TW201418959A - Handheld apparatus and battery capacity monitoring method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A handheld apparatus and a battery capacity monitoring method thereof are provided. In the method, the duration that the handheld apparatus is operated by using a battery is set. In a check point within the duration, a least capacity required for the handheld apparatus to maintain basic operations till an end point of the duration is calculated. Further, a current capacity of the battery is detected and determined whether to reach the calculated least capacity. When the current capacity reaches the least capacity, an alert message indicating insufficient battery capacity is prompted.

Description

Handheld device and battery power monitoring method thereof

The present invention relates to an electronic device and a power management method thereof, and more particularly to a handheld device and method for ensuring sufficient battery power.

At present, the application of smart phones is increasing. It is the most common thing for smart phone users to use mobile phones to access the Internet, to go to social networking sites and to play games. However, the demand for mobile phone battery power has increased. At present, users are used to returning home every day when the battery power of the mobile phone is limited, so that they can be used when they go out the next day. That is to say, a fixed charging cycle every day to ensure that the mobile phone can have enough power to support the user's use when going out every day.

However, batteries that are fully charged may still be unable to support the user's use throughout the day due to excessive use by the user. Therefore, when a user uses a mobile phone, he or she often feels that the mobile phone will be low in power after being used for a long time, and there is no power at all before the charging is possible, but it is not known how long the mobile phone can be used.

In order to solve this problem, some existing battery monitoring programs will provide predictions of remaining power, but most of them only present data, for example, you can talk for 2 hours, you can also standby for 8 hours, you can listen to music for 1 hour, and so on. These data are of little value to the user because the user may use the phone for various purposes, not just talking, listening to music, or just waiting. Therefore, this information can only be used as a reference and has limited help to users.

In addition, the existing low-power reminder mechanism, mostly when a fixed remaining power (for example, 15%) arrives, prompts to inform the user that the low battery has been reached. Most users will be a little worried when they see this low battery warning, so they can stop or reduce the features they want to use. This may be too conservative because it doesn't know how long the phone's power can last.

In view of this, the present invention provides a handheld device and a battery power monitoring method thereof, which can ensure that the battery power of the handheld device is sufficiently available.

The invention provides a battery power monitoring method suitable for a handheld device having a battery. The method first sets a time zone in which the handheld device operates using the battery, and at a checkpoint in the time zone, calculates the minimum amount of power required for the handheld device to maintain basic operation to the end of the time zone, and then detects The current battery power, and determine whether the current battery has reached the minimum power, and when the current battery reaches the minimum power, it will prompt the battery low warning message.

The invention further provides a handheld device, which comprises a setting module, a power calculation module, a power detection module and a warning module. The setting module is used to set the time zone in which the handheld device operates using the battery. The power calculation module is configured to calculate a minimum amount of power required by the handheld device to maintain a basic operation to an end of the time zone at a checkpoint within the time zone. The power detection module is used to detect the current battery power and determine whether the current power reaches the minimum power. The warning module is used to indicate that the battery is low when the power detecting module determines that the current power reaches the minimum power.

Based on the above, the handheld device of the present invention and the battery power monitoring method thereof calculate the minimum amount of power required for the basic operation of the handheld device during the period from now to the next charging, in the case where the handheld device operates using the battery, It also detects the current battery level so that when the battery reaches this minimum level, it prompts for a low battery message. Thereby, it is ensured that the battery power of the handheld device is sufficient.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

As far as the actual use of mobile phone users is concerned, the so-called standard of mobile phone power is actually from the time when the mobile phone leaves the charger, and the next time it can be charged, as long as the power of the mobile phone is sufficient for the user to reach the aforementioned charging. It can be used normally before the time point, basically it can meet the user's expectations. For users with normal working schedules, it is usually possible to predict when they can connect the phone to the charger for charging. For example, if the office worker is going to work at 5:40 pm and returning home at around 7:00, then 7:00 is the time when the phone can be charged. The invention is based on the above-mentioned usage habits, and provides an automatic monitoring and reminding mechanism for the battery power, so that the user does not have to worry about the problem of insufficient power of the mobile phone while using the mobile phone.

1 is a block diagram of a handheld device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the handheld device 10 of the embodiment is, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, an e-book, a translator, a notebook computer, and the like, and has a battery and can operate using a battery. The handheld device 10 includes a setting module 12, a power calculation module 14, and a power detection device. Module 16 and warning module 18. These modules are, for example, hardware devices composed of logic circuit components, and can perform battery fuel gauge functions; these modules can also be stored in the storage module 12 of the mobile device 10, which can be loaded into the handheld device 10 The processor performs battery battery monitoring.

2 is a flow chart of a battery power monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 simultaneously, the method of this embodiment is applicable to the handheld device 10 described above. The detailed steps of the battery power monitoring method of the present embodiment will be described below in conjunction with the components of the electronic device 10 described above.

First, the setting module 12 sets a time zone in which the handheld device 10 operates using the battery (step S202). The setting of the time zone is performed manually by the user or automatically by the handheld device 10, and is not limited herein.

In particular, the user can set this time zone according to his or her work, for example. For example, if the user is accustomed to go home at 8:00 in the morning and go home at 8:00 in the morning, the start and end points of the time zone can be set to 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, respectively. On the other hand, if the user's work schedule is normal, the handheld device 10 can monitor the time of daily charging and ending charging by the setting module 12 to determine the time zone mentioned above. The setting module 12 records, for example, a time point at which the handheld device 10 ends charging daily, and calculates an average time of all time points recorded during a period (for example, one week) as a starting point of the time segment; In the aspect, the setting module 12 also records the time point at which the handheld device 10 starts charging daily, and calculates the average time of all the time points recorded during a period (for example, one week) as the end point of the time segment.

Then, the power calculation module 14 calculates, at a checkpoint in the time zone, that the handheld device 10 needs to maintain the basic operation to the end of the time zone. The minimum amount of power (step S204). The basic operations include the standby function of the handheld device 10, the call function, and the short message receiving and receiving function. In addition, the checkpoint may be automatically generated by the handheld device 10 according to a preset, for example, every hour during the hours before the end of the arrival time zone, to alert the user to the battery. Alternatively, the checkpoint may be automatically generated each time the user activates the handheld device 10. That is, whenever the user begins to use the handheld device 10, the handheld device 10 activates its battery power monitoring mechanism to alert the user to the battery at the appropriate time.

On the other hand, when calculating the minimum power, the power calculation module 14 first calculates, for example, the basic power required by the handheld device 10 to maintain basic operation per unit time, and also calculates the current time point to the end of the time segment. The remaining time, and finally calculate the product of the basic power and the remaining time, or add a certain amount of error to the product, which is used as the minimum power.

For example, a user research data shows that the average time per user using the mobile phone is 128 minutes. If the daily uncharged time of the mobile phone is 12 hours, the actual usage time is 12 hours. About 2 hours (including 12 minutes of calls, 10 minutes of messaging), and 10 hours of standby. Based on this benchmark, the time ratios of the three basic functions of the mobile phone to maintain standby, call, and text messaging are as follows: (1) Standby: 50 minutes / 60 minutes; (2) Call: 1 minute / 60 minutes; and (3) Send and receive SMS: 0.83 minutes / 60 minutes.

The three basic functions require 15 milliamps (mA), 500 mA, and 400 mA per hour. According to the above, the power Q required for the mobile phone to maintain the above three basic functions for one hour is: Q = (15 × 50 / 60) + (500 × 1 / 60) + (400 × 0.83 / 60) = 26 mA

This power Q accounts for about 2% of the total battery power (1400mA). If the power consumption of the mobile phone is about 2%, it can be estimated that the basic power required for the basic operation of the mobile phone for 1 hour is 4%. This basic power can be used as the minimum power calculated above after multiplying the remaining time of the mobile phone from charging.

It should be noted that the basic power calculated by the handheld device 10 in the above example is only the power required by the handheld device to perform the standby function, the call function, and the short message receiving and receiving function in a unit time. In other embodiments, the power calculation module 14 can also calculate the amount of power required by the handheld device 10 to perform other functions in a unit time as the basic power according to the settings of the device manufacturer or the user, and is not limited herein.

Then, the power detecting module 16 detects the current power of the battery, and determines whether the current power reaches the minimum power (step S206). Wherein, if the power detecting module 16 determines that the current power has not reached the minimum power, it will continue to detect and compare the battery power, and if the current battery has not reached the minimum power for a certain period of time, or the user stops using the handheld device 10 (for example, When the standby button of the handheld device 10 is pressed, the power detecting module 16 will stop detecting the battery power and wait for the next checkpoint to perform the detection.

On the other hand, if the power detecting module 16 determines that the current power reaches the minimum power, the warning module 18 prompts a warning message that the battery power is insufficient (step S208). The alert module 18, for example, prompts the user to maintain the remaining power (ie, the minimum power) so that the handheld device 10 can be shipped. Go to the end of the time zone (the point in time at which you can charge). On the other hand, the alert module 18 can also prompt the user of the handheld device 10 to manually turn off other functions than the basic operation to enable the handheld device 10 to maintain its basic operation to the end of the time segment. Alternatively, the alert module 18 can automatically turn off other functions of the handheld device 10 other than the basic operation while prompting the warning message to enable the handheld device 10 to maintain its basic operation to the end of the time segment.

With the above battery power monitoring method, the handheld device can actively remind the user to pay attention to the power at the most appropriate timing according to the user's operating habit, instead of passively only reminding when the fixed power value arrives. On the premise of trusting the reminder mechanism of the present invention, when the user uses the handheld device, there is no need to worry that the handheld device may be over-used, resulting in insufficient battery power to support the result of the next charging time point.

For example, FIG. 3 is an example of a battery power monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the embodiment shows the user's daily use of the handheld device on the time axis 30. It is assumed that the user is carrying the handheld device at 8:00 in the morning, and is expected to return home at 8:00 pm to charge the handheld device.

During this time period, the handheld device, for example, will check the minimum power required by the handheld device to maintain basic operation until 8 pm at checkpoint 1 at 12 noon and detect the current power of its battery. Assuming that the handheld device has a minimum power rating of 30% at this time and its current battery capacity is 50%, the user can enjoy the various functions of the handheld device. And when the handheld device determines that the current battery capacity of the battery reaches 30% (conservatively, it can be set to 35%) A warning message will be issued to remind the user that 30% of the battery must be retained to maintain it until 8 pm. Alternatively, the handheld device can alert the user to turn off some of the functionality of the handheld device so that the handheld device can remain operational until 8 pm.

On the other hand, if the user activates the handheld device at checkpoint 2 at 5 pm and is ready to perform the required function, the handheld device will evaluate the minimum power required to maintain basic operation until 8 pm and detect the current battery. Electricity. Assuming that the handheld device has a minimum power rating of 15% and its battery current is 30%, the user can enjoy the various functions of the handheld device. When the handheld device determines that its current battery capacity is 15% (conservatively set to 20%), a warning message will be sent to remind the user that 15% of the battery must be retained to maintain it until 8 pm. Alternatively, the handheld device can alert the user to turn off some of the functionality of the handheld device so that the handheld device can remain operational until 8 pm.

With the above reminder mechanism, the user can be relieved of the problem of insufficient battery power while using the handheld device, and the handheld device can be used as much as possible.

It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, the handheld device calculates that the amount of power required to maintain the basic operation is calculated only for the preset basic function, and in another embodiment, the handheld device can also be based on the checkpoint. The application executed in the background calculates the amount of power it needs to maintain the basic operation until the end of the time zone, in order to determine when to send a warning message. The following is a detailed description of an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a battery power monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 at the same time, and the method of this embodiment is suitable. Used in the handheld device 10 described above. The detailed steps of the battery power monitoring method of the present embodiment will be described below in conjunction with the components of the electronic device 10 described above.

First, the setting module 12 sets a time zone in which the handheld device 10 operates using the battery (step S402). The setting of the time zone is performed manually by the user or automatically by the handheld device 10, and is not limited herein.

Next, the power calculation module 14 calculates the minimum amount of power required by the handheld device 10 to maintain the basic operation to the end of the time zone at a checkpoint in the time zone. The power calculation module 14 checks, for example, an application currently executed by the handheld device in the background, and calculates a basic amount of power required by the handheld device to execute the application in a unit time (step S404). The application executed in the background is, for example, a program executed by the handheld device 10 to maintain basic operations, or an application that the user has previously turned on but not closed on the handheld device 10, and the applications executed in the background. Both of them cause power consumption of the handheld device 10, and thus can be used as a basis for evaluating the basic power required for the handheld device 10 to maintain basic operation.

On the other hand, the power calculation module 14 also calculates the remaining time from the current time point to the end point (step S406), and adds the product or the product of the basic power amount to the remaining time plus the error amount as the minimum power amount (step S408). .

Then, the current detecting module 16 detects the current power of the battery, and determines whether the current power reaches the minimum power (step S410). If the power detecting module 16 determines that the current power has not reached the minimum power, the power detecting module 16 continues to detect and compare the battery power. If the power detecting module 16 determines that the current power reaches the minimum power, the alert module 18 prompts A warning message indicating that the battery is low (step S412).

With the above battery power monitoring method, the handheld device can evaluate its power consumption according to its currently running application, and actively remind the user to pay attention to the power at the most appropriate timing, and ensure that the handheld device can run until the next charging.

In summary, the handheld device of the present invention and its battery power monitoring method calculate the minimum amount of power required for the handheld device to maintain basic operation or current operation until the next charging, during the time period in which the handheld device operates using the battery. Compared with the current battery capacity of the handheld device, it can alert the user to the power at the most appropriate timing. Thereby, the user can use the handheld device with confidence without worrying about the problem of insufficient remaining power.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10‧‧‧Handheld devices

12‧‧‧Setting module

14‧‧‧Power Calculation Module

16‧‧‧Power detection module

18‧‧‧Warning module

30‧‧‧ timeline

S202~S208, S402~S412‧‧‧ steps

1 is a block diagram of a handheld device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

2 is a flow chart of a battery power monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a battery power monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a battery power monitoring method according to an embodiment of the invention.

S202~S208‧‧‧Steps

Claims (10)

A battery power monitoring method for a handheld device having a battery, the method comprising the steps of: setting a time period in which the handheld device operates using the battery; calculating a handheld position at a checkpoint in the time segment The device maintains a minimum amount of power required to operate to one of the end of the time zone, wherein the basic operation includes a standby function of the handheld device, a call function, and a short message transceiving function; detecting a current power of the battery, And determining whether the current power reaches the minimum power; and when the current power reaches the minimum power, prompting a warning message that the battery is low. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of setting the time period in which the handheld device operates using the battery comprises: recording a first time point at which the handheld device ends charging daily, and calculating a period of time Recording a first average time of the first time points as a point of the time segment; and recording a second time point at which the handheld device starts charging daily, and calculating the recorded time period a second average time of the second time points as the end point of the time segment. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the minimum amount of power required by the handheld device to maintain the basic operation to the end of the time zone comprises calculating the handheld device to maintain the unit time Basic operation a basic amount of power required; calculating a remaining time from a current time point to the end point; and adding a product of the basic amount of electricity to the remaining time or the product plus an error amount as the minimum amount of electricity. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the minimum amount of power required by the handheld device to maintain the basic operation to the end of the time zone further comprises: viewing at least the handheld device is currently performing in the background An application; calculating a basic amount of power required by the handheld device to execute the application in a unit time; calculating a remaining time from a current time point to the end point; and dividing the basic power amount with the remaining time The product or the product is added with an error amount as the minimum amount of electricity. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the current power reaches the minimum power, the step of prompting the warning message that the battery is low is further comprising: prompting a user of the handheld device to manually close or The handheld device automatically turns off other functions than the basic operation to maintain the basic operation of the handheld device to the end of the time segment. A handheld device includes: a setting module for setting a time period in which the handheld device operates using the battery; and a power calculation module for calculating the handheld device at a checkpoint in the time zone Maintain a basic operation to one of the end points of the time zone A minimum power required, wherein the basic operation includes a standby function of the handheld device, a call function, and a short message receiving and receiving function; and a power detecting module for detecting a current power of the battery and determining whether the current power is The minimum power is reached; and a warning module is configured to prompt the warning message that the battery is low when the current detecting module determines that the current power reaches the minimum power. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the setting module comprises: recording a first time point at which the handheld device ends charging daily, and calculating one of the first time points recorded during a period of time a first average time as a point of the time segment, and recording a second time point at which the handheld device starts charging daily, and calculating a second average of the second time points recorded during a period of time Time as the end point of the time segment. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the power calculation module includes calculating a basic amount of power required by the handheld device to maintain the basic operation in a unit time, and calculating from a current time point to the end point For a remaining time, the product of the basic amount of electricity and the remaining time plus the amount of error plus the amount of error is taken as the minimum amount of electricity. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the power calculation module further comprises an application for viewing the current execution of the handheld device in the background, and calculating a basic amount of power required by the handheld device to execute the application in a unit time. And calculating a remaining time from the current time point to the end point, and adding a product of the basic power amount to the remaining time or the product plus an error amount as the minimum power amount. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the warning module further comprises a user prompting the handheld device to manually close or automatically turn off other functions than the basic operation to maintain the basic of the handheld device. Operates to the end of the time zone.