JP2011244548A - Power generation amount notification apparatus, power generation amount notification method, and portable apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption when notifying a user of power generation amount and notify the user of a change in a power generation state without delay.SOLUTION: A charge display apparatus 1 measures a power generation amount of solar power generation and makes an notification of the measured power generation amount at predetermined intervals. There is provided a display control section 27 that increases the predetermined interval for notification of the power generation amount when the power generation amount is less than a predetermined notification determination interval change threshold value and decreases the predetermined interval for notification of the power generation amount when the power generation amount is equal to or above the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generation amount notification device, a power generation amount notification method, and a portable device that measure a power generation amount of a solar battery and notify the measured power generation amount.

  In recent years, solar batteries have been used as power sources for various devices. The amount of power generated by the solar battery varies depending on conditions such as the amount of sunlight and the angle of the solar battery with respect to the sun. Therefore, in order to supply sufficient power from the solar battery to the device, a solar charging current indicating the amount of power generation is measured and the current power generation amount is notified to the user of the device.

  For example, when a mobile phone is equipped with a solar battery as a power source and has a display unit that displays the amount of power generation, the user of the mobile phone views the amount of power generation displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone. However, the angle of the solar cell with respect to the sun is changed by changing the orientation of the mobile phone so that the amount of power generated by the solar cell is maximized.

  In order to detect the solar charging current, an AD converter (ADC) is generally used. However, since the ADC consumes a large amount of power when detecting the solar charging current, if the ADC is operated frequently, the power stored by the folded solar battery is consumed. In addition, since solar power generation generally has low power generation efficiency, it cannot generate so much power. Therefore, in order to use the energy stored by solar charging effectively, it is necessary to perform power saving in the solar battery.

  Therefore, in the past, a measurement device using a solar battery or the like as a power source has been developed to variably control the measurement interval executed by the measurement device in order to adjust the power consumption of the measurement device according to the amount of power of the power source. Has been. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a displacement measurement that increases the measurement interval when the power generation amount of the solar battery is equal to or less than a predetermined value so that the absolute displacement amount can be measured even when the power generation amount of the solar battery becomes small. An apparatus is described. Patent Document 2 describes a system that sets a power-saving mode with a long polling interval when the power generation amount of a solar battery is smaller than a predetermined value.

JP-A-6-26850 (published February 4, 1994) JP 2009-200702 A (published on September 3, 2009)

  However, the conventional technology as described above has a problem that the current power generation state is not accurately reflected.

  Specifically, in the case of the measuring device described in Patent Document 1 described above, since the power generation amount of the solar battery is changed from a large state to a small state, once the low power generation state is displayed, the measurement interval becomes long. Actually, even if the power generation amount immediately becomes large, it is displayed as a low power generation state for a while. That is, the measuring device described in Patent Document 1 accurately reflects the power generation state when the power generation amount decreases beyond a predetermined value, but when the power generation amount increases beyond the predetermined value, The power generation state is not accurately reflected for a while.

  Usually, in order to increase the power generation amount of the solar battery, the user moves the apparatus so that the high power generation state is displayed. Therefore, when the switching of the display to the high power generation state is delayed, it becomes difficult for the user to find a state where the amount of power generated by the solar battery is large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to suppress power consumption when notifying the user of the amount of power generation and to notify the user of changes in the power generation state without delay. A power generation amount notification device, a power generation amount notification method, and a portable device are realized.

  A power generation amount notification device according to the present invention is a power generation amount notification device for measuring a power generation amount of solar power generation and notifying the measured power generation amount at a predetermined interval in order to solve the above-described problem. When the power generation amount is less than a predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is lengthened. When the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the power generation amount is notified. A notification determination interval control means for shortening the interval is provided.

  The power generation amount notification method according to the present invention is a power generation amount notification method for measuring the power generation amount of solar power generation and notifying the measured power generation amount at a predetermined interval in order to solve the above problem. When the amount is less than a predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is lengthened, and when the power generation amount is not less than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the power generation amount is notified. A notification determination interval control step for shortening the predetermined interval is included.

  According to the above configuration, when the power generation amount is less than a predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is lengthened, and when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold value. The predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is shortened. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the power consumed when notifying the power generation amount and to notify the user of the power generation state without delay.

  Further, the power generation amount notification device according to the present invention determines whether or not the power generation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined state switching threshold, and if the power generation amount is less than the predetermined state switching threshold, the power generation amount is small. A power generation state notifying means for notifying a high power generation state indicating that the power generation amount is large when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined state switching threshold. Among these, it is preferable that the predetermined first state switching threshold is set larger than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold.

  According to the above configuration, the power generation amount notification device sets the predetermined first state switching threshold among the predetermined state switching thresholds to a value larger than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold. Therefore, even when the power generation amount is near the predetermined first state switching threshold value that is larger than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold value, the power generation amount notification device is not less than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold value. The power generation state notification means performs the determination interval to be shortened, and the power generation state is notified at a short interval. Therefore, even if the power generation amount fluctuates in the vicinity of the predetermined first state switching threshold value that is larger than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold value, the power generation state is determined when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold value. The notifying means can notify the power generation state (low power generation state and high power generation state) according to the current power generation amount without delay.

  For example, when the power generation amount of solar power generation exceeds the predetermined first state switching threshold and the power generation amount is repeatedly changed from a large state to a small state, or from a small state to a large state, In the conventional measurement device, when the power generation amount becomes small, the measurement interval and the notification update interval become long.Therefore, switching from the notification state of the high power generation state to the notification of the low power generation state is executed without delay, There is a case where the switching of the notification of the low power generation state to the notification of the high power generation state is delayed. On the other hand, the power generation amount notification device according to the present invention provides a notification of a high power generation state even if the power generation state is repeatedly changed as long as the power generation amount of solar power generation is equal to or greater than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold. Thus, not only the notification of the low power generation state but also the notification of the low power generation state to the notification of the high power generation state can be executed without delay.

  Therefore, the power generation amount notification device has the effect of suppressing power consumption used when notifying the power generation amount and accurately notifying the user of the current power generation amount without delay.

  Moreover, the portable apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided with the said electric power generation amount notification apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Note that the power generation amount notification device may be realized by a computer. In this case, the computer generates the power generation amount notification device by operating the computer as each unit of the power generation amount notification device. A program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, in the power generation amount notification device according to the present invention, when the power generation amount is less than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is lengthened, and the power generation amount is the predetermined amount. If it is equal to or greater than the notification determination interval change threshold, a notification determination interval control means for shortening the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is provided.

  The power generation amount notification method according to the present invention is a power generation amount notification method for measuring the power generation amount of solar power generation and notifying the measured power generation amount at a predetermined interval, wherein the power generation amount is changed to a predetermined notification determination interval. Notification determination to lengthen the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount if less than a threshold, and to shorten the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount if the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold. It is characterized by including an interval control step.

  Therefore, the power generation amount notification device has the effect of suppressing power consumption used when notifying the power generation amount and accurately notifying the user of the current power generation amount without delay.

It is a figure which shows the principal part structure of the submicrocomputer of the charge display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the charge display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the charge stop icon, normal charge icon, and optimal charge icon displayed on the sub liquid crystal display part of the submicrocomputer shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the polling period control part of the submicrocomputer shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the display control part of the submicrocomputer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the electric current value of the electric current which flows through the current sense resistance of the charge display apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and a display icon, a polling period, and a display update interval. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone carrying a charge display apparatus.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a mobile phone capable of solar charging, which is a mobile phone that notifies the user of the current power generation amount, will be described as an example. Note that the mobile phone is an example, and any device capable of solar charging may be used. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone includes a main liquid crystal display unit and a sub liquid crystal display unit, and an icon indicating the current power generation amount (current charging state) is displayed on the sub liquid crystal display unit.

  The following is a charging display device (power generation amount notification device) mounted on a mobile phone, and a polling interval is set to suppress power consumption when notifying a user of power generation amount, which is a feature of the present invention. A charging display device that lengthens and notifies the user of changes in the power generation state without delay will be described. In addition to the charging display device, the mobile phone may include members such as a main microcomputer, a main liquid crystal display unit, a storage unit, an operation unit, and a communication unit, but is not related to the features of the invention. The description is omitted here.

[Outline of the charging display section]
The outline | summary of the charge display apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the charge display device 1 according to the present embodiment. The charge display device 1 measures the power generation amount of solar power generation at predetermined time intervals and notifies the measured power generation amount. As shown, the charging display device 1 includes a solar battery 2, a solar charging circuit 3, a DETIC 4, a current sense resistor 5, a lithium battery 6, an OP amplifier 7, a regulator IC 8, a sub microcomputer 9, a sub liquid crystal driving circuit 10, and A sub liquid crystal display unit 11 is included.

  The solar battery 2 receives sunlight and converts it into electricity. The solar battery 2 is electrically equivalent to a diode. For example, when 10 solar batteries are connected in series, the solar battery 2 outputs solar charging power of about 6 V at the maximum. As described above, the solar battery 2 generates a different solar charging current depending on the amount of light received, and a large amount of solar charging current is generated when the amount of solar radiation is large. The electric power (solar charging current) generated by the solar battery 2 is supplied to the lithium battery 6 via the solar charging circuit 3 and the current sense resistor 5. One end of the solar battery 2 is grounded, and the other end is connected to the solar charging circuit 3 and the DETIC 4.

  The solar charging circuit 3 is configured to conduct or block the connection between the solar battery 2 and the lithium battery 6 in response to an instruction from the sub-microcomputer 9. The solar charging circuit 3 is grounded between the solar battery 2 and the lithium battery 6, one end of the solar charging circuit 3 is connected to the solar battery 2, and the other end is connected to the current sense resistor 5. ing. The solar charging circuit 3 includes a CE terminal for receiving an instruction from the sub-microcomputer 9, and the CE terminal is connected to the sub-microcomputer 9. When the CE terminal is turned on, the solar charging circuit 3 conducts the connection between the solar battery 2 and the lithium battery 6, while when the CE terminal is turned off, the solar charging circuit 3 is connected to the solar battery 2 and the lithium battery 6. Disconnect the connection.

  The DETIC 4 detects whether the value of the solar charging voltage output from the solar battery 2 is 3 V or more, for example, and outputs the detection result to the sub-microcomputer 9. Specifically, when the value of the solar charging voltage is 3V or more, DETIC4 is turned on, and when it is less than 3V, DETIC4 is turned off. One end of the DETIC 4 is connected to the solar battery 2 and the other end is grounded. The DETIC 4 is connected to the sub-microcomputer 9 in order to output the detection result.

  The current sense resistor 5 is a resistor for measuring the power generation amount (solar charging current, solar charging voltage) generated in the solar battery 2 and has a very small resistance value. In the present embodiment, the current sense resistor 5 having a resistance value of 0.22Ω is used. The current sense resistor 5 is disposed between the solar battery 2 and the lithium battery 6, one end of the current sense resistor 5 is connected to the solar charging circuit 3, and the other end is connected to the lithium battery 6. ing.

  The current sense resistor 5 is disposed between the solar battery 2 and the lithium battery 6, and when the amount of power generation per unit time of the solar battery 2 increases, the current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 (solar charging current) increases. Therefore, by measuring the current flowing through the current sense resistor 5, the amount of power generation per unit time in the solar battery 2 can be estimated. Further, as the current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 increases, the amount of charge per unit time of the lithium battery 6 also increases. Therefore, the amount of charge per unit time of the lithium battery 6 can also be estimated by measuring the current flowing through the current sense resistor 5. Further, since the potential difference between both ends of the current sense resistor 5 is proportional to the current flowing through the current sense resistor 5, the amount of power generation per unit time of the solar battery 2 can also be measured by measuring the potential difference between both ends of the current sense resistor 5. And the charge amount per unit time of the lithium battery 6 can be estimated.

  The amount of charge per unit time means the amount of power supplied from the solar battery 2 to the lithium battery 6. In the charging display device 1, a state where the power generation amount in the solar battery 2 is smaller than the predetermined power generation amount is referred to as a low power generation state, and a state where the power generation amount in the solar battery 2 is greater than the predetermined power generation amount is referred to as a high power generation state. The low power generation state and the high power generation state are collectively referred to as a power generation state. Similarly, in the charging display device, a state in which the charge amount in the lithium battery 6 is smaller than the predetermined charge amount is referred to as a low charge state, and a state in which the charge amount in the lithium battery 6 is greater than the predetermined charge amount is referred to as a high charge state. Called.

  The lithium battery 6 is a power source of the mobile phone and supplies power to the sub-microcomputer 9 and the like. The lithium battery 6 receives electric power from the solar battery 2 or an AC power source and stores it. Since the load of the lithium battery 6 is very large compared to the amount of power generated by the solar battery 2, the output voltage of the solar battery 2 is drawn into the voltage of the lithium battery 6. Therefore, charging is started when the amount of solar radiation is large and the output voltage of the solar battery 2 is higher than the voltage of the lithium battery 6. The lithium battery 6 is connected to the solar battery 2 via the current sense resistor 5 and the solar charging circuit 3. One end of the lithium battery 6 is connected to the current sense resistor 5 and the sub-microcomputer 9, and the other end is grounded.

  The OP amplifier 7 amplifies the voltage applied to both ends of the current sense resistor 5 and outputs it to the sub-microcomputer 9. The input terminal of the OP amplifier 7 is connected to both ends of the current sense resistor 5, and the output terminal of the OP amplifier 7 is connected to the sub-microcomputer 9. In this embodiment, the output voltage gain of the OP amplifier 7 is set to 100 times.

  The regulator IC 8 makes the voltage output from the lithium battery 6 and the solar battery 2 to the sub-microcomputer 9 constant. The regulator IC 8 receives an input voltage from the solar battery 2 through the solar charging circuit 3 and receives an input voltage from the lithium battery 6 through the current sense resistor 5. The regulator IC 8 receives voltages from the lithium battery 6 and the solar battery 2, drops the input voltage to a predetermined voltage value, and outputs it to the sub-microcomputer 9.

  The sub microcomputer 9 controls the charging / discharging of the solar charging circuit to control the charging from the solar battery 2 to the lithium battery 6. Further, the sub-microcomputer 9 controls the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the current power generation amount on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 in order to notify the power generation amount of the solar battery 2. The sub-microcomputer 9 receives power supply from the solar battery 2 and / or the lithium battery 6 via the regulator IC 8 and starts when a predetermined voltage is applied. The sub-microcomputer 9 is connected to the DETIC 4, the OP amplifier 7, and the lithium battery 6 for receiving inputs from them, and is connected to the solar charging circuit 3 and the sub-liquid crystal drive circuit 10 for outputting to them. . Details of specific functions of the sub-microcomputer 9 will be described later.

  The sub liquid crystal driving circuit 10 receives the instruction from the sub microcomputer 9 and drives the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 so as to display the instructed image (an icon indicating a power generation amount described later).

  The sub liquid crystal display unit 11 displays an image according to instructions from the sub microcomputer 9. As a display unit of the charge display device 1, a memory that consumes power when updating the display (rewrites an image) and consumes little power when maintaining the display (continuing to display the same image). It is preferable to apply a liquid crystal display such as liquid crystal or electronic paper. Further, the display unit of the charging display device 1 is not limited to the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 which is a liquid crystal display, and an organic EL display, a plasma display, or the like can be applied.

[Sub-microcomputer configuration]
A main configuration of the sub-microcomputer 9 provided in the charge display device 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the sub-microcomputer 9. The sub-microcomputer 9 executes various programs by executing a program read from a storage unit (not shown) to a temporary storage unit (not shown), and comprehensively controls each unit included in the charge display device 1. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the sub-microcomputer 9 functions as a functional block, and the sub-microcomputer 9 includes a second AD conversion unit 20, a second code unit 21, a comparison unit 22, a connection switching unit 23, and a first AD conversion unit 24 as illustrated. The first code unit 25, the current conversion unit 26, the display control unit (power generation state notification unit, notification determination interval control unit) 27, and the polling cycle control unit (measurement interval control unit) 28. Each of the functional blocks (20 to 28) of the sub-microcomputer 9 has a CPU (central processing unit) that stores a program stored in a storage device realized by a ROM (read only memory) or the like (RAM (random access memory)). This can be realized by reading out and executing the temporary storage unit realized by the above.

  The second AD converter 20 receives the output voltage of the lithium battery 6 and samples the received output voltage (analog value). The second AD converter 20 outputs the sampled value of the sampled output voltage of the lithium battery 6 to the second code unit 21. The second AD converter 20 may always sample the received output voltage continuously, or may sample at a predetermined interval. In addition, the 2nd AD conversion part 20 will start sampling, if the detection result which shows that the output voltage of the solar battery 2 is 3V or more is received from DETIC4. That is, the 2nd AD conversion part 20 shall perform a sampling, when the output voltage of the solar cell 2 is 3V or more.

  The second code unit 21 converts the sampling value output from the second AD conversion unit 20 into a digital code. The second code unit 21 outputs the encoded digital value of the output voltage of the lithium battery 6 to the comparison unit 22.

  The comparison unit 22 receives the digital value of the output voltage of the lithium battery 6 from the second code unit 21 and determines whether or not the received output voltage of the lithium battery 6 is 4 V or higher. The comparison unit 22 outputs the determined result to the connection switching unit 23.

  The connection switching unit 23 receives the detection result and the determination result from the DETIC 4 and the comparison unit 22 and switches ON / OFF of the CE terminal of the solar charging circuit 3. Specifically, when the connection switching unit 23 receives from the DETIC 4 that the output voltage of the solar battery 2 is less than 3V, the connection switching unit 23 turns off the CE terminal, while the output voltage of the solar battery 2 from the DETIC 4 is 3V or more. Is received, the CE terminal is turned ON. Further, when the connection switching unit 23 receives from the comparison unit 22 that the output voltage of the lithium battery 6 is less than 4 V, the CE terminal is turned ON, and the output voltage of the lithium battery 6 from the comparison unit 22 is 4 V or more. Is received, the CE terminal is turned OFF.

  In general, the lithium battery 6 included in the charge display device 1 of the present embodiment may cause an explosion or the like when the voltage is 4.2 V or higher. Must be managed). Therefore, the comparison unit 22 determines whether or not the output voltage of the lithium battery 6 is 4 V or higher. When the output voltage is 4 V or higher, the connection switching unit 23 turns off the CE terminal and stops charging.

  That is, in this embodiment, charging is performed when the output voltage of the solar battery 2 is 3 V or more and the output voltage of the lithium battery is less than 4 V. The conditions for charging (the output voltage of the solar battery 2 and the output voltage of the lithium battery) are not limited to these, and may be set as appropriate within a range where charging can be performed normally.

  The first AD converter 24 receives the output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 (that is, the potential difference between both ends of the current sense resistor 5), and samples the received output voltage (analog value). Next, the first AD conversion unit 24 polls (acquires) the sampled value of the sampled output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 at a predetermined interval instructed by the polling cycle control unit 28. Then, the first AD conversion unit 24 outputs the polled sampling value to the first code unit 25.

  The first AD converter 24 desirably performs sampling periodically in accordance with a polling interval (polling cycle) in order to reduce power consumption. That is, it is desirable that the first AD converter 24 performs sampling only for a predetermined period before and after polling. The first AD conversion unit 24 performs sampling and polling while the connection switching unit 23 turns on the CE terminal. The first AD conversion unit 24 performs polling at a default polling cycle when the connection switching unit 23 turns on the CE terminal and starts polling.

  The first code unit 25 converts the sampling value output from the first AD conversion unit 24 into a digital code. The first code unit 25 outputs the encoded digital value of the output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 to the current conversion unit 26.

  The current conversion unit 26 converts a voltage into a current. Specifically, the current conversion unit 26 converts a digital value of an output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 (that is, a potential difference between both ends of the current sense resistor 5) to thereby convert the current sense resistor. The digital value of the solar charging current flowing through 5 is generated. The current conversion unit 26 outputs the generated digital value of the solar charging current to the display control unit 27.

  The display control unit 27 determines the unit time of the lithium battery 6 according to the solar charging current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 (that is, the amount of power generation per unit time of the solar battery 2 or the amount of charge per unit time of the lithium battery 6). The sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 is instructed to display an icon indicating the amount of charge per unit on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11.

  In this embodiment, two threshold values (state switching threshold values) are set for the solar charge current, and the charge amount per unit time of the lithium battery 6 is displayed in three stages (see FIG. 6). Specifically, when the solar charge current is less than 30 mA, the display control unit 27 displays a charge stop icon indicating that the lithium battery 6 is not charged or the amount of charge is small. 11 is displayed. In addition, when the solar charging current is 30 mA or more and less than 60 mA, the display control unit 27 causes the sub-liquid crystal display unit 11 to display a normal charging icon indicating that the lithium battery 6 is being charged moderately. In addition, when the solar charging current is 60 mA or more, the display control unit 27 causes the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 to display an optimal charging icon indicating that the lithium battery 6 is optimally (most efficiently) charged.

  The state switching threshold includes a first state switching threshold and a second state switching threshold. In the present embodiment, the first state switching threshold is 60 mA, and the second state switching threshold is 30 mA. The first state switching threshold is a threshold set for the purpose of notifying the user of the power generation state that is switched at the state switching threshold. The second state switching threshold value is a threshold value that prioritizes suppressing power consumption over notifying the user of the power generation state that is switched at the state switching threshold value without delay. It is assumed that the state switching threshold includes at least one first state switching threshold.

  Further, the display control unit 27 determines the sub liquid crystal driving circuit according to the solar charging current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 (that is, the amount of power generation per unit time of the solar battery 2 or the amount of charging per unit time of the lithium battery 6). 10 is changed. More specifically, the display control unit 27 changes the display update interval of icons displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 in accordance with the solar charging current flowing through the current sense resistor 5. The display update interval is an interval at which the power generation amount is determined and displayed to determine which icon the display control unit 27 displays.

  In the present embodiment, the solar charge current threshold (notification determination interval change threshold) for changing the display update interval is set to 50 mA, which is the same value as the measurement interval change threshold described later, and the display update interval is changed in two stages. (See FIG. 6). Specifically, the display control unit 27 updates the icon display every 5 seconds when the solar charging current is less than 50 mA, and updates the icon display every 10 milliseconds when the solar charging current is 50 mA or more. Do.

  A display example of the charge stop icon, the normal charge icon, and the optimum charge icon displayed on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 by the display control unit 27 is shown in FIG. In this way, by displaying the charge amount per unit time of the lithium battery 6 (the power generation amount per unit time of the solar battery 2) on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11, the user can display the current charge state (power generation state). It can be confirmed visually.

  The polling cycle control unit 28 acquires the sampling value of the output voltage (potential difference between both ends of the current sense resistor 5) of the OP amplifier 7 output from the first AD conversion unit 24 to the first code unit 25, and sets the acquired sampling value. Accordingly, the polling interval executed by the first AD converter 24 is controlled.

  In the present embodiment, one threshold value (measurement interval change threshold value) is set for the output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 (potential difference between both ends of the current sense resistor 5), and the polling cycle is controlled in two stages. Specifically, when the output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 is less than 1100 mV, the polling cycle control unit 28 instructs the first AD conversion unit 24 to execute polling at intervals of 5 seconds. On the other hand, when the output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 is 1100 mV or more, the polling cycle control unit 28 instructs the first AD conversion unit 24 to execute polling at intervals of 10 milliseconds. In this embodiment, since the resistance value of the current sense resistor 5 is 0.22Ω and the amplification gain of the OP amplifier 7 is 100 times, when the output voltage of the OP amplifier 7 is 1100 mV, the current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 Is 50 mA. That is, the measurement interval change threshold value converted to the current value of the current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 is 50 mA.

  In the present embodiment, the display control unit 27 and the polling cycle control unit 28 determine whether one acquired value (current value, voltage value) exceeds a threshold value, but is not limited thereto. . For example, the display control unit 27 and the polling cycle control unit 28 may acquire a plurality of values and compare an average value of the acquired plurality of values with a threshold value. Further, the display control unit 27 and the polling cycle control unit 28 may each display a high power generation state or shorten the polling cycle when all of the acquired plurality of values exceed the threshold value.

  In the present embodiment, one measurement interval change threshold and two state switching thresholds are used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each of the measurement interval change threshold and the state switching threshold may be one, or may be two or more.

  In this embodiment, the display control unit 27 displays the charge stop icon, the normal charge icon, and the optimum charge icon to notify the user of the power generation amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any method that can be notified is acceptable. For example, the power generation amount may be indicated by letters or numerical values. Further, the power generation amount may be notified by color or the like using a lamp or the like instead of the liquid crystal display unit. Further, the power generation amount may be notified by sound or vibration.

  In the present embodiment, the notification determination interval change threshold and the measurement interval change threshold are set to the same value, but the present invention is not limited to this. The notification determination interval change threshold may be a value larger than the measurement interval change threshold. In this embodiment, the polling cycle and the display update interval are set to the same value, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display update interval may be a value larger than the polling cycle.

[Polling cycle control unit operation processing]
Next, the operation process of the polling cycle control unit 28 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the polling cycle control unit 28. As described above, in this embodiment, the resistance value of the current sense resistor 5 is 0.22Ω, the amplification gain of the OP amplifier 7 is 100 times, and the threshold for the polling cycle control unit 28 to change the polling cycle is 1100 mV. And

  As shown in FIG. 4, the polling cycle control unit 28 first acquires a voltage value indicating the potential difference between both ends of the current sense resistor 5 output from the first AD conversion unit 24 to the first code unit 25 (S1). Then, the polling cycle control unit 28 determines whether or not the acquired voltage value is 1100 mV or more (S2).

  If the acquired voltage value is 1100 mV or more, the polling cycle control unit 28 instructs the first AD conversion unit 24 to perform polling at intervals of 10 milliseconds (S3). On the other hand, if the acquired voltage value is less than 1100 mV, the polling cycle control unit 28 instructs the first AD conversion unit 24 to perform polling at intervals of 5 seconds (S4).

[Operation processing of display control unit]
Next, the operation process of the display control unit 27 will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the display control unit 27. As described above, in this embodiment, the display control unit 27 displays the charge stop icon, the normal charge icon, and the optimum charge icon shown in FIG. 3 using two threshold values of 30 mA and 60 mA, respectively. To do. Further, it is assumed that the display control unit 27 changes the display update interval to 5 seconds and 10 milliseconds using a threshold of 50 mA.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, the display control unit 27 acquires the current value of the solar charging current that flows from the current conversion unit 26 to the current sense resistor 5 (S11). And the display control part 27 determines whether the acquired electric current value is 30 mA or more (S12).

  If the acquired current value is less than 30 mA, the display control unit 27 instructs the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the charge stop icon on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 (S13). Then, after waiting for 5 seconds to pass (S17), the current value of the solar charging current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 from the current converter 26 is acquired again (S11).

  On the other hand, if the acquired current value is 30 mA or more, the display control unit 27 subsequently determines whether or not the acquired current value is 60 mA or more (S14). If the acquired current value is less than 60 mA, the display control unit 27 instructs the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the normal charge icon on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 (S15).

  Here, after displaying the normal charging icon, the display control unit 27 further determines whether or not the acquired current value is 50 mA or more (S18). If the acquired current value is less than 50 mA, the display control unit 27 waits for 5 seconds to elapse (S17), and then again determines the current value of the solar charging current flowing from the current conversion unit 26 to the current sense resistor 5. Obtain (S11). On the other hand, if the acquired current value is 50 mA or more, the display control unit 27 waits for 10 milliseconds to elapse (S19), and then again the solar charging current flowing from the current conversion unit 26 to the current sense resistor 5. A current value is acquired (S11).

  On the other hand, in S14, if the acquired current value is 60 mA or more, the display control unit 27 instructs the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the optimum charging icon on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 (S16). . Then, after waiting for 10 milliseconds to elapse (S19), the current value of the solar charging current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 is again acquired from the current converter 26 (S11).

  That is, if the acquired current value is less than 30 mA, the display control unit 27 instructs the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the charge stop icon on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11, and displays the next display icon. Wait 5 seconds until the decision. If the acquired current value is 30 mA or more and less than 50 mA, the display control unit 27 instructs the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the normal charging icon on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11, and Wait 5 seconds until the display icon is determined. If the acquired current value is 50 mA or more and less than 60 mA, the display control unit 27 instructs the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the normal charging icon on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11, and Wait 10 milliseconds for the display icon to be determined. Further, if the acquired current value is 60 mA or more, the display control unit 27 instructs the sub liquid crystal drive circuit 10 to display the optimum charging icon on the sub liquid crystal display unit 11, and displays the next display icon. Wait 10 milliseconds for the determination.

[Relationship between power generation amount, display icon, polling cycle, and display update interval]
Next, the relationship between the current value of the solar charging current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 indicating the amount of power generated by the solar battery 2, the display icon, the polling cycle, and the display update interval will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the current value of the solar charging current flowing through the current sense resistor 5, the display icon, the polling cycle, and the display update interval.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the current value range is divided into four by the state switching threshold and notification determination interval change threshold used by the display control unit 27 and the measurement interval change threshold used by the polling cycle control unit 28. . The measurement interval change threshold is a value converted to a current value.

  As shown in the figure, when the current value of the solar charge current flowing through the current sense resistor 5 is 0 mA or more and less than 30 mA, a charge stop icon is displayed, the polling cycle is 5 seconds, and the display update interval is 5 seconds. is there. When the current value of the solar charging current is 30 mA or more and less than 50 mA, a normal charging icon is displayed, the polling cycle is 5 seconds, and the display update interval is 5 seconds. When the current value of the solar charging current is 50 mA or more and less than 60 mA, a normal charging icon is displayed, the polling cycle is 10 milliseconds, and the display update interval is 10 milliseconds. When the current value of the solar charging current is 60 mA or more, an optimal charging icon is displayed, the polling period is 10 milliseconds, and the display update interval is 10 milliseconds.

  As described above, when the current value of the solar charging current is 50 mA or more, the display is updated by performing polling at a short interval. Therefore, the current value of the solar charging current is 50 mA or more and the threshold value for switching the display icon is 60 mA. Even when the current value fluctuates so as to straddle, the display icon corresponding to the current power generation state can be displayed without delay.

  That is, by setting the state switching threshold (first state switching threshold) used by the display control unit 27 to a value larger than the notification determination interval changing threshold used by the display control unit 27, the value is larger than the notification determination interval changing threshold. A display icon that switches at a certain state switching threshold can be displayed without delay in accordance with the current power generation state. Further, by setting the state switching threshold used by the display control unit 27 to a value larger than the measurement interval change threshold used by the polling cycle control unit 28, a display icon that is switched by the state switching threshold that is a value larger than the measurement interval change threshold is displayed. It can be displayed without delay according to the current power generation state.

  For example, the power generation amount of the solar battery 2 exceeds a state switching threshold (for example, the current value of the solar charging current is 60 mA), and the power generation amount is repeatedly changed from a large state to a small state and from a small state to a large state. In the conventional measurement device, when the power generation amount is small, the measurement interval becomes long.Therefore, switching from the notification state of the high power generation state to the notification of the low power generation state is performed without delay. However, there is a case where the switching from the notification state of the low power generation state to the notification of the high power generation state is delayed. On the other hand, in the charge display device according to the present invention, if the amount of power generated by solar power generation is, for example, the current value of solar charging current is 50 mA or more, the power generation state exceeds, for example, 60 mA of the current value of solar charging current. Even in the case of repeated changes, not only the switching from the optimal charging icon to the normal charging icon but also the switching from the normal charging icon to the optimal charging icon can be executed without delay. For example, in this embodiment, the display can be updated every 10 milliseconds at the shortest.

  In general, since a user looks at a displayed icon as a reference for searching for a state in which the power generation amount of the solar battery 2 is the largest, an icon indicating a state in which the power generation amount is large (in this embodiment, an optimal charging icon) ) Should be displayed without delay. Conversely, an icon (for example, a charge stop icon) indicating a state where the power generation amount is small has little influence on user convenience even if the display is slightly delayed. Therefore, it is desirable that the optimum charging icon is displayed without delay as in the present embodiment, and the power consumption is suppressed as much as possible when the power generation amount is small.

  Of course, not only the optimal charging icon but also the normal charging icon may be displayed without delay. In this case, for example, the measurement interval change threshold or the notification determination interval change threshold may be set to a value less than 30 mA (for example, 20 mA). A plurality of measurement interval change thresholds or notification determination interval change thresholds may be set. In this case, for example, the measurement interval change threshold or the notification determination interval change threshold is set to 20 mA and 50 mA, and the polling cycle or display update interval is divided into three stages of 5 seconds, 1 second, and 10 milliseconds. Also good.

  As described above, it is possible to suppress power consumption and display a display icon that is changed with a state switching threshold value larger than the measurement interval change threshold value or the notification determination interval change threshold value among the state switching threshold values without delay. In other words, the state switching threshold value of the icon to be notified to the user without delay may be set to a value larger than the measurement interval change threshold value or the notification determination interval change threshold value.

[Portable device with charging display device]
Next, a mobile phone 100 including the charge display device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a mobile phone 100 including the charging display device 1. FIG. 7A is a front view of the mobile phone 100, FIG. 7B is a rear view of the mobile phone 100, and FIG. 7C is a side view of the mobile phone 100. Note that the device on which the charging display device 1 is mounted is not limited to the mobile phone 100, and may be any device on which a solar battery is mounted as a power source. In particular, mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), portable game consoles, notebook computers, portable music players, electronic dictionaries, calculators, TVs, etc., where the device user operates the device to adjust the power generation amount to the optimum state. The charging display device 1 can be mounted on a portable device such as a remote controller.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the mobile phone 100 includes a monitor side casing 101 and an operation side casing 102. The monitor side housing 101 includes a main liquid crystal display unit 105, a speaker unit 106, a sub liquid crystal display unit 11, and the solar battery 2, and the operation side housing 102 includes a microphone unit 103 and an operation unit 104.

  In the present embodiment, the sub liquid crystal display unit 11 and the solar battery 2 are arranged on the back surface of the monitor side housing 101 as shown in FIG. The arrangement method 2 and the direction thereof are not limited to this.

  The speaker unit 106 outputs audio information to the outside, and the microphone unit 103 inputs audio information to the mobile phone 100. The main liquid crystal display unit 105 displays an image based on an instruction from a main microcomputer that controls the function of the mobile phone 100. The power generation amount may also be displayed on the main liquid crystal display unit 105. The operation unit 104 is for a user to input and operate an instruction signal to the mobile phone 100.

  Note that, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the cellular phone 100 according to the present embodiment includes an upper casing (the monitor-side casing 101) and a lower casing (the operation-side casing 102). As an example, a so-called foldable mobile phone 100 is connected to each other via a hinge. Since the folding type is the mainstream of the cellular phone 100, the folding type cellular phone is taken as an example in the present embodiment. It is not limited.

[Modification]
The present invention can also be expressed as follows.

  The power generation amount notification device according to the present invention is a power generation amount notification device that measures the power generation amount of solar power generation at a predetermined interval and notifies the measured power generation amount when the power generation amount is less than a predetermined state switching threshold. A power generation state notification means for notifying a low power generation state indicating that the power generation amount is small and notifying a high power generation state indicating that the power generation amount is large when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined state switching threshold; When the power generation amount is less than a predetermined measurement interval change threshold value, the measurement interval control means increases the measurement interval, and when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined measurement interval change threshold value, the measurement interval control means reduces the measurement interval. And the predetermined state switching threshold is set larger than the predetermined measurement interval change threshold.

  According to the above configuration, the power generation amount notification device sets the predetermined state switching threshold to a value larger than the predetermined measurement interval change threshold. Therefore, even if the power generation amount notification device is near the predetermined state switching threshold value that is greater than the predetermined measurement interval change threshold value, the power generation amount notification device is configured to generate the power Measure the amount. Therefore, even if the power generation amount fluctuates near the predetermined state switching threshold value that is greater than the predetermined measurement interval change threshold value, if the power generation amount is greater than or equal to the predetermined measurement interval change threshold value, the power generation state notification means It is possible to notify the power generation state (low power generation state and high power generation state) according to the power generation amount without delay.

  For example, when the power generation amount of solar power generation exceeds the predetermined state switching threshold and the power generation amount is repeatedly changed from a large state to a small state and from a small state to a large state, the conventional measurement is performed. Since the measurement interval becomes longer when the power generation amount is small, the device switches the notification from the high power generation state to the low power generation state without delay, but notifies the low power generation state. There is a case where the switching of the notification of the high power generation state is delayed from the state of being present. On the other hand, if the power generation amount of solar power generation is equal to or greater than the predetermined measurement interval change threshold, the power generation amount notification device according to the present invention is able to detect the high power generation state even when the power generation state is repeatedly changing. Not only the notification of the low power generation state but also the notification of the low power generation state to the notification of the high power generation state can be executed without delay.

  Therefore, the power generation amount notification device has the effect of suppressing power consumption used when notifying the power generation amount and accurately notifying the user of the current power generation amount without delay.

[Supplement]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the charging display device 1, particularly the sub-microcomputer 9, may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the charging display device 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM that stores the program, a RAM that expands the program, a storage device such as a memory that stores the program and various data ( Recording medium). An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the charging display device 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the charging display device 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the charging display device 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used.

  The present invention is an apparatus that performs solar power generation, and can be used for an apparatus that measures the power generation amount of a solar battery and notifies the measured power generation amount. For example, the present invention can be used for a portable device such as a cellular phone equipped with a solar battery as a power source.

1 Charge display device (power generation amount notification device)
27 Display control unit (power generation state notification means, notification determination interval control means)
28 Polling cycle control unit (measurement interval control means)
100 Mobile phone (mobile device)

Claims (4)

A power generation amount notification device that measures the power generation amount of solar power generation and notifies the measured power generation amount at predetermined intervals,
When the power generation amount is less than a predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is lengthened, and when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the power generation amount is notified. A power generation amount notification device comprising a notification determination interval control means for shortening the predetermined interval. It is determined whether or not the power generation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined state switching threshold. If the power generation amount is less than the predetermined state switching threshold, a low power generation state indicating that the power generation amount is small is notified, and the power generation amount is If the predetermined state switching threshold or more, further comprising a power generation state notification means for notifying a high power generation state indicating that the power generation amount is large,
2. The power generation amount notification device according to claim 1, wherein among the predetermined state switching thresholds, a predetermined first state switching threshold is set to be larger than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold. A power generation amount notification method for measuring a power generation amount of solar power generation and notifying the measured power generation amount at a predetermined interval,
When the power generation amount is less than a predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the predetermined interval for notifying the power generation amount is lengthened, and when the power generation amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined notification determination interval change threshold, the power generation amount is notified. And a notification determination interval control step of shortening the predetermined interval.   A portable device comprising the power generation amount notification device according to claim 1.

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