JP2020108223A - Charging control device, charging case, charging system, charging control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a charging control device, a charging case, a charging system, a charging control method, and a program, for appropriately notifying a remaining capacity.SOLUTION: The charging control device includes: a case 10H to and from which a wireless earphone 50 can be attached and detached; a case battery 17 for charging an earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50; an earphone charging circuit 22 for charging the earphone battery 56; a detection unit 32 for detecting an attachment or detachment state of the wireless earphone 50 to or from the case 10H; a prediction unit 33 for predicting a usable time of the earphone battery 56; a determination unit 35 for determining whether a time for notifying a remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 has been reached based on a prediction result of the prediction unit 33 when the detection unit 32 detects that the wireless earphone 50 is in a detached state from the case 10H; and an output control unit 37 for performing control to output a notification regarding the remaining capacity when it is determined that the time to notify the remaining capacity has been reached.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a charging control device, a charging case, a charging system, a charging control method and a program.

While the number of products having a built-in battery such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) earphones is increasing, the products are becoming smaller. Along with this, miniaturization of batteries is also advancing, and battery life is becoming an issue. In such a situation, when the battery level is very low, the notification function that prompts charging is important. A technique is known in which the earphone itself monitors the remaining battery level and the earphone itself emits a notification sound (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2003-087367, A

However, if the user does not wear earphones, the notification sound may be missed. If the notification sound is emitted during music reproduction, the user may feel uncomfortable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a charging control device, a charging case, a charging system, a charging control method, and a program that appropriately notify the remaining capacity.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a charging control device according to the present invention includes a detection unit that detects a detached state of the wireless earphone in a detachable housing, and a housing. When a prediction unit that predicts the usable time of the earphone battery of the wireless earphone that is charged by the arranged case battery and the detection unit detects that the wireless earphone is in the detached state from the housing, Based on the prediction result of the prediction unit, a determination unit that determines whether the time for notifying the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached, and a time for the determination unit to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached. When it is determined that the output control unit outputs a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery, the output control unit is provided.

A charging case according to the present invention includes a housing to which a wireless earphone can be attached and detached, a case battery arranged in the housing to charge an earphone battery of the wireless earphone, and an electric power supplied from the case battery. A charging circuit that charges the earphone battery, a detection unit that detects the attachment/detachment state of the wireless earphone to the housing, a prediction unit that predicts the usable time of the earphone battery, and the detection unit that the wireless earphone. When it is detected that the battery pack is removed from the housing, a determination unit that determines whether or not the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached, based on the prediction result of the prediction unit, and the determination unit When it is determined that has reached the time of notifying the remaining capacity of the earphone battery, an output control unit that performs control to output a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery.

A charging system according to the present invention includes the above charging case and a wireless earphone.

A charging control method according to the present invention includes a detection step of detecting a detached state of the wireless earphone in a housing to which the wireless earphone is detachable, and a wireless earphone that is charged by a case battery arranged in the housing. When a prediction step of predicting the usable time of the earphone battery and the detection step detects that the wireless earphone is detached from the housing, the earphone battery is estimated based on the prediction result in the prediction step. The determination step of determining whether the time to notify the remaining capacity of the battery has been reached, and the remaining capacity of the earphone battery when it is determined in the determination step that the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached An output control step of performing control to output a notification regarding.

A program according to the present invention includes a detection step of detecting a detached state of the wireless earphone in a housing in which the wireless earphone is detachable, and an earphone of the wireless earphone charged by a case battery arranged in the housing. When a prediction step of predicting the usable time of the battery and the detection step detects that the wireless earphone is in the detached state from the housing, based on the prediction result in the prediction step, the earphone battery A determination step of determining whether the time for notifying the remaining capacity has been reached, and if the determination step determines that the time for notifying the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached, a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery And an output control step for performing control for outputting.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the charging control device, the charging case, the charging system, the charging control method, and the program that appropriately notify the remaining capacity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a charging system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charging case according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the left earphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the right earphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5: is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the charging system which concerns on 1st embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charging case according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the charging system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charging case according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the left earphone according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the right earphone according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the charging system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing flow in the charging system according to the third embodiment.

An embodiment of a charging system 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a charging system according to the first embodiment. The charging system 1 includes a charging case 10 and a left/right separated wireless earphone 50. In the charging system 1, the case battery 17 of the charging case 10 charges the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50. In the charging system 1, the charging case 10 predicts the usable time of the wireless earphone 50 and notifies the remaining capacity.

Here, the wireless earphone 50 includes a left earphone 50L and a right earphone 50R that are separated. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the left earphone 50L and the right earphone 50R, the wireless earphone 50 will be described. The earphone battery 56 includes a left earphone battery (hereinafter referred to as “left battery”) 56L and a right earphone battery (hereinafter referred to as “right battery”) 56R. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R, the earphone battery 56 will be described.

Further, the charging case 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charging case 10 according to the first embodiment. The charging case 10 is a case that can accommodate the wireless earphone 50. The charging case 10 is charged with the wireless earphone 50 housed therein. The charging case 10 includes a housing 10H, a communication unit 11, a display unit 12, a speaker 13, a vibration unit 14, a left earphone charging terminal (hereinafter, referred to as “left charging terminal”) 15, and a right earphone. Charging terminal (hereinafter referred to as "right charging terminal") 16, case battery 17, power supply terminal 18, case charging circuit 21, earphone charging circuit (charging circuit) 22, control unit (charging) Control device) 30.

The housing 10H defines the outer shape of the charging case 10. The wireless earphone 50 can be attached to and detached from the housing 10H. More specifically, the housing 10H can accommodate the wireless earphone 50 inside. In this embodiment, the housing 10H is formed in a cylindrical shape. The housing 10H includes a communication unit 11, a display unit 12, a speaker 13, a vibration unit 14, a left charging terminal 15, a right charging terminal 16, a case battery 17, a power supply terminal 18, a case charging circuit 21, and an earphone charging circuit. 22 and a control unit 30 are arranged.

The communication unit 11 is a communication unit. The communication unit 11 connects the wireless earphone 50 and the portable electronic device 100 so that data can be transmitted and received. The communication unit 11 is capable of short-range wireless communication and short-range electromagnetic induction including, for example, Bluetooth or NFMI (Near Field Magnetic Induction). In the present embodiment, the communication unit 11 can be paired with the wireless earphone 50 by Bluetooth connection. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 11 can be paired with the portable electronic device 100 by Bluetooth connection.

The display unit 12 displays a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56. The display unit 12 is a display including a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display. In the present embodiment, the display unit 12 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10H. The display unit 12 displays information based on the display signal output from the display control unit 371 of the output control unit 37.

The speaker 13 outputs a notification sound regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56. The speaker 13 displays a sound based on the sound signal output from the sound control unit 372 of the output control unit 37. The speaker 13 is arranged on the outer periphery of the housing 10H.

The vibration unit 14 generates vibration indicating a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56. The vibrating unit 14 generates vibration based on the control signal output from the vibration control unit 373 of the output control unit 37.

The left charging terminal 15 is a terminal to which the left charging terminal 57L (see FIG. 3) of the left earphone 50L of the wireless earphone 50 can be connected. The left charging terminal 15 is connected to the case battery 17 via the earphone charging circuit 22. The left charging terminal 15 supplies a charging current from the case battery 17 to the left battery 56L of the left earphone 50L via the left charging terminal 57L. The left charging terminal 15 is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10H.

The right charging terminal 16 is a terminal to which the right charging terminal 57R (see FIG. 4) of the right earphone 50R of the wireless earphone 50 can be connected. The right charging terminal 16 is connected to the case battery 17 via the earphone charging circuit 22. The right charging terminal 16 supplies a charging current from the case battery 17 to the right battery 56R of the right earphone 50R via the right charging terminal 57R. The right charging terminal 16 is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10H.

The case battery 17 charges the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50. The case battery 17 is connected to the case charging circuit 21 and the earphone charging circuit 22. The case battery 17 is a rechargeable battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The case battery 17 is, for example, a nickel hydrogen rechargeable battery, a lithium ion rechargeable battery, or a lithium polymer rechargeable battery. The case battery 17 is built in the housing 10H.

The power supply terminal 18 can be connected to an AC power supply (commercial power supply) or a DC power supply. The power supply terminal 18 is connected to the case charging circuit 21. The power supply terminal 18 outputs the alternating current supplied from the alternating current power supply or the direct current supplied from the direct current power supply such as a mobile battery to the case charging circuit 21.

The case charging circuit 21 is a charging circuit that charges the case battery 17. The case charging circuit 21 is connected to the case battery 17 and the power supply terminal 18. When the AC power supply is connected to the power supply terminal 18, the case charging circuit 21 converts the AC input through the power supply terminal 18 into a DC suitable for charging the case battery 17, and the case battery 17 is used. Supply to. When a DC power supply is connected to the power supply terminal 18, the case charging circuit 21 supplies the DC for input to the case battery 17 via the power supply terminal 18.

The earphone charging circuit 22 is a charging circuit that charges the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50. The earphone charging circuit 22 is connected to the case battery 17, the left charging terminal 15, the right charging terminal 16, and the prediction unit 33. The earphone charging circuit 22 converts the direct current output from the case battery 17 into a direct current suitable for charging the earphone battery 56, and transfers it to the earphone battery 56 via the left charging terminal 15 and the right charging terminal 16. Supply.

The control unit 30 is, for example, an arithmetic processing device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 30 loads the program stored in the storage unit (not shown) into the memory and executes the instructions included in the program. The control unit 30 includes an internal memory (not shown) and is used for temporary storage of data. The control unit 30 includes a communication control unit 31, a detection unit 32, a prediction unit 33, a notification time setting unit 34, a determination unit 35, a notification selection unit 36, and an output control unit 37.

The communication control unit 31 controls the communication unit 11 to perform wireless communication with the wireless earphone 50 or the portable electronic device 100.

The detection unit 32 detects the attachment/detachment state of the wireless earphone 50 to/from the housing 10H. The detection unit 32 detects the attachment/detachment state based on the electrical connection state between the left charging terminal 15 and the left earphone 50L and the electrical connection state between the right charging terminal 16 and the right earphone 50R. When the left charging terminal 15 and the left earphone 50L are electrically connected and the right charging terminal 16 and the right earphone 50R are electrically connected, the detection unit 32 attaches the wireless earphone 50 to the housing 10H. It is detected that it is in the open state. When the left charging terminal 15 and the left earphone 50L are not electrically connected to each other or the right charging terminal 16 and the right earphone 50R are not electrically connected to each other, the detection unit 32 detects the wireless earphone from the housing 10H. It is detected that 50 is in the removed state.

The detection unit 32 may detect the attachment/detachment state of the wireless earphone 50 with respect to the housing 10H by another method. For example, the detection unit 32 may detect the attachment/detachment state based on the operation of the movable member that moves by attaching/detaching the wireless earphone 50 to/from the housing 10H. The detection unit 32 may detect the attachment/detachment state based on the detection result of the sensor that detects attachment/detachment of the wireless earphone 50 to/from the housing 10H. For example, the detection unit 32 may detect that the wireless earphone 50 is removed when the usage information indicating the usage state acquired from the wireless earphone 50 indicates that music data is being reproduced.

The prediction unit 33 predicts the usable time of the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50. More specifically, the prediction unit 33 acquires charging information including a charging current and a charging time from the earphone charging circuit 22 when the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50 is charged. Then, the prediction unit 33 calculates the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 based on the charging information acquired from the earphone charging circuit 22, and predicts the usable time from the remaining capacity. The relationship between the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 and the usable time is stored in the storage unit in advance. Alternatively, the prediction unit 33 acquires the voltage information of the earphone battery 56 from the left charging terminal 15 or the right charging terminal 16 in a state where the wireless earphone 50 is attached to the housing 10H, and the voltage of the earphone battery 56 is acquired. The usable time may be predicted from the. The relationship between the voltage of the earphone battery 56 and the usable time is stored in the storage unit in advance.

The notification time setting unit 34 sets a time for notifying the remaining capacity based on the available time predicted by the prediction unit 33. More specifically, the notification time setting unit 34 sets a predetermined time before the usable time as the time for notifying the remaining capacity. For example, when the available time is “180 minutes”, the notification time setting unit 34 sets “150 minutes”, which is “30 minutes before” the available time, as the time for notifying the remaining capacity. Alternatively, the notification time setting unit 34 may set the time obtained by multiplying the available time by a predetermined ratio as the time for notifying the remaining capacity. For example, when the usable time is “100 minutes”, the notification time setting unit 34 may set “80 minutes later” multiplied by “0.8” as the time for notifying the remaining capacity.

When the detection unit 32 detects that the wireless earphone 50 is detached from the housing 10H, the determination unit 35 reaches the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 33. Determine whether you have done. The determination unit 35 retains the elapsed time from when the state of the wireless earphone 50 indicated by the detection result of the detection unit 32 changes from the mounted state to the removed state, in other words, the elapsed time from when the wireless earphone 50 is removed. It is determined whether the time to notify the capacity has been reached.

When the determination unit 35 determines that the time to notify the remaining capacity has been reached, the notification selection unit 36 selects a notification method for notifying the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56. More specifically, the notification selection unit 36 uses a display method, a voice notification method, or a notification method according to the usage status indicated by the usage information including the playback information indicating the playback status of the music data acquired from the wireless earphone 50. , One or more notification methods among the notification methods by vibration are selected. For example, when the usage information indicates that the wireless earphone 50 is reproducing music data, the notification selection unit 36 selects a method of notifying by display and a method of notifying by vibration. For example, when the usage information indicates that the wireless earphone 50 is not reproducing music data, the notification selection unit 36 selects a method of notifying by voice.

Furthermore, the notification selection unit 36 may select which of the charging case 10, the wireless earphone 50, or the portable electronic device 100 will notify the remaining capacity, according to the detection result of the detection unit 32. .. When the wireless earphone 50 is in the detached state and the remaining capacity of the wireless earphone 50 is zero, the notification selection unit 36 selects a notification method for the charging case 10 or the portable electronic device 100 to notify the remaining capacity. When the wireless earphone 50 is in the detached state and the remaining capacity of the wireless earphone 50 is larger than zero, the notification selection unit 36 selects a notification method for the wireless earphone 50 to notify the remaining capacity. When selecting the notification method in which the charging case 10 notifies the remaining capacity, the notification selecting unit 36 causes the output control unit 37 to execute the remaining capacity notification. When the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method in which the portable electronic device 100 or the wireless earphone 50 notifies the remaining capacity, the notification selection unit 36 notifies the portable electronic device 100 or the wireless earphone 50 of the remaining capacity via the communication control unit 31. Outputs a control signal to execute the notification.

The output control unit 37 determines that the determination unit 35 has reached the time of notifying the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56, and when the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method of notifying from the charging case 10, the earphone battery 56. Controls to output the notification about the remaining capacity of the. The output control unit 37 performs control based on the notification method selected by the notification selection unit 36. The output control unit 37 includes a display control unit 371, a voice control unit 372, and a vibration control unit 373. The output control unit 37 controls the display control unit 371, the voice control unit 372, or the vibration control unit 373 according to the selection method selected by the notification selection unit 36.

The display control unit 371 controls the display unit 12 to output the information indicating the notification when the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method by the display and the notification method by the charging case 10.

When the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method by voice and the notification method by the charging case 10, the audio control unit 372 controls the speaker 13 to output a notification sound.

The vibration control unit 373 controls the vibration unit 14 to generate vibration indicating the notification when the notification selection unit 36 selects the method of notification by vibration and the notification method of the charging case 10.

The wireless earphone 50 has a left earphone 50L and a right earphone 50R. The left earphone 50L and the right earphone 50R are paired by Bluetooth connection, for example.

The left earphone 50L will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the left earphone according to the first embodiment. The left earphone 50L is an earphone for the left ear. The left earphone 50L acquires music data from the portable electronic device 100. The left earphone 50L outputs left channel data of music data from the speaker 54L. The left earphone 50L outputs the right channel data of the music data to the right earphone 50R. The left earphone 50L includes a communication unit 51L, a left/right communication unit 52L, a light emitting unit 53L, a speaker 54L, a vibrating unit 55L, a left battery 56L, a left charging terminal 57L, and a control unit 60L.

The communication unit 51L is a communication unit. The communication unit 51L is connected to the portable electronic device 100 so that data can be transmitted and received. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 51L receives data including music data from the portable electronic device 100. The communication unit 51L is capable of short-range wireless communication including Bluetooth or NFMI and short-range electromagnetic induction, for example. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 51L can be paired with the portable electronic device 100 by Bluetooth connection.

The left/right communication unit 52L is a communication unit. The left/right communication unit 52L is connected to the right earphone 50R so that data can be transmitted/received. In the present embodiment, the left/right communication unit 52L transmits right channel data of the music data received from the portable electronic device 100 to the right earphone 50R. The left/right communication unit 52L is capable of short-range wireless communication including Bluetooth, for example. The communication unit 51L can be paired with the right earphone 50R by Bluetooth connection.

The light emitting unit 53L displays the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 by emitting light. The light emitting unit 53L is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In the present embodiment, the light emitting portion 53L is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the left earphone 50L. The light emitting unit 53L emits light or stops emitting light based on the control signal output from the light emission control unit 631L of the output control unit 63L.

The speaker 54L outputs a sound to be viewed by the left ear. The speaker 54L converts an electric signal obtained by D/A converting the left channel data of the music data in the audio control unit 632L of the output control unit 63L into a sound and outputs the sound. Further, the speaker 54L outputs the sound of the notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56, which is output from the sound control unit 632L.

The vibration unit 55L generates vibration indicating a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56. The vibrating section 55L generates vibration based on the control signal output from the vibration control section 633L of the output control section 63L.

The left battery 56L supplies electric power for operating the left earphone 50L. The left battery 56L is connected to the left charging terminal 57L. The left battery 56L is a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The left battery 56L is, for example, a nickel hydrogen rechargeable battery, a lithium ion rechargeable battery, or a lithium polymer rechargeable battery. The left battery 56L is built in the left earphone 50L.

The left charging terminal 57L is a terminal connectable to the left charging terminal 15 of the charging case 10. The left charging terminal 57L is connected to the left battery 56L. The left charging terminal 57L supplies the charging current supplied from the left charging terminal 15 to the left battery 56L. The left charging terminal 57L is arranged on the outer periphery of the left earphone 50L.

The control unit 60L is, for example, an arithmetic processing device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 60L loads the program stored in the storage unit (not shown) into the memory and executes the instructions included in the program. The control unit 60L includes an internal memory (not shown) and is used for temporary storage of data. The control unit 60L includes a communication control unit 61L, a left/right communication control unit 62L, and an output control unit 63L.

The communication control unit 61L controls the communication unit 51L to perform wireless communication with the portable electronic device 100 and the charging case 10.

The left/right communication control unit 62L controls the left/right communication unit 52L to perform wireless communication with the right earphone 50R.

The output control unit 63L controls the output of the left earphone 50L. More specifically, the output control unit 63L controls the left earphone 50L to output music data as sound. In addition, the output control unit 63L controls the wireless earphone 50 to output a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56. The output control unit 63L includes a light emission control unit 631L, a voice control unit 632L, and a vibration control unit 633L.

The light emission control unit 631L controls the light emission of the light emission unit 53L and the stop of the light emission. The light emission control unit 631L controls the light emission unit 53L to emit light and output information indicating the notification when the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method by display and the notification method notified by the wireless earphone 50. The light emission control unit 631L emits light when a predetermined time has elapsed after the light emitting unit 53L was made to emit light, when the user performed an operation to stop the notification, or when the charging of the earphone battery 56 was started. Stop.

The audio control unit 632L causes the speaker 54L to output a signal obtained by D/A converting and amplifying the left channel data of the music data. In addition, when the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method by voice and the notification method by the wireless earphone 50, the audio control unit 632L controls to output the notification sound from the speaker 54L. The voice control unit 632L outputs the notification voice from the speaker 54L, a predetermined time has elapsed, the user performs an operation to stop the notification, or the charging of the earphone battery 56 is started. Stop outputting notification sound.

The vibration control unit 633L controls the vibration unit 55L to generate vibration indicating the notification when the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method by vibration and the notification method notified by the wireless earphone 50. The vibration control unit 633L vibrates the vibrating unit 55L after a predetermined time has elapsed, when the user performs an operation to stop the notification, or when the charging of the earphone battery 56 is started. Stop.

The right earphone 50R will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the right earphone according to the first embodiment. The right earphone 50R is an earphone for the right ear. The right earphone 50R acquires the right channel data of the music data from the left earphone 50L and outputs it. The right earphone 50R includes a left/right communication unit 52R, a speaker 54R, a right battery 56R, a right charging terminal 57R, and a control unit 60R.

The left/right communication unit 52R is a communication unit. The left/right communication unit 52R is connected to the left earphone 50L so that data can be transmitted/received. In the present embodiment, the left/right communication unit 52R receives the right channel data of the music data from the left earphone 50L. The left/right communication unit 52R is capable of short-range wireless communication including Bluetooth, for example. The left/right communication unit 52R can be paired with the left earphone 50L by Bluetooth connection.

The speaker 54R outputs a sound to be viewed by the right ear. The speaker 54R converts an electric signal obtained by D/A converting the right channel data of the music data into a sound in the audio control unit 632R and outputs the sound.

The right battery 56R supplies electric power for operating the right earphone 50R. The right battery 56R is connected to the right charging terminal 57R. The right battery 56R is a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The right battery 56R is, for example, a nickel hydrogen rechargeable battery, a lithium ion rechargeable battery, or a lithium polymer rechargeable battery. The right battery 56R is built in the right earphone 50R.

The right charging terminal 57R is a terminal connectable to the right charging terminal 16 of the charging case 10. The right charging terminal 57R is connected to the right battery 56R. The right charging terminal 57R supplies the charging current supplied from the right charging terminal 16 to the right battery 56R. The right charging terminal 57R is arranged on the outer periphery of the right earphone 50R.

The control unit 60R is, for example, an arithmetic processing unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 60R loads the program stored in the storage unit (not shown) into the memory and executes the instructions included in the program. The control unit 60R includes an internal memory (not shown) and is used for temporary storage of data. The control unit 60R has a left/right communication control unit 62R and a voice control unit 632R.

The left/right communication control unit 62R controls the left/right communication unit 52R to perform wireless communication with the left earphone 50L.

The audio control unit 632R controls the right earphone 50R to output music data as sound. The audio control unit 632R causes the speaker 54R to output a signal obtained by D/A converting and amplifying the right channel data of the music data.

In the present embodiment, the wireless earphone 50 is described as the left earphone 50L being a master unit capable of communicating with the portable electronic device 100 and the right earphone 50R being a slave unit capable of communicating with the left earphone 50L. Not limited to. In the wireless earphone 50, the right earphone 50R may be the master device and the left earphone 50L may be the slave device. In this case, the configurations of the left earphone 50L and the right earphone 50R are opposite to the above.

Next, information processing in the charging system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5: is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the charging system which concerns on 1st embodiment.

The control unit 30 predicts the usable time of the earphone battery 56 by the prediction unit 33 (step S101). For example, the prediction unit 33 predicts the usable time based on the charging information acquired from the earphone charging circuit 22 when the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50 is charged. The control unit 30 proceeds to step S102.

The control unit 30 determines by the detection unit 32 whether the wireless earphone 50 has been detached from the charging case 10 (step S102). When the detection unit 32 determines that the wireless earphone 50 has been removed from the charging case 10 (Yes in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103. When the detection unit 32 determines that the wireless earphone 50 is not removed from the charging case 10 (No in step S102), the process of step S101 is executed again.

When determining that the wireless earphone 50 has been removed from the charging case 10 (Yes in step S102), the control unit 30 causes the notification time setting unit 34 to notify the remaining capacity based on the usable time predicted by the prediction unit 33. The time to perform is set (step S103). More specifically, the control unit 30 causes the notification time setting unit 34 to set the time for notifying the remaining capacity from the available time when the wireless earphone 50 is detached. For example, when the predicted usable time is "180 minutes", "30 minutes before" "150 minutes later" of the usable time is set as the time for notifying the remaining capacity. The control unit 30 proceeds to step S104.

The control unit 30 determines whether the time to notify the remaining capacity has been reached (step S104). When the control unit 30 determines that the elapsed time from when the wireless earphone 50 is changed from the mounted state to the detached state has reached the time to notify the remaining capacity (Yes in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. When the control unit 30 determines that the time to notify the remaining capacity has not been reached (No in step S104), the process of step S103 is executed again.

The control unit 30 selects the notification method by the notification selection unit 36 (step S105). More specifically, the notification selection unit 36 is one or more of a method of notifying by display, a method of notifying by voice, or a method of notifying by vibration according to the usage state indicated by the usage information acquired from the wireless earphone 50. Select the notification method of. In addition, the notification selection unit 36 may select which of the charging case 10, the wireless earphone 50, and the portable electronic device 100 performs the notification of the remaining capacity, according to the detection result of the detection unit 32. .. The control unit 30 proceeds to step S106.

The control unit 30 notifies the remaining capacity (step S106). More specifically, when the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method notified by the charging case 10, the control unit 30 controls the output control unit 37 to output information indicating the notification from the charging case 10. When the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method notified by the wireless earphone 50, the control unit 30 controls the output control unit 63L to output information indicating the notification from the left earphone 50L. When the notification selection unit 36 selects the notification method notified by the portable electronic device 100, the control unit 30 controls the portable electronic device 100 to output information indicating the notification.

The control unit 30 stops the notification when a predetermined time has passed after the notification of the remaining capacity, when the user performs an operation for stopping the notification, or when the charging of the earphone battery 56 is started. Let

In this way, the charging case 10 predicts the usable time of the wireless earphone 50 by the prediction unit 33. Then, when the detection unit 32 detects that the wireless earphone 50 is detached from the housing 10H, the charging case 10 causes the determination unit 35 to determine whether the remaining capacity notification time has been reached. When the determination unit 35 determines that the remaining capacity notification time has arrived, the charging case 10 notifies the remaining capacity.

In the present embodiment, one or more of a notification method by display, a notification method by voice, and a notification method by vibration are selected according to the usage state of the wireless earphone 50. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to select which of the charging case 10, the wireless earphone 50, and the portable electronic device 100 performs the notification of the remaining capacity according to the detection result of the detection unit 32. According to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately notify the remaining capacity according to the situation. Thereby, for example, the present embodiment can notify the remaining capacity even when the user is not using the wireless earphone 50. For example, in the present embodiment, when the user is using the playback of music data with the wireless earphone 50, the user can be notified of the remaining capacity without disturbing viewing.

In the present embodiment, the remaining capacity may be notified only by the charging case 10. In this case, the configurations of the communication unit 11 and the communication control unit 31 of the charging case 10 are unnecessary, and the configuration can be simplified.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the prediction unit 33 of the charging case 10 predicts the usable time of the wireless earphone 50. In the present embodiment, when the detection unit 32 of the charging case 10 detects that the wireless earphone 50 is in the detached state from the housing 10H, the determination unit 35 determines whether the remaining capacity notification time has been reached. .. In this way, the present embodiment can notify the remaining capacity when the charging case determination unit 35 determines that the remaining capacity notification time has arrived. According to this embodiment, the remaining capacity can be notified even when the power of the wireless earphone 50 is not turned on. This embodiment can prevent forgetting to charge the wireless earphone 50.

[Second embodiment]
The charging system 1A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charging case according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the charging system according to the second embodiment. The charging system 1A has the same basic configuration as the charging system 1 of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those of the charging system 1 are designated by the same or corresponding symbols, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The charging case 10A of the charging system 1A is different from that of the first embodiment in that the control unit 30A has a specifying unit 38A and the processing in the prediction unit 33A and the determination unit 35A.

For the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50, the prediction unit 33A predicts the usable time of the left battery 56L and the usable time of the right battery 56R, respectively. More specifically, the prediction unit 33A acquires the charging information of each of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R from the earphone charging circuit 22 when the earphone battery 56 of the wireless earphone 50 is charged. Then, the prediction unit 33A calculates the remaining capacities of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R based on the charging information acquired from the earphone charging circuit 22, and predicts the usable time from the remaining capacities. .. Alternatively, the prediction unit 33A acquires the voltage information of the earphone battery 56 from the left charging terminal 15 and the right charging terminal 16 in the state where the wireless earphone 50 is attached to the housing 10H, and the left battery 56L and the right battery 56L are acquired. The usable time may be predicted from the voltage of the battery 56R.

The specifying unit 38A specifies one of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R of the earphone battery 56 having the smaller remaining capacity, based on the usable time predicted by the predicting unit 33A.

The determination unit 35A determines whether or not the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 has been reached based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 33A for the smaller remaining capacity specified by the specifying unit 38A.

Next, information processing in the charging system 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Step S111, step S113, step S115 to step S117 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 performs the same processing as step S101, step S102, step S104 to step S106 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

The control unit 30A identifies the one with the shortest available time (step S112). More specifically, the control unit 30A uses the specifying unit 38A to specify which of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R of the earphone battery 56 has the smaller remaining capacity, based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 33A. The control unit 30A proceeds to step S113.

The control unit 30A sets the time for notifying the remaining capacity based on the available time of the shorter available time predicted by the prediction unit 33A by the notification time setting unit 34 (step S114). The control unit 30A proceeds to step S115.

In this way, the charging case 10A predicts the usable time of each of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R of the wireless earphone 50, and notifies the remaining capacity based on the shorter usable time.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the charging case 10A predicts the usable time of each of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R of the wireless earphone 50, and notifies the remaining capacity based on the shorter usable time. It can be carried out. According to the present embodiment, the remaining capacity can be appropriately notified even when the usable time of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R are different.

[Third embodiment]
The charging system 1B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the charging case according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the left earphone according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the right earphone according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the charging system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing flow in the charging system according to the third embodiment. The charging case 10B of the charging system 1B differs from the first embodiment in that the control unit 30B has a remaining capacity acquisition unit 39B and the processing in the prediction unit 33B. The left earphone 50LB differs from the first embodiment in that the control unit 60LB includes a left remaining capacity acquisition unit 64LB and a remaining capacity transmission control unit 65LB. The right earphone 50RB is different from the first embodiment in that the control unit 60RB includes a right remaining capacity acquisition unit 64RB and a right remaining capacity transmission control unit 65RB.

The remaining capacity acquisition unit 39B acquires remaining capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 from the wireless earphone 50. In the present embodiment, the remaining capacity acquisition unit 39B acquires remaining capacity information indicating the respective remaining capacities of the left battery 56L and the right battery 56R.

The prediction unit 33B predicts the usable time of the earphone battery 56 based on the remaining capacity information acquired by the remaining capacity acquisition unit 39B. In the present embodiment, the prediction unit 33B predicts the usable time of the left battery 56L and the usable time of the right battery 56R based on the remaining capacity information acquired by the remaining capacity acquisition unit 39B.

The left remaining capacity acquisition unit 64LB acquires the remaining capacity of the left battery 56L.

The remaining capacity transmission control unit 65LB transmits the information on the remaining capacity of the left battery 56L acquired by the left remaining capacity acquisition unit 64LB and the information on the remaining capacity of the right battery 56R acquired from the right earphone 50RB to the charging case 10B. ..

The right remaining capacity acquisition unit 64RB acquires the remaining capacity of the right battery 56R.

The right remaining capacity transmission control unit 65RB transmits the information of the remaining capacity of the right battery 56R acquired by the right remaining capacity acquisition unit 64RB to the left earphone 50LB.

Next, information processing in the charging system 1B will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S123 to S126 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 perform the same processes as steps S103 to S106 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

The control unit 30B acquires the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 from the wireless earphone 50 by the remaining capacity acquisition unit 39B (step S121). More specifically, the remaining capacity acquisition unit 39B acquires the remaining capacity information of the left battery 56L and the remaining capacity information of the right battery 56R transmitted from the remaining capacity transmission control unit 65LB of the left earphone 50LB. The control unit 30B proceeds to step S122.

The control unit 30B predicts the usable time of the earphone battery 56 based on the information on the remaining capacity of the earphone battery 56 acquired from the wireless earphone 50 by the prediction unit 33B (step S122). The control unit 30B proceeds to step S123.

Next, another example of information processing in the charging system 1B will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S131 and S132 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 perform the same processes as steps S101 and S102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Steps S135 to S140 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 perform the same processes as steps S121 to S126 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

The control unit 30B sets the time for acquiring the remaining capacity from the wireless earphones 50 based on the usable time predicted by the prediction unit 33B (step S133). More specifically, the control unit 30B sets the time to start acquiring the remaining capacity from the available time when the wireless earphone 50 is detached. For example, when the predicted usable time is “180 minutes”, “120 minutes” which is “60 minutes before” the usable time is set as the time to start obtaining the remaining capacity. The control unit 30B proceeds to step S134.

The control unit 30B determines whether the time to start acquisition of the remaining capacity has been reached (step S134). When the control unit 30B determines that the elapsed time from when the wireless earphone 50 changes from the mounted state to the detached state has reached the time to start acquiring the remaining capacity (Yes in step S134), the process proceeds to step S135. When determining that the time to start acquisition of the remaining capacity has not been reached (No in step S134), the control unit 30B executes the process of step S133 again.

In this way, the charging case 10B predicts the usable time based on the information on the remaining capacity acquired from the wireless earphone 50, and notifies the remaining capacity.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the remaining capacity by predicting the usable time based on the information of the remaining capacity acquired by the charging case 10B from the wireless earphone 50. According to this embodiment, the usable time of the earphone battery 56 can be more appropriately predicted.

According to this embodiment, the usable time of the earphone battery 56 can be appropriately predicted even if the remaining capacity changes according to the usage state of the wireless earphone 50.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to set the time for starting the acquisition of the remaining capacity and acquire the remaining capacity from the wireless earphone 50 after the time for starting the acquisition of the remaining capacity is reached. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the number of times of transmitting and receiving data for acquiring the remaining capacity from the wireless earphone 50.

Each component of the illustrated charging system 1 is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the specific form of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of the device may be functionally or physically dispersed or integrated in arbitrary units according to the processing load or usage condition of each device. May be.

The configuration of the charging system 1 is realized by, for example, a program loaded in a memory as software. In the above-described embodiment, the functional blocks have been described as those realized by cooperation of these hardware or software. That is, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof.

The components described above include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be appropriately combined. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or changes in the configuration are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the above description, the earphone battery 56 is described as being charged while being electrically connected to the charging case 10 by the terminals, but may be contactless charging.

In the third embodiment, the right earphone 50RB transmits the information of the remaining capacity of the right battery 56R to the left earphone 50LB, and the left earphone 50LB transmits the information of the remaining capacity of the left battery 56L and the information of the remaining capacity of the right battery 56R. Although it is described that the data is transmitted to the charging case 10B, the present invention is not limited to this. The right earphone 50RB may directly transmit the information on the remaining capacity of the right battery 56R to the charging case 10B.

Furthermore, the control unit 30 may acquire the remaining capacity of the case battery 17 of the charging case 10 and notify the remaining capacity of the case battery 17. For example, when the remaining capacity of the case battery 17 is less than or equal to a predetermined value after the determination of Yes in step S102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 and before the processing of step S103 is performed, the remaining capacity of the case battery 17 is You may perform the process of step S103 after notifying a capacity. This can prevent forgetting to charge the case battery 17.

1 Charging System 10 Charging Case 10H Housing 17 Case Battery 21 Case Charging Circuit 22 Earphone Charging Circuit (Charging Circuit)
30 control unit (charging control device)
32 detection unit 33 prediction unit 34 notification time setting unit 35 determination unit 36 notification selection unit 37 output control unit 50 wireless earphone 50L left earphone 56L left battery 60L control unit 50R right earphone 56R right battery 60R control unit

Claims (8)

A detection unit that detects a detached state of the wireless earphone in a detachable housing.
A prediction unit that predicts a usable time of the earphone battery of the wireless earphone that is charged by the case battery arranged in the housing,
When the detection unit detects that the wireless earphone is in the detached state from the housing, it is determined whether the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery is reached based on the prediction result of the prediction unit. A judgment unit,
When it is determined that the determination unit has reached the time of notifying the remaining capacity of the earphone battery, an output control unit that performs control to output a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery,
A charging control device comprising: A case where the wireless earphones can be attached and detached,
A case battery disposed in the housing, for charging the earphone battery of the wireless earphone,
A charging circuit for charging the earphone battery with the electric power supplied from the case battery,
A detection unit that detects the attachment/detachment state of the wireless earphones to/from the housing,
A prediction unit that predicts the usable time of the earphone battery,
When the detection unit detects that the wireless earphone is in the detached state from the housing, it is determined whether the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery is reached based on the prediction result of the prediction unit. A judgment unit,
When it is determined that the determination unit has reached the time of notifying the remaining capacity of the earphone battery, an output control unit that performs control to output a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery,
A charging case comprising: Of the left earphone battery and the right earphone battery of the earphone battery, a specifying unit that specifies the one having a smaller remaining capacity,
Equipped with
The determination unit determines whether or not the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached, based on the prediction result of the prediction unit for the smaller remaining capacity specified by the specification unit,
The charging case according to claim 2. A remaining capacity acquisition unit that acquires the remaining capacity from the earphone battery,
Equipped with
The prediction unit makes a prediction based on the remaining capacity acquired by the remaining capacity acquisition unit,
The charging case according to claim 2 or 3. A notification selection unit that selects a notification method of a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery, based on the reproduction information of the music data in the wireless earphone,
Equipped with
The output control unit performs control based on the notification method selected by the notification selection unit,
The charging case according to any one of claims 2 to 4. A charging case according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The wireless earphone,
A charging system comprising: A detection step of detecting a detached state of the wireless earphone in a detachable housing.
A prediction step of predicting a usable time of the earphone battery of the wireless earphone charged by the case battery arranged in the housing,
When it is detected by the detecting step that the wireless earphone is in the detached state from the housing, it is determined whether the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery is reached based on the prediction result in the predicting step. Determination step to
When it is determined by the determination step that the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached, an output control step of performing control to output a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery,
A charging control method including. A detection step of detecting a detached state of the wireless earphone in a detachable housing.
A prediction step of predicting a usable time of the earphone battery of the wireless earphone charged by the case battery arranged in the housing,
When it is detected by the detecting step that the wireless earphone is in the detached state from the housing, it is determined whether the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery is reached based on the prediction result in the predicting step. Determination step to
When it is determined by the determination step that the time to notify the remaining capacity of the earphone battery has been reached, an output control step of performing control to output a notification regarding the remaining capacity of the earphone battery,
A program for causing a computer that operates as a charge control device to execute the program.

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