JP2008170169A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for calculating a remaining quantity level of a battery, which is well-adapted to a user's sense of use. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic device includes a battery loading section which can be loaded with a battery, a remaining quantity level detecting section for detecting a remaining quantity of the battery, and a remaining quantity level calculating section for normalizing the remaining quantity of the battery from the full-charged quantity of a standard battery which is used as a reference for the normalizing, and outputting it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to calculation and display of a remaining battery capacity of an electronic device.

In a general electronic device, the voltage of a loaded battery is measured, a remaining capacity is calculated based on this voltage, and the remaining amount level is displayed and the operation of the electronic device is controlled.
As an example of the electronic device, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which when a plurality of batteries are loaded, a remaining capacity is determined based on an average voltage of each battery voltage and a remaining capacity level is displayed. It is disclosed.
JP-A-5-99998

By the way, when batteries with different full charge capacities are connected to an electronic device, the value of the remaining capacity is different for each battery even if the ratio of the remaining capacity is the same. Therefore, in the above case, the change in the remaining amount level display accompanying the decrease in the remaining capacity is not constant. Therefore, there is room for improvement in that it is difficult for the user to grasp the actual remaining operation time and the like.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a means for calculating a remaining battery level suitable for a user's feeling of use.

The electronic device according to claim 1, a battery loading unit capable of loading a rechargeable battery, a remaining amount level detecting unit for detecting a remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery, and a full charge capacity value of a reference battery serving as a standard for normalization And a remaining amount level calculation unit that normalizes and outputs the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery.
The electronic device according to claim 2 is the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery includes a remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining capacity, and the remaining amount level detecting unit is configured to detect the remaining amount. The apparatus further includes a battery communication unit that communicates with the unit.

An electronic device according to a third aspect is the electronic device according to the first aspect, further comprising a remaining amount level display unit that displays the remaining capacity.
The electronic device according to claim 4 is the electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the remaining amount level display unit displays the remaining capacity so that a full charge capacity value of the reference battery becomes 100%. It is characterized by that.

The electronic device according to claim 5 further includes a control unit that performs operation control of the electronic device in the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls operation of the electronic device according to the remaining capacity. It is characterized by changing.
The electronic device according to claim 6 is the electronic device according to claim 5, wherein when the remaining capacity is equal to or less than a threshold value, the control unit operates in the power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than that during normal operation. It is characterized by performing operation control.

  In the electronic device according to claim 7, in the electronic device according to claim 1, when a plurality of rechargeable batteries having different full charge capacities are connected so as to be able to supply power, the control unit includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries. Among them, one rechargeable battery is set as a reference battery, and the remaining charge level calculation unit normalizes the remaining capacity of each of the rechargeable batteries based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery, and a plurality of the rechargeable batteries. The total remaining capacity of the battery is output.

  The electronic device according to claim 8, further comprising an operation unit that receives a selection input of the reference rechargeable battery from a user in the electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the remaining amount level calculation unit is subjected to the selection input Based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery, the remaining capacity of each of the rechargeable batteries is normalized, and the total remaining capacity is output.

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the remaining battery level suitable for the user's feeling of use.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electronic camera system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera system includes an electronic camera and a battery pack that can be added to the electronic camera.
The electronic camera includes a first battery loading unit 1, a DC-DC converter 3, a first battery detection SW 4, a battery loading detection unit 6, a flash light emitting unit 7, an imaging lens 8, an AF motor 9, and an aperture. 10, an aperture motor 11, an imaging unit 12, a control unit 13, a remaining amount level display unit 14, and an operation unit 15. The DC-DC converter 3, the battery loading detection unit 6, the flash light emission unit 7, the AF motor 9, the aperture motor 11, the imaging unit 12, the remaining amount level display unit 14, and the operation unit 15 are Each is connected to the control unit 13.

The battery pack includes a second battery loading unit 2 and a second battery detection SW5. The output of the second battery detection SW5 of the battery pack is connected to the battery loading detection unit 6 of the electronic camera.
The first battery loading unit 1 is a battery box in which a battery can be loaded.
The first battery 1 a is loaded in the first battery loading unit 1. The first battery 1a is a secondary battery such as a lithium battery. The first battery 1a includes a CPU 1b and a rechargeable battery 1c. The CPU 1b calculates the remaining capacity of the first battery 1a based on voltage information, charge / discharge current information, temperature information, and the like of the battery 1c. The battery 1c supplies power to the connected electronic device (electronic camera). The CPU 1b calculates the remaining capacity of the first battery 1a by converting it from 0% to 100% with the full charge capacity value of the first battery 1a as a reference (100%). In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the full charge capacity value of the first battery 1a is 1500 mAh.

The second battery loading unit 2 is a battery box in which a battery can be loaded.
The second battery loading unit 2 is loaded with the second battery 2a. Since the structure of the 2nd battery 2a is the same as that of the 1st battery 1a as shown in FIG. 1, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the full charge capacity value of the second battery 2a is 3000 mAh.
The DC-DC converter 3 converts the power supplied from the battery of the first battery loading unit 1 or the second battery loading unit 2 into a voltage necessary for each unit of the electronic camera according to an instruction from the control unit 13.

The first battery detection SW 4 is a switch for detecting a battery loaded in the first battery detection unit 1. The first battery detection SW 4 is turned on when a battery is loaded in the first battery loading unit 1, and outputs a detection signal indicating battery loading to the battery loading detection unit 6.
The second battery detection SW 5 is a switch for detecting a battery loaded in the second battery detection unit 2. The second battery detection SW 5 is turned on when a battery is loaded in the second battery loading unit 2, and outputs a detection signal indicating battery loading to the battery loading detection unit 6.

The battery loading detection unit 6 determines whether or not a battery is loaded in the electronic camera and the battery pack.
The flash light emitting unit 7 irradiates the subject with flash light. The flash light emitting unit 7 is driven by a light emission control unit (not shown).
The imaging lens 8 includes a plurality of lens groups including a focusing lens. The imaging lens 8 forms a subject image on an imaging surface of an imaging element (not shown) of the imaging unit 12. The lens position of the imaging lens 8 is adjusted by the AF motor 9.

The diaphragm 10 controls the amount of light that passes through the imaging lens 8. The aperture value of the aperture 10 is adjusted by the aperture motor 11.
The imaging unit 12 captures a subject image and generates image data. The imaging unit 12 includes an imaging element that photoelectrically converts a subject image generated by a light beam that has passed through the imaging lens 8, an A / D conversion unit that performs A / D conversion of an output signal of the imaging element, and data after A / D conversion. And an image processing unit that performs image processing. Detailed illustration of the configuration of the imaging unit 12 is omitted.

The control unit 13 is a processor that performs overall control of the electronic camera according to a predetermined sequence program. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 13 includes a remaining amount level detecting unit 13a and a remaining amount level calculating unit 13b.
The remaining level detecting unit 13a performs serial communication with the batteries loaded in the first battery loading unit 1 and the second battery loading unit 2, and receives the full charge capacity value and the remaining capacity of each battery.

The remaining amount level calculation unit 13b calculates the remaining capacity of at least one of the batteries loaded in the first battery loading unit 1 and the second battery loading unit 2 based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery serving as a standard for normalization. Normalize and output. A detailed description of the calculation of the remaining capacity will be given later.
Here, the reference battery will be described. The reference battery is a battery capacity that is used as a standard for normalization when the remaining battery level calculation unit 13b calculates the remaining capacity of the battery connected to the electronic camera. For example, when the first battery 1a is used as the reference battery, the remaining amount level calculation unit 13b sets the full charge capacity value 1500 mAh of the first battery 1a to 100% and the remaining capacity of the battery connected to the electronic camera. Calculate the percentage. In this embodiment, in addition to the battery loaded in the electronic camera or the battery pack, the capacity of the battery recorded in advance in a memory (not shown) can be used as the reference battery.

Then, the control unit 13 changes the operation control of each unit according to the remaining capacity calculated by the remaining amount level calculating unit 13b. For example, when the remaining capacity of the battery connected to the electronic camera is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 13 controls the operation of each unit in a power saving mode that consumes less power than during normal operation. The detailed description of the power saving mode will be described later.
Furthermore, the control unit 13 executes various calculations (AF, AE, etc.) required at the time of shooting. The control unit 13 controls the imaging lens 8 through the AF motor 9 and controls the diaphragm 10 through the diaphragm motor 11.

  The remaining amount level display unit 14 is configured by a liquid crystal monitor in the example of the present embodiment. The remaining amount level display unit 14 displays the remaining capacity calculated by the remaining amount level calculation unit 13b according to an instruction from the control unit 13. The remaining amount level display unit 14 can also display a menu screen or the like that allows input in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) format. On the above menu screen, the user can make a selection input of the above reference battery to the control unit 13.

The operation unit 15 has a release button, an operation button, and the like. The operation button of the operation unit 15 receives, for example, a selection input for the reference battery from the user.
Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic camera of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a remaining capacity calculation process. Note that FIG. 2 will be described on the assumption that the battery pack is attached to the electronic camera.

In step S <b> 1, the battery loading detection unit 6 determines whether or not the first battery 1 a is loaded in the first battery loading unit 1. When the first battery 1a is loaded (Y), the process proceeds to S2. On the other hand, when the 1st battery 1a is not loaded (N), it transfers to S3.
In step S2, the remaining amount detection unit 13a receives the full charge capacity value and the remaining capacity of the first battery 1a through serial communication with the first battery 1a.

In step S <b> 3, the battery loading detection unit 6 determines whether or not the second battery 2 a is loaded in the second battery loading unit 2. When the second battery 2a is loaded (Y), the process proceeds to S4. On the other hand, when the second battery 2a is not loaded (N), the process proceeds to S5.
In step S4, the remaining amount level detection unit 13a receives the full charge capacity value and the remaining capacity of the second battery 2a through serial communication with the second battery 2a.

In step S5, the control unit 13 accepts a reference battery selection input from the user.
First, in response to an operation from the operation unit 15, the control unit 13 brings up a menu screen related to the selection of the reference battery on the remaining amount level display unit 14. In the above menu screen, the battery determined to be loaded in S1 and S3 and the capacity of the battery recorded in the memory (not shown) are displayed as user selection items.

The control unit 13 receives a reference battery selection input from the user via the operation unit 15.
For example, when both the first battery 1a and the second battery 2a are loaded, the first battery 1a, the second battery 2a, and the recorded battery capacity are displayed as user selection items. Is done. On the other hand, when only the first battery 1a is loaded, the first battery 1a and the recorded battery capacity are displayed as user selection items.

In step S6, the battery loading detection unit 6 determines whether or not both the first battery 1a and the second battery 2a are loaded. When both the first battery 1a and the second battery 2a are loaded (Y), the process proceeds to S7. On the other hand, when at least one of the first battery 1a and the second battery 2a is not loaded (N), the process proceeds to S8.
In step S7, the remaining amount level calculation unit 13a calculates the total remaining capacity of the first battery 1a and the second battery 2a as a total remaining capacity (%).

First, the control unit 13 specifies a reference battery in the remaining amount level calculation unit 13b in accordance with the selection input in S5.
Then, the remaining amount level calculation unit 13b normalizes the remaining capacity of each battery based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery, and calculates the total remaining capacity. Here, a formula for calculating the total remaining capacity of the battery A and the battery B based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery is represented by the following formula. The correction coefficient is a coefficient for correcting the total remaining capacity according to the characteristics of the battery and the electronic camera.

Total remaining capacity (%) = Battery A remaining capacity (%) × (Battery A full charge capacity value / reference battery full charge capacity value) + Battery B remaining capacity (%) × (Battery B full charge capacity value / reference battery full For example, when the first battery 1a is used as a reference battery, the total remaining capacity can be calculated by the following equation.
Total remaining capacity (%) = first battery 1a remaining capacity (%) + second battery 2a remaining capacity (%) × (second battery 2a full charge capacity value / first battery 1a full charge capacity value) × correction coefficient Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the remaining capacity of both the first battery 1a (1500 mAh) and the second battery 2a (3000 mAh) is 100% and the correction coefficient is 1, the total remaining capacity is as follows: It becomes 300% by the formula of

100 + 100 × (3000/1500) × 1 = 300 (%)
In step S8, the battery loading detection unit 6 determines whether or not both the first battery 1a and the second battery 2a are loaded. When neither the first battery 1a nor the second battery 2a is loaded (Y), the control unit 13 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when either the first battery 1a or the second battery 2a is loaded (N), the process proceeds to S9.

In step S9, the remaining amount level calculation unit 13a calculates the normalized remaining capacity of the battery connected to the electronic camera.
First, the control unit 13 specifies a reference battery in the remaining amount level calculation unit 13b in accordance with the selection input in S5.
The remaining amount level calculation unit 13b then normalizes and outputs the remaining battery capacity detected in S1 or S3 based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery. A formula for calculating the remaining capacity of the battery A based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery is represented by the following formula.

Remaining capacity (%) = Battery A remaining capacity (%) × (Battery A full charge capacity value / reference battery full charge capacity value) × correction coefficient For example, a full charge previously recorded in a memory (not shown) as a reference battery When a battery with a capacity value of 2000 mAh is selected, the remaining capacity of the loaded first battery 1a is 50%, and the correction coefficient is 1, the normalized remaining capacity is 37.5% according to the following equation. .

50 × (1500/2000) × 1 = 37.5 (%)
In step S10, the remaining amount level display unit 14 displays the remaining amount display level based on the remaining capacity calculated in S7 or S9. Here, the remaining amount level display unit 14 displays the remaining amount display level shown in FIG. In the display of the remaining amount display level, the full charge capacity value of the reference battery is set to 100%, and the remaining capacity is divided into five display segments for character display. The division of each display segment is 80% or more, less than 80% -60% or more, less than 60% -40% or more, less than 40% -20% or more, less than 20% -1% or more. For example, if the remaining capacity is less than 80% -60% or more, the display shown in FIG. If it is less than 60% -40% or more, the display shown in FIG. When it reaches 0%, the display shown in FIG. In S10, the remaining amount level display unit 14 may display not only the remaining amount display level but also the ratio of the remaining capacity as a numerical value.

In step S11, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the remaining capacity calculated in S7 or S9 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. When the remaining capacity is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (Y), the process proceeds to S12. On the other hand, when the remaining capacity is larger than the predetermined threshold (N), the control unit 13 ends the process of FIG.
In step S12, the control unit 13 controls the operation of each unit in a power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal operation. Note that switching from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode is automatically performed by the control unit 13. In the power saving mode, for example, the control unit 13 (1) controls the operation of each part of the electronic camera according to a predetermined time difference, (2) restricts or prohibits the use of the flash light emitting unit 7, and (3) the operation clock. Operation control such as lowering the frequency can be performed.

Specifically, in the case of (1), in the normal operation mode, the control unit 13 simultaneously drives the light emission control unit (not shown), the AF motor 9, the aperture motor 11, and the like. In the power mode, each is driven with a slight time difference.
In the case of (2), the control unit 13 suppresses the light emission amount of the flash light emitting unit 7 or restricts the use of the flash light emitting unit 7.

In the case of (3), the control unit 13 performs operation control such as reducing the operation clock of each unit of the electronic camera.
When the remaining capacity of the battery connected to the electronic camera is reduced and the control unit 13 determines that each part of the electronic camera is at a level where it cannot be driven, the control unit 13 ends the processing of FIG. Can do.

Hereinafter, the effect of this embodiment is demonstrated.
In the electronic camera of the above embodiment, the remaining capacity of the battery connected to the electronic camera is normalized based on the full charge capacity of the reference battery. Therefore, in the past, when batteries with different full charge capacities were loaded, the relationship between the actual remaining capacity decrease and the remaining capacity display level was not constant, and even when it was difficult for the user to grasp the remaining capacity, the remaining capacity was reduced. Accordingly, the remaining amount display level and the remaining operation are constant, so that the remaining amount level suitable for the user's feeling of use can be displayed.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the electronic camera can be controlled based on the normalized remaining capacity, the operation is prohibited even though the remaining battery capacity is actually large. Can be prevented. Conversely, it is possible to prevent the electronic camera from operating in a state where the remaining capacity of the battery is very small. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic camera can be driven for a longer time in the power saving mode.

(Supplement of embodiment)
In S5 of FIG. 2, a reference battery may be set in advance according to the electronic camera. For example, if a battery that can be loaded into the electronic camera body, such as the first battery 1a, is set in advance as a reference battery, an additional battery such as the second battery 2a is added or not added. In some cases, the remaining amount level calculation unit 13b can calculate the remaining capacity in which consistency is maintained.

Further, in S11 to S12, the remaining capacity is calculated by the remaining amount level calculation unit 13b and the operation control in the power saving mode is performed. However, the processing up to S10 may be performed and the processing in FIG. .
Further, the remaining capacity of the battery may be detected on the electronic device side.
Further, the electronic device of the present embodiment may be other than an electronic camera.

Block diagram of the electronic camera of this embodiment Flow chart showing remaining capacity calculation processing Diagram showing remaining display level

Explanation of symbols

1: 1st battery loading unit, 2: 2nd battery loading unit, 9: control unit, 9a: remaining amount level detecting unit, 9b: remaining amount level calculating unit, 10: remaining amount level displaying unit, 11: operating unit

Claims (8)

A battery loading section capable of loading a rechargeable battery;
A remaining amount detection unit for detecting a remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery;
Based on the full charge capacity value of the reference battery serving as a standard for normalization, a remaining charge level calculation unit that normalizes and outputs the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery,
An electronic device comprising: The electronic device according to claim 1,
The rechargeable battery has a remaining amount detection unit for detecting a remaining capacity,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount detection unit further includes a battery communication unit that communicates with the remaining amount detection unit. The electronic device according to claim 1,
An electronic apparatus further comprising a remaining amount level display unit for displaying the remaining capacity. The electronic device according to claim 3,
The remaining capacity level display unit displays the remaining capacity so that a full charge capacity value of the reference battery becomes 100%. The electronic device according to claim 1,
It further includes a control unit that controls the operation of the electronic device,
The said control part changes the operation control of an electronic device according to the said remaining capacity, The electronic device characterized by the above-mentioned. The electronic device according to claim 5,
When the remaining capacity is equal to or less than a threshold, the control unit controls the operation of the electronic device in a power saving mode that consumes less power than during normal operation. The electronic device according to claim 1,
If multiple rechargeable batteries with different full charge capacities are connected to be able to supply power,
The control unit sets one rechargeable battery as a reference battery among the plurality of rechargeable batteries,
The remaining level calculation unit normalizes the remaining capacity of each of the rechargeable batteries based on a full charge capacity value of the reference battery, and outputs a total remaining capacity of the plurality of rechargeable batteries. Electronics. The electronic device according to claim 7,
An operation unit for receiving a selection input of the reference rechargeable battery from a user;
The remaining capacity level calculating unit normalizes the remaining capacity of each of the rechargeable batteries based on the full charge capacity value of the selected and inputted reference battery, and outputs the total remaining capacity. machine.

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