JPH09329653A - Battery drive equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exchange a battery in a power source supply state by comparing a voltage value detected by a detection means and with a reference value selected by a reference selection means for selecting one of previously set first and second reference values, and alarming battery consumption according to the comparison result. SOLUTION: A body-mounted battery 12 is connected to a power source supply terminal 16 through a reverse flow prevention diode 14, and a battery pack 18 is coupled to the power source supply terminal 16 through an outside connection terminal 24. When a microcomputer 30 is not connected to the battery pack 18, reference voltage Va is selected for a switch 28, and when it is connected to the battery pack 18, reference voltage Vb (>Va) is selected. A comparison circuit 26 compares the voltage of the power source supply terminal 16 with the reference voltage from the switch 28, and when the voltage of the power source supply terminal 16 is lowered, output is made a high level. The microcomputer 30 provides letter information indicating battery consumption for a letter information preparation circuit 32 in response to the high level output of the comparison circuit 26. The letter information is applied to an image monitor 40 and image-displayed through an adder 36 and an image output terminal 38.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery-powered device, and more particularly to a battery-powered device such as a portable device or a small electronic / electrical device which operates using a battery as a power source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a conventional example of a battery management part of a portable magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus capable of using a plurality of batteries. 110 is the main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. Reference numeral 112 denotes a battery mounted on the main body 110, the output voltage of which is connected to the power supply terminal 116 via the backflow prevention diode 114. Externally connected battery pack 118
Has a configuration in which two batteries 120a and 120b are connected in parallel by backflow prevention diodes 122a and 122b, and the output voltage thereof is connected to the power supply terminal 116 via the external connection terminal 124. In FIG. 5, the battery 112 mounted on the main body and the external battery pack 118 are connected in parallel to the power supply terminal 116. Power supply terminal 116
Is connected to the power input terminal of each part of the main body 110. As a result, the battery 112 installed in the main body 110
And / or the power required for operation is supplied from the battery pack 118.

The voltage of the power supply terminal 116 is applied to one input of the comparison circuit 126, and the reference voltage Vref corresponding to the lowest battery output voltage value with which the main body 110 operates reliably is applied to the other input. To be done. The comparison circuit 126 compares the two voltages, and the voltage of the power supply terminal 116 is the reference voltage V.
When it becomes lower than ref, the output becomes high level. When the output of the comparison circuit 126 becomes high level, the microcomputer 128 causes the character information generation circuit 130 to generate character information that warns the user of battery consumption.

The recording / reproducing circuit 132 is a circuit for recording and reproducing video / audio on a recording medium. The video signal recorded on the recording medium, the video signal reproduced from the recording medium, and other video signals are sent to the adder 134. Output. The output of the character information generating circuit 130 is also applied to the adder 134, and the adder 134 synthesizes or superimposes the character information from the character information generating circuit 130 on the video signal from the recording / reproducing circuit 132. . The output of the adder 134 is applied to the video monitor 138 via the video output terminal 136.

When electric power is held in either the battery 112 or the battery pack 118 and the voltage of the power supply terminal 116 is higher than the reference voltage Vref, the comparison circuit 12
The output of 6 remains low level, and the microcomputer 128 does not cause the character information generating circuit 130 to output the character information for warning the battery consumption.

After that, the battery 112 and the battery pack 118
When both of them are consumed and the voltage of the power supply terminal 116 becomes lower than the reference voltage Vref, the output of the comparison circuit 126 becomes high level, and accordingly, the microcomputer 1
28 causes the character information generation circuit 130 to output character information that warns of battery consumption. The warning character information output by the character information generation circuit 130 is applied to the monitor 138 via the adder 134 and the video output terminal 136 and is displayed as a video. For example, a warning as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 138. Such a warning may be displayed on the operation panel surface instead of the monitor screen.

[0007]

In the conventional example, the reference voltage Vref is set to the lowest battery voltage at which the entire apparatus can operate without problems so that the operating time of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 110 can be made as long as possible. . That is, the reference voltage Vref is usually set to a voltage when the battery is almost exhausted. Therefore, in the conventional example, the battery 112 or the battery pack 118 cannot be replaced while the magnetic recording / reproducing device 110 is still operating after the battery exhaustion warning display is output. The reason is that if the battery 112 (or the battery pack 118) is to be replaced while the magnetic recording / reproducing device 110 is operating, the remaining battery pack 118 (or the battery pack 118 (or the battery pack 118) is removed when the battery 112 (or the battery pack 118) is removed. 112) output current suddenly increases and the voltage drop of battery internal resistance and wiring resistance causes power supply terminal 1
The voltage at 16 drops sharply. This allows the device 11
This is because it becomes impossible to secure the electric power required for the 0 operation.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a battery-driven device that allows battery replacement while operating.

[0009]

The battery-powered device according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of reference values for judging the exhaustion of the battery and uses them properly according to the situation. For example, a reference value is added so that the battery can be replaced while the power is still supplied. As a result, even after the battery exhaustion warning, the battery can be replaced while the power is still being supplied.

Further, by detecting the output voltage of each of a plurality of batteries and comparing the output voltage with a reference value, it is possible to check the consumption level of each battery, and the result indicates which battery should be replaced by the user. Can be notified. Furthermore, by providing a power source selecting means for selecting which battery to use as a power source, an appropriate battery can be selected as a power source, and the battery can be replaced in the power supply state.

When a plurality of batteries are connected, the user can be provided with an indication of operating time and replacement time by detecting and displaying the remaining amount of each battery.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention applied to a portable magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. 1
Reference numeral 0 is a main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, in which a battery 12 is mounted. The battery 12 is connected to the power supply terminal 16 via the backflow prevention diode 14. The externally connected battery pack 18 has a configuration in which two batteries 20a and 20b are connected in parallel by backflow prevention diodes 22a and 22b, and the output voltage thereof is connected to the power supply terminal 16 through the external connection terminal 24. . Similar to the conventional example, the battery 12 mounted on the main body and the external battery pack 18 are arranged in parallel in the power supply terminal 1
6 will be connected. The power supply terminal 16 is the main body 1
0 is connected to the power input terminal of each part. As a result, each unit of the main body 10 is supplied with electric power required for operation from the battery 12 and / or the battery pack 18 mounted on the main body.

The voltage of the power supply terminal 16 is applied to one input of the comparison circuit 26, and the voltage selected by the switch 28 from the two reference voltages Va and Vb is applied to the other input. The comparison circuit 26 compares the two input voltages, and when the voltage of the power supply terminal 16 becomes lower than the reference voltage Va or Vb selected by the switch 28, the output is set to the high level. The reference voltage Va is set to a voltage value corresponding to the voltage of the power supply terminal 16 at which the device 10 operates reliably when the device 10 is operated only by the battery 12 without connecting the external battery pack 18. ing. Further, the reference voltage Vb is
The voltage of the power supply terminal 16 when the device 10 is operated with the battery 12 and the battery pack 18 both connected, and the voltage measured at the power supply terminal 16 when the battery pack 18 is removed from this state. The difference voltage is set to a voltage that is added to the reference voltage Va.

The microcomputer 30 includes a comparison circuit 2
When the output of 6 becomes a high level, the character information generating circuit 32 is caused to generate character information for warning the user of battery consumption. Although details will be described later, the microcomputer 30 detects whether or not the external battery pack 18 is connected to the external connection terminal 24, and switches the switch 28 according to the detection result. If the battery pack 18 is not connected,
The switch 28 selects the reference voltage Va, and the battery pack 1
When 8 is connected, the reference voltage Vb is selected.

The recording / reproducing circuit 34 is a recording / reproducing circuit 132.
Similarly, is a circuit for recording and reproducing video and audio on a recording medium, and outputs the video signal recorded on the recording medium, the video signal reproduced from the recording medium, and other video signals to the adder 36. The output of the character information generation circuit 32 is also applied to the adder 36.
The character information from the character information generation circuit 32 is combined with or superimposed on the video signal from No. 4. The output of the adder 36 is applied to the video monitor 40 via the video output terminal 38.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of battery management of the embodiment shown in FIG. When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the microcomputer 30 first detects whether or not the external battery pack 18 is connected (S1). If the battery pack 18 is not connected, the switch 2 is activated.
8 to select the reference voltage Va (S2), the battery pack 18
Is connected to the switch 28, the reference voltage V
b is selected (S3). As a result, when the external battery pack 18 is connected, it is determined whether or not the power supply battery is depleted based on the reference voltage Va, and when the battery pack 18 is connected, the power supply battery is based on the reference voltage Vb. Will be determined.

Next, the microcomputer 30 checks the output level of the comparison circuit 26 (S4). If the output level is high, the warning information indicating battery exhaustion as shown in FIG. Cause to. The warning information output from the character information generation circuit 32 is applied to the monitor device 40 via the adder 36 and the video output terminal 38, and is displayed as an image on the screen of the monitor device 40.

The functions of the comparison circuit 26, the switch 28, and the reference voltages Va and Vb can be incorporated in the microcomputer 30. Item 3 is a schematic configuration block diagram of such a modified example. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. 42 is a comparison circuit 26,
A microcomputer incorporating the functions of the switch 28 and the reference voltages Va and Vb, and 44 is an A / D converter that performs analog / digital conversion of the voltage of the power supply terminal 16 and supplies it to the microcomputer 42.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of the embodiment shown in FIG. When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the microcomputer 42 first reads the output value of the A / D converter 44 (voltage value of the power supply terminal 16) (S1).
1). It is checked whether or not the battery pack 18 is connected (S12). If the battery pack 18 is not connected, the output value of the A / D converter 44 fetched in S11 is the reference data corresponding to the reference voltage Va. Compare with the value (S1
3) If the battery pack 18 is connected, S1
The output value of the A / D converter 44 taken in 1 is the reference voltage V
It is compared with the reference data value corresponding to b (S14).

When the output value of the A / D converter 44 fetched in S11 is lower than the reference data values corresponding to the reference voltages Va and Vb (S12 and S13), the microcomputer 42 has exhausted the power supply battery. And the warning information indicating the exhaustion of the battery as shown in FIG.
2. The warning information output from the character information generation circuit 32 is applied to the monitor device 40 via the adder 36 and the video output terminal 38, and is displayed as an image on the screen of the monitor device 40.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, as the reference value for judging the consumption of the power source battery, a higher reference value is adopted when the external battery pack is connected than when it is not connected. When both the battery installed in the main unit and the external battery pack are used, the power consumption warning is output early. As a result, the battery mounted on the main body or the external battery pack can be replaced with a margin while the device is operating, that is, while the power is still being supplied.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which the user is notified whether or not the battery mounted on the main body and the external battery pack (or a plurality of power source batteries) should be replaced. FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of the embodiment.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 210 denotes a main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, in which a battery 212 is mounted. Battery 21
2 is connected to the power supply terminal 216 via the backflow prevention diode 214. Externally connected battery pack 218 is 2
The two batteries 218a and 218b are connected in parallel, and the output voltage thereof is connected to the power supply terminal 216 via the external connection terminal 220 and the backflow prevention diode 222. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the battery 212 mounted on the main body and the external battery pack 218 are connected in parallel to the power supply terminal 216. The power supply terminal 216 is
It is connected to the power input terminal of each part of the main body 210. As a result, each unit of the main body 210 is supplied with electric power required for operation from the battery 212 and / or the battery pack 218 mounted on the main body.

Reference numeral 224 is an A / D converter for converting the output voltage of the battery 212 into a digital value, and 226 is the battery pack 21.
A / D converter for converting the output voltage of 8 into a digital value,
An A / D converter 228 converts the voltage of the power supply terminal 216 into a digital value, and these digital outputs are applied to the microcomputer 230. The microcomputer 230 is also supplied with a signal indicating whether or not the battery pack 218 is connected to the external connection terminal 220. Although the details will be described later, the microcomputer 230 determines whether or not to warn the exhaustion of the power supply battery according to the presence or absence of the connection of the battery pack 218 and the outputs of the A / D converters 224, 226 and 228.

The microcomputer 230 causes the character information generating circuit 232 to generate character information for warning the user of battery consumption under a predetermined condition at which the battery power consumption should be warned.

The recording / reproducing circuit 234 includes a recording / reproducing circuit 13.
Similarly to 2, 34, a circuit for recording and reproducing video and audio on a recording medium, and outputting the video signal recorded on the recording medium, the video signal reproduced from the recording medium, and other video signals to the adder 236. . The output of the character information generation circuit 232 is also applied to the adder 236.
Synthesizes or superimposes the character information from the character information generating circuit 232 on the video signal from the recording / reproducing circuit 234. The output of the adder 236 is applied to the video monitor 240 via the video output terminal 238.

FIG. 8 shows an operation flowchart of the embodiment shown in FIG. When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the microcomputer 230 causes the A / D converter 228.
Output (voltage of the power supply terminal 216) is stored in the memory (S21), and the voltage value is stored in the battery pack 21.
8 is compared with the voltage value (reference voltage 1) of the power supply terminal 216 at which the device 210 operates reliably when the device 210 is operated (S22).

When the voltage of the power supply terminal 216 is equal to or higher than the reference voltage 1 (S22), the process returns to S21. When the voltage of the power supply terminal 216 is lower than the reference voltage 1 (S2
2) The microcomputer 230 causes the character information generating circuit 232 to generate character information corresponding to a warning as shown in FIG. 9 (S23). The warning information output from the character information generation circuit 232 is applied to the monitor device 240 via the adder 236 and the video output terminal 238, and the monitor device 240
Is displayed on the screen of.

After the warning display (S23), the external connection terminal 2
Whether or not the external battery pack 218 is connected is confirmed by a signal from 20 (S24). If the battery pack 218 is not connected (S24), the process returns to S21, and if the battery pack 218 is connected (S24), the microcomputer 230 causes the character information generating circuit 232 to generate a warning as shown in FIG. Character information to be generated is generated and displayed on the screen of the monitor device 240 (S25). This prompts the user to replace the battery pack.

In order to confirm the replacement of the battery pack 218,
Capture the output data of the A / D converter 226 (S2
6), compare with the voltage value fetched in S21 (S2
7). The capture of the output value of the A / D converter 226 is repeated until the output value of the A / D converter 226 becomes larger than the voltage value captured in S21. If the output value of the A / D converter 226 is larger than the voltage value fetched in S21, it is determined that the battery pack 218 has been replaced.

When the battery pack 218 is replaced (S2
7), the microcomputer 230 uses the A / D converter 2
The output value of No. 26 is stored in the memory, the warning display shown in FIG. 10 is erased (S28, S29), and a battery exchange message for prompting the exchange of the internal battery 212 as shown in FIG. 11 is generated in the character information generation circuit 232. Then, it is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 240 (S30).

To confirm the replacement of the battery 212, the A / D
The output data of the converter 224 is fetched (S31) and compared with the output value of the A / D converter 226 after the battery pack 218 is replaced (S32), until the former becomes larger than the latter, S3
Repeat 1. When the output data of the A / D converter 224 becomes larger than the output value of the A / D converter 226 after the battery pack 218 is replaced, it is determined that the battery 212 mounted in the main body is replaced, and the message shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. Stop (S3
3).

FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. Reference numeral 310 denotes a main body of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, in which a battery 312 is attached. Battery 312
Is a power supply terminal 316 for supplying power to the system control circuit of the device 310 via the backflow prevention diode 314.
Connect to. The battery 312 is also connected to the a contact of the selection switch 318, and the common contact of the selection switch 318 is connected to the power supply terminal 320 that supplies power to each part of the device 310 except the system control circuit.

The externally connected battery pack 322 has a structure in which two batteries 322a and 322b are connected in parallel, and is freely connectable to the external connection terminal 324. The external connection terminal 324 is connected to the power supply terminal 316 via the backflow prevention diode 326 and also connected to the b contact of the switch 318. Therefore, power is supplied to the system control circuit from the battery 312 and / or the battery pack 322, and the selection switch 3 is provided to each part other than the system control circuit.
Battery 312 or battery pack 322 selected by 18.
Is supplied with power.

Reference numeral 328 is an A / D converter for converting the output voltage of the battery 312 into a digital value, and 330 is the battery pack 32.
2 is an A / D converter for converting the output voltage of 2 into a digital value, and these digital outputs are applied to the microcomputer 332. The microcomputer 332 is also supplied with a signal indicating whether or not the battery pack 322 is connected to the external connection terminal 324. Although details will be described later, the microcomputer determines whether or not to warn the exhaustion of the power supply battery according to the presence or absence of the connection of the battery pack 322 and the outputs of the A / D converters 328 and 330.

The microcomputer 332 issues character information to the character information generating circuit 334 to warn the user of battery exhaustion and generate character information prompting battery replacement under a predetermined condition in which the battery power exhaustion should be warned.

The recording / reproducing circuit 336 is used for the recording / reproducing circuit 13.
2, 34, 234 is a circuit for recording and reproducing video and audio on a recording medium, and a video signal recorded on the recording medium, a video signal reproduced from the recording medium, and other video signals are added to an adder 338. Output. The output of the character information generating circuit 334 is also applied to the adder 338, and the adder 338 synthesizes or superimposes the character information from the character information generating circuit 334 on the video signal from the recording / reproducing circuit 336. . The output of the adder 338 is the video output terminal 3
It is applied to the video monitor 342 via 40.

FIG. 13 shows an operation flowchart of the embodiment shown in FIG. When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the microcomputer 332 causes the A / D converter 33 to
The output of 0 (the output voltage of the battery pack 322) is taken and temporarily stored in the internal memory (S41), and the A / D converter 32
The output of 8 (the output voltage of the battery 312) is fetched and temporarily stored in the built-in memory (S42).

It is checked whether or not the battery pack 322 is connected (S43). If the battery pack 322 is connected, the output voltage value of the battery pack 322 taken in S41 and the device 31
The whole value of 0 is compared with the reference value 1 corresponding to the minimum voltage value of the power supply terminal 320 that surely operates (S44). If the output voltage of the battery pack 322 is sufficient (S44), the microcomputer 332 connects the switch 318 to the b contact (S45). As a result, power is supplied from the battery pack 322 to parts other than the system control circuit.

When the output voltage of the battery pack 322 is lower than the reference value 1 (S44), the output of the A / D converter 328 (output voltage of the battery 312) fetched in S42 is set to the reference value 1
(S46). If the output of the A / D converter 328 is the reference value 1 or more (S46), the character information generator 33
4, the character information indicating the battery exchange message as shown in FIG. 14 is output and displayed on the screen of the monitor device 342 (S47). Simultaneously with or before or after this, the microcomputer 332 connects the switch 318 to the a contact, and selects the battery 312 as a power source for parts other than the system control circuit (S48).

When the output of the A / D converter 328 is smaller than the reference value 1 (S46), it means that the remaining amount of the battery 312 is insufficient, but the microcomputer 332
Connects the switch 318 to the contact “a” and selects the battery 312 as a power source for parts other than the system control circuit (S4
9) After that, the character information generation circuit 334 is caused to generate the character information of the battery exhaustion warning message as shown in FIG. 9 (S50).

When the battery pack 322 is not connected (S43), the microcomputer 332 compares the output of the A / D converter 328 (output voltage of the battery 312) captured in S42 with the reference value 1 (S51). ). When the output of the A / D converter 328 is greater than or equal to the reference value 1 (S51), the microcomputer 332 connects the switch 318 to the a contact and selects the battery 312 as a power source for parts other than the system control circuit (S52). . When the output of the A / D converter 328 is smaller than the reference value 1 (S51), the microcomputer 332 connects the switch 318 to the contact a and connects the battery 312 to the portion other than the system control circuit as a power source.
Is selected (S49), and then the character information generation circuit 334
Then, the character information of the battery consumption warning message as shown in FIG. 9 is generated (S50).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the batteries 212 and 312 mounted on the main body and the external battery packs 218 and 3 are installed.
It is possible to appropriately prompt the user to replace the battery 22 according to the consumption condition thereof, and to replace the battery packs 218 and 322 and the batteries 212 and 312 with the device kept in the power supply state.

Next, an embodiment in which the consumption states of a plurality of batteries are individually displayed will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment applied to a camera-integrated recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 15 will be described. Reference numeral 410 denotes a main body of a camera-integrated recording / reproducing apparatus, which includes a photographing lens 412, an image pickup element 414 for converting an optical image formed by the photographing lens 412 into an electric signal, and a camera signal process (white balance correction and gamma correction) for an output signal of the image pickup element 414. A camera signal processing circuit 416 for correction, etc., and a recording system 41 for recording the output video signal of the camera signal processing circuit 416 on a video tape.
8, a microcomputer 420 serving as a system control circuit for controlling the whole, a character generator (CG) 422 for generating a video signal indicating a message instructed by the microcomputer 420, and other information, and an output video of the camera signal processing circuit 416 Adder 42 that synthesizes or superimposes the output signal of CG 422 with the signal
4 and an electronic view finder (EVF) 426 for displaying an image of the video signal output from the adder 424.

The main body 410 has two systems of power supply connection terminals, and one of the power supply connection terminals 428a and 428b is connected to a battery 430 which is a power supply in a normal case. Two batteries 434, 436 can be connected to the other power supply connection terminals 432a, 432b, 432c. The terminal 432c serves as a common negative terminal for the terminals 432a and 432b. The battery 430 is attached to the main body 410 and is directly connected to the connection terminals 428a and 428b, but the terminal batteries 434 and 436 are, for example, the external battery holder 4
38, and a terminal 432a via a power cable,
It is connected to 432b and 432c.

Connection terminals 428a, 432a, 432b
Is connected to the selective contact of the switch 440, and the switch 44
The 0 common contact connects to the DC input of the DC / DC converter 442. The switch 440 can be operated by the user to set the output voltage of any of the batteries 430, 434, 436 to DC / DC.
Whether to supply to the converter 442 can be arbitrarily selected.
The DC / DC converter 442 is provided in each part of the main body 410.
Supply the required power supply voltage.

Further, the connection terminals 428a, 432a, 43
The voltage of 2b is divided into resistors 444 and 446 for voltage division, respectively.
The voltage is divided by 448, 450; 452, 454 and applied to the A / D port of the microcomputer 420.
Resistors 444, 446; 448, 450; 452, 454
The voltage division is usually performed because the output voltage of the batteries 430, 434, 436 is higher than the power supply voltage of the microcomputer 420. As will be described later in detail, the microcomputer 420 includes resistors 444, 446; 448, 450;
The output voltage of the batteries 430, 434, 436 connected to the respective power supply connection terminals 428a, 428b; 432a, 432b, 432c, and thus the remaining amount, can be detected by the input voltage from 452, 454.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on,
The DC / DC converter 442 supplies power to each unit of the main body 410. The image sensor 414 converts the optical image from the taking lens 412 into an electric signal, and the camera signal processing circuit 416
Performs camera signal processing on the output signal of the image sensor 414.
The output signal of the camera signal processing circuit 416 is applied to the recording system 418 and the adder 424. The recording system 418 records an input video signal on a recording medium according to an instruction from the microcomputer 420. The microcomputer 420 also causes the CG 422 to generate an image signal of a desired character / symbol as required. The adder 424 mixes or superimposes the image signal from the CG 422 with the output video signal of the camera signal processing circuit 416 and supplies it to the electronic view finder 426. As a result, the optical image incident on the image sensor 416, camera information, and other information are displayed on the screen of the electronic viewfinder 426.

The main part relating to the power source in the present invention will be described in detail. The user uses the switch 440 to switch the battery 4
Which of 30, 434 and 436 is used as a power source can be arbitrarily selected. As information for the determination, the microcomputer 420 can display the following information on the screen of the electronic view finder 426.

The microcomputer 420 has a resistor 44.
4, 446; 448, 450; 452, 454, the respective power source connection terminals 428a, 428b; 432
a, 432b, 432c voltage, that is, batteries 430, 4
The output voltage of 34,436 is compared with a predetermined reference voltage.
FIG. 16 shows discharge characteristics of a general battery. Although there is a quantitative difference depending on the type of battery, any battery qualitatively exhibits discharge characteristics as shown in FIG. Therefore,
You can estimate the remaining capacity from the battery terminal voltage.

The microcomputer 420 compares the reference value stored in advance with the input voltage value, estimates the remaining amount of each battery 430, 434, 436 to be connected, and displays the remaining amount image according to the estimated result. A signal is generated in CG422. The output signal of the CG 422 is applied to the electronic view finder 426 via the adder 424. As a result, the remaining amounts of the batteries 430, 434, 436 are graphically displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the upper part is the battery 43.
0 is the remaining amount, middle is the remaining amount of battery 434, lower is the battery 436
Display the remaining amount of. At the same time, the battery used as the power source (which can be seen from the contact connected to the switch 440) may be displayed. The user can know the remaining amount of each battery 430, 434, 436 connected by looking at the display as shown in FIG. 17, and the switch 440 is based on this information.
Select the battery to be used as a power source by. Figure 18
It is an example of the remaining amount display when the remaining amount is divided into five stages.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Instead of the switch 440 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the power supply connection terminals 428a, 432a, 432b are connected to the DC input of the DC / DC converter 442 via the backflow prevention diodes 460, 462, 464. The same components as those shown in FIG. 15 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, switch 440.
The power is not supplied to the DC / DC converter 442 at the moment when is switched to, which may interrupt the shooting. However, if the diodes 460, 462, and 464 are used as shown in FIG. There is no. Further, even when the batteries 430, 434, 436 are replaced, shooting can be continuously performed.

An embodiment has been described in which the remaining amount of each battery 430, 434, 436 is displayed simultaneously as shown in FIG.
When the display area is limited, the remaining amount of each battery 430, 434, 436 may be displayed by switching to the same place with an operation switch or the like. Instead of displaying on the electronic view finder, it may be displayed on the display screen of the operation panel or the like. The number of built-in or external batteries is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and may be two or more.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to appropriately prompt the user to replace a plurality of batteries according to their consumption states, and it is possible to replace the batteries while the power is still being supplied.

Moreover, since the remaining amounts of the plurality of batteries can be individually confirmed, the user can always grasp the status of each battery.
As a result, the battery can be properly replaced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is an example of a monitor screen that warns that the power supply battery is exhausted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an example of a warning message screen for power battery exhaustion.

FIG. 10 is a message example of battery consumption and battery pack replacement.

FIG. 11 is an example of a message prompting replacement of a battery mounted on the main body.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

13 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an example of a message prompting replacement of a battery pack.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a fifth embodiment of the present invention applied to a camera-integrated VTR.

FIG. 16 is a discharge characteristic diagram of a battery.

FIG. 17 is a display example of the remaining battery level of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a transition diagram of the remaining battery level and the display mode.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Main body of magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 12: Battery 14: Backflow prevention diode 16: Power supply terminal 18: Battery pack 20a, 20b: Battery 22a, 22b: Backflow prevention diode 24: External connection terminal 26: Comparison circuit 28: Switch 30 : Microcomputer 32: Character information generating circuit 34: Recording / reproducing circuit 36: Adder 38: Video output terminal 40: Video monitor 42: Microcomputer 44: A / D converter 110: Main body of magnetic recording / reproducing device 112: Battery 114 : Backflow prevention diode 116: Power supply terminal 118: Battery pack 120a, 120b: Battery 122a, 122b: Backflow prevention diode 124: External connection terminal 126: Comparison circuit 128: Microcomputer 130: Character information generation circuit 132: Recording / reproducing circuit 134 : Adder 13 6: video output terminal 138: video monitor 210: magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus main body 212: battery 214: backflow prevention diode 216: power supply terminal 218: battery packs 218a, 218b: battery 220: external connection terminal 222: backflow prevention diode 224 , 226, 228: A / D converter 230: Microcomputer 232: Character information generating circuit 234: Recording / reproducing circuit 236: Adder 238: Video output terminal 240: Video monitor 310: Main body of magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 312: Battery 314 : Backflow prevention diode 316: Power supply terminal 318: Selection switch 320: Power supply terminal 322: Battery pack 322a, 322b: Battery 324: External connection terminal 326: Backflow prevention diode 328, 330: A / D converter 332: Microcomputer 33 : Character information generating circuit 336: Recording / reproducing circuit 338: Adder 340: Video output terminal 342: Video monitor 410: Main body of camera-integrated recording / reproducing apparatus 412: Photographing lens 414: Image sensor 416: Camera signal processing circuit 418: Recording System 420: Microcomputer 422: Character generator (CG) 424: Adder 426: Electronic view finder (EVF) 428a, 428b: Power supply connection terminal 430: Battery 432a, 432b, 432c: Power supply connection terminal 434, 436: Battery 438: Holder for external battery 440: Switch 442: DC / DC converter 444, 446, 448, 450, 452, 454: Resistor 460, 462, 464: Reverse current prevention diode

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first and a second battery for supplying power to the apparatus, a detection means for detecting a voltage when the first and the second battery are connected in parallel, and a preset first and a second battery. According to a comparison result of the reference selecting means for selecting one of the second reference values, a comparing means for comparing the voltage value detected by the detecting means with the reference value selected by the reference selecting means, A battery-powered device comprising: a display unit that warns that the battery is exhausted. 2. A first and a second battery, a first detecting means for detecting an output voltage value of the first battery, and a second detecting means for detecting an output voltage value of the second battery. A power source selecting unit that selects a battery serving as a main power source of the apparatus from the first and second batteries, a preset reference value, and a voltage value detected by the first and second detecting units. And a display unit for displaying a message of consumption and / or replacement of the corresponding battery among the first and second batteries according to the comparison result of the comparison unit. Battery-powered equipment that does. 3. First and second batteries for supplying power to the device, first detecting means for detecting an output voltage value of the first battery, and an output voltage value of the second battery. Second detection means, third detection means for detecting the voltage when the first battery and the second battery are connected in parallel, a preset reference value, and the third detection A comparing means for comparing the voltage value detected by the means; and a first battery-warning warning when it is determined that the first and second batteries are dead according to the comparison result of the comparing means. Battery drive, comprising: display means; and second display means for guiding and displaying the replacement procedure of the first and second batteries based on the detection results of the first and second detection means. machine. 4. A battery-driven device in which a plurality of batteries can be mounted freely, and a remaining amount detecting means for detecting remaining amount of at least two batteries among the installed batteries, and the remaining amount detecting means. A battery-operated device, comprising: a remaining amount display means for simultaneously displaying the remaining amount information detected by each battery. 5. A battery-driven device in which a plurality of batteries can be mounted freely, the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of at least two batteries among the installed batteries, and the remaining amount detecting means. A battery-powered device comprising: a remaining amount display means for switching and displaying the remaining amount information detected by each battery.