KR20110084768A - Mobile terminal and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for managing battery power and a method of controlling the same so as to guarantee the use time of a specific function in a multi-core processor, the user wants to set after detecting the current actual battery capacity in the master OS If the received battery capacity is smaller than the currently detected battery capacity, the battery capacity is set as the user's battery capacity, and the battery capacity set by the user is determined from the detected current battery capacity. The remaining battery capacity is calculated by subtracting the value and transmitted to the slave operating system. Accordingly, regardless of the operation of the slave core processor, the mobile terminal can guarantee the use time of a specific function desired by the user.

Description

Mobile terminal and its control method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for managing battery power and a control method thereof so as to guarantee a user's desired use time of a specific function in a mobile terminal composed of a multi-core processor.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. . In order to support and increase the function of such a terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

Recently, mobile terminals using multi-core processors are increasing. The multi-core processor is a processor integrating heterogeneous processor cores in one chip. The multi-core processor is designed to achieve a high overall performance in various cases by integrating several types of processor cores having different functions and superior fields. Multi-core processors, however, lacked power management to coordinate battery usage between the two core processors. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the usage time of the telephone function managed by another core processor cannot be guaranteed according to the battery usage of one core processor.

The present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method for managing battery power to ensure the use time of a specific function desired by a user in a mobile terminal composed of a multi-core processor.

In another aspect, the present invention is to provide an interface method that allows a user to set the use time of a specific function to be guaranteed in a mobile terminal composed of a multi-core processor.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a method for manipulating the battery information from the master core processor to deliver to the slave core processor in order to ensure the use time of a specific function desired by the user in a mobile terminal consisting of a multi-core processor.

In another aspect, the present invention is to provide a method for operating the battery capacity in the master operating system to be delivered to the slave operating system in order to ensure the use time of a specific function that the user wants to be guaranteed in the mobile terminal consisting of a multi-core processor.

The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-mentioned problem detects the current actual battery capacity, receives and compares the battery capacity that the user wants to set, and the received battery capacity is currently detected battery capacity. If it is smaller than the input battery capacity is set to the user's battery capacity, and calculates the remaining battery capacity minus the battery capacity set by the user from the detected current battery capacity and the master core processor for transmitting to the slave operating system and the calculation And a slave core processor operating in an active state until the battery capacity is received and the battery capacity reaches a predetermined capacity.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above problem detects the current battery capacity in the master operating system, after receiving the desired battery capacity of the user, the received battery capacity and the currently detected battery capacity In comparison, if the received battery capacity is smaller than the currently detected battery capacity, the received battery capacity is set as the user's battery capacity, and the remaining battery is obtained by subtracting the battery capacity set by the user from the detected current battery capacity. After the capacity is calculated, the calculated battery capacity is transmitted to the slave operating system.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is a slave core in which a master core processor subtracts the remaining battery capacity by subtracting the battery capacity corresponding to the use time to ensure the use time of a specific function desired by the user. Delivering to the processor has the effect of guaranteeing the desired battery capacity at all times regardless of the operation of the slave core processor.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal associated with one embodiment of the present invention;
2 is an exemplary view showing a more specific configuration of a control unit according to the present invention.
3A to 3D are exemplary views illustrating a battery capacity setting method according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart for explaining a battery capacity setting method according to the present invention;
5 is an exemplary view showing a mapping table for setting battery capacity according to the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a master core processor according to the present invention;
7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a slave core processor according to the present invention;
8 is an exemplary view for explaining a battery information operating method according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

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

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in a terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments described later may be used alone or in combination with each other. In addition, embodiments described below may be used in combination with the above-described user interface (UI).

2 is an exemplary view showing a more specific configuration of a control unit according to the present invention.

The controller 180 is composed of a multi-core processor. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the multi-core processor is composed of a first core processor 181 and a second core processor 182. The multi-core processor may operate based on one operating system (OS) per core. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operating system also includes a first operating system (first OS) 161 and a second operating system (second OS) 162.

The first core processor 181 may be described as a master core processor, the first operating system 161 may be described as a master operating system, and the second core processor 182 may be described as a slave core processor. The second operating system 162 may be described as a slave operating system (Slave OS).

The master core processor or master operating system has exclusive access to battery power information present in the mobile terminal. The slave core processor or slave operating system receives battery information from the master core processor or master operating system. Therefore, the slave core processor or the slave operating system may display the received battery information on the display unit 151.

Assume that the first core processor 181 and the first operating system 161 execute an operation related to a telephone function, and the second core processor 182 and the second operating system 162 execute an operation related to a PC application. do. Accordingly, the first core processor 181 and the first operating system 161 may manipulate the battery information and transmit the battery information to the slave core processor or the slave operating system so as to guarantee a preset usage time (for example, one hour). have.

The first core processor 181 and the second core processor 182 are connected to peripheral devices such as a user input unit 130 or a display unit 151 such as a keypad through a multiplexer (not shown). Accordingly, the user may control the multiplexer using a specific key to switch the control right to the peripheral devices from the first core processor 181 or the first operating system 161 to the second core processor 182 or the second operating system 162. Can be.

Accordingly, the user may switch from the first core processor 181 or the first operating system 161 to the second core processor 182 or the second operating system 162 through the key manipulation as described above. . For example, when a user uses a phone function and uses a PC application function, the second core processor 182 or the second operating system 162 controls the display unit 151 with control of peripheral devices to display battery information. Done.

As a result, conventional users should be careful not to run out of battery when using PC application functions. If you run out of battery power when using a PC application, you won't be able to use the phone. As described above, the conventional user has always had to worry about the battery level while using the PC application function.

The present invention manipulates the battery information in the master core processor or the master operating system to be delivered to the slave core processor or slave operating system in order to solve such a hassle. For example, the master core processor or the master operating system may use the slave core processor or the remaining capacity (= remaining capacity) as the battery information by subtracting some of the battery capacity (eg, 30%) set by default from the total battery capacity for use of the telephone function. It can be passed to the slave operating system. That is, assuming that the current battery capacity is 100%, the battery capacity delivered to the slave core processor or the slave operating system is 70%.

Accordingly, the slave core processor or the slave operating system may automatically terminate the PC application when the battery level reaches 0% according to the operated battery information. However, even if the battery application reaches 0% and the PC application is terminated as described above, the user does not have to worry about the battery capacity in order to use the telephone function as in the prior art. This is because 30% of battery capacity remains even when the PC application is terminated. When the PC application is terminated as described above, the control right for the peripheral devices may be automatically switched from the second core processor 182 or the second operating system 162 to the first core processor 181 or the first operating system 161. .

However, as described above, the battery capacity operated by the master core processor (or master operating system) is calculated by subtracting the capacity (eg, 30%) set by default in the manufacturing stage of the mobile terminal from the actually detected battery capacity. Therefore, the default battery capacity (eg 30%) can be guaranteed for certain preset functions (eg, phone-related functions).

Accordingly, the user can use the functions related to the telephone by the guaranteed battery capacity. For example, the phone related functions may include a phone call, a call waiting, a text message transmission or a phone book management function.

By the way, the phone-related functions have a high power consumption function and a relatively low power consumption function. For example, the phone call feature is a power-consuming feature. Therefore, if the time to wait for a phone call with a battery capacity of 30% is 2 hours, the time for a phone call with the same battery capacity is about 40 minutes, and there is a difference in the available time depending on the function. In other words, a feature that consumes less power with the same battery capacity can use more time, while a feature that consumes less power can use less time.

Therefore, in order to guarantee the use time of a specific function desired by the user, it is necessary to set a different battery capacity for each function. For example, the battery capacity of 45% should be set to guarantee one hour of use of the phone call function, and the battery capacity of 25% should be set to guarantee the 30 minutes of use of the phone call function.

As described above, the present invention provides a method for guaranteeing a battery capacity corresponding to a use time of a specific function desired by a user.

3A to 3D are exemplary views illustrating a battery capacity setting method according to the present invention.

As described above, the present invention can directly set the capacity of the battery to the user's desired capacity to ensure the use time of a particular function.

In order to set the battery capacity, the user may enter a menu for setting the battery capacity. When entering the menu for setting the battery capacity, the master core processor 181 or the master operating system 161 outputs a user interface for setting the battery capacity.

The user interface for setting the battery capacity may be output in various ways according to the mobile terminal. The user interface for setting the battery capacity may apply a graphic and a touch method so that the user can more easily set the battery capacity.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the user interface for setting the battery capacity may be configured such that a user may input a desired battery capacity numerically. That is, the user displays an input window 211 for directly inputting a number to be set as a battery capacity up to 1 unit, or pulls down the numbers set as a default and selects one of them to input an input window 212. I can display it.

In addition, when the user inputs a number to be set to the battery capacity as described above, as shown in Figure 3b, immediately after entering the number to be set to the battery capacity, the master core processor 181 or the master operating system 161 One side of the display unit 151 may display the available time of specific functions.

In other words, assuming that the user inputs 10% of the battery capacity, as soon as the number '10' is input, the master core processor 181 or the master operating system 161 may perform specific functions on one side of the preset screen. You can display the available time (e.g., 1 hour, 30 minutes, 30) of call waiting, phone call, text message transmission. When the user corrects the input number (eg, 10 → 30), the available times of the specific functions may be immediately changed and displayed.

The specific functions displayed on the screen are displayed by default, and the user may select and change them in the function list. The specific functions corresponding to the battery capacity may be displayed as the number of available times (eg, text message transmission-30) as well as the available time according to the type.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the user interface for setting the battery capacity may be displayed graphically. The graphic for adjusting the battery capacity may be displayed in the form of a battery. The battery shape may display a bar for adjusting the battery capacity. The user may adjust the battery capacity by adjusting the position of the bar up and down or left and right by a touch method.

In addition, the master core processor 181 or the master operating system 161 may be used in the slave core processor 182 or the slave operating system 162 and the battery capacity to guarantee the use time of a specific function according to the adjustment of the bar. The battery capacity can be distinguished by different colors. In addition, the battery capacity to guarantee the use time of the specific function may be displayed as a percentage (for example, 30%). The percentage may be changed and displayed in real time as the bar is adjusted.

When the user sets the battery capacity by adjusting the bar as described above, as shown in FIG. 3B, as soon as the bar is adjusted, the master core processor 181 or the master operating system 161. ) May display the available time of specific functions on one side of the display unit 151.

For example, when the user adjusts the position of the bar to set the battery capacity to 10%, the master core processor 181 or the master operating system 161 may perform certain functions (eg, call waiting on one side of the preset screen). You can display the available time (e.g. 1 hour, 30 minutes, 30) of your phone calls, text messages, etc. In addition, when the user adjusts the position of the bar to change the battery capacity to guarantee the use time in real time, the available times of the specific functions may be changed and displayed in real time.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, when a user inputs a use time of a specific function, a corresponding battery capacity may be automatically set. For example, the user can select the time available for a particular feature and change it to the time desired by the user.

If the specific function is assumed to be a telephone call function and the user changes the available time of the telephone call function from 1 hour to 2 hours, the master core processor or the master operating system may increase the battery capacity from 30% to guarantee the usage time. It can be changed to 60% automatically. When the battery capacity is changed as described above, the position of the bar in the graphic battery shape may be adjusted to match the changed capacity.

As described above, when the user changes the capacity of the battery, the usage time of a specific function corresponding to the changed capacity is automatically changed. On the contrary, when the user changes the usage time of the specific function, the changed time can be guaranteed. The battery capacity can be changed automatically.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a battery capacity setting method according to the present invention.

The user settable battery capacity or the settable time of a particular function should be smaller than the actual remaining battery capacity.

Therefore, when a user sets a battery capacity or a desired use time of a specific function, the master core processor or the master operating system compares whether the battery capacity corresponding to the set battery capacity or time is smaller than the actual remaining battery capacity.

The setting is completed when the set battery capacity or the battery capacity corresponding to the set time is smaller than the actual remaining battery capacity.

However, if the time set by the user is larger than the actual remaining battery capacity, the user may limit the remaining battery capacity and the available time corresponding thereto. For example, if the remaining battery capacity is 40% of the total capacity (maximum capacity), and the user tries to set 50%, it can be automatically limited to 40%.

Meanwhile, in the above embodiment, the maximum battery capacity that can be set by the user is automatically limited to the full capacity but may be limited smaller than that. For example, the maximum battery capacity that can be set by the user may be set to a predetermined value (eg, 10%) or less than the actual remaining battery capacity. That is, when the remaining battery capacity is 40% of the total capacity (maximum capacity), and the user tries to set 50%, the battery capacity may be automatically limited to 30% which is 10% or less of the remaining battery capacity.

5 is an exemplary view showing a mapping table for setting battery capacity according to the present invention.

As described above, when the user sets the battery capacity for ensuring the use time of the specific function, the available time of the specific functions corresponding to the set battery capacity is displayed. As described above, in order to display the available time of specific functions corresponding to the battery capacity, a table in which battery usage is mapped according to time for each specific function is stored in the memory 160.

In the mapping table, battery usage (or power consumption) per unit time is mapped for each specific function. Therefore, when the user sets the battery capacity, the master core processor or the master operating system may calculate the available time of a specific function in response to the set battery capacity, and when the user sets the usage time of the specific function desired by the user, the master core processor Alternatively, the master operating system may calculate a battery capacity capable of guaranteeing the time corresponding to the set time.

The method for calculating the battery capacity required to guarantee the use time of the specific function is to divide the time desired by the user into unit time and multiply the battery usage per unit time to calculate the battery capacity required to guarantee the use time of the specific function. can do. The usable time or battery capacity may be calculated in real time as described above, or the previously calculated time or battery capacity may be stored in the mapping table.

6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the master core processor according to the present invention.

As described above, the master core processor is operated by a master operating system (first OS). The master core processor or master operating system has exclusive access to battery power information present in the mobile terminal.

The master core processor detects battery information. The battery information includes power information of the battery. That is, the battery information includes current remaining amount information relative to the maximum capacity of the battery. The master core processor or the master operating system may detect the battery information in the power supply unit 190. In addition, the master core processor 181 or the master operating system 161 may directly detect the battery information from a power management chip (eg, PMIC-Power Management Intergrated Circuit) and the battery 191 (S201).

The power management chip (PMIC) is an analog integrated semiconductor that integrates a low drop out (LDO) that regulates an output voltage to an input voltage and a battery management and charging function as a single IC, and is a load that must be processed by a controller (for example, a CPU). When the interface signal is supplied to the power management chip (PMIC) in accordance with (Load), the core voltage supplied to the CPU is adjusted accordingly so that it can be always driven with the minimum power.

The master core processor calculates a battery capacity after subtracting a user-set capacity (eg, 30%) to guarantee a specific function (eg, phone call) usage time from the detected battery information, and transmits the battery capacity to the slave core processor. The capacity can be set (S202, S203). The set battery capacity is transferred to the slave core processor (S204).

As described above, the battery information including the remaining capacity after subtracting the battery capacity set by the user from the currently detected battery capacity may be referred to as manipulated battery information. The master core processor transmits the battery information operated as described above to the slave core processor or the slave operating system.

For example, when the maximum capacity of a battery (= full capacity) is 100% and the currently detected battery capacity is 70%, the master core processor may determine the remaining capacity (eg, 30%) minus the battery capacity set by the user. Ex: 40%) as the battery information to be sent to the slave core processor or slave operating system. The manipulated information (eg, 40% of battery capacity) is transmitted to the slave core processor or the slave operating system.

The master core processor or master operating system detects the battery information in real time. The remaining battery capacity is subtracted from the battery information detected in real time by subtracting a battery capacity (for example, 30%) set by the user as battery information. For example, when the currently detected battery capacity reaches 60%, the remaining capacity (eg 30%) is subtracted from the user-set capacity (eg 30%) as the operated battery information to the slave core processor or slave operating system. . The operation may be repeated while the user uses a slave core processor or slave operating system.

7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a slave core processor according to the present invention.

As described above, the slave core processor is operated by a slave operating system (second OS). The slave core processor or slave operating system operates using battery information transmitted from the master core processor or the master operating system (first OS).

The slave core processor or the slave operating system receives battery information (= manipulated battery information) from the master core processor (S301). The received battery information is output to the display unit 151. The user may refer to the displayed battery information.

The slave core processor or slave operating system compares the received battery information (= operated battery information) with a capacity (for example, 0%) preset in the slave core processor or slave operating system (S302). According to the comparison result, when the battery capacity indicated by the battery information becomes 0% (NO in S303), that is, when it is determined that the battery is completely discharged, it may automatically enter the sleep mode (S305). It operates in an active state until entering the sleep mode. In operation S305, the slave core processor or the slave operating system may be automatically switched to the master core processor or the master operating system.

In other words, the slave core processor or slave operating system receives battery information from the master core processor or master operating system. Substantially, the battery information received from the master core processor is manipulated battery information, which is capacity remaining after subtracting a predetermined capacity (eg, 30%) from a maximum battery capacity (= total capacity). However, the slave core processor determines that the battery capacity received from the master core processor is the actual detected battery capacity.

The slave core processor or the slave operating system detects whether the received battery capacity becomes a preset capacity (eg, 0%). If the battery capacity is greater than a predetermined capacity (eg, 0%), the control right for the peripheral devices may be maintained in the slave core processor or the slave operating system (S304).

However, when the battery capacity is less than or equal to a predetermined capacity, the slave core processor or the slave operating system may enter a sleep mode. If the sleep mode or hibernating state as described above, the control right for the peripheral devices can be automatically switched to the master core processor or the master operating system (S305).

8 is an exemplary view for explaining a battery information operating method according to the present invention.

Assuming that the maximum battery capacity (= total battery capacity) is 100% as shown in (a), the master core processor or master operating system detects the current battery capacity. And it is assumed that the detected current battery capacity is 70% of the maximum battery capacity as shown in (b).

It is assumed that the capacity to be reserved for the use of a specific function (eg phone) is 30% of the maximum battery capacity. The battery capacity to be reserved for the telephone use may be set by default or selected by the user. For example, the user can set 20% of the maximum battery capacity or 40% as the battery capacity to reserve for phone use. As described above, when the current battery capacity is detected, the master core processor subtracts the battery capacity set for securing the phone usage time from the currently detected battery capacity. In the above embodiment, 40% is left by subtracting the battery capacity (30%) set to secure the phone usage time from the currently detected battery capacity (70%).

As described above, the actual detected battery capacity is 70%, but the master core processor transfers the remaining capacity after subtracting the battery capacity set to secure the telephone usage time from the currently detected battery capacity to the slave core processor or slave operating system. (Hereinafter referred to as operated battery capacity).

Accordingly, the slave core processor or the slave operating system determines that the battery capacity operated by the master core processor or the master operating system is the current actual battery capacity as shown in (c). That is, when the current battery capacity is 70%, the master core processor manipulates that the current battery capacity is 40% and transfers the same to the slave core processor. When the battery capacity set for securing the phone usage time is changed, the battery capacity delivered to the slave core processor may also be changed.

As described above, the present invention is a battery capacity for delivering the remaining battery capacity to the slave core processor by subtracting the battery capacity (= battery capacity set by the user to ensure the use time of a specific function) to be used by the master core processor or the master operating system. By operating, there is an effect of guaranteeing a certain level of battery capacity regardless of the operation of the slave core processor or the slave operating system.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to the ordinary or dictionary meanings.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification and the drawings shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, which can be replaced at the time of the present application It should be understood that there may be various equivalents and variations.

Claims (14)

In a mobile terminal composed of a multi-core processor,
After detecting the current actual battery capacity, the user inputs and compares the desired battery capacity, and if the input battery capacity is smaller than the currently detected battery capacity, the received battery capacity is set as the user's battery capacity. A master core processor configured to calculate the remaining battery capacity by subtracting the battery capacity set by the user from the detected current battery capacity and transmit the same to the slave operating system;
And a slave core processor receiving the calculated battery capacity and operating in an active state until the battery capacity becomes a predetermined capacity. The method of claim 1, wherein the slave core processor,
When the received battery capacity reaches a predetermined battery capacity, the mobile terminal, characterized in that the automatic switching to the sleep mode. The method of claim 2, wherein when the slave core processor enters a sleep mode,
And a control right for the peripherals of the mobile terminal is automatically switched to the master core processor. The method of claim 1, wherein the master core processor,
The mobile terminal, characterized in that as soon as the battery capacity is input, the specific functions of the mobile terminal display the available time to the input battery capacity. The method of claim 1, wherein the master core processor,
And a user interface for adjusting a battery capacity by using a graphic image and a bar, and adjusting a capacity of a battery to be set according to the position of the bar. The method of claim 1, wherein the master core processor,
When the user inputs a desired use time of a specific function, the mobile terminal, characterized in that for automatically setting the battery capacity corresponding to the use time. The method of claim 1, wherein the master core processor,
And when the input battery capacity is greater than the currently detected actual battery capacity, setting the battery capacity to be equal to the currently detected actual battery capacity or smaller than a preset specific value in the currently detected battery capacity. Detecting a current battery capacity at the master operating system;
Receiving a battery capacity desired by a user;
Comparing the input battery capacity with a currently detected battery capacity;
Setting the received battery capacity as a user's battery capacity if the received battery capacity is less than the currently detected battery capacity;
Calculating remaining battery capacity by subtracting the battery capacity set by the user from the detected current battery capacity;
And transmitting the calculated battery capacity to a slave operating system. The method of claim 8, wherein the master operating system,
And controlling the mobile terminal to display a time when specific functions of the mobile terminal can be used for the input battery capacity as soon as the battery capacity is input. The method of claim 8, wherein the master operating system,
And a user interface for adjusting battery capacity by using a graphic image and a bar, and adjusting a capacity of a battery to be set according to the position of the bar. The method of claim 8, wherein the master operating system,
When the user inputs a desired use time of a specific function, the control method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that automatically setting the battery capacity corresponding to the use time. The method of claim 8, wherein the master operating system,
When the input battery capacity is greater than the currently detected actual battery capacity, the control of the mobile terminal, characterized in that the battery capacity is set to be less than the current value of the actual detected battery capacity or less than the preset specific value from the currently detected battery capacity. Way. The method of claim 8, wherein the slave operating system,
And when the received battery capacity reaches a preset battery capacity, automatically switching to a sleep mode. The method of claim 13, wherein when the slave operating system enters a sleep mode,
A control method for a mobile terminal, characterized in that the control right for the peripherals of the mobile terminal is automatically switched to the master operating system.

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