JP2015008582A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of notifying a user of short-circuit abnormality in the inside of a connector by using electric power of a power storage section.SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus, having a power storage section, includes: a connector for connecting the electronic apparatus with an external apparatus; a detection section that detects an electrical change between the power storage section and the connector when a voltage from the power storage section is applied to the connector during non-charging of the power storage section; and a notification section that notifies the user of a short-circuit abnormality in the inside of the connector on the basis of a detection result of the detection section.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that detects a short circuit abnormality of a connector.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones have been widely used, and small secondary batteries (storage batteries) are often used as power sources for these electronic devices. Such charging of the secondary battery is often performed by connecting an AC adapter to the electronic device and using a charging circuit in the electronic device. As a standard for connecting an external peripheral device such as an AC adapter to an electronic device, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard is widely used.

  The USB standard employs a method called a bus powered method that allows power supply from the host. In the USB interface, overcurrent protection of a device by reverse insertion of a connector or unexpected power supply short-circuit is defined as a role on the host side, and usually an overcurrent protection mechanism is mounted on the host side. However, on the market, there are USB hosts that do not implement these mechanisms and USB cables that have wiring errors. A technique for notifying a user when an overcurrent flows using such a USB host and a USB cable is disclosed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-48594 (Patent Document 1) discloses a USB device device including a communication unit that performs data communication with a host unit via a USB cable. The USB device device includes an overcurrent prevention unit, an overcurrent state detection unit, and an overcurrent state notification unit in the signal line and the power line. Even if a USB cable with a wiring mistake, a connection error of a signal line or a power line in the host means, or an unexpected signal short-circuit occurs, the USB device apparatus is provided with an overload on the USB device apparatus side. The current state detecting means and the overcurrent state notifying means can notify the user of an abnormal connection state.

JP 2006-48594 A

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones have been miniaturized, and the USB connector plug shape is such that the distance between the terminals and between the terminal and the outer ground (metal case) is narrow, such as microUSB-BPlug. There are many cases. Along with this, there are an increasing number of cases where the terminals of the connector are short-circuited and cases where the terminals and the outer ground are short-circuited.

  The technology of Patent Document 1 is configured to detect an overcurrent state when power is supplied from the USB host to the USB device via the USB cable, but it detects a short circuit abnormality inside the connector. There is a problem that can not be.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an electronic device capable of notifying a user of a short-circuit abnormality in a connector by using power of a power storage unit. For the purpose.

  According to an embodiment, an electronic device having a power storage unit is provided. The electronic device is an electrical connector between the power storage unit and the connector when a voltage from the power storage unit is applied to the connector when the power storage unit is not charged and the connector that connects the electronic device to an external device. A detection unit that detects a change and a notification unit that notifies the user of a short circuit abnormality inside the connector based on the detection result of the detection unit.

  By using the electric power of the power storage unit, it is possible to notify the user of a short circuit abnormality inside the connector.

It is the schematic for demonstrating the whole structure of the electronic device according to this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the electronic device according to this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the electronic device according to this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the notification process procedure of the short circuit abnormality of the connector which the electronic device according to this Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detection processing procedure which the electronic device according to this Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detection process procedure of the short circuit abnormality of the connector which the electronic device according to the modification of this Embodiment performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an overall configuration of electronic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. Although the following description demonstrates the case where the electronic device 10 is a smart phone, it is realizable as arbitrary apparatuses. For example, the electronic device 10 can be realized as a mobile phone, a tablet electronic device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a PC (Personal Computer), or the like.

  Referring to FIG. 1, electronic device 10 can receive electric power supplied from AC adapter 20 via USB connector 116. The external power source that supplies power to the electronic device 10 is not limited to the AC adapter 20, and may be a PC, a portable battery, or the like, for example.

  A switch 156 is provided between the VBUS terminal of the USB connector 116 and the VBUS_IN terminal of the charging circuit 126. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 controls connection between the charging circuit 126 and the USB connector 116 by controlling opening and closing of the switch 156. That is, the CPU 102 controls connection and disconnection of a charging path for charging the power storage unit with electric power from the outside via the USB connector 116.

  Further, the CPU 102 operates the DCDC converter 122 to boost the battery voltage (VBAT) of the storage battery, and applies the boosted voltage to the USB connector 116. Between the DCDC converter 122 and the USB connector 116, a load 154 and a unidirectional conduction element 152 for preventing backflow are connected. That is, a load 154 for detecting an electrical change between the storage battery and the USB connector 116 is provided in a path for applying a boosted voltage to the USB connector 116 (a discharge path for discharging the power of the storage battery to the USB connector 116). And a unidirectional conducting element 152 that conducts current from the storage battery (DCDC converter 122) to the USB connector 116 while non-conducting current from the USB connector 116 to the storage battery. The unidirectional conducting element 152 is provided to prevent a backflow of current to the discharge path. For example, the load 154 is a resistor, and the unidirectional conducting element 152 is a diode.

  The AD converter 120 measures the voltage applied to the load 154 and inputs the measured voltage value to the CPU 102. The CPU 102 can detect an electrical change between the storage battery and the USB connector 116 based on the voltage value. When the CPU 102 determines that a short circuit abnormality has occurred inside the USB connector 116 based on the detection result of the electrical change, the CPU 102 displays a warning on the display 110, thereby generating the short circuit abnormality to the user. Is notified.

<Overview of operation>
With reference to FIG. 1, the operation | movement outline | summary of the electronic device 10 according to this Embodiment is demonstrated. The CPU 102 executes an operation for detecting the electrical change of the load 154 described above at regular intervals. When a certain time has elapsed, the CPU 102 turns off the switch 156 (open state) and cuts off the charging path. This is to prevent the electric power discharged from the storage battery via the DCDC converter 122 from flowing into the charging path.

  Next, the CPU 102 transmits an enable signal to operate the DCDC converter 122. The DCDC converter 122 boosts VBAT and applies the boosted voltage to the USB connector 116 (VBUS terminal).

  The AD converter 120 measures the voltage applied to the load 154 when a voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal. At this time, when the VBUS terminal and the GND terminal (or outer ground) of the USB connector 116 are in a complete short circuit state (short circuit state), or in a short circuit state (half short circuit state) with a small resistance, the predetermined value The above current flows through the load 154. On the other hand, when the VBUS terminal and the GND terminal (or the outer ground) are neither short-circuited nor half-shorted, the current flowing through the load 154 is extremely small (or no current flows).

  The CPU 102 can detect a short circuit abnormality between the VBUS terminal and the GND terminal by comparing the applied voltage (or applied current) to the load 154 measured by the AD converter 120 with a predetermined reference threshold value. it can. Specifically, the CPU 102 can determine a short state and a half short state between the terminals.

  If the CPU 102 determines that a short circuit abnormality has been detected, the CPU 102 can display a warning message such as “There is an abnormality in the charging circuit!” On the display 110 to notify the user of the short circuit abnormality.

  As described above, as a case where the VBUS terminal and the GND terminal are short-circuited, an aqueous solution having a high salt concentration such as seawater adheres to the connection surface of the USB connector 116 exposed to the outside, and between the VBUS terminal and the GND terminal. Or the case where the impedance between the VBUS terminal and the outer ground is lowered may be considered. Alternatively, the resin covering the terminals of the USB connector 116 may be scraped due to changes over time, and may be shorted to the VBUS terminal and the outer ground. Electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment can detect a short circuit abnormality in USB connector 116 even in such a case.

  In addition, when the AC adapter 20 is connected to the electronic device 10, the overcurrent protection circuit of the AC adapter 20 is activated when a current of a predetermined value or more flows. The current protection circuit does not work. Therefore, a conventional electronic device cannot detect a half-short state in which there is a high possibility of gradually shifting to a short state. However, electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment can detect not only a short-circuit state in USB connector 116 but also a half-short state by adjusting a predetermined reference threshold. It can be prevented in advance.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, electronic device 10 includes, as main components, CPU 102, memory 104, touch panel 106, button 108, display 110, wireless communication unit 112, communication antenna 113, and humidity sensor 114. A USB connector 116, an external interface 118, an AD converter 120, a DCDC converter 122, a storage battery 124, a charging circuit 126, a GPS (Global Positioning System) controller 128, and a timer 130.

  The CPU 102 controls the operation of each unit of the electronic device 10 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 104. More specifically, the CPU 102 implements each process (step) of the electronic device 10 to be described later by executing the program. The CPU 102 is, for example, a microprocessor. The hardware may be an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) other than the CPU, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a circuit having other arithmetic functions, or the like.

  The memory 104 is realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, or the like. The memory 104 stores a program executed by the CPU 102 or data used by the CPU 102.

  The touch panel 106 is provided on a display 110 having a function as a display unit, and may be any type such as a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a capacitance method. . The touch panel 106 may include an optical sensor liquid crystal. The touch panel 106 detects a touch operation on the touch panel 106 by an external object every predetermined time, and inputs touch coordinates (touch position) to the CPU 102.

  The button 108 is disposed on the surface of the electronic device 10, receives an instruction from the user, and inputs the instruction to the CPU 102. The button 108 includes, for example, a screen transition button for changing the display screen, a confirmation button, a cancel button, and the like.

  The wireless communication unit 112 is connected to the mobile communication network via the communication antenna 113 and transmits and receives signals for wireless communication. Thereby, the electronic device 10 can communicate with a predetermined communication device via a mobile communication network such as a third generation mobile communication system (3G) or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

  The humidity sensor 114 detects the humidity around the electronic device 10. The humidity sensor 114 inputs the detected humidity information to the CPU 102.

  The USB connector 116 has a VBUS terminal (power supply terminal) for supplying power from the host, a D + / D− terminal for transmitting a differential signal, and a GND terminal (ground terminal). The USB connector 116 is realized as various interfaces such as a communication interface and a memory interface.

  The external interface 118 is realized as a memory interface, for example, and reads data from an external storage medium. The CPU 102 reads data stored in an external storage medium and stores the data in the memory 104. The CPU 102 reads data from the memory 104 and stores the data in an external storage medium via the USB connector 116. As storage media, CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), USB memory, memory card, IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card) And optical cards. When implemented as a communication interface, the external interface 118 exchanges various data between the electronic device 10 and an external device. The communication method may be, for example, wireless communication using a wireless local area network (LAN) or wired communication.

  The AD converter 120 measures the voltage applied to the load 154, converts the measured analog voltage value into a digital value, and transmits the digital value to the CPU 102. Since the resistance value of the load 154 is known (for example, 0.1Ω), a value converted from voltage to current may be transmitted to the CPU 102.

  The DCDC converter 122 is connected between the USB connector 116 and the storage battery 124, converts the output voltage (VBAT) of the storage battery 124 into a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V), and converts the converted voltage to the USB connector 116. To supply.

  The storage battery 124 is a chargeable / dischargeable power storage element, and typically includes a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. The storage battery 124 is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series, for example.

  The charging circuit 126 charges the storage battery 124 with external power received via the USB connector 116. The charging circuit 126 controls the voltage and current supplied to the storage battery 124.

  The GPS controller 128 receives a GPS signal or a position signal (positioning signal) from the base station and acquires position information of the electronic device 10. The GPS controller 128 inputs the acquired position information of the electronic device 10 to the CPU 102. In this example, the case where the position information of the electronic device 10 is acquired using the GPS controller 128 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position information of the electronic device 10 is acquired based on radio waves and communication information. You may do it.

  The timekeeping unit 130 is a part for measuring time, and sends a signal corresponding to the time measured to the CPU 102. The timer 130 measures the usage period of the electronic device 10. Here, the usage period refers to a period from the time when the electronic device 10 is manufactured to the time of shipment, for example.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, electronic device 10 includes a setting unit 202, a connection control unit 204, a detection unit 206, a determination unit 208, and a notification unit 210 as its main functional configuration. These are basically realized by the CPU 102 of the electronic device 10 executing a program stored in the memory 104 and giving a command to the components of the electronic device 10. That is, the CPU 102 has a function as a control unit that controls the entire operation of the electronic device 10. Note that some or all of these functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

  The setting unit 202 sets a detection timing at which the detection unit 206 described later executes detection of an electrical change of the load 154. In a certain aspect, the setting unit 202 sets the detection timing based on the usage period of the electronic device 10 timed by the time measuring unit 130. Specifically, the setting unit 202 sets the detection timing interval to be shorter as the use period is longer. This is because the longer the period of use, the more likely foreign matter such as dust will adhere to the inside of the USB connector 116 and the more likely that a short circuit will occur. For example, the setting unit 202 sets the detection timing interval to 60 seconds when the usage period is less than 6 months, and sets the interval to 30 seconds when the usage period is 6 months or more and less than 1 year. When the usage period is 1 year or more and less than 2 years, the interval is set to 20 seconds. When the usage period is 2 years or more, the interval is set to 10 seconds.

  In another aspect, the setting unit 202 sets detection timing based on humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 114. Specifically, the setting unit 202 sets the detection timing interval to be shorter as the humidity around the electronic device 10 becomes higher. This is because when the humidity is high, the USB connector 116 is moistened and the possibility of occurrence of a short-circuit abnormality increases. For example, the setting unit 202 sets the detection timing interval to 60 seconds when the humidity is 40% or more and less than 60%, and sets the interval to 30 seconds when the humidity is 60% or more and less than 70%. When the humidity is 70% or more and less than 80%, the interval is set to 20 seconds, and when the humidity is 80% or more, the interval is set to 10 seconds.

  In yet another aspect, the setting unit 202 sets detection timing based on weather information at a position where the electronic device 10 is present. The position information of the electronic device 10 is acquired via the GPS controller 128, and weather information corresponding to the acquired position is acquired from an external server via the wireless communication unit 112 (or communication interface). For example, the setting unit 202 sets the detection timing interval to 60 seconds when it is fine, and sets the interval to 10 seconds when it is raining or snowing.

  The setting unit 202 may set the detection timing interval by combining use period information, humidity information, and weather information.

  The connection control unit 204 controls connection and disconnection of a charging path for charging the storage battery 124 with external power via the USB connector 116. Specifically, when the detection timing set by the setting unit 202 arrives, the connection control unit 204 turns off (opens) the switch 156 to block the charging path.

  The detection unit 206 detects an electrical change between the storage battery 124 and the USB connector 116 when a voltage from the storage battery 124 is applied to the USB connector 116 when the storage battery 124 is not charged. Specifically, the detection unit 206 applies or applies an applied current to the load 154 connected to the path for applying the voltage from the storage battery 124 to the USB connector 116 when the connection control unit 204 interrupts the charging path. At least one physical quantity of the voltage is detected. Specifically, upon receiving a signal indicating that the charging path has been interrupted from the connection control unit 204, the detection unit 206 operates the DCDC converter 122 to boost the output voltage of the storage battery 124 to a predetermined voltage, and the USB connector A predetermined voltage is applied to 116. Then, the detection unit 206 receives the applied voltage information of the load 154 measured by the AD converter 120. The detection unit 206 may calculate the applied current information from the applied voltage information based on the resistance value of the load 154.

  The determination unit 208 determines whether or not a short circuit abnormality has occurred based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit 206 and a predetermined reference threshold value. Specifically, the determination unit 208 determines that a short circuit abnormality has not occurred when the applied voltage is less than a reference threshold (for example, 10 mV), and a short circuit abnormality when the applied voltage is greater than or equal to the reference threshold. Is determined to have occurred. Further, if the resistance value is 0.1Ω, the reference threshold when comparing with the applied current is 100 mA. As the reference threshold value is reduced, the criterion for short circuit abnormality becomes stricter. Therefore, the reference threshold value may be set in accordance with the allowable range of short circuit between terminals (a range indicating how much short circuit is allowed).

  The notification unit 210 notifies the user of a short circuit abnormality inside the USB connector 116 based on the detection result of the detection unit 206. Specifically, the notification unit 210 notifies the user that a short circuit abnormality has occurred when the determination unit 208 receives the detection result and determines that a short circuit abnormality has occurred. More specifically, the notification unit 210 causes the display 110 to display a message indicating a short circuit abnormality. Or the alerting | reporting part 210 may output the audio | voice which shows short circuit abnormality from a speaker.

  Note that if the determination unit 208 determines that a short circuit abnormality has not occurred, the connection control unit 204 connects the blocked charging path. Thereby, the storage battery 124 can be charged again via the charging circuit.

<Processing procedure>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a short-circuit abnormality notification processing procedure of USB connector 116 executed by electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment. The following steps are basically realized by the CPU 102 of the electronic device 10 executing a program stored in the memory 104.

  Referring to FIG. 4, CPU 102 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned on (step S10). Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the time has elapsed by checking the counter value.

  If the time has not elapsed (NO in step S10), CPU 102 repeats the process of step S10. On the other hand, when the time has elapsed (YES in step S10), the CPU 102 executes a detection process (step S12).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detection processing procedure executed by electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 102 turns off switch 156 (open state) and blocks the charging path (step S20).

  Next, the CPU 102 causes the USB connector 116 to apply the voltage from the storage battery 124 (step S22). Specifically, the CPU 102 operates the DCDC converter 122 by transmitting an enable signal, boosts the output voltage of the storage battery 124 to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V), and applies the voltage to the USB connector 116. Let

  Next, the CPU 102 receives applied voltage information for the load 154 measured by the AD converter 120 (step S24). For example, the CPU 102 instructs the AD converter 120 to measure the applied voltage, and receives the measured applied voltage information. Note that the CPU 102 may convert the received applied voltage information into applied current information. And CPU102 performs the process from step S14 (return).

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, CPU 102 determines whether or not a short circuit abnormality has occurred (step S14). Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not a short circuit abnormality has occurred based on the detected applied voltage information and a predetermined reference threshold (10 mV). Specifically, the CPU 102 determines that a short circuit abnormality has occurred when the detected applied voltage is 10 mV or more, and a short circuit abnormality has occurred when the detected applied voltage is less than 10 mV. Judge that it is not. When the applied voltage information is converted into the applied current information, the CPU 102 makes a determination based on a reference threshold in the case of current.

  When the short circuit abnormality has occurred (YES in step S14), the CPU 102 notifies the user of the short circuit abnormality (step S16). Specifically, the CPU 102 displays a message indicating a short circuit abnormality on the display 110 or outputs a sound indicating a short circuit abnormality from a speaker.

  On the other hand, when a short circuit abnormality has not occurred (NO in step S14), the CPU 102 executes a reset process (step S18). Specifically, the CPU 102 resets the counter value to return to the initial state, and turns on the switch 156 (closed state) to connect the blocked charging path. And CPU102 repeats the process from step S10.

(Modification)
In the above description, the case where the electronic device 10 confirms the occurrence of a short circuit abnormality of the USB connector 116 at predetermined intervals has been described. Here, as a modification, a case will be described in which the cycle is set based on the usage period of the electronic device 10, the ambient humidity, and the weather, and a short-circuit abnormality detection process is executed for each set cycle.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detection processing procedure of a short circuit abnormality of the USB connector 116 executed by the electronic apparatus 10 according to the modification of the present embodiment. The following steps are basically realized by the CPU 102 of the electronic device 10 executing a program stored in the memory 104.

  Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 102 sets a timing for executing a short-circuit abnormality detection process based on a predetermined condition (step S <b> 32). Specifically, the CPU 102 sets the detection timing based on the usage period of the electronic device 10 acquired via the timer unit 130. Alternatively, the CPU 102 sets the detection timing based on the ambient humidity of the electronic device 10 acquired via the humidity sensor 114. Or CPU102 sets a detection timing based on the weather information in the position of the electronic device 10 acquired via the GPS controller 128 and the wireless communication part 112. FIG. Note that the CPU 102 may set the detection timing based on the usage period of the electronic device 10, the ambient humidity, and the weather information.

  Next, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the set detection timing has arrived (step S34). For example, when the cycle is set to 60 seconds, the CPU 102 determines whether 60 seconds have elapsed since the detection timing was set.

  If the set detection timing has not arrived (NO in step S34), CPU 102 repeats the process of step S34. On the other hand, when the set detection timing has arrived (YES in step S34), the CPU 102 executes the process of step S36.

  Here, the processes of steps S36 to S42 are the same as the processes of steps S12 to S18 of FIG. 4, respectively, and thus detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Although the case where the CPU 102 executes the reset process in step S42 and repeats the process from step S32 has been described above, that is, the case where the detection timing is reset every time the reset process is performed, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the CPU 102 may execute the reset process in step S42 and repeat the process from step S34. In this case, once the detection timing is set in step S32, the CPU 102 executes the detection process at the detection timing even after executing the reset process.

<Other embodiments>
Although the case where the applied voltage of the load resistance is measured by the AD converter has been described above, the output signal may be transmitted to the CPU as long as it is equal to or higher than a certain voltage using a comparator. In this case, the CPU determines that a short circuit abnormality has been detected when the output signal is received. Moreover, when it is not necessary to adjust the output voltage of a storage battery, the structure which does not use a DCDC converter may be sufficient.

  It is also possible to provide a program that causes a computer to function and execute control as described in the above flowchart. Such a program is recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card as a program product. It can also be provided. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program may be a program module that is provided as a part of an operating system (OS) of a computer and that calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. A program incorporated in such another program can also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

<Effect of Embodiment>
According to the present embodiment, the electronic device detects the occurrence of a short-circuit abnormality in the connector using the power of the storage battery, and therefore detects the short-circuit abnormality in the connector even when not connected to an external power source. Can do.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect a short-circuit abnormality in the connector before connecting the external power supply and the electronic device via the connector, so that the external power supply is connected when there is a short-circuit abnormality in the connector. It is possible to prevent heat generation due to excessive current that may occur.

  According to the present embodiment, not only a short in the connector but also an overcurrent protection circuit does not work, and it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to a half short that is likely to gradually shift to a short state.

  According to the present embodiment, the electronic device performs the detection operation according to the possibility of occurrence of a short circuit abnormality in the connector based on the period of use, the surrounding environment, etc., so that the user is effectively notified of the short circuit abnormality. can do.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  10 electronic equipment, 20 AC adapter, 102 CPU, 104 memory, 106 touch panel, 108 button, 110 display, 112 wireless communication unit, 113 communication antenna, 114 humidity sensor, 116 connector, 118 external interface, 120 AD converter, 122 DCDC converter , 124 storage battery, 126 charging circuit, 128 GPS controller, 130 timing unit, 152 unidirectional conduction element, 154 load, 156 switch, 202 setting unit, 204 connection control unit, 206 detection unit, 208 determination unit, 210 notification unit.

Claims (5)

An electronic device having a power storage unit,
A connector for connecting the electronic device and an external device;
A detection unit that detects an electrical change between the power storage unit and the connector when a voltage from the power storage unit is applied to the connector when the power storage unit is not charged;
An electronic device comprising: a notification unit that notifies a user of a short circuit abnormality inside the connector based on a detection result of the detection unit. A connection control unit for controlling connection and disconnection of a charging path for charging the power storage unit with electric power from the outside via the connector;
The detection unit includes at least one of an applied current or an applied voltage to a load connected to a path for applying a voltage from the power storage unit to the connector when the charging path is interrupted by the connection control unit. Detect one physical quantity,
The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not the short circuit abnormality has occurred based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit and a predetermined reference threshold value. If the determination unit determines that the short circuit abnormality has occurred, the notification unit notifies the user that the short circuit abnormality has occurred,
The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the connection control unit connects the charging path that is cut off when the determination unit determines that the short circuit abnormality has not occurred. A setting unit for setting the timing of the detection by the detection unit;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit performs the detection when the set timing arrives. Further comprising a timekeeping section for measuring the period of use of the electronic device,
The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the setting unit sets the timing based on the usage period.

Images