JP2000023375A - Electronic equipment device provided with remaining battery capacity indicating means - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a battery to be charged for only the amount required by a user by not changing the indicated content of the remaining capacity of a battery following the terminal voltage fluctuations of the battery during a prescribed time interval controlled by means of a time control, means immediately after the state of the battery changes from a charging state to a discharging state, and vice versa. SOLUTION: For example, a charging detecting circuit section 4 detects that a battery 1 is in a charging state and inputs the detected result to a control section 7, and immediately after the section 7 recognizes the detected result, the section 7 starts a time control section 8. During the prescribed period of time controlled by means of the time control section 8, the control section 7 controls the indication of an indicating section 6, in such a way that the indication is not changed, even when the detected value of the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is inputted to the section 7 and the section 7 calculates the remaining capacity of the battery 1, based on the data stored in a storing section. After a prescribed period of time has elapsed, the control section 7 calculates the remaining capacity of the battery 1, by comparing the detected value of the terminal voltage of the battery 1 inputted to the section 7 from a terminal voltage detecting section 2 with various kinds of data required for estimating the remaining capacity of the battery 1 and stored in a first storing section 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus provided with a battery remaining amount display means, and more particularly to a technique for eliminating an erroneous display of a remaining amount display immediately after charging and discharging of a battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and the like have been used as batteries for electronic equipment. In particular, lithium-ion batteries have a higher terminal voltage and remaining battery capacity than nickel-cadmium batteries. It is known that the correlation with is relatively strong. Utilizing this property, portable communication devices such as current PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) and cellular phones are applied to display the remaining battery level by detecting the terminal voltage of the battery. In addition, in the related art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-131410, a method of notifying the remaining usable time of a portable device that calculates and displays the remaining usable time of the portable device based on the terminal voltage of the lithium ion battery is described. I have.

Next, a conventional battery remaining amount display device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional device for displaying the remaining battery power. In this figure,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a rechargeable battery, 2 denotes a terminal voltage detecting unit for detecting the terminal voltage of the battery 1, and 3 converts the terminal voltage of the battery 1 which is analog data detected by the terminal voltage detecting unit 2 to digital data. A / D converter, 4 indicates a charge detection circuit for detecting whether the battery is in a charged state, and 5 stores various data necessary for estimating the remaining battery level from the battery terminal voltage. Reference numeral 6 denotes a storage unit, 6 denotes a display unit for displaying the remaining battery level and various displays, and 7 denotes a control unit for performing the processing operation of each of the components.

Next, the operation of the conventional battery remaining amount display device will be described. In order to know the remaining amount of the battery, first, the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is detected by the terminal voltage detecting unit 2,
The data is input to the control unit 7 as digital data via the A / D converter 3. The control unit 7 to which the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is input estimates the remaining battery level from the terminal voltage of the battery 1 based on the storage unit 4 storing various data necessary for estimating the remaining battery level from the battery terminal voltage. I do. Then, the control unit 7 displays the estimated remaining battery level using the display unit 6 to indicate the remaining battery level.

[0005] However, when a lithium ion battery is used as the battery 1, the terminal voltage of the lithium ion battery during charging is higher than the terminal voltage of the lithium ion battery when not charging.
As a result, an erroneous display will be performed during charging and during non-charging even if the remaining battery level is the same. Another feature of the lithium ion battery is that the terminal voltage of the lithium ion battery becomes stable when the state changes from a charging state to a discharging state (a state in which the battery charge capacity is released) or from the discharging state to the charging state. Has the property of taking some time. Therefore, the conventional Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-189461 has been proposed.
In order to solve these problems in the official gazette of the issue,
A charge detection circuit unit 4 for detecting whether the battery is being charged or not is provided, and when the charge detection circuit unit 4 detects that the battery is being charged, the control unit 7 controls the state while the battery is being charged. The remaining amount of the battery 1 is not displayed on the display unit 6 or the like so that the remaining amount of the battery 1 is not erroneously recognized. In addition, there is another method of displaying only that the battery 1 is fully charged.

[0006]

However, the method of not displaying the remaining battery level during charging of the battery or not displaying it until the battery is fully charged is inconvenient when urgently needed. Also, even if the remaining battery level is displayed while the battery is being charged, it takes some time for the battery terminal voltage to stabilize when the state of charge and discharge changes, so that the battery shows a higher voltage immediately after the battery charge than when the battery is discharged. For this reason, the remaining battery level is displayed to be larger than the original value, or a high voltage is displayed until the battery becomes stable immediately after the battery discharge, and the original remaining battery level cannot be indicated.

[0007]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having a battery remaining amount display means, comprising: a chargeable battery; and a terminal voltage detecting a terminal voltage of the battery. Detection means, storage means for storing data for estimating the remaining battery level from the voltage detected by the terminal voltage detection means, and voltage detected by the terminal voltage detection means and data stored by the storage means. An electronic apparatus comprising: a comparing means for comparing the remaining battery power; a display means for displaying the remaining battery power output from the comparing means; and a control means for performing overall control of each of the means. A time control means for controlling a predetermined time interval; and a charge detection means for identifying whether the battery is in a charged state or a discharged state. While immediately after it is detected that the change to the discharge state or the discharge state from the charge state to the charging state of the predetermined time interval for controlling said time control means by,
The control unit does not change the content of the remaining battery level display accompanying the change in the battery terminal voltage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including a battery remaining amount display means, a chargeable battery, a terminal voltage detection means for detecting a terminal voltage of the battery, and a state of charge or discharge of the battery. Charge detection means for identifying whether the battery is in a state, first storage means for storing data for estimating the remaining battery capacity when the battery is in a charged state, and data for estimating the remaining battery capacity when the battery is in a discharged state. A storage means for storing the data stored in the first storage means or the data stored in the first storage means or the second storage means, and an output from the comparison means. Display means for displaying the remaining battery charge to be performed, and control means for performing overall control of the respective means, and the battery is charged by the charge detection means. When the battery state is detected, the terminal voltage of the battery is compared with the data stored in the first storage means by the comparing means to calculate the remaining battery power, and when the discharge state is detected, The battery voltage is calculated by comparing the terminal voltage of the battery with the data stored in the second storage means by the comparison means,
The display means may display the remaining battery power.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic apparatus provided with a battery remaining amount display means according to the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals are used in the description of the embodiment of the present invention for the same components as those of the electronic apparatus having the conventional battery remaining amount display means. Each configuration is shown below.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a rechargeable battery; 2, a terminal voltage detecting unit for detecting the terminal voltage of the battery 1; 3, a terminal voltage of the battery 1 which is analog data detected by the terminal voltage detecting unit 2; An A / D converter for converting the data into data, a charge detection circuit unit 4 for detecting whether the battery is in a charged state, a display unit 6 for displaying the remaining amount of the battery and various displays, and a display unit 7 for performing various displays. The figure shows a control unit that performs the processing operation of each of the above components, and is the same as the conventional configuration. Reference numeral 8 denotes a time control unit for controlling a predetermined time interval in which the battery remaining amount display is not updated immediately after charging or discharging, and 9 denotes various kinds of functions necessary for estimating the remaining battery amount from the battery terminal voltage when the battery is in the charging state. Reference numeral 10 denotes a first storage unit that stores data, and 10 denotes a second storage that stores various data necessary for estimating the remaining battery level from the battery terminal voltage when the battery is in a discharged state.
3 shows a storage unit. Also, the battery terminal voltage and the first storage unit 9
Alternatively, means for comparing the data stored in the second storage unit 10 and estimating the remaining battery level is performed by the control unit.

Next, the principle of operation in one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the above configuration. First, a description will be given of a battery remaining amount display method when the state of the electronic apparatus having the battery remaining amount display means is a discharging state, that is, a state not connected to a charger or the like. The unit 4 detects and inputs it to the control unit 7, and the control unit 7 recognizes it. At this time, the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is detected by the terminal voltage detection unit 2 and is input to the control unit 7.
Therefore, since the control unit 7 recognizes that the battery 1 is in a discharged state instead of a charged state, the control unit 7 estimates the input terminal voltage of the battery 1 and the remaining battery level stored in the second storage unit 10. The remaining battery power is calculated by comparing various data necessary for the battery. Then, based on the obtained value, it is displayed on the display unit 6 by a method showing the remaining amount of the battery.

Next, a description will be given of a method of displaying the remaining battery level when the state of the electronic apparatus having the remaining battery level display means changes from a discharged state to a charged state. Immediately after it is detected and input to the control unit 7 and recognized, the control unit 7 activates the time control unit 8. During a predetermined time period controlled by the time control unit 8, the control unit 7 receives the terminal voltage detection value of the battery 1 and calculates the remaining battery level based on the data in the storage unit. Is controlled so that the display content of is not changed. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the terminal voltage detection value of the battery 1 input from the terminal voltage detection unit 2 to the control unit 7 and the various kinds of information necessary for estimating the remaining battery level stored in the first storage unit 9 are obtained. The data is compared to calculate the remaining battery level. Therefore, the reason why the display content of the display unit 6 is controlled so as not to be changed for a predetermined time after the charging state is changed is that the lithium ion battery used for the battery 1 is changed from the discharging state to the charging state, especially in the case of the lithium ion battery. This is because it takes some time for the terminal voltage of the lithium ion battery to stabilize. Next, the reason for calculating the remaining battery charge using the data in the first storage unit 9 during charging is that the terminal voltage of the lithium ion battery during charging is different from the terminal voltage of the lithium ion battery when not charging. Has a property of indicating a high voltage, the second storage unit 10 for estimating the remaining battery level in the discharged state
This is because when the remaining battery level is calculated based on this data, the reference value of the data is different, so that a value larger than the actual remaining battery level is displayed.

Next, FIG. 2 shows this state.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing a change in terminal voltage when the battery 1 changes from a discharged state to a charged state, and a diagram showing an operating state of each component accompanying the graph. The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 2 represents time, and the vertical axis represents the terminal voltage of the battery 1. A time t1 in the figure indicates a point at which the battery 1 changes from a discharged state to a charged state, and a time t2 indicates a point at which a predetermined time has elapsed without changing the display. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, data for calculating the remaining battery level is used in the second storage unit 10 until time t2, and data in the first storage unit 9 is used after time t2. However, this data switching may be performed from the time t1. The reference value A and the reference value B in the figure indicate data stored in the second storage unit 10, and the reference value a and the reference value b indicate data stored in the first storage unit 9. The reference value A and the reference value a are references that indicate that the remaining battery level is low, and the reference values B and b are references that indicate that the battery 1 is fully charged. Further, from the reference value A to the reference value B
2 and between the reference value a and the reference value b, there may be some reference values indicating the state of the remaining battery level, but they are omitted in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the battery 1 in the discharged state is charged at the time t1, the terminal voltage of the battery 1 increases in an unstable state from the time t1 to the time t2, and the battery is actually full. If the reference value data in the second storage unit 10 is used based on the terminal voltage of the battery 1 even though the battery is not charged, it is determined that the battery is fully charged. Therefore, during the period from time t1 to time t2 when the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is unstable, the display on the display unit 6 is not changed so that an erroneous display is not made even if the remaining battery level is estimated from the terminal voltage of the battery 1. To Then, a predetermined time t2
After this, the terminal voltage of the battery 1 becomes stable at a high voltage. Therefore, the first method for estimating the remaining battery level when the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is stabilized at a high voltage is next described.
By estimating the actual remaining battery level using the reference value data in the storage unit 9, the correct remaining battery level can be displayed.

The same can be said for the case where the battery 1 changes from a charged state to a discharged state. FIG. 3 shows this state. FIG. 3 is a graph showing a change in terminal voltage when the battery 1 changes from a charged state to a discharged state, and a diagram showing an operating state of each component accompanying the graph. The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 3 represents time, and the vertical axis represents the terminal voltage of the battery 1. Time t3 in the figure indicates a point at which the battery 1 changes from a charged state to a discharged state,
Time t4 represents a point at which a predetermined time has elapsed without display change. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the data for calculating the remaining battery power is stored in the first data until time t4.
The second storage unit 1 is used after time t4 using the data in the storage unit 9.
Although the data of 0 is used, the switching of the data may be performed from the time t3. The reference values A, B, a and b are the same as those shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, when the battery 1 in the charged state is discharged at the time t3, the terminal voltage of the battery 1 decreases in an unstable state from the time t3 to the time t4. Nevertheless, when the reference value data of the first storage unit 9 is used from the terminal voltage of the battery 1, it is determined that the battery is insufficiently charged.
Therefore, during the period from time t3 to t4 when the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is in an unstable state, the display on the display unit 6 is not changed so that an erroneous display is not made even if the remaining battery level is estimated from the terminal voltage of the battery 1. To After the predetermined time t4 has elapsed, the terminal voltage of the battery 1 becomes stable at a low voltage. Therefore, the correct remaining battery level is estimated by estimating the actual remaining battery level using the reference value data in the second storage unit 10 for estimating the remaining battery level when the terminal voltage of the battery 1 is stabilized at a low voltage. Can be displayed.

Next, the flow of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart starts where the battery is discharged.
In step 101, the battery terminal voltage is detected,
In step 102, the remaining battery charge is calculated from the data in the second storage unit, and in step 103, the value is displayed on the display unit. Next, it is determined in step 104 whether charging has been started. At this time, if the battery has not been charged, the process returns to step 101 and repeats steps up to step 104.

Subsequently, when the start of charging is determined in step 104, the timer of the time control unit is started from that point (step 105), and at the same time, the updating of the remaining battery level display on the display unit is stopped (step 10).
6). When the timer stops after a predetermined time has elapsed (step 107), the data for calculating the remaining battery level uses the data in the first storage unit (step 1).
08), and displays the obtained value on the display unit (step 109). In addition, the terminal voltage of the battery may or may not be detected between step 105 and step 107. However, if the terminal voltage has not been detected, detection is performed again after the timer stops.

Further, when it is detected that the battery has changed from a charged state to a discharged state (step 110),
At that time, the timer of the time control unit is started (step 111), and at the same time, the updating of the remaining battery level display on the display unit is stopped (step 112). If no discharge is detected in step 110, step 1
Returning to step 08, steps 110 to 110 are repeated. When the timer stops after a lapse of a predetermined time (step 113), the process returns to step 101 and repeats the steps of the flowchart to prevent erroneous display of the remaining battery level.

The reason why the content of the battery remaining amount display is not updated is to prevent the display of a remaining amount different from the actual remaining amount of the battery according to a change in the terminal voltage of the battery. Therefore, changing to a display mode that does not indicate an erroneous remaining battery level with a change in the battery terminal voltage is the same as not updating the contents of the remaining battery level display.

Further, data necessary for estimating the remaining amount of the battery when the battery is in a charged state and data necessary for estimating the remaining amount of the battery when the battery is in a discharged state are stored and controlled in one storage unit. It does not matter.

In the present invention, the predetermined time interval controlled by the time control unit may be the same time interval or a different time interval when the battery changes from a discharged state to a charged state or from a discharged state to a charged state.

[0023]

According to the above configuration, according to the electronic apparatus having the battery remaining amount display means of the present invention, the battery remaining amount during the charging of the battery is smaller than that of the conventional electronic apparatus having the battery remaining amount displaying means. Since the correct amount can be displayed and the correct display can be performed immediately after changing the battery from the charged state to the discharged state, the display of the battery remaining amount such as too much or too small relative to the actual battery remaining amount or unstable It is possible to prevent an erroneous display of the remaining battery level, such as a display of the remaining battery level, so that the user does not have to erroneously recognize the remaining battery level. In addition, accurate display of the remaining battery level is the most important factor for calculating the usage time in a portable electronic device,
In addition, when a certain amount of charging is required even when the battery is not fully charged, an accurate display during charging is very convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic apparatus having a battery remaining amount display means according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a change in battery terminal voltage when the state changes from a discharge state to a charge state and the operation state of each component.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change in battery terminal voltage when a charge state changes to a discharge state and an operation state of each component.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic apparatus having a conventional battery remaining amount display means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Battery 2: Terminal voltage detection section 3: A / D converter 4: Charge detection circuit section 5: Storage section 6: Display section 7: Control section 8: Time control section 9: First storage section 10: Second storage Department

Claims (2)

[Claims] A chargeable battery; a terminal voltage detecting means for detecting a terminal voltage of the battery; and a storage means for storing data for estimating a remaining battery level from the voltage detected by the terminal voltage detecting means. A comparing means for comparing a voltage detected by the terminal voltage detecting means with data stored in the storage means; a display means for displaying a remaining battery level output from the comparing means; An electronic device including a battery remaining amount display unit including a control unit that performs control, a time control unit that controls a predetermined time interval, and a charge detection that identifies whether the battery is in a charged state or a discharged state. Means for detecting the change from the charge state to the discharge state or from the discharge state to the charge state by the charge detection means. A battery remaining amount display unit, wherein the control unit does not change the content of the battery remaining amount display accompanying the change in the battery terminal voltage during a predetermined time interval controlled by the control unit. Electronic equipment. 2. A chargeable battery; a terminal voltage detecting means for detecting a terminal voltage of the battery; a charge detecting means for identifying whether the battery is in a charged state or a discharged state; and when the battery is in a charged state. First storage means for storing data for estimating the remaining battery capacity; second storage means for storing data for estimating the remaining battery capacity when the battery is in a discharged state; Comparing means for comparing the obtained voltage with data stored in the first storage means or the second storage means; display means for displaying the remaining battery power output from the comparison means; and overall control of each means. Control means for performing the following operations: when the charge detection means detects the state of charge of the battery, the terminal voltage of the battery and the first storage means The battery level is calculated by comparing the data stored in the stage with the comparing means to calculate the remaining battery level. When the discharge state is detected, the terminal voltage of the battery and the data stored in the second storage means are compared. An electronic apparatus comprising a battery remaining amount display means, wherein the battery remaining amount is calculated by comparing the battery remaining amount with the comparing means, and the battery remaining amount is displayed by the display means.