JP2018113763A - Charging confirmation device, power reception device, and wireless power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging confirmation device that controls a power supply side and a system for a plurality of power reception devices, which charges in accordance with a wireless electric power supply, capable of confirming efficiently charging completion of each power reception device.SOLUTION: A charging confirmation device performs: a processing of transmitting an electric power supply start notification signal including information designating a specification power reception device of a plurality of power reception devices to each power reception device in accordance with a wireless electric power supply start; a processing of transmitting a charging completion confirmation signal for inquiring charging completion to each power reception device in accordance with reception of the charging completion signal from the power reception device to be designated; and a processing of confirming whether the charging completion signal responded to the charging completion confirmation signal is received from all power reception devices. The power reception device itself is designated as a specification power reception device, and the power reception device transmits the charging completion signal to the charging confirmation device in accordance with the completion of the charging in a power supply part. The other power reception device transmits the charging completion signal when the charging completion confirmation signal is received from the charging confirmation device after the completion of the charging in the power supply part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging confirmation device that is a device on a power feeding side, a power receiving device that receives wireless power feeding and charges a battery, and a wireless power feeding system that includes a charging confirmation device and a plurality of power receiving devices.

Wireless power feeding is known as a method for charging a rechargeable battery.
Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique related to a power transmission device and a power reception device in a system that performs wireless power feeding. In particular, it is described that the power reception device transmits a completion notification in response to the completion of charging.

JP 2012-200056 A

Consider supplying power to a large number of power receiving devices using a wireless power feeding device. On the wireless power supply device side, the wireless power supply is terminated in response to detecting the completion of charging in each power receiving device. However, since the charging completion timing on each power receiving device side is indefinite, the power feeding device needs to receive a notification of charging completion from each power receiving device.
However, if each power receiving device independently notifies the completion of charging, there is a possibility that charging completion notifications may be transmitted from a plurality of power receiving devices at the same time, interference may occur, and the power feeding device may not be able to recognize the notification.
If an inquiry is made from the power supply device and the power receiving device notifies the completion of charging, the transmission timing of the charge completion notification from each power receiving device can be shifted, but the charging completion timing at each power receiving device Therefore, it is difficult to make an inquiry from the power supply apparatus, and the power supply operation may be continued in vain. In addition, the power receiving device that has been charged may waste power consumption.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable efficient confirmation of completion of charging of a plurality of power receiving apparatuses.

The charging confirmation device according to the present invention includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication with a plurality of power receiving devices that charge a battery in response to wireless power feeding, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to transmit a power supply start notification signal including information for designating a specific power receiving device among the plurality of power receiving devices from the communication unit to the plurality of power receiving devices when the wireless power feeding starts. In response to receiving the charging completion signal from the power receiving apparatus by the communication unit, a process of transmitting a charging completion confirmation signal for inquiring charging completion to a plurality of power receiving apparatuses from the communication unit, and responding to the charging completion confirmation signal And a process of confirming whether or not the completed charging completion signal has been received from all the power receiving apparatuses.
This charging confirmation device is a device on the parent device side that forms a wireless power feeding system together with the power receiving device (child device). For example, one charging confirmation device is designated from among a plurality of power receiving devices. The designated power receiving device (designated slave unit) transmits a charging completion signal in response to the completion of charging. Upon receiving the signal, inquiries about charging completion (transmission of charging completion confirmation signals) are made to a plurality of power receiving devices. . If charging completion signals from all the power receiving devices are received, charging completion by wireless power feeding can be confirmed.

In the above-described charging confirmation device, the control unit completes charging for the designated power receiving device when transmitting the charging completion confirmation signal in response to receiving the charging completion signal from the designated power receiving device. A notification that transmission is not required is included.
That is, since the designated power receiving apparatus has already received the charging completion signal, the designated power receiving apparatus is notified that re-transmission is unnecessary.

In the above-described charging confirmation device, the control unit repeatedly performs a process of transmitting a charging completion confirmation signal inquiring of the completion of charging from the communication unit until receiving the charging completion signals from all the power receiving devices.
Even if an inquiry is made using the charging completion confirmation signal, a charging completion signal is not received from a power receiving device that has not been charged. Therefore, an inquiry is repeatedly made using the charging completion confirmation signal so that each slave can respond after the charging is completed.

In the above-described charging confirmation device, the control unit outputs a sleep instruction signal that instructs the power receiving device that has transmitted the charging completion signal in response to the charging completion confirmation signal to enter a sleep state in which at least the transmission operation is not performed. Then, a process of transmitting from the communication unit is performed.
That is, the power receiving device that has transmitted the charge completion signal is instructed to wait in the sleep state thereafter.

A power receiving device according to the present invention includes a power supply unit that charges a battery mounted as an operating power source in response to wireless power feeding, a communication unit that performs wireless communication between an external charging confirmation device, and a control unit With. The control unit performs processing for obtaining a power supply start notification signal including information specifying a specific power receiving device and a charge completion confirmation signal for inquiring charging completion, which are received by the communication unit, from the charging confirmation device. In addition, when it is determined by acquisition of the power supply start notification signal that the device is designated as a specific power receiving device, a charge completion signal is sent to the charge confirmation device in response to completion of charging in the power supply unit. If it is determined by the acquisition of the power supply start notification signal that the power supply start notification signal is not specified as the specific power receiving device, the charging is completed after the charging in the power supply unit is completed. When the confirmation signal is acquired, a process for causing the charge confirmation device to transmit a charge completion signal from the communication unit is performed.
This power receiving device is a slave unit corresponding to the above-described charging confirmation device (master unit). This power receiving apparatus performs charging by wireless power feeding. Based on the information included in the power supply start notification signal, it is determined whether or not the device is a power receiving device (designated slave device) designated as the parent device. And independently send a charge completion signal. On the other hand, if the specified power receiving device has not been established, it will not voluntarily transmit a charging completion signal even when charging is completed, and when a charging completion confirmation signal is received from the charging confirmation device, charging is performed as a response. Send a completion signal.

In the power receiving apparatus described above, if the control unit detects that the information included in the charging completion confirmation signal includes a notification that it does not request transmission of the charging completion signal, The transmission process of the response to the charge completion confirmation signal is not executed.
For example, since the power receiving device designated at the start of power supply voluntarily transmits a charging completion signal in response to the completion of charging, the charging confirmation device transmits again to the designated power receiving device in the charging completion confirmation signal. Make a notification that it is not necessary. In such a case, the designated power receiving device does not need to respond to the charging completion confirmation signal.
The charge confirmation device repeatedly transmits a charge completion confirmation signal when there is a power receiving device from which a charge completion signal cannot be obtained. In that case, the information which requests | requires a reply to a specific power receiving apparatus may be included. In that case, the power receiving apparatus that does not correspond does not need to correspond to the charging completion confirmation signal.
Therefore, when there is no need to respond to these charge completion confirmation signals, transmission processing is not performed and power consumption is avoided.

In the power receiving apparatus described above, the control unit performs a process of acquiring a sleep instruction signal that is received by the communication unit and that instructs to enter a sleep state in which at least a transmission operation is not performed, from the charging confirmation device. At the same time, processing for shifting to the sleep state is performed in response to the acquisition of the sleep instruction signal.
The power receiving device that has already transmitted the charge completion signal waits in the sleep state in response to the sleep instruction signal from the charge confirmation device.

  A wireless power supply system according to the present invention is a system including the above-described charging confirmation device and a plurality of the above-described power receiving devices.

  According to the present invention, the charge confirmation device makes an inquiry at a suitable timing because it makes an inquiry to the plurality of power receiving devices according to the completion of charging confirmation signal according to the completion of charging of the specified specific power receiving device. There is an effect that the charge completion confirmation can be made efficient.

It is explanatory drawing of the wireless electric power feeding system of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the main | base station and the subunit | mobile_unit of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of communication of the main | base station of a comparative example, and a subunit | mobile_unit. It is explanatory drawing of communication of the main | base station and the subunit | mobile_unit of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of communication of the main | base station and the subunit | mobile_unit of embodiment. It is a flowchart of processing of the parent device and the child device of the embodiment. It is a flowchart of processing of the parent device and the child device of the embodiment.

<Configuration example>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. First, the configuration of the wireless power feeding system will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a parent device MD and a child device SD (SD1 to SD9) constituting the wireless power feeding system. Base unit MD is arranged apart from a large number of slave units SD.
The parent device MD has a configuration as a power feeding device, and the child device SD is a power receiving device that receives wireless power feeding and charges a built-in battery.

This wireless power supply system performs wireless power supply from the parent device MD to each child device SD. Each cordless handset SD charges the built-in battery using the supplied power.
In addition, wireless communication for confirming the completion of charging is performed between the parent device MD and each child device SD.
In FIG. 1, the number of child devices SD is nine from child devices SD1 to SD9. However, this system assumes that there are two or more child devices SD. Is assumed to be 100 to 200 or more.

  For each of the child devices SD1 to SD9, a unique child device address (hereinafter simply referred to as “address”) is set. In the figure, (001) to (009) are shown for each of the slave units SD1 to SD9, which are addresses. For example, the address of the child device SD1 is (001), and the address of the child device SD2 is (002).

Although details will be described later, the main unit MD designates one specific sub unit at the start of wireless charging. A specific device designated by the parent device is denoted as “designated child device SD-S”. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the child device SD9 at the address (009) is designated as the child device SD-S.
The parts other than the designated slave unit SD-S are referred to as “general slave unit SD-N” for the sake of explanation. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the child devices SD1 to SD8 are general child devices SD-N.
Each slave unit SD is a power receiving device having the same configuration. The designated slave unit SD-S and the general slave unit SD-N are not different devices. The slave unit designated by the master unit MD simply by wireless communication becomes the designated slave unit SD-S.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the parent device MD and the child device SD.
The master device MD in the configuration example of FIG. 2 is a device having a function of performing power feeding of the wireless power feeding system and a function as a charging confirmation device according to the claims, that is, a function of confirming charging of the slave device SD.

Base unit MD includes a charging confirmation device 1 and a power feeding device 2.
The power feeding device 2 performs wireless power feeding to the child device SD. For wireless power feeding, there are known electromagnetic induction methods using electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic resonance methods using electromagnetic field resonance phenomenon, and radio wave methods that convert electric power into electromagnetic waves and transmit / receive via an antenna. In the embodiment, the power feeding method itself is not limited. That is, the power feeding device 2 may be any device unit that performs wireless power feeding regardless of the method.

The charging confirmation device 1 in the parent device MD includes a parent device control unit 10 and a communication unit 11.
The communication unit 11 performs wireless communication with a plurality of slave units SD each serving as a power receiving device for wireless power feeding from the power feeding device 2.
The base unit control unit 10 is constituted by a microcomputer incorporating a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The parent device control unit 10 performs communication processing with the child device SD via the communication unit 11 and controls the power supply apparatus 2. That is, the base unit control unit 10 performs power feeding start control by the power feeding device 2, starts power feeding, and then confirms the completion of charging on the side of the slave unit SD by wireless communication with the slave unit SD. When the completion of charging is confirmed in all the slave units SD, the power supply device 2 is controlled to end the power supply.

The slave device SD is a power receiving device that receives wireless power feeding and charges the battery 23.
The slave unit SD includes a slave unit control unit 20, a communication unit 21, a power supply unit 22, and a function unit 24.
The power supply unit 22 receives wireless power supply from the power supply device 2 and charges a built-in battery (secondary battery) 23. Moreover, the power supply part 22 outputs the operating voltage V1, V2, ... required for each part by using the battery 23 as a power supply.

The communication unit 21 performs wireless communication with the communication unit 11 on the parent device MD side.
The subunit | mobile_unit control part 20 is comprised by the microcomputer incorporating CPU, RAM, ROM etc., for example. The slave unit control unit 20 performs communication processing with the master unit MD via the communication unit 21 and performs overall operation control of the slave unit SD. That is, the handset control unit 20 performs operation control of the power supply unit 22 and the function unit 24, confirmation of a charging state in the power supply unit 22 at the time of wireless power feeding, and the like.

The function unit 24 indicates a part that executes an operation function as the child device SD.
There are various types of devices that the child device SD is actually. For example, light emitting device, sounding device, display device, various motor drive devices, control device, switch device, detection device, signal amplification device, arithmetic device, trigger generation device, activation device, etc. Any device is envisaged. The function unit 24 is a part that executes functions necessary for these various apparatuses.

<Comparative example>
In the present embodiment, the parent device MD can efficiently execute the charge confirmation in each child device SD. Here, prior to the operation of the embodiment, a charge confirmation operation as a comparative example will be described.
FIG. 3 shows, in time series, an example of communication normally assumed between the parent device MD and a number of child devices SD when performing wireless power feeding.

At the start of power supply, master device MD starts wireless power supply by power supply device 2 and transmits power supply start notification signal CHGS to all slave devices SD.
In each slave unit SD that has received the power supply start notification signal CHGS, the power supply unit 22 starts charging and transmits a confirmation signal RS to the master unit MD.
By receiving the confirmation signals RS from all the child devices SD, the parent device MD can recognize that charging has started in all the child devices SD.

  Thereafter, charging progresses in each slave unit SD, but the timing of completion of charging is completely indefinite due to the difference in the separation distance between each slave unit SD and the master unit MD, the status of the battery 23, the error in charging efficiency, and the like. . In FIG. 3, the charging completion timings of the slave units SD1, SD2, and SD9 are time points te1, te2, and te9, respectively.

Since the charging status of each child device SD is unknown to the parent device MD, for example, when a certain time TW has elapsed since the transmission start notification signal CHGS is transmitted, a charging completion confirmation signal CHGE is sent to each child device SD. Send. The charging completion confirmation signal CHGE is a signal having a meaning as an inquiry as to whether or not charging is completed.
The child device SD that has been charged transmits a charge completion signal FINC to the parent device MD in response to the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE.
In the figure, when the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE is transmitted, each child device SD has already completed charging, and the charging completion signal FINC is transmitted as a response.

If the master device MD confirms the charge completion signal FINC from all the slave devices SD, the power supply device 2 stops the power supply operation as the completion of charge.
If there is a slave unit SD that has not yet sent the charge completion signal FINC, it waits for a certain period of time and then transmits the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE again to make an inquiry.

With such communication, the parent device MD can confirm the completion of charging of all the child devices SD. In this case, it is difficult to set the transmission timing of the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE.
This is because the time until the charging of each slave unit SD is largely changed depending on the installation location, the installation environment, the distance from the master unit MD, and the like, and thus the set fixed time TW is not necessarily an appropriate time.
It is conceivable that the fixed time TW is a time during which all the child devices SD can be fully charged. However, if the fixed time TW is too long, useless power supply time is generated. For example, in the case of FIG. 3, if charging is completed for all the slave units SD at time te9, unnecessary power supply is performed until a certain time TW elapses from time te9. This also increases the time until the completion of charging can be confirmed, and the start of the original operation after confirmation of the completion of charging in each slave unit SD may be delayed.
On the other hand, if the fixed time TW is made too short, it is assumed that there are many slave units SD that have not yet been charged, and then it is necessary to repeatedly inquire. Then, for the child device SD that has been charged, it is necessary to perform communication corresponding to the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE many times, and the power of the fully charged battery 23 is consumed by communication. .

  In addition, if each child device MD voluntarily transmits a charge completion signal FINC to the parent device MD when charging is completed, the charging completion confirmation of all the child devices SD can be obtained most quickly. The transmission timing of the charging completion signal FINC may overlap and cause interference, and the master unit MD may not be recognized. Then, the charging completion confirmation of all the handset SD cannot be taken.

<Example of communication in the embodiment>
In the present embodiment, in view of the circumstances that occur in the above comparative example, it is possible to take a more efficient charge completion confirmation.
A communication operation at the time of wireless power feeding performed in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Similar to FIG. 3, these show examples of communication performed between the parent device MD and a number of child devices SD in time series. Each communication is performed between the parent device control unit 10 and the child device control unit 20 via the communication units 11 and 21.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the charging completion confirmation of all the child devices SD can be taken earliest.
At the start of power supply, the power supply device 2 starts wireless power supply and transmits a power supply start notification signal CHGS to all the child devices SD on the parent device MD side.
At this time, the specific child device SD-S is designated from the parent device MD side. For example, the power supply start notification signal CHGS includes an address as information designated by the slave unit. The figure shows an example in which an address (009) is added to the power supply start notification signal CHGS and transmitted.

  In each slave unit SD that has received the power supply start notification signal CHGS, the power supply unit 22 starts charging and transmits a confirmation signal RS to the master unit MD. Each child device SD adds its own address ((001) (002), etc.) to the confirmation signal RS, so that the parent device MD that has received it recognizes the confirmation signal RS from which child device SD. it can.

In addition, although all the subunit | mobile_unit SD returns confirmation signal RS with respect to the electric power feeding start notification signal CHGS once, it is necessary to avoid interference. Therefore, each slave unit SD transmits the confirmation signal RS with a standby time corresponding to its own address value from the reception timing, for example. By doing in this way, the transmission timing from each subunit | mobile_unit SD shifts | deviates and interference does not arise. In the figure, the slave units SD1, SD2,... SD9 transmit a confirmation signal RS after waiting for a waiting time corresponding to the address value.
For example, the slave device SD1 is (1 × Tw) time corresponding to the address (001), the slave device SD2 is (2 × Tw) time corresponding to the address (002), and so on. “Tw” is a constant for setting the standby time.
By receiving the confirmation signals RS from all the child devices SD, the parent device MD can recognize that charging has started in all the child devices SD.

Here, the child device SD9 at the address (009) designated in the power supply start notification signal CHGS becomes the designated child device SD-S. The slave unit SD9 recognizes that the address added to the power supply start notification signal CHGS is its own address, and operates as the designated slave unit SD-S.
The designated slave unit SD-S monitors its own charge, and performs a process of notifying the master unit MD of the completion of charge when the charge is completed.

On the other hand, the other slave units SD1 to SD8 recognize that the address added to the power supply start notification signal CHGS is not their own address and are not designated as the designated slave unit SD-S, that is, the general slave unit SD. Operates with -N.
The general slave unit SD-N does not perform a process of voluntarily notifying the master unit MD of the completion of charging.

  Thereafter, charging progresses in each slave unit SD, but the timing of completion of charging of each slave unit SD is indefinite as described above. Also in FIG. 4, the charging completion timings of the slave units SD1, SD2, and SD9 are time points te1, te2, and te9, respectively. In the example of FIG. 4, the charging of the child device SD9 is the slowest among the child devices SD1 to SD9.

  The slave device SD9 designated as the designated slave device SD-S transmits a charge completion signal FINC to the master device MD in response to the completion of the charge at time te9. In this case, the child device SD9 adds its own address (009) to the charging completion signal FINC. As a result, the master device MD that has received the charge completion signal FINC can recognize that it is the charge completion signal FINC from the slave device SD9 as the designated slave device SD-S.

When the master unit MD receives the charging completion signal FINC from the designated slave unit SD-S, as a query for confirming the charging completion of other slave units SD, the master unit MD sends a charging completion confirmation signal to each slave unit SD. CHGE1 is transmitted.
In this case, it is assumed that the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 includes an address that does not require a reply. That is, since the slave unit SD9 which is the designated slave unit SD-S has already confirmed the completion of charging, it is not necessary to transmit again. Therefore, base unit MD uses charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 as a signal including (009) as a reply unnecessary address.

All the child devices SD that have received this charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 transmit the charging completion signal FINC to the parent device MD if charging has been completed and no reply unnecessary address is designated. Also in this case, the child device SD adds its own address to the charging completion signal FINC, so that the parent device MD that has received it can recognize which child device SD is the charging completion signal FINC.
In FIG. 4, it is assumed that when the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 is transmitted, all the child devices SD1 to SD8, which are the general child devices SD-N, have already been charged. In this case, each of the slave units SD1 to SD8 transmits a charge completion signal FINC as a response (the communication of the slave units SD3 to SD8 is not shown for the sake of space).
Also in this case, in order to avoid interference, each slave device SD has a standby time corresponding to its own address, so that the charging completion signal FINC is transmitted at different times.

Note that the child device SD9 does not transmit the charging completion signal FINC in response to the reply unnecessary address (009) being designated in the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1.
As a result, the slave unit SD9 which is the designated slave unit SD-S does not transmit the useless second charging completion signal FINC.

If the master device MD confirms the charge completion signal FINC from all the slave devices SD, the power supply device 2 stops the power supply operation as the completion of charge.
In the case of FIG. 4, the charging completion confirmation of all the child devices SD has been most efficiently performed. That is, since the child device SD9 which is the designated child device SD-S is the child device SD whose charging completion is the latest, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 transmitted immediately after receiving the charging completion signal FINC from the child device SD9 is displayed. Accordingly, the charging completion signal FINC is obtained from all the other slave units SD1 to SD8.
For this reason, it is desirable to select a slave unit that is expected to be charged most late as the designated slave unit SD-S. For example, the child device SD having the longest separation distance from the parent device MD is designated as the designated child device SD-S.

Of course, even if the slave unit SD that is expected to be delayed in charging is designated as the designated slave unit SD-S, the designated slave unit SD-S is not necessarily charged with the latest delay.
FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the charging completion timing (te2) of the child device SD2 is later than the charging completion timing (te9) of the child device SD9 that is designated as the designated child device SD-S.

After the wireless charging is started, the slave unit SD9 that is the designated slave unit SD-S transmits a charge completion signal FINC to the master unit MD in response to the completion of charging at the time te9.
In response to this, the main unit MD transmits a charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 to each of the sub units SD. The steps so far are the same as in FIG.
However, in this case, when viewed from the parent device MD, the charging completion signal FINC from the child device SD1 is transmitted, but the charging completion signal FINC from the child device SD2 is not transmitted. Although not shown in the figure, it is assumed that all or a part of the slave units SD3 to SD8 have transmitted the charging completion signal FINC. In any case, the completion of charging of all the slave units SD has not been confirmed.

Thus, when the charging completion of all the child devices SD cannot be confirmed, the parent device MD can transmit the sleep instruction signal SLP accompanied by the address designation.
That is, the parent device transmits a sleep instruction signal designating the address (for example, (001) (009)) of the child device SD that has already been confirmed to be charged. The addressed slaves SD1 and SD9 enter a sleep state accordingly. By entering the sleep state, the charged power is not wasted.

Further, base unit MD transmits charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 to slave unit SD2 that has not yet sent charging completion signal FINC. This charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is an inquiry signal specifying an address for requesting a response. For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 5, it is assumed that the signal includes a reply request address (002). Although not shown, when there is a slave unit SD that has not been confirmed to be charged yet among the slave units SD3 to SD8, the master unit MD also uses the address of the slave unit SD as a reply request address. That is, an inquiry is made by designating one or a plurality of addresses as reply request addresses.
On the side of the slave unit SD that has received the charge, a charge completion signal FINC is transmitted when the charging is completed and designated by the reply request address. In the example of the figure, since the child device SD2 has completed charging at the time when the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is received, the child device SD2 shows a state where the child device SD2 is transmitting the charging completion signal FINC to the parent device MD. .
Note that the slave unit SD that is not designated by the reply request address, that is, the slave unit SD that has already transmitted the charge completion signal FINC does not need to correspond to the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE2 even if it is not in the sleep state. . Therefore, power consumption due to useless transmission can be avoided.

Through the communication as described above, it is possible to confirm the completion of charging for all the slave units SD.
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show processing examples of the master unit MD and each slave unit SD for realizing the operations as shown in FIGS. The processing on the parent device side (S101 to S125) shown in the drawing is processing executed by the parent device control unit 10 according to the operation program. The slave unit side processing (S201 to S238) shown in the figure is a process executed by the slave unit control unit 20 in each slave unit SD according to the operation program.

When starting wireless power supply to a plurality of child devices SD, the parent device control unit 10 first controls the power supply device 2 to start a wireless power supply operation in step S101 of FIG.
In step S102, base unit control unit 10 transmits power supply start notification signal CHGS to each handset SD. At this time, the power supply start notification signal CHGS is a signal including an address ((009) in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5) for designating the designator device SD-S.
Then, in step S103, base unit control unit 10 performs reception processing of confirmation signal RS from each handset SD. If reception of the confirmation signal RS from all the child devices SD is confirmed by this reception processing, the charging completion signal FINC from the designated child device SD-S is waited in step S110.
Although not shown in detail, when the confirmation signal RS is not obtained from all the child devices SD in step S103, the parent device control unit 10 performs error processing.

Corresponding to the operation of the parent device MD so far, the child device control unit 20 of each child device SD proceeds the process as follows.
If power supply start notification signal CHGS is received in step S201, handset controller 20 performs processing for transmitting confirmation signal RS in step S202. In order to avoid interference as described above, the slave unit control unit 20 of each slave unit SD transmits the confirmation signal RS with a waiting time corresponding to its own address in this step S202.

Subsequently, in step S203, handset controller 20 checks whether the address added to power supply start notification signal CHGS is its own address, and branches the process.
When the address added to the power supply start notification signal CHGS is its own address, the child device control unit 20 of the child device SD advances the process to step S204 in order for the child device to operate as the designated child device SD-S.
In step S <b> 204, the slave unit control unit 20 monitors the charging status in the power source unit 22 and checks whether or not the charging has been completed. This is continued until completion of charging is detected.
When detecting the completion of charging, the slave unit control unit 20 proceeds to step S205 and performs a process of transmitting a charging completion signal FINC to the master unit MD. The charging completion signal FINC is added with its own address so that the master unit MD can recognize that the notification is from the designator unit SD-S.
Thereafter, in step S210, the slave unit control unit 20 waits for reception from the master unit MD.

On the other hand, in step S203, the slave unit control unit 20 of the slave unit SD that has determined that the address added to the power supply start notification signal CHGS is the address of another slave unit SD is itself the designated slave unit SD-S. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S206 to operate as a general slave unit SD-N.
In step S206, the slave unit control unit 20 monitors the charging status of the power source unit 22 and checks whether or not the charging has been completed. This is continued until completion of charging is detected.
However, in the case of the general slave unit SD-N, even if the completion of charging is detected, the slave unit control unit 20 proceeds to step S210 and waits for reception from the master unit MD. That is, the voluntary transmission of the charging completion signal FINC is not performed.

  In the case of the slave unit SD that has been charged and is waiting to be received in step S210, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1, the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE2, or the sleep instruction signal SLP from the parent device MD is awaited as this reception waiting process. It will be.

When the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 is transmitted from the parent device MD in response to the charging completion signal FINC from the designated child device SD-S, charging is performed earlier than the designated child device SD-S and the designated child device SD-S. The child device control unit 20 of the child device SD that has been completed recognizes the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 in step S210.
Note that the slave unit control unit 20 of the slave unit SD that has not been charged at this time waits for completion of charging in step S206, and therefore does not recognize or respond to reception of the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1.

Here, since the processing is largely divided depending on the situation of the child device SD, first, the subsequent processing of the parent device control unit 10 will be described, and then the progress of the processing of each child device SD is divided into the following three cases. explain.
(K1) In the case of the designated child device SD-S (K2) In the case of the general child device SD-N that has been charged earlier than the designated child device SD-S (K3) The ordinary child that has been charged later than the designated child device SD-S In the case of the machine SD-N, the above (K2) and (K3) use the expressions “early” and “late” for easy understanding of the explanation, but strictly speaking, the general child machine of (K2) SD-N is a general child device SD-N that is ready to receive at step S210 at the same time as the designated child device SD-S, and charging is completed at the same time as the designated child device SD-N. In other cases, the slave unit SD-N is delayed from the designated slave unit SD-N by a short time difference. That is, it is a general slave unit SD-N that receives the next charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 simultaneously with the designated slave unit SD-N.
Further, the general slave unit SD-N of (K3) is the general slave unit SD-N that cannot wait for reception in step S210 at the same time as the designated slave unit SD-S due to a delay in completion of charging. That is, it is a general slave unit SD-N that is not in time for receiving the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 simultaneously with the designated slave unit SD-N.

First, the processing after step S110 of the base unit control unit 10 is as follows.
On the base device MD side, when receiving the charge completion signal FINC in step S205 of the handset controller 20 of the designated slave device SD-S, the base device controller 10 proceeds from step S110 to S111, and transmits a charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1. To do. In this case, the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1 includes a reply unnecessary address ((009 in the example of FIGS. 4 and 5)). That is, a reply unnecessary is transmitted to the designated slave unit SD-S.
Then, in step S112, base unit control unit 10 performs a process of receiving charging completion signal FINC from each slave unit SD in accordance with charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1.

Then, base unit control unit 10 checks in step S113 whether or not charging completion signals FINC from all the slave units SD have been received as a result of the reception processing of charging completion signal FINC.
If the charging completion signal FINC is obtained for all the slave units SD, since charging is completed for all the slave units SD, the master unit control unit 10 causes the power feeding device 2 to end the wireless power feeding operation in step S114, Finish a series of processing.

On the other hand, depending on the reply to the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1, if there is a child device SD that has not yet received the charging completion signal FINC, the parent device control unit 10 proceeds from step S113 to step S120 in FIG.
In step S120, base unit control unit 10 transmits a sleep instruction signal SLP including the address of slave unit SD that has been charged and information for specifying the sleep time. This is a signal for instructing the slave unit SD designated by the address to enter the sleep state for the designated time.

In step S121, base unit control unit 10 waits for a predetermined time Ts, and transmits charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 in step S122.
The predetermined time Ts is not a long time like the fixed time TW described in FIG. This is because charging is already completed for some of the slave units SD, and it is expected that the remaining slave units SD will be fully charged soon. For example, the predetermined time Ts may be about 1 to several seconds. Alternatively, the standby process in step S121 may not be performed, and the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 may be transmitted in step S122 repeatedly after steps S123, S124, and S125 described later.

Base unit control unit 10 adds the address of slave unit SD that has not yet confirmed charging completion signal FINC as a reply request address to charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 transmitted in step S122. That is, an inquiry is made by designating the slave unit SD for which a reply is requested.
In step S123, a process for receiving the charging completion signal FINC from the slave unit SD that has requested the return is performed.

As a reply request address to be added to the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2, one of the slave devices SD whose charging completion is not confirmed may be specified, or all the slave devices SD whose charging completion is not confirmed are specified at once. May be.
When requesting one reply at a time, inquiries are sequentially made in a loop of steps S123 → S124 → S125 →... → S123 (in this case, step S121 is unnecessary).
Even when reply requests are collectively made, as long as unconfirmed handset SD remains, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 in step S122 is repeatedly transmitted.

  By the reception processing in step S123, the charging completion signal FINC from all the remaining child devices SD can be received, and if the charging completion signal FINC is obtained for all the child devices SD, the parent device control unit 10 performs step. From S124, the process proceeds to step S114 in FIG. 6 to cause the power supply apparatus 2 to end the wireless power supply operation and to end the series of processes.

If it is determined in step S124 that there is a slave unit SD that has not yet been confirmed to be fully charged, the master unit control unit 10 determines in step S125 that the slave unit SD that has been charged (sleeps although charging is complete). It is determined whether or not there are x or more slave units that have not issued instructions. If x or more, the process proceeds to step S120, and if less than x, the process proceeds to step S121.
In the case where the number of slave units SD whose completion of charging has been confirmed in step S123 is as large as x or more, in step S120, a sleep instruction signal SLP is transmitted to make them sleep.
The specific number of x sets depends on the system and cannot be generally specified. For example, it may be set to 50% or 75% of the total number of slave units SD.
In step S122, the address of the slave unit SD that has not been confirmed for the completion of charging is designated again as a reply request target, and a charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is transmitted.

  In this way, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is repeatedly transmitted until the charging completion confirmation of all the slave units SD is obtained in step S124. Moreover, according to the case, it instruct | indicates that it will be in a sleep state about the subunit | mobile_unit SD which charge completion confirmation was possible.

  The processing of the child device SD after step S210 in FIG. 6 corresponding to the processing of the parent device control unit 10 will be described for each of the cases (K1), (K2), and (K3).

(K1) In the case of the designated slave unit SD-S The slave unit control unit 20 of the designated slave unit SD-S immediately receives the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 when waiting for reception in step S210. This is because, in response to the transmission of the charging completion signal FINC in step S205 immediately before, the parent device control unit 10 transmits a charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 with the designated child device SD-S as a reply unnecessary address.
For this reason, the subunit | mobile_unit control part 20 progresses to step S220 from step S211.
In step S220, handset controller 20 confirms the reply unnecessary address added to charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1. In the case of the designated slave unit SD-S, the reply unnecessary address corresponds to its own address.

Therefore, handset controller 20 proceeds from step S220 to the monitoring process of steps S230 and S231 of FIG. In step S230, it is confirmed whether or not the sleep instruction signal SLP has been received. In step S231, the completion of charging of all the child devices SD can be confirmed on the parent device MD side, and it is determined whether or not the processing is finished.
Whether or not the charging confirmation process has been completed on the parent device MD side is unknown on each child device SD side, and is estimated by, for example, time counting in step S231. That is, when a certain amount of time elapses without the sleep instruction signal SLP from the master device MD side and time-out occurs, it can be estimated that the master device MD side has completed the process through, for example, steps S113 (or S124) → S114.
Note that when the master MD side transmits a process end notification when the process ends from step S114, it is only necessary to confirm whether or not the end notification has been received in step S231.
In any case, the child device SD that enters the monitoring loop of steps S230 and S231 is the child device SD that has already transmitted the charging completion signal FINC, and communication with the parent device MD is only waiting for the sleep instruction. Therefore, the process may be terminated.

  In the case of the designated child device SD-S, the sleep instruction signal SLP transmitted from the parent device MD side in step S230 may be received. In that case, handset controller 20 proceeds from step S230 to S232, and confirms the charge completion address included in sleep instruction signal SLP. That is, it is confirmed whether or not self is instructed to sleep. In the case of the designated slave unit SD-S, since it is included in the charge completion address, the process proceeds to step S234, and the slave unit control unit 20 transitions to the sleep state. This sleep state continues for the period indicated by the sleep time information included in the sleep instruction signal SLP, and then returns from the sleep state to the normal startup state and ends the process.

As described above, in the case of the designated child device SD-S, the charging completion signal FINC is transmitted in response to the completion of charging. Since the subsequent charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 is designated as a reply unnecessary, no unnecessary transmission operation is performed after the charging is completed.
In addition, there is a case where the sleep instruction signal SLP is instructed to sleep until the charging completion confirmation in all the child devices SD is finished, but the sleep state is accordingly entered, and unnecessary power consumption after full charging is avoided. It becomes like this.

(K2) In the case of the general child device SD-N that has been charged earlier than the designated child device SD-S Next, in the case of the ordinary child device SD-N that has been charged earlier than the designated child device SD-S, step S210 in FIG. Is waiting for reception, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 is received at a certain point in time (immediately after the charging of the designated slave unit SD-S).
For this reason, the subunit | mobile_unit control part 20 of the said general subunit | mobile_unit SD-N progresses to step S220 from step S211. In the case of this general handset SD-N, the handset controller 20 recognizes that it is not designated as a reply unnecessary address in step S220. This is because the base unit MD makes only the designated handset SD-S unnecessary to send a reply.
Therefore, handset controller 20 proceeds from step S220 to step S221 and checks whether or not the transmission timing has come. This is a process of waiting for transmission for a time corresponding to the address value in order to avoid interference when the slave units SD transmit simultaneously.

When the transmission timing according to its own address comes, the slave unit control unit 20 proceeds to step S222 and performs a process of transmitting the charging completion signal FINC. Of course, a self-address is added to the charging completion signal FINC so that the parent device MD can recognize it.
Thereafter, similarly to the case of the designated child device SD-S, the process proceeds to the monitoring loop of steps S230 and S231. If it is estimated that the processing of the parent device MD is completed, the child device control unit 20 of the general child device SD-N ends the processing. If the sleep instruction signal SLP is received, the processing of steps S230 → S232 → S234 is performed. Then, transition to the sleep state. This sleep state continues for the period indicated by the sleep time information included in the sleep instruction signal SLP, and then returns to the activated state and ends the process.

As described above, in the case of the general slave unit SD-N that has been charged earlier than the designated slave unit SD-S, the charge completion signal FINC is transmitted in response to the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1.
Thereafter, there is a case where sleep is instructed by the sleep instruction signal SLP until the charging completion confirmation in all the child devices SD is completed, but the sleep state is accordingly entered, and unnecessary power consumption after full charging is avoided. The

(K3) In the case of the general child device SD-N that has been charged after the designated child device SD-S As shown in the child device SD2 in FIG. 5, the ordinary child device SD- that has been charged after the designated child device SD-S. In the case of N, the handset controller 20 performs the following processing.

  In the case of this general handset SD-N, when the completion of charging is detected in step S206 of FIG. 6 and the process proceeds to step S210, the base unit MD has already transmitted the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1, and therefore in step S210. The reception of either the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 or the sleep instruction signal SLP is confirmed.

When the sleep instruction signal SLP is received, the slave unit control unit 20 proceeds from step S213 to step S232 in FIG. 7, but since its own address is not designated as the charge completion address, the sequence proceeds to step S235 and waits for reception. Become. Here, the reception of the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is awaited.
When the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is received, the process proceeds to step S237.

If the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is received while waiting for reception in step S210 of FIG. 6, the handset controller 20 proceeds from step S212 to step S237 of FIG.
When the process proceeds to step S237 according to the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 as described above, the handset controller 20 determines whether or not its own address is included in the reply request address.
If self does not correspond to the reply request address, the process returns to step S235 to wait for reception of the next charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2.

  If it is determined in step S237 that its own address is designated as the reply request address, the slave unit control unit 20 proceeds to step S238, and performs a process of transmitting the charging completion signal FINC. Of course, a self-address is added to the charging completion signal FINC so that the parent device MD can recognize it.

It should be noted that the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 transmitted by the parent device MD in step S122 may specify all the child devices SD that have not been confirmed to be charged with a reply request address, or the charging completion confirmation has not been obtained. It has been stated that one of the child devices SD may be designated. When one of the child devices SD is designated by one charge completion confirmation signal CHGE2, the child device control unit 20 of the designated child device SD may transmit in step S238 without particularly considering the transmission timing. This is because no interference occurs.
On the other hand, when a plurality of slave units SD are designated as reply request addresses by one charge completion confirmation signal CHGE2, the slave unit controller 20 of the corresponding slave unit SD confirms the transmission timing and completes the charge in step S238. It is necessary to transmit the signal FINC. For example, by transmitting with a standby time corresponding to the order of entry on the communication data of the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2, the plurality of slave units SD requested to reply are not transmitted simultaneously.

  If the charging completion signal FINC is transmitted, the handset controller 20 proceeds to the monitoring loop of steps S230 and S231. If it is estimated that the processing of the parent device MD is completed, the child device control unit 20 of the general child device SD-N ends the processing. If the sleep instruction signal SLP is received, the processing of steps S230 → S232 → S234 is performed. Then, transition to the sleep state. This sleep state continues for the period indicated by the sleep time information included in the sleep instruction signal SLP, and then returns to the activated state and ends the process.

As described above, in the case of the general slave unit SD-N that has been charged after the designated slave unit SD-S, the charge completion signal FINC is transmitted in response to the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE2.
In some cases, until the completion of charging confirmation in all the slave units SD is completed, the sleep state is entered in accordance with the sleep instruction signal SLP, and unnecessary power consumption may be avoided.

<Summary and modification>
In the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The charging check device 1 in the parent device MD of the embodiment includes a communication unit 11 that performs wireless communication with a plurality of child devices SD (power receiving devices) that charge the battery 23 in response to wireless power feeding. The base unit control unit 10 is provided.
When the wireless power supply starts, the parent device control unit 10 transmits a power supply start notification signal CHGS including an address for designating a specific child device SD to the designated child device SD-S from the communication unit 11 to the plurality of child devices SD. The process (S102) is performed. In addition, the base unit control unit 10 receives a charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 that inquires the plurality of handset units about the completion of charging in response to receiving the charging completion signal FINC from the designated slave unit SD-S by the communication unit 11. (S110, S111) to be transmitted. Further, base unit control unit 10 performs processing (S113, S124) for confirming whether or not charging completion signal FINC in response to the charging completion confirmation signal (CHGE1, CHGE2) has been received from all the slave units SD.
The child device SD (power receiving device) of the embodiment includes a power source unit 22 that charges the battery 23 mounted as an operation power source in accordance with wireless power feeding, and an external master device MD (charging confirmation device 1). And a slave unit control unit 20.
The slave unit control unit 20 receives the power supply start notification signal CHGS including information specifying the specific slave unit SD received from the master unit MD and the charge completion confirmation signal (CHGE1, CHGE2) is acquired. In addition, when the slave unit control unit 20 determines that it is the designated slave unit SD-S by acquiring the power feeding start notification signal CHGS, the slave unit control unit 20 charges the master unit MD according to the completion of charging in the power source unit 22. Processing for transmitting the completion signal FINC from the communication unit 21 is performed (S204, S205). Further, when the slave unit control unit 20 determines that it is not the designated slave unit SD-S by acquiring the power feeding start notification signal CHGS, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 is displayed after the charging in the power source unit 22 is completed. When it is acquired, processing (S211 → S220 → S221 → S222) is performed to transmit the charging completion signal FINC from the communication unit 21 to the parent machine MD.

The time until wireless charging is completed differs for each child device SD (power receiving device). This is because various power supply conditions such as a difference in distance from the parent device MD due to the arrangement of the child device SD are different for each child device SD. For this reason, it is difficult to set the timing for transmitting the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 for inquiring to the child device SD, and there are cases where the inquiries are made with an excessive time margin. As described with reference to FIG. 3, in that case, the time for which power supply is continued may be unnecessarily long.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, if there is a charging completion signal FINC from the designated slave device SD-S, the master device MD inquires of another general slave device SD-N accordingly. Since this timing is the timing at which charging is completed in the designated slave unit SD-S, there is a high possibility that charging has been completed in other general slave units SD-N. The charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 can be transmitted at an appropriate timing. As a result, the master device MD can often confirm the completion of charging of all the slave devices SD early, and can shorten the time until the power supply is completed.
In addition, since the main unit MD does not wait for a certain time TW (see FIG. 3) until the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 is performed as an initial inquiry, it is possible to avoid unnecessary power supply continuation while waiting for a certain time.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, if the designated slave unit SD-S is the slave unit SD that is the slowest to be charged, if the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1 is transmitted in response to the completion of charging of the designated slave unit SD-S, The charging completion signal FINC can be received from all the general child devices SD-N. That is, the completion of charging of all the child devices SD can be confirmed most efficiently.

Further, if each slave unit SD spontaneously transmits a charge completion signal FINC in response to the completion of charging, the master unit MD does not have to transmit the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1, If so, crosstalk becomes a problem. That is, since the transmission timing of the charging completion signal FINC of each slave unit SD is indefinite, the timings coincide with each other, and the master unit MD may become unable to recognize due to interference. Therefore, a method in which each child device SD voluntarily transmits a charging completion signal FINC cannot be adopted.
Therefore, base unit MD of the present embodiment waits only for charging completion signal FINC from designator unit SD-S as described above. Since it waits for a charge completion signal from one designated slave unit SD-S, communication from a plurality of slave units does not interfere with reception. Immediately after that, the master unit MD transmits the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1, but each slave unit SD transmits the charging completion signal FINC with a waiting time corresponding to its own address from the reception of the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1. By doing so, interference can be avoided.
Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no fear of interference by the plurality of slave units SD, and the master unit MD can accurately recognize the completion of charging of each slave unit SD.
Since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of channels in order to avoid interference, the configurations of the communication units 11 and 21 of the parent device MD and the child device SD can be simplified.

Each slave unit SD performs different operations between the designated slave unit SD-S and the general slave unit SD-N. When the slave unit control unit 20 performs the processing described with reference to FIGS. Each slave unit SD can operate as either a designated slave unit SD-S or a general slave unit SD-N.
That is, the designated slave unit SD-S and the general slave unit SD-N may perform the same algorithm processing (S201 to S238 in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). There is no need to prepare.
For this reason, an arbitrary slave unit SD can be designated as the designated slave unit SD-S from the master unit MD side. In an actual site, it is possible to easily cope with a situation in which an operator selects the designated slave unit SD-S in consideration of the installation status and installation environment of the slave unit SD.

The base unit control unit 10 according to the embodiment transmits the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1 in response to receiving the charge completion signal FINC from the designator unit SD-S to the designator unit SD-S. Is accompanied by a notification that it is not necessary to transmit a charge completion signal. Specifically, a charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1 with a reply unnecessary address designated is transmitted (S111).
Further, when the slave unit control unit 20 recognizes a reply-unnecessary address designation as a notification that the transmission completion signal is not requested as information contained in the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1, the slave unit control unit 20 responds to the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1. Response transmission processing is not executed (S220 → S230).
As a result, the designated child device SD-S does not transmit the charging completion signal FINC (does not proceed to S222). Therefore, useless transmission processing is avoided in the designated slave unit SD-S, and power charged by communication is not consumed. That is, useless battery consumption after completion of charging can be avoided.

In addition, the base unit control unit 10 according to the embodiment repeatedly performs the process of transmitting the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 inquiring the charging completion from the communication unit 11 until the charging completion signal FINC from all the child units SD is received. Specifically, transmission of the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 in step S123 of FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed until it is confirmed in step S124 that charging of all the slave units SD has been confirmed.
Thereby, each child device SD can transmit the charge completion signal FINC in response to the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE2 after it has completed the charge (S238). That is, at the time of the first charging completion confirmation signal CHGE1, the slave unit SD that has not been completely charged can notify the master unit MD of the completion of charging in response to the subsequent charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2.

In the embodiment, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 is a signal including a reply request address designation. In other words, the slave unit to be inquired is specified. As a result, the parent device MD can efficiently make an inquiry only for the child device SD that has not yet received the charging completion signal FINC.
The designation of one or a plurality of reply request addresses means that the slave unit SD that does not correspond to the reply request address does not respond, so that the slave unit SD that has already transmitted the charge completion signal FINC again receives the charge completion confirmation signal. The charging completion signal FINC is not transmitted in response to. That is, it is avoided that the slave unit that has been charged early transmits the charging completion signal FINC many times and causes unnecessary power consumption.
If a reply request is made to one slave unit SD by one charge completion confirmation signal CHGE2, only the slave unit SD corresponding to the reply request address transmits the charge completion signal FINC, thus avoiding interference. Therefore, it is not necessary to shift the timing between the slave units SD. The slave unit requested to reply may respond immediately and transmit the charging completion signal FINC.
Master device MD may transmit a charge completion confirmation signal (CHGE) for all slave devices SD without particularly specifying a reply request address. However, in this case, the child device SD that has already transmitted the charge completion signal FINC may again transmit the charge completion signal FINC in response to the charge completion confirmation signal (CHGE). In order to avoid this, it is conceivable that all the slave units SD to which the charging completion signal FINC has been transmitted are controlled in the sleep state.

In the embodiment, the parent device control unit 10 enters a sleep state in which at least a transmission operation is not performed for the child device SD that has transmitted the charging completion signal FINC in response to the charging completion confirmation signals (CHGE1, CHGE2). Processing for transmitting the instructing sleep instruction signal SLP from the communication unit 11 is performed (S120).
The subunit | mobile_unit control part 20 performs the process which acquires the sleep instruction | indication signal SLP received by the communication part 21, and performs the process which transfers to a sleep state according to acquisition of the sleep instruction | indication signal SLP (S230->S232-> S234). ).
The slave unit SD that has finished charging early and transmitted the charge completion signal FINC does not need to operate at least until the master unit MD confirms the completion of charging of all the slave units SD. Therefore, master device MD transmits a sleep instruction signal SLP to such slave device SD, and controls to wait in the sleep state. As a result, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption due to reception / transmission with the parent device MD after the charging is completed.

  Further, in the embodiment, when there are a large number of charge-completed child devices SD that have not been put to sleep in step S125, sleep control is additionally performed (S125 → S120). In other words, if the number of charging completions in the second and subsequent inquiries increases, they are put to sleep. As a result, the handset SD that has been confirmed to be charged relatively early enters a sleep state and waits with little power consumption. Therefore, at the time of confirming the completion of the charging of all the child devices SD, a state where all the child devices SD are in a fully charged state is obtained as much as possible.

In the embodiment, the sleep instruction signal SLP includes a charge completion address and sleep time designation information. The charge completion address is an address of the child device SD that has transmitted the charge completion signal FINC, and identifies the sleep instruction target. On the handset side, it can be determined whether or not it is a sleep instruction for itself depending on whether or not it corresponds to the charging completion address (S232).
In addition, since the sleep time is designated, the child device SD may be automatically activated (released from sleep) after the time has elapsed. As a result, there is no need to give an instruction from the parent machine MD to return to the activated state.
However, an example is conceivable in which the master device MD instructs sleep without specifying a time, and transmits a start instruction to the slave devices SD that are in sleep mode when charging of all the slave devices SD is confirmed.

An example in which a sleep instruction is not given to the child device SD that has been confirmed to be fully charged is also conceivable.
The processing of the master unit is an example in which steps S120 and S125 are eliminated from FIGS.
In this case, the slave unit SD may end the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 after transmitting the charging completion signal FINC. That is, in the case of the designated slave unit SD-S, step S220 is terminated. In the case of the general handset SD-N, step S222 → end or step S238 → end. In this example, steps S213, S230, S231, S232, and S234 are deleted.

  Although the master MD is a device in which the charging confirmation device 1 and the power feeding device 2 are integrated, the charging confirmation device 1 and the power feeding device 2 may be separate devices. Anyway, what is necessary is just a structure which can confirm charge of the subunit | mobile_unit SD based on the wireless electric power feeding from the electric power feeder 2 with the charge confirmation apparatus 1. FIG.

There are various signal formats of the power supply start notification signal CHGS, the charging completion confirmation signals CHGE1, CHGE2, the sleep instruction signal SLP, and the charging completion signal FINC.
For example, in the embodiment, the power supply start notification information and the information (address) designating a specific slave unit are collectively used as the power supply start notification signal CHGS, but the power supply start notification information and the information specifying the specific slave unit are included. They do not necessarily have to be sent together at the same time. It may be transmitted sequentially in a time division manner within a substantially simultaneous range.
Similarly, the charge completion confirmation signal CHGE1 collectively indicates information indicating a charge completion inquiry and information indicating a slave that does not require a reply. However, this is not limited to the simultaneous transmission, and may be sequentially transmitted. .
Further, the charging completion confirmation signal CHGE2 collectively indicates information indicating a charging completion inquiry and information indicating a response request slave unit, but is not limited to being transmitted simultaneously, and may be transmitted sequentially.

  As the designated child device SD-S, one child device is designated. However, a plurality of child devices may be designated child devices SD-S. In that case, in consideration of the possibility of interference, it is desirable that each designated slave unit SD-S perform wireless transmission on a different channel.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Charging confirmation apparatus, 2 ... Wireless power supply apparatus, 10 ... Base unit control part, 11 ... Communication part, 12 ... Power supply part, 20 ... Slave unit control part, 21 ... Communication part, 22 ... Power supply part, MD ... Base unit , SD (SD1 to SD9) ... Slave unit, SD-S ... Designated slave unit, SD-N ... General slave unit

Claims (8)

A communication unit that performs wireless communication with a plurality of power receiving devices that charge the battery in response to wireless power feeding,
A control unit,
The controller is
A process of transmitting a power supply start notification signal including information for designating a specific power receiving device among the plurality of power receiving devices to the plurality of power receiving devices from the communication unit in accordance with the start of wireless power feeding.
In response to receiving a charging completion signal from the specified power receiving device by the communication unit, a process of transmitting a charging completion confirmation signal for inquiring charging completion to a plurality of power receiving devices from the communication unit;
A process for confirming whether or not a charge completion signal in response to the charge completion confirmation signal has been received from all the power receiving apparatuses. When the control unit transmits a charging completion confirmation signal in response to receiving a charging completion signal from the specified power receiving device, the control unit notifies the specified power receiving device that the charging completion signal does not need to be transmitted. The charging confirmation device according to claim 1. The charge confirmation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit repeatedly performs a process of transmitting a charge completion confirmation signal inquiring of charge completion from the communication unit until receiving a charge completion signal from all the power receiving devices. apparatus. The control unit is configured to transmit, from the communication unit, a sleep instruction signal that instructs the power receiving device that has transmitted the charging completion signal in response to the charging completion confirmation signal to enter a sleep state in which at least a transmission operation is not performed. The charge confirmation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. For the battery installed as the operating power supply, a power supply unit that performs charging corresponding to wireless power supply,
A communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external charging confirmation device;
A control unit,
The controller is
While performing the process of obtaining a power supply start notification signal including information specifying a specific power receiving device, and a charge completion confirmation signal for inquiring about the completion of charging, received from the charge confirmation device, received by the communication unit,
If it is determined by acquisition of the power supply start notification signal that the power supply unit has been designated as a specific power receiving device, a charging completion signal is sent to the charging confirmation device in response to completion of charging in the power supply unit. Process to send from
If it is determined by acquisition of the power supply start notification signal that the device is not designated as a specific power receiving device, after completion of charging in the power supply unit, when the charging completion confirmation signal is acquired, A power receiving device that performs a process of causing the charging confirmation device to transmit a charging completion signal from the communication unit. If the control unit detects that the information included in the charge completion confirmation signal includes a notification that it does not require transmission of the charge completion signal, the control unit responds to the charge completion confirmation signal. The power receiving device according to claim 5, wherein transmission processing is not executed. The controller is
A process of acquiring a sleep instruction signal that is received by the communication unit and that instructs to enter a sleep state in which at least a transmission operation is not performed from the charging confirmation device,
The power receiving device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein processing for shifting to a sleep state is performed in response to acquisition of the sleep instruction signal. A wireless power feeding system including a charging confirmation device and a plurality of power receiving devices,
The charging confirmation device
A first communication unit that performs wireless communication with a plurality of power receiving devices;
A first control unit,
The first controller is
A process of transmitting a power supply start notification signal including information for designating a specific power receiving device among the plurality of power receiving devices to the plurality of power receiving devices from the first communication unit in accordance with the start of wireless power feeding.
In response to receiving a charging completion signal from the designated power receiving device by the first communication unit, a process of transmitting a charging completion confirmation signal for inquiring charging completion to a plurality of power receiving devices from the first communication unit;
The process of confirming whether or not the charging completion signal in response to the charging completion confirmation signal has been received from all the power receiving devices is performed.
For the battery installed as the operating power supply, a power supply unit that performs charging corresponding to wireless power supply,
A second communication unit that performs wireless communication with the charging confirmation device;
A second control unit,
The second controller is
A process for obtaining a power supply start notification signal including information specifying a specific power receiving device and a charge completion confirmation signal for inquiring charging completion, received from the charging confirmation device, received by the second communication unit,
If it is determined by acquisition of the power supply start notification signal that the power supply unit has been designated as a specific power receiving device, a charging completion signal is sent to the charging confirmation device in response to completion of charging in the power supply unit. Process to send from the communication part of
If it is determined by acquisition of the power supply start notification signal that the device is not designated as a specific power receiving device, after completion of charging in the power supply unit, when the charging completion confirmation signal is acquired, A wireless power feeding system that performs processing for causing the charging confirmation device to transmit a charging completion signal from the second communication unit.

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