JP2007135362A - Mobile terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal device and a charge control method by which a plurality of charging means are properly controlled. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile terminal device controls each charger so that charging is performed with a charging current value stored in advance, when a plurality of chargers are connected, or performs charging using one of a plurality of the chargers, or controls the charging current value that is outputted from a plurality of the chargers according to the detected charging current values of the plurality of the chargers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device including a plurality of charging means and a charging method.

  In recent years, applications of mobile terminal devices have become more sophisticated, and it has become possible to view TV broadcasts and browse web browsers. As the functions of applications increase, the current consumption of mobile terminal devices increases rapidly. However, there is a problem that the operation time of the terminal device is gradually shortened because it is difficult to increase the battery capacity in order to maintain small size, light weight, and low price.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a power supply system for an optical communication terminal device that charges a battery from both a solar cell and a commercial power source or from either one.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-285825 (FIG. 1)

  The power supply system described in the above-mentioned patent document is a situation where power is always supplied from a commercial power source to a stationary device. The main purpose is to secure power when the commercial power supply function stops. Therefore, it is difficult to apply the above system to a portable terminal device that cannot always supply power from a commercial power source.

  Then, adopting a fuel cell is considered as one of the methods of extending the operation time of a portable terminal device. Although it is necessary to purchase fuel, it can be made smaller than a solar cell and is suitable for a portable terminal device. Moreover, it can be said that it is suitable for a portable terminal device that power can be stably supplied regardless of the place and the weather.

  However, the current charging means of the portable terminal device is only an AC adapter, and cannot support a plurality of charging means. Furthermore, a charging control method when a plurality of charging means perform charging simultaneously has not been established. In addition, the charging circuit of the mobile terminal device is provided with a protection circuit to prevent a failure due to overcharging. The protection circuit monitors whether or not the actual charging current exceeds a predetermined maximum charging current. When the actual charging current exceeds the maximum charging current, the protection circuit is cut off to stop charging. Of course, the AC adapter is also designed to charge below this maximum charging current. However, if a new fuel cell as a second charging means is newly added to the charging with the AC adapter, it is expected that the charging current will exceed the maximum charging current, and new control will be performed. Necessary.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the charge control method and portable terminal device which can control a several charging means appropriately.

  When a plurality of charging units are connected, the mobile terminal device according to the present invention controls each charging unit so as to perform charging with a pre-stored charging current value, or controls one of the plurality of charging units. The charging current values output from the plurality of charging units are controlled in accordance with the charging current values of the plurality of charging units that are controlled or detected to be used.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the charge control method and portable terminal device which can control a several charging means appropriately.

  A control method when charging is performed from a plurality of charging means will be described. Here, two AC adapters and fuel cells are used as a plurality of charging means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other charging means may be used, or when three or more kinds of charging means are used. You may apply to.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a mobile terminal device including a plurality of charging units. In addition, although not shown in figure, the portable terminal device shall be provided with the some connection part which connects a charging means. In the figure, the AC adapter 1 is described as being included in a part of the portable terminal device, but is not limited to the one built in the portable terminal device, and the portable terminal device is used as an external device by a connection unit (not shown). The case where it is connected to is also included.

  The charging current output from the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 is supplied to the built-in battery 4 via the charging unit 3. The power supply LSI 5 converts the power stored in the built-in battery 4 into a desired voltage / current value and outputs it to each LSI in the terminal device. The control unit 6 performs on / off control of each charging unit.

  The charging current of the AC adapter 1 and the charging current from the fuel cell unit 2 are designed in advance so as not to exceed the maximum charging current of the protection circuit provided even when both charging currents are added. For example, when the maximum charging current that can be safely charged is 100%, the charging current supplied from the AC adapter 1 is 90% of the maximum charging current, and the charging current supplied from the fuel cell unit 2 is the maximum charging. 9% of the current. This set value is stored in the memory unit 7. Note that the memory unit 7 may be omitted when using an AC adapter and a fuel cell unit in which the maximum value of the supplied charging current is 90% and 9% of the maximum charging current, respectively.

  Also, the set value may be set in advance at the time of manufacture, or (AC adapter: fuel cell) = (90%: 9%), (70%: 29%), (50%: 49%), etc. As described above, the user may select and set from a plurality of options.

  As described above, in the main charging control, a charging current that can be safely charged in advance is set, and control that dynamically changes the charging current is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to omit a protection circuit for monitoring whether the maximum charging current is exceeded. However, in order to cope with unforeseen circumstances, it is desirable that the charging unit 3 includes a protection circuit in order to prevent the occurrence of a failure due to overcharging. By providing the protection circuit, if the sum of both charging currents exceeds the maximum charging current by mistake, the control unit 6 can be notified and control can be performed to stop charging.

  As described above, in the charging control unit shown in FIG. 1, charging is performed with a predetermined charging current supplied from each charging unit. Therefore, even if a plurality of charging means are connected and charging is performed at the same time, even if charging is performed by adding all the received currents, the built-in battery 4 is charged with less than the maximum charging current of the protection circuit. Is possible.

  In order to apply this charging control, the charging current value supplied from each charging means must be a predetermined value, so the AC adapter 1 is a standard terminal device, and the fuel cell unit 2 is preferably a terminal built-in type. However, even a purchased charging means may be used. In this case, the user inputs the charging current value of each charging means to the portable terminal device, and the control unit 6 determines whether charging is possible from a plurality of charging means at the same time. To do.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart during charging. The relationship between the on / off state of the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 and the charging mode is shown. The combination in which the AC adapter 1 is in the on state and the fuel cell unit 2 in the off state is the indoor normal charging mode, the combination in which both the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 are in the on state at the same time is the indoor fast charging mode, and the AC adapter 1 is in the off state. The combination in which the fuel cell unit 2 is on is the outdoor normal charging mode. Thus, by providing a plurality of charging modes, the user can select a charging method according to the situation, and the user-friendliness can be improved. For example, when taking it outdoors, the fuel cell unit 2 is charged only to reduce the decrease in the remaining battery level, and when returning home, the fuel cell unit 2 is stopped and charged with the AC adapter 1 as before. I do. If there is not much time, charging is performed simultaneously from both the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2. As described above, by simultaneously charging the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2, it is possible to complete the charging in a shorter time than the charging time using only the conventional AC adapter 1.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the charging current supplied from each charging means is set so as not to exceed the maximum charging current of the protection circuit of the charging unit 3 regardless of the operation mode.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the mobile terminal device. Components having the same functions as those in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the connection detection part 8 which detects whether the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell part 2 are connected is provided.
The control unit 6 receives a connection detection signal for detecting that the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 are connected from the connection detection unit 8 so that the state of the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 can be grasped sequentially. It has become. A control signal for individually performing on / off control is output from the control unit 6 to the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2.

  In the present embodiment, exclusive control is performed so that charging current is supplied from either the AC adapter 1 or the fuel cell unit 2. In this example, it is assumed that the maximum charging current value of the protection circuit is not exceeded by one charging means.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart during charging. In this example, the charging current of the AC adapter 1 is larger than the charging current of the fuel cell unit 2, and when the charging current of the AC adapter 1 and the charging current of the fuel cell unit 2 are added together, the maximum charging current of the protection circuit is exceeded. Suppose that It is assumed that the AC adapter 1 is not connected when the terminal device is turned on.

  When the power-on operation is performed, the terminal device starts to operate with the power charged in the built-in battery. After the power is turned on, the remaining amount of the built-in battery gradually decreases, so the fuel cell unit 2 adds and charges.

  When the AC adapter 1 is connected and the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell 2 are charged simultaneously, the combined charging current exceeds the maximum charging current of the protection circuit. For this reason, in this example, when the connection detecting unit 8 detects that the AC adapter 1 is connected, the control unit 6 outputs an on / off control signal and stops charging by the fuel cell 2. Control. This can prevent the maximum charging current from being exceeded. When the charging by the AC adapter 1 is completed and removed from the AC adapter 1, the charging by the fuel cell unit 2 is automatically restored, and the charging is continued by adding to the built-in battery.

  In this example, since the charging current by the AC adapter 1 is larger, the fuel cell unit 2 is stopped. However, it may be possible to select which one to stop by user selection. Depending on the user, even when the AC adapter 1 is connected, charging by the fuel cell unit 2 may be desired. Therefore, by making user selection possible, control according to the usage pattern of the user Therefore, usability can be improved.

  In addition, when a plurality of charging units are connected, data indicating which charging unit is to be stopped may be stored in the memory unit 7. For example, a combination of charging means to be connected and a charging means to be stopped in the combination are stored. At this time, in the case of a combination that does not exceed the maximum current value even if both charging current values are added together, it may be set so that neither charging means stops. Thereby, it can charge efficiently.

  Further, when the charging current of each charging means is detected and the maximum receiving current is likely to be exceeded, the control unit 6 may stop the charging means with the least charging current or the charging means selected by the user. good.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the charging control of FIG. When the power of the terminal device is turned on, various LSIs in the terminal start operating by the built-in battery 4, and when the remaining amount of the built-in battery 4 decreases, the fuel cell unit 2 starts charging (S100). It is determined whether charging of the built-in battery 4 is completed (S101). If charging is not completed, it is determined whether the AC adapter is connected (S102).

  When the AC adapter 1 is connected, the control unit 6 detects the connection detection signal on the AC adapter 1 side and recognizes that the AC adapter is connected (Yes in S102). The control unit 6 stops the charging operation of the fuel cell unit 2 using the individual on / off control signal (S103), and starts charging from the AC adapter 1 (S104). The charging with the AC adapter is continued until the charging is completed or the AC adapter is removed (No in S106). If the portable terminal is disconnected from the AC adapter 1 before the charging is completed, the charging by the fuel cell unit 2 is automatically restarted (Yes in S106).

  In this example, resumption of charging by the fuel cell unit 2 is automatically performed, but the user may be allowed to select whether to resume. In this case, when the AC adapter 1 is disconnected, the control unit 6 displays a message for selecting whether or not to resume charging by the fuel cell on the display means (not shown) of the terminal device, and resumes to the user from the input means (not shown). Let the user enter the permission. Depending on the situation of the user, it may be desired to save fuel, and by making it selectable, usability can be improved. Further, if charging is repeated while the battery is charged to nearly 100%, the battery 4 may be deteriorated. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the battery 4 becomes a predetermined value such as 70% or less, the fuel is reduced. You may control to restart charge by a battery.

  In addition, although the case where the charging current value of a plurality of charging means is grasped in advance has been described, the present invention may be applied to the case where a charging means that does not grasp the charging current value is used. For example, when a charger other than the standard charger is used, the terminal device does not always know the charging current value. In that case, a detection unit for detecting the charging current value supplied from the charging unit is provided. When a plurality of charging units are connected, the control unit 6 turns on the charging unit with the largest charging current, and the like. The charging means is controlled to be turned off. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the charging current added by the control unit 6 exceeds the maximum charging current of the protection circuit.

  The control method in the case where the maximum current value is not exceeded by one charging means has been described above. However, when various charging means can be connected, the maximum current value can be exceeded even by one charging means. There is sex. Therefore, it is desirable to control the charging means whose charging current value detected by the current detection unit exceeds the maximum current value to be turned off regardless of the number of connected charging means.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the mobile terminal device. Components having the same functions as those in FIG.

  The example shown in FIG. 6 includes a current detection unit 9 that detects whether or not a charging current is flowing and how much the charging current is. The control unit 6 monitors the charging current based on the charging current value output from the current detection unit 9 and monitors the charging current supplied from the AC adapter 1 or the fuel cell unit 2. The control unit 6 outputs a control signal for individually increasing or decreasing the charging current value to the AC adapter 1 or the fuel cell unit 2.

  In this embodiment, the charging current supplied from each charging unit is dynamically changed. This change in the charging current is performed according to an instruction from the control unit 6. When charging from the AC adapter 1 and charging from the fuel cell unit 2 occur at the same time, one of the charging currents so that the sum of the charging currents from the plurality of charging means does not exceed the maximum charging current of the protection circuit Decrease.

  The charging current value of the AC adapter 1 and the charging current value of the fuel cell unit 2 are not particularly limited, and the charging current value is dynamically reduced according to the connection state of the charging means. Here, as an example, assuming that the maximum charging current of the protection circuit is 100%, the charging current supplied from the AC adapter 1 is 90% of the maximum charging current of the protection circuit, and the charging current supplied from the fuel cell unit 2 is protected. 20% of the maximum charging current of the circuit.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart during charging.

  The operation mode in the on / off state of the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 and the combination of each state is shown. The combination in which the AC adapter 1 is in the on state and the fuel cell unit 2 in the off state is the indoor normal charging mode. The combination in which the fuel cell unit 2 is on is the outdoor normal charging mode. In any operation mode, the control unit 6 controls the charging current so that the maximum charging current of the protection circuit of the charging unit 3 is not exceeded.

  By carrying out such charge control, when taking it outdoors, the fuel cell unit 2 is charged only to reduce the decrease in the remaining battery level, and when returning home, the fuel cell unit 2 is stopped. Charging is performed by the AC adapter 1 as described above. When there is not much time, charging is performed simultaneously from both the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2. If the AC adapter 1 and the fuel cell unit 2 are charged at the same time, the charging can be completed in a shorter time than the charging time of the conventional AC adapter 1 alone. The user can select a charging method according to the charging time.

  When a plurality of charging means are connected, the control unit 6 obtains the sum value of the charging current, and when it is determined that the maximum charging current value of the protection circuit is exceeded, the summed charging current value is less than the maximum charging current value. In addition, the charging current value of the charging unit is decreased using a current value control signal for controlling the charging current value output from the charging unit. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the charging current of the fuel cell unit 2 is decreased. Here, the amount of decrease is an amount that does not exceed the maximum charging current even when combined with the charging current of the AC adapter 1 and is 11% of the maximum charging current. Therefore, even if a plurality of charging means are connected and charged at the same time, the built-in battery 4 can be charged with less than the maximum charging current of the protection circuit.

  Although the charging current of the fuel cell unit 2 is reduced here, the charging current of the other AC adapter 1 may be decreased. However, in order to reduce the charging current of the AC adapter 1, it is necessary to use a new AC adapter that can vary the charging current. Therefore, it is desirable to control the charging current of the fuel cell to be reduced so that the existing AC adapter can be used.

  When the AC adapter 1 is removed, the control unit 6 automatically returns the charged state of the fuel cell unit 2 to the state before the AC adapter 1 is connected.

  In the case of the main charging control, since the charging current supplied from each charging means is monitored in real time, the usable charging means is not limited. Therefore, not only the terminal built-in type and the standard product but also a commercially available charger can be used.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a charging control flowchart.

  When the power of the terminal device is turned on, various LSIs inside the terminal start to operate by the built-in battery 4. When the remaining amount of the built-in battery 4 is reduced, charging of the fuel cell unit 2 starts, and the charging current of the fuel cell unit 2 is monitored and recorded in the memory unit 7 (S200). It is determined whether charging of the built-in battery 4 is completed (S101). If charging is not completed, it is determined whether the AC adapter 1 is connected (S102).

  When the AC adapter 1 is connected (Yes in S102), the control unit 6 monitors the charging current of the charging means of the AC adapter 1 and records it in the memory unit 7 (S201). The control unit 6 calculates the amount of decrease in the charging current of the fuel cell unit 2 from each charging current value recorded in the memory unit 7 so as not to exceed the maximum charging current (S202). Based on the calculation result, the control unit 6 reduces the charging current of the fuel cell unit 2 by the current value control signal (S203). When the control unit 6 confirms that charging from the fuel cell unit 2 is stopped by the output from the current detection unit 9, the control unit 6 starts charging from the AC adapter 1 (S204). The charging with the AC adapter is continued until the charging is completed or the AC adapter is removed (No in S106). If the portable terminal is disconnected from the AC adapter 1 before the charging is completed (Yes in S106), the charging by the fuel cell unit 2 is automatically restarted (S200).

  By controlling in this way, safe charge control can be performed even when a plurality of charging means are connected.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline of a portable terminal device. It is an example of the timing chart at the time of charge. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline of a portable terminal device. It is an example of the timing chart at the time of charge. It is an example of a charge control flowchart. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline of a portable terminal device. It is an example of the timing chart at the time of charge. It is an example of a charge control flowchart.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... AC adapter, 2 ... Fuel cell part, 3 ... Charging part, 4 ... Built-in battery, 5 ... Power supply control part, 6 ... Control part, 7 ... Memory part, 8 ... Connection detection part, 9 ... Current detection part

Claims (5)

A secondary battery charged by a charging unit;
A first connecting part to which the first charging part is connected;
A second connection to which the second charging unit is connected;
A storage unit for storing a charging current value output by the first charging unit and a charging current value output by the second charging unit;
When the first charging unit and the second charging unit are connected to the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit, respectively, the first charging unit and the second charging unit are the A control unit that controls to charge the secondary battery with a charging current value stored in the storage unit;
A portable terminal device comprising: A secondary battery charged by a charging unit;
A first connecting part to which the first charging part is connected;
A second connection to which the second charging unit is connected;
When the first charging unit and the second charging unit are connected to the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit, respectively, either the first charging unit or the second charging unit A control unit for controlling to charge the secondary battery by either
A portable terminal device comprising: The portable terminal device has a plurality of charging modes, and includes a selection unit that selects one of the plurality of charging modes,
The control unit is in a selection mode selected by the selection unit when the first charging unit and the second charging unit are connected to the first connection unit and the second connection unit, respectively. The mobile terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the secondary battery is charged by either the first charging unit or the second charging unit accordingly. The portable terminal device includes a storage unit that stores information indicating a combination of types of the first charging unit and the second charging unit and a type of charging unit that performs charging in the combination,
The control unit is based on information stored in the storage unit when the first charging unit and the second charging unit are connected to the first connection unit and the second connection unit, respectively. The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the secondary battery is charged by one of the first charging unit and the second charging unit. A secondary battery charged by a charging unit;
A first connecting part to which the first charging part is connected;
A second connection to which the second charging unit is connected;
A current detection unit for detecting a charging current value output by the first charging unit and a charging current value output by the second charging unit;
When the first charging unit and the second charging unit are connected to the first connection unit and the second connection unit, respectively, based on the charging current value detected by the current detection unit, A control unit for controlling a charging current value of the first charging unit and the second charging unit;
A portable terminal device comprising:

Images