KR20120014470A - Electronic device and method of charging battery of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An electronic device and a battery charging method thereof are provided to reduce electricity use during peak hours, thereby saving electricity cost and protecting environment. CONSTITUTION: A power supply part(110) receives a power source from an external power supply apparatus. A communication part(130) comprises a first receiver for receiving power Information which includes electricity bill information for each timeslot related to a smart grid. An output part(150) comprises a display part(151) and a sound output part(152). A controller(180) charges a battery(112) included the power supply part with a DC power source.

Description

Electronic device and method of charging battery of the same

The present invention relates to an electronic device having an energy saving function and a battery charging method of the electronic device.

Recently, the introduction of an intelligent power grid (smart grid) for the efficient use of power in power demand is a major issue in the state of energy saving and efficiency efficiency. A variable rate plan will be introduced.

In accordance with this trend, there is a demand for the development of a technology that can efficiently control various electronic devices used in the home in connection with the introduction of the smart grid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a battery charging method for the electronic device that can save a power charge.

Technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Could be.

An electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a power supply unit including a battery; A communication unit including a first receiving unit configured to receive power information including power rate information for each time zone associated with a smart grid; And when charging the battery, taking into account the received power rate information and the time required for the battery to be fully charged, only when the battery is fully charged before entering the high charging time section. It includes a control to start charging.

A battery charging method of an electronic device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a method of charging a battery included in an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving power rate information for each time zone; And when charging the battery, determining whether the battery is fully charged before entering the high billing time period, in consideration of the received power rate information and the time required for the battery to be fully charged; If it is determined that the charging of the battery is completed before entering the high billing time interval, the determination is made.

According to the electronic device and the battery charging method of the electronic device according to the present invention, the following effects are obtained.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to significantly reduce the power bill by inducing not to charge the battery in the high charge time period, the power bill is expensive.

In addition, according to the present invention, by inducing to reduce the use of electricity in the high time of use, there is an effect that can contribute to the economic benefit of the user and the global environmental protection.

1 is a schematic diagram of a smart grid.
2 illustrates a power management network 10 in a home, which is a major consumer of a smart grid.
3 shows a block diagram of the power management network 10 and a block diagram of a DTV 100 connectable to the power management network 10.
4 is a block diagram illustrating an external power supply device 60 and a charging system of the DTV 100.
5 is a block diagram of the DTV 100 in relation to smart grid information and broadcast content.
6 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of the DTV 100 and the storage 160.
7 is a flowchart of a battery charging method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 to 10 are views for explaining a battery charging method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. In addition, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known function or configuration related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a schematic diagram of a smart grid, a smart grid includes a power plant that generates power through thermal power, nuclear power or hydropower, and a solar power plant and a wind power plant using solar or wind power as renewable energy. .

In addition, the thermal power plant or nuclear power plant or hydroelectric power station transmits power to a power station through a transmission line, and the power station sends electricity to a substation so that the electricity is distributed to a demand destination such as a home or an office.

The electricity produced by the renewable energy is also sent to substations to be distributed to each customer. Then, the electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed to the office or each home via the power storage device.

Even in homes that use a home area network (HAN), they can produce their own electricity through fuel cells mounted on solar power or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). However, the remaining electricity can be resold to the outside by a reverse transmission via a smart meter.

In addition, smart measuring devices are installed in offices and homes to grasp real-time power and power bills used by each customer, and through this, the user recognizes the amount of power and power bills currently used, and according to the situation, power consumption or power bills. Measures to reduce the

On the other hand, since the power plant, power station, storage device and the source of demand are bidirectional communication, only the unilaterally receive electricity from the source of demand, and notify the storage, power station, and power plant of the demand source to produce electricity according to the situation of the source of demand. Electric distribution can be performed.

Meanwhile, in the smart grid, an energy management system (EMS), which is responsible for real-time power management and real-time prediction of power consumption, and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), which measures power consumption in real time, are pivotal. Play the role of person.

Here, the measuring device under the smart grid is a basic technology for integrating consumers on the basis of open architecture, and provides consumers with the ability to efficiently use electricity, and provides power providers with the ability to operate the system efficiently by detecting problems in the system. do.

Here, the open architecture refers to a standard that allows all electric devices to be connected to each other regardless of which manufacturer the electric device is manufactured in the smart grid system, unlike a general communication network.

Thus, the instrumentation used in the smart grid enables a consumer friendly efficiency concept such as "Prices to Devices". That is, the real-time price signal of the electric power market is relayed through the energy management device (EMS) installed in each home, and the energy management device (EMS) communicates with and controls each electric device so that the user can control the energy management device (EMS). By recognizing the power information of each electric device and performing the power information processing such as the amount of power consumption or the limit of the power bill, the energy and cost can be saved.

Here, the energy management device (EMS) processes the information collected by the local energy management device (EMS) by performing a two-way communication with the local energy management device (EMS) used in the office or home, and the local energy management device (EMS). It can be configured as a central energy management device (EMS).

Real-time communication of power information between suppliers and consumers can be realized in the smart grid, realizing “real-time grid response”, thereby reducing the high cost of meeting peak demand.

2 illustrates a power management network 10 in a home, which is a major consumer of a smart grid.

The power management network 10 includes a measuring device (smart meter) 20 or an energy management device (EMS) 30 capable of measuring in real time the power and power rates supplied to each home.

In this case, the electricity fee may be charged based on the hourly rate plan, and the hourly electricity rate becomes expensive in a time section in which the power consumption is sharply increased, or in the case of a late night time section where the power consumption is relatively low. Can be done.

In addition, the electric charge may be charged in the same time period as the low power demand period or the high power demand period. At this time, when the power demand increases, when the user saves power, the power consumer may be returned to the rebate by the amount of power saved.

Here, the energy management device (EMS) 30 may be provided in the form of a terminal having an input button 32 or the like which can be operated by a user.

The energy management device (EMS) 30 or the measuring device (smart meter) 20 is again a DTV (Digital Television, 100), a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, and a robot cleaner through a home network. Or connected to an electronic device, such as a cooking appliance, lighting device or light shielding device, it can be bi-directional communication with them. That is, the energy management device 30 may manage the power consumed by the electronic devices included in the power management network 10 and supply power to the electronic devices. May control their operation. In addition, the energy management device 30 may be embedded in a DTV or a computer.

Communication inside the house may be via wireless or wired, such as Power Line Communication (PLC). In addition, each electronic device may be arranged to be connected with other electronic devices to enable communication.

On the other hand, the power management network 10 has an auxiliary power source 50 provided in the home, that is, a self-generating facility 51, such as a solar power generation device, and a storage battery capable of storing power generated from such a self-generating facility. (52).

In addition to the storage battery 52, the fuel cell 53 may also be connected to the power management network 10 to serve as an auxiliary power source.

Here, the auxiliary power source 50 serves to supply power to the home in a state in which power is not supplied from an external power source such as a power company.

The amount of power that can be supplied from such an auxiliary power source or the amount of power charged in the auxiliary power source 50 may be displayed on the energy management device (EMS) 30 or the measuring device (smart meter) 20.

3 shows a block diagram of the power management network 10 and a block diagram of a DTV 100 connectable to the power management network 10.

Here, the power management program operating unit 40 may be a power company equipped with a general power generation equipment (firepower, nuclear power, hydropower) or power generation equipment using renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal), etc. It is not limited only to this.

The power management program operating unit 40 not only supplies power, but also provides information related to the variable rate plan to each home, thereby helping to establish a power rate reduction strategy based on power rate fluctuations at home.

In addition, the guide is recommended to help the user to save the electricity bill, and to help the rational power consumption of the user by setting or recommending a standard for high billing time period. Hereinafter, a power supply source of the power management program operating body 40 will be referred to as an external power source.

The high billing time period refers to a time period in which the hourly power rate is higher than a predetermined standard rate due to the surge in electric power demand, which is significantly higher than at other times.

As described above, the power management network 10 includes an auxiliary power source that can be provided in each home, that is, a self-generating facility 51 such as a solar power generation facility, a storage battery 52 and a fuel cell 52.

Here, the auxiliary power source 50 is distinguished from the external power source, and serves to supply power to the home separately from the external power source. The auxiliary power source 50 and the external power source are communicatively connected to the measuring device (smart meter) 20 and the energy management device (EMS) 30. In addition, the measuring device (smart meter) 20 and the energy management device (EMS) 30 is provided to communicate with the electronic devices. Accordingly, each electronic device may be designed to have a power supply unit capable of receiving both the external power source and / or the auxiliary power source.

Here, the configuration of the energy management device (EMS) 30, the control unit 35, the input unit 38, the communication unit 34 and the display unit 39, the measurement device (smart meter) 20 ) Also includes a control unit 25, an input unit 28, a communication unit 24, and a display unit 29.

Here, the energy management device (EMS) 30 or the measuring device (smart meter) 20 is communicatively connected to the DTV 100. For this purpose, the energy management device (EMS) is connected to the DTV 100. The communication unit 130 including the communication unit 34 of the 30 or the first communication unit 131 capable of communicating with the communication unit 24 of the measuring device (smart meter) 20 is provided.

Thus, the first communication unit 131 provided in the DTV 100 may receive power information such as power rate information that is changed in real time from the energy management device (EMS) or the measurement device 20.

In addition, referring to FIG. 3, the DTV 100 includes a power supply unit 110, an input unit 120, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and a controller 180 in addition to the communication unit 130. Can be.

The power supply unit 110 receives the external power and / or the auxiliary power, and supplies power required for the operation of each component of the DTV 100.

On the other hand, the power supply unit 110 may receive power by wire or wirelessly from an external power supply device.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an external power supply device 60 and a charging system of the DTV 100.

For example, a power supply device 60 for wirelessly supplying power to the DTV 100 may be installed in a home, and includes a power supply unit 61 and an AC power supplied from the power supply unit 61. AC / DC converter 62 for converting the power into DC power, and DC / RF converter 63 for converting the DC power converted by the AD / DC converter 62 into Radio Frequency (RF). And a transmitter 64 for transmitting the radio wave converted by the DC / RF converter 63 to the power supply 110.

In order to receive power wirelessly from an external power source, the power supply unit 110 may include a second communication unit 132 and an RF / DC converter 170.

The second communication unit 132 receives the radio wave transmitted from the transmission unit 64, and the RF / DC conversion unit 170 converts the radio wave received from the second communication unit 132 into DC power.

The controller 180 may charge the battery 112 included in the power supply unit 110 with the DC power.

Meanwhile, the power supply device 60 automatically detects when the battery 112 of the DTV 100 needs to be charged, and transmits radio waves to the DTV 100 for charging the battery 112. You can also send.

In addition, the power supply device 60 may receive power information including at least one of time-based power charge information and power demand information. The power supply device 60 may determine whether to charge the battery 112 of the DTV 100 based on the received power information. Detailed description thereof will be described later.

The input unit 120 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the DTV 100.

As described above, the communication unit 130 may include a first communication unit 131 which performs a function of receiving power information related to a smart grid (hereinafter, referred to as smart grid information), such as the power rate information, and the power source. In addition to the second communication unit 132 for receiving power from the supply device 60, one or more modules may be provided to enable communication between the DTV 100 and a network (eg, the Internet).

In addition, the first communication unit 131 may receive the smart grid information by wire (eg, Ethernet, PLC, etc.) or wirelessly (eg, Zigbee, etc.).

The smart grid information referred to in this document includes power charge information. Sources of the smart grid information including the power rate information and transmission and reception schemes of the smart grid information may vary.

For example, the power rate information may include at least one of time-based power rate information and power demand information.

For example, the first communication unit 131 may receive the smart grid information from a smart operation center 11 or a smart grid network 12 or a specific server existing on an external network, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. Can be.

Also, for example, the first communication unit 131 may receive the smart grid information through various communication protocols such as a wired internet, a wireless internet, a portable internet, and a mobile communication network.

The DTV 100 may not include the first communication unit 131. In this case, the first communication unit 131 may exist in an independent form outside the DTV 100, and the first communication unit 131 may communicate with the DTV 100 in a wired / wireless manner. The controller 180 may process data received through the first communication unit 131. For example, the first communication unit 130 may be provided in another electronic device that can communicate with the DTV 100.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output related to visual, auditory or tactile senses, and may include a display unit 151 and a sound output unit 152. The output unit 150 may further include a haptic module 154 for generating an output (for example, vibration) related to the tactile sense.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the DTV 100.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, or a three-dimensional display. It may include at least one of (3D display). Two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the DTV 100.

The DTV 100 may not include the display unit 151. In this case, the display unit 151 may exist in an external form outside the DTV 100 or may be provided in another electronic device. The controller 180 may control the display unit 151 by wire and / or wirelessly.

When the DTV 100 and the display unit 151 exist in separate and independent forms, the DTV 100 and the display unit 151 may or may not share a power supply source. It may not.

The sound output unit 152 outputs audio data received from the outside or generated by the DTV 100. That is, the sound output unit 152 may output a sound signal related to a function performed by the DTV 100.

The sound output unit 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like. In addition, the sound output unit 152 may output sound through the earphone jack. The user can hear the sound output by connecting the earphone to the earphone jack.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180, and may temporarily or permanently store input / output data (eg, audio, still image, video, etc.).

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg, SD or XD memory, etc.), Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk.

The memory 160 may be separately present outside the DTV 100, as described below with reference to FIG. 5. The memory 160 may be referred to as storage.

The DTV 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the DTV 100.

The various embodiments described in this document can be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described in this document may include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). It may be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing the functions. These may be implemented by the controller 180.

In a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that allow at least one function or operation to be performed. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. In addition, the software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

5 is a block diagram of the DTV 100 in relation to smart grid information and broadcast content.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 180 of the DTV 100 may include a smart grid engine 181, a DVR engine 182, and a UI processor 183.

The smart grid engine 181 may process the smart grid information received through the communication unit 130 into a form that can be used by the DTV 100 to store the storage in the inside or outside of the DTV 100. 160 may be stored in.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication unit 130 directly receives the smart grid information from the smart grid network 12 through the smart operation center 11 existing outside the home, or the smart grid network ( 12, the smart grid information may be received through the smart home server 10 existing in the home.

The smart operation center 11 is another representation of the energy management device EMS outside the home described above, and the smart home server 10 is another representation of the power management network 10 described above.

As described below, the DVR engine 182 may perform a function related to the storage of the broadcast content, such as calculating necessary information related to the storage of the broadcast content.

For example, the DVR engine 182 may receive the broadcast content requested by the UI processor 183 in the form of a transport stream (TS) through the broadcast receiver 140 and store it in the storage 160. Can be.

Also, for example, the DVR engine 182 calculates an optimal time to watch broadcast content stored in the storage 160 by using smart grid information processed and stored by the smart grid engine 181, Thereafter, when the optimum time is reached, a function for notifying the user may be performed.

The UI processing unit 183 may be configured to generate, store, and output various user interfaces (UIs) mentioned in various embodiments to be described later, and to process user inputs received through the user interface. Function can be performed.

In addition, the DTV 100 may include the A / V decoder 184 described above. As described above, the A / V decoder 184 may be included in the controller 180 or exist as a separate module from the controller 180.

The A / V decoder 184 may decode and output a transport stream received through the broadcast receiving unit 140, or may decode and output content stored in the storage 160.

In the above, the configuration has been described taking the DTV (100) as an example, and has been described assuming that all of the components are integrally configured as a component of the DTV 100, some of the components It may be excluded from the configuration of the DTV 100, the excluded configuration may be included in a separate independent device, such as a set-top box, the present invention by the interlocking operation of the DTV 100 and the set-top box. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the object according to the invention can be achieved.

In the above description, the DTV 100 is mainly described as an electronic device in a home, but the DTV 100 is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, the technical idea disclosed in the present disclosure with reference to the DTV 100 and various embodiments for implementing the same will be described.

6 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of the DTV 100 and the storage 160. As described above, the storage 160 may exist separately from the DTV 100 while serving as the memory 160 described above.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a user may control the DTV 100 using a remote controller 190.

In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates that a user uses a separate remote controller 190 for controlling an electronic device such as the DTV 100. However, a separate remote controller for controlling the electronic device by the user ( It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the electronic device can be controlled by the user's motion or gesture or the user's voice.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of charging the battery of the electronic device based on the smart grid information will be described in detail.

7 is a flowchart of a battery charging method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 to 10 are views for explaining a battery charging method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A battery charging method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the environment and the plurality of electronic devices described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Hereinafter, a method of charging a battery of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an operation of the electronic device for implementing the same will be described in detail with respect to the DTV 100. Hereinafter, assuming that the DTV 100 is described for convenience of description, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the type of electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 10, as described above, the controller 180 may receive smart grid information including power rate information for each time slot through the first communication unit 131 [S100].

The controller 180 may determine whether the battery 112 needs to be charged [S110].

Whether the battery 112 needs to be charged may be determined based on various criteria.

For example, the controller 180 may receive a command to charge the barrel 112 from the user through the input unit 120.

For example, the controller 180 may determine that it is necessary to automatically charge the battery 112 when the remaining charge level of the battery 112 is lower than a reference value according to a preset reference. .

When the control unit 180 determines that the battery 112 needs to be charged as a result of the determination in step S110, a required time required to fully charge the battery 112 (hereinafter referred to as a "buffer required time") Can be obtained [S120].

The required charging time of the battery 112 may vary according to the current remaining charge of the battery 112.

In a typical battery, if the charging / discharging state is switched too frequently without full charging (charging), the actual charging capacity of the battery may be reduced. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as a memory effect.

For example, if only 90% of the battery's 100% capacity is used and charging / discharging is frequent, the battery will only remember 90% of its capacity. To reduce this memory effect, the battery must be fully discharged and then fully charged.

The memory effect of the battery is manifested in the intrinsic properties of the cadmium (Cd) metal and is rarely seen in lithium ion or lithium polymer batteries.

Battery fully charged in this document may be based on the actual capacity of the battery, or may be based on charging up to a predetermined level. In other words, the battery fully charged in this document may not necessarily mean charging to 100% of the actual capacity of the battery.

For example, when the battery 112 is set to charge at 90% or more of the actual capacity when the battery 112 is charged, when the remaining charge of the battery 112 is charged at 90% level, the battery is determined to be fully charged. Can be.

The controller 180 may determine whether to enter the high billing time section with respect to the power rate within the obtained buffering time with reference to the received time slot power rate information [S130].

For example, suppose that the time taken to fully charge the battery 112 is 3 hours in consideration of the current charge remaining state of the battery 112.

Here, when the high charging time period arrives within 2 hours from a current time as a result of referring to the received power time information for each time zone, the controller 180 charges the high charge before charging the battery 112. It can be determined that the time period is entered.

Also, for example, suppose that the time taken to fully charge the battery 112 is 2 hours considering the current state of charge remaining of the battery 112.

Here, when the high charging time period arrives after 5 hours from the current time as a result of referring to the received power time information for each time zone, the control unit 180 charges the high charge within the time required for buffering the battery 112. It may be determined that the user does not enter the time section.

If it is determined that the control unit 180 does not enter the high billing time period within the buffer required time, the controller 180 may start charging the battery 112 [S190].

Here, the controller 180 may provide a user interface (UI) for receiving approval from the user to start charging the battery 112 before starting to charge the battery 112 [S190]. [S170].

8 illustrates an example of a user interface 70 for checking a user provided in step S170.

The controller 180 may receive an approval or rejection for starting to charge the battery 112 from the user through the user interface 70 illustrated in FIG. 8.

For example, referring to FIG. 8, the controller 180, through the user interface 70, for charging start approval including information 73 regarding the time at which charging of the battery 112 starts. The first icon 71 and the second icon 72 for refusing to start charging may be provided.

The user may approve or reject the charging start of the battery 112 by selecting the first icon 71 or the second icon 72.

Here, since the selection method of the first icon 71 or the second icon 72 is a general known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, when a preset time elapses without the user selecting any of the first icon 71 or the second icon 72, the controller 180 defaults to charge the battery 112. You can also set it to start automatically.

In this case, the default setting may be set to automatically reject the charging of the battery 112.

Meanwhile, steps S170 and S180 may be omitted.

If it is determined that the controller 180 enters into the high billing time period within the buffer required time, as a result of the determination of step S130, the controller 180 takes the battery 112 from a certain point in consideration of the received power charge information. The charging start time of the battery 112 may be determined as to whether to charge [S140].

For example, the controller 180 refers to the received power rate information, so that the high charging time period can be avoided so as to secure the required buffer time of the battery 112, The charging start time can be determined.

The controller 180 may provide information regarding the charging start time determined in the step S140 [S150].

9 illustrates an example of a screen on which step S150 is implemented.

For example, referring to FIG. 9, the controller 180 may provide an information window 75 for providing various types of information related to the charging of the battery 112.

When the controller 180 starts to charge the battery 112 at the present time through the information window 75, the controller 180 may not complete the buffering of the battery 112 during a low time period. You can inform.

In addition, the controller 180 may provide information on various charging start times through the information window 75 and provide saving fee information so that a user may compare power rates according to the various charging start times. Can be.

For example, the information window 75 shown in FIG. 9 may be charged at the current time (saving fee: 0 won), or after 4 hours of charging (saving fee: 200 won), 7 hours. It may include an area 76 that provides saving rate information for the case where charging is performed later (saving rate: 500 won).

The controller 180 may provide a selection area 77 that provides information on a currently selected charging start time through the information window 75.

Referring to FIG. 9, the controller 180 defaults to a charging start time at which the battery 112 can be fully charged at a low cost within a predetermined period (for example, 24 hours or a week). It can be displayed in the selection area 77.

The user may select a desired time from among the plurality of charge start times shown in FIG. 9.

For example, the user may set to start charging of the battery 112 after 4 hours by selecting “2” among the keypads provided in the remote controller 190 in the state of FIG. 9.

In addition, for example, the user may set the charging of the battery 112 to start from the current time by selecting “3” among the keypads provided in the remote controller 190 in the state of FIG. 9.

When the controller 180 does not receive the selection signal from the user within a preset time, the controller 180 starts charging the battery 112 at a time set as the default (for example, after "7 hours" in FIG. 9). It can be set to the time.

The controller 180 may determine whether the charging start time determined in the step S140 arrives [S160].

The controller 180 may re-perform step S150 periodically or non-periodically when the charging start time does not arrive as a result of the determination in step S160.

The controller 180 may start charging the battery when the charging start time arrives as a result of the determination in step S160 [S190].

Here, the controller 180 may provide a user interface (UI) for receiving approval from the user to start charging the battery 112 before starting to charge the battery 112 [S190]. [S170].

10 shows another example of the user interface 80 for user confirmation provided in step S170.

The controller 180 may receive an approval or rejection for starting to charge the battery 112 from the user through the user interface 80 illustrated in FIG. 10.

For example, referring to FIG. 10, the controller 180 may include, through the user interface 80, a charging start approval including information 84 regarding a time at which charging of the battery 112 starts. The third icon 81, the fourth icon 82 for refusing to start charging, and the fifth icon 83 for recommending another charging start time may be provided.

The user may approve or reject the start of charging the battery 112 by selecting the third icon 81 or the fourth icon 82. In addition, the user may be recommended another charging start time by selecting the fifth icon 83.

In addition, when a predetermined time elapses without the user selecting any of the third to fifth icons 81, 82, and 83, the controller 180 defaults to charge the battery 112. You can also set it to start automatically.

In this case, the default setting may be set to automatically reject the charging of the battery 112.

Meanwhile, steps S170 and S180 may be omitted.

In the above, embodiments related to the charging of the battery 112 included in the DTV 100 based on the DTV 100 have been described.

However, the technical spirit disclosed in the present disclosure may not be applicable only to the DTV 100. That is, the technical idea disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented in not only the DTV 100 but also any electronic device including a battery that can be charged by wire or wirelessly.

The battery charging method for an electronic device according to the present invention described above may be provided by recording on a computer-readable recording medium as a program for executing in a computer.

The battery charging method of the electronic device according to the present invention can be executed through software. When implemented in software, the constituent means of the present invention are code segments that perform the necessary work. The program or code segments may be stored on a processor readable medium or transmitted by a computer data signal coupled with a carrier on a transmission medium or network.

Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording devices include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD ± ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, hard disks, optical data storage devices, and the like. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer devices so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings. In addition, the embodiments described in this document may not be limitedly applied, but may be configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made.

60: power supply 100: DTV
110: power supply unit 130: communication unit
150: output unit 160: memory (storage)
180:

Claims (15)

A power supply including a battery;
A communication unit including a first receiving unit configured to receive power information including power rate information for each time zone associated with a smart grid; And
In the case of charging the battery, in consideration of the received power charge information and the time required for the battery to be fully charged, the battery is charged only when it is expected that the battery is fully charged before entering the high charging time section. Control to start
Electronic device containing. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit,
And a user interface for confirming the start of charging of the battery before starting to charge the battery. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit,
Characterized in that the charging of the battery is not performed when it is expected to enter the high charging time period before the time at which the battery is expected to be fully charged from the start of charging the battery arrives. device. The apparatus of claim 3,
If it is expected to enter the high billing time period before the time at which the battery is expected to be fully charged from the time at which the battery starts to be charged, the high charge time period is avoided and the battery is fully charged. Determining a charging start time for securing a time, and starting charging of the battery at the determined charging start time; 5. The apparatus of claim 4,
And provide information on the determined charging start time. 5. The apparatus of claim 4,
And a user interface for confirming that the battery starts to be charged at the determined charging start time before starting charging of the battery at the determined charging start time. The method of claim 6, wherein the control unit,
And the user interface is provided when the charging start time is determined. The method of claim 6, wherein the control unit,
And the user interface is provided when the determined charging start time arrives. In the method for charging a battery provided in an electronic device,
Receiving power rate information for each time zone; And
In the case of charging the battery, determining whether the battery is fully charged before entering the high charging time period, in consideration of the received power rate information and the time required for the battery to be fully charged;
If it is determined that the charging of the battery is completed before entering the high billing time period, the step of starting the charging of the battery is performed.
Battery charging method of an electronic device comprising. The method of claim 9, wherein starting to charge the battery comprises:
Before starting to charge the battery, providing a user interface for confirming the start of charging of the battery
Battery charging method of an electronic device comprising. The method of claim 9,
As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the battery is not fully charged before entering the high charging time period, the charging start time may be determined to avoid the high charging time period and to secure the required time for fully charging the battery. Doing; And
Starting charging of the battery at the determined charging start time;
Battery charging method of the electronic device further comprising. The method of claim 11,
Providing information regarding the determined charging start time
Battery charging method of the electronic device further comprising. The method of claim 11, wherein starting the charging of the battery at the determined start time of charging comprises:
Before starting to charge the battery, providing a user interface for checking the charging time of the battery at the determined time;
Battery charging method of an electronic device comprising. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the user interface comprises:
And the user interface is provided when the charging start time is determined. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the user interface comprises:
And the user interface is provided when the charging start time arrives.

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