JPH0962413A - Computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer system which performs battery control in consideration of the self-discharging of an extracted secondary battery. SOLUTION: As for the computer system 100 which can be driven by being supplied with electric power from the battery pack 19 that is mounted detachably, the EEPROM 191 that the battery pack 19 has is stored with the remaining capacity, final use date, and self-discharging rate of the battery pack 19 and when the battery pack 19 is mounted, a power source microcomputer 18 decides whether or not the final use date in the EEPROM 191 matches the current date that the computer system 100 has, and calculates the nonuse period of the battery pack 19 from the final use date in the EEPROM 191 and the current date that the computer system 100 has and optimize the remaining capacity of the battery pack 19 according to the calculated nonuse period unless the final use date matches the current date.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system which can be operated by supplying power from a secondary battery,
In particular, the present invention relates to a computer system that performs battery control in consideration of self-discharge of a removed secondary battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various laptop or notebook type personal computers have been developed that are easy to carry and can be operated by a secondary battery. In this type of personal computer, by utilizing the rising / falling characteristics of the battery voltage at the time of charging / discharging the secondary battery, which is the power supply source, the remaining capacity of the secondary battery, the state of full charge / low battery, etc. A function of detecting and displaying the detection result is provided, which allows the user to perform work while checking the state of the secondary battery.

Such a control function of the secondary battery is provided, for example, by providing a non-volatile storage device in a battery pack containing the secondary battery and charging / discharging the battery pack while the battery pack is attached to a personal computer. Is detected and the remaining capacity is calculated from the characteristics of the secondary battery, the calculated remaining capacity is stored in the storage device, and when the battery pack is once removed and reattached, the remaining capacity is stored in the storage device. This is realized by reading the remaining capacity of the secondary battery and restarting the remaining capacity calculation from the read remaining capacity.

However, the remaining capacity of these secondary batteries continues to decrease due to self-discharge even while the battery pack is removed from the personal computer and left for a while. Therefore, when the battery pack is attached to the personal computer again, even if the remaining capacity is calculated based on the remaining capacity stored in the storage device of the battery pack, the decrease in the remaining capacity due to self-discharge is not considered. Calculated by the personal computer for 2
Since an error has occurred between the remaining capacity of the secondary battery and the actual remaining capacity of the secondary battery, it cannot be said that proper battery control is being performed. Further, this error becomes greater as the battery pack is removed and left for a longer period.

[0005]

As described above, in the battery control of the conventional computer system, regarding the secondary battery built in the battery pack, self-discharge when the battery pack is removed and left unattended is taken into consideration. Therefore, there is a problem that proper battery control is not performed even though the remaining capacity of the secondary battery is stored in the storage device provided in the battery pack.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a computer system that performs appropriate battery control in consideration of self-discharge of a secondary battery when a battery pack is removed and left. With the goal.

[0007]

The computer system of the present invention is provided in the battery pack in a computer system which can be driven by power supply from a secondary battery incorporated in a battery pack which is detachably mounted,
A storage unit that stores the remaining capacity and the last use date of the secondary battery, and the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system when the battery pack is attached. It is determined whether or not the date matches, and when the date and time do not match, the leaving period of the battery pack is calculated from the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system, and this is calculated. It is characterized by comprising means for optimizing the remaining capacity of the secondary battery according to the standing period.

According to the computer system of the present invention,
A storage device provided in the battery pack stores the remaining capacity and the last use date of the secondary battery incorporated in the battery pack. When the battery pack is removed from the computer system, left for a while, and then attached to the computer system again, the computer system of the present invention displays the last use date of the battery pack. The current date of the computer system is compared.

When these comparisons do not match, the computer system of the present invention calculates the unused period of the battery pack from the date of last use of the battery pack and the current date of the computer system. The remaining capacity of the secondary battery of the battery pack is optimized according to the left-standing period.

As a result, appropriate battery control is performed in consideration of self-discharge of the secondary battery when the battery pack is removed and left. Further, the computer system of the present invention has a charger that charges a secondary battery built in the battery pack independently of the computer system, and the charger detects a fully charged state of the secondary battery. And a case where the remaining capacity accumulated based on the remaining capacity stored in the storage unit exceeds a preset full-charge capacity when the secondary battery is being charged. Even if there is, there is provided a capacity integrating means for continuing the integration until the full charge detecting means detects the fully charged state of the secondary battery, and storing the integrated remaining capacity in the storage unit, and mounting the battery pack. When it is done, calculate the neglected period of the battery pack from the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system,
It is characterized in that the residual capacity of the secondary battery is optimized in accordance with the calculated leaving period.

According to the computer system of the present invention,
For example, when the battery pack is charged independently of the computer system by the charger, that is, when the current date of the computer system cannot be obtained, this charger is used for charging the battery. The capacity charged in the secondary battery is integrated with the capacity of the storage unit, and the accumulated capacity exceeds a preset full charge capacity before the full charge detection means detects the full charge state of the secondary battery. Even in the case of, the integration is continued as it is, and the accumulated remaining capacity is stored in the storage unit (this excess should be self-discharged).

Then, the computer system calculates a leaving period of the battery pack from the last use date of the battery pack and the present date of the computer system, and the battery pack 2 is calculated according to the calculated leaving period. Optimize the remaining capacity of the secondary battery.

As a result, even when the battery is removed from the computer system and charged by the charger that cannot acquire the current date of the computer system, there is no problem and proper battery control is performed in consideration of self-discharge. Will be performed.

Further, the computer system of the present invention is
A full-charge detection unit that is independent of the computer system and that charges a secondary battery contained in the battery pack; the charger has a full-charge detection unit that detects a full-charged state of the secondary battery; Even when the remaining capacity accumulated based on the remaining capacity stored in the storage unit exceeds the preset full-charge capacity while the secondary battery is being charged, the full-charge detection unit When the full charge detecting means detects the fully charged state of the secondary battery, the remaining capacity accumulated by the capacity integrating means is When the preset full-charge capacity is exceeded, the surplus capacity is used as the self-discharge capacity to calculate the leaving period of the battery pack from the self-discharge capacity, and the calculated leaving period is stored in the storage unit. The last of And a means for updating the remaining capacity of the storage unit with the full charge capacity of the secondary battery, in addition to the date of use, so that the final use of the storage unit when the battery pack is installed A remaining period of the battery pack is calculated from the date and the current date of the computer system, and the remaining capacity of the secondary battery is optimized according to the calculated remaining period. .

According to the computer system of the present invention,
Similar to the above, when the battery pack is charged independently of the computer system by the charger, that is, when the current date of the computer system cannot be obtained, this charger is Part 2
The capacity charged to the next battery is added to the capacity of the memory.
Then, when the full-charge detecting means detects the full-charged state of the secondary battery and the accumulated capacity exceeds a preset full-charge capacity, the surplus remaining capacity is taken as the self-discharge capacity. The unused period of the battery pack is calculated from this self-discharge capacity, the calculated unused period is added and updated, and the remaining capacity of the memory unit is updated with the full charge capacity of the secondary battery. To do.

Then, the computer system calculates the leaving period of the battery pack from the date of last use of the battery pack and the present date of the computer system, and the battery pack 2 is calculated according to the calculated leaving period. Optimize the remaining capacity of the secondary battery.

As a result, even if charging is performed by the charger that cannot acquire the current date of the computer system while the computer system is removed from the computer system, if necessary, the current charger of the computer system has the charger. Since the date is calculated, appropriate battery control considering self-discharge will be performed without any problem.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a personal computer according to the embodiment.
The personal computer 100 is a laptop or notebook type personal computer, and includes a CPU 11, a memory 13, a power supply microcomputer 18, and a battery pack 19 as shown in the figure.

This personal computer 100 has a C
The entire system is controlled by the PU 11, and the program to be processed stored in the memory 13 is executed. The memory 13 stores an operating system, an application program to be processed, and user data created by the application program.

Further, this personal computer 100
Is controlled by a power supply microcomputer 18 and uses a battery pack 19 detachably mounted on the personal computer 100 as a power supply. The battery pack 19 has an EEPROM (Electrically Erasa).
A ble and programmable ROM) 191 is provided, and battery information such as the remaining capacity and the last use date is stored in this EEPROM.

Further, the personal computer 100
Is equipped with a real-time clock (RTC: not shown). This real-time clock is a clock module having its own operating battery, and has a CMOS static RAM to which power is constantly supplied from the battery. are doing. The RAM is used to store environment setting information indicating the system operating environment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the personal computer according to the embodiment. Power supply microcomputer 1
In step 8, the remaining capacity calculator 184 calculates the remaining capacity of the secondary battery contained in the battery pack 19, and stores the calculated remaining capacity in the EEPROM 191 of the power pack 19. Further, the power supply microcomputer 18 stores the current date acquired from the RTC 102 in the EEPROM 191 of the power pack 19 as the last use date. It should be noted that the last use date is when the power pack 19 is attached to the personal computer 100 and when the power pack 19 is installed.
Is updated when the current date of the system is updated while the device is installed in the personal computer 100.

On the other hand, when the power pack 19 is once removed from the personal computer 100 and then mounted again, the power supply microcomputer 18 inputs and outputs battery information such as the remaining capacity and the last use date stored in the EEPROM 191. Read by the unit 182. Then, the self-discharge amount calculation unit 183 calculates the leaving period of the battery pack 19 from the current date acquired from the RTC 102 and the read last use date, and self-discharges according to the calculated leaving period. The remaining capacity read out is optimized by calculating the discharge amount.

Here, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the same embodiment. First, the operation when the battery pack 19 is attached to the personal computer 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

The power supply microcomputer 18 detects whether the battery pack 19 mounted on the computer system 100 is in a charging state or a discharging state (step A1 in FIG. 3), and calculates the remaining capacity based on the detection result. Is performed (step A2 in FIG. 3). Then, the remaining capacity stored in the EEPROM 191 of the battery pack 19 is updated with the calculated remaining capacity (step A3 in FIG. 3).

Next, the power supply microcomputer 18 uses the RTC 102.
It is determined whether or not the current date of the system managed by is updated (step A4 in FIG. 3), and if it is updated (Y in step A4 in FIG. 3), the battery pack 1
The last use date stored in the EEPROM 191 of 9 is updated to the current date of this system (step A5 in FIG. 3).

Next, the operation when the battery pack 19 is once detached from the personal computer 100 and then attached again will be described with reference to FIG. Power microcomputer 18
When the battery pack 19 is attached to the computer system 100, reads out the remaining capacity and the last use date from the EEPROM 191 of the battery pack 19 (step B1 in FIG. 4). Then, the power supply microcomputer 18 calculates the leaving period of the battery pack 19 from the read last use date and the current date of the system of the RTC 102 (step B2 in FIG. 4).

Next, the power supply microcomputer 18 optimizes the remaining capacity read according to the calculated leaving period of the battery pack 19 (step B3 in FIG. 4). Then, the remaining capacity stored in the EEPROM 191 of the battery pack 19 is updated to this optimized remaining capacity (step B in FIG. 4).
4).

Thus, even if the battery pack 19 is removed from the computer system 100 and left for a long period of time, proper battery control is performed because self-discharge during that time is taken into consideration. .

Next, consider the case where a secondary battery contained in a battery pack is charged by a charger independently of the computer system. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a first charger that charges a secondary battery incorporated in a battery pack.

This charger uses an EEP when charging.
The remaining capacity stored in the ROM 191 is read by the input / output unit 212, and the capacity charged by the capacity integration unit 213 is added to the read remaining capacity.

Further, in this charger, even if the integrated capacity exceeds the preset full charge capacity, the integration is continued as it is. The flow of processing when charging is performed by this charger will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, the battery pack is removed from the personal computer system at the time point (1) in FIG. 6 and left as it is until the time point (2) in FIG.
It is assumed that the charging is performed up to the point (3). At this time, the charger adds the charged capacity to the remaining capacity stored in the EEPROM 191 and continues the integration as it is even when the accumulated remaining capacity exceeds a preset full charge capacity. Go. As a result, at the time of (3) in FIG. 6, the remaining capacity exceeding the full charge capacity is the EEPROM.
191 will be stored.

After that, if the personal computer system is left as it is until the time point (4) in FIG. 6 and then mounted in the personal computer system, the personal computer system is changed from the time point (1) in FIG. 6 to the time point (4) in FIG. The self-discharge capacity is calculated with the period up to the point of time as a standing period, and the remaining capacity stored in the EEPROM 191 is optimized.

As a result, even if the battery is charged by the charger that cannot acquire the current date of the computer system while it is removed from the computer system, there is no problem and proper battery control considering self-discharge is performed. Will be performed.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a second charger for charging a secondary battery built in the battery pack. When charging, this charger reads out the remaining capacity stored in the EEPROM 191 by the input / output unit 212 and adds the capacity charged by the capacity integrating unit 213 to the read remaining capacity.

When the full-charge detector 214 detects the full-charged state of the secondary battery and finishes charging, if the accumulated capacity exceeds the preset full-charge capacity, the number of days to leave calculation section 217 calculates the remaining period of the battery pack from this self-discharge capacity with the surplus remaining capacity as the self-discharge capacity. Then, the last use date update unit 218
This calculated neglected period is updated as the neglected period in addition to the date of last use, and the remaining capacity of the final memory is set to
Update with the full charge capacity of the next battery.

The flow of processing when charging is performed by this charger will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the battery pack is removed from the personal computer system at the time point (1) in FIG. 8 and left as it is at the time point (2) in FIG. 8 and then charged by the charger until the time point (3) in FIG. Shall be performed. At this time, the charger is the EEPROM
The charged capacity is added to the remaining capacity stored in 191. Then, when the accumulated remaining capacity exceeds the preset full-charge capacity, the surplus remaining capacity is used as the self-discharge capacity, and the leaving period of the battery pack is calculated from the self-discharge capacity. EE the left unused period
The PROM 191 is updated in addition to the date of last use, and the remaining capacity of the EEPROM 191 is updated with the full charge capacity of the secondary battery.

As a result, even if charging is performed by the charger that cannot acquire the current date of the computer system while the computer system is removed from the computer system, if necessary, the current charger of the computer system has the charger. Since the date is calculated, appropriate battery control considering self-discharge will be performed without any problem.

[0040]

As described above in detail, according to the computer system of the present invention, even when the battery pack is removed from the computer system and left as it is, when the battery pack is reattached, Since the remaining capacity is optimized in accordance with the period left as it is, appropriate battery control is carried out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing functional blocks of the personal computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when the battery pack according to the embodiment is attached.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when the battery pack according to the embodiment is once removed and then attached again.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a first charger that charges a secondary battery incorporated in the battery pack according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a flow of processing when charging is performed by the first charger.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a second charger that charges a secondary battery incorporated in the battery pack according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining a flow of processing when charging is performed by the second charger.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... CPU, 18 ... Power supply microcomputer, 183 ... Self-discharge amount calculation unit, 184 ... Remaining capacity calculation unit, 19 ... Battery pack, 191 ... EEPROM, 212 ... Input / output unit, 213
... Capacity integrating section, 214 ... Full charge detecting section, 217 ... Left days calculating section, 218 ... Last use date updating section.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Ukiya 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo 1 Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Hirohito Motomiya 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo 1 Toshiba Computer Within Ta Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shizuo Morioka 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Within Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayasu Tanaka 1381 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A computer system capable of being driven by electric power supplied from a secondary battery contained in a removably mounted battery pack, wherein the battery pack is provided with the remaining capacity and the last used year of the secondary battery. When the battery pack is attached, the storage unit that stores the date and time determines whether or not the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system match. , When they don't match,
Means for calculating the remaining period of the battery pack from the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system, and optimizing the remaining capacity of the secondary battery according to the calculated left period. A computer system comprising: 2. A computer system capable of being driven by electric power supplied from a secondary battery incorporated in a detachably mounted battery pack, wherein the battery pack is provided with the remaining capacity and the last used year of the secondary battery. A storage unit that stores the date and time, and when the battery pack is attached, a left-use period of the battery pack is calculated from the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system. And a means for optimizing the remaining capacity of the secondary battery according to the calculated leaving period. 3. When the current date of the computer system is updated while the battery pack is installed, the last use date of the storage unit is updated with the current date of the computer system. The computer system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for performing. 4. A full-charge detector that has a charger that charges a secondary battery built into the battery pack independently of the computer system, and that the charger detects a full-charge state of the secondary battery. And means for charging the secondary battery, even when the remaining capacity accumulated based on the remaining capacity stored in the storage unit exceeds a preset full charge capacity, And a capacity accumulating means for continuously accumulating the accumulated remaining capacity in the storage unit until the full charge detecting means detects the fully charged state of the secondary battery, and when the battery pack is mounted. Calculating the remaining period of the battery pack from the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system, and determining the remaining capacity of the secondary battery appropriately according to the calculated leaving period. To turn The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the computer system is a computer system. 5. A full-charge detector that has a charger that charges a secondary battery built in the battery pack independently of the computer system, and that the charger detects a full-charge state of the secondary battery. And means for charging the secondary battery, even when the remaining capacity accumulated based on the remaining capacity stored in the storage unit exceeds a preset full charge capacity, A capacity integrating means for continuing the integration until the full charge detecting means detects the full charge state of the secondary battery; and a capacity integrating means of the capacity integrating means when the full charge detecting means detects the full charge state of the secondary battery. When the accumulated remaining capacity exceeds a preset full-charge capacity, the surplus remaining capacity is used as a self-discharge capacity, and the standing period of the battery pack is calculated from the self-discharge capacity, and the calculated remaining capacity is used. Before the period And a means for updating the remaining capacity of the storage unit with the full charge capacity of the secondary battery while updating in addition to the date of last use of the storage unit, and when the battery pack is installed, The unused period of the battery pack is calculated from the last use date of the storage unit and the current date of the computer system, and the remaining capacity of the secondary battery is optimized according to the calculated left period. The computer system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: