KR101296563B1 - Method and apparatus for displaying volume of remining battery in a mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, the portable device indicating the remaining amount of battery receives a current consumption information message including current consumption information for the at least one subprocessor from at least one of the subprocessors of the portable device, the reception The current consumption for each of the at least one subprocessor is summed based on the calculated current consumption information message, and the remaining amount of available battery is calculated based on the summed total current consumption, and the remaining amount of the calculated battery is displayed. .

Battery, Battery, Processor, Battery, Processor, Information Messages, Mode

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING VOLUME OF REMINING BATTERY IN A MOBILE TERMINAL}

1 is a format of a current consumption information message according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flow diagram of a main processor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow diagram of a subprocessor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a structural diagram of a portable device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a table of current consumption of each subprocessor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a battery characteristic curve graph according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable device, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for displaying a battery level by calculating a current consumed by a portable device.

A processor is built in a battery used in a portable device such as a notebook computer, and the battery life is transmitted to the portable device according to a surrounding environment and a running program. For example, a specification for the intelligentization of a battery for a notebook computer called Smart Battery, manufactured by Intel Inc. and Duracell, a battery manufacturer, includes a read memory device (ROM) in a battery. Information such as temperature, voltage, current, and discharge characteristics are transmitted to the notebook computer. The information allows the notebook computer to know more accurately how much electricity is left in the battery, that is, how much battery power remains. However, smart batteries are no longer the industry standard because other manufacturers have their own standards for intelligentization.

The portable device calculates the capacity of the battery using the characteristic curve of the battery and the current consumption table of the portable device, and displays the remaining capacity of the portable device based on the calculated capacity. However, since the capacity of the battery is related to the amount of current remaining, it is not easy to calculate the remaining capacity of the battery based on voltage alone, and sometimes cannot display the correct value. Existing portable devices measure the voltage of the battery, calculate the current battery level by displaying a table showing the current consumption of the program that the portable device executes, and display it to the user in numerical or graphical form. However, when a device having a function mounted on a portable device is diversified and the portable device has one or more processors and the one or more processors operate, the portable device calculates the total current that can be consumed by the battery in the future. It's hard to do. Therefore, the portable device is equipped with one or more processors, and the main processor calculates the battery level without knowing how much current is consumed when the processors separately execute the program. There was an uncomfortable problem.

The present invention devised to solve such a problem provides a method and apparatus for calculating a battery capacity that can be consumed in the future by measuring the current consumption according to the execution of a plurality of processors embedded in a portable device.

The method proposed by the present invention comprises: A method of displaying, by a portable device, a battery level, the method comprising: receiving a current consumption information message including current consumption information for the at least one subprocessor from at least one of the subprocessors of the portable device; Summing current consumption for each of the at least one subprocessor based on the received current consumption information message, calculating remaining battery capacity based on the summed total current consumption, and calculating Displaying the remaining battery capacity.

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The apparatus proposed in the present invention comprises: A portable device for displaying a battery level, the portable device comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a current consumption information message including current consumption information of the at least one subprocessor from at least one of the subprocessors of the portable device; A main processor for summing current consumption for each of the at least one subprocessor based on the received current consumption information message, and calculating a remaining amount of available battery based on the totaled current consumption; It includes a display unit for displaying the remaining amount.

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The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the disclosed concepts and specific embodiments of the invention may be readily used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for achieving the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also recognize that structures equivalent to the invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the broadest form of the invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

The main subject of the present invention is that the main processor calculates the total current consumption by passing the calculated value to the main processor for the current consumption of each subprocessor in the portable device.

1 is a format of a current consumption information message according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the current consumption information message is a message that the main processor receives from subprocessors. For example, if a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcast) processor, a music player, a mobile telecom processor, or the like corresponding to subprocessors embedded in a portable device is executed or at least one of them is executed, the executed subprocessor is executed. The controller transmits a current consumption information message including the current consumption amount and additional information calculated by referring to the current consumption table for the current amount consumed by the main processor. That is, when at least one subprocessor or a plurality of subprocessors are executed in the portable device, the current consumption information message includes a value calculated by referring to the current consumption table of the current consumption of each subprocessor. Pass it to the processor.

The subprocessor operating according to the characteristics of the device transmits the current consumption information message according to its operation to the main processor before operating according to the user's input. For example, the current consumption information message includes a device number 100, a function mode 110, a current consumption 120, and a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Code) field.
The device number field 100 includes a device number assigned to a subprocessor. For example, 000 represents a device number assigned to a subprocessor for operating a digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) circuit, 001 represents a device number assigned to a subprocessor for operating a codec circuit for a music player, and 010 represents a Wibro ( Wireless Broadband) indicates a device number allocated to a subprocessor or the like for operating a modem. As the number of subprocesses increases, so does the number of devices allocated.
The function mode field 110 includes information indicating in which mode the subprocessor is driven. For example, 00 represents information corresponding to a deep sleep mode, 01 represents information corresponding to a sleep mode, 10 represents information corresponding to an idle mode, 11 Represents information corresponding to an active mode.

The current consumption field 120 includes information indicating current consumption according to the operation of the subprocessor, and has a value of 24 bits. The current consumption field 120 includes information expressed in binary, such as '0000 0000 1010 0000.0011 0101' when 10.35 (mA) is consumed in the idle mode. That is, in 10.35 (mA), the ten digit 1 is represented by 1010, the one digit 0 is represented by 0000, and the decimal places 3 and 5 are represented by 0011 and 0101, respectively.
The CRC field 130 includes a check code for confirming that the current consumption information message is correctly delivered after being delivered to the main processor.

2 is a flowchart of a main processor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in step 200, the main processor of the portable device prepares a list of subprocessors in the portable device when the power is turned on. For example, the main processor may include a subprocessor # 1 for operating a digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) circuit, a subprocessor # 2 for operating a codec circuit for a player to listen to music, and the like. Make a list accordingly.
In operation 210, the main processor generates a list by identifying subprocessors that consume current in active, idle, and sleep modes among the subprocessors. In operation 220, the main processor determines whether the mode in which the at least one subprocessor is operating is changed. The main processor proceeds to step 230 when the operating mode is changed, and proceeds to step 240 when it is not changed.
In step 230, the main processor receives and updates the current consumption of the subprocessor and the operation circuit according to the changed mode of the subprocessor whose mode is changed through the current consumption information message from the corresponding subprocessor. In operation 240, the main processor calculates the total current consumption of the processors by summing the current consumptions according to the modes in which each subprocessor operates. In operation 250, the main processor calculates a time that a battery can be used in the future by referring to a preset battery characteristic curve graph according to the calculated total current consumption, and forms a battery bar or a number on the screen of the portable device. To be displayed.

3 is a flowchart of a subprocessor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step 300, power is supplied to the portable device, and if the user executes a function such as digital multimedia broadcast (DMB), music, or mobile communication, the subprocessors # 1 and # 2 corresponding to the function are provided. , # 3 operates in steps 305, 310, and 315, respectively.
In step 305, the subprocessor # 1 operates as a processor for driving the DMB circuit. In operation 320, the subprocessor # 1 checks whether the current state of the subprocessor # 1 is in an active state, and proceeds to step 325 in the active state. Proceed to step). In step 325, the subprocessor # 1 calculates the current consumption of the subprocessor # 1 and the DMB circuit according to the active operation mode by referring to the current consumption table and proceeds to step 350.
On the other hand, when the subprocessor # 1 is not the active state in step 320, the current state of the subprocessor # 1 is in an idle state, that is, power is turned on but is not operated in step 330. Check for status. Subprocessor # 1 proceeds to step 335 in the idle state and step 340 in the idle state. In step 335, the subprocessor # 1 calculates a current consumption amount according to the idle mode and proceeds to step 350.
If the subprocessor # 1 is not in the idle state in step 340, the subprocessor # 1 checks whether the current state of the subprocessor # 1 is in a sleep state, that is, a mode in which power is supplied but only a minimum required operation is performed. The subprocessor # 1 proceeds to step 345 in the sleep state and returns to step 320 in the sleep state. In step 345, the subprocessor # 1 calculates a current consumption amount according to the sleep operation mode and proceeds to step 350. In step 350, the subprocessor # 1 transfers the calculated current consumption amount according to an operation mode to a current consumption information message to the main processor.

The subprocessor # 2 310 and the subprocessor # 3 315 also operate in the same manner as above, and refer to the current consumption table of the subprocessor for the current consumption of the subprocessor and the circuit operated by the subprocessor. Calculate and pass to the main processor.

4 is a structural diagram of a portable device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the battery 400 supplies power to the subprocessors # 1, 2, 3 (410, 420, 430) and the main processor according to the sleep mode, the idle mode, and the active mode. The subprocessor # 1 410 operates a DMB circuit (not shown) that exchanges signals with a base station and receives a broadcast signal. The subprocessor # 2 420 plays or records music, and the subprocessor # 3 430 operates a Wibro modem that communicates with a base station to transmit and receive Internet signals.
For example, when the subprocessor # 2 420 is executed, the sub processor # 2 420 becomes active and calculates a current consumption amount, and the calculated current consumption amount is determined through the current consumption information message. Transfer to the main processor 440. When a user who wants to use the Internet operates the subprocessor # 3 430, the subprocessor # 3 430, which is in an idle or sleep mode, switches to an active mode to calculate the amount of current in the switched mode and then the main processor. Forward to 440.
The main processor 440 updates the current consumption of the corresponding subprocessor by storing the current consumption transferred by the subprocessors in the storage unit 450. The main processor 440 calculates the total current consumption by combining the current consumption of the subprocessor with the mode switch and the current consumption of the previously stored subprocessor. Subsequently, the main processor 440 displays, on the display unit 460 of the portable device, the remaining battery power or the time that can be operated in the future, calculated by referring to the battery characteristic curve graph.

5 is a table of current consumption of a subprocessor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, an operation mode of a subprocessor is divided into a sleep mode, an idle mode, and an active mode, and the sleep mode is divided into a deep sleep and a sleep mode, and the active mode is the highest power and the middle. It is divided into power supply and lowest power mode. The current consumption table is for data of each subprocessor of the portable device to determine the current consumption.
The deep sleep mode of the operation mode consumes 10 mA by searching for a radio signal or transmitting a location of the portable device to a base station. In the sleep mode, the search and location transmission of the radio signal and the search for a message or a signal transmitted from the base station for a predetermined interval of time consume 20 mA. In the idle mode, the portable device does not operate at all, and since the portable device is operated in the sleep mode or the deep sleep mode and before, the smallest 1mA is consumed.
Among the active modes, the lowest power mode indicates a mode in which a current amount of 300 mA is consumed in a mode that is closest to the base station when the portable device operates in the active mode. This mode shows the current consumption of 600mA as the mode farthest from the base station. That is, the active mode is a state in which a signal is received from the base station or the at least one subprocessor transmits a signal to the base station, and a relatively large amount of current is consumed according to signal transmission and reception.

6 is a graph showing a battery characteristic curve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, as an example, three (600, 610, and 620) characteristic curves are shown according to the current consumption amount. The total current consumption of the portable device is 4.2 V buffered battery as the total battery discharge curve of the portable device. Shows the change over time with respect to the voltage up to discharge (3.2V).

The characteristic curve graph shows a characteristic curve in which the main processor of the portable device sums the current consumptions of the subprocessors. The more the subprocessors operated by the portable device, the total current consumption calculated by the main processor is 2200 mA (620). It is close to and the usage time is less than 1 hour and reaches 30V when it reaches 30 minutes, and discharge occurs. If there are few subprocessors operated, the current consumption curve calculated by the main processor approaches the 550 mA (600), and the use time reaches 3.2v when the time is over 2 hours and reaches 3.2v. The 1100 mA 620 is discharged after 1 hour as a reference for the total current consumption of the portable device. That is, whenever the mode is changed, the subprocessor calculates the current consumption amount and transfers the current consumption information message to the main processor, and the main processor transmits the current according to the voltage in the three characteristic curves 600, 610, and 620 in the battery characteristic curve graph. Find in between and find the remaining time accordingly.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is capable of various modifications within the scope of the invention. In the present specification, the actual number is written in the characteristic curve graph or table of the battery. However, since the actual number is obtained from the data obtained from the experiment, the actual number may be easily changed due to the characteristics of the circuit or component to be added.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by those equivalent to the scope of the claims.

The present invention is characterized in that the main processor calculates the total current consumption by transferring the current consumption calculated by each subprocessor of the portable device to the table for the current consumption.

The present invention has the advantage that the main processor receives the current consumption of the sub-processor to sum the total current consumption to know how much battery can be used in the future.

Claims (8)

In the method for the portable device to display the remaining battery capacity, Receiving a current consumption information message including current consumption information for the at least one subprocessor from at least one of the subprocessors of the portable device; Summing current consumption for each of the at least one subprocessor based on the received current consumption information message; Calculating a remaining battery capacity of the battery based on the total current consumption; And displaying the calculated remaining battery level. The method of claim 1, The current consumption information message is a device number assigned to the at least one subprocessor, function mode information including information on an operation mode of the at least one subprocessor, and to confirm whether the transmission of the current consumption information message is successful. A method of displaying a battery level including Cyclic Redundancy Code (CRC) information including a test code used. The method of claim 1, The subprocessors include a subprocessor for driving a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcast) circuit for providing a broadcast service, a subprocessor for operating a codec circuit for a music player, and a subprocessor for driving a Wibro (Wireless Broadcast) modem for Internet connection. A battery remaining amount display method comprising at least one. The method of claim 1, The current consumption information is based on a current consumption table including information on the current consumption for each operation mode, the active mode of the at least one sub-processor of the idle (Idle) mode and sleep (Sleep) mode The remaining battery display method including information on the current consumption calculated in response to the operation mode. In a portable device that displays the remaining battery capacity, A receiving unit for receiving a current consumption information message including current consumption information for the at least one subprocessor from at least one of the subprocessors of the portable device; A main processor summing current consumption for each of the at least one subprocessor based on the received current consumption information message, and calculating remaining battery capacity based on the totaled current consumption; And a display unit for displaying the calculated remaining amount of the battery. The method of claim 5, The current consumption information message is a device number assigned to the at least one subprocessor, function mode information including information on an operation mode of the at least one subprocessor, and to confirm whether the transmission of the current consumption information message is successful. A handheld device containing cyclic redundancy code (CRC) information including a test code used. The method of claim 5, The subprocessors include a subprocessor for driving a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcast) circuit for providing a broadcast service, a subprocessor for operating a codec circuit for a music player, and a subprocessor for driving a Wibro (Wireless Broadcast) modem for Internet connection. A portable device comprising at least one. The method of claim 5, The current consumption information is based on a current consumption table including information on the current consumption for each operation mode, the active mode of the at least one sub-processor of the idle (Idle) mode and sleep (Sleep) mode Handheld device including information on the current consumption calculated in correspondence with the operation mode.

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