JP5254655B2 - Charging device, electronic device, secondary battery pack, secondary battery pack security management system, and secondary battery pack security management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention recognizes that when a secondary battery pack used as a power source for a battery-driven electronic device such as a portable information terminal device is of poor quality, the user recognizes such a secondary battery pack. The present invention relates to a charging device, an electronic device, a secondary battery pack, a secondary battery pack security management system, and a secondary battery pack security management method that can be appropriately handled such as prohibiting charging.

In recent years, battery-driven electronic devices are frequently used in various fields. In such an electronic device, a secondary battery pack is often applied as a main power source or an auxiliary power source.
On the other hand, in secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as lithium ion batteries, there are some cases in which market recovery has occurred due to manufacturing defects.
In such a case, it is customary for affiliated companies to call on the users of electronic devices that use the secondary battery or this type of secondary battery through the news agency or via the Internet or direct mail. However, the recovery rate is extremely insufficient (see Non-Patent Document 1, for example).

On the other hand, in order to receive a diagnosis as to whether or not the secondary battery used by the user maintains a state that can withstand regular use, when accessing a service-compatible server established on the communication network and sending operation state data, A battery power supply replacement collection system in which a diagnosis result is returned from the service-compatible server has already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that an electronic device in which the secondary battery is mounted is suitable for connection to a communication network, and a communication function unit provided in such an electronic device. Is used to access a service-compatible server as described above via a communication network.
Japanese Patent No. 3549818 (paragraphs 0002 to 0007) Lithium ion battery voluntary recovery promotion council homepage for mobile devices, about the implementation status of lithium ion battery recovery [searched on March 11, 2008], <URL: http://www.li-ion-kaishu.jp/recall .html>

In the battery power supply device replacement collection system described in Patent Document 1, when the electronic device main body using the battery power supply is a device suitable for connection to a communication network, the user is provided with a corresponding convenience. It is what is done.
However, many rechargeable battery-powered electronic devices that have recently become widespread do not necessarily have specifications that are suitable for connection to a communication network.
In other words, in a digital camera of a grade called a so-called popular device, the specification is not such that the majority of models are suitable for connection to a communication network.
Therefore, the digital camera corresponding to these models cannot use the battery power supply device replacement collection system described in Patent Document 1.

On the other hand, in the case of mobile phones, communication functions such as calls and e-mails can no longer be used after canceling the contract with the carrier, but functions as a digital camera, game machine, or alarm clock are not available. In order to operate effectively continuously, there are many users who continue to use only these function units.
As for the mobile phone that is continuously used by the user in the above-described manner, the communication function has already been closed, so of course, the battery power supply replacement / collection system described in Patent Document 1 is used. I can't do it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the situation as described above, and in a situation where an electronic device that operates using a secondary battery (secondary battery pack) as a power source does not have a communication function. Even in the situation where the communication function unit cannot perform normal operation even if it has the function, it is possible to obtain information on the quality of the secondary battery pack from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network, and the user can A rechargeable battery, an electronic device, a rechargeable battery pack, a rechargeable battery pack security management system capable of recognizing such a rechargeable battery pack, or appropriately handling such as prohibiting charging, and An object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery pack security management method. In addition, it is not the meaning which excludes implementing this invention regarding the technique of the security management regarding the secondary battery pack applied to the electronic device (for communication) when a communication function operate | moves normally.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present application proposes the following techniques.
The charging device according to claim 1 of the present invention is:
Secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status so that it can be provided to the outside, and the object of collection A battery charger that is adapted to an electronic device having a battery information collection unit that collects information on a second battery, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack, from the outside,
A charging voltage converter that converts a power supply voltage supplied from the power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging;
When the electronic device is connected, the second battery information is acquired from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network through predetermined communication means in response to an information collection request from the battery information collecting unit, and the connected electronic device Battery information acquisition and supply unit to supply to,
It is characterized by having.

The charging device according to claim 1 is provided with a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding unit for holding the first battery information representing its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside. The secondary battery pack is attached to an electronic device having a secondary battery pack mounting unit and a battery information collecting unit that collects second battery information from the outside, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack to be collected. Suitable for use in charging.

This charging device collects information from the battery information collecting unit when a charging voltage converting unit that converts a power supply voltage supplied from a power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging and an electronic device as described above are connected. A battery information acquisition and supply unit that acquires the corresponding second battery information from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network through a predetermined communication unit in response to a request and supplies the second battery information to the connected electronic device.
On the electronic device side, based on the first battery information acquired from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack and the second battery information supplied from the battery information acquisition supply unit of the charging device, the secondary battery It becomes possible to determine whether the battery pack is good or bad.

The charging device according to claim 2 of the present invention is:
Electronic device having a secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part for holding the first battery information representing its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as an operating power source A charging device conforming to
A charging voltage converter that converts a power supply voltage supplied from the power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging;
A first battery information reading unit for reading out the first battery information from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device when the electronic device is connected; ,
A battery information collection unit that acquires second battery information, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a target of collection, from a predetermined maintenance support server on a network through predetermined communication means;
The secondary battery attached to the secondary battery pack attachment part of the electronic device based on the first battery information read by the first battery information reading part and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collection part A battery control unit that determines the quality of the pack and executes a predetermined control operation according to the determination result;
It is characterized by having.

The charging device according to claim 2 is provided with a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding unit for holding the first battery information indicating its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as a power source for operation. The electronic device having the secondary battery pack mounting portion is suitable for use in charging the secondary battery pack.
The charging device includes a charging voltage conversion unit that converts a power supply voltage supplied from the power line into a predetermined charging DC voltage, and charges the corresponding secondary battery pack by the output of the charging voltage conversion unit.

When an electronic device is connected to the charging device, the first battery information is obtained from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack attached to the secondary battery pack attachment unit of the electronic device. Reading unit reads.
In addition, the battery information collection unit acquires second battery information, which is information that can identify the secondary battery pack to be collected, from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network through predetermined communication means.
Further, the battery control unit determines whether the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device is based on the first battery information read by the first battery information reading unit and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collection unit. Whether the attached secondary battery pack is good or bad is determined, and a predetermined control operation such as display of the determination result or prohibition of the charging operation is executed according to the determination result.

The charging device according to claim 3 of the present invention is:
3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to be accessible to a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication through the power line. .
In the charging device according to the third aspect, the communication means is configured to be accessible to a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication through the power line.
In order to access a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication, required battery information (second battery information) is obtained from the maintenance support server through the power line without specially providing a separate signal line for communication. You can get it.

The charging device according to claim 4 of the present invention is:
3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is a wireless LAN, mobile communication or short-range wireless communication configured to be accessible to a predetermined maintenance support server on the network. It is a communication means.
In the charging apparatus according to claim 4, the communication means is a wireless LAN or mobile communication or short-range wireless communication means configured to be accessible to a predetermined maintenance support server on the network. The maintenance support server can be accessed through a LAN, mobile communication, or short-range wireless communication.

The charging device according to claim 5 of the present invention is:
In particular, the power line carrier communication failure detection means for detecting that the power line carrier communication in the communication means does not function normally, and the power line carrier communication failure detection means for the power line carrier communication does not function normally. And switching means for switching the information acquisition communication path so as to access a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by a communication function of the electronic device.
In the charging device according to claim 5, when the power line carrier communication failure detecting unit detects that communication in the power line carrier communication does not function, the switching unit performs predetermined maintenance support on the network by the communication function of the electronic device. The information acquisition communication path is switched to access the server.

The charging device according to claim 6 of the present invention is:
In particular, in the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, it is determined whether or not the electronic device is maintaining its communication function effectively, and the communication function is determined as a result of the determination. It is further characterized by further comprising a communication means control section that activates the communication means when it is determined that it is not in a state of functioning effectively.
In the charging device according to the sixth aspect, the communication means control unit determines whether or not the electronic device maintains its communication function effectively, and as a result of the determination, the communication function functions effectively. The communication means is operated when it is determined that it is not in a state.

The charging device according to claim 7 of the present invention is:
The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a communication unit activation unit that activates the communication unit when power supply from the power line is started.
In the charging device according to the seventh aspect, the communication unit is activated when the power supply from the power line is started by the communication unit activation unit.

The charging device according to claim 8 of the present invention is:
3. The charging device according to claim 2, wherein the battery control unit performs display according to the determination result when the battery control unit determines the quality of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device. Is further provided.
In the charging apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the determination result when the battery control unit determines the quality of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device is displayed on the display unit.

The electronic device according to claim 9 of the present invention is:
A secondary battery pack mounting section for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding section that holds the first battery information representing its own specification or current status as external power supply;
A first battery information reading unit for reading first battery information from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit;
Battery information provided in the charging device includes second battery information, which is information that can identify the secondary battery pack to be collected when connected to a predetermined charging device used for charging the secondary battery pack. A battery information collecting unit which receives the supply of the acquired second battery information obtained from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication by the acquisition supply unit;
The quality of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit based on the first battery information read by the first battery information reading unit and the second battery information received by the battery information collecting unit. And a battery control unit that executes a predetermined control operation according to the determination result;
It is characterized by having.

In the electronic device according to the ninth aspect, the secondary battery pack having the first battery information holding unit for holding the first battery information indicating its own specification or the current state so as to be provided to the outside can be mounted as an operating power source. The first battery information reading unit reads the first battery information from the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit.
In addition, when connected to the predetermined charging device, the battery information collecting unit sends the second battery information to the predetermined maintenance support on the network by power line carrier communication by the battery information acquisition and supply unit provided in the charging device. Obtained from the server, and receives the obtained second battery information.
Further, based on the first battery information read by the first battery information reading unit and the second battery information received by the battery information collection unit, the battery control unit determines whether the secondary battery pack is good or bad. Then, a predetermined control operation according to the determination result is executed.

The secondary battery pack according to claim 10 of the present invention is:
A first battery information holding unit which is provided in the secondary battery pack and holds the first battery information indicating the specification or current state of the secondary battery pack so as to be provided to the outside;
When the secondary battery pack is connected to an electronic device that operates using the secondary battery pack as a power source, the second battery information, which is information that can identify the secondary battery pack to be collected through the electronic device , is networked through a predetermined communication means. A battery information collection unit obtained from the predetermined maintenance support server above,
The quality of the secondary battery pack is determined based on the first battery information read from the first battery information holding unit and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collection unit, and a predetermined value corresponding to the determination result is determined. A secondary battery pack security management unit for performing security management operations;
It is characterized by having.

In the secondary battery pack according to the tenth aspect, the first battery information indicating the specification or current state of the secondary battery pack is held in the first battery information holding unit so as to be provided to the outside.
When the secondary battery pack is connected to an electronic device that operates using the secondary battery pack as a power source, the second battery information is information that allows the battery information collection unit to identify the secondary battery pack to be collected through the electronic device. Is acquired from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network through a predetermined communication means.
Based on the first battery information read from the first battery information holding unit and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collection unit, the secondary battery pack security management unit determines whether the secondary battery pack is good or bad. Determine and execute a predetermined security management operation according to the determination result.

The secondary battery pack security management system according to claim 11 of the present invention is:
Secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status so that it can be provided to the outside, and the object of collection A battery charger that is adapted to an electronic device having a battery information collection unit for collecting second battery information, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack, from the outside, and a power supply voltage supplied from a power line When the electronic device is connected to a charging voltage conversion unit for converting to a predetermined charging DC voltage, the second battery information is acquired through predetermined communication means in response to an information collection request from the battery information collecting unit. A battery information acquisition and supply unit for supplying to the connected electronic device, and a charging device,
A maintenance support server which is provided on the network so as to be accessible through the communication means of the charging device and holds the second battery information so as to be provided to the outside;
It is characterized by including.

The secondary battery pack security management system according to the eleventh aspect includes the above-described charging device and a maintenance support server.
The charging device side is equipped with a secondary battery pack for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding unit for holding the first battery information representing its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as an operating power source. And an electronic device having a battery information collection unit that collects second battery information, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a collection target, from the outside.

The charging device includes a charging voltage conversion unit that converts a power supply voltage supplied from a power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging, and an information collection request from the battery information collection unit when the electronic device is connected. A battery information acquisition and supply unit that acquires the second battery information and supplies the second battery information to the connected electronic device through predetermined communication means.
On the other hand, the maintenance support server side is provided on the network so as to be accessible by the communication means provided on the above-described charging device side, and holds the second battery information so as to be provided to the outside.

When an electronic device is connected at the time of charging, the charging device has its battery information acquisition and supply unit connected to the second battery from the maintenance support server through a predetermined communication means in response to an information collection request from the battery information collecting unit. Information is acquired and supplied to the connected electronic device.
On the electronic device side that has received the supply of the second battery information as described above, based on the first battery information obtained from the secondary battery pack and the supplied second battery information, as a secondary battery pack It is possible to determine whether the quality is good or to perform a predetermined security management operation according to the determination result.

The secondary battery pack security management system according to claim 12 of the present invention is:
Electronic device having a secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part for holding the first battery information representing its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as an operating power source A charging voltage conversion unit for converting a power supply voltage supplied from a power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging, and the secondary battery pack of the electronic device when the electronic device is connected A first battery information reading unit that reads out the first battery information from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack mounted in the mounting unit, and information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a collection target the a battery information acquisition unit that the second battery information obtained through a predetermined communication means, wherein the battery information acquisition unit and the first cell information first cell information read by the reading unit has acquired is A battery control unit that determines the quality of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device based on the battery information, and executes a predetermined control operation according to the determination result. A charging device;
A maintenance support server which is provided on the network so as to be accessible through the communication means of the charging device and holds the second battery information so as to be provided to the outside;
It is characterized by including.

The secondary battery pack security management system according to claim 12 includes the above-described charging device and a maintenance support server.
The charging device side is equipped with a secondary battery pack for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding unit for holding the first battery information representing its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as an operating power source. Suitable for electronic devices with parts.

The charging device is mounted on a charging voltage conversion unit that converts a power supply voltage supplied from a power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging, and on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device when the electronic device is connected. A first battery information reading unit that reads the first battery information from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack that has been made, and information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a target of collection Based on the battery information collection unit that acquires the battery information through a predetermined communication means, the first battery information read by the first battery information reading unit and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collection unit A battery control unit that determines whether the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device is good or bad and executes a predetermined control operation according to the determination result.

On the other hand, the maintenance support server side is provided on the network so as to be accessible by the communication means provided on the above-described charging device side, and holds the second battery information so as to be provided to the outside.
Therefore, the charging device includes the first battery information read by the first battery information reading unit through the electronic device connected to the device for charging the secondary battery pack, and the battery information collecting unit. Based on the second battery information acquired from the maintenance support server through a predetermined communication means, the quality of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting portion of the electronic device is determined, and a predetermined value corresponding to the determination result The control operation is executed.

The secondary battery pack security management method according to claim 13 of the present invention is:
An electronic device equipped with a secondary battery pack that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status as an external power supply is used as the power supply voltage supplied from the power line. The second battery is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is to be collected from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication using the power line when connected to the charger used for conversion to Information is acquired, The acquired second battery information is supplied to the electronic device as information for security management of the secondary battery pack together with the first battery information.

In the secondary battery pack security management method according to claim 13, an electronic device in which a secondary battery pack that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status so as to be provided to the outside is mounted as an operating power source, When the power supply voltage supplied from the power line is connected to a charger that converts the power supply voltage into a predetermined DC voltage for charging, predetermined maintenance support on the network is achieved by power line carrier communication using the power line that is the power line of the charger itself. Second battery information that is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a target of collection is acquired from the server.
The second battery information acquired as described above is supplied to the electronic device as information for security management of the secondary battery pack together with the first battery information.
On the electronic device side to which the first battery information and the second battery information are supplied, it is possible to take appropriate measures for security management of the secondary battery pack based on these information.

The secondary battery pack security management method according to claim 14 of the present invention is:
An electronic device equipped with a secondary battery pack that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status as an external power supply is used as the power supply voltage supplied from the power line. The second battery is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is to be collected from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication using the power line when connected to the charger used for conversion to Information is acquired, and control for security management of the secondary battery pack is executed in the charger based on the acquired second battery information and the first battery information.

In the secondary battery pack security management method according to claim 14, an electronic device in which a secondary battery pack that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside is mounted as an operating power source, When the power supply voltage supplied from the power line is connected to a charger that converts the power supply voltage into a predetermined DC voltage for charging, predetermined maintenance support on the network is achieved by power line carrier communication using the power line that is the power line of the charger itself. Second battery information that is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a target of collection is acquired from the server.
Based on the second battery information acquired as described above and the first battery information acquired from the secondary battery pack itself, the charger performs control for security management of the secondary battery pack. To do.

  According to the present invention, an electronic device that operates using a secondary battery (secondary battery pack) as a power source does not have a communication function, or even if the communication function unit has a communication function, Under circumstances where normal operation cannot be performed, it is possible to provide information on the quality of the secondary battery pack from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network, and the user can recognize such a secondary battery pack. Or a charging device, electronic device, secondary battery pack, secondary battery pack security management system, and secondary battery pack security management method that can be appropriately dealt with, such as prohibiting charging, etc. .

Hereinafter, the present invention will be clarified by describing embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Configuration of secondary battery pack security management system as one embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a secondary battery pack security management system as one embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the charging device 100 has a charging connector (plug) C <b> 11 for charging of its own device 100 in a state where the electronic device 110 is mounted on the electronic device mounting portion 101. Receptacle) It is configured to be joined to C12.
On the other hand, the electronic device 110 has the secondary battery pack 120 mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting portion 111.

The secondary battery pack 120 includes a battery cell 121 that generates an electromotive force, and a memory 122 that serves as a first battery information holding unit that holds the first battery information indicating the specification or current state of its own battery so as to be provided to the outside. It has.
In the memory 122, information relating to the quality of the secondary battery pack 120 as the first battery information described above, for example, model, specification, manufacturing lot, manufacturing date, manufacturer, manufacturing factory, manufacturing line, etc. And other information related to the secondary battery pack 120 are also retained.

  Further, in the case of the secondary battery pack 120 of this example, the second battery information corresponding to the first battery information is transmitted through the electronic device 110 in a state of being connected to the electronic device 110, and the predetermined information on the network NW is transmitted through the predetermined communication means. Secondary information based on the battery information collecting unit 123 acquired from the maintenance support server, the first battery information read from the memory (first battery information holding unit) 122, and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collecting unit 123. A secondary battery pack security management unit 124 that determines whether the battery pack is good or bad and executes a predetermined security management operation according to the determination result.

Further, the secondary battery pack 120 includes a temperature detection element 125 such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the battery cell 121, and a charging current and a load current flowing through the secondary battery pack 120 (current) detection element 126. And a limiting element 127 is provided.
The limiting element 127 cuts off overcurrent of charge / discharge related to the secondary battery pack 120 (battery cell 121) according to the output of the (current) detection element 126, or the secondary battery pack 120 has a quality problem as will be described later. When it is determined that there is a battery, it functions to cut off the current path for charging according to the output of the secondary battery pack security management unit 124, and is configured by, for example, an FET switch.

On the other hand, the electronic device 110 is a battery-driven electronic device that operates using the secondary battery pack 120 as a power source as described above, and may be, for example, a portable information terminal device such as a mobile phone.
In the example shown in the drawing, the entire system of the electronic device 110 is comprehensively managed under the control of the system controller 112 mainly composed of a microprocessor.
The system controller 112 includes information related to the quality of the secondary battery pack 120, for example, the secondary battery pack described above, such as model, specification, manufacturing lot, manufacturing date, manufacturer, manufacturing factory, and manufacturing line. A battery information management unit 113 that collects and manages the first battery information held in the memory 122 in 120 and the second battery information acquired from the outside corresponding to the first battery information at a required timing; and A battery control unit 114 that performs a required control operation (for example, a control operation for security management) based on the battery information collected and managed by the battery information management unit 113 is provided.

The system controller 112 is further provided with a main body control unit 115, which accepts external operations from the operation unit 116 including, for example, a key switch group and a jog dial, and controls each required operation related to transmission and reception of calls and messages.
The system controller 112 also includes an RF communication unit 117 that covers a wireless communication function that is an original function when the electronic device 110 is a portable information terminal device, and a display unit 118 that displays messages that are communication contents and various operations and operations. Managed by.

The electronic device 110 and the secondary battery pack 120 are connected by a connector (receptacle) C21 on the electronic device 110 side and a connector (plug) C22 on the secondary battery pack 120 side.
The connector (receptacle) C22 includes a GND (ground) contact that is the negative side of the battery cell 121, and a contact of + V (the positive side of the battery cell 121 and directly the output terminal side of the limiting element 127). In addition, there are four contacts: a contact for deriving the detection output T of the temperature detection element 125, and a contact for enabling the battery information collection unit 123 to exchange battery data D with the outside. It is provided.

The connector (plug) C22 corresponding to the connector (receptacle) C22 is also provided with four contacts corresponding to the four contacts described above.
For this reason, the detection output T of the temperature detection element 125 is supplied to the system controller 112 of the electronic device 110 through the connector (receptacle) C22 and the connector (plug) C22, and the necessary fail-safe measures are taken during heating.

  The charging device 100 for mounting the electronic device 110 having the above-described configuration on the electronic device mounting unit 101 of the own device 100 converts the power supply voltage supplied from the power line 10 into a predetermined DC voltage for charging. On the network NW through a predetermined communication means in response to an information collection request from the battery information management unit 113 functioning as a battery information collection unit of the electronic device 110 in a state where the charge control circuit 102 and the electronic device 110 are connected. A battery information acquisition / supply unit 104 that acquires the second battery information from the predetermined maintenance support server 11 and supplies the second battery information to the connected electronic device 110.

The charging apparatus 100 is managed in an integrated manner under the control of a system controller 103 mainly composed of a microprocessor.
The system controller 103 is provided with the above-described battery information acquisition and supply unit 104 and a PLC control unit 105 that controls a PLC modem 106 for PLC (Power Line Communication).
The PLC modem 106 is provided at an appropriate place where the power line 10, which is a power cord extended from the side of the plug 13 inserted into the power outlet 12, is introduced into the charging device 100.

On the other hand, a PLC modem 106 is also provided at an appropriate place on the maintenance support server 11 side of the power line reaching the power outlet 12 in order to enable power line carrier communication between the maintenance support server 11 and the charging device 100.
The PLC controller 105 and the corresponding PLC modem 106 in the system controller 103 described above function as communication means for communicating with the maintenance support server 11, and this communication means is a communication means provided in the system controller 103. You may comprise so that it may start by the starting part (the block is not shown) when the electric power feeding from the power line 10 is started.

The charging device 100 and the electronic device 110 are connected by a connector (receptacle) C12 on the electronic device 110 side and a connector (plug) C11 on the charging device 100 side.
The connector (plug) C11 includes a GND (ground) contact that is the negative side of the output of the charge control circuit 102 and a positive + V contact, as well as between the external and electronic devices 110 under the control of the system controller 103. There are provided three contacts, i.e., contacts for enabling the battery data D to be exchanged.
The connector (receptacle) C12 corresponding to the connector (plug) C11 is also provided with three contacts corresponding to the above-described three contacts.

(Operation of Secondary Battery Pack Security Management System as One Embodiment of the Present Invention)
FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the secondary battery pack security management system of FIG.
When the battery control unit 114 of the electronic device 110 recognizes the connection to the charging device 100 (step S201), the battery control unit 114 informs the battery information collection unit 123 of the secondary battery pack 120 of the first battery information described above. A request is sent to transmit the data (step S202).
Upon receiving the data transmission request in step S202, the battery information collecting unit 123 confirms the data storage status of the first battery information in the memory 122 serving as the first battery information holding unit (step S203), and stores the corresponding data in the memory. Read from 122 (step S204).

The data read from the memory 122 in step S204 is acquired by the battery information collection unit 123 and further transmitted to the battery control unit 114 of the electronic device 110 (step S205).
In this step S205, from the secondary battery pack 120 (its memory 122), the model, specification, production lot, production date, manufacturer related to the quality of the secondary battery pack 120 as the first battery information. The battery control unit 114 of the electronic device 110 acquires data such as a manufacturing factory and a manufacturing line.

On the other hand, when the connection to the charging device 100 in step S201 is recognized, data related to the first battery information from the secondary battery pack in step S202 and subsequent steps is acquired, and maintenance on the network NW is performed. Data collection related to the second battery information from the support server 11 is also executed.
That is, when the connection to the charging device 100 in step S201 is recognized, the battery control unit 114 of the electronic device 110 requests the battery information acquisition / supply unit 104 of the charging device 100 to transmit data of the second battery information. (Step S206).

The battery information acquisition and supply unit 104 that has received the request in step S206 transfers the data transmission request to the PLC control unit 105 serving as a communication unit (step S207).
The PLC control unit 105 controls the PLC modem 106 described above with reference to FIG. 1, and transmits this data transmission request to the maintenance support server 11 on the network NW by power line carrier communication (step S208).

Upon receiving the data transmission request in step S208, the maintenance support server 11 responds to this request by, for example, the model, specification, manufacturing lot, manufacturing date, manufacturer, etc., related to the secondary battery pack that is the subject of market recovery. The data of the second battery information including the data relating to the manufacturing factory, the manufacturing line, etc. is transmitted to the PLC control unit 105 as the communication means in the charging apparatus 100 by power line carrier communication (step S208).
The data received by the PLC control unit 105 in step S208 is transferred to the battery information acquisition and supply unit 104 (step S210), and is transmitted from the battery information acquisition and supply unit 104 to the battery control unit 114 of the electronic device 110 (step S210). S211).

In the battery control unit 114 of the electronic device 110, the first battery information acquired in step S205 (each data as described above that can specify in detail the secondary battery pack 120 currently attached to the electronic device 110) and The current secondary battery pack is compared with the second battery information obtained in step S211 (currently, each data as described above that can identify in detail the secondary battery pack that is the subject of market recovery). It is determined whether or not the secondary battery pack 120 attached to the attachment unit 111 does not correspond to the product targeted for market recovery specified by the second battery information and is not required to be replaced (step) S212).

Only when it is determined in step S212 that the secondary battery pack 120 is not required to be replaced (step S212: Yes), charging of the secondary battery pack 120 is started under the control of the battery control unit 114 ( Step S213).
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S212 that the secondary battery pack 120 is a secondary battery pack currently targeted for market recovery and needs to be replaced (step S212: No), the display unit A message 118 indicates that the secondary battery pack 120 needs to be replaced due to a quality problem and that charging is not performed.

The operation when the battery control unit 114 in the electronic device 110 manages the permission or non-permission of charging the secondary battery pack 120 attached to the electronic device 110 is described in more detail as follows, for example. Executed.
That is, in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, when the battery control unit 114 permits charging of the secondary battery pack 120 (step S212: Yes), the battery control unit 114 permits charging. Is superimposed on the signal line of the above-mentioned data D so as to be time-divided with the data, and the secondary battery is connected through the path of connector C21 → connector C22 → battery information collecting unit 123 → secondary battery pack security management unit 124. It is sent to the pack security management unit 124.

In response to this command, the secondary battery pack security management unit 124 controls the limiting element 127 to establish a charging current line (closes the FET switch), so that the battery cells in the secondary battery pack 120 are controlled. Can be charged.
On the other hand, when the battery control unit 114 does not allow charging of the secondary battery pack 120 (step S212: No), the charging current line is cut off from the limiting element 127 (FET switch) in the transmission system of the same command as described above. Control is executed so that charging is prohibited.
In addition, in the electronic device 110, the control for permitting or not permitting charging of the secondary battery pack 120 is performed by inserting a switch at an appropriate position of the power feeding path for charging, and opening and closing the switch according to the above-described command. You may be made to do by.

(Modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2)
As described above, as a modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, communication is performed between the system controller 112 of the electronic device 110 and the system controller 103 of the charging apparatus 100 through the signal line of data D. In addition, the electronic device 110 is in a main communication function stop state where the communication function does not operate effectively (including a case where such an operation mode is intentionally set by an external operation from the user with respect to the operation unit 116). The charging device 100 side (its system controller 103) can recognize that there is, and always communicates with the maintenance support server 11 through the wireless system using the main communication function of the electronic device 110. While performing security management, when it is recognized that the main communication function is stopped, The power line communication, such as a predicate to access the maintenance support server 11 obtains the second battery information, it is also possible to adopt a configuration to perform safety management, such as described above.

  The detection of the main communication function stop state described above is performed by actively transmitting the current operation mode from the system controller 112 side of the electronic device 110 to the system controller 103 side of the charging apparatus 100, for example. Alternatively, or alternatively, a request for a response is sent from the system controller 103 side of the charging apparatus 100 to the electronic device 110 side for a predetermined time, and the main communication function stop state is detected when there is no response. You may do it.

  In these cases, the system controller 103 determines whether or not the electronic device 110 is maintaining its communication function effectively, and as a result of the determination, it is determined that the communication function is not in an effective function state. Function as a communication means control section for operating communication means (PLC control section 105 in system controller 103, PLC modem 106, etc.).

(Configuration of secondary battery pack security management system as another embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a secondary battery pack security management system as another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts in FIG. 1 described above, and description of each of these blocks is omitted.
As for the system of the aspect of FIG. 3 as a whole, the electronic device 110 and the secondary battery pack 120 applied to the electronic device 110 are different from those already described with reference to FIG. Absent. The function will be described later.
The difference in the block diagram from the embodiment of FIG. 1 is that the charging device 300 of FIG. 3 is applied as a charging device instead of the charging device 100 of FIG.

Hereinafter, the same and different points between the charging device 100 and the charging device 300 will be described.
The charging device 300 according to this embodiment is a secondary battery for mounting a secondary battery pack 120 having a memory 122 that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as an operating power source. The electronic device 110 having the pack mounting part 111 is similar to the charging device 100 in FIG. 1 in that it is suitable for use in charging the secondary battery pack 120.

In addition, it has a charging control circuit 102 as a charging voltage conversion unit that converts a power supply voltage supplied from the power line 10 into a predetermined DC voltage for charging, and the corresponding secondary battery pack is determined by the output of the charging control circuit 102. There is no difference from the charging device 100 in terms of charging.
Further, the PLC controller 305 in the system controller 301 and the PLC modem 106 corresponding thereto constitute a communication means for communicating with the maintenance support server 11, and this communication means is a communication means starter provided in the system controller 301. (The block is not shown) is similar to the charging device 100 in FIG. 1 in that it may be configured to start when power supply from the power line 10 is started.

On the other hand, the charging apparatus 300 includes a battery information collecting unit 302 and a battery control unit 303 in addition to the PLC control unit 105 similar to the one described above as the system controller 301 in FIG. Moreover, it is different from the charging device 100 of FIG. 1 in that the device 300 has a display unit 304.
When the electronic device 110 is connected to the charging device 300, the battery information collection unit 302 is as described above from the memory 122 of the secondary battery pack 120 attached to the secondary battery pack attachment unit 111 of the electronic device 110. It functions as a first battery information reading unit for reading the first battery information.
Further, the battery information collecting unit 302 further receives the second battery information corresponding to the first battery information as described above from a predetermined maintenance support server 11 on the network NW through, for example, power line carrier communication as a predetermined communication means. It also functions as a battery information collection unit to obtain.

(Operation of the secondary battery pack security management system as another embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the secondary battery pack security management system of FIG.
When the electronic device 110 is mounted on the electronic device mounting unit 101 of the charging device 300 and the connectors C11 and C12 are connected, the battery control unit 303 in the system controller 301 of the charging device 300 recognizes this connection (step S401).
Since the system controller 301 is configured to exchange signals regarding battery information with the outside through a battery information collection unit 302 that also functions as a first battery information reading unit that reads first battery information. Based on the recognition in step S401, the battery control unit 303 notifies the battery information collection unit 302 of the connection (step S402).

On the other hand, the battery information collection unit 302 that has received the notification in step S402 sends a transmission request relating to the data of the first battery information to the battery information management unit 113 of the electronic device 110 (step S403).
In response to the transmission request related to the first battery information data in step S403, the battery information management unit 113 of the electronic device 110 sends the above-described data transmission request to the battery information collection unit 123 of the secondary battery pack 120. (Step S404).

Upon receiving the data transmission request in step S404, the battery information collection unit 123 confirms the data storage status of the first battery information in the memory 122 as the first battery information holding unit (step S405), and stores the corresponding data in the memory. Read from 122 (step S406).
The data read from the memory 122 in step S406 is acquired by the battery information collection unit 123, and further transmitted to the battery information management unit 113 of the electronic device 110 (step S407), and further from there, the system controller of the charging apparatus 300 It is transmitted to the battery information collection unit 302 in 301 (step S408).

In the system controller 301, the data of the first battery information received by the battery information collection unit 302 in step S408 is transferred to the battery control unit 303 (step S409).
As described above, through the processing up to step S409, the data of the first battery information is acquired by the system controller 301 (the battery control unit 303) of the charging apparatus 100.
That is, in step S409, the battery control unit 303 of the system controller 301 receives the model related to the quality of the secondary battery pack 120 as the first battery information from the secondary battery pack 120 (its memory 122). Acquire data such as specifications, manufacturing lots, manufacturing dates, manufacturers, manufacturing factories, and manufacturing lines.

On the other hand, the battery information collection unit 302 that has received the connection notification in step S402 also executes data collection processing related to the second battery information from the maintenance support server 11 on the network NW.
That is, the battery information collection unit 302 of the charging apparatus 300 sends a data transmission request for the second battery information to the PLC control unit 305 in the system controller 301 (step S410).
The PLC control unit 305 controls the PLC modem 106 and transmits this data transmission request to the maintenance support server 11 on the network NW by power line carrier communication (step S411).

Upon receiving the data transmission request in step S411, the maintenance support server 11 responds to this request by, for example, the model, specification, manufacturing lot, manufacturing date, manufacturer, etc., related to the secondary battery pack that is targeted for market recovery. The data of the second battery information including data related to the manufacturing factory, the manufacturing line, etc. is transmitted to the PLC control unit 305 as the communication means in the charging apparatus 300 by power line carrier communication (step S412).
The data received by the communication means (PLC control unit) 305 in step S412 is transferred to the battery information collection unit 302 (step S413), and further transferred from the battery information collection unit 302 to the battery control unit 303 (step S413). S414).

In the battery control unit 303 of the charging apparatus 300, the first battery information acquired in step S408 (each data as described above that can specify in detail the secondary battery pack 120 currently attached to the electronic device 110) and Compared with the second battery information acquired in step S414 (currently, each data as described above that can specify in detail the secondary battery pack to be collected in the market), the current secondary battery pack It is determined whether or not the secondary battery pack 120 attached to the attachment unit 111 does not correspond to the product targeted for market recovery specified by the second battery information and is not required to be replaced (step) S415).

Only when it is determined in step S415 that the secondary battery pack 120 is not required to be replaced (step S416: Yes), charging of the secondary battery pack 120 is started under the control of the battery control unit 303 ( Step S416).
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S415 that the secondary battery pack 120 is a secondary battery pack that is currently targeted for market recovery and needs to be replaced (step S415: No), the charging device 300 displays on the display unit 304 under the control of the system controller 301 that the secondary battery pack 120 needs to be replaced due to a quality problem, and that charging is not performed.
That is, the display unit 304 functions to perform display according to the determination result when the quality of the secondary battery pack is determined.

As described above, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the display related to the security management related to the secondary battery pack, such as a measure (operation) corresponding to a quality problem related to the secondary battery pack 120 and a warning display, is displayed on the charging device 300. Since the display unit 304 is used, the electronic device 110 to which the secondary battery pack 120 is applied is not necessarily required to have a function for performing a display related to this kind of security management. The anxiety that leads to the complexity of the structure and cost increases is also eliminated.
The operation in the case where the battery control unit 303 in the charging device 300 to which the electronic device 110 is attached manages whether the charging to the secondary battery pack 120 attached to the electronic device 110 is permitted or not permitted. Is executed as follows, for example.

That is, in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, when the battery control unit 303 in the system controller 301 of the charging apparatus 300 allows the secondary battery pack 120 to be charged (step S415: Yes), the battery control is performed. A command for allowing charging by the unit 303 is superimposed on the signal line of the above-described data D so as to be time-divided with the data, and the connector C11 → the connector C12 → the system controller 112 of the electronic device 110 (secondary battery pack thereof) The data is transmitted to the secondary battery pack security management unit 124 of the electronic device 110 through the path of the security management unit 124) → the secondary battery pack 120 (secondary battery pack security management unit 124).

In the secondary battery pack 120, the secondary battery pack security management unit 124 establishes a charging current line for the limiting element 127 in response to the command transmitted from the charging device 300 as described above (FET) In order to perform control so that the switch is closed), the battery cells in the secondary battery pack 120 can be charged.
On the other hand, when the battery control unit 303 of the charging device 300 does not allow the secondary battery pack 120 to be charged (step S413: No), a charging current line is connected to the limiting element 127 using the same command transmission system as described above. Since control is performed so as to cut off (open the FET switch), charging is prohibited.

  In addition, in the electronic device 110, the control of permission or non-permission of charging the secondary battery pack 120 is performed by inserting a switch at an appropriate position of the power feeding path for charging, and this switch is connected to the system controller 301 ( You may make it carry out by opening and closing by the above instructions from the battery control part 303).

(Modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4)
As described above, as a modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, communication is performed between the system controller 112 of the electronic device 110 and the system controller 301 of the charging apparatus 300 through the signal line of data D. In addition, the electronic device 110 is in a main communication function stop state where the communication function does not operate effectively (including a case where such an operation mode is intentionally set by an external operation from the user with respect to the operation unit 116). The charging device 300 side (the system controller 301) can recognize that there is, and always communicates with the maintenance support server 11 through the wireless system using the main communication function of the electronic device 110 to secure the secondary battery pack. While performing management, when it is recognized that the main communication function is stopped, Accessing the maintenance support server 11 by the force line communication, to obtain the second battery information, it is also possible to adopt a configuration to perform safety management, such as described above.

  The detection of the main communication function stop state described above is performed, for example, by actively transmitting the current operation mode from the system controller 112 side of the electronic device 110 to the system controller 301 side of the charging apparatus 300. Alternatively, or alternatively, a request for a response is sent from the system controller 301 side of the charging device 300 to the electronic device 110 side for a predetermined time, and the main communication function stop state is detected when there is no response. You may do it.

  In these cases, the system controller 301 determines whether or not the electronic device 110 is maintaining its communication function effectively, and as a result of the determination, it is determined that the communication function is not in an effective function state. Function as a communication means control section for operating communication means (the PLC control section 305 in the system controller 301, the PLC modem 106, etc.).

(Configuration of secondary battery pack security management system as still another embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a secondary battery pack security management system as still another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts in FIG. 3 described above, and description of each of these blocks is omitted.
In general, the electronic device 110 and the secondary battery pack 120 applied to the electronic device 110 are not different from those described above with reference to FIG. The charging device 300 is different from the charging device 300 in the following points.

  That is, in the charging device 300 of FIG. 3, the system controller 301 described above includes the battery information collection unit 302, the battery control unit 303, and the charging device 100 in the embodiment of FIG. The PLC control unit 305 has the above-described acquisition of the second battery information. Under the control of the PLC control unit 305, the PLC modem 106 is driven, and the maintenance support server 11 on the network performs power line carrier communication. The charging device 500 in FIG. 5 is configured to access the maintenance support server 11 through, for example, a wireless LAN (or short-range wireless communication unit), without using such power line carrier communication. Is different.

That is, the charging device 500 includes a battery information collection unit 502, a battery control unit 503, and a communication control unit 504 as functional units of the system controller 501.
Among these functional units, the battery information collecting unit 502 and the battery control unit 503 are the functional units corresponding to the battery information collecting unit 302 and the battery control unit 303 of the system controller 301 in the charging device 300 of FIG. There is no other difference.

  On the other hand, the communication control unit 504 in the system controller 501 of the charging apparatus 500 controls the wireless communication unit 505 that is a communication function unit using wireless LAN, mobile communication, or short-range wireless communication, and performs known wireless communication and wired communication. The maintenance support server 11 on the network NW is accessed through the communication system 20 which can be a communication system as an infrastructure.

  In this case, the communication control unit 504 in the system controller 501 and the corresponding wireless communication unit 505 constitute a communication unit that communicates with the maintenance support server 11, and this communication unit is a communication provided in the system controller 501. You may comprise so that it may start when the electric power feeding from the power line 10 is started by a means starting part (the block is not shown).

When viewed from the charging device 500, the power line 10 is exclusively responsible for supplying power, and the data transmission / reception is performed using a wireless system through the wireless communication unit 505. Therefore, even in a situation where power line carrier communication cannot be performed, there is no hindrance to the execution of security management related to the secondary battery pack.
Regarding the security management as described above with respect to the secondary battery pack 120, the aspect of communication with the outside is different, but the other points are the same as those of the embodiment described above with reference to FIG.

(Configuration of secondary battery pack security management system as still another embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a secondary battery pack security management system as still another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts to those in FIG. 1 described above, and descriptions of these individual blocks are omitted.
The system of the embodiment of FIG. 6 is generally the same as that described above with reference to FIG. 1 for the charging device 100 and the secondary battery pack 120 applied to the electronic device attached to the charging device 100. The electronic device 600 is different from the electronic device 110 of FIG. 1 in the following points.

That is, as a functional unit of the system controller 610, a first battery information reading unit 611, a battery information collecting unit 612, and a battery control unit 613 are provided, and a main body control unit 115 similar to the above is provided. ing.
The first battery information reading unit 611 reads the first battery information from the memory 122 as the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack 120 mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit 111.

When the electronic device 600 is attached to the charging device 100, the battery information collecting unit 612 receives the second battery information corresponding to the first battery information described above from the system controller 103 provided in the charging device 100 (acquisition of the battery information). The supply unit 104) acquires the second battery information from the maintenance support server 11 on the network NW by power line carrier communication.

Based on the first battery information read by the first battery information reading unit 611 and the second battery information received by the battery information collection unit 612, the battery control unit 613 is a secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device 600. The quality of the secondary battery pack 120 attached to 111 is determined, and a predetermined control operation according to the determination result is executed.
That is, in this embodiment, the so-called electronic device 600 takes the first battery information and the second battery information, and thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. A battery control unit 613 in the system controller 610 executes a control operation like the battery control unit 114 in FIGS. 1 and 2 to cover security management for the secondary battery pack 120.

In FIG. 6, the block of the RF communication unit 117 is particularly illustrated by a broken line to indicate that the management target by the main body control unit 115 is not necessarily limited to such an RF communication unit 117.
That is, the technical idea of the present invention is effective when applied to a case where the electronic device is a secondary battery-driven electronic device other than the portable information terminal device as described above.

(Modification of Embodiment of FIG. 6)
As a modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, communication is performed between the system controller 610 of the electronic device 600 and the system controller 103 of the charging apparatus 100 through the signal line of data D, and the electronic device 600 side performs the communication. The charging device 100 can recognize that the main communication function is not effectively activated (including a case where the operation unit 116 is set to such an operation mode by an external operation from the user). When the main communication function is communicated with the maintenance support server 11 through the wireless system and the security management of the secondary battery pack is executed at the same time, the main communication function is recognized to be stopped. Configuration that accesses maintenance support server 11 by power line carrier communication as described above and executes security management It is also possible to take.

  The detection of the main communication function stop state described above is performed, for example, by actively transmitting the current operation mode from the system controller 610 side of the electronic device 600 to the system controller 103 side of the charging apparatus 100. Alternatively, alternatively, a request for a response is sent from the system controller 103 side of the charging apparatus 100 to the electronic device 600 side for a predetermined time, and the main communication function stop state is detected when there is no response. You may do it.

(Other variations including a charging device having a power line carrier communication function)
As described above, the system controller (112, 610) on the electronic device (110, 600) side is another modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. That the conditions for performing communication between the system controllers (103, 301) on the charging device 100 side through the signal line of the data D and performing power line carrier communication using the PLC modem 106 have not been established. The PLC controller (105, 305) of the system controller (103, 301) is configured to detect, and when the PLC controller (105, 305) detects that the condition for performing power line carrier communication is not established, It is also possible to configure so that the power line carrier communication failure notification is transmitted from the charging device 100 side to the electronic device (110, 600) side.

In this case, the electronic device (110, 600) side that has received the notification of the inability to communicate with the power line uses the communication function of the electronic device (110, 600) side to access the maintenance support server 11 via a wireless system, The second battery information is acquired, and the security management of the secondary battery pack is executed as described above.
That is, the PLC control unit (105, 305) in the system controller (103, 301) of the charging device (100, 300) also functions as a power line carrier communication failure detection unit that detects that the power line carrier communication does not function normally. When the system controller (112, 610) on the electronic device (110, 600) side detects that the power line carrier communication failure detecting means does not function normally, the communication that the electronic device (110, 600) has It also functions as switching means for switching the information acquisition communication path so as to access the maintenance support server 11 on the network NW depending on the function.

(When the secondary battery pack is in another mode)
As described above, in each of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the secondary battery pack 120 itself is used as the limiting element 127 that controls the on / off of charging / discharging and the control function unit in addition to the battery cell 121. In the above description, the secondary battery pack security management unit 124 with the built-in type is applied. However, depending on the type of the secondary battery pack applied to the electronic device (110, 500, 600), the secondary battery pack It is also possible to configure whether battery pack security management is performed mainly by electronic devices or charging devices depending on the mode selection to the system controller in the electronic devices and charging devices. is there.

  The mode selection in this case may be such that the user manually performs a setting operation on the operation unit 116 of the electronic device (110, 500, 600), or the first battery information of the secondary battery pack 120. The mode may be automatically selected according to the type of the secondary battery pack read based on the information read from the holding unit (memory) 122.

  In the present invention, an electronic device that operates using a secondary battery pack as a power source does not have a communication function, or even if the communication function unit has a communication function, the communication function unit cannot perform a normal operation. Under certain circumstances, information on the quality of the secondary battery pack can be provided from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network so that the user can recognize such a secondary battery pack, or charging Can be used to realize a charging device, electronic device, secondary battery pack, secondary battery pack security management system, and secondary battery pack security management method that can appropriately handle such as is there.

It is a block diagram showing the structure of the secondary battery pack security management system as one embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart showing operation | movement of the secondary battery pack security management system of FIG. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the secondary battery pack security management system as other embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart showing operation | movement of the secondary battery pack security management system of FIG. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the secondary battery pack security management system as further another embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the secondary battery pack security management system as further another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Power line 11 ... Maintenance support server 12 ... Power outlet 13 ... Plug 100 ... Charging apparatus 101 ... Electronic equipment mounting part 102 ... Charge control circuit 103 ... System controller 104 ... Battery information acquisition supply part 105 ... PLC control part 106 ... PLC modem 110 ... electronic device 111 ... secondary battery pack mounting portion 112 ... power receiving connector (receptacle)
113 ... System controller 114 ... Battery control unit 115 ... Main body control unit 116 ... Operation unit 117 ... RF communication unit 118 ... Display unit 120 ... Secondary battery pack 121 ... Battery cell 122 ... Memory (first battery information holding unit)
123 ... Battery information collecting unit 124 ... Secondary battery pack security management unit 125 ... Temperature detecting element 126 ... (current) detecting element 127 ... Limiting element 301 ... System controller 302 ... Battery information collecting unit 303 ... Battery control unit 304 ... Display unit 305 ... PLC control unit 500 ... charging device 501 ... system controller 502 ... battery information collecting unit 503 ... battery control unit 504 ... communication control unit 505 ... wireless communication unit 600 ... electronic device 610 ... system controller 611 ... first battery information reading unit 612 ... Battery information collection unit 613 ... Battery control unit

Claims (14)

Secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status so that it can be provided to the outside, and the object of collection A battery charger that is adapted to an electronic device having a battery information collection unit that collects information on a second battery, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack, from the outside,
A charging voltage converter that converts a power supply voltage supplied from the power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging;
When the electronic device is connected, the second battery information is acquired from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network through predetermined communication means in response to an information collection request from the battery information collecting unit, and the connected electronic device Battery information acquisition and supply unit to supply to,
A charging device comprising: Electronic device having a secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part for holding the first battery information representing its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as an operating power source A charging device conforming to
A charging voltage converter that converts a power supply voltage supplied from the power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging;
A first battery information reading unit for reading out the first battery information from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device when the electronic device is connected; ,
A battery information collection unit that acquires second battery information, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a target of collection, from a predetermined maintenance support server on a network through predetermined communication means;
The secondary battery attached to the secondary battery pack attachment part of the electronic device based on the first battery information read by the first battery information reading part and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collection part A battery control unit that determines the quality of the pack and executes a predetermined control operation according to the determination result;
A charging device comprising:   The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to be accessible to a predetermined maintenance support server on the network through power line carrier communication through the power line.   3. The communication unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a communication unit configured to be accessible to a predetermined maintenance support server on the network, or a communication unit using mobile communication or short-range wireless communication. Charging device.   When the power line carrier communication failure detecting unit detects that the power line carrier communication in the communication unit does not function properly, and the power line carrier communication failure detecting unit detects that the power line carrier communication does not function properly, the electronic device 4. The charging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising switching means for switching an information acquisition communication path so as to access a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by a communication function.   It is determined whether or not the electronic device maintains its communication function in a functioning state, and the communication means is activated when it is determined that the communication function is not in a functioning state as a result of the determination. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a communication unit control unit.   5. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit activation unit that activates the communication unit when power supply from the power line is started.   The battery control unit further includes a display unit that performs display according to the determination result when determining whether the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device is good or bad. The charging device according to claim 2. A secondary battery pack mounting section for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding section that holds the first battery information representing its own specification or current status as external power supply;
A first battery information reading unit for reading first battery information from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit;
Battery information provided in the charging device includes second battery information, which is information that can identify the secondary battery pack to be collected when connected to a predetermined charging device used for charging the secondary battery pack. A battery information collecting unit which receives the supply of the acquired second battery information obtained from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication by the acquisition supply unit;
The quality of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit based on the first battery information read by the first battery information reading unit and the second battery information received by the battery information collecting unit. And a battery control unit that executes a predetermined control operation according to the determination result;
An electronic device comprising: A first battery information holding unit which is provided in the secondary battery pack and holds the first battery information indicating the specification or current state of the secondary battery pack so as to be provided to the outside;
When the secondary battery pack is connected to an electronic device that operates using the secondary battery pack as a power source, the second battery information, which is information that can identify the secondary battery pack to be collected through the electronic device , is networked through a predetermined communication means. A battery information collection unit obtained from the predetermined maintenance support server above,
The quality of the secondary battery pack is determined based on the first battery information read from the first battery information holding unit and the second battery information acquired by the battery information collection unit, and a predetermined value corresponding to the determination result is determined. A secondary battery pack security management unit for performing security management operations;
A secondary battery pack comprising: Secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status so that it can be provided to the outside, and the object of collection A battery charger that is adapted to an electronic device having a battery information collection unit for collecting second battery information, which is information that can identify a secondary battery pack, from the outside, and a power supply voltage supplied from a power line When the electronic device is connected to a charging voltage conversion unit for converting to a predetermined charging DC voltage, the second battery information is acquired through predetermined communication means in response to an information collection request from the battery information collecting unit. A battery information acquisition and supply unit for supplying to the connected electronic device, and a charging device,
A maintenance support server which is provided on the network so as to be accessible through the communication means of the charging device and holds the second battery information so as to be provided to the outside;
A secondary battery pack security management system comprising: Electronic device having a secondary battery pack mounting part for mounting a secondary battery pack having a first battery information holding part for holding the first battery information representing its own specification or current state so as to be provided to the outside as an operating power source A charging voltage conversion unit for converting a power supply voltage supplied from a power line into a predetermined DC voltage for charging, and the secondary battery pack of the electronic device when the electronic device is connected A first battery information reading unit that reads out the first battery information from the first battery information holding unit of the secondary battery pack mounted in the mounting unit, and information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is a collection target the a battery information acquisition unit that the second battery information obtained through a predetermined communication means, wherein the battery information acquisition unit and the first cell information first cell information read by the reading unit has acquired is A battery control unit that determines the quality of the secondary battery pack mounted on the secondary battery pack mounting unit of the electronic device based on the battery information, and executes a predetermined control operation according to the determination result. A charging device;
A maintenance support server which is provided on the network so as to be accessible through the communication means of the charging device and holds the second battery information so as to be provided to the outside;
A secondary battery pack security management system comprising: An electronic device equipped with a secondary battery pack that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status as an external power supply is used as the power supply voltage supplied from the power line. The second battery is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is to be collected from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication using the power line when connected to the charger used for conversion to Information is acquired, and the acquired second battery information is supplied to the electronic device as information for security management of the secondary battery pack together with the first battery information. Method. An electronic device equipped with a secondary battery pack that holds the first battery information indicating its own specification or current status as an external power supply is used as the power supply voltage supplied from the power line. The second battery is information that can identify a secondary battery pack that is to be collected from a predetermined maintenance support server on the network by power line carrier communication using the power line when connected to the charger used for conversion to A secondary battery pack that acquires information and executes control for security management of the secondary battery pack in the charger based on the acquired second battery information and the first battery information Security management method.

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