KR20100046918A - Electronic apparatus and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An electronic device and a control method thereof are provided to charge a battery part by using a plurality of power sources which have different standards. CONSTITUTION: A charge part(40) charges power provided from the outside to a battery part. A first power source connection part(10) is connected to the charge part and a system part(110). The first power source connection part is connected to the first power source feeding part supplying a first level power source. A second power source connection part(20) is connected to the second power feeding part supplying power source of a second level which is different from the first level. A power source converting part(50) is installed between the second power source connection part and the charge part. The power source converting part changes a level of power provided from the second power feeding part into the first level. A controller(60) charges power provided from the second power source feeding part to the battery part according to a connected state between the first power source connection part and the first power source feeding part by controlling the charge part and the power source converting part.

Description

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME

The present invention relates to an electronic device and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an electronic device that can be carried by a user and a control method thereof.

Generally, battery-powered electronics such as laptop computers, notebook computers, portable digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, CD players, and video camcorders are portable and can be used on the go. Therefore, it is widely used in recent years. In addition, such an electronic device is provided with a connection terminal for connecting the adapter so that an external power source other than the battery can be used through an AC / DC adapter, etc., and the battery adopts a rechargeable secondary battery to supply the battery with power from the adapter. Recharging is common.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a control method thereof that can conveniently and conveniently charge a battery unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of charging a battery unit with a plurality of power supplies supplied with different specifications and a control method thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device including a system unit, comprising: a battery unit; A charging unit for charging the battery unit with power supplied from the outside; A first power connection unit connected to the charging unit and the system unit and to which a first power supply unit for supplying power of a first level is connected; A second power connection unit to which a second power supply unit for supplying power of a second level different from the first level may be connected; A power conversion unit provided between the second power connection unit and the charging unit to convert a level of power supplied from the second power supply unit to the first level; When the first power supply unit is not connected to the first power connection unit, by the electronic device including a control unit for controlling the charging unit and the power conversion unit so that the power supplied from the second power supply unit is charged in the battery unit Is achieved.

The second level may be smaller than the first level.

In this case, the first power supply unit may include an adapter, and the second power supply unit may include a TTA charger.

The control unit includes a first switching unit provided between the first power connection unit and the charging unit, and a second switching unit provided between the power conversion unit and the charging unit.

The controller preferably checks a power state supplied from the second power supply unit when the second power supply unit is connected to the second power connection unit.

In this case, when the power state of the second power supply unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition, it is preferable that the controller notifies the user of power error information.

The controller determines whether the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value when the power state of the second power supply unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and as a result of the determination, the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds the threshold value. At this time, it is preferable to turn on the second switching unit.

The controller determines whether the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value when the power state of the second power supply unit satisfies a predetermined condition. Error information can be informed to the user.

The control unit includes: a first current control resistor connected between the first switching unit and the charging unit; And a second current control resistor connected between the second switching unit and the charging unit, wherein the magnitude of the current flowing through the second current control resistor to protect the second power supply unit and the battery unit is equal to the first current control unit. It is desirable to be smaller than the current flowing through the resistance.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, the battery unit, a charging unit for charging the externally supplied power to the battery unit, and the first power supply unit is connected to the charging unit and supplies a first level of power to be connected The control method of an electronic device comprising: a first power connection unit; and a second power supply unit to which a second power supply unit for supplying power of a second level different from the first level is connected. Determining whether the first power supply is connected when the supply is connected; If it is determined that the first power supply is not connected, converting the level of power supplied from the second power supply to the first level; The method may be achieved by a control method of an electronic device including charging the converted first level power to the battery unit.

As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic device and a method of controlling the same, which can conveniently and conveniently charge a battery unit, are provided.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, an electronic device and a control method thereof capable of charging the battery unit with a plurality of power supplies having different specifications are provided.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device for notifying a user of a charging state of a battery unit according to a power source and a control method thereof are provided.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

1 is a diagram illustrating an electronic device and a power supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 100 is implemented as a portable terminal such as a notebook, and as shown, two types of power supply units 200 and 300 may be connected to the electronic device 100.

The electronic device 100 according to the present invention can be easily operated by a user such as a laptop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a portable camera, a portable electronic frame, a portable video camcorder, and the like. It can be moved and can include any kind of product that requires charging by a battery due to its mobility. The size of the electronic device 100 is gradually getting smaller and its thickness is getting thinner.

Typically, the electronic device 100 may be connected to a first power supply unit 200 such as an AC / DC adapter to use an external power source other than a battery. The voltage level and current level of the power supplied through the first power supply unit 200 are standardized according to a predetermined standard, and a current of about 1 A conduction is supplied to the electronic device 100 at voltages such as 9V, 12V, and 24V. do. When the first power supply unit 200 is connected to the electronic device 100, the power supplied from the first power supply unit 200 is supplied directly to the system unit of the electronic device and at the same time a rechargeable secondary battery (not shown) is provided. Used to fill. That is, the electronic device 100 is designed to meet the characteristics of the power supplied from the first power supply unit 200.

In addition to the first power supply unit 200, the second power supply unit 300 may be additionally connected to the electronic device 100 according to the present invention. As shown, the second power supply unit 300 may be implemented as a commercially available TTA (Telecommunications Technology Association) charger. TTA charger refers to a terminal charger standardized by the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association to be applicable regardless of the model of a portable terminal. TTA chargers are standardized to charge terminals anytime and anywhere by allowing power to be plugged into the jacks for data communications on the terminals, and are currently the most widely used plug-in chargers. The TTA charger includes 24 pins or 20 pins and supplies power or performs data communication through pins that are differently assigned according to the type of terminal. The electronic device 100 may be temporarily and auxiliaryly supplied with power to the electronic device 100 by adopting a second power supply unit 300 that is light, easy to carry, and excellent in compatibility with other portable terminals.

The characteristics of the power supplied from the second power supply unit 300 are different from the power supplied from the first power supply unit 200. That is, the power supplied from the second power supply unit 300 is at most 4.2V, 750mA, and the maximum output power is 3.15W. Since it is different from the 9V, 12V and 24V power supplied from the first power supply 200, the second power supply 300 is directly connected to the battery or system unit of the electronic device 100 unlike the first power supply 200. Is not connected. That is, power supplied through the second power supply unit 300 should be changed to a power level that can be used in the electronic device 100.

FIG. 2 is a simplified circuit diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 1, and respective components of the electronic device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in the drawing, the electronic device 100 receives power and performs a predetermined function. The system unit 110, the first power supply unit 10, and the second power source to which the first power supply unit 200 may be connected. The supply unit 300 includes a second power supply connection unit 20 can be connected. In addition, the electronic device 100 converts the level of the power supplied from the battery unit 30 charging the power supplied from the outside, the charging unit 40 charging the battery unit 30, and the second power supply unit 300. A power conversion unit 50, and a control unit 60 for controlling them.

The system unit 110 is composed of a plurality of electronic components that perform the main functions of the electronic device. For example, when the electronic device 100 according to the present invention is a portable computer, the electronic component of the system unit 110 may include a memory such as a CPU, a RAM, a chipset, a main board, a graphics card, and the like. ) Receives power required for driving the battery unit 30 or the first power supply unit 200.

The first power connection unit 10 is connected to the charging unit 40 and the system unit 110, and a first level DC power is supplied through the first power connection unit 10. The first level according to the present embodiment is a level of power supplied to the charging unit 40 to charge the battery unit 30 and has a range of about 9V to 19V.

The battery unit 30 preferably includes a secondary battery rechargeable by the charging unit 40, and may include, for example, a lithium-ion battery or other secondary battery. The battery unit 30 may include at least one battery cell having respective specifications regarding predetermined levels of charging and output power. According to the present embodiment, the level of the power charged and output to the battery unit 30 is about 8.4V.

The charging unit 40 serves to charge the battery unit 30 with power input including a plurality of switching elements (not shown), and the charging unit 40 according to the present embodiment is switched to prevent current ripple. It is desirable to be designed in a linear manner rather than.

The second power supply connection unit 20 is provided as a connector into which the second power supply unit 300, such as a TTA charger, can be inserted, and is in contact with a pin included in the second power supply unit 300 (not shown). It includes. When the second power supply unit 300 is connected to the second power connection unit 20, a voltage of a specific level is supplied to the electronic device 100 through a specific pin (ID PIN), and the control unit 60 is connected to the specific pin. The voltage level supplied may be checked to determine whether the second power supply unit 300 is connected. As described above, the power input through the second power supply unit 300 has a second level smaller than the first level supplied through the first power supply unit 200. The second level according to this embodiment is about 4.2V.

The power conversion unit 50 is provided between the second power connection unit 20 and the charging unit 40 to convert the level of power supplied from the second power supply unit 300 to the first level. According to the present embodiment, since the power of the second level is increased to the first level, the power conversion unit 50 is preferably provided as a boost-up circuit. The power conversion unit 50 receives power at a low level, boosts it to a charging power level capable of charging the battery unit 30, and outputs the power to the charging unit 40.

 The controller 60 controls a power path for charging the battery unit 30 according to whether the first power supply unit 200 and the second power supply unit 300 are connected, and when the second power supply unit 300 is connected, the battery The power supplied to the unit 30 is controlled. As shown in the drawing, the control unit 60 is provided between the first switching unit 63 provided between the first power connection unit 10 and the charging unit 40, and between the power conversion unit 50 and the charging unit 40. A second switching unit 65 and a microcomputer 61 for controlling the operation thereof. The first switching unit 63 includes two first switches ①, and the second switching unit 65 includes two second switches ②. Two first switches ① are simultaneously turned on or off, and two second switches ② are simultaneously turned on and off. Meanwhile, the electronic device 100 includes a third switch ③ connected between the system unit 110 and the battery unit 30.

If the first power supply unit 200, which is the main power source, is connected to the first power connection unit 10, the microcomputer 61 turns off the second switch ② so that power is not supplied from the second power supply unit 300. Then turn on the first switch ①. At this time, the third switch ③ will be turned off. That is, the DC power of the first level supplied to the first power supply unit 200 is charged to the battery unit 30 through the first switch ① and the charging unit 40, and is simultaneously supplied to the system unit 110. . When the battery power charged in the battery unit 30 is supplied to the system unit 110 because the first power supply unit 200 is not connected to the electronic device 100, the third switch ③ will be turned on.

Meanwhile, when the first power connection unit 10 is not connected, the controller 60 controls the power conversion unit 50 and the charging unit 40 so that power can be supplied through the second power connection unit 20. When the second power supply unit 300 is connected to the second power connection unit 20, the microcomputer 61 turns off the first switch ① to prevent power supply through the first power supply unit 200.

The microcomputer 61 checks the power state supplied from the second power supply unit 300 when the second power supply unit 300 is connected to the second power connection unit 20, and if the power state does not satisfy a predetermined condition. If so, inform the user of the power failure information on the power failure. The microcomputer 61 first checks whether the voltage input through the above-described specific pin ID pin is equal to or less than a predetermined level, for example, 1.5V, and the level of the power input through the second power supply unit 300 is increased. It is determined whether or not it is within a normal range, that is, about 4.0V or more. This power state check determines whether the charger satisfies the conditions according to the TTA charger specification and checks whether the charger is properly connected and whether the output voltage is normal. If the power state is out of the normal range or out of the allowable range, the microcomputer 61 may send a message indicating that the power is bad or a message suggesting to reconnect the second power supply unit 300 through the system unit 110. Inform the user. The electronic device 100 preferably includes a UI generating unit or a light emitting unit that is turned on as a user interface therefor.

The microcomputer 61 confirming the power state supplied from the second power supply unit 300 detects the remaining capacity of the battery unit 30 and determines whether the detected remaining capacity exceeds a preset threshold. Unlike power supplied from the first power supply unit 200, the power supplied through the second power supply unit 300 has a low level and insufficient power to supply the remaining capacity of the battery unit 30. In this case, even if power is supplied, it may cause a power problem to the system unit 110. Therefore, when the remaining capacity of the battery unit 30 is less than or equal to the threshold value, the microcomputer 61 notifies the user of power error information and charges the battery unit 30 through the second power supply unit 300. Warning.

On the contrary, as a result of the determination, when the remaining battery capacity exceeds the threshold, the microcomputer 61 turns on the second switch ② to apply a predetermined load to the second power supply 300. That is, when the second switch ② is turned on, the second power supply unit 300, the power conversion unit 50, and the charging unit 40 are connected, and the second power supply unit 300 recognizes a load and supplies power to the electronic device. It is supplied to (100). At this time, the third switch ③ is turned on, and the power charged in the battery unit 30 is supplied to the system unit 110.

In addition, the controller 60 may include a first current control resistor R1 connected between the first switching unit 63 and the charging unit 40 to adjust the current level of the power input to the charging unit 40, and the second current control resistor R1. The electronic device further includes a second current control resistor R2 connected between the switching unit 65 and the charging unit 40. In order to protect the TTA charger and the charging unit 40 in consideration of the power output from the TTA charger, the amount of current input through the second current control resistor R2 is a current flowing through the first current control resistor R1. Smaller is preferred.

In addition, the electronic device 100 further includes a voltage divider resistor for notifying the second power supply unit 300 of the output voltage of the battery unit 30. The third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 are connected in series between the battery unit 30 and the ground terminal, and a node branched between the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 is formed of a third resistor R4 and a fourth resistor R4. 2 is connected to the power supply connecting section (20). In general, since the TTA charger is directly connected to the battery to charge the battery, the TTA charger is preferably designed to know information about the voltage of the battery unit 30. However, this is not essential and the divider resistance may be omitted depending on the specifications of the TTA charger.

3 is a control flowchart illustrating a control method of the electronic device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the control method of the electronic device according to the present embodiment is summarized as follows.

When the first power supply unit 200 is connected to the electronic device 100 by the user (S10), the controller 60 determines whether the second power supply unit 300 is connected to the electronic device 100 (S20). ).

If it is determined that the second power supply unit 300 is not connected to the electronic device 100, the first power supply unit 200 and the charging unit 40 are connected according to the normal power control (S30). When the first power supply unit 200 and the charging unit 40 are connected, the battery unit 30 is charged, and the power supplied through the first power supply unit 200 is also supplied to the system unit 110 (S180).

If the first power supply unit 200 is inserted and the second power supply unit 300 is connected to the electronic device 100, the controller 60 separates the second power supply unit 300 from the electronic device 100. Warn to do or informs the user of the power error information that the power connection is not correct (S150).

On the other hand, when the second power supply unit 300 is connected (S110), the control unit 60 determines whether or not the first power supply unit 200 is connected to the electronic device 100 (S120). If the first power supply unit 200 is connected to the electronic device 100, the power error information is notified to the user as described above (S150), and if it is determined that the first power supply unit 200 is not connected, subsequent power is supplied. Perform control.

The controller 60 determines that a voltage of 1.5 V or less is detected from a specific pin ID ID of the second power supply 300 (S130), and subsequently, the level of the power supplied to the second power supply 300. It is determined whether this exceeds 4.0V (S140). This is to check the connection state according to the standard of the TTA charger, if the condition is not satisfied, the control unit 60 stops the control for power supply and informs the user of the power error information (S150).

If the power state output from the second power supply unit 300 satisfies a predetermined condition, the controller 60 determines whether the remaining battery capacity exceeds the threshold (S160). Here, the threshold value means the minimum capacity of the battery unit 30 that enables the battery unit 30 to be charged with power supplied through the second power supply unit 300 and to supply power to the system unit 110. do. When the remaining capacity of the battery unit 30 is less than or equal to the threshold value, for the safety of the second power supply unit 300, the battery unit 30 and the system unit 110 to stop the power supply through the second power supply unit 300 It is preferable.

As a result of determination, when the remaining capacity of the battery unit 30 exceeds the threshold value, the microcomputer 61 enables the power conversion unit 50 and connects the charging unit 40 to the power conversion unit 50. 2, the load is applied to the power supply unit 300 (S170).

The power input through the second power supply unit 300 is boosted up by the power conversion unit 50 to charge the battery unit 30, and the power charged in the battery unit 30 is supplied to the system unit 110. (S180).

As described above, the electronic device 100 according to the present invention may employ the TTA charger commonly used in the portable terminal as the second power supply unit 300 to temporarily and auxiliaryly charge the battery unit 30. In addition, by performing various controls for stably receiving power from the second power supply unit 300, a collision with the first power supply unit 200 is prevented and the system unit 110 and the power supply units 200 and 300 are protected. .

Although some embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit or spirit of the invention. . It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

1 is a view illustrating an electronic device and a power supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a simplified circuit diagram of the electronic device of FIG.

3 is a control flowchart illustrating a control method of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: first power connection portion 20: second power connection portion

30: battery part 40: charging part

50: power conversion unit 60: control unit

61: microcomputer 100: electronic device

200: first power supply unit 300: second power supply unit

Claims (16)

An electronic device comprising a system unit, A battery unit; A charging unit for charging the battery unit with power supplied from the outside; A first power connection unit connected to the charging unit and the system unit and to which a first power supply unit for supplying power of a first level is connected; A second power connection unit to which a second power supply unit for supplying power of a second level different from the first level may be connected; A power conversion unit provided between the second power connection unit and the charging unit to convert a level of power supplied from the second power supply unit to the first level; And a controller configured to control the charging unit and the power conversion unit so that the power supplied from the second power supply unit is charged to the battery unit when the first power supply unit is not connected to the first power connection unit. Electronics. The method of claim 1, And the second level is smaller than the first level. The method of claim 2, And the first power supply unit includes an adapter, and the second power supply unit includes a TTA charger. The method of claim 3, The control unit includes a first switching unit provided between the first power connection unit and the charging unit, and a second switching unit provided between the power conversion unit and the charging unit. The method of claim 4, wherein And the control unit checks a power state supplied from the second power supply unit when the second power supply unit is connected to the second power connection unit. The method of claim 5, The control unit notifies the user of power error information when the power state of the second power supply unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition. The method of claim 5, The controller determines whether the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value when the power state of the second power supply unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and as a result of the determination, the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds the threshold value. And turning on the second switch when the electronic device is turned on. The method of claim 5, The controller determines whether the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value when the power state of the second power supply unit satisfies a predetermined condition. Electronic device characterized by informing the user of the error information. The method of claim 4, wherein The control unit, A first current control resistor connected between the first switching unit and the charging unit; And a second current control resistor connected between the second switching unit and the charging unit. The magnitude of the current flowing through the second current control resistor is smaller than the current flowing through the first current control resistor. A first power connection unit to which a battery unit, a charging unit charging the externally supplied power to the battery unit, a first power supply unit connected to the charging unit and supplying a first level of power, and the first power connection unit; In the control method of an electronic device comprising a second power supply connection that can be connected to a second power supply for supplying a second level of power different from the level, Determining whether the first power supply is connected when the second power supply is connected; If it is determined that the first power supply is not connected, converting the level of power supplied from the second power supply to the first level; And charging the battery unit with the converted first level power. The method of claim 10, And the second level is smaller than the first level. The method of claim 11, And the first power supply unit includes an adapter, and the second power supply unit includes a TTA charger. The method of claim 12, And determining the power state supplied from the second power supply unit when the first power supply unit is not connected. The method of claim 13, And notifying the user of power error information when the power state of the second power supply unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition. The method of claim 13, Determining whether the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds a preset threshold value when the power state of the second power supply unit satisfies a predetermined condition; And converting the level of the power source into the first level is performed when the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds the threshold value. The method of claim 13, Determining whether the remaining capacity of the battery unit exceeds a preset threshold value when the power state of the second power supply unit satisfies a predetermined condition; And informing the user of power error information when the remaining capacity of the battery unit is less than the threshold as a result of the determination.

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