JP2010028915A - Power supply system, method of controlling power supply and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the scale-up of an electronic apparatus to be charged in contactless charging. <P>SOLUTION: Digital cameras 1A, 1A' are put on cradles 1B, 1B', respectively, and the vertical portions of the cradles 1B, 1B' are disposed so as to be close to each other. The cradles 1B, 1B' each have a coil. The digital camera 1A compares the residual capacity of its own battery with the residual capacity of a battery of the opposite digital camera 1A', and if the residual capacity of the battery of the opposite camera is lower, the digital camera 1A transmits power to the digital camera 1A'. If the residual capacity of the battery in the digital camera 1A' is larger, the digital camera 1A charges its own battery. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply system used for an imaging device or the like having a rechargeable secondary battery, a control method for the power supply device used in the power supply system, and a program for causing a computer to execute the control method for the power supply device. Is.

  Portable electronic devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and PDAs often use a rechargeable battery as a power source. The secondary battery is often charged by a connector pin using a dedicated charger, but a battery that is charged in a non-contact manner by a contactless charging device using electromagnetic induction has been proposed. In order to perform charging in a non-contact manner as described above, a coil for generating an electromotive force by a fluctuating magnetic field generated in a charging device such as a cradle is provided in an electronic device.

In addition, various methods have been proposed for charging in a non-contact manner when an electronic device is installed in a charging device such as a cradle for charging. For example, in a digital camera having a method of mechanically or electrically starting charging (see Patent Document 1), a charging method by contact and a charging method by non-contact, it indicates which one is charging. A method for displaying information on a monitor of a digital camera (see Patent Document 2), a method for enabling switching between non-contact charging and contact charging (see Patent Document 3), and a cradle shape so that an image can be displayed during charging A technique (see Patent Document 4) that devised the above has been proposed.
JP 2003-79076 A JP 2003-134699 A JP 2003-153456 A JP 2006-353094 A

  However, in the methods described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, since the non-contact charging is performed between the electronic device and the charging device, it is necessary to provide a space for setting a coil in the electronic device. Larger equipment is inevitable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent enlargement of an electronic device to be charged when charging is performed in a non-contact manner.

A first power supply system according to the present invention includes a secondary battery,
Power transmission means for transmitting the power of the secondary battery to an external device;
Charging means for charging the secondary battery;
First connection means connected to the power transmission means and the charging means;
Communication means for communicating with another power supply device comprising the secondary battery, the power transmission means and the charging means;
A comparison means for comparing the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device with the remaining amount of the secondary battery;
Switching that drives the charging means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is larger, and drives the power transmission means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is smaller A power supply apparatus comprising: means; and second connection means connected to the first connection means;
When connected to the second connection means and the power transmission means is driven, the power of the secondary battery is transmitted to an external device without contact by electromagnetic induction, and when the charging means is driven, And a coil for charging the secondary battery in a non-contact manner by a voltage generated by induction.

A second power supply system according to the present invention includes a secondary battery,
Power transmission means for transmitting the power of the secondary battery to an external device;
Charging means for charging the secondary battery;
First connection means connected to the power transmission means and the charging means;
Communication means for communicating with another power supply device comprising the secondary battery, the power transmission means and the charging means;
The secondary battery of the other power supply device based on the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device, the reference power of the other power supply device, the remaining amount of the secondary battery of itself, and the reference power of itself And calculating the distribution power amount for uniformly distributing the remaining amount of the secondary battery and the remaining amount of the secondary battery according to the reference power of the other power supply device and the reference power of the own power source. A power supply device comprising: a switching unit that drives the power transmission unit when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is less than the remaining amount of the secondary battery; And second connection means connected to the first connection means;
When connected to the second connection means and the power transmission means is driven, the power of the secondary battery is transmitted to an external device without contact by electromagnetic induction, and when the charging means is driven, And a coil for charging the secondary battery in a non-contact manner by a voltage generated by induction.

In the first and second power supply systems according to the present invention, the power supply device includes an electromotive force measuring means for measuring an electromotive force in the charging means,
When the charging means is driven, the electromotive force is measured by the electromotive force measuring means at a predetermined timing, and the communication is instructed to stop the charging when the electromotive force is not more than a predetermined threshold value. Control means for controlling the other power supply device from the means may be further provided.

  In the first and second power supply systems according to the present invention, the control means measures the electromotive force by the electromotive force measurement means at the start of charging, and the electromotive force is less than the predetermined threshold value. In this case, the communication unit may instruct the other power supply device to stop the charging.

  In the first and second power supply systems according to the present invention, the control means measures the electromotive force by the electromotive force measurement means at a predetermined time interval after the start of charging, and the electromotive force is It is good also as a means to perform the instruction | indication which stops the said charge from the said communication means to said another power supply device when below a predetermined threshold value.

Further, in the first and second power supply systems according to the present invention, the power supply device includes display means for performing various displays,
Display control means for displaying status information including at least one of the status of driving of the power transmission means or the charging means and the status of the remaining amount of the secondary battery on the display means may be further provided.

A first power supply device control method according to the present invention is a power supply device control method in a first power supply system according to the present invention,
Comparing the remaining amount of the secondary battery and the remaining amount of the secondary battery in another power supply device including the secondary battery, the power transmission unit, and the charging unit,
When the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is larger, the charging means is driven,
The power transmission means is driven when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is smaller.

A second power supply device control method according to the present invention is a power supply device control method in a second power supply system according to the present invention,
Secondary battery remaining power in another power supply device including the secondary battery, the power transmission unit, and the charging unit, reference power of the other power supply device, the remaining power of the secondary battery, and the own reference Based on the power, the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device and the remaining amount of the own secondary battery are uniformly distributed according to the reference power of the other power supply device and the own reference power Calculate the allocated power,
Driving the power transmission means when the amount of distributed power is less than the remaining amount of the secondary battery;
The charging means is driven when its own distributed power amount is larger than the remaining amount of its own secondary battery.

  In addition, you may provide as a program for making a computer perform the control method of the power supply device in the 1st and 2nd power supply system by this invention.

  According to the first power supply system of the present invention, since the coil is provided in the charging device, a space for providing the coil in the electronic device provided with the power supply device becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the electronic device when charging is performed in a non-contact manner. Further, the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is compared with the remaining amount of the own secondary battery, and when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is smaller, the power transmission means is driven. Since it did in this way, it can be set as the apparatus for power transmission to a power supply device. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is larger, the charging means is driven, so that the power supply device can be charged.

  According to the second power supply system of the present invention, since the coil is provided in the charging device, a space for providing the coil in the electronic device including the power supply device is not necessary. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the electronic device when charging is performed in a non-contact manner. Further, based on the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device, the reference power, the remaining amount of the own secondary battery, and the reference power, the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device and the own secondary battery Is calculated in accordance with the reference power of the other power supply apparatus and its own reference power, and when the allocated power is less than the remaining amount of its own secondary battery, the power transmission means , And the charging means is driven when its own distributed power amount is greater than the remaining amount of its own secondary battery, so even if the electronic devices for charging and transmitting are of different types, Charging and power transmission can be performed by distributing power in a balanced manner according to the reference power.

  Further, when the charging means is driven, the electromotive force is measured by the electromotive force measuring means at a predetermined timing, and when the electromotive force is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, an instruction to stop charging is given to another power supply device. By doing so, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power transmission from being performed when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply apparatus is small and there is no point in transmitting power from the other power supply apparatus.

  Also, by measuring the electromotive force at the start of charging and instructing other power supply devices to stop charging when the electromotive force is below a predetermined threshold, it is possible to prevent meaningless charging from being performed. .

  In addition, after starting charging, the electromotive force is measured at a predetermined time interval, and when the electromotive force is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, an instruction to stop charging is given to another power supply device, so that charging is meaningless. Can be prevented from continuing.

  In addition, by displaying status information including at least one of the driving status of the power transmission means or the charging means and the status of the remaining amount of the secondary battery, which power source is used when charging between the power supply systems according to the present invention. It can be confirmed whether the system is functioning as a power transmission side or a charging side. Moreover, the remaining amount of the secondary battery in both power supply systems can be confirmed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a digital camera 1A to be charged and a cradle 1B, and connects the cradle 1B and the digital camera 1A to another power supply system. By arranging them side by side with 1 ', charging is performed from one digital camera to the other digital camera.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera used in the power supply system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 1 </ b> A includes an imaging unit 2, an operation unit 3, an internal memory 4, a liquid crystal monitor 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as a monitor), and a media control unit 6 for performing various processes relating to shooting. .

  The imaging unit 2 includes a lens, a diaphragm, a shutter, a CCD, an analog front end, an A / D conversion unit, and a digital signal processing unit (not shown), and converts an image signal acquired by shooting into digital image data and outputs the digital image data. .

  The operation unit 3 includes a release button, a cross key, and various operation buttons, and is used to perform various inputs to the digital camera 1A.

  The internal memory 4 stores various constants set in the digital camera 1A, a program executed by the CPU 22, and the like.

  The monitor 5 is driven by the monitor driver 7 and performs various displays such as an image acquired by photographing.

  The media control unit 6 accesses the recording medium 8 and controls writing and reading of the image file.

  In addition, since the operation | movement regarding imaging | photography in 1 A of digital cameras is known, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The digital camera 1 </ b> A includes a power supply unit 10. The power supply unit 10 is a rechargeable battery 11, a remaining amount detection unit 12 that detects the remaining amount of the battery 11, and a power supply controller 13 that controls the electrical system in the digital camera 1A and supplies power to each unit of the digital camera 1A. Is provided.

  Further, the power supply unit 10 generates a magnetic flux by driving the connection terminal 14 for electrically connecting the digital camera 1A and the cradle 1B and a coil 30 provided in the cradle 1B, which will be described later, with high frequency by the current of the battery 11. The power transmission part 15 and the charging part 17 for charging the battery 11 by supplying the voltage generated in the coil 30 to the battery 11 are provided.

  Here, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a power supply system 1 including a cradle 1B on which a digital camera 1A is mounted and a power supply system 1 ′ including a cradle 1B ′ on which a digital camera 1A ′ is mounted. Are placed close to each other so that the vertical portions of the cradle 1B, 1B 'are opposed to each other, thereby charging the one digital camera from the other digital camera.

  For this reason, the power supply unit 10 compares the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 with the remaining amount R2 of the battery 11 ′ of the counterpart digital camera 1A ′ by measuring the electromotive force generated in the coil 30 during charging. The power transmission unit 15 is driven when the remaining amount of the battery 11 is larger than the comparison unit 19 and the battery 11 ′, and the charging unit 17 is driven when the remaining amount of the battery 11 is smaller than the battery 11 ′. And a switching unit 20 for performing.

  The digital camera 1A also includes a wireless communication unit 21 for performing wireless communication with an external device. Here, the wireless communication method performed by the wireless communication unit 21 may be any known method such as wireless LAN and infrared communication. In addition, the wireless communication unit 21 communicates with the other party's digital camera 1A 'to obtain information on the remaining amount of the battery 11' of the other party's digital camera 1A '. Also, as will be described later, various types of information including instructions for starting and stopping power transmission are transmitted to the counterpart digital camera 1A ′.

  The digital camera 1 </ b> A includes a CPU 22. The CPU 22 controls each unit of the digital camera 1A based on an instruction from the operation unit 3 or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the cradle used in the power supply system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the cradle 1 </ b> B has an L-shaped cross section, and the coil 30 is provided inside the vertical portion so as to extend in the vertical direction. Further, a connection terminal 31 for connecting the connection terminal 14 of the digital camera 1A and the coil 30 is provided in the horizontal portion. Then, the digital camera 1A is placed on the cradle 1B so that the connection terminal 31 in the horizontal portion is connected to the connection terminal 14 of the digital camera 1, and as shown in FIG. 1, it is close to the other digital cameras 1A 'and cradle 1B'. By arranging them, charging from one digital camera to the other digital camera can be performed.

  Next, processing performed in the digital camera 1A according to the first embodiment will be described. The subsequent processing is performed by the CPU 22 reading and executing a program stored in the internal memory.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the processing performed in the first embodiment. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1A and the digital camera 1A 'are placed on the cradle 1B and 1B', respectively, and the cradle 1B and 1B 'are opposed to the vertical portions where the coils are arranged. A process when the digital cameras are arranged side by side and the other digital camera is charged from one digital camera will be described. In the following description, the same components as those of the digital camera 1A and the cradle 1B in the digital camera 1A ′ and the cradle 1B ′ will be described by adding “′” to reference numerals.

  In response to an instruction from the CPU 22, the remaining amount detection unit 12 detects the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 (step ST1), and the wireless communication unit 21 inquires about the remaining amount R2 of the partner digital camera 1A '(step ST2). Here, also in the other party's digital camera 1A ′, the remaining amount detecting unit 12 ′ detects the remaining amount R2 of the battery 11 ′ in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 22 ′. The remaining amount R2 of the battery 11 'of 1A' can be acquired. Since there is an inquiry about the remaining amount R1 from the other party's digital camera 1A ', the wireless communication unit 21 notifies the other party's digital camera 1A' of the remaining amount R1.

  Next, the comparison unit 19 compares the remaining amounts R1 and R2 (step ST3). When R1> R2, the switching unit 20 drives the power transmission unit 15 (step ST4). In this state, in the counterpart digital camera 1A ′, the switching unit 20 ′ drives the charging unit 17. As a result, a current is passed through the coil 30 of the cradle 1B to generate a magnetic flux, a voltage is generated by electromagnetic induction in the coil 30 'of the cradle 1B', and power transmission to the digital camera 1A 'is started (step ST5). . In this case, the CPU 22 starts monitoring whether or not an instruction to stop power transmission has been issued from the counterpart digital camera 1A (step ST6), and ends the process when step ST6 is affirmed.

  On the other hand, when R1 <R2, the switching unit 20 drives the charging unit 17 (step ST7). In this state, in the counterpart digital camera 1A ′, the switching unit 20 ′ drives the power transmission unit 15 ′. Thereby, a voltage due to electromagnetic induction is generated in the coil 30 of the cradle 1B, and charging of the battery 11 of the digital camera 1A is started (step ST8).

  Immediately after the start of charging, the electromotive force measuring unit 18 measures the electromotive force generated in the coil 30 via the charging unit 17 (step ST9). Then, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the electromotive force is equal to or less than the threshold value Th1 (step ST10). When step ST10 is affirmed, an instruction to stop power transmission is sent from the wireless communication unit 21 to the counterpart digital camera 1A ′. (Step ST11). Thereby, since the other party's digital camera 1A ′ stops power transmission, charging is stopped (step ST12), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if step ST10 is negative, the wireless communication unit 21 transmits information to that effect to the other party's digital camera 1A '(step ST13). As a result, the other party's digital camera 1A 'continues to transmit power, so that charging is continued (step ST14).

  While charging continues, the remaining amount detection unit 12 detects the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 at predetermined time intervals, and the wireless communication unit 21 inquires about the remaining amount R2 of the partner digital camera 1A '(step ST15). Then, the comparison unit 19 determines whether or not R1 = R2 is satisfied (step ST16). If step ST16 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step ST11, and an instruction to stop power transmission is sent from the wireless communication unit 21 to the counterpart digital camera 1A ′. Send to. As a result, the other party's digital camera 1A ′ stops power transmission, and charging is stopped.

  If step ST16 is negative, the electromotive force measurement unit 18 measures the electromotive force (step ST17), and the CPU 22 determines whether or not the electromotive force is equal to or less than the threshold value Th1 (step ST18). If step ST18 is negative, the process returns to step ST15, and the processes after step ST15 are repeated. When step ST18 is affirmed, it progresses to step ST11, and the radio | wireless communication part 21 transmits the instruction | indication of a power transmission stop to the other party's digital camera 1A '. As a result, the other party's digital camera 1A ′ stops power transmission, and charging is stopped.

  In the case of R1 = R2, the process is terminated without performing either power transmission or charging.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, since the coil 30 for performing power transmission or charging is provided in the cradle 1B, a space for providing the coil in the digital camera 1A becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the digital camera when charging is performed without contact. Further, the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 of its own digital camera 1A is compared with the remaining amount R2 of the battery 11 'of the other party's digital camera 1A'. When R1> R2, the power transmission unit 15 is driven. Therefore, the digital camera 1A can be used as a device for transmitting power. On the other hand, when R1 <R2, the charging unit 17 is driven, so that the device for charging the digital camera 1A can be obtained.

  When the charging unit 17 is driven, the electromotive force is measured by the electromotive force measuring unit 18, and when the electromotive force is equal to or less than the threshold Th1, an instruction to stop charging is given to the other digital camera 1A '. Therefore, when the remaining battery 11 'of the other digital camera 1A' is low and there is no point in transmitting power from the digital camera 1A ', it is possible to prevent unnecessary power transmission.

  In addition, by measuring the electromotive force at a predetermined time interval after the start of charging and instructing the other digital camera 1A ′ to stop charging when the electromotive force falls below the threshold Th1, the meaning is obtained. It is possible to prevent the continuous charge without being continued.

  In the first embodiment, during charging, the monitor 5 may display the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 and whether the digital camera 1A functions as the charging side or the power transmission side. Good.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen when the digital camera functions as a charging side, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen when the digital camera functions as a power transmission side. As shown in FIG. 6, when the digital camera 1 </ b> A functions as the charging side, the display screen 41 displays a digital camera icon 41 </ b> A and an arrow 41 </ b> B toward the icon 41 </ b> A. In this state, when the operation unit 3 is operated, the display screen 42 is switched. On the display screen 42, a bar graph 42A indicating the remaining amount of the battery 11 is displayed over time. Since the display screen 42 is a screen when the digital camera 1A functions as the charging side, the remaining amount of the bar graph 42A increases as time passes.

  On the other hand, when the digital camera 1A functions as the power transmission side as shown in FIG. 7, an icon 43A of the digital camera and an arrow 43B outward from the icon 43A are displayed on the display screen 43. In this state, when the operation unit 3 is operated, the display screen 44 is switched. On the display screen 44, a bar graph 44A indicating the remaining amount of the battery 11 is displayed as time passes. Since the display screen 44 is a screen when the digital camera 1A functions as the power transmission side, the remaining amount of the bar graph 44A decreases with time.

  The display screens 41 and 42 and the display screens 43 and 44 are not only switched and displayed by the operation of the operation unit 3, but may be switched and displayed alternately at predetermined time intervals. In addition, icons, arrows, and bar graphs may be displayed on one display screen. Further, only one of the display screens 41 and 42 or only one of the display screens 43 and 44 may be displayed. The display driver controls the display.

  By performing such display, it is possible to confirm whether the digital camera 1A functions as the charging side or the power transmission side. Further, a change in the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 can also be confirmed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The digital camera and cradle according to the second embodiment have the same configuration as the digital camera 1A and cradle 1B according to the first embodiment, and only the processing to be performed is different. Is omitted. In the second embodiment, when the other party's digital camera 1A ′ is different in model from its own digital camera 1A and is turned on, there is no operation at the time of shooting (for example, a through image is shot). When the reference power consumed in the digital camera 1A, 1A 'is different in the state), the comparison unit 19 determines the remaining amount R2 of the battery 11' of the partner digital camera 1A 'and the reference of the partner digital camera 1A'. Based on the power, the remaining amount of the battery 11 and the reference power of itself, the total remaining amount of the batteries 11 and 11 ′ of the digital cameras 1A and 1A ′ is made uniform according to the reference power of the digital cameras 1A and 1A ′. The distribution power amount for distribution is calculated, and the switching unit 20 drives the power transmission unit 15 when its own distribution power amount is less than the remaining amount of its own battery 11. That allocation amount of power itself has to drive the charging unit 17 is larger than the remaining amount of its battery 11 is different from the first embodiment.

  Next, processing performed in the second embodiment will be described. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing processing performed in the second embodiment. In response to an instruction from the CPU 22, the remaining amount detection unit 12 detects the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 (step ST21), and the wireless communication unit 21 inquires about the remaining amount R2 and reference power of the other digital camera 1A '(step ST22). . Here, also in the other party's digital camera 1A ′, the remaining amount detecting unit 12 ′ detects the remaining amount R2 of the battery 11 ′ in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 22 ′. The remaining amount R2 and reference power of the battery 11 'of 1A' can be acquired. Since the other party's digital camera 1A 'also inquires about the remaining amount R1 and the reference power, the wireless communication unit 21 notifies the other party's digital camera 1A' of the remaining amount R1 and the reference power.

  Next, the comparison unit 19 calculates the total remaining amount of the remaining amounts R1 and R2 based on its own reference power V1, the other party's reference power V2 and the remaining amounts R1 and R2, and the reference power V1 of the digital cameras 1A and 1A ′. Distributed power amounts W1 and W2 for uniformly distributing according to V2 are calculated (step ST23). Specifically, the distributed power amounts W1 and W2 are calculated by the following formulas (1) and (2).

W1 = (R1 + R2) × V1 (V1 + V2) (1)
W2 = (R1 + R2) × V2 (V1 + V2) (2)
Further, the comparison unit 19 compares the remaining amount R1 with the distributed power amount W1 (step ST24). When R1> W1, the switching unit 20 drives the power transmission unit 15 (step ST25). In this state, in the counterpart digital camera 1A ′, the switching unit 20 ′ drives the charging unit 17. As a result, a current is passed through the coil 30 of the cradle 1B to generate magnetic flux, a voltage is generated by electromagnetic induction in the coil 30 'of the cradle 1B', and power transmission to the digital camera 1A 'is started (step ST26). . In this case, the CPU 22 starts monitoring whether or not an instruction to stop power transmission has been issued from the counterpart digital camera 1A (step ST27), and ends the process when step ST27 is affirmed.

  On the other hand, when R1 <W1, the switching unit 20 drives the charging unit 17 (step ST28). In this state, in the counterpart digital camera 1A ′, the switching unit 20 ′ drives the power transmission unit 15 ′. Thereby, a voltage by electromagnetic induction is generated in the coil 30 of the cradle 1B, and charging of the battery 11 of the digital camera 1A is started (step ST29).

  Immediately after the start of charging, the electromotive force measuring unit 18 measures the electromotive force generated in the charging coil 16 via the charging unit 17 (step ST30). Then, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the electromotive force is equal to or less than the threshold value Th1 (step ST31). When step ST31 is affirmed, the wireless communication unit 21 issues a power transmission stop instruction to the counterpart digital camera 1A ′. (Step ST32). As a result, the other party's digital camera 1A ′ stops power transmission, so that charging is stopped (step ST33), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if step ST31 is negative, the wireless communication unit 21 transmits information to that effect to the other party's digital camera 1A '(step ST34). As a result, the other party's digital camera 1A 'continues to transmit power, so that charging is continued (step ST35).

  While charging continues, the remaining amount detection unit 12 detects the remaining amount R1 of the battery 11 at predetermined time intervals (step ST36). Then, the comparison unit 19 determines whether or not R1 = W1 (step ST37). If step ST37 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step ST32, and an instruction to stop power transmission is sent from the wireless communication unit 21 to the counterpart digital camera 1A ′. Send to. As a result, the other party's digital camera 1A ′ stops power transmission, and charging is stopped.

  If step ST37 is negative, the electromotive force measurement unit 18 measures the electromotive force (step ST38), and the CPU 22 determines whether the electromotive force is equal to or less than the threshold value Th1 (step ST39). If step ST39 is negative, the processing returns to step ST36, and the processing after step ST36 is repeated. If step ST39 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step ST32, and an instruction to stop power transmission is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 21 to the counterpart digital camera 1A '. As a result, the other party's digital camera 1A ′ stops power transmission, and charging is stopped.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since the coil 30 for performing power transmission or charging is provided in the cradle 1B, a space for providing the coil in the digital camera 1A becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the digital camera 1A from becoming large when charging is performed in a non-contact manner.

  Further, based on the remaining amount R2 of the battery 11 'of the partner digital camera 1A', the reference power V2, the remaining amount R1 of its own battery 11, and the reference power V1, the batteries 11, 11 'of the digital cameras 1A, 1A' The power distribution unit 15 calculates the distributed power amounts W1 and W2 for uniformly distributing the remaining amount according to the reference powers V1 and V2, and when the own distributed power amount W1 is less than the remaining amount R1 of the own battery 11 And the charging unit 17 is driven when the distributed power amount W1 is greater than the remaining amount R1 of its own battery 11, so that the models of the digital cameras 1A and 1A ′ that charge and transmit power are different. However, it is possible to charge and transmit power by distributing power in a balanced manner according to the reference power of both.

  In the first and second embodiments, the electronic apparatus used in the power supply system according to the present invention is applied to a digital camera. However, as an electronic device to which the power supply apparatus in the power supply system according to the present invention is applied, The present invention is not limited to a camera and can be applied to any electronic device such as a mobile phone.

  In the above embodiment, only one coil 30 is provided in the cradle 1B, but two coils for power transmission and charging may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, information is exchanged between the digital cameras 1A and 1A 'wirelessly using the wireless communication unit 21, but the digital cameras 1A and 1A' are connected by a cable and information is transmitted by wire. You may make it perform exchange.

  The digital camera 1A according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but a program for causing a computer to perform the processes shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 9 is also one embodiment of the present invention. A computer-readable recording medium in which such a program is recorded is also one embodiment of the present invention.

The figure which shows the structure of the power supply system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the internal structure of the digital camera used for the power supply system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the internal structure of the cradle used for the power supply system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process performed in 1st Embodiment (the 1) The flowchart which shows the process performed in 1st Embodiment (the 2) Figure showing the display screen when the digital camera is functioning as the charging side The figure which shows the display screen when the digital camera functions as the power transmission side The flowchart which shows the process performed in 2nd Embodiment (the 1) The flowchart which shows the process performed in 2nd Embodiment (the 2)

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Digital camera 1B Cradle 11 Battery 12 Remaining amount detection part 13 Power supply controller 14 Connection terminal 15 Power transmission part 17 Charging part 18 Electromotive force measurement part 19 Comparison part 20 Switching part 21 Wireless communication part 22 CPU22
30 Coil 31 Connection terminal

Claims (10)

A secondary battery;
Power transmission means for transmitting the power of the secondary battery to an external device;
Charging means for charging the secondary battery;
First connection means connected to the power transmission means and the charging means;
Communication means for communicating with another power supply device comprising the secondary battery, the power transmission means and the charging means;
A comparison means for comparing the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device with the remaining amount of the secondary battery;
Switching that drives the charging means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is larger, and drives the power transmission means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is smaller A power supply apparatus comprising: means; and second connection means connected to the first connection means;
When connected to the second connection means and the power transmission means is driven, the power of the secondary battery is transmitted to an external device without contact by electromagnetic induction, and when the charging means is driven, A power supply system comprising: a charging device including a coil that charges the secondary battery in a contactless manner with a voltage generated by induction. A secondary battery;
Power transmission means for transmitting the power of the secondary battery to an external device;
Charging means for charging the secondary battery;
First connection means connected to the power transmission means and the charging means;
Communication means for communicating with another power supply device comprising the secondary battery, the power transmission means and the charging means;
The secondary battery of the other power supply device based on the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device, the reference power of the other power supply device, the remaining amount of the secondary battery of itself, and the reference power of itself And calculating the distribution power amount for uniformly distributing the remaining amount of the secondary battery and the remaining amount of the secondary battery according to the reference power of the other power supply device and the reference power of the own power source. A power supply device comprising: a switching unit that drives the power transmission unit when the remaining amount of the secondary battery is less than the remaining amount of the secondary battery; And second connection means connected to the first connection means;
When connected to the second connection means and the power transmission means is driven, the power of the secondary battery is transmitted to an external device without contact by electromagnetic induction, and when the charging means is driven, A power supply system comprising: a charging device including a coil that charges the secondary battery in a contactless manner with a voltage generated by induction. An electromotive force measuring means for measuring the electromotive force in the charging means;
When the charging means is driven, the electromotive force is measured by the electromotive force measuring means at a predetermined timing, and the communication is instructed to stop the charging when the electromotive force is not more than a predetermined threshold value. The power supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the other power supply unit from the unit.   The control means measures the electromotive force by the electromotive force measurement means at the start of charging, and instructs the other means to stop the charging when the electromotive force is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value from the communication means. 4. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein said power supply system is a means for the power supply apparatus.   The control means measures the electromotive force by the electromotive force measuring means at predetermined time intervals after the start of charging, and gives an instruction to stop the charging when the electromotive force is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the power supply system is a unit that performs the communication from the communication unit to the other power supply device. Display means for performing various displays by the power supply device;
It further comprises display control means for displaying status information including at least one of a driving status of the power transmission means or the charging means and a status of the remaining amount of the secondary battery on the display means. The power supply system of any one of Claim 1 to 5. A method for controlling a power supply device in the power supply system according to claim 1,
Comparing the remaining amount of the secondary battery and the remaining amount of the secondary battery in another power supply device including the secondary battery, the power transmission unit, and the charging unit,
When the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is larger, the charging means is driven,
A method for controlling a power supply apparatus, comprising: driving the power transmission means when a remaining amount of a secondary battery of the other power supply apparatus is smaller. A method for controlling a power supply device in a power supply system according to claim 2,
Secondary battery remaining power in another power supply device including the secondary battery, the power transmission unit, and the charging unit, reference power of the other power supply device, the remaining power of the secondary battery, and the own reference Based on the power, the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device and the remaining amount of the own secondary battery are uniformly distributed according to the reference power of the other power supply device and the own reference power Calculate the allocated power,
Driving the power transmission means when the amount of distributed power is less than the remaining amount of the secondary battery;
A method for controlling a power supply apparatus, comprising: driving the charging unit when the amount of distributed power is greater than a remaining amount of the secondary battery. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the power supply device in the power supply system according to claim 1,
A procedure for comparing the remaining amount of the secondary battery and the remaining amount of the secondary battery in another power supply device including the secondary battery, the power transmission unit, and the charging unit;
A procedure for driving the charging means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is larger;
A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for driving the power transmission means when the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device is smaller. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the power supply device in the power supply system according to claim 2,
Secondary battery remaining power in another power supply device including the secondary battery, the power transmission unit, and the charging unit, reference power of the other power supply device, the remaining power of the secondary battery, and the own reference Based on the power, the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the other power supply device and the remaining amount of the own secondary battery are uniformly distributed according to the reference power of the other power supply device and the own reference power A procedure for calculating the amount of allocated power;
A procedure for driving the power transmission means when its own distributed power is less than the remaining amount of its secondary battery;
A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for driving the charging means when its own distributed power amount is larger than a remaining amount of its own secondary battery.

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