KR20050027588A - Apparatus and method for battery charging in mobile system - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for charging a battery of a mobile terminal are provided to allow a user to accurately know an expected battery charge time and a battery replacement time. A memory(130) stores a battery usage time table corresponding to a remaining capacity and state of a battery, a voltage value of the remaining battery capacity, and a battery usage time according to the voltage value of the remaining battery capacity as a table. A charging unit(128) receives a charge mode signal from a controller(120) and supplies a current to the battery. A detecting unit(126) measures a remaining capacity and state of the battery, and outputs corresponding signals to the controller(120). The controller(120) accesses the memory(130) to read the values stored in the table, and calculates an expected charge time. A display unit displays the expected charge time obtained by the controller(120).

Description

Battery charging device and method for mobile communication terminal {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR BATTERY CHARGING IN MOBILE SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a battery charging apparatus and a method of a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a method for displaying an expected charging time when charging, detecting the received signal strength to display the estimated battery usage time.

In general, portable communication devices such as mobile communication terminals perform wireless calls and various functions in a portable state. At the time of a call, the mobile communication terminal is supplied with the operating power necessary for carrying out the call by the battery. Thus, how much time the battery can be used, how much longer it can be used, and how long it takes to charge, is a major concern for users.

However, the conventional mobile communication terminal does not display the battery remaining amount and the use time in detail, which makes the user uncomfortable in many ways. The conventional battery level display device and method merely reads the battery voltage value, divides the icons into upper, middle, and lower only, and displays the corresponding icons to indicate the remaining battery level. Thus, the user may not know the exact battery life.

In addition, when charging the battery, a typical mobile communication terminal does not specifically display the estimated battery charging time. Conventional battery charge time display devices and methods turn on red LEDs during charging and turn on green LEDs when fully charged. Therefore, the user cannot know the exact estimated battery charge time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for accurately indicating an expected charging time, an expected talk time, and an expected use time of a mobile communication terminal battery by using a charging device that accurately monitors a battery level and state.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery charging time measurement apparatus for a mobile communication terminal, the battery usage time corresponding to the remaining battery level and state, the battery remaining voltage value, the battery according to the remaining voltage value of the battery A memory for storing and storing the usage time of the table, a charging unit for receiving a charging mode signal from the controller and supplying current to the battery, a detector for measuring the remaining battery capacity and state and outputting the battery to the controller, and accessing the memory. And a display unit for reading the values stored in the table, calculating an estimated charging time, and displaying an estimated charging time calculated from the controller.

In the method for rapidly charging a battery in a mobile communication terminal, the control unit in the quick charge menu mode, the process of generating a quick charge control signal, the charging unit when receiving the quick charge control signal, the charging unit by varying the amount of current Charging the battery; detecting, detecting, and outputting a battery current value to the controller; and comparing, by the controller, the battery current value received from the detector with a preset current value read from the memory unit. Calculating the estimated charging time required until the charging is completed, and displaying, by the control unit, a message indicating the estimated charging time on a display unit, when the input current value is not equal to or greater than the set current value. Battery of the mobile communication terminal having a memory table for storing the battery consumption voltage value according to What is claimed is: 1. A method for calculating an expected usage time, the method comprising: measuring the received signal strength at a predetermined time period; determining whether there is an input of a call key after calculating a received electric field strength corresponding to the received signal strength; If there is a key input, reading the battery consumption voltage value according to the received electric field strength, receiving the current battery remaining voltage value, and the current battery remaining voltage value and the read battery consumption voltage value Calculating the estimated talk time and displaying a message indicating the estimated talk time on a display unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that reference numerals and like elements among the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted when it is determined that the detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

1 is an internal block diagram of a mobile communication terminal battery charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the charging unit 110 of the mobile communication terminal includes a control unit 120, a power supply unit 122, a FET 124, a detection unit 126, a charging unit 128, a memory unit 130, and the like.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal. In the practice of the present invention, the controller 120 outputs an on / off signal to the detector 126 to control the FET 124. In the charging mode, the controller 120 inputs an on control signal to the detector 126. The detector 126 receiving the on control signal outputs an on control signal to the FET 124. The FET 124 receiving the on control signal is turned on, and the charging path of the battery unit 110 is connected. In addition, it performs calculations such as information on the measured battery level and status, estimated charging time, estimated talk time, and estimated use time, and outputs notification sounds such as estimated battery charge time, estimated talk time, and estimated use time. And control to display a notification message.

The power supply unit 122 supplies a power source for charging the battery unit 100 and main power such as the control unit 120, the FET 124, the detection unit 126, and the charging unit 128.

The field effect transistor (FET) 124 is a type of transistor and is a semiconductor having three poles of a source, a drain, and a gate. In the practice of the present invention, the FET 124 receives an ON control signal from the control unit 120 through the detection unit 126. The FET 124 receiving the on control signal is turned on and connects the charging path of the battery 102. Upon completion of charging, the controller 120 inputs an off control signal to the FET 124 through the detector 126. The FET 124 receiving the off control signal is turned off, and cuts off the charging path of the battery 102.

The detector 126 measures and outputs information (battery monitoring data) on the remaining amount and state of the battery 102 to the controller 120. The detector 126 measures the current of the battery 102 to determine the voltage of the battery, the charge and discharge current of the battery and the mobile communication terminal, the remaining capacity of the battery, the temperature of the battery pack, the amount of charge of the battery when fully charged, It is output to the control unit 120 together with information such as design capacity. The control unit 120 stores information on the remaining amount and state of the battery in the memory unit 130. In the charging mode, the detector 126 receives an on control signal from the controller 120 and outputs an on control signal to the FET 124.

The charging unit 128 receives a charging mode signal from the control unit 120 and supplies a current to the battery 102. When charging is completed, the controller 120 receives a charging completion control signal from the controller 120 and stops supplying current to the battery 102.

The memory unit 130 may include a ROM, a RAM, a flash RAM, and the like. The ROM (Read Only Memory) stores microcode and reference data of a program for processing and controlling the controller 120. In particular, an operation execution program according to the detection and display of information on the remaining battery level and state according to the present invention is coded and stored. Random Access Memory (RAM) is a working memory of the controller 120 and stores temporary data generated during various program executions. Flash memory stores various updatable archiving data such as phone books. In the embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 130 stores a battery current value (data) measured by the detector 126 and a battery usage time table corresponding to the battery current value. And a battery usage time table corresponding to the battery current value and the battery current value measured by the detector, a reception signal strength input from an antenna (not shown), a reception field strength corresponding to the reception signal strength, and a battery corresponding to the reception field strength. The stored voltage values of the battery, the battery residual voltage value, and the battery usage time according to the battery residual voltage value are stored in a table. That is, when the measurement of the battery voltage or current according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 120 calculates the estimated talk time and the expected use time of the battery using the tables stored in the memory unit 130.

The battery charger of the mobile communication terminal as described above charges the battery quickly in the quick charge mode, and displays the estimated time used until the charging is completed. This will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is an operation flowchart showing an expected charging time in a battery charging device of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, first, the controller 120 performs the charging mode in step 210, and determines whether the quick charge menu is selected in step 212. As a result of the determination, if the quick charge menu is selected, the process proceeds to step 214, and if the quick charge menu is not selected, the process proceeds to step 216.

In step 214, the controller 120 outputs the quick charge control signal to the detector 126 and the charger 128. The detector 126 receives the fast charge control signal and outputs an on control signal to the FET 124. The charging unit 128 receives a quick charge control signal and supplies a current to the battery 102. The charging unit 128 may reduce the charging time by varying the amount of current to rapidly charge the battery 102.

In step 216, the controller 120 outputs a constant current charging control signal to the detector 126 and the charger 128. The detector 126 receives the constant current charge control signal and outputs an on control signal to the FET 124. The charging unit 128 receives a constant current charging control signal and supplies a constant current to the battery 102. The battery 102 supplied with the constant current is charged.

In step 218, the controller 120 reads the battery current value stored in the memory 130. The battery current value is data detected by the detector 126 and stored in the memory 130. In step 220, the controller 120 compares the battery current value with a preset current value and determines whether charging is complete. If the battery current value and the preset current value or more, it is determined that the charging is completed. As a result of the determination, if charging is completed, the process proceeds to step 222.

In step 222, the controller 120 outputs a charging completion control signal to the detector and the charger. The detector blocks the charging path by outputting an off control signal to the FET 124. The charging unit 128 receives the charging completion control signal and stops supplying current to the battery 102.

Thereafter, in step 224, the controller 120 outputs a voice indicating that the charging is completed to the speaker (not shown), and displays a message indicating that the charging is completed on the display unit (not shown). For example, the controller 120 outputs a voice as "charging is completed." And displays a message as "charging is completed." Therefore, the user of the mobile communication terminal can listen to the voice informing that the charging is completed, and can confirm the message indicating that the charging is completed on the display unit.

In step 226, the controller 120 uses the battery current value and the battery usage time table corresponding to the battery current value read out in step 218 to estimate the estimated time required to complete the charge (full charge estimated time). Calculate. The process of calculating the estimated time before the buffer is already known, and thus description thereof is omitted. Thereafter, in step 228, the controller 120 outputs a voice informing the speaker of the estimated time before the buffer is charged, and displays a message indicating the estimated time before the buffer is displayed on the display.

As described above, the mobile communication terminal provided with the charging device for notifying the estimated time before the shock is notified of the estimated talk time and the estimated use time of the battery. This will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation time of a battery according to a received signal strength in a battery charging device of a mobile communication terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, the controller 120 performs a standby mode in step 310, and reads a received signal strength at a predetermined time input from an antenna (not shown) in step 312 and stored in the memory unit 130.

In step 314, the controller 120 reads the received electric field strength corresponding to the received signal strength from the memory unit 130 to determine the corresponding electric field strength. The received electric field strength can be largely classified into a weak electric field, a medium electric field, and a strong electric field, and further subdivided into a weak electric field, a medium-weak electric field, a medium electric field, a medium-strong electric field, and a strong electric field.

Thereafter, in step 316, the controller 120 checks whether a call key is input from a keypad (not shown). If there is no input of the call key, the process proceeds to step 318. If there is no input of the call key, the process proceeds to step 330.

In step 330, the controller 120 reads the battery consumption voltage value according to the received electric field strength stored in the memory 130. The battery consumption voltage value depends on the received field strength. For example, a strong electric field has a lower battery consumption voltage than a heavy electric field, and a heavy electric field has a lower battery consumption voltage than a weak electric field. Thereafter, in step 332, the controller 120 reads a current battery remaining voltage value stored in the memory 130. Thereafter, in step 334, the controller 120 calculates an expected usage time according to the current battery residual voltage value using the battery consumption voltage value and the battery residual voltage value. The estimated use time may be a standby time (waitable time), an expected data communication time, an expected game time, an expected music listening time, an expected camera operating time, and the like. Since the process of calculating the expected use time is a known art, a description thereof will be omitted. Thereafter, in step 336, the controller 120 outputs a voice informing the estimated use time to the speaker (not shown), and displays a message informing the estimated use time on the display unit (not shown). For example, the controller 120 outputs a voice as "expected use time 17 minutes remaining" and displays a message as "expected use time 17 minutes remaining".

In step 318, the controller 120 reads the battery consumption voltage value according to the received electric field strength stored in the memory unit 130. In step 320, the controller 120 reads a current battery remaining voltage value stored in the memory 130. Thereafter, in step 322, the controller 120 calculates an expected talk time according to the current battery remaining voltage value using the battery consumption voltage value and the battery remaining voltage value. Thereafter, in step 324, the controller 120 outputs a voice informing the expected talk time to the speaker (not shown), and displays a message informing the estimated talk time on the display unit (not shown). For example, the controller 120 outputs a voice such as "expected talk time is 30 minutes remaining" and displays a message as "expected talk time is 30 minutes remaining".

As described above, the controller 120 of the mobile communication terminal determines the current received electric field strength corresponding to the received signal strength. The controller 120 reads a battery consumption voltage value and the current battery remaining voltage value according to the current received electric field strength to calculate an expected call time and an expected usage time. The battery consumption voltage value depends on the received signal strength of the mobile communication terminal. The battery consumption voltage value varies according to the current received electric field strength corresponding to the received signal strength. If the location of the mobile communication terminal changes, the received signal strength may vary, and the current received field strength may vary. Therefore, the controller 120 stores the received received signal strength in the memory unit 130 and reads out the received received signal strength every predetermined time. When the user inputs a keypad to attempt a call, the controller 120 notifies the estimated talk time to the speaker and displays the estimated talk time on the display.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. 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.

As described above, the battery charging apparatus and method of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention uses a charging device that accurately monitors the remaining battery level and state, and thus, the estimated charging time, the expected talk time, and the expected use time of the mobile communication terminal battery are compared. Displayed in exact numbers, displayed as a message, and output as a voice. In addition, the estimated talk time and the estimated usage time are calculated using the battery consumption voltage value according to the received field strength. Therefore, the user can more accurately know the estimated charging time of the battery, and can know the battery replacement time accurately because the user can know the battery usage time.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal battery charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is an operation flowchart showing an expected charging time in a battery charging device of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation time of a battery according to a received signal strength in a battery charging device of a mobile communication terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (5)

An apparatus for measuring an estimated time for charging a battery in a mobile communication terminal, A memory for tabulating and storing a battery usage time table corresponding to a battery remaining state and state, a battery residual voltage value, and a battery usage time according to the battery residual voltage value; A charging unit which receives a charging mode signal from a controller and supplies a current to the battery; A detector configured to measure the battery remaining amount and state and output the same to the controller; A controller which accesses the memory to read out values stored in the table and calculates an expected charging time; And a display unit for displaying the estimated charging time calculated from the control unit. A method for rapidly charging a battery in a mobile communication terminal, Generating, by the controller, a quick charge control signal in the quick charge menu mode; Charging the battery by varying the amount of current when the fast charging control signal is received; A detector detecting a battery current value and outputting the battery current value to the controller; The controller may be configured to compare the battery current value received from the detection unit with a preset current value read out from the memory unit, and calculate an expected charging time required until the charging is completed if the current value is not greater than or equal to a preset current value. and, And displaying, by the control unit, a message indicating the estimated charging time on a display unit. The method of claim 2, Generating, by the control unit, a charging completion control signal when the battery current value input from the detection unit is compared with a preset current value read from the memory unit and is equal to or larger than a preset current value; And displaying, by the control unit, a message indicating that charging is completed on the display unit. A method for calculating an estimated battery use time of a mobile communication terminal having a memory table storing a battery consumption voltage value according to a received signal strength, Measuring the received signal strength at a predetermined time period; Determining whether a call key is input after calculating a received electric field strength corresponding to the received signal strength; Reading a battery consumption voltage value according to the received electric field strength when the call key is input; Receiving the current battery level voltage value, Calculating an expected call time according to the current battery remaining voltage value and the read battery consumption voltage value; And displaying a message indicating the estimated talk time on a display unit. The method of claim 4, wherein Reading a battery consumption voltage value according to the received electric field strength when there is no input of a call key; Receiving the current battery level voltage value, Calculating an expected usage time according to the current battery remaining voltage value and the read battery consumption voltage value; And displaying a message indicating the expected usage time on a display unit.