KR20010026012A - Battery Management Apparatus in Notebook System - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A notebook computer battery management system is provide to efficiently manage the batteries included in an option device by using an SM BUS so that it can control charging or discharging of the batteries by a smart battery selector. CONSTITUTION: The system comprises a plurality of smart batteries(125,130), a smart battery selector(120), a smart charger(115), an SM BUS(160), an SM BUS host(135), and a docking station(150). The smart battery selector(120) selects the battery to be charged or discharged. The smart charger(115) receives an event from the smart battery selector(120). The SM BUS(160) connects the smart battery selector(120) to the smart charger(115) to perform a transmission of a battery status information. The docking station(150) includes an AC/DC adaptor(140), a smart charger(145), a smart battery(170), and an I/O extension device(175).

Description

Battery Management Device for Notebook System {Battery Management Apparatus in Notebook System}

The present invention relates to a battery management device of a notebook system, and more particularly, to a battery management device of a notebook system that can efficiently manage the battery included in the option of the notebook system using SMBUS.

Notebook systems are becoming popular. Compared to desktop computers, notebook systems, which are more expensive and used as a supplement and have been used in some classes, have recently been in the spotlight among office workers and college students. Sure, it's still expensive compared to desktop computers, but more people are looking for it because of its portability.

The life of such a notebook system is lightweight and slim. The current "all-in-one" product with a built-in CD ROM drive and floppy disk drive has also been reduced to 20mm in thickness. The weight of CD ROM drive and FDD external type is reduced to 1kg and the internal type is reduced to 2kg. Like this, the life of the notebook system is light and slim because the notebook system is portable for carrying.

Another important element of notebook systems is battery capacity. That is, since it is inconvenient to carry all the equipment of the notebook system including the adapter, a battery is provided as an auxiliary power source, and the product characteristics of the notebook system are dependent on the capacity of the battery and the degree of use efficiency of the battery. Can be evaluated

In accordance with this trend, in recent years, only the basic system is provided in the main body so as to fully utilize the portable functions of the notebook system, and other additional functions are manufactured separately. In one embodiment, as well as external to the CD ROM drive and FDD, in addition to the main body of the notebook system, a mouse, keyboard, video, printer, serial port, etc. in a docking station or port replicator. We are equipped.

Therefore, the actual work can be sufficiently performed in the main body of the notebook system, and when the output is completed or additional work is to be performed after the work is completed, the main body and the docking station (or port replicator) can be selectively used. I'm trying to.

In addition, the docking station or port replicator further includes a battery. That is, the notebook system includes one battery on the main body side and another battery on the docking station. Therefore, the battery power in the main body is used when performing work using only the main body, and the battery power provided in the main body and the docking station can be used when performing work while the docking station and the main body are connected. This expands the battery capacity of notebook systems.

Next, a battery management apparatus of a conventional notebook system will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a battery management apparatus of a main body and a docking station of a conventional notebook system.

The notebook system main body 1 receives an AC / DC adapter 10 for inputting AC power and converting it into a DC power of a size required by the system and outputting the DC power supplied through the AC / DC adapter 10. A non-smart battery charger 15 for performing an operation for charging the non-smart battery 25, a non-smart battery 25 for supplying power when only the notebook system main body 1 is used, and It includes a controller 20 for performing control.

In the above configuration, the controller 20 is directly transmitting and receiving data through the non-smart battery 25 and the line (DQ). Therefore, the controller 20 inputs a state signal of the battery from the non-smart battery 25 and controls the charging operation of the non-smart battery charger 15 accordingly.

The docking station 5 receives an AC / DC adapter 35 that inputs AC power, converts the DC power into a DC power, and outputs the non-smart battery 45 to the DC power applied through the AC / DC adapter 35. A non-smart battery charger 40 for charging the battery; a non-smart battery 45 for supplying power required when the docking station 5 is connected to the notebook system main body 1; And an expansion force expansion device (50) for controlling data input / output with the notebook system main body (1).

The notebook system main body 1 and the docking station 5 of the said structure are connected through the docking connection part 30. As shown in FIG. The docking connection unit 30 includes terminals 30b and 30c to enable input and output of data and clock signals. Accordingly, the controller 20 of the notebook system body 1 and the input / output expander 50 of the docking station 5 connect the SMBUSs 60 and 65 through the terminals 30b and 30c, and the SMBUS 60, Input / output of data through 65).

The diode 55 in the docking station 5 is for preventing the reverse voltage.

All the batteries described in the present invention are not merely batteries which perform only charging and discharging of voltage and current, but in addition to charging and discharging of voltage and current, battery charging and discharging currents are estimated, self discharge is estimated, and low voltage of the battery The configuration includes a gauging circuit that monitors the battery for the limit.

Next, a battery management operation of a conventional notebook system having the above configuration will be described.

First, the battery 25 and the charging section 15 mounted on the main body 1 side are of a non-smart type. Therefore, the controller 20 communicates with the battery 25 through the line DQ and inputs battery information of the battery 25. In this case, the battery information input by the controller 20 includes information according to the battery remaining amount.

Therefore, the controller 20 controls the charging operation of the charging unit 15 based on the input battery information during the charging operation of the battery 25. That is, the controller 20 can know the exact remaining amount of the battery by the remaining amount of battery information input from the battery 25, and thus it is possible to control the operation of the charging unit 15 under the optimal charging condition. will be.

On the other hand, the battery 45 and the charging section 40 mounted on the docking station 5 side are also non-smart types. However, the charging unit 40 performs charging of the battery 45 without being controlled by the controller 20 on the main body 1 side. That is, the charging unit 40 in the docking station 5 monitors only the voltage of the battery and the current input to the battery to charge the battery 45.

In addition, the charging unit 40 on the docking station 5 side and the battery 45 do not have any configuration for transmitting and receiving signals with the controller 20 on the main body 1 side. Therefore, there was no method of transmitting the battery information in the docking station 5 to the main body 1 side.

That is, since the battery management apparatus of the conventional notebook system manually charges the battery 45 without feedback of the battery state information from the battery 45 in the docking station 5, the battery can be optimally charged. There was no way. Therefore, the life of the battery was inevitably shortened.

In addition, the battery management apparatus of the conventional notebook system could not obtain accurate information depending on when the battery is completely discharged or how long it can be used in the current power consumption state.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery management apparatus of a notebook system capable of efficiently managing a battery included in an optional body as well as a notebook system using an SM BUS.

1 is a connection diagram of a docking station and a notebook system according to the prior art,

2 is a connection diagram of a laptop system and a docking station according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: notebook system main body 110,140: AC / DC adapter

115145: Smart charging unit 120: Smart battery selection unit

125,130,170: Smart Battery 135: SMBUS Host

150: docking station 160: SMBUS

175: I / O new device

Battery management apparatus for a notebook system according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the notebook system body; An option connected to the notebook system main body to perform an additional function; Battery means provided for supplying power to each of the main body and the option; An SMBUS for bidirectionally exchanging battery state information read from the battery means between the main body and the option; And a SMBUS host for transmitting the battery status information exchanged on the SMBUS to the main body.

The battery means of the present invention includes a battery having a gauging circuit for monitoring the charging and discharging operation of the battery; And a battery charger for controlling charging of the battery while exchanging battery state information through the battery and the SMBUS.

The battery means of the present invention, a plurality of batteries; And a battery selector for selecting a battery for charging and discharging from the plurality of batteries.

Hereinafter, a battery management apparatus of a notebook system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing a battery management device of the notebook system according to the present invention.

First, the notebook system of the present invention uses a smart type of battery.

The main body 100 of the notebook system of the present invention includes a plurality of smart batteries 125 and 130, a smart battery selector 120 for selecting a battery for charging / discharging, and receiving an event from the smart battery. The smart charging unit 115 receiving the charging voltage and the charging current, the SMBUS 160 performing data transmission and reception and battery status information transmission, and the event from the batteries 125 and 130 through the smart battery selection unit 120. The SMBUS host 135 receives an occurrence and requests data or battery state information from the battery. And an AC / DC adapter 110 for inputting power.

Of course, the SMBUS is connected between the smart battery selector 120 and the smart batteries 125 and 130, and the SMBUS is also connected between the smart battery selector 120 and the smart charger 115.

The docking station 150 of the present invention inputs AC power, converts to DC power, and outputs AC / DC adapter 140 and DC power applied through the AC / DC adapter 140 and the smart battery 170. The smart charging unit 145 performs a charging operation, a smart battery 170 for supplying power required when the docking station 150 is connected to the notebook system main body 100, and the notebook system main body ( The expansion force extension 175 which controls input / output of data to / from 100 is included. The SMBUS 160 is also included in the docking station 150, and the SMBUS is also connected between the smart battery 170 and the smart charger 145.

The notebook system body 100 and the docking station 150 of the above configuration are connected through the docking connection unit 170. The docking connection unit 170 includes terminals for inputting and outputting data and inputting and outputting clock signals. Accordingly, the SMBUS host 135 of the notebook system main body 100 and the input / output expander 175 of the docking station 150 connect the SM BUS 160 through the terminal, and the battery state information through the SMBUS 160. Transmit and receive data according to

The following describes a battery management process in the notebook system of the present invention according to the above configuration.

The notebook system of the present invention uses a smart battery that supports SMBUS. In addition, the notebook system main body 100 and the docking station 150 is connected by SMBUS to know the information of the battery provided in each device.

The smart batteries 125, 130, and 170 include a gauging circuit in a battery, and measure more data from the battery than a gauging circuit included in a conventional battery. That is, not only the capacity of the battery but also various types of alarms and the estimated time of charging / discharging are provided to the user.

Therefore, the smart chargers 115 and 145 can know the manufacturer, port number, and properties of the battery from the gauging circuit in the battery, so that the battery can be optimally and safely charged.

In addition, the smart battery selector 120 manages a plurality of batteries. It is responsible for mediating the battery to be charged or discharged and switching the system's power source according to the battery's charge / discharge status.

In addition, the SMBUS 160 supports a new data format for a smart battery system (a system including all configurations for use of a smart battery). The SMBUS performs bidirectional data communication using two lines (data line and clock line). For example, when three devices are connected on the SMBUS, one device (# 1) starts data transmission, broadcasts the ID of the device to talk to itself immediately after the data transmission, and then designates the device designated by itself (# Wait for a response from 3). At this time, the device # 2 does nothing because the ID on the SMBUS is not its own, and the device # 3 sends a response because the ID on the BUS is its own.

Accordingly, the SMBUS host 135 may request battery status information for all components of the smart battery system, and may also respond to requirements from the smart battery system side.

Therefore, the smart battery system can be connected between the battery, the charging unit and the selection unit through the SMBUS, and thus can charge / consume several battery packs and inform the user of the remaining battery capacity.

That is, the notebook system main body 100 side of the present invention may be equipped with a plurality of batteries using the battery selector 120. Therefore, the battery selector 120 selects and controls a battery for performing a charge / discharge operation, and the arbitrary battery 125 performs discharge and the arbitrary battery 130 is controlled by the battery selector 120. It is possible to charge the power input through the AC / DC adapter 110.

In addition, the batteries 125 and 130 of the main body 100 may transmit their battery status to the battery selector 120, the smart charger 115, and the SMBUS host 135 using SMBUS.

Accordingly, the SMBUS host 135 requests battery status information of the batteries 125 and 130 through the SMBUS 135 as necessary. The batteries 125 and 130 transmit information, available time, and the like according to the remaining battery amount, which are calculated and stored in a gauging circuit therein through SNBUS. As the battery information transmitted as described above is applied to the SMBUS host 135, the SMBUS host 135 may recognize the remaining amount of battery and the available time. In this way, the battery information recognized by the SMBUS host 135 can be transmitted when requested by the notebook system controller (not shown).

In addition, the smart charger 115 may optimally charge the batteries 125 and 130 using the state information of the batteries 125 and 130 using the SMBUS. That is, the smart charger 115 receives an event from the batteries 125 and 130, receives a charge voltage and a charge current, and controls the transmission of the voltage and current to the batteries 125 and 130 as much as the request.

In addition, since the docking station 150 is also equipped with a smart battery, it operates in the same manner as the main body 100 described above.

The smart battery 170 in the docking station 150 is connected to the smart charger 145 and SMBUS, and the smart charger 145 is the SMBUS host 135 on the main body 100 side through the SMBUS 160. Is connected to. The smart battery 170 stores its battery state information in its own gauging circuit.

Therefore, regardless of the connection state of the docking station 150 and the main body 100, the smart charging unit 145 may request battery status information from the smart battery 170 via the SMBUS, the battery 170 itself The battery state information calculated by the built-in gauging circuit is transmitted to the smart charger 145. That is, the smart charger 145 may optimally control the charging of the battery 170 while receiving feedback of the battery status information from the battery 170 through the SMBUS.

Also, when the docking station 150 and the main body 100 are connected, the SMBUS host 135 requests battery status information from the smart battery 170 in the docking station 150 through the SMBUS 160. It is possible. That is, the battery 170 transmits the state of charge, the battery capacity and various data measured by the gauging circuit therein to the SMBUS host 135 through the SMBUS.

Accordingly, the SMBUS host 135 can read the battery state information of the smart batteries 125 and 130 in the main body 100 and the battery state information of the smart battery 170 in the docking station 150 using the SMBUS.

As described above, the battery management apparatus of the notebook system according to the present invention is capable of controlling the charging and discharging operation using a plurality of batteries by the smart battery selection unit, thereby using a plurality of batteries to selectively use the battery time. There is an advantage to increase.

In addition, the present invention is capable of transmitting and receiving the battery state information between the smart charging unit and the battery by using the SMBUS, there is an advantage that can be optimally charged the battery without having a separate control device.

In addition, the present invention can read not only the battery installed in the main body of the notebook system, but also the remaining amount of battery and the available time provided to the optional option of the notebook system from the battery through the SMBUS, so that the user can receive information according to the remaining battery level. There is an effect that can be provided.

Claims (4)

A notebook system body; An option connected to the notebook system main body to perform an additional function; A battery means provided for supplying power to the main body or an option; An SMBUS for bidirectionally exchanging battery state information read from the battery means between the main body and the option; And a SMBUS host for transmitting the battery status information exchanged on the SMBUS to the main body. The method of claim 1 wherein: The battery means, A battery incorporating a gauging circuit for monitoring charge / discharge operation of the battery; And a battery charger for controlling charging of the battery while exchanging battery status information through the SMBUS with the battery. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein: The battery means, A plurality of batteries; The battery management device of the notebook system further comprises a battery selector for selecting a battery for charging and discharging from the plurality of batteries. In a notebook system used as a portable, Battery management device of a notebook system, characterized in that for transmitting and receiving battery status information read from the battery using the SMBUS capable of bidirectional communication.