JP2009141410A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal, especially a power-on control technology thereof when a connection state with an external power supply changes. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile terminal 20 includes an AC connection detection section 40 for detecting connection of the mobile terminal 20 with an AC power supply 24, a battery 34, a section 44 for detecting the residual capacity of the battery, a system 70 for achieving the general function of a mobile terminal, a switch 42 for switching power supply to the system 70, and a power supply controller 58 to be connected with the AC connection detection section 40, the residual capacity detection section 44, and the power supply switch 42. The power supply controller 58 controls the power supply switch 42 not to supply power to the system 70 when connection of the mobile terminal 20 and the AC power supply 24 is broken, and to supply power to the system 70 when the battery capacity is more than a predetermined level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal, and more particularly to a power-on control technique when a connection state with an external power source changes.

  The portable terminal incorporates a secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as “battery”) such as a lithium ion battery as a power source. Even if the battery capacity is reduced or depleted, the user can charge the battery by connecting the portable terminal and the AC power supply via an external charger. If the battery capacity reaches a predetermined amount by charging, the portable terminal can be used again.

  When the battery is charged, the portable terminal is often turned off. Even when charging is started in the power-on state, the mobile terminal is automatically turned off automatically because it is not used for a certain period of time. Hereinafter, for convenience, the description will be made on the assumption that the portable terminal is always in a power-off state during battery charging.

  After the battery is charged, the portable terminal removed from the charger generally maintains the power-off state unless the user turns on the power switch. In this case, when the user uses the portable terminal for the first time after charging, the user must operate the power switch to turn on the power. Depending on the user, such an operation may feel complicated.

In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 describes that in a foldable portable terminal, when the flip is opened within 30 seconds after the portable terminal is detached from the charger, the power supply of the portable terminal is automatically set. A technique for turning on is disclosed. When the user opens the flip to use the mobile terminal immediately after removing the mobile terminal from the charger after charging, the user can make a call without performing an operation of pressing the power button. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal being charged is disconnected from the charger due to an unexpected event such as an earthquake, the operation of opening the flip is not performed, so that the power is not turned on, and the battery capacity is not wasted.
JP 2002-374325 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. Consider the case where the mobile terminal is removed from the charger in a state where the charging is not yet completed and the battery capacity is insufficient. With the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is found that charging is insufficient if the flip is opened immediately after being removed from the charger. However, if you do not perform such an operation and you turn on the power while holding the flip and put the mobile device in a bag, the time until the battery capacity is depleted will be shortened. When trying to use the battery, there may be a situation where it cannot be used due to insufficient battery capacity. For example, if you rush to work with a portable terminal in the morning with insufficient battery charging, and you use the portable terminal as normal during the day, such a situation will occur with a high degree of accuracy. Let's go.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to automatically perform power-on control in a portable terminal disconnected from a charger after charging, and to indicate to the user when the battery capacity is insufficient. To provide control technology.

  A portable terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a battery, a battery remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the battery, and outputting a battery remaining amount signal indicating the remaining amount of the battery, and a power supply terminal. And a load system including a plurality of devices that are operated by a power source provided from the outside through the power supply terminal, a connection means that can be connected to an external power supply and receives power supply from the external power supply, and a connection The charging means for charging the battery with the electric power received from the external power source and whether or not the connecting means is connected to the external power source are detected, and if connected, the first value is set, otherwise A connection detection means for outputting a connection detection signal having a second value different from the first value; a first input terminal connected to the connection means; and a second input terminal connected to the battery. And an output terminal connected to the power supply terminal of the load system, and in response to a power selection signal and a power supply control signal given from the outside, either the first or second input terminal is an output terminal. A power supply switch means for switching a state between a first state connected to the first terminal and a second state where both of the first and second input terminals are disconnected from the output terminal; a connection detection signal; A battery remaining amount signal in response to the connection detection signal changing in value from the first value to the second value and the power supply switch means being in the second state. Indicates that the power supply switch means switches to the first state in which the second input terminal and the output terminal are connected if the remaining battery level is greater than or equal to the predetermined remaining battery level. Power signal and power supply control signal And a power-on control means for providing a feed switch means.

  The remaining battery level detection means detects the remaining battery level and outputs a remaining battery level signal. When the connecting means is connected to an external power source, the charging means charges the battery with electric power received from the external power source. The connection detection means outputs a connection detection signal that takes a first value when the connection means is connected to an external power supply, and takes a second value otherwise.

  The power supply switch means takes the first and second states in response to a power supply selection signal and a power supply control signal given from the outside. In the first state, one of the input terminals and the output terminal are connected. In this case, either one of the connection means and the battery is connected to the load system via the input and output terminals by this connection, and the load system is operated by the electric power supplied from the external power source or the battery. In the second state, neither the first input terminal nor the second input terminal is connected to the output terminal. In this case, the load system is not connected to either the battery or the connection means and does not operate.

  When the connection means changes from the state connected to the external power supply to the state other than that, the connection detection signal changes from the first value to the second value. At this time, when the power supply switch means is in the second state and the load system is not operating, the power-on control means performs the following operation. If the remaining battery level indicated by the remaining battery level signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the power-on control means provides a power selection signal and a power supply control signal to the power supply switch means, The power supply switch is switched to the first state in which is connected. A battery having a predetermined remaining battery level and a load system are connected, and the load system operates by receiving power supply from the battery.

  If the connection to the external power supply is disconnected after the battery is charged after being connected to the external power supply, the mobile terminal is in a so-called power-off state where the load system is not operating and the battery capacity is limited. When it is more than the fixed amount, the power is turned on without the user turning on the power. With this technology, the user can be spared from a complicated operation of turning on the power each time the battery is charged. Further, when the battery capacity is not equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the power off state is maintained. Therefore, the user can know whether or not the remaining battery level is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, depending on whether or not the power is turned on when the connection between the portable terminal and the external power source is disconnected after charging.

  Preferably, it further includes usage detecting means for detecting that the usage state of the portable terminal by the user satisfies a predetermined condition and outputting a usage state detection signal. The power-on control means is connected to receive the connection detection signal, the battery remaining amount signal, and the use state detection signal, the value of the connection detection signal changes from the first value to the second value, and the power supply switch In response to the fact that the means is in the second state, the use detecting means determines whether or not the use detecting means is outputting the use state detection signal, and the use detecting means causes the use detecting means to output the use state detection signal. In response to the determination that the remaining battery level signal indicates that the remaining battery level is greater than or equal to a predetermined remaining level. If it is equal to or more than the predetermined remaining amount, a power supply selection signal and a power supply control signal are given to the power supply switch means so that the power supply switch means switches to the first state in which the second input terminal and the output terminal are connected. Means for .

  When the connection means changes from the state connected to the external power supply to the state other than that, the power-on control means performs the following operation. The power supply switch means is in the second state, the load system is not operating, the battery capacity indicated by the battery remaining amount signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and the usage state satisfies a predetermined condition In the first state of connecting the input terminal connected to the battery and the output terminal, the power-on control means gives a power selection signal and a power supply control signal to the power supply switch means. The power supply switch means is switched.

  The mobile terminal performs the following operation when the connection is disconnected after connection to the external power supply. That is, when the battery capacity is a predetermined amount or more in the power-off state and the usage state satisfies the predetermined condition, the power-on state is entered without the user turning on the power. With this technology, even if the connection between the portable terminal and the external power source is lost for some reason, it is possible to prevent the power from being automatically turned on. Further, even if the usage state satisfies a predetermined condition in the power-off state, the power-off state is maintained if the battery capacity is not equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. Therefore, the user can know whether or not the remaining amount of the battery at this time is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount depending on whether the power is automatically turned on or off when the charging is interrupted and set in a predetermined use state. .

  With this portable terminal, the user can avoid a complicated power-on operation when removing from the charger. Furthermore, when the battery is removed from the charger, it can be determined whether or not the battery capacity is sufficient for the terminal use depending on whether or not the power is turned on. Thereby, the user can adjust the subsequent usage method of the mobile terminal according to the battery capacity. For example, when the battery capacity is small, the user may refrain from watching one-seg broadcasting with high power consumption. As a result, the user can reduce the risk of accidentally turning off the mobile terminal due to battery exhaustion while using the mobile terminal.

  Hereinafter, a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description and drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and names. Their functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
−Configuration−
FIG. 1 shows an external view of a mobile terminal system including a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, this mobile terminal system includes a mobile terminal 20 including a battery (not shown), and a charger 22 that can be attached to mobile terminal 20 and charges the battery included in mobile terminal 20. .

  The mobile terminal 20 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a top surface provided with the first power on / off button 50, a display device, and various operation button pads, and a first state for detecting the usage state of the mobile terminal 20 by the user. 2 includes a housing having a side surface provided at a position near the upper end portion thereof and a bottom surface provided with a charging terminal (not shown) for charging the battery.

  The charger 22 can be attached to the mobile terminal 20 and supplies a charging current to the connector of the terminal connection unit 26 and a terminal connection unit 26 that can be connected to a battery charging terminal of the mobile terminal 20 via a connector (not shown). And an AC plug 28. When the AC plug 28 is inserted into the AC power source 24, the battery of the mobile terminal 20 is charged via a connector (not shown) of the terminal connection unit 26 and a charging terminal (not shown) of the mobile terminal 20. As is apparent from the figure, when the user tries to remove the portable terminal 20 from the terminal connection unit 26, the second power on / off button 52 is pushed as a natural operation. In other cases, the second power on / off button 52 is hardly pressed. Therefore, it can be said that whether or not the second power on / off button 52 is in a pressed state represents a use state when the user removes the portable terminal 20 from the charger.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the mobile terminal 20 in a block diagram form. In FIG. 2, a thick arrow indicates a power line, and a thin arrow indicates a data line.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 20 is connected to the charging terminal 38, the battery 34, the battery 34, and the charging terminal 38 that are connected to the AC power source 24 via the terminal connection unit 26, and the charging terminal 38. Is connected to the AC power source 24, and is connected to the charging circuit 32 for charging the battery 34 with the power from the AC power source 24, the charging terminal 38, and the battery 34, respectively. Based on the connection relationship between the terminal 20 and the AC power supply 24 and the battery capacity of the battery 34, the power supply control block 30 for controlling the power on / off of the mobile terminal 20 and the power supply control block 30 are connected to the power supply control block 30. And a load block 36 that operates by receiving more power. The load block 36 includes a system 70 for performing a general function as a portable terminal using the power from the power supply control block 30. Note that the power-on state of the mobile terminal 20 indicates a state in which the system 70 is operating. On the other hand, the power supply control block 30 operates as long as there is power from the battery 34 or as long as power is supplied from the AC power supply 24 via the charging terminal 38.

  The power supply control block 30 detects whether or not the charging terminal 38 is connected to the AC power supply 24, and when it is connected, the first value is at a high level, and when it is not connected, the second value is at a low level. An AC connection detection unit 40 for outputting a detection signal 48 for each of the values, and a remaining amount detection unit 44 for detecting the battery capacity of the battery 34 and outputting a remaining amount detection signal 68 indicating the remaining amount, The output signals from the first power on / off button 50 and the second power on / off button 52, the detection signal 48 from the AC connection detection unit 40, and the remaining amount detection signal 68 from the remaining amount detection unit 44 are received. A power supply control signal 72B indicating whether or not to supply power to the load block 36 by executing a predetermined program, and a battery when supplying power 4 is connected to a power supply controller 58 for outputting a power supply switching signal 72 including a power supply selection signal 72A indicating which of the power from the power supply 4 and the power from the AC power supply 24 is to be supplied, the charging terminal 38, and the battery 34. In response to the power supply switching signal 72 including the power supply selection signal 72A and the power supply control signal 72B from the power supply controller 58, the power from the AC power supply 24 via the charging terminal 38 or the power from the battery 34 according to the power supply switching signal 72. Among these, the power supply for switching between the first state in which the one selected by the power source selection signal 72A is supplied to the load block 36 and the second state in which no power is supplied to the load block 36. Connected to the switch 42 and the power supply controller 58, the power supply controller 58 holds the work data. It includes a work memory 56 to be used for, is connected to the power supply controller 58 is supplied from the power supply controller 58, an audio output unit 54 for outputting by converting the audio signal to the audio.

  The power supply switch 42 is connected to the first input terminal 64 connected to the charging terminal 38, the second input terminal 66 connected to the battery 34, the terminal 62, and the power input terminal of the load block 36. In response to the output terminal 60 and the power source selection signal 72A of the power source switching signal 72, a first input terminal for selectively connecting one of the first input terminal 64 and the second input terminal 66 to the terminal 62. And a second supply switch 42b for connecting or disconnecting the output terminal 60 and the terminal 62 in response to the power supply control signal 72B of the power supply switching signal 72. The first supply switch 42a connects the first input terminal 64 and the terminal 62 when the power selection signal 72A has the first value, and the second input terminal 66 and the terminal 62 when the power supply selection signal 72A has the second value. And connect. That is, the connection switching of the first supply switch 42a controls whether to supply power from the AC power supply 24 or to supply power from the battery 34. Of the power supply switching signal 72, a part for controlling connection or disconnection between the output terminal 60 and the terminal 62, that is, a signal for controlling operation / non-operation of the system 70 is handled in the power supply controller 58 as a system flag sysf. When sysf = 1, the second supply switch 42 b connects the terminals 60 and 62. When sysf = 0, the second supply switch 42b disconnects the terminals 60 and 62 from each other.

  A program for realizing the functions of the power supply controller 58 described above is stored in a nonvolatile storage unit in the power supply controller 58.

  3 and 4 are executed by the power controller 58 shown in FIG. 2, and are used to determine whether to automatically turn on the power of the portable terminal 20 upon removal from the charger 22 in accordance with a user operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of a power supply on / off control program. This program is started when power supply to the power supply controller 58 is started. In the following description, a state where the mobile terminal 20 is connected to the AC power source 24 is referred to as an “AC connection state”, and a case where the mobile terminal 20 is not connected is referred to as an “AC non-connection state”.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the program for performing the main power on / off control is executed after step 90 in which 0 is substituted for sysf immediately after the start of power supply, and after step 90, and the second supply switch 42b shown in FIG. Step 92 that is turned off, and Step 94 that is executed after Step 92, determines whether or not the mobile terminal 20 is in the AC connection state based on the value of the detection signal 48, and branches control according to the determination result.

  This program is further executed in response to the determination in step 94 that the AC connection is established, and the control flow is branched depending on whether or not the user has operated the first power on / off button 50. 96, and in response to the determination that the user does not operate the first power on / off button 50 in step 96, whether or not the mobile terminal 20 is in the AC connection state is determined based on the value of the detection signal 48. Determining and branching control according to the determination result. If it is determined in step 108 that the connection is AC, the process returns to step 96.

  The program is further executed in response to the determination that the user has operated the first power on / off button 50 in step 96, determines whether sysf = 0, and performs control according to the determination result. Step 98 for branching the flow, Step 100 executed in response to the determination that sysf = 0 in Step 98, Step 100 for substituting 1 into sysf, Step 100, and executed after Step 100. Step 102 for turning on 42b, executed in response to the determination that sysf = 0 is not satisfied in Step 98, Step 104 for substituting 0 for sysf, and executed after Step 100, the second supply switch And step 106 for turning off 42b. After steps 102 and 106, control returns to step 96.

  Referring to FIG. 4, this program is further executed in response to the determination of NO in step 108 shown in FIG. 3, determines whether sysf = 1, and branches control according to the determination result. Step 120, and in response to the determination that sysf is not 1 in step 120, it is determined whether or not the battery capacity of the battery 34 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and control is performed according to the determination result. Branching step 122.

  The program is further executed in response to the determination that the battery capacity is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount in step 122, and controls the audio output unit 54 to start outputting a warning sound (BEEP sound). , Executed after step 124, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the second power on / off button 52, and step 126 for branching the flow of control according to the determination result is determined as YES in step 126. Is executed in response, and includes step 128 of substituting 1 for sysf and step 130 executed after step 128 and turning on the second supply switch 42b.

  This program is further executed in response to the determination that the user has not operated the second power on / off button 52 in step 126, and whether or not a certain time has passed since the start of the warning sound output in step 124. Step 146 returns the processing to Step 126 if it is before elapse. In the present embodiment, the fixed time in step 146 is set to 5 minutes.

  The program is further executed after step 130 and in response to a determination of YES in step 146, and after step 132 for controlling the sound output unit 54 to turn off the warning sound output, and after step 132. 3 is executed when the determination is NO in step 94 shown in FIG. 3, the determination is YES in step 120 shown in FIG. 4, and the determination is NO in step 122. Determining whether or not it is in a connected state based on the value of the detection signal 48, and branching the control flow according to the determination result. If it is determined in step 134 that the AC connection is established, control is returned to step 96 shown in FIG.

  The program is further executed in response to the determination that the AC connection state is not established in step 134, and determines whether or not the user has operated the first power on / off button 50, and according to the determination result. And branching the control flow 136. If there is no operation on the first power on / off button 50 in step 136, the control returns to step 134.

  The program is further executed in response to the determination that the user has operated the first power on / off button 50 in step 136, determines whether sysf = 1, and controls according to the determination result. Branching flow 138, and steps 140 and 142 executed in response to the determination that sysf = 1 in step 138, respectively, and performing the same processing as steps 104 and 106 shown in FIG. Steps 148 and 150 are executed in response to the determination that sysf is not 1 in step 138 and perform the same processing as steps 100 and 102 shown in FIG. 3, respectively. After steps 142 and 150, control returns to step 96 shown in FIG.

-Operation-
The mobile terminal 20 whose configuration has been described above operates as follows.

<Immediately after the start of power supply to the mobile terminal 20>
When a transition is made from a state in which no power is supplied to the portable terminal 20 to a certain state, the program shown in FIG. 3 is started, 0 is substituted for sysf in step 90, and the second supply switch 42b is turned off in step 92. Accordingly, the power supply to the load block 36 is cut off. For example, when the portable terminal 20 is purchased and used, the battery is renewed or the like. Normally, the terminal connection unit 26 is connected to the AC power source 24, and this state is obtained by mounting the mobile terminal 20 on the terminal connection unit 26 for battery charging. Upon detecting that the terminal connection unit 26 is connected to the AC power source 24, the AC connection detection unit 40 sets the detection signal 48 to the first value.

  Next, in step 94, it is determined whether or not the AC connection is established. This determination is made by the power supply controller 58 examining the value of the detection signal 48. If the value of the detection signal 48 is the first value, it is in an AC connected state, and if it is the second value, it is in an AC unconnected state. As described above, normally, it is considered that the mobile terminal 20 is charged in the AC connection state at the first startup. Therefore, the determination result at step 94 is YES. In addition, when the determination result in step 94 is NO, it is considered that there is virtually no.

  In step 96, it is determined whether or not the first power on / off button 50 has been operated. The operation of the mobile terminal 20 in the following is variously divided depending on the power supply state of the mobile terminal 20 and the user operation in step 96. In the following description, for convenience, it is assumed that the terminal connection unit 26 is always connected to the AC power source 24.

  If it is determined in step 96 that there is no operation on the first power on / off button 50, then control proceeds to step 108. In step 108, it is determined from the value of the detection signal 48 whether or not the mobile terminal 20 is in an AC connection state. If it is in the AC connection state, control returns to step 96. If not, the control proceeds to step 120. Therefore, in this case, the determinations in steps 96 and 108 are repeated until the first power on / off button 50 is operated or the AC connection state is released. This repetition period corresponds to a period in which the battery 34 is charged by the terminal connection unit 26. Hereinafter, a case where the first power on / off button 50 is operated in this state and a case where the AC connection state is released will be described in order.

(1) When First Power On / Off Button 50 is Operated In this case, control proceeds to step 98. In step 98, the value of sysf is determined. In the current setting, sysf = 0. Therefore, the control proceeds to step 100, 1 is substituted for sysf, and in the subsequent step 102, the second supply switch 42b is turned on. That is, in this case, power supply to the load block 36 is started, and the mobile terminal 20 becomes operable. Thereafter, the operation returns to the operation of repeating the determinations of steps 96 and 108 again.

  Here, when the first power on / off button 50 is operated again, the control proceeds to step 98. Since sysf = 1 at this time, the control proceeds to step 104, where 0 is substituted for sysf, and in step 106, the second supply switch 42b is turned off. That is, the power supply to the load block 36 is cut off, and the portable terminal 20 stops operating. Thereafter, the control returns to the operation of repeating the determinations of steps 96 and 108.

  That is, unless the AC connection state is released, each time the first power on / off button 50 is operated, the mobile terminal 20 toggles between an operable state and a stopped state.

(2) When AC connection state is canceled during the repetition of steps 96 and 108 In this case, control proceeds from step 108 to step 120 in FIG. The release of the AC connection state may be due to the fact that the AC plug 28 is disconnected from the AC power source 24, but here, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 20 is removed from the charger 22.

  In step 120, it is determined whether or not sysf = 1. When the mobile terminal 20 is removed from the charger 22 after the power-on state is controlled by the control in the above-described steps 98, 100, and 102, since sysf = 1, the determination in step 120 is YES, Control proceeds from step 120 to step 134. On the other hand, when the first power on / off button 50 is never pressed after the program is started and when the processes of the above-described steps 98, 104, and 106 are performed, the mobile terminal 20 is charged in the power off state. If it is removed from the container 22, since sysf = 0, the determination is no and the process proceeds to step 122.

  In step 122, the power supply controller 58 determines whether or not the battery capacity of the battery 34 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount based on the remaining amount detection signal 68 received from the remaining amount detection unit 44. The operation of the power controller 58 here is divided into the following three types depending on the remaining battery level and whether or not the second power on / off button 52 is pressed.

(2-1) When the battery capacity is less than the predetermined amount In this case, the control proceeds from step 122 to step 134. In step 134 and subsequent steps, the processes in steps 134 and 136 are repeated until the state transits to the AC connection state or the first power on / off button 50 is operated. Since sysf = 0, in this example, the mobile terminal 20 is in a power-off state and is waiting to be turned on or attached to the terminal connection unit 26. That is, in this case, even if the portable terminal 20 is removed from the charger 22, the power is not automatically turned on.

(2-2) When the battery capacity is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount and the second power on / off button 52 is operated In this case, in step 124, the power controller 58 causes the portable terminal 20 to be removed from the charger 22. The sound output unit 54 is controlled so as to generate a warning sound for indicating this. It is assumed that the second power on / off button 52 is pressed simultaneously with the removal of the portable terminal 20. That is, when the user removes the mobile terminal 20 from the terminal connection unit 26, it is assumed that the user has the upper side surface of the casing of the mobile terminal 20, and as a result, the second power on / off button 52 has been pressed. In this case, the process proceeds from step 126 to steps 128 and 130, and the power supply controller 58 updates sysf to 1 and turns on the second supply switch 42b. As a result, power is supplied to the load block 36, and the portable terminal 20 becomes available. In step 132, the power controller 58 controls the audio output unit 54 to turn off the warning sound output. For this reason, the warning sound is muted immediately after being output for a moment.

  Thereafter, in steps 134 and 136, the mobile terminal 20 waits until the mobile terminal 20 is in the AC connection state or the first power on / off button 50 is pressed by the user. If the first power on / off button 50 is pressed, the power controller 58 updates sysf to 0 in steps 140 and 142. The second supply switch 42b is turned off. As a result, the mobile terminal 20 is turned off. The process returns to step 96 shown in FIG. 3, and steps 96 and 108 are repeated until the first power on / off button 50 is operated or the mobile terminal 20 is in the AC connection state with the power off state.

  That is, when the portable terminal 20 is removed from the charger 22, the power is automatically turned on in response to the battery capacity being equal to or greater than a predetermined amount and the pressing of the second power on / off button 52. If the second power on / off button 52 is pressed within 5 minutes after the warning sound is output, the process of steps 126 and 146 is repeated, and then it is determined as YES in step 126. Similar processing is performed.

(2-3) When the battery capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount and the second power on / off button 52 has not been pressed In this case, the processing up to step 124 in FIG. 4 is the same as in the case of (2-2). is there. However, in this case, since the second power on / off button 52 is not pressed, the processing of steps 126 and 146 is repeated, and a warning sound is continuously output during that time. Since the second power on / off button 52 is not operated within a predetermined time (5 minutes), the process proceeds to step 132, and the warning sound output is turned off. At this time, sysf is not updated, and sysf remains at 0, and the second supply switch 42b is not turned on. That is, the mobile terminal 20 remains powered off.

  The power supply controller 58 performs the processing after step 134 in the same manner as described above, and waits for the operation of the first power on / off button 50 to turn on the portable terminal 20.

(3) Summary of 2 The above (2-1) to (2-3) are summarized as follows. In other words, when the mobile terminal 20 is in an AC power supply connection state and the user removes the mobile terminal 20 from the terminal connection unit 26 while holding the upper side of the casing of the mobile terminal 20, the above (2-1) or (2- The mobile terminal 20 operates according to 2). If the battery capacity is less than the predetermined amount, the portable terminal 20 is not turned on in the case of (2-1). On the other hand, if the battery capacity is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the case of (2-2) occurs, and the mobile terminal 20 automatically powers on without operating the first power on / off button 50.

  Thus, the user can know that the battery capacity of the battery 34 is not sufficient if the portable terminal 20 is not automatically turned on when the portable terminal 20 is removed from the terminal connection unit 26 while holding the upper side surface of the portable terminal 20. it can. Conversely, if the power is automatically turned on in this case, it can be known that the battery 34 has a sufficient battery capacity. As a result, as described above, even if the portable terminal 20 is removed from the terminal connection unit 26, if the power is not turned on automatically, the portable terminal 20 can be refrained from being used on that day. Can be used as usual.

  On the other hand, when the charged mobile terminal 20 is disconnected from the terminal connection unit 26 for some reason, the above-described operation (2-3) is performed. As a result, the mobile terminal 20 generates a warning sound for 5 minutes thereafter. If the second power on / off button 52 is not pressed within 5 minutes, the mobile terminal 20 continues to generate a warning sound for 5 minutes. If the user presses the second power on / off button 52 during the five minutes, the power of the portable terminal 20 is automatically turned on. Otherwise, the generation of the warning sound is stopped after five minutes. The power remains off.

  As described above, should the mobile terminal 20 automatically turn on the power depending on whether or not the second power on / off button 52 is pressed if the battery capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount immediately after being removed from the charger 22? Determine whether or not. For this reason, a user who wants to start using the mobile terminal 20 immediately after charging, if the mobile terminal 20 is sufficiently charged, simply hold the side of the mobile terminal 20 and remove it from the terminal connection unit 26. It is possible to know that the mobile terminal 20 can be used without operating the power on / off button 50 and that the mobile terminal 20 is sufficiently charged.

  Conversely, if the power is not turned on even after removing the portable terminal 20 from the charger 22, it can be known that the battery capacity is not sufficient. Thereby, the user can appropriately set a subsequent use schedule of the mobile terminal 20, and can reduce the possibility that the mobile terminal 20 becomes unusable due to battery depletion. Proper use schedule refers to, for example, refraining from processing with high power consumption, such as reception of one-segment broadcasting.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the portable terminal 20 is detached from the terminal connection unit 26, whether or not the battery capacity is sufficient by removing the portable terminal 20 while pressing the second power on / off button 52 is determined. Can know. If the battery capacity is insufficient, an appropriate usage schedule can be established. Therefore, by using the mobile terminal 20 as usual even though the battery capacity is insufficient, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the mobile terminal 20 becomes unusable due to running out of the battery. Conversely, it is possible to prevent unnecessary use of the mobile terminal 20 even though the battery capacity is sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, a mechanical push button is assumed as the second power on / off button 52. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a capacitive contact sensor that is provided on the top of the casing of the mobile terminal 20 and detects whether a human is touching the top of the casing of the mobile terminal 20 may be used.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

It is an external view of the portable terminal 20 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the portable terminal 20 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a power on / off control program executed by a power controller 58 of the mobile terminal 20. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed in response to having determined with NO in step 108 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Mobile terminal 30 Power supply control block 32 Charging circuit 34 Battery 36 Load block 40 AC connection detection part 42 Power supply switch 44 Remaining quantity detection part 50, 52 Power ON / OFF button 54 Audio | voice output part 56 Work memory 58 Power supply controller 70 System

Claims (2)

Battery,
Battery remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery and outputting a battery remaining amount signal indicating the remaining amount of the battery;
A load system including a plurality of devices having a power supply terminal and operated by a power source supplied from the outside through the power supply terminal;
A connection means connectable to an external power source and receiving power from the external power source;
Charging means for charging the battery with power received by the connecting means from the external power source;
A connection that detects whether or not the connection means is connected to the external power source, and takes a first value if connected and a second value different from the first value otherwise. Connection detecting means for outputting a detection signal;
A first input terminal connected to the connection means, a second input terminal connected to the battery, and an output terminal connected to the power supply terminal of the load system are provided from the outside. In response to a power supply selection signal and a power supply control signal, both the first state and the first input terminal connected to the output terminal, and the first and second input terminals Power supply switch means for switching states between the output terminal and a second state to be disconnected;
The connection detection signal and the battery remaining amount signal are connected to each other, the value of the connection detection signal is changed from the first value to the second value, and the power supply switch means is the second In response to being in a state, if the remaining battery level signal indicates that the remaining battery level is greater than or equal to a predetermined remaining level, the second input terminal and the output terminal are connected. A power-on control means for providing the power supply switch means with the power supply selection signal and the power supply control signal so that the power supply switch means switches to the first state. It further includes usage detection means for detecting that the usage state of the mobile terminal by the user satisfies a predetermined condition and outputting a usage state detection signal,
The power on control means includes
Connected to receive the connection detection signal, the remaining battery level signal, and the use state detection signal, the value of the connection detection signal changes from the first value to the second value, and the power supply In response to the switch means being in the second state, determination means for determining whether or not the use detection means is outputting the use state detection signal;
In response to the determination by the determination means that the use detection means is outputting the use state detection signal, the battery remaining amount signal indicates that the remaining amount of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined remaining amount. If the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining amount, the power supply switch is switched to the first state for connecting the second input terminal and the output terminal. The portable terminal according to claim 1, further comprising means for supplying the power supply switch means with the power selection signal and the power supply control signal so that the means are switched.

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