JP2007147543A - Battery drive device, and driving method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery drive device capable of avoiding surely an operation of the unit under the condition where a battery voltage is not enough, and a driving method therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The battery drive device provided with a display part 22 and driven by a battery includes: an electric power source circuit part 24 for controlling power supply from the battery and for detecting the battery voltage; a memory 28 for recording the fact that the battery voltage detected by the electric power source circuit part 24 gets less than a prescribed value; and a CPU 26 for controlling the display part 22 to display an inquiry as to the presence of battery replacement, when finding the fact that the battery voltage gets less than the prescribed value in the last operation or before it, referring to the memory 28, in the start-up. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery driving device driven by a battery and a driving method thereof.

  The battery in use has a voltage drop in both the primary battery and the secondary battery, and the battery voltage drops with time. Devices driven by batteries often turn off the device power to prevent malfunction when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined value.

  In order to avoid forcibly turning off the power suddenly, a battery-powered device generally notifies the user of a shortage of the remaining battery level with a voice or a screen when the remaining battery level falls below a predetermined value (patent) Reference 1). In order to ensure battery replacement, there is a device that electrically detects battery replacement by a flip-flop circuit or the like, stores a power supply voltage, and re-detects the battery voltage upon restart (Patent Document 2). reference).

JP-A-9-269523 JP 2002-270248 A

  If the power is turned off and left for a while, the potential of the battery returns, and when the device is started again, it may be displayed that the remaining battery level is sufficient. If the operation of the device is continued even though there is no remaining battery power, the device may malfunction due to a rapid voltage drop during the operation. In addition, when the battery replacement is electrically detected, it is necessary to constantly monitor whether or not the battery is replaced even when the power is turned off, and a separate power source for continuous monitoring is necessary.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery driving device and a driving method thereof that can reliably avoid the operation of the device in a state where the battery voltage is insufficient.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a battery driving device and a driving method thereof that can ensure battery replacement in a device once a battery voltage shortage has occurred.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a battery driving device and a driving method thereof that can reliably avoid the operation of the device in a state where the battery voltage is insufficient without providing a separate power source for monitoring the battery voltage. .

In order to achieve the above object, a battery driving device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a battery driving device that includes a display unit and is driven by a battery, controls power supply from the battery, and detects a battery voltage. A power supply circuit unit, a memory that records that the battery voltage detected by the power supply circuit unit is less than a predetermined value, a reference to the memory at startup, and a battery voltage that is less than a predetermined value during the previous operation A control unit that controls the display unit to display a message asking whether or not to replace the battery when there is a record that the battery has been replaced.
Accordingly, when the battery voltage once becomes less than the predetermined value, the user can be surely notified of the necessity of battery replacement. In other words, even after a long time has elapsed after the battery voltage has become less than the predetermined value, it is possible for the user to reliably replace the battery. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably avoid malfunctions that may occur when the battery voltage temporarily drops from less than a predetermined value to a predetermined value or more and then rapidly decreases.
In addition, only the fact that the battery voltage has dropped is recorded in the non-volatile memory, and a separate power source for monitoring the battery voltage is not required, and this can be realized with a simple configuration.

In the above configuration, the control unit monitors whether or not the battery voltage detected by the power supply circuit unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value during normal operation. Record. For example, information indicating whether or not the battery voltage is less than a predetermined value and the detected battery voltage are recorded in the memory.
In this case, the control unit may control the power supply circuit unit so as to turn off the power supply from the battery after recording in the memory.

The battery drive device further includes, for example, an input unit that accepts an input from a user in response to an inquiry displayed on the display unit, and when there is an input from the input unit that the battery is not replaced, the control unit The power supply circuit unit is controlled to turn off the power supply from the battery.
In this case, the control unit may control the display unit to display that the remaining battery level is low before performing the control to turn off the power supply from the battery.

The battery drive device having the above configuration further includes, for example, an input unit that receives an input from a user in response to an inquiry displayed on the display unit, and when there is an input indicating that the battery has been replaced from the input unit, the control unit Normal operation processing is performed.
In this case, when there is an input indicating that the battery has been replaced from the input unit, the control unit may delete the record in the memory.

In order to achieve the above object, a driving method of a battery driving device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a driving method of a battery driving device driven by a battery, which detects a battery voltage, and the detected battery voltage is predetermined. A step of determining whether or not the detected battery voltage is less than a predetermined value, a step of recording that fact in a memory, a reference to the memory at the time of startup, and the battery voltage at the previous operation And a step of displaying an inquiry as to whether or not to replace the battery when there is a record that the value is less than the predetermined value.
Accordingly, when the battery voltage once becomes less than the predetermined value, the user can be surely notified of the necessity of battery replacement. In other words, even after a long time has elapsed after the battery voltage has become less than the predetermined value, it is possible for the user to reliably replace the battery. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably avoid malfunctions that may occur when the battery voltage temporarily drops from less than a predetermined value to a predetermined value or more and then rapidly decreases.
In addition, only the fact that the battery voltage has dropped is recorded in the non-volatile memory, and a separate power source for monitoring the battery voltage is not required, and this can be realized with a simple configuration.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the battery drive device which can avoid the operation | movement of an apparatus in the state where battery voltage is insufficient, and its drive method are provided.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment shown below is an example and is not limited to this. In the embodiment described below, a case where the present invention is applied to a portable recording device will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an input unit 12, an output unit 14, an AD (Analog to Digital) / DA (Digital to Analog) conversion unit 16, a recording unit 18, an operation unit 20, and a display unit 22. And a power supply circuit unit 24 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 26.

The input unit 12 is composed of a microphone or the like, and receives analog audio data.
The output unit 14 includes a speaker or the like, and outputs analog audio data. The output unit 14 may include a plug jack or the like and be configured to be connectable to an external speaker.

  The AD / DA converter 16 converts analog audio data from the outside via the input unit 12 into digital audio data. Further, the AD / DA conversion unit 16 converts digital audio data recorded in a memory 28 described later into analog audio data and sends the analog audio data to the output unit 14.

  The recording unit 18 records audio data input from the input unit 12 and digitally converted by the AD / DA conversion unit 16. The recording unit 18 includes a flash memory, a hard disk, and the like.

  The operation unit 20 receives an operation input for the user to specify the operation of the recording apparatus 10 such as processing of audio data. The operation unit 20 includes a keyboard, a touch panel, a jog dial, and the like, and may be any input means as long as it can accept an operation input from a user.

  The display unit 22 displays the operation content, operation result, battery remaining amount, and the like in the operation unit 20. The display unit 22 includes a liquid crystal display device or the like. As will be described later, the display unit 22 displays a character string for inquiring the user whether or not the battery has been replaced.

  The power supply circuit unit 24 controls power supply from the battery 4 that drives the recording device 10 and converts the power into power necessary for the device. Further, the power supply circuit unit 24 performs AD conversion on the battery voltage. Here, the battery is a replaceable primary battery or secondary battery.

  The CPU 26 comprehensively controls the operation of the recording device 10. That is, the CPU 26 outputs a command for controlling the AD / DA conversion unit 16, the display unit 22, and the recording unit 18, and also receives a signal input from the operation unit 20 to decode / encode audio data or perform audio data Control the recording operation. In addition, a signal for displaying recording information of the audio data recorded in the recording unit 18 is sent to the display unit 22.

  The CPU 26 controls the power supply circuit unit 24 to start or end the recording device 10 according to the operation of the recording device 10 from the operation unit 20. Further, the CPU 26 periodically acquires the voltage value of the battery from the power supply circuit unit 24, and determines whether or not the voltage value is less than a predetermined value (eg, 1.0 V) within a predetermined operation range. The CPU 26 controls the power supply circuit unit 24 to end the processing of the recording device 10 when the voltage value of the battery becomes less than a predetermined specified value so as to prevent malfunction due to the voltage drop of the battery.

  Further, when the CPU 26 determines that the acquired voltage value is less than a predetermined specified value, the CPU 26 records that fact in the memory 28 before ending the processing of the recording device 10. The content recorded in the memory 28 may be a flag of “0” or “1”, or may be a final voltage value.

  The memory 28 is composed of a nonvolatile memory. The memory 28 may be provided independently, or may be provided in recording means (not shown) or the recording unit 18 in which the program of the CPU 26 is stored.

  When the recording apparatus 10 is activated, the CPU 26 refers to the memory 28 and obtains information about whether or not the voltage value has become less than a predetermined specified value during the previous or previous operation. When the final voltage value is recorded in the memory 28, the determination is made based on whether this value is less than a predetermined specified value. When the history that the voltage value has become less than the specified value during the previous operation is not confirmed, the CPU 26 starts normal processing.

  When confirming the history that the voltage value has become less than the specified value during the previous operation, the CPU 26 controls the display unit 22 to display a display asking whether or not to replace the battery. The user who sees the display on the display unit 22 inputs whether or not to replace the battery from the operation unit 20. When the CPU 26 receives an input indicating that the battery has been replaced, the CPU 26 starts a normal operation. When the CPU 26 receives an input indicating that the battery has not been replaced, the CPU 26 controls the display unit 22 to display a display indicating that the remaining battery level is insufficient, and then performs the processing of the recording device 10. The power supply circuit unit 24 is controlled to finish.

  The operation of the recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the drawings. The operation described below is an example, and any configuration may be used as long as a similar result can be obtained.

  FIG. 2 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation in which the CPU 26 periodically monitors the battery voltage during the operation of the recording device 10.

  The CPU 26 acquires the battery voltage value from the power supply circuit unit 24 periodically, for example, every few minutes. For example, the power supply circuit unit 24 supplies the battery voltage to the CPU 26 as a voltage value by AD conversion or the like (step S101).

  The CPU 26 determines whether or not the acquired battery voltage value is less than a predetermined value (for example, 1.0 V) in a predetermined operation range (step S102). When the battery voltage value is 1.0 V or higher (step S102; NO), the CPU 26 ends the monitoring process and waits for the process execution until the next battery voltage monitoring time.

When the battery voltage value is less than 1.0 V (step S102; YES), the CPU 26 writes information to that effect in the memory 28 (step S103).
Thereafter, the CPU 26 displays that there is no remaining battery power on the display unit 22, and controls the power supply circuit unit 24 to turn off the power (step S104).

  The battery voltage monitoring process as described above prevents a malfunction of the recording apparatus 10 due to power shortage and ensures a safe operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of starting the recording apparatus 10.
CPU26 acquires the present battery voltage from the power supply circuit part 24 after starting of the recording apparatus 10 according to ON operation of the operation part 20 by a user (step S201). The power supply circuit unit 24 determines the voltage value by, for example, AD conversion and supplies the voltage value to the CPU 26.

  When the read battery voltage value is less than a predetermined value (for example, 1.0 V) of a predetermined operation range (step S202; NO), the CPU 26 displays on the display unit 22 that the remaining battery level is insufficient (step S202). After that, the power supply circuit unit 24 is controlled to turn off the power of the recording device 10 (step S210).

  When the read battery voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined specified value (step S202; YES), the CPU 26 refers to the memory 28 and acquires the recorded information (step S203).

  Based on the acquired information, the CPU 26 determines whether or not a decrease in battery voltage has occurred before the previous activation (step S204). When a voltage value is recorded in the memory 28, the determination is made based on whether or not the recorded voltage value is less than a predetermined specified value.

  When it is determined that the battery voltage has not dropped before the previous activation (step S204; NO), normal operation processing is performed (step S205).

  If it is determined that the battery voltage has dropped before the previous activation (step S204; YES), an inquiry as to whether the battery has been replaced is displayed on the display unit 22 (step S206). Wait for user operation.

  When an input indicating that the battery has been replaced is received (step S207; YES), the information recorded in the memory 28 is deleted (step S208). When using a flag, for example, “1” is rewritten to “0”. Thereafter, the CPU 26 performs a normal operation (step S206).

  When receiving an input indicating that the battery has not been replaced (step S207; NO), the CPU 26 causes the display unit 22 to display that the remaining battery level is insufficient (step S209), and then turns on the power of the recording device 10. The power supply circuit unit 24 is controlled to turn off (step S210).

  As described above, in the above embodiment of the present invention, when a battery voltage drop occurs before the previous start-up, this is stored, and the user is inquired whether or not to replace the battery at the subsequent start-up, and the battery Normal operation is performed only when the user inputs that it has been replaced.

  According to the present embodiment, when the battery voltage falls below the operable range of the recording device 10 and is forcibly terminated, the battery can be reliably replaced and stable operation can be ensured during subsequent use. . For example, after forcibly terminating due to insufficient voltage, the battery potential may return by leaving it for a while or the like, and when it is restarted, it may be displayed on the display unit 22 so that there is a remaining battery level. However, according to the present embodiment, even in such a case, the user can surely replace the battery, and it is possible to prevent malfunction of the apparatus due to a rapid voltage drop during the operation of the apparatus. Become.

  In addition, since the user confirms whether or not the battery is replaced at the time of startup, it is not necessary to constantly monitor whether or not the battery is replaced while the power is off, and a separate power source for constant monitoring is not necessary. Therefore, the present invention can be applied without imposing restrictions on the configuration and cost of the apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, the recording device 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is applicable to all electronic devices using batteries.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the recording device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining the operation | movement which regularly monitors a battery voltage during operation | movement in the recording device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when the apparatus is activated in the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: recording device, 12: input unit, 14: output unit, 16: AD / DA conversion unit, 18: recording unit, 20: operation unit, 22: display unit, 24: power supply circuit unit, 26: CPU, 28: memory

Claims (8)

A battery driving device including a display unit and driven by a battery,
A power supply circuit that controls power supply from the battery and detects battery voltage;
A memory that records that the battery voltage detected by the power supply circuit unit is less than a predetermined value;
A control unit that controls the display unit to display whether or not to replace the battery when there is a record that the battery voltage has become less than a predetermined value during the previous operation, with reference to the memory at the time of startup,
A battery driving device comprising: The control unit monitors whether or not the battery voltage detected by the power supply circuit unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value during normal operation, and records that fact in the memory when it is determined that the battery voltage is lower than the predetermined value.
The battery driving device according to claim 1. The control unit controls the power supply circuit unit to turn off the power supply from the battery after recording in the memory.
The battery driving device according to claim 2, wherein: An input unit that receives an input from a user for the inquiry displayed on the display unit;
When there is an input indicating that the battery is not replaced from the input unit, the control unit controls the power supply circuit unit to turn off the power supply from the battery.
The battery driving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery driving apparatus is a battery driving apparatus. The control unit controls the display unit to display that the remaining battery level is low before performing control to turn off the power supply from the battery.
The battery driving device according to claim 4. An input unit that receives an input from a user for the inquiry displayed on the display unit;
When there is an input indicating that the battery has been replaced from the input unit, the control unit performs normal operation processing.
The battery driving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery driving apparatus is a battery driving apparatus. When there is an input indicating that the battery has been replaced from the input unit, the control unit erases the record in the memory.
The battery driving device according to claim 6. A driving method of a battery driving device driven by a battery,
Detecting battery voltage and determining whether the detected battery voltage is less than a predetermined value;
When the detected battery voltage is less than a predetermined value, recording that fact in the memory;
A step of referring to the memory at start-up, and displaying a message asking whether or not to replace the battery when there is a record that the battery voltage has become less than a predetermined value during the previous operation;
A driving method of a battery driving device comprising:

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