining apparatus according to the second aspect, the first control means may include a voltage at substantially no load, a voltage at substantially no load, and a voltage at low load. The power supply means is determined on the basis of the difference between the voltage at the time of no load and the voltage at the time of high load.

In this configuration, the characteristics of the power supply means are sufficiently grasped, and a plurality of types of batteries or a battery and an external power source are accurately determined.

The power supply type determination device according to claim 4, further comprising a first control unit and a second control unit that consumes less power than the first control unit, wherein the second control unit performs the first control unit. Starting up before the start-up of the means, the voltage of the power supply means is measured and stored at almost no load, and the first control means obtains the no-load voltage from the second control means after the start-up. , A voltage in a state where a load is applied to the power supply means, and the power supply means is determined based on the values of these voltages.

In this configuration, in addition to the first control means for judging the power supply means, a second control means which starts before the first control means is activated and consumes less power than the first control means is provided. Therefore, the second control means makes it possible to measure and store the voltage of the power supply means at almost no load. Therefore, the first control means obtains the voltage at the time of no load stored by the second control means after the start-up, and obtains the voltage with the load applied by the second control means or by itself. By determining the power supply means based on the voltage value, the characteristics of the power supply means can be accurately determined.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the power supply type determination apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the second control means measures and stores a voltage of the power supply means at almost no load, and stores the voltage in the power supply means. The first control means measures and stores the voltage with the load applied and the voltage under no load and the voltage with the load applied from the second control means. The power source is determined based on the value.

In this configuration, the second control means, which consumes less power than the first control means, measures the voltage of the power supply means when there is almost no load and the voltage with the load applied, and based on these voltage values, By determining the power supply means, the characteristics of the power supply means are accurately determined.

A power supply device according to claim 6 includes the power supply type determination device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first control means performs a remaining amount determination when the power supply means is a battery. It is provided with a part.

(4) With this configuration, it is possible to accurately determine the remaining amount based on the type of the power source that has been accurately determined.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the power supply device according to the sixth aspect, the power supply device includes a plurality of transformer circuits, and the first control unit determines a type of the power supply unit and a remaining battery when the power supply unit is a battery. The transformer circuit set according to the quantity is selected and used.

In this configuration, an appropriate transformer circuit is selected based on the type of the power supply means determined accurately, and the power supply means is automatically and efficiently used.

The power supply device according to claim 8 is the power supply device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a charging circuit that charges a battery, wherein the first control unit determines a type of the battery when the power supply unit is a battery. The battery is charged by supplying a current set according to the type of the battery after discharging by applying a load set accordingly.

In this configuration, the battery is discharged as needed based on the type of the power supply means determined accurately, and the battery is charged efficiently.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the power supply device according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the power supply device further includes a display unit, and when the power supply unit is a battery, the first control unit determines the type of the battery. This is to display the set remaining amount.

In this configuration, it is possible to automatically and accurately display the remaining amount of the battery based on the type of the power source that is accurately determined.

The power supply device according to claim 10, further comprising a display unit and an operation unit, wherein the first control unit displays the determined type of the power supply unit on the display unit. If the operating means is operated within a predetermined time, the type of the determined power supply is determined or changed in accordance with the operation. If the operating means is not operated within the predetermined time, the type of the determined power supply is determined. Is determined.

Then, in this configuration, the type of the power supply means can be confirmed or changed by the operation of the operation means by the operator who has recognized the display means, and the determination of the type of the power supply means becomes more reliable and within a predetermined time. When the operation means is not operated, the type of the determined power supply means is automatically determined, so that the operation does not become complicated.

The power supply device according to claim 11, wherein the display unit, a power supply type determination device that determines the power supply unit, and a battery when the power supply unit is a battery. A control means for displaying on the display means that there is no remaining battery power irrespective of the remaining battery capacity and prohibiting the operation of a device to which electricity is supplied.

In this configuration, when the determined power supply means is a battery having characteristics that cannot properly operate the device to which electricity is supplied, it indicates that there is no remaining battery and prohibits the operation of the device. As a result, unexpected operations such as stop of the device are suppressed, and the convenience of the device including the power supply device is improved.

The power supply device according to claim 12, wherein a display unit, an operation unit, a power supply type determination device that determines the power supply unit, and that the power supply unit is an unknown battery when the power supply unit is an unknown battery. And a control means for displaying, and enabling operation of a device to which electricity is supplied in accordance with an operation of the operation means.

With this configuration, in the case of an unknown battery that cannot be determined, it can be used under the judgment of the user, and the convenience of the device including the power supply device is improved.

A power supply according to claim 13 is the power supply according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the power supply type determination device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

In this configuration, since the power supply type determination device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 is provided, the type and characteristics of the power supply means are accurately determined, and the convenience of the device including the power supply device is improved.

According to the present invention, in addition to the voltage in a state where a load is applied, by measuring the voltage in a no-load state in a substantially no-load state, these values are used as determination criteria, so that the type of power supply means can be accurately determined. Can be determined.

Further, according to the present invention, the operation of a device equipped with a power supply device is prohibited according to the characteristics, and the use of an unknown battery is enabled in accordance with the operation. Performance can be improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a power supply type determination method, a power supply type determination device, and a power supply device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a device such as a digital still camera. The device 10 includes various drive circuits 12 such as an image processing circuit and a motor, and a main microcomputer 14 as first control means for controlling the drive circuits 12. And The main microcomputer 14 constitutes a power supply type determination device, that is, a battery check device and a power supply device 16. The power supply device 16 further includes a sub-microcomputer 18 as second control means, and a D-transformer circuit. A / D (DC / DC) converter section 20, a power switch 22, and a power supply mounting section 24 are provided. The power supply mounting section 24 includes a battery case for mounting a plurality of so-called AA batteries 26 as power supply means, a power supply terminal for connecting an external power supply 27 as power supply means, and the like. The power supply mounting section 24 is connected to a D / D converter section 20 via a power switch 22 and is transformed by the D / D converter section 20 so that various drive circuits 12, a main microcomputer 14, and a sub microcomputer Supply 18 power. Further, the power supply mounting section 24 is connected to the sub-microcomputer 18 and directly supplies power to the sub-microcomputer 18 without passing through the D / D converter section 20. Further, the power supply mounting section 24 is connected to the main microcomputer 14 so that the main microcomputer 14 can measure the voltage of the mounted power supply means. Further, a signal line such as a bus is connected between the main microcomputer 14 and the sub microcomputer 18 and between the sub microcomputer 18 and the power switch 22.

The main microcomputer 14 of the two microcomputers provided in the device 10 includes an arithmetic processing unit 31, a remaining amount determination unit 32, a volatile memory unit 33 serving as a temporary storage unit (RAM), and a storage unit. And a battery information section 34, which is a non-volatile memory (ROM), and has an analog / digital (AD) conversion function. The battery information section 34 stores the characteristics of various batteries 26 and various processing methods for each battery 26.

The sub-microcomputer 18 measures the voltage before the device 10 is started. The sub-microcomputer 18 includes an arithmetic processing unit 41 and a built-in memory unit (RAM) 42, and has an analog / digital (AD) conversion function. Have.

As described above, the sub-microcomputer 18 includes a power source that is directly boosted from the power supply mounting unit 24 when the battery 26 or the like is inserted into the device 10 and a power source that is generated by the D / D converter unit 20. Power is supplied from two power sources. For example, when the battery 26 is inserted, the sub-microcomputer 18 is supplied with power and starts up. Further, after the power switch 22 is operated and the device 10 starts up, the D / D converter unit 20 is started up. After the D / D converter section 20 starts up, the D / D converter section 20 supplies power to the sub-microcomputer 18.

That is, when the battery 26 is mounted in the battery case or when the external power supply 27 is connected, the sub-microcomputer 18 is activated by the power directly input from the power mounting The voltage of the power input directly from 24 is measured, converted from analog to digital, and the measured value of the digitized voltage is stored in the built-in memory unit 42. Further, when the power switch 22 of the device 10 is operated and the power is turned on, the sub-microcomputer 18 starts up a power supply circuit such as the D / D converter section 20 and thereafter starts the main microcomputer 14. In addition, the main microcomputer 14 measures the voltage immediately after the start-up and with some load after the start-up, similarly to the sub-microcomputer 18, and measures the voltage by using the analog / digital (AD) conversion function. Is converted from analog to digital, and the measured value of the digitized voltage is stored in the volatile memory unit 33. In other words, the voltage measurement is performed three times in total at the time of substantially no load before the start of the device 10, at the time of a low load immediately after the start of the main microcomputer 14, and at the time of a high load with some load applied after the start of the main microcomputer 14.

Next, the flow of the processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

Note that, in the present embodiment, a case will be described where the determination target is the battery 26 and the external power supply 27, and as the battery 26, a nickel-metal hydride battery and a lithium battery, for which type determination has been difficult with the conventional method, are used.

First, when the battery 26 is inserted into the device 10 (step 201), power is supplied to the sub-microcomputer 18, and the sub-microcomputer 18 is activated. At this time, the sub-microcomputer 18 measures the voltage of the battery 26, performs analog-to-digital conversion (step 202), and uses the obtained digital value as a measured value _VA at no load as a built-in memory unit in the sub-microcomputer 18. It is stored in 42 (step 203).

Then, when the power switch 22 of the device 10 is turned on (step 204), the sub-microcomputer 18 starts up the power supply circuit, and thereafter starts the main microcomputer 14 (step 205). Then, the main microcomputer 14 measures the voltage immediately after starting, an analog-digital conversion (step 205), the main microcomputer 14 and the resulting digital value as a measured value V _B of the low load-volatile memory unit It is stored in 33 (step 206). Then, over a period of some load on the battery 26, to measure the voltage in this state, the analog-digital conversion (step 207), volatilization of the main microcomputer 14 and the resulting digital value as a measure V _C at high load Is stored in the sex memory unit 33 (step 208).

Then, the main microcomputer 14 obtains the measured value V _A under no load from the sub-microcomputer 18, the three measurement values V _A, V _B, from V _C, calculates two difference (step 209). That is, one is the difference between the measured value _{V B} at device 10 starts before the measurements _{V A} and the low load at no load, if this is the difference _{V AB, V AB = V A} -V B becomes the other is the difference between the measured value _{V C} at device 10 starts before the measurements _{V a} and high load under no load, which upon the difference _{V AC,} a V AC ₌ V a -V _C.

(4) At this point, since all the conditions necessary for the type determination have been prepared, the process proceeds to the determination processing. In the determination, the characteristic that the difference between the voltage at the time of high load and the voltage at the time of low load is generally larger in the lithium battery than in the nickel-metal hydride battery and hardly in the external power supply 27 is used. However, since this difference becomes gradually closer as the battery 26 is consumed, it is difficult to make a determination on the consumed battery 26 using only this difference. Thus, the nickel-metal hydride battery and the lithium battery use characteristics in which the voltage (open-circuit voltage) under no load greatly differs, and the open-circuit voltage is comprehensively determined in addition to the conditions.

Here, the threshold value of the digital value of the open circuit voltage at the time of no load is selected from V ₁ and V ₄ , which is selected from the threshold table for power supply determination stored in advance in the battery information unit 34, and the difference between the high load state and the no load state. The thresholds of the digital values are V ₂ and V ₅ , and the thresholds of the digital values at low load and no load are V ₃ and V ₆ , (V ₄ << V ₁ , V ₅ << V ₂ , V ₆ <<V ₃ )
If, _{V A} ≦ _{V 4} and V _AC ≦ _{V 5} and V _AB ≦ _{V 6}
If so, the power supply means determines the external power supply 27 (step 210),
Also if, _{V A} ≦ _{V 1} and V _AC ≦ _{V 2} and V _AB ≦ _{V 3}
If so, the power supply means determines that the battery 26 is a nickel-metal hydride battery (step 211),
Otherwise,
The power supply unit determines that the battery 26 is a lithium battery.

Then, when the determination is completed, the main microcomputer 14 stores the determination result in the volatile memory unit 33, and further, when the determination result is the battery 26, from the battery information stored in the battery information unit 34 in advance. Then, a threshold table for measuring the remaining battery level which is most suitable for the determined type of the battery 26 is read to determine the remaining capacity.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only the difference calculated by measuring the voltage at the time of high load and the voltage at the time of low load, but also the voltage of the battery 26 at almost no load, that is, the open circuit voltage is measured. In addition to the criterion, the accuracy of the determination can be improved by calculating a total of two differences from the measured values of the three voltages and adding the difference to the criterion. For example, the lithium battery has been consumed by the three criteria of the measured value of the open-circuit voltage, the difference between the high-load voltage and the open-circuit voltage, and the difference between the low-load voltage and the open-circuit voltage. A nickel-metal hydride battery can be determined, and furthermore, both the battery 26 and the external power supply 27 can be determined with high accuracy.

Then, since the power supply means is determined with high accuracy and the type of the battery 26 can be recognized on the device 10 side, the remaining amount determination (battery check) is performed using the most appropriate threshold value according to the type of the battery 26. It is possible to perform accurate remaining amount determination.

に し て Thus, various types of batteries 26 can be used most efficiently according to their types and remaining amounts, and can be used up to the end. In the case of the rechargeable battery 26, an optimal charging method including discharging can be automatically selected.

測定 Moreover, the measurement of the voltage when the power supply means such as the battery 26 is not loaded, that is, the open-circuit voltage, can be realized by providing the sub-microcomputer 18. In other words, the sub-microcomputer 18 is composed of an arithmetic processing unit 41 and a built-in memory unit 42, focusing only on the minimum necessary functions, so that power consumption can be extremely small and minimized, and at least it can be made smaller than the main microcomputer 14. When the battery 26 is mounted on the device 10, the sub-microcomputer 18 measures the voltage of the battery 26 before starting the device 10, that is, the main microcomputer 14 or the power supply circuit. Can be measured. Then, after the main microcomputer 14 is started, the main microcomputer 14 acquires the open-circuit voltage of the battery 26 measured and stored by the sub-microcomputer 18. Therefore, the main microcomputer 14 uses the three voltages of the open voltage acquired from the sub-microcomputer 18 in addition to the measured voltage at the time of low load and the measured voltage at the time of high load, which are measured by itself after startup, and calculates an appropriate difference. By calculating and judging these data comprehensively, accurate judgment can be realized. Here, the battery information used for the type determination may be stored in the battery information section 34 in advance in the form of a threshold value table.

Further, in the present embodiment, the battery type determination can be performed using the existing hardware configuration only by providing the sub-microcomputer 18 in addition to the main microcomputer 14, and a special circuit such as a dedicated circuit for determination can be used. It is not necessary to provide a hardware configuration, and it is not necessary to mechanically modify the battery 26 or the battery box, so that the versatility can be improved and the cost can be reduced. That is, by providing only two microcomputers having the analog-digital conversion means, the main microcomputer 14 and the sub-microcomputer 18, the present invention can be applied not only to the digital still camera but also to various devices 10. It is also possible to determine not only nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium batteries, but also alkaline batteries by simply adjusting the threshold value for determination stored in the main microcomputer 14, and to determine the various types of batteries 26 and the external power supply 27. Is possible, the versatility is improved, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, by storing the battery information corresponding to the battery type in the battery information section 34, when the type determination of the battery 26 is completed, the battery information corresponding to the determined battery type is read, and various processes are performed. It can be carried out. For example, this battery information is battery-specific information such as whether or not the battery 26 has a so-called memory effect, in addition to a threshold for determining the remaining amount that is most suitable for the battery 26.

Further, in the present embodiment, the determination of the battery type and the determination of the remaining amount can be automatically performed, and the operation of the user of the device 10 does not need to perform a conscious setting operation, and the operation can be complicated. Operability can be improved.

In this way, in the device 10 using the AA battery 26, it is possible to realize a system in which the type and the remaining amount of the battery 26 are determined, and the usage suitable for each state is selected.

Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, a plurality of transformer circuits may be provided, and an optimal transformer circuit may be selected according to the type of the battery 26 and the remaining amount. In addition, a display unit may be provided to automatically change the number of display levels of the remaining amount display according to the type of the battery. Then, a display means is provided, and in addition to the battery remaining amount information, the type of the battery 26 is first displayed by blinking or the like, so that the user can confirm the type of the battery 26 by the display. Further, in this configuration, an operating means can be provided so that the operator can confirm or change the operating means. Further, the operation of the device 10 can be controlled in accordance with the state of the battery 26, for example, the operation of the device 10 can be prohibited.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sub-microcomputer 18 as the second control means measures the voltage at no load, and the main microcomputer 14 as the first control means measures the voltage at low load and the voltage at high load. Although the voltage was measured, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the sub-microcomputer 18 can measure the voltage when no load is applied and the voltage when a load is applied. For example, the sub-microcomputer 18 can measure the voltage under no load and the voltage under low load, and the main microcomputer 14 can measure the voltage under high load. In addition, the sub-microcomputer 18 measures the voltage under no load, the main microcomputer 14 measures the voltage under high load, and determines the type and remaining amount of the battery 26 using the values of these two voltages. You can also.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the power supply circuit includes a D / D converter section C1 as a plurality (n) of transformer circuits having mutually different characteristics. To Cn, and a selection switch 45 for selectively connecting these D / D converter sections C1 to Cn. Each of the D / D converter sections C1 to Cn is configured as an integrated circuit or as a separate circuit, and the first D / D converter section C1 is configured to have different input / output characteristics of each voltage. The booster circuit, the final (n-th) D / D converter section Cn is configured as a step-down circuit, and the other D / D converter sections C2 to Cn-1 are configured as step-up / step-down circuits. The selection switch 45 is disposed between the power switch 22 and the D / D converters C1 to Cn, and is controlled by the main microcomputer 14 to operate any one of the D / D converters C1 to Cn. .

In this configuration, the type determination of the battery 26 is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, when the battery 26 is mounted on the device 10, the sub-microcomputer 18 measures the voltage at no load before the main microcomputer 14 is started. Thereafter, when the power switch 22 is operated and the power of the device 10 is turned on, one of the D / D converter units C1 to Cn is activated by the initial setting, and the main microcomputer 14 is activated. After the main microcomputer 14 determines the battery type, the remaining amount determining unit 32 determines the remaining amount of the battery 26 based on the determined battery type, and determines the current remaining amount of the battery 26 in the volatile memory unit. Store in 33. In this state, the main microcomputer 14 selects one of the D / D converter units C1 to Cn that can operate most efficiently with the current remaining amount by the selection switch 45, and selects the selected D / D converter units C1 to Cn. Various drive circuits 12 and the like are driven by Cn. According to such processing, in addition to performing the remaining amount determination of the battery 26 with a different threshold value according to the type of the battery 26, the most suitable D / D converter units C1 to Cn are automatically determined according to the remaining amount state of the battery 26. This allows the device 10 that requires high efficiency to operate with more emphasis on efficiency. That is, after the battery type determination is completed, the remaining amount is determined at the optimum threshold value in the battery information corresponding to the type of the battery 26, and further, when the remaining amount reaches a certain remaining amount, the driving transformer circuit is switched, and The most efficient operation can be performed with the voltage of the battery 26.

For example, in the case where the drive circuit 12 is a circuit that requires 3.3 V, if the voltage of the battery 26 is 3.5 V or more as a result of the remaining amount determination of the battery 26, the D / D converter unit Cn that is a step-down circuit Use, when the voltage of the battery 26 is 3.5V to 2.5V, use any one of the D / D converter sections C2 to Cn-1 which is a step-up / step-down circuit, and boost the voltage below 2.5V When the voltage is equal to or higher than the minimum voltage, the D / D converter C1 which is a booster is used. As described above, since the optimal transformer circuit can be selected and used, the use efficiency of the battery 26 can be improved.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a charging circuit (not shown) for the battery 26 is provided inside the device 10 so that the device 10 can charge a plurality of types of batteries 26. This is a configuration that can be performed. Here, as a plurality of types of batteries 26, by repeatedly charging and using the batteries without sufficiently discharging them, the batteries are not fully charged, so that the use time is shortened. A configuration compatible with 26 will be described.

First, as a premise, as in the first embodiment, the battery type is determined at the time of starting the device 10 (step 401), and the determined battery type is determined from the battery information stored in the battery information section 34 of the main microcomputer 14 in advance. Information related to charging, such as presence / absence of a memory effect and a current value during charging, is read in advance corresponding to the 26 types (step 402).

Then, when the user of the device 10 performs an operation of turning off the power switch 22 of the device 10, the main microcomputer 14 notifies the sub-microcomputer 18 of the read battery information (step 403). Then, the sub-microcomputer 18 stores the notified battery information in the built-in memory unit 42 (Step 404), and turns off the power of the main microcomputer 14 (Step 405). Thereafter, the sub-microcomputer 18 responds to the presence / absence information of the memory effect in the battery information stored in the internal memory unit 42 (step 406). To discharge the battery 26 to a predetermined voltage (step 407). Next, the current information value at the time of charging in the notified battery information is read, a current value corresponding to the used battery 26 is set (step 408), and the battery 26 is charged with the set current value. (Step 409).

Furthermore, if the battery 26 is capable of setting the quick charging and the normal charging as the charging method, the charging method and a plurality of variable current values are stored in the built-in memory unit 42 as the battery information, and the charging voltage value is monitored. (Step 410), the current value is adjusted. That is, at the start of charging, a large current is supplied, and the current value is set smaller as the charging time approaches, thereby realizing rapid charging while preventing the performance of the battery 26 from deteriorating.

As described above, since information unique to various types of batteries 26 is stored in the battery information unit 34 in advance, in the device 10 having the function of charging the battery 26 inside the device 10, the type determination of the attached battery 26 is completed. After that, information on the presence or absence of the memory effect of the battery 26 is read out, and if the battery 26 has the memory effect, the battery 26 is automatically switched to a charging method for preventing the memory effect, so that the battery 26 can be used efficiently. Furthermore, by adding the charging current value to the battery information section 34, the battery 26 is protected by charging with the optimum charging current, and if the battery 26 is capable of quick charging, the quick charging value is automatically set. , And can achieve rapid charging.

Further, in this embodiment, since the type determination of the battery 26 is automatically performed by software, a special hardware configuration such as a battery changeover switch is not required, and the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Different charging processes according to the type of the battery 26 can be automatically performed without making the user of the device 10 conscious, and operability can be improved.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In this configuration, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) as a display means for the user. Configuration.

In the configuration including the display device, the type and the remaining battery level of the battery 26 determined by the method described in the first embodiment can be displayed and visually displayed to the user. Here, since the operable time of the device 10 greatly varies depending on the type of the battery 26, the remaining amount of the battery from the full (Full) to the empty (Empty) depends on the determined operable time of the battery 26. By automatically switching the maximum number of display steps, the operable time when the remaining amount in each battery 26 is full can be easily and visually informed to the user.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, as an example, a description will be given of a process for displaying the remaining capacity in three stages when the battery 26 is a nickel-metal hydride battery and in five stages when the battery 26 is a lithium battery.

As a premise, similarly to the first embodiment, when the power switch 22 is turned on and the device 10 is started, the battery type is determined (step 501), and according to the type of the battery 26 (step 502), the nickel metal hydride is determined. In the case of a battery, the maximum number of display steps is set to three levels (step 503), and in the case of a lithium battery, the maximum number of display steps is set to five levels (step 504). Next, the determined battery type is displayed on the display device (step 505), and thereafter, the remaining amount of the battery 26 is determined (step 506). Then, finally, the remaining amount of the battery 26 is displayed on the display device according to the maximum number of display steps set in step 503 or step 504 (step 507).

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In addition, in this configuration, in addition to the configuration of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the device 10 is provided with operating means such as a confirmation button as a push button and a battery type switching button.

In this configuration, when the type determination of the battery 26 is completed, the determined type of the battery 26 is displayed on the display device when the device 10 is started, and the user operates the confirmation button to confirm the inserted battery 26. be able to. In addition, when the automatic determination of the type of the battery 26 is incorrect, the type can be corrected by operating the battery type switching button by the user.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. 6 as an example.

When the power switch 22 is turned on and the device 10 is started, the battery type is determined (step 601). When the battery type determination is completed, the battery is displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED). The type 26 or the external power supply 27 is blinked to indicate to the user (step 602). Here, if the type of the battery 26 displayed in a blinking manner is correct, the user presses the confirmation button to perform an operation (step 603). Then, the blinking display changes to a lighting display, the type of the battery 26 and the like are determined (step 607), and the process proceeds to the remaining amount determination (step 608).

On the other hand, if the type of the displayed battery 26 is wrong, the operator pushes and operates the battery type switching button (step 604), and switches the type of the displayed battery 26 (step 605). ). After confirming that the correct type has been selected, the user operates the confirmation button by pushing the confirmation button (step 603). Then, similarly to the above-described operation, the blinking display changes to the light-on display, the type of the battery 26 is determined (step 607), and the process proceeds to the remaining amount determination (step 608).

Further, when neither the confirmation button nor the battery type switching button is operated for a predetermined time after the device 10 is started, and for 5 seconds after the device 10 is started in this embodiment (step 606), The type of the battery 26 and the like are determined to the type automatically determined by the device 10 (step 607), and the process proceeds to remaining amount determination (step 608).

In this way, even if the type determination of the battery 26 of the device 10 is erroneous, the user can set the correct battery type and perform the remaining amount determination of the battery 26 reliably. Furthermore, this configuration does not force the user to perform the operation of setting the type of the battery 26 at every startup, and the type of the battery 26 can be set by the device 10 except when the determination is incorrect, There is no decrease in operability.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the type determination of the two types of battery 26 and the external power supply 27 was performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a threshold value may be set in more detail according to the characteristics of the battery 26. Accordingly, the type determination can be performed for two or more types of batteries 26.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 7 and the flowchart of FIG.

This embodiment is executed in addition to or in place of the processing of each of the above-described embodiments, and evaluates the characteristics of the battery 26 attached when the device 10 is started up, and If it is determined that the operation of the device 10 is prohibited, malfunctions such as a sudden stop of function (so-called instantaneous stop) after startup are prevented.

The configuration of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the device 10 which is a digital still camera includes two microcomputers, a main microcomputer 14 as first control means and a sub-microcomputer 18 as second control means. . FIG. 7 illustrates a fixed load 51 which is a load circuit. The sub-microcomputer 18 can operate independently independently of the main microcomputer 14, and the operating power of the sub-microcomputer 18 is smaller than that of the main microcomputer 14, so that the sub-microcomputer 18 can operate in a low power mode. And The sub-microcomputer 18 includes an arithmetic processing unit 41 and a built-in memory unit 42, and has an analog / digital (AD) conversion function. Then, the sub-microcomputer 18 converts the voltage of the battery 26 from analog to digital, and stores the measured value of the digitized voltage in the built-in memory unit 42. The sub-microcomputer 18 controls the fixed load 51, measures the voltage of the battery 26 in a state where the fixed load 51 is removed and in a state where the fixed load 51 is added, performs analog-to-digital conversion, and performs digital-to-digital conversion. The measured value of the converted voltage is stored in the internal memory unit 42. On the other hand, the main microcomputer 14 includes an arithmetic processing unit 31, a remaining amount determination unit 32, a volatile memory unit 33 as a temporary storage unit (RAM), and a non-volatile memory (ROM) in which data of various batteries 26 is recorded in advance. ) And the battery information section 34. There are two systems of power supplied to the sub-microcomputer 18, that is, a power generated by directly boosting the voltage from the power supply mounting unit 24 with the battery 26 mounted on the device 10, and a power supplied from the D / D converter 20. With power supply made. Then, when the battery 26 is mounted on the power supply mounting section 24, the sub-microcomputer 18 is supplied with power and starts up, starts up the D / D converter section 20 after startup, and thereafter starts the D / D converter section 20. Supplies power to the sub microcomputer 18.

Then, in the configuration of this embodiment, when the power of the device 10 is turned on, the sub-microcomputer 18 measures and digitizes and records the voltage in the state where the fixed load 51 is removed and in the state where the fixed load 51 is added. Then, the D / D converter section 20 which is a power supply circuit is started, and thereafter the main microcomputer 14 is started. Then, the main microcomputer 14 communicates with the sub-microcomputer 18 to obtain the measured values of the digitized voltage measured by the sub-microcomputer 18 with the fixed load 51 removed and the fixed load 51 added. Then, the evaluation of the battery 26 is determined from these measured values.

Next, the flow of the processing according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, when the battery 26 is inserted into the device 10 (step 801), power is supplied to the sub microcomputer 18 and the sub microcomputer 18 is started.

When the sub-microcomputer 18 detects that the power switch 22 of the device 10 is turned on (Power SW ON) (Step 802), the sub-microcomputer 18 measures the voltage of the battery 26 and performs analog / digital conversion (Step 803). the resulting digital value is stored as a measure V ₀ which under no load in the internal memory unit 42 in the sub-microcomputer 18 (step 804). Here, an electromotive force (E ₀ ) when the internal resistance of the battery 26 is set to ₀ is approximately obtained as a measured value V ₀ by the sub-microcomputer 18 operating in the low power mode and measuring the voltage of the battery 26. Can be

Next, the sub-microcomputer 18 connects the fixed load 51 having a predetermined resistance value (R) (step 805), measures the voltage of the battery 26, and performs analog / digital conversion (steps 803 to 804). (Step 806), and the obtained digital value is stored in the built-in memory unit 42 in the sub-microcomputer 18 as the measured value _VL at the time of load (Step 807).

Next, the sub-microcomputer 18 removes the fixed load 51 from the circuit, that is, turns off (step 808), starts up a power supply circuit necessary for starting the main microcomputer 14, and starts the main microcomputer 14 (step 809). Then, the main microcomputer 14 is activated retrieves the measured values V _0, V _L from the sub-microcomputer 18 by communication, from these two measurements V _0, V _{L,
r = (V 0 -V L)} / (V L / R)
To calculate the internal resistance r of the battery 26 (step 810). Further, from the internal resistance r, and the known maximum operating power (W _max ) and minimum operating voltage (V _min ) of the device 10,
E _0min = V _min + r · W _max / V _min
To calculate the minimum starting voltage E _{0 min} . Then, whether this minimum starting voltage E _{0 min} is larger than the electromotive force E _0, that is, the measured value V ₀ , that is, whether the voltage of the battery 26 is in the maximum operating power W _max of the device 10, It determines whether there is a possibility that the below the minimum operating voltage V _min (step 812). If E _0min > V ₀ is satisfied, the activation process of the device 10, that is, the digital still camera is continued (step 813). On the other hand, if E _0min > V ₀ does not hold, it is determined that stable operation of the device 10 is difficult with the attached battery 26, and a message indicating that the battery 26 has no remaining charge (battery Empty) is displayed on the display means. Then, the power of the device 10 is turned off (Power OFF) according to a predetermined procedure (step 814).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the device 10 to which various batteries 26 can be attached, in addition to the main microcomputer 14 that controls the main functions of the device 10, the sub-microcomputer 18 that can operate independently with low power The sub-microcomputer 18 can measure a value V ₀ of the no-load voltage of the battery 26 that is close to the electromotive force E ₀ when the internal resistance of the battery 26 is set to 0 when the device 10 is started. Therefore, using the value V ₀ and the value _{VL in} a state where a load is applied as variables, a value for battery determination, that is, a minimum starting voltage E _{0 min} necessary for the operation of the device 10 is calculated, and the characteristics of the battery 26 are determined. Can be accurately evaluated and judged. Therefore, when the inserted battery 26 cannot operate the device 10 properly, the operation of the device 10 is prohibited, and the danger of a sudden function stop (instantaneous stop) during operation, for example, during a shooting sequence can be avoided. In other words, it is possible to determine whether the used power supply is the battery 26 that can accurately realize the operation of the device 10, and ensure the normal operation of the device 10.

Generally, depending on the type of battery, a depleted battery will recover its electromotive force when left unloaded. However, a depleted battery has an increased internal resistance, and the use of such a battery may cause the device to suddenly stop functioning during operation. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, when the device 10 is started, regardless of the type and the degree of consumption of the battery 26, the characteristics of the attached battery 26 are accurately evaluated. In addition to displaying that there is no remaining battery (Battery Empty) and prohibiting the operation of the device 10, the sudden stoppage of function due to the use of a battery 26 that has remarkably deteriorated characteristics such as a battery 26 that has been restored by leaving it unattended Can be avoided. In addition, this determination method can reflect the change in characteristics due to the temperature of the battery 26, and can also reflect the influence of contact resistance due to contamination of the contacts of the battery 26. Sudden outages due to increased contact resistance can also be avoided.

In addition, since the function of determining the type of the battery 26 shown in the first to fifth embodiments can be used for evaluating the characteristics of the battery 26, an increase in cost can be suppressed. That is, this embodiment can be used in combination with each of the above embodiments.

Note that the voltage measurement with the fixed load 51 applied in steps 805 to 807 can also be performed by the main microcomputer 14 after the main microcomputer 14 is started. Further, the measurement of the no-load voltage by the sub-microcomputer 18 can be performed when the battery 26 is mounted.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the characteristics of the battery 26 can be accurately determined, it is possible to determine whether the unknown battery 26 has a characteristic that allows the device 10 to operate properly, and to make it available.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The mechanical configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, but the processing is different, and the measurement of the voltage is performed before the device 10 is started, that is, before the power is turned on. A total of three times are performed immediately after the microcomputer 14 is started and when the main microcomputer 14 is started and when some load is applied.

Also, the power source to be determined has a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium battery, a nickel manganese battery as the external power source 27 or the battery 26 whose type is difficult to determine by the conventional method, and has an unknown characteristic that does not belong to any of these. The type is determined as an unknown battery. Then, when the operation is continued with the unknown battery, the measurement of the voltage using the fixed load 51 is further performed, and the evaluation measurement of the voltage of the battery 26 is performed by the same processing as in the sixth embodiment. .

Next, the flow of the process of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the battery 26 is inserted into the device 10 (step 901), power is supplied to the sub microcomputer 18 and the sub microcomputer 18 is activated. At this point, the sub-microcomputer 18 measures the voltage of the battery 26, performs analog-to-digital conversion (step 902), and converts the obtained digital value as a measured value _VA at no load into the internal memory in the sub-microcomputer 18. It is stored in the section 42 (step 903).

Then, when the power switch 22 of the device 10 is turned on (step 904), the sub-microcomputer 18 starts up the power supply circuit and then starts the main microcomputer 14 (step 905). Then the main microcomputer 14 measures the voltage of the battery 26, and analog-to-digital converter, and stored in the volatile memory portion 33 of the main microcomputer 14 and the resulting digital value as a measured value V _B at low loads ( Step 906). Then, over a period of some load on the battery 26, to measure the voltage in this state, the analog-digital conversion (step 907), volatilization of the main microcomputer 14 and the resulting digital value as a measure V _C at high load It is stored in the sex memory unit 33 (step 908).

Then, the main microcomputer 14 obtains the measured value V _A under no load from the sub-microcomputer 18, the three measurement values V _A, V _B, from V _C, calculates two difference (step 909). That is, one is the difference between the measured value _{V B} at device 10 starts before the measurements _{V A} and the low load at no load, if this is the difference _{V AB, V AB = V A} -V B becomes the other is the difference between the measured value _{V C} at device 10 starts before the measurements _{V a} and high load under no load, which upon the difference _{V AC,} a V AC ₌ V a -V _C.

(4) At this point, since all the conditions necessary for the type determination have been prepared, the process proceeds to the determination processing. In the determination, the characteristic that the difference between the voltage at the time of high load and the voltage at the time of low load is generally larger in the lithium battery than in the nickel-metal hydride battery and hardly in the external power supply 27 is used. However, since this difference becomes gradually closer as the battery 26 is consumed, it is difficult to make a determination on the consumed battery 26 using only this difference. Thus, the nickel-metal hydride battery and the lithium battery use characteristics in which the voltage (open-circuit voltage) under no load greatly differs, and the open-circuit voltage is comprehensively determined in addition to the conditions.

Here, the threshold values of the open-circuit digital values at no load stored in the battery information unit 34 in advance are V ₁ , V ₄ , V ₇ , and V ₁₀ , and the threshold values of the digital value of the difference between the high-load state and the no-load state the _{V 2, V 5, V 8} , V 11, further the threshold value of the low-load and no-load of the digital values _{V 3, V 6, V 9} , V 12, (V 4 << V 1, V 5 << V ₂ , V ₆ << V ₃ )
If, _{V A} ≦ _{V 4} and V _AC ≦ _{V 5} and V _AB ≦ _{V 6}
(Step 910), the power supply means determines that the power supply is the external power supply 27 (step 911).
Also, _{V A} ≦ _{V 1} and V _AC ≦ _{V 2} and V _AB ≦ _{V 3}
(Step 912), the power supply means determines that the battery 26 is a nickel-metal hydride battery (step 913),
Also, _{V A} ≦ _{V 7} and V _AC ≦ _{V 8} and V _AB ≦ _{V 9}
(Step 914), the power supply means determines that the battery 26 is a lithium battery (step 915),
Also, _{V A} ≦ _{V 10} and V _AC ≦ _{V 11} and V _AB ≦ _{V 12}
(Step 916), the power supply means determines that the battery 26 is a nickel manganese battery (step 917),
Otherwise,
The power supply means determines that the battery is unknown.

When the determination is completed, the main microcomputer 14 stores the determination result in the volatile memory unit 33. Further, when the determination result is the known battery 26, the main microcomputer 14 stores the battery information stored in the battery information unit 34 in advance. From among them, a threshold value table for battery remaining amount measurement that is most suitable for the determined type of battery 26 is read to perform remaining amount determination.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery 26 is unknown, the fact that the battery 26 is unknown is displayed on the display means (step 918), and a request is made to the user to determine that the operation is continued (step 919). Here, when the user selects the continuation of the operation by operating the operation means or the like, the process branches to step 805 in FIG. 8 to perform the same process of evaluating and determining the characteristics of the battery 26 as in the sixth embodiment. Then, it is confirmed whether the unknown battery 26 has characteristics suitable for the device 10. In this case, the measured value _VA at the time of no load is used as the value V ₀ , and the value _VL of the state with the load applied may not be measured using V _B or V _C. A new measurement can be performed by the main microcomputer 14 or the sub-microcomputer 18.

If the user does not select the continuation of the operation using the unknown battery 26 by operating the operation means or the like, an end process is performed (step 920), and after waiting in the initial state (step 921), the power supply is stopped. Is shut off (step 922).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiments, when an unknown battery 26 for which battery information is not registered in advance is mounted, whether or not operation of the device 10 is continued is determined. Is selectable, and when the operation continuation of the device 10 is selected, the operation of the device 10 is continued using the unknown battery 26 through the evaluation and determination of the characteristics shown in the sixth embodiment. Can be. In addition, a user who does not want to operate with an unknown battery 26 can be given an opportunity to prepare a default battery 26 or the like.

Note that, in this embodiment, even when the battery 26 is known, the characteristics of the battery 26 can be evaluated and determined in the same manner as in the case of the unknown battery 26.

In addition, since the function of determining the type of the battery 26 described in the first to sixth embodiments can be used for evaluating the characteristics of the battery 26, an increase in cost can be suppressed. That is, this embodiment can also be used in combination with each of the above embodiments.

The present invention is applicable not only to digital still cameras, but also to battery-powered devices that can use multiple types of batteries, and devices that can use multiple types of batteries and an external power source such as a commercial AC power source.

It is a block diagram showing one embodiment of an apparatus provided with a power supply unit of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the device for determining the battery type of the above device. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a device including the power supply device of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a battery charging operation of a device including the power supply device of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of displaying a remaining battery level of a device including the power supply device of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of battery confirmation and switching of a device including the power supply device of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of a device including the power supply device of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an apparatus same as the above. 11 is a flowchart illustrating still another embodiment of a device including the power supply device of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional battery type determination operation.

Explanation of reference numerals

10 Equipment 14 Main microcomputer as first control means 16 Power supply device 18 Sub-microcomputer as second control means 26 Battery as power supply means 27 External power supply as power supply means 32 Remaining power determination unit C1-Cn Transformer circuit D / D converter section

Claims (13)

A no-load measurement step of measuring the voltage of the power supply means in a substantially no-load state,
A low-load measurement step of measuring the voltage of the power supply means with the first load applied;
A high-load measurement step of measuring the voltage of the power supply means with a second load greater than the first load applied;
A determination step of determining power supply means from these voltages and a difference between these voltages. A first control unit and a second control unit,
The second control means is activated before the first control means is activated, measures and stores a substantially no-load voltage of the power supply means,
The first control unit adds a first load to the power supply unit and a second load larger than the first load, and measures a voltage at a low load and a voltage at a high load, A power supply type determination device, comprising: obtaining voltages at no load from the second control means, calculating a difference between these voltages, and determining a power supply means based on the difference and the measured voltage. The first control means includes:
Almost no-load voltage,
The difference between the voltage at almost no load and the voltage at low load,
The power supply type determination device according to claim 2, wherein the power supply means is determined based on a difference between a voltage at substantially no load and a voltage at high load. A first control unit and a second control unit that consumes less power than the first control unit;
The second control means is activated before the first control means is activated, measures and stores a substantially no-load voltage of the power supply means,
The first control means obtains a no-load voltage from the second control means after startup, obtains a voltage in a state where a load is applied to the power supply means, and controls the power supply means based on the values of these voltages. A power supply type determination device characterized by making a determination. The second control means measures and stores a voltage of the power supply means when there is substantially no load, and measures and stores a voltage in a state where a load is applied to the power supply means,
The first control means obtains a no-load voltage and a load-applied voltage from the second control means after startup, and determines a power supply means based on the values of these voltages. Item 5. The power supply type determination device according to Item 4. A power supply type determination device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The power supply device, wherein the first control means includes a remaining amount determination unit for determining a remaining amount when the power supply means is a battery. Equipped with multiple transformer circuits,
The first control means selects and uses the transformer circuit set according to the type of the power supply means and, when the power supply means is a battery, the remaining amount of the battery. Power supply. Equipped with a charging circuit to charge the battery,
When the power supply means is a battery, the first control means applies a load set according to the type of the battery and discharges the battery, and then supplies a current set according to the type of the battery. The power supply device according to claim 6, wherein the battery is charged. Display means,
The power supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein when the power supply means is a battery, the first control means displays a remaining amount set according to a type of the battery. Comprising display means and operation means,
The first control means displays the determined type of the power supply means on the display means,
If the operation means is operated within a predetermined time, the type of the determined power supply means is determined or changed according to the operation,
The power supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein when the operation means is not operated within a predetermined time, the type of the determined power supply means is determined. Display means;
A power supply type determination device for determining power supply means,
When the power supply means is a battery, the characteristics of the battery are evaluated, and when the battery is evaluated as inappropriate, the display means indicates that there is no remaining battery irrespective of the remaining battery power, and And a control unit for prohibiting the operation of a device to which the power is supplied. Display means;
Operating means;
A power supply type determination device for determining power supply means,
When the power supply means is an unknown battery, the display means displays an unknown battery point, and in accordance with the operation of the operation means, control means for enabling operation of a device to which electricity is supplied, A power supply device comprising: The power supply device according to claim 11, comprising the power supply type determination device according to claim 2.

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