JPH10207582A - Electronic equipment, method for notifying remaining capacity of battery, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To let a user accurately recognize the recharging period of a battery by calculating the consumption of the battery per specific time, and calculating a value regarding the remaining capacity of the battery from the calculated consumption and notifying it. SOLUTION: The battery remaining capacity ratio and the remaining battery usable time are calculated from battery mean consumption related to an inputted user name in a battery consumption data base stored on a hard disk 204 and the battery remaining capacity of the dedicated battery 219 which is monitored. The battery remaining capacity ratio and the remaining battery usable time which are calculated are displayed on an LCD 209 to make the user recognize the recharging period. Namely, the battery consumption per specific time is calculated according to changes in use state to make the user accurately recognize the recharging period of the battery. Consequently, the user's handleability can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device which operates on electric power supplied from a battery, a method for notifying a remaining battery charge, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information processing apparatus as an electronic device of this type has a battery remaining capacity ratio (when the maximum battery capacity at the time of maximum charging is 100) in order to allow a user to recognize the timing of recharging the battery. , The ratio of the remaining battery capacity at an arbitrary time) and the remaining battery usable time to the user.

[0003] As means for obtaining the remaining battery capacity ratio and the remaining available battery time, the information processing apparatus includes means for obtaining the remaining battery capacity at an arbitrary time, and the battery usage per predetermined time (watt W / hour). T) is provided, and formulas (1) and (2) are obtained.
Was used to calculate the remaining battery capacity ratio and the remaining battery usable time.

Battery remaining capacity ratio = remaining battery capacity at arbitrary time / maximum battery capacity × 100 (1) remaining battery usable time = remaining battery capacity at arbitrary time / battery usage per predetermined time (...) 2) In the above calculation, a predetermined value calculated from a power consumption amount used by a hardware device of the information processing apparatus, or a battery usage amount per predetermined time, or a battery usage amount per predetermined time based on an arbitrary time is used. A value obtained by sequentially calculating the amount of use of the battery, for example, a value obtained by constantly monitoring how many watts of the battery have been used in the past minute has been used.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional example, the battery usage per predetermined time is calculated using a predetermined value calculated from the power consumption used by the hardware device of the information processing apparatus. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to cope with the amount of battery usage that changes according to the usage status of the information processing apparatus, and it is not possible to calculate an accurate remaining battery capacity ratio and remaining battery available time.

That is, when one information processing apparatus is used by a plurality of users, the usage status of the information processing apparatus changes depending on each user. For example, the number of times of accessing the hard disk device per fixed time and the number of times of inputting characters using a keyboard differ for each user.

[0007] The battery usage per predetermined time changes in accordance with the change of the usage status, and differs from a predetermined value. Therefore, the accurate remaining battery capacity ratio and the remaining battery available time are calculated. You can't do that.

[0008] The state of use of the information processing apparatus also changes depending on the type of software program operated by the user on the information processing apparatus. For example, the number of times the hard disk device is accessed and the number of times the CPU instruction is executed differ for each application.

Then, the battery usage per predetermined time changes according to the change of the usage status, and differs from a predetermined value, so that an accurate remaining battery capacity ratio and remaining battery available time are calculated. You can't do that.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example, a value obtained by sequentially calculating the amount of battery used in a past fixed period, for example, the past 1
Since the value obtained by constantly monitoring how many watts of the battery are used per minute is used, changes in the usage status of the information processing device over a certain period in the past are reflected in the battery usage per predetermined time, and the battery remaining capacity ratio In addition, when the remaining battery available time changes every moment, there is a problem that it is impossible to determine which value is a valid value.

Therefore, the present invention provides an electronic apparatus and a battery remaining capacity notification method which allow a user to accurately recognize the recharge time of a battery by calculating the battery usage per predetermined time according to a change in the use situation. And a storage medium.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an electronic apparatus that operates on electric power supplied from a battery. A usage calculating means for calculating the usage for each user; a remaining capacity calculating means for calculating a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery based on the usage of the battery calculated for each user; And a notifying means for notifying a value regarding the remaining capacity of the battery.

In the electronic device according to the second aspect, the first aspect is as follows.
The value related to the remaining capacity of the battery is the ratio of the remaining capacity to the maximum capacity of the battery.

In the electronic device according to the third aspect, the electronic device according to the first aspect is provided.
The value regarding the remaining capacity of the battery is the remaining usable time of the battery.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a usage amount storage unit for storing the usage amount of the battery calculated for each user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the fourth aspect, the electronic apparatus is applied to an information processing apparatus, and calculates, notifies, and saves the information in accordance with software running on the information processing apparatus. And

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising the electronic apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising user discriminating means for discriminating a user, wherein the remaining capacity calculating means calculates according to the discriminated user. It is characterized by.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus which operates with electric power supplied from a battery, comprising: an operating environment determining means for determining an operating environment; Means for calculating the remaining capacity of the battery, based on the usage of the battery calculated for each operating environment, and means for calculating the remaining capacity of the battery. And notifying means for notifying a value.

An electronic device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the first aspect, further comprising usage amount storage means for storing the usage amount of the battery calculated for each of the operating environments.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the eighth aspect, a selection is made to select a predetermined battery usage amount from a plurality of the battery usage amounts stored in the usage amount storage means. Means, and the remaining capacity calculating means calculates the remaining capacity based on the usage amount of the selected battery.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the seventh aspect.
The electronic device according to the above aspect is applied to an information processing apparatus, wherein the operating environment determining means determines an operating environment according to a software program operating on the information processing apparatus.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery remaining capacity notifying method for notifying a value related to a remaining capacity of a battery for supplying power to an electronic device, wherein the battery usage per predetermined time is used. And calculating a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery based on the battery usage calculated for each user, and notifying the calculated value related to the remaining capacity of the battery. I do.

In the storage medium according to the present invention, when notifying a value relating to a remaining capacity of a battery for supplying power to an electronic device, a function of calculating a usage amount of the battery per predetermined time for each user is provided. And causing the computer to realize a function of calculating a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery and a function of notifying the calculated value related to the remaining capacity of the battery based on the usage amount of the battery calculated for each user. The program is stored.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the electronic equipment of the present invention will be described. The electronic device of the present embodiment is applied to an information processing device.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a personal computer as an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the personal computer.

The host unit (HOST) 200 is provided with a central processing unit (CPU) 201.
Controls overall control. The BIOS 202 instructs basic input / output control.

The CPU 201 has a floppy disk (F
DD) 203 to the floppy disk controller (F
DC) 205 or a hard disk (H
DD) 204 to the hard disk controller (HD)
C) The application program is read via the 206, the read application program is expanded in the main memory (MAIN DRAM) 207, and the expanded application program is executed. In this embodiment, the hard disk 204 stores basic software and a battery remaining amount display program described later.

In displaying a screen, characters and graphics written in a video memory (VRAM) 210 via a video graphic array controller (VGAC) 208 are displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD).
209 is displayed.

Key input is performed from the keyboard 211 via a keyboard controller (KBC) 212.

Numerical operation processor (FPU) 213 has C
Operation processing is supported for the PU 201.

The real-time clock and timer (RT
The C & TIMER 214 indicates the elapsed time at the present time and has a timer function, so that it operates with the dedicated battery even when the power of the entire system is turned off.

The timer generates an interrupt to the CPU 201 when a predetermined time elapses. The memory (SRAM) 223 is a readable / writable memory, and stores information such as the operation status of the system. SRAM 22
Reference numeral 3 retains its contents by the dedicated battery 219 even when the power is not turned on.

A DMA controller (DMAC) 215 is provided between memory memories, between memory I / Os, and I / O-I / O.
In order to perform high-speed data transfer between them, data transfer is performed without the intervention of the CPU 201. Interrupt controller (I
The RQC 216 receives an interrupt signal from each I / O and performs processing according to the priority.

In addition, a serial interface (SIO) 217 connected to the outside, an expansion port (PORT) 21
8 and an LED (not shown) for notifying the user of the operation status.

The information processing apparatus uses a dedicated battery (BATT)
ERY) 219 and an AC adapter (AC ADAP)
TER) 220 connected to a power supply charging circuit (POW).
ERSUPLY & CHARGE) 221.

BATTERY 219
Is an AC adapter (AC ADAPTER) 220 and a power supply charging circuit (POWER SUPLY & CH)
(ARGE) 221.

Power management controller (POW)
ER MANAGEMENT IC) 222 responds to a battery remaining capacity acquisition command output with execution of the software program by using a dedicated battery (BATTER).
Y) It has a function of acquiring the remaining capacity of 219 and a function of acquiring the maximum capacity of the battery.

Next, a process for obtaining and displaying the remaining battery charge will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an initialization process of the remaining battery capacity display executed by the CPU 201.

First, when the power of the information processing apparatus is turned on by the user (step S31), the CPU 201 reads out the basic software (OS) stored in the hard disk 204, develops it in the main memory 207, and starts up.

Initialization processing of the basic software (OS) is performed, and a user name and password information setting screen is displayed
It is displayed on the CD 209 (step S32). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for setting a user name and a password. In the figure, 61 is an edit box for setting a user name, and 62 is an edit box for setting a password. The user uses the keyboard 211 to enter a user name and a password in the user name setting edit box 61 and the password setting edit box 6.
Input to 2 respectively.

It is determined whether or not the user name and the password have been correctly entered, and if they have been correctly entered, the user name and the password are set (step S33).
A plurality of users set by the user identification can use the information processing device. The user name and password input in step S33 are stored in the SRAM 223 (step S34).

Thereafter, the program for displaying the remaining battery charge is started (step S35). When the remaining battery level display program is started, a value relating to the remaining battery level is displayed (step S36), which will be described later in detail.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a main screen of the battery remaining amount display program. In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a remaining battery available time display area, 72 denotes a remaining battery capacity% display area, 73 denotes a battery usage registration selection button, 74 denotes a battery usage database setting selection button, and 75 denotes a program end button. When the battery remaining amount display program is started, the main screen of the battery remaining amount display program is displayed, and the user is notified by displaying the remaining battery amount in time and%. When the user wants to end the remaining battery level display program, the end button 75 is selected to end the remaining battery level display program (step S37).

Next, the battery usage database registration processing will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a registration processing procedure for creating a database in the remaining battery level display program shown in step S35 of FIG. In this process, the average battery usage is obtained as follows. In other words, the user can freely use the information processing device within the determined time, determine the power used during that time,
The average battery usage is calculated by calculating the average usage per unit time.

When a user creates a new average battery usage database associated with his name,
The user selects the battery usage registration button 73 (step S41). Change the battery usage database registration screen to L
It is displayed on the CD 209 (step S42). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a battery usage database registration screen. In the figure, 81 is a monitor time setting edit box, 82 is a monitor start selection button, and 83 is a monitor stop selection button.

The user sets the monitor time used for calculating the average battery usage in the monitor time setting edit box 81 (step S43). At this time, the monitoring time cannot be set longer than the expected battery usage time when the maximum power is used. In the present embodiment, the monitoring time is set to 60 minutes.

The battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to obtain the current remaining battery capacity 1 (step S44). The user selects the monitor start selection button 82 and sets the monitor time set in the real-time clock and timer 214 (step S45).

The user freely uses the information processing apparatus until the interruption of the timer set in step S43 occurs (steps S46 and S47). When the user wants to interrupt the processing, the user selects the monitor stop selection button 83. When an interrupt occurs after the set monitor time has elapsed, the timer is cleared (step S48).

The battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to obtain the current remaining battery capacity 2 (step S49).

Using the remaining battery capacity 1, the remaining battery capacity 2, and the set monitoring time, the average battery usage per minute is calculated according to equation (3) (step S50).

Average battery usage (W / min) = (remaining battery capacity 1−remaining battery capacity 2) / set monitor time (3) The user name information stored in the SRAM 223 is read (step S51). The average battery usage calculated in step S50 and the user name calculated in step S51 are associated and registered in a database file (battery usage database) existing in the hard disk 204 (step S52).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the battery usage database created by associating the user name with the average battery usage. In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes a user name information storage area, 92 denotes a battery average usage storage area, and 93 denotes a default battery average usage storage area. In the database, the user name is associated with the average battery usage. For example, in the figure, the user name 1 corresponds to the average battery usage 1 and the user name 2 corresponds to the average battery usage 2.

The battery usage database registration screen is erased, and the battery usage database registration process ends (step S53).

Next, the process of displaying the remaining battery charge will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying the remaining battery charge in the remaining battery charge display program shown in step S35 of FIG. When the battery remaining amount display program starts, the user name information stored in the SRAM 223 is read (step S6).
1). Referring to the database file existing in the hard disk 204, it is determined whether or not the average battery usage associated with the user name information acquired in step S61 exists (step S62). If there is an average battery usage, the average battery usage associated with the user name information is read (step S63).

On the other hand, if the average battery usage does not exist in the database file, the default battery average usage is read from the database file (step S).
64). When the information processing apparatus is turned on for the first time, the default battery average usage is registered in the battery usage database file already existing in the hard disk 204.

The maximum battery capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to determine the maximum battery capacity (step S65). A predetermined battery remaining capacity monitoring time (60 minutes in the present embodiment) is set to a real-time clock and timer (RTC & TIME).
R) 214 is set (step S66).

The remaining capacity is read from the battery at the set monitor time interval. It waits for the interruption of the timer set in step S66 to occur (step S67). When an interrupt occurs, a battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to obtain the current battery remaining capacity (step S6).
8).

Using the maximum battery capacity obtained in step S65, the remaining battery capacity obtained in step S68, and the average battery usage read from the database file, the remaining battery available time and battery capacity are calculated according to equations (4) and (5). The remaining capacity ratio is calculated (step S69).

Remaining battery available time (minutes) = remaining battery capacity (W) / average battery usage (W / min) (4) Battery remaining capacity ratio (%) = remaining battery capacity / maximum battery capacity × 100 (5) The remaining battery capacity display screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the LCD 209 (step S70), and the remaining battery available time is displayed in the remaining battery available time display area 71 by using the calculated value of step S69. The remaining battery ratio is displayed in the capacity% display area 72.

Thereafter, the processes of steps S67 to S70 are repeated until the user selects the program end selection button 75.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the user name is input on the initial screen of the activated basic software, and is associated with the user name input in the battery usage database stored in the hard disk 204. The remaining battery ratio and the remaining battery available time are calculated based on the average battery usage and the remaining battery capacity of the dedicated battery 219 to be monitored, and the calculated remaining battery ratio and remaining battery usage are calculated. The time is displayed on the LCD 209 to allow the user to recognize the recharge time.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. First, the registration processing of the battery usage database performed in the battery remaining amount display program started in step S35 of the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering a battery usage database in the second embodiment. In this process, the user freely uses the information processing device within the determined time, calculates the amount of power used during that time, calculates the average battery usage per unit time, and calculates the calculated Register and save the average battery usage in the database in association with an arbitrary data registration name set by the user.

When the user newly creates a battery average usage database associated with an arbitrary data registration name, the user selects the battery usage registration button 73 in FIG. 7 (step S101). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a registration screen of the battery usage database. In the figure, 1
31 is a data registration name setting edit box, 132 is a software setting lift box, 133 is a monitor time setting edit box, 134 is a monitor start selection button, and 135 is a monitor stop selection button.

The battery usage database registration screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on LCD 209 (step S102).
A data registration name to be associated with the average battery usage on the database input by the user is set in the data registration name setting edit box 131 (step S10).
3).

Further, a software program used for calculating the average battery usage selected by the user from the software selection list box 132 is set (step S104).

The monitor time (60 minutes in this embodiment) input by the user used to calculate the average battery usage is changed to a monitor time setting edit box 133.
(Step S105). At this time, the monitoring time cannot be set longer than the expected battery usage time when the maximum power is used.

The battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to obtain the current remaining battery capacity 1 (step S106).

When the monitor start selection button 134 shown in FIG. 13 is selected by the user, the real time clock and timer (RTC & TMIER) 214 is set to step S1.
Set the monitor time set in step 05 (step S
107).

Until the timer interrupt set in step S107 occurs, the user freely uses the information processing apparatus using the software program selected in step S104 (steps S108 and S109). When the processing is to be interrupted, the monitor stop selection button 13
Select 5.

When an interrupt occurs after the set monitor time has elapsed, the timer is cleared (step S110).

The battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to obtain the current remaining battery capacity 2 (step S111).

Using the remaining battery capacity 1, the remaining battery capacity 2, and the set monitoring time, the average battery usage per minute is calculated according to the equation (6) (step S112).

Battery average usage (W / min) = (remaining battery capacity 1−remaining battery capacity 2) / set monitor time (6) Average battery usage calculated in step S112 and data registration set in step S103 The name is associated with a name and registered and stored in a database file existing on the hard disk 204 (step S113). The battery usage database registration screen is deleted, and the battery usage database registration process ends (step S114).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure for setting the battery usage database. In this process,
The user can select the most appropriate one from among the plurality of average battery usages stored in the database according to the operating environment to be used from now on and use it for calculating the remaining battery charge.

When the user selects the battery usage database setting selection button 74 in FIG. 7 (step S121), a battery usage database setting screen is displayed on the LCD 209 (step S122). FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a battery usage database setting screen. In the figure, 141 is a data registration name setting list box, 142 is a setting selection button, and 143 is a setting processing stop selection button. After the screen is displayed, when the user selects the setting processing stop selection button 143, the battery usage database setting processing is stopped.

The data registration names already stored in the database in accordance with the operating environment of the information processing apparatus to be used are changed from the data registration name selection list box 141 to 1
One is selected by user input (step S123).

When the setting selection button 142 is selected by the user (step S124), the average battery usage associated with the data registration name is read from the database file using the data registration name selected in step S123 (step S125).

The average battery usage read out in step S125 is stored in a referable memory (step S1).
26).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a battery usage database created by associating the data registration name with the average battery usage. In the figure, 151 is a data registration name information storage area, 152 is an average battery usage storage area, and 153 is a default battery average usage storage area. The data registration name and the average battery usage are associated on the database. For example, the data registration name 1 includes the average battery usage 1 and the data registration name 2
Is associated with the average battery usage 2.

Then, the battery usage database setting screen is deleted, and the process is terminated (step S127).

The calculation of the remaining battery charge is performed in step S1.
At 25, the stored average battery usage will be used. In a state where the setting process of the battery usage database is not executed, the default battery average usage amount saved at the time of the initialization process is stored in the memory.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the remaining battery capacity display processing procedure. A battery maximum capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to determine the battery maximum capacity (step S131).

A predetermined battery remaining capacity monitoring time is set to a real-time clock and timer (RTC & T).
IMER) 214 (step S132).
The remaining battery capacity is read at the set monitoring time interval.

It waits for the timer interrupt set in step S132 to occur (step S133). When an interrupt occurs, a remaining battery charge acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to determine the current remaining battery charge (step S134).

The average battery usage stored in step S126 is read from the memory (step S13).
5).

Using the maximum battery capacity obtained in step S131, the remaining battery capacity obtained in step S134, the average battery usage obtained in step S135, and the average battery usage read from the database file, the remaining battery available time and the battery The remaining capacity ratio is calculated according to equations (7) and (8) (step S136).

Battery remaining time (minutes) = remaining battery capacity (W) / average battery usage (W / min) (7) Battery remaining capacity ratio (%) = remaining battery capacity / maximum battery capacity × 100 (8) The remaining battery capacity display screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the LCD 209 (step S137), and the remaining battery available time is displayed in the remaining battery available time display area 71 using the calculated value in step S136. Capacity% display area 72
Display the remaining battery ratio. Thereafter, the processes in steps S133 to S137 are repeated until the user selects the program end selection button 75.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment calculates the average battery usage of the data registration name, and based on the calculated average battery usage, the remaining battery ratio and the remaining battery available time. Is calculated, and the calculated remaining battery capacity ratio and remaining battery available time are displayed on the LCD 209 to allow the user to recognize the recharge timing.

[Third Embodiment] Next, an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. The process of acquiring and displaying the remaining battery capacity, which is executed in the remaining battery capacity display processing program started in step S35 of the first embodiment, will be described.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure for registering a battery usage database in the third embodiment. In the battery usage database registration process, the user freely uses the information processing device within the determined time, obtains the amount of power used during that time, calculates the average usage per unit time, and calculates Register and save in the database in association with the set software program name.

When the user creates a battery average usage database associated with an arbitrary software program name, the battery usage registration button 7 shown in FIG.
3 is selected (step S161).

When the battery usage database registration screen is set to L
It is displayed on the CD 209 (step S162). FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a battery usage database registration screen.
In the figure, reference numeral 181 denotes a software selection list box; 182, a monitor time setting edit box;
3 is a monitor start selection button, and 184 is a monitor stop selection button.

The user selects an execution file name of a software program used for calculating the average battery usage from the software selection list box 181 (step S163). The software program name selected here is stored in the database in association with the average battery usage. Here, it is also possible to select a plurality of application programs.

The monitor time used to calculate the average battery usage is set in the monitor time setting edit box 183 by user input (step S16).
4). At this time, the monitoring time cannot be set longer than the expected battery usage time when the maximum power is used.

The battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to obtain the current battery remaining capacity 1 (step S165).

Monitor start selection button 18 by the user
When 4 is selected, the monitor time set in step S164 is set in the real-time clock and timer (RTC & TIMER) 214 (step S16).
6).

Until the timer interrupt set in step S166 occurs, the user freely uses the information processing apparatus using the software program selected in step S163 (steps S167 and S168). Here, if you want to interrupt the processing, click the monitor stop selection button 1
Select 84.

When the set monitor time has elapsed and an interrupt has occurred, the timer is cleared (step S169). A battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to obtain the current remaining battery capacity 2 (step S170).

Using the remaining battery capacity 1, the remaining battery capacity 2, and the set monitor time, the average battery usage per minute is calculated according to equation (9) (step S171).

Battery average usage (W / min) = (remaining battery capacity 1−remaining battery capacity 2) / set monitor time (9) Average battery usage calculated in step S171 and software set in step S163 The program name is registered and stored in a database file existing on the hard disk 204 in association with the program name (step S172).

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the contents of a battery usage database created by associating software program names with average battery usage. In the figure, 191 is a program name information storage area, 192 is a battery average usage storage area, and 193 is a default battery average usage storage area. The database contains
The software program name is associated with the average battery usage. For example, in the figure, the software program name 1 is associated with the average battery usage 1 and the software program name 2 is associated with the average battery usage 2. Associated.

The battery usage database registration screen is erased, and the battery usage database registration process ends (step S173).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the remaining battery capacity display processing procedure. A battery maximum capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222 to determine the battery maximum capacity.

A predetermined remaining battery charge monitoring time (60 minutes in this embodiment) is set in a real-time clock and timer (RTC & TIMER) 214 (step S181). The remaining battery capacity is read at the set monitoring time interval.

It is determined whether or not the interruption of the timer set in step S181 has occurred (step S18).
2). When an interrupt occurs, a battery remaining capacity acquisition command is sent to the power management controller 222,
The current remaining battery charge is obtained (step S183).

A command is sent and the basic software (O
A request is made to S) for a list of software program names currently in operation, and the names of software programs in operation are acquired (step S184). The average battery usage associated with the software program name is read from a database file existing on the hard disk 204. Here, if there is no associated average battery usage, the default battery average usage is read (step S185).

Using the maximum battery capacity obtained in step S181, the remaining battery capacity obtained in step S183, the average battery usage obtained in step S185 and the average battery usage read from the database file, the remaining battery available time and the battery The remaining capacity ratio is calculated according to equations (10) and (11) (step S186).

Battery usable remaining time (min) = remaining battery capacity (W) / average battery usage (W / min) (10) Battery remaining capacity ratio (%) = remaining battery capacity / maximum battery capacity × 100 (11) The remaining battery capacity display screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the LCD 209, and the remaining battery available time is displayed on the LCD 209 using the calculated value of step S186.
The remaining battery capacity ratio is displayed in the remaining battery capacity% display area 7.
2 are displayed (step S187).

Thereafter, steps S182 to S1 are performed until the user selects the program end selection button 75.
87 is repeated.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the average battery usage of the operating software program is calculated, and based on the calculated average battery usage, the remaining battery ratio and the available battery capacity are calculated. The remaining time is calculated, and the calculated remaining battery ratio and the remaining battery available time are displayed on the LCD 209 to allow the user to recognize the recharge time.

In this embodiment, the remaining battery capacity ratio and the remaining battery available time are displayed as the values related to the remaining battery capacity, but the remaining battery capacity itself may be notified. As a notification method, sound output or print output may be performed instead of display output.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus including a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a hard disk is used as a storage medium. Examples of the storage medium include ROM, floppy disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, magnetic tape, A non-volatile memory card or the like can be used.

[0115]

According to the electronic apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when operating with the electric power supplied from the battery, the usage amount of the battery per predetermined time is determined by the usage amount calculating means for each user. Based on the calculated amount of battery usage calculated for each user, a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery is calculated by the remaining capacity calculating means, and a value related to the calculated remaining capacity of the battery is notified by the notifying means. So
By calculating the amount of battery usage per predetermined time according to the change in the usage situation, the user can be made to recognize the timing of recharging the battery accurately. Thereby, the usability of the user can be improved.

Further, it is possible to avoid the situation where the remaining battery ratio and the remaining battery available time change every moment and it becomes impossible to determine which value is a proper value as in the related art.

According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the value relating to the remaining capacity of the battery is a ratio of the remaining capacity to the maximum capacity of the battery, the value of the remaining capacity ratio of the battery according to the user is notified. By doing so, it is possible to make the user recognize a more accurate battery recharge time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the value relating to the remaining capacity of the battery is the remaining usable time of the battery, it is necessary to notify the remaining usable time of the battery according to the user. Thus, the user can be made to recognize a more accurate battery recharging time.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the electronic device includes the usage amount storage means for storing the usage amount of the battery calculated for each user, the usage of the battery of the user once stored is provided. It can be used without recalculating the quantity.

According to the electronic device of the fifth aspect, the calculation, notification, and storage are performed according to software applied to the information processing apparatus and operated on the information processing apparatus. Can be flexibly handled.

According to the electronic device of the present invention, there is provided a user discriminating means for discriminating a user, and the remaining capacity calculating means calculates according to the discriminated user. Even in such a case, the value relating to the remaining battery capacity can be accurately calculated.

According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, when operating with the electric power supplied from the battery, the operating environment is determined by the operating environment determining means, and the use amount of the battery per predetermined time is determined by the use amount calculating means. The amount is calculated for each operating environment, a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery is calculated by remaining capacity calculating means based on the usage amount of the battery calculated for each operating environment, and the calculated Since the value regarding the remaining capacity is notified, the value regarding the remaining battery capacity can be accurately calculated even when the operating environment of the electronic device changes.

According to the electronic device of the present invention, since the use amount storage means for storing the use amount of the battery calculated for each of the operation environments is provided, the use of the battery of the operation environment once stored is possible. It can be used without recalculating the quantity.

According to the electronic device of the ninth aspect, there is provided a selecting means for selecting a predetermined battery usage amount from a plurality of the battery usage amounts stored in the usage amount storage means, Since the capacity calculation means calculates based on the selected battery usage, any battery usage can be used.

According to the electronic apparatus of the tenth aspect, the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus, and the operating environment determining means determines an operating environment according to a software program operating on the information processing apparatus. When changing the value, the value related to the remaining battery charge can be accurately calculated.

According to the battery remaining capacity notification method of the present invention, in the battery remaining capacity notification method for notifying a value related to the remaining capacity of a battery for supplying power to an electronic device, the battery usage per predetermined time is used. Is calculated for each user, and a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery is calculated based on the usage amount of the battery calculated for each user,
Since the calculated value relating to the remaining capacity of the battery is notified, the user can accurately recognize the recharge timing of the battery by calculating the battery usage per predetermined time in accordance with the change in the use situation. . Thereby, the usability of the user can be improved.

According to the storage medium of the twelfth aspect, when notifying the value regarding the remaining capacity of the battery for supplying power to the electronic device, the function of calculating the usage amount of the battery per predetermined time for each user And a function of calculating a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery based on the battery usage calculated for each user, and a function of notifying the calculated value related to the remaining capacity of the battery to the computer. Since the program to be executed is stored, the program can be mounted on the information processing apparatus, and the versatility of the information processing apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a personal computer as an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an initialization process of a remaining battery capacity display executed by a CPU 201;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a registration processing procedure for creating a database in the remaining battery level display program shown in step S35 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying a remaining battery charge in the remaining battery charge display program shown in step S35 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a user name and password setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a main screen of a battery remaining amount display program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a battery usage database registration screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing contents of a battery usage database created by associating a user name with an average battery usage.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for registering a battery usage database according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting a battery usage amount database;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a remaining battery capacity display processing procedure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a registration screen of a battery usage database.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a battery usage database setting screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a battery usage database created by associating a data registration name with an average battery usage;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a registration procedure of a battery usage amount database in the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a remaining battery capacity display processing procedure;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a battery usage database registration screen.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the contents of a battery usage database created by associating software program names with average battery usage.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 CPU 209 LCD 204 Hard disk 219 Battery 221 Power supply charging circuit 222 Power management controller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H02J 7/00 G06F 1/00 333C

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device that operates on electric power supplied from a battery, comprising: a use amount calculation unit configured to calculate a use amount of the battery per predetermined time for each user; Based on usage,
An electronic apparatus comprising: a remaining capacity calculating unit that calculates a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery; and a notifying unit that notifies the calculated value related to the remaining capacity of the battery. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value related to the remaining capacity of the battery is a ratio of the remaining capacity to the maximum capacity of the battery. 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value related to the remaining capacity of the battery is a remaining usable time of the battery. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a usage amount storage unit configured to store the usage amount of the battery calculated for each of the users. 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electronic apparatus is calculated, notified, and stored according to software that is applied to the information processing apparatus and operates on the information processing apparatus. 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising user discriminating means for discriminating a user, wherein said remaining capacity calculating means calculates the remaining capacity according to the discriminated user. 7. An electronic device that operates with electric power supplied from a battery, comprising: an operating environment determining unit that determines an operating environment; and a usage calculating unit that calculates a usage amount of the battery per predetermined time for each operating environment. A remaining capacity calculating unit that calculates a value related to the remaining capacity of the battery based on the used amount of the battery calculated for each operating environment; and a notifying unit that notifies the calculated value related to the remaining capacity of the battery. An electronic device, comprising: 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a usage amount storage unit configured to store the usage amount of the battery calculated for each of the operating environments. 9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting means for selecting a predetermined battery usage amount from a plurality of battery usage amounts stored in the usage amount storage means; 9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the calculation is performed based on the usage amount. 10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device is applied to an information processing apparatus, and wherein the operating environment determining means determines an operating environment according to a software program operating on the information processing apparatus. 11. A battery remaining capacity notification method for notifying a value related to a remaining capacity of a battery for supplying power to an electronic device, comprising: calculating a usage amount of the battery per predetermined time for each user; Based on the calculated battery usage,
A battery remaining capacity notification method comprising: calculating a value related to the remaining battery capacity; and notifying the calculated value related to the remaining battery capacity. 12. A function for calculating a usage amount of the battery per predetermined time for each user when notifying a value regarding a remaining capacity of a battery for supplying power to an electronic device, and a function calculated for each user. Based on battery usage,
A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a function of calculating a value related to the remaining battery capacity and a function of notifying the calculated value related to the remaining capacity of the battery.