JP2009159749A - Charge control device and charge control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent battery capacity lowering unexpected by a user during usage of a mobile in information processing equipment with a built-in secondary battery. <P>SOLUTION: When detecting a power supply interruption of an external power supply (a step S12) during a period when using the information processing equipment while charging a battery in a long-term conservation mode (a battery capacity of approximately 30%) by the external power supply (an AC adapter) (the step S11), an alarm indicative of power supply interruption is displayed at the central section of a display of the information processing equipment (the step S13), and the user is urged to take action (the step S14). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging control device and a charging control method for a secondary battery used in an information processing apparatus such as a notebook computer or a PDA (personal digital assistant) used mainly in an office.

  Since information processing devices, particularly notebook computers, were originally developed mainly for portable use, they were equipped with a secondary battery (hereinafter also abbreviated as “battery”) such as a lithium ion battery, and an AC adapter for commercial power in offices. The battery is connected while being used while being charged, and the charged battery is used as a power source when away from home.

  In order to extend the usage time when using a laptop computer on the go (hereinafter abbreviated as “portable use”), the battery is charged up to the maximum capacity of the battery (hereinafter referred to as “full charge capacity”). In general, the charge is controlled so as to have a capacity close to that.

  In recent years, the space-saving property of notebook computers has been evaluated, and since portable use is possible if necessary, a part of permanent desktop computers tends to be replaced with notebook computers.

  When the notebook personal computer is mainly used as a permanent type, the secondary battery is continuously in a fully charged capacity state. When a battery such as a lithium ion battery is continuously used in a fully charged capacity state, deterioration of the battery constituent material is promoted, and the battery capacity is reduced. That is, it is known that the battery life is shortened. It is also known that use of a charging capacity of about 30% of the maximum capacity of the battery can maximize the battery life.

  As a method of avoiding the continuation of the full charge capacity state, there is a method in which the battery is detached from the notebook computer, the notebook computer is driven from a commercial power source, and the battery is attached to the notebook computer for portable use. However, this method has problems such as poor usability and a loss of work results when the AC power supply is stopped due to an instantaneous power failure or the like.

  In view of this, a battery charge control device / method has been proposed that controls the charge level of the battery to an arbitrary charge level other than the full charge capacity while the battery is still attached to the notebook computer (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a charging mode setting means for setting a battery charge amount to use for full charge or an arbitrary charge capacity, a battery capacity detection means for detecting a remaining battery capacity, and a connection of an external power source. Battery power control and discharge control based on the charge capacity set by the charge mode setting means, the remaining battery capacity, and the elapsed time when the external power supply is connected Like to do.

  Thus, the user sets the battery charging capacity in accordance with the actual usage, thereby avoiding the full charge capacity state of the battery over a long period of time and enabling portable use.

  That is, in the case of the above-mentioned permanent use, it is used in a charge mode with a charge capacity of about 30% (relative to the full charge capacity) that can extend the battery life the most, and in the case of mainly portable use, the full charge mode is used. By using it in the charging mode, it can cope with portable use.

  Even in the case of permanent use, it may be necessary to place the battery in a fully charged capacity state in advance when portable use occurs.

  In such a case, in order to determine whether or not to charge the battery, the user needs to know the current remaining battery capacity. For this purpose, current notebook computers are equipped with a function to notify the user of the remaining battery capacity, but they are often displayed small in one corner of the display, resulting in poor visibility. There is a problem of inadvertently overlooking. A countermeasure for coping with this problem has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In the portable communication terminal incorporating the secondary battery, the one shown in Patent Document 2 displays an image preset by the user over the entire display surface of the portable communication terminal, indicating that the secondary battery is being charged. In addition, the state of the battery capacity is also displayed multiple times to improve visibility.
JP 2002-199616 A JP 2004-320969 A

  However, when the method shown in Patent Document 1 described above is implemented and the notebook personal computer is mainly used as a permanent type, the following problems occur.

  That is, in this case, the user selects the charging mode in which the battery life can be extended most (hereinafter abbreviated as “long-term storage mode”) and uses the notebook computer, so that the AC adapter is disconnected during use. However, when the user ends the use of the notebook computer without noticing that, the following problem occurs. That is, when the AC adapter is detached, the battery charged to 30% is consumed by the notebook computer, and the remaining capacity of the battery is 30% or less, and in some cases, it may become almost zero. In this state, the usage time during portable use is shortened or impossible. Note that the disconnection of the AC adapter here refers to disconnection of the power supply plug to the notebook personal computer or disconnection of the plug to the commercial power outlet, and may include a power failure in some cases.

  Even if the battery has a remaining capacity of 30%, recent notebook computers are energy-saving and can be used for 2 to 3 hours, but if more time is required, 30% It is necessary to charge the battery to the above remaining capacity or full charge capacity. If the user forgets that the charge mode is set to the long-term storage mode and neglects to charge the battery even though the mobile use is scheduled for a long time, the mobile Can not.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. When a notebook personal computer is always used with an AC power supply, charging that can prevent a battery capacity decrease unexpectedly by a user without reducing the battery life. An object is to provide a control device and a charge control method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a charge control device of the present invention is a secondary battery charge control device mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery. Charge control means for charging the secondary battery to multiple levels of charge capacity including long-term storage mode, power supply detection means for detecting power supply from an external power source, and charging the secondary battery with charge capacity at the level of long-term storage mode The power supply detection means includes a control means for notifying that the power supply from the external power supply is stopped when the power supply detection means detects that the power supply from the external power supply is stopped.

  As a result, if the power supply from an external power source such as an AC adapter stops when the notebook computer is used with charging in the long-term storage mode, the user immediately It is possible to prevent the battery capacity from becoming empty by taking appropriate measures. For this reason, even if an unexpected schedule occurs, the information processing apparatus can be carried as it is and used for a predetermined time on the go.

  In addition, the charge control device of the present invention has a low power operation mode in which the power consumption is lower than the power consumption when the information processing device is driven by a secondary battery, and the power supply detection means has power from an external power source. When it is detected that the supply is stopped, the charging control unit may control the operation mode of the information processing apparatus to the low power operation mode during the period in which the power supply is stopped.

  As a result, the rate of decrease in the remaining capacity of the battery that occurs when the supply of power from an external power source such as an AC adapter is stopped due to detachment of the plug or the like can be mitigated.

  The charging control device of the present invention is a charging control device for a secondary battery mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery, and at least a long-term storage mode is set for the secondary battery by the external power source. Charge control means for charging to multiple levels of charging capacity, and when long-term storage mode is selected and the information processing device is used, and when the operation is terminated, full charge or any level of charge is urged Display control means for displaying a message and a charge execution selection button on the display, and when the user operates the charge execution selection button, the charge control means makes the secondary battery faster than the normal charge speed. Charging is performed in a quick charge mode in which charging is performed at

  As a result, when it becomes necessary to carry the information processing device with the user, the user can recognize that he / she has selected and used the charging in the long-term storage mode, and the quick charging can be performed. Because it is asked whether or not it is necessary, it can be quickly charged and used for a long time on the go.

  The charge control method of the present invention is a charge control method for a secondary battery mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery, and has a charge capacity of a plurality of levels including at least a long-term storage mode. A step of charge control, a step of recognizing that the secondary battery is charge-controlled in the long-term storage mode, a step of detecting a stop of the power supply from the external power source, and a stop of the power supply is detected And a step of notifying that power supply has been stopped.

  The charge control method of the present invention is a charge control method for a secondary battery mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery, and has a charge capacity of a plurality of levels including at least a long-term storage mode. A step of charge control, a step of recognizing that the secondary battery is charge-controlled in the long-term storage mode, and an operation to end the use of the information processing device, urging full charge or any level of charge A message to the effect and a charging execution selection button are displayed on the display, and when the user operates the charging execution selection button, the secondary battery is charged in a quick charging mode that charges at a higher speed than the normal charging speed. Including the step of:

  According to the present invention, there is provided a charge control device and a charge control method capable of preventing the battery capacity from being lowered unexpectedly by the user without reducing the battery life when the notebook personal computer is used with an AC power supply. Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  For convenience of explanation, a numerical value is increased for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this numerical value.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an information processing apparatus equipped with a charge control device according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 includes a battery 2, a charge control apparatus 3, power supply terminals 4 a and 4 b that receive power supply from an external power source (not shown) such as an AC adapter, and an information processing apparatus main body 5. .

  The battery 2 includes a measurement / calculation unit 2a for measuring the charging current or discharging current of the battery and calculating the remaining capacity of the battery, and information in the battery such as the remaining capacity, the battery voltage, and the battery ID. A communication unit 2b capable of communicating information with the outside is provided.

  The charge control device 3 includes a microcomputer 31 (hereinafter simply referred to as “microcomputer”), a charge control unit 32, and a power supply detection unit 33 that detects supply of power supplied from an external power source to the power supply terminals 4a and 4b. It consists of and.

  The microcomputer 31 controls the charge control unit 32 based on information from the communication unit 2 b, the power supply detection unit 33, and the information processing apparatus main body unit 5. In addition, a message storage unit 31a is provided inside.

  Based on an instruction from the microcomputer 31, the charge control unit 32 supplies a part of the power supplied from the external power source to the information processing apparatus main body 5 and controls the charging of the battery 2 with various patterns. The various patterns refer to how much charging capacity the battery is charged, and whether charging is performed slowly or rapidly.

  Usually, when the information processing apparatus 1 is mainly carried and used, the battery is charged to the maximum value of the battery capacity when used at a desk (full charge). In addition, a slow charge (for example, a charge in 6 to 10 hours) that can extend the battery life is performed.

  When the information processing apparatus 1 is used as a stationary type and is used mainly by a desk, it is used in a long-term storage mode in which charging control is performed to about 30% of the maximum battery capacity. In this case as well, the charging speed is carried out with slow charging.

  Note that the charging control unit 32 also has a function of supplying the power of the battery 2 to the information processing apparatus main body unit 5 when an external power source is not connected to the power supply terminals 4a and 4b.

  The information processing apparatus main body 5 has a CPU (central processing unit) 51 as a center, a display 52 such as a liquid crystal display element, a backlight 53 of the display 52, an HDD (hard disk drive) 54, a RAM 55, a power control unit 56, a mouse. And an operation unit 57 such as a keyboard.

  The CPU 51 is connected to the microcomputer 31, and various patterns for charging the battery described above are transmitted to the microcomputer 31 when the user operates the mouse 57 with the icons (operation buttons) displayed on the display 52. The

  Further, the CPU 51 displays the message stored in the message storage unit 31 a on the display 52 in response to a request from the microcomputer 31.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 and FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the charging control device 3 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display 52.

  In step S11, the microcomputer 31 checks whether or not the battery charging mode is the long-term storage mode. If it is the long-term storage mode (in the case of Yes), the input of the power supply detection unit 33 is checked in step S12, and if the power supply from the external power supply is stopped (in the case of No), in FIG. A warning is displayed as shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a dialog 52a is displayed at the center of the display 52, and by looking at this, in step S14, the user checks the state of attachment of the AC adapter, and the power supply plug of the AC adapter is disconnected. In this case, the power supply plug is attached to the information processing apparatus 1. When the microcomputer 31 detects power feeding in step S15, the aforementioned dialog 52a is deleted from the display 52 in step S16.

  As described above, the charging control device 3 according to the present embodiment stops the supply of external power only when the user is using the information processing device 1 while charging the battery by setting the long-term storage mode. When it is detected, a message to that effect is immediately displayed on the display 52 of the information processing apparatus 1 to prompt the user to attach an external power supply.

  Therefore, the battery capacity (about 30%) in the long-term storage mode is always secured, and even if the information processing apparatus 1 is used unexpectedly, the short-term (2 to 3 hours) use is guaranteed. . Further, in addition to prompting the external power supply to be attached as a message, or instead of this message, the usable time of the information processing apparatus 1 may be displayed. This makes it easy for the user to determine whether or not to charge from the time he / she wants to use while away from home, and can eliminate time loss due to unnecessary charging in an emergency or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the message storage unit 31 a is provided inside the microcomputer 31. However, the message storage unit 31 a may be provided inside the CPU 51.

  In addition, although demonstrated as displaying a message on a display as a means to notify a user of the supply stop of an external power supply, another means may be sufficient as a notification means. For example, the user may be notified by sound information such as an alarm sound or a message sound, or may be notified by lighting or blinking light using an LED (not shown) provided in the information processing apparatus 1 or the like. Good.

(Embodiment 2)
The charging control apparatus according to the second embodiment reduces power consumption when the battery is set to the long-term storage mode, and extends the usage time of the information processing apparatus 1.

  Only when the user sets the battery to the long-term storage mode and uses the information processing apparatus 1 while charging the battery, when the supply of external power is detected, the power supply is stopped. That is, during the period from step S13 to step S15 in FIG. 2, the operation mode of the information processing apparatus 1 is controlled to an operation mode with lower power consumption than the power consumption in the case of driving with the secondary battery. It is a thing.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and a diagram showing an operation mode of the information processing apparatus 1 in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows the states of power supply to the three types of information processing apparatuses 1 and the operation modes of the information processing apparatus 1 in the respective power supply states. The operation mode when the power supply of the information processing device 1 is driven by an external power source and the battery is charged in a state of being fully charged or nearly full is the normal mode, and similarly, the mode when the battery is driven In the economy mode, similarly, the battery is charged in the 30% long-term storage mode, and the power supply of the external power supply is stopped, and the mode switched to battery driving is referred to as the long-term storage mode. Named and explained.

  When the device operation mode is the normal mode, the backlight 53 is driven with the brightness set by the user and is usually high brightness. The sleep transition time when the information processing apparatus 1 transitions to the sleep state when the keyboard or mouse 57 is not operated for a predetermined time is also the time set by the user.

  When the device operation mode is the economy mode, the backlight 53 is driven with a brightness of about medium brightness. The sleep transition time is, for example, 10 minutes.

  When the device operation mode is the long-term storage mode, the backlight 53 is driven with the lowest luminance. The sleep transition time is, for example, 1 minute.

  These operations are executed by the CPU 51 obtaining information from the microcomputer 31.

  As described above, the charging control device according to the present embodiment detects the stop of the supply of external power only when the user uses the information processing device 1 while charging the battery by setting the long-term storage mode. In this case, during the period when the power supply is stopped, the operation mode of the information processing apparatus 1 is controlled to the operation mode with lower power consumption than the power consumption when the battery is driven with the battery.

  As a result, the rate of decrease in the remaining capacity of the battery that occurs when the supply of power from an external power source such as an AC adapter is stopped due to disconnection of the plug can be mitigated. Accordingly, even in such a case, the usage time of the information processing apparatus 1 can be further extended as compared with the case of normal battery driving.

(Embodiment 3)
The charging control device according to the third embodiment needs to use the information processing device 1 for a long time in a state in which the battery is set in the long-term storage mode and there is no power supply from an external power source due to a sudden business trip or the like. When it occurs, charging is completed faster than usual.

  The present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 6, and FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the charge control device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display 52, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the quick charge control operation.

  In step S <b> 21 of FIG. 5, when the shutdown operation of the information processing apparatus main body 5 is performed, the CPU 51 notifies the microcomputer 31 to that effect. In response to this, the microcomputer 31 checks in step S22 whether the charging mode is the long-term storage mode, and if it is the long-term storage mode (in the case of Yes), the message stored in the message storage unit 31a in step S23. The CPU 51 is instructed to display on the display 52. FIG. 6 shows an example of the display. In FIG. 6, a dialog 52b is displayed at the center of the display 52, which includes a message indicating that the battery capacity is low, a message indicating whether or not to perform quick charging, and a charge capacity selection button 52c. Has been. When the user operates the mouse 57 to move the cursor 52d to, for example, a selection button for 100% display and clicks the mouse 57 (step S24), the microcomputer 31 receives this and the charge control unit 32 in step S25. And a quick charge operation as shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

  In FIG. 7, a characteristic A indicates a charging characteristic of rapid charging, and a characteristic B indicates a normal gradual charging characteristic. In the example of this drawing, the normal charging time for B is 6 hours, while the quick charging time for A is 2 to 3 hours.

  As a result of the quick charge control in step S25 as described above, the microcomputer 31 that has received the charge completion signal of the battery 2 that has detected the completion of charge in step S26 transfers the signal to the CPU 51, and the CPU 51 receives the information in step S27. The processing apparatus 1 is shut down.

  If the user does not select quick charging in step S24, the process jumps to step S27, and the CPU 51 shuts down the information processing apparatus 1.

  During the quick charging of the battery in step S25, it is desirable to display on the display 51 that the quick charging is in progress and to display the remaining capacity of the battery in real time (not shown).

  As described above, the charge control device according to the present invention performs the shutdown operation of the information processing device 1 only when the user sets the long-term storage mode and uses the information processing device 1. Sometimes, a message that prompts full charge or any level of charge and a quick charge selection button are displayed on the display, and if the user operates the selection button, the secondary battery is quickly charged. It is comprised so that it may implement.

  Therefore, even when the information processing apparatus 1 is used with the battery capacity (about 30%) in the long-term storage mode, even when the mobile use occurs for a long time due to an unexpected business trip, the information processing apparatus 1 is shut down. In addition, the user can recognize that the battery capacity is low, and the battery can be charged to a high capacity in a short time, so that long-time portable use is guaranteed.

  In this embodiment, the message confirming to the user whether or not to perform quick charging is not necessarily limited to the shutdown operation, and the user performs a specific operation when setting the battery in the long-term storage mode. By doing so, the above message may be displayed.

  Also in this embodiment, the message storage unit 31a is provided inside the microcomputer 31. However, the message storage unit 31a may be provided inside the CPU 51.

  Further, when charging in the fast charge mode, it is a situation where it is desired to shorten the charging time as much as possible. On the other hand, the time change of the charging rate of the battery during charging generally becomes smaller as the charging rate increases. In particular, the rate of increase of the charging rate is significantly reduced from when the charging rate exceeds 90%, for example. Therefore, when charging in the high-speed charging mode, for example, a charging completion message may be issued to the user when the charging rate reaches 90%. Thereby, the time for the user to leave for a business trip can be shortened.

  The present invention, for example, has a long use time as a permanent type, and can be widely used in general for portable information devices generally receiving power supply from an AC power source.

The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of Embodiment 1 of this invention. Flow chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment Figure showing an example of display on the same display The figure for demonstrating the operation mode of the information processing apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of this invention. Figure showing an example of display on the same display Diagram for explaining the quick charge control operation

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Secondary battery 2a Measurement / calculation part 2b Communication part 3 Charge control apparatus 31 Microcomputer 31a Message storage part 32 Charge control part 33 Power supply detection part 4a, 4b Power supply terminal 5 Information processing apparatus main-body part 51 CPU
52 Display 52a, 52b Dialog 52c Selection Button 52d Cursor 53 Backlight 54 HDD
55 RAM
56 Power control unit 57 Operation unit (mouse / keyboard)

Claims (5)

A charging control device for the secondary battery mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery, wherein the secondary battery is charged by the external power source at a plurality of levels including a long-term storage mode. Charging control means for charging the power supply, power supply detection means for detecting power supply from the external power supply, and charging the secondary battery with a charge capacity at the level of the long-term storage mode. A charging control device comprising: control means for notifying that power supply from the external power source has been stopped when it is detected that power supply from the external power source has been stopped. The information processing apparatus has a low power operation mode with lower power consumption than the power consumption when driven by a secondary battery, and the power supply detection means has stopped power supply from the external power source 2. The charge control according to claim 1, wherein when the power supply is stopped, the charge control unit controls the operation mode of the information processing apparatus to the low power operation mode during a period in which the power supply is stopped. apparatus. A charging control device for the secondary battery mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery, wherein the secondary battery is charged at a plurality of levels including at least a long-term storage mode by the external power source. Charge control means for charging the capacity, a message indicating that full charge or any level of charge is urged and charging when the information processing device is used by selecting the long-term storage mode and the operation is terminated Display control means for displaying an execution selection button on a display, and the charge control means makes the secondary battery faster than a normal charge speed when a user operates the charge execution selection button. The charging control device is characterized in that charging is performed in a quick charging mode. A charge control method for the secondary battery mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery, the charge control method comprising a plurality of charge capacities including at least a long-term storage mode, Recognizing that the secondary battery is controlled to be charged in the long-term storage mode; detecting the stop of power supply from the external power supply; and supplying power when the stop of power supply is detected. And a step of notifying that the operation has been stopped. A charge control method for the secondary battery mounted on an information processing device driven by an external power source or a built-in secondary battery, the charge control method comprising a plurality of charge capacities including at least a long-term storage mode, A step of recognizing that the secondary battery is controlled to be charged in the long-term storage mode; and a message that prompts a full charge or an arbitrary level of charge when an operation for terminating the use of the information processing apparatus is performed. A step of displaying a charge execution selection button on the display; and a step of charging the secondary battery in a quick charge mode for charging the secondary battery at a speed higher than a normal charge speed when the user operates the charge execution selection button. The charge control method characterized by including.

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