JP5855968B2 - Mobile communication terminal, communication terminal system, and method for controlling charging by a non-contact charger - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to control of a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly to control of a mobile communication terminal capable of contactless charging.

  Contactless charging is known as a power supply technique. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-168837 (Patent Document 1) states that “a non-contact charging method based on magnetic induction is employed while avoiding adverse effects on communication operations during charging” charging for portable communication devices The device is disclosed ([Summary] [Problem]).

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-250233 (Patent Document 2) discloses “a non-contact power transmission device that can identify power supply and perform power supply control, has a simple structure, and is low noise”. ([Summary] [Problem]).

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-336710 (Patent Document 3) discloses “an electronic device and a non-contact charging system that are compatible with both a contact type and a non-contact type charging method” ([Summary] [Problems] ]).

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2011-152008 (Patent Document 4) discloses “a transmission system, host, and device that can transmit power used for data communication and device operation after performing authentication between devices” ( [Summary] [Problem]).

JP-A-11-168837 JP 2003-250233 A JP 2007-336710 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-152008

  A non-contact charging system consisting of a mobile communication terminal, a non-contact charge receiver, a non-contact charger, and an AC (Alternating-Current) adapter. The non-contact charge receiver is built in the mobile communication terminal body and built in the battery pack. There are various types of configurations, such as a configuration built in a battery lid, a configuration built in a jacket. When the mobile communication terminal is placed on the non-contact charger and the non-contact charging is started, interference occurs in various radio circuits inside the terminal due to magnetic coupling formed by the coil of the charger and the receiver. In particular, if the interference to the 800 MHz band used for 3G wireless communication is large, the terminal may not be able to receive incoming calls. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for charging a terminal so as not to interfere with wireless communication.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal in which interference of communication is suppressed during charging. An object in another aspect is to provide a communication terminal system including a mobile communication terminal in which interference of communication is suppressed during charging and a non-contact charger. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling charging by a non-contact charger in which interference of communication is suppressed during charging.

  A mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment includes a communication circuit connected to a communication line for communicating with another communication terminal, a secondary battery, and a detecting means for detecting the strength of a signal received by the communication circuit And control means for controlling charging of the secondary battery by the non-contact charger according to the intensity of the signal.

  Preferably, when the strength of the signal received by the communication circuit decreases to a predetermined threshold value as the strength that can be received, the control means instructs the contactless charger to reduce the magnetic field strength by the contactless charger. Configured to send.

  Preferably, the mobile communication terminal further includes a transmitter for transmitting the signal strength to the contactless charger. The non-contact charger is configured to lower the magnetic field strength when the strength sent from the mobile communication terminal is lowered to a predetermined threshold value.

  According to another embodiment, a communication terminal system including any of the mobile communication terminals described above and a non-contact charger is provided.

  According to yet another embodiment, a method for controlling charging by a contactless charger of a mobile communication terminal having a secondary battery is provided. The method detects the strength of a signal received by a mobile communication terminal and controls charging of a secondary battery by a non-contact charger according to whether the strength of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. And a step of performing. The controlling step includes the step of transmitting to the contactless charger an instruction to reduce the magnetic field strength generated by the contactless charger when the signal strength is below a threshold value.

  The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of functions realized by mobile communication terminal 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of mobile communication terminal 100 and contactless charger 150. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of mobile communication terminal 100. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by mobile communication terminal 100 and non-contact charger 150.

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

[Technology]
First, the technical idea according to the present embodiment will be described. When a current is passed through the coil of the non-contact charger where the portable communication terminal is placed, a magnetic field is generated. When the magnetic field overlaps with the coil on the receiver side (portable communication terminal side) at a short distance, magnetic field induction occurs, and current is also induced in the coil on the receiver side. By rectifying the induced current, a current for charging the secondary battery on the receiver side can be taken out. At this time, magnetic flux leakage may occur. When there is magnetic flux leakage, interference occurs in various antennas of the mobile communication terminal, and reception sensitivity deteriorates.

  Here, the mobile communication terminal refers to a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or other terminal that can perform information processing and communication.

  If the reception sensitivity is sufficient, there is no problem even if there is a slight deterioration in sensitivity. However, in a weak radio wave area, the mobile communication terminal cannot receive incoming calls due to the deterioration of reception sensitivity. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal constantly monitors the radio field intensity. The radio wave intensity is represented by, for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication), Eb / No (ratio of power density per bit to noise power density), and Ec / Io (desired wave / total power). When the mobile communication terminal determines that the radio wave intensity is equal to or less than a threshold value at which the incoming call cannot be received, the mobile communication terminal reduces the magnetic field intensity from the non-contact charger and enables incoming calls.

  As an example, in a type in which a receiver is incorporated in a battery pack, the terminal and the battery pack are connected by a communication terminal in addition to a + terminal, a thermistor, and a − terminal, and can be communicated. In this case, for example, if the UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) function in the general-purpose microcomputer provided in the non-contact charge control circuit built in the battery pack is used, the general-purpose microcomputer is connected to the UART function provided in the mobile communication terminal. You can communicate easily.

  On the other hand, the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) standard, which is a worldwide standard for non-contact charging, enables amplitude modulation communication by magnetic field coupling between a charger and a receiver.

  The radio | wireless part of a portable communication terminal monitors RSSI, Eb / No, or Ec / Io as signal strength. When the signal strength decreases to a predetermined threshold value (lower limit), the host (for example, processor) of the mobile communication terminal lowers the magnetic field strength from the non-contact charger to the general-purpose microcomputer of the battery pack by UART communication. To send instructions. In accordance with this command, the general-purpose microcomputer transmits a command for instructing to reduce the magnetic field strength to the non-contact charger. In response to this command, the contactless charger pulls down the current supplied to the coil so that the magnetic field strength is reduced.

  Thereby, since the magnetic flux leakage in the mobile communication terminal is suppressed, a certain signal strength that can be received by the mobile communication terminal is maintained. Further, when the magnetic field strength exceeds the threshold value, the current to the coil is increased so that the current for charging the battery pack is increased to the extent that the magnetic field strength does not fall below the threshold value. In this way, the charging current to the battery pack can be maximized by dynamically changing the magnetic field intensity generated by the non-contact charger.

  Such technical ideas can also be applied to 2 GHz band 3G wireless, WiFi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity), WiMAX (registered trademark) (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and wireless (Bluetooth). It is.

[Constitution]
A mobile communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functions realized by mobile communication terminal 100. The mobile communication terminal 100 includes a radio unit 110, a signal strength detection unit 111, a storage unit 112, a determination unit 113, a transmission unit 114, a coil unit 115, a charge control unit 116, and a secondary battery unit 117. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, when the mobile communication terminal 100 is placed on the non-contact charger 150, the secondary battery unit 117 is charged by the non-contact charger 150.

  The non-contact charger 150 includes a power supply unit 160, a magnetic field intensity control unit 161, a coil unit 162, and a receiving unit 163.

  In the mobile communication terminal 100, the wireless unit 110 communicates with other communication terminals by connecting to a communication line.

  The signal strength detection unit 111 detects the strength of the signal received by the wireless unit 110. For example, RSSI, Eb / No, Ec / Io, or the like is used as an index indicating the signal strength.

  The storage unit 112 stores a predetermined threshold value used for controlling charging by the non-contact charger 150. The configuration in which the threshold value is stored in the storage unit 112 is not limited, and the threshold value may be incorporated in a processing algorithm for performing a determination process.

  The determination unit 113 determines whether or not the intensity of the signal detected by the signal intensity detection unit 111 exceeds a predetermined threshold value stored in the storage unit 112.

  The transmission unit 114 transmits a signal for controlling the charging of the secondary battery unit 117 to the non-contact charger 150 according to the determination result by the determination unit 113. The signal includes, for example, a command for reducing the magnetic field strength generated by the non-contact charger 150 or the strength of the signal detected by the signal strength detection unit 111.

  In the non-contact charger 150, the reception unit 163 receives a signal transmitted by the transmission unit 114 of the mobile communication terminal 100. The power supply unit 160 is connected to a power line and receives power from a commercial power supply.

  The magnetic field strength control unit 161 controls the strength of the magnetic field applied to the coil unit 162 based on the electric power supplied via the power supply unit 160. In one aspect, the magnetic field strength control unit 161 further controls the strength of the magnetic field according to the signal received by the receiving unit 163. For example, when the signal received by the receiving unit 163 includes a command for lowering the magnetic field strength by the non-contact charger 150, the magnetic field strength control unit 161 has a predetermined strength based on the command. The magnetic field strength by the non-contact charger 150 is lowered. As a mode for reducing the magnetic field strength, for example, a mode in which the current value is decreased by a predetermined amount, a mode in which the mobile communication terminal 100 sequentially monitors the signal strength, and performs feedback control until the signal strength reaches a value that can be received. There is.

  In another aspect, when the signal received by the receiving unit 163 represents the strength of the signal received by the mobile communication terminal 100, the magnetic field strength control unit 161 determines that the strength of the signal is communication by the mobile communication terminal 100. It is determined whether or not the strength required in advance is higher than the standard strength specified in advance, and if it is determined that the strength is lower than the standard strength, power supply to the coil unit 162 is suppressed so as to reduce the magnetic field strength. To do.

  The coil unit 162 supplies power to the coil unit 115 of the mobile communication terminal 100 using magnetic flux as a medium in accordance with the control of the magnetic field strength control unit 161.

  In the mobile communication terminal 100, the coil unit 115 receives power supply based on the magnetic flux sent from the non-contact charger 150. The charging control unit 116 controls the electric power from the coil unit 115 and controls the charging of the secondary battery unit 117.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the communication terminal system which concerns on this Embodiment is further demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of mobile communication terminal 100 and contactless charger 150.

  The mobile communication terminal 100 includes an antenna 308, a communication device 302, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 348, a communication I / F (Interface) 379, a secondary battery 390, A charge control circuit 391 and a secondary coil 392 are provided.

  The non-contact charger 150 includes a communication I / F 210, a plug 220, a rectifier circuit 230, a charge control circuit 240, and a primary coil 250.

The antenna 308 receives a radio wave or transmits a signal.
The communication device 302 performs a front-end process defined in advance on the signal received by the antenna 308 and transmits the processed signal to the CPU 310. In another aspect, the communication device 302 performs transmission processing on the data sent from the CPU 310 and transmits the data as a radio signal to the space via the antenna 308.

  The ROM 348 stores data prepared for the mobile communication terminal 100 to execute operations specified in advance. The data includes, for example, a signal strength threshold that is defined to control charging.

  CPU 310 controls the operation of portable communication terminal 100 based on a signal given to portable communication terminal 100.

  Communication I / F 379 transmits a signal for controlling charging to non-contact charger 150 based on a command sent from CPU 310. The signal includes the strength of the signal received by the antenna 308, a command for suppressing charging by the non-contact charger 150, and the like.

  The secondary battery 390 supplies power to each hardware in order to drive the mobile communication terminal 100. In another aspect, the secondary battery 390 is charged by the non-contact charger 150 via the charging control circuit 391. The secondary battery 390 may be detachable from the mobile communication terminal 100 or may be configured to be built in the mobile communication terminal 100.

  The charging control circuit 391 controls charging of the secondary battery 390 via the secondary coil 392 based on a command sent from the CPU 310.

Secondary coil 392 receives power supplied from contactless charger 150.
In the non-contact charger 150, the communication I / F 210 communicates with the communication I / F 379 of the mobile communication terminal 100. In one aspect, communication I / F 210 receives the strength of a signal received by mobile communication terminal 100. In another aspect, the communication I / F 210 receives a command for reducing the magnetic flux intensity by the non-contact charger 150.

  The plug 220 is inserted into an outlet of a commercial power supply and receives power supply from a power line. The rectifier circuit 230 converts alternating current into direct current. The charge control circuit 240 supplies a current output from the rectifier circuit 230 to the primary coil 250 based on a signal sent from the communication I / F 210.

  The primary coil 250 transmits power to the secondary coil 392 using magnetic flux as a medium to charge the mobile communication terminal 100 based on the control by the charge control circuit 240.

[Hardware configuration]
With reference to FIG. 3, the hardware configuration of the mobile communication terminal 100 will be further described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of mobile communication terminal 100. The mobile communication terminal 100 includes a communication device 302, a tuner 304, antennas 306, 308, and 316, a CPU 310, a positioning processing unit 312, a positioning signal reception front end unit 314, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 316. , Camera 320, flash memory 344, RAM (Random Access Memory) 346, ROM 348, audio signal processing circuit 370, LED (Light Emitting Diode) 376, memory card driving device 380, and data communication I / F 378. A communication I / F 379, a vibrator 384, a secondary battery 390, a charge control circuit 391, and a secondary coil 392. A memory card 382 can be attached to the memory card driving device 380.

  The antenna 306 receives a one-segment broadcasting wave. The tuner 304 selects a program in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 310 and transmits a video signal and an audio signal to the CPU 310.

  The antenna 308 receives a signal transmitted by the base station or transmits a signal for communicating with another communication device via the base station. The signal received by the antenna 308 is subjected to front-end processing by the communication device 302, and the processed signal is sent to the CPU 310.

  CPU 310 executes processing for controlling the operation of portable communication terminal 100 based on a command given to portable communication terminal 100. When mobile communication terminal 100 is receiving a signal, CPU 310 executes a predetermined process based on the signal sent from communication device 302 and sends the processed signal to audio signal processing circuit 370. The audio signal processing circuit 370 performs predetermined signal processing on the signal and sends the processed signal to the speaker 140. The speaker 140 outputs sound based on the signal.

  The microphone 170 receives an utterance to the mobile communication terminal 100 and sends a signal corresponding to the uttered voice to the voice signal processing circuit 370. The audio signal processing circuit 370 executes processing specified in advance for a call based on the signal, and sends the processed signal to the CPU 310. CPU 310 converts the signal into data for transmission, and sends the converted data to communication device 302. Communication device 302 generates a signal for transmission using the data, and sends the signal to antenna 308.

  The flash memory 344 stores data sent from the CPU 310. Further, the CPU 310 reads data stored in the flash memory 344 and executes a predetermined process using the data.

  RAM 346 temporarily holds data generated by CPU 310 based on an operation performed on switch 360. The ROM 348 stores a program or data for causing the mobile communication terminal 100 to execute a predetermined operation. CPU 310 reads the program or data from ROM 348 and controls the operation of portable communication terminal 100.

  The memory card driving device 380 reads out data stored in the memory card 382 and sends it to the CPU 310. The memory card driving device 380 writes the data output by the CPU 310 in the empty area of the memory card 382.

  The audio signal processing circuit 370 executes signal processing for a call as described above. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 310 and the audio signal processing circuit 370 are shown as separate configurations. However, in other aspects, the CPU 310 and the audio signal processing circuit 370 may be configured as an integral unit. Good.

  The display 350 is a touch panel display, but the mechanism of the touch panel is not particularly limited. The display 350 displays an image defined by the data based on the data acquired from the CPU 310. For example, attributes of still images, moving images, and music files stored in the flash memory 344 (name of the file, performer, performance time, etc.) are displayed.

  The LED 376 realizes a predetermined light emission operation based on a signal from the CPU 310. The data communication I / F 378 accepts attachment of a data communication cable.

  The data communication I / F 378 sends a signal output from the CPU 310 to the cable. Alternatively, the data communication I / F 378 sends data received via the cable to the CPU 310.

  The communication I / F 379 communicates with the reception unit 163 of the non-contact charger 150 as the transmission unit 114.

  Vibrator 384 performs an oscillating operation at a predetermined frequency based on a signal output from CPU 310.

  The GPS antenna 316 receives a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and sends the received signal to the positioning signal reception front end unit 314. The positioning signal reception front end unit 314 performs pattern matching based on each signal received from at least three (preferably four or more) GSP satellites, and the portable communication terminal 100 holds the code pattern included in each signal. When the code pattern matches, the signal is sent to the positioning processing unit 312.

  Using the signal, the positioning processing unit 312 performs a positioning process, and calculates the position of the mobile communication terminal 100 that has received the signal. CPU 310 displays the calculation result on display 350.

  The secondary battery 390 may include a plurality of battery packs in a certain aspect. In this case, the main battery pack of the plurality of battery modules may be detachable, and the sub battery pack may be a built-in type. In this way, even when the main battery pack is removed for replacement, the mobile communication terminal 100 can be driven by the power supplied from the sub battery pack.

[Control structure]
With reference to FIG. 4, the control structure of the communication terminal system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by mobile communication terminal 100 and non-contact charger 150. This process is executed when the mobile communication terminal 100 is placed on the non-contact charger 150.

  In step S <b> 410, charging control circuit 240 of contactless charger 150 detects that mobile communication terminal 100 is placed on contactless charger 150.

  In step S <b> 412, the charging control circuit 240 supplies predetermined power to the mobile communication terminal 100 via the primary coil 250 based on the current sent from the rectifying circuit 230 in response to the detection.

  In step S420, the charging control circuit 391 of the mobile communication terminal 100 supplies the power received via the secondary coil 392 to the secondary battery 390 and charges the secondary battery 390.

  In step S <b> 422, CPU 310 detects signal strength of radio waves in portable communication terminal 100 as signal strength detection unit 111.

  In step S424, CPU 310 determines as determination unit 113 whether the detected signal strength is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. When CPU 310 determines that the signal intensity is equal to or lower than a preset threshold value (YES in step S424), control is switched to step S430. If not (NO in step S424), CPU 310 switches control to step S450.

  In step S430, CPU 310 transmits a command for instructing to decrease the magnetic field strength to non-contact charger 150 via communication I / F 379.

  In step S440, communication I / F 210 of contactless charger 150 receives a command (step S430) from communication I / F 379 of portable communication terminal 100.

  In step S442, the charging control circuit 240 reduces the supply current to the primary coil 250 by a predetermined amount in order to reduce the magnetic field strength of the primary coil 250. Thereafter, control is returned to step S412.

  In step S450, CPU 310 determines whether secondary battery 390 is fully charged or not. When CPU 310 determines that secondary battery 390 is fully charged (YES in step S450), CPU 310 switches control to step S460. If not (NO in step S450), CPU 310 returns control to step S420.

  In step S460, charging control circuit 391 ends charging of secondary battery 390 based on the end command sent from CPU 310.

  The portable communication terminal 100 transmits a signal indicating that charging has been completed to the contactless charger 150 via the communication I / F 379.

  In step S470, charging control circuit 240 ends charging of portable communication terminal 100 based on the signal received via communication I / F 210.

  As described above, the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment controls the charging of the secondary battery 390 in accordance with the signal reception intensity. Specifically, the charging control circuit 391 charges the secondary battery 390 when the reception intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity. In this case, even when the secondary battery 390 is being charged, communication using the mobile communication terminal 100 is easily realized.

  On the other hand, when the reception intensity is less than the predetermined intensity, the current supplied to the non-contact charger 150 is controlled so that the magnetic flux is reduced to the extent that reception of the signal is not hindered. Thereby, even while the mobile communication terminal 100 is being charged, it is possible to prevent interference of incoming signals.

  In another aspect, the mobile communication terminal 100 transmits data indicating the signal strength to the non-contact charger 150, and the non-contact charger 150 has a signal strength equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold based on the data. A configuration for determining whether or not there is a configuration may be used. In this case, when the contactless charger 150 determines that the signal strength in the mobile communication terminal 100 is equal to or lower than the threshold value, the magnetic field strength for charging the secondary battery 390 of the mobile communication terminal 100 is weakened. The current supplied to the primary coil 250 is reduced. Thereby, since the magnetic flux leakage is suppressed, even if the signal strength is reduced, the mobile communication terminal 100 can receive an incoming call.

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

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Portable communication terminal, 110 Radio | wireless part, 111 Signal strength detection part, 112 Storage part, 113 Judgment part, 114 Transmission part, 115,162 Coil part, 116 Charge control part, 117 Secondary battery part, 140 Speaker, 150 Non-contact Charger, 160 power supply unit, 161 magnetic field intensity control unit, 163 reception unit, 170 microphone, 220 plug, 230 rectifier circuit, 240, 391 charge control circuit, 250 primary coil, 302 communication device, 304 tuner, 306, 308, 316 Antenna, 312 Positioning processing unit, 314 Positioning signal reception front end unit, 320 Camera, 344 Flash memory, 346 RAM, 348 ROM, 350 display, 360 switch, 370 Audio signal processing circuit, 380 Memory card drive device, 382 Memory car , 384 vibrator, 390 secondary batteries, 392 secondary coil, 210,378,379 communication I / F.

Claims (5)

A mobile communication terminal,
A communication circuit connected to a communication line for communicating with other communication terminals;
A secondary battery,
Detecting means for detecting the intensity of the signal received by the communication circuit;
Control means for controlling charging of the secondary battery by a non-contact charger according to the intensity of the signal ,
When the strength of the signal received by the communication circuit is less than a threshold value that is predetermined as a strength that can be received, the control means issues a command for reducing the magnetic field strength by the non-contact charger by a predetermined amount. A mobile communication terminal configured to transmit to a contactless charger . A mobile communication terminal,
A communication circuit connected to a communication line for communicating with other communication terminals;
A secondary battery,
Detecting means for detecting the intensity of the signal received by the communication circuit;
Control means for controlling charging of the secondary battery by a non-contact charger according to the intensity of the signal,
When the strength of the signal received by the communication circuit exceeds a threshold value that is predetermined as a strength that can be received, the control means issues a command for increasing the magnetic field strength by the non-contact charger by a predetermined amount. A mobile communication terminal configured to transmit to a contact charger.   The transmitter further includes a transmitter for transmitting the signal strength to the contactless charger, and the contactless charger reduces the magnetic field strength when the strength transmitted from the mobile communication terminal decreases to a predetermined threshold. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal is configured to be lowered. The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A communication terminal system comprising the contactless charger. A method for controlling charging by a non-contact charger of a mobile communication terminal having a secondary battery,
Detecting the strength of a signal received by the mobile communication terminal;
Controlling charging of the secondary battery by the non-contact charger according to whether or not the strength of the signal is less than a threshold value that is predetermined as a strength that can be received ,
The controlling step includes
Controlling charging by the non-contact charger, comprising sending an instruction to the non-contact charger to lower a magnetic field strength generated by the non-contact charger by a predetermined amount when the signal strength is less than the threshold value. How to do.

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