Power management system and power management method
By using dual power management circuit design in electronic devices, independently controlling the power supply of wireless communication devices, the problem of low battery power or short position broadcasting duration when the device is turned off is solved, and equipment traceability in all power states is achieved sex.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411049851.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-30
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
AI Technical Summary
The prior art is difficult to extend the duration of position broadcasting when the electronic device battery is low or the device is powered off, affecting the traceability of the device.
A power management system is adopted, including a first power management circuit and a second power management circuit, which provides power to the control circuit, and the second power management circuit independently controls the power supply of the wireless communication device in a specific mode to ensure that Continuity of location broadcast.
Even if the battery of the electronic device is low or the device is powered off, the independent control of the second power management circuit can extend the duration of the position broadcast, ensuring that the device remains traceable in all power states.
Smart Images
Figure CN119448523A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a power management system and a power management method, and in particular to a power management system and a power management method capable of extending the duration of position broadcasting. Background Art
[0002] In the event that an electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone) is lost or stolen, the "Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Find Lost Device" function can be activated. This function allows the electronic device to automatically transmit a BLE broadcast to notify its location to paired electronic devices. An important requirement for this function is that it can still operate when the electronic device battery is low or the electronic device is powered off. To meet these requirements, it is crucial that the electronic device can continue to broadcast the signal so that the location can be found.
[0003] Therefore, a low-power broadcast mechanism is needed to extend the duration of the location broadcast as long as possible until the user finds the lost electronic device. In addition, the Bluetooth (BT) chip should have the ability to autonomously start broadcasting even if the electronic device is powered off. Such a function ensures the continuous traceability of the electronic device in all power states. Summary of the invention
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a power management system that can extend the duration of a location broadcast.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a power management method that can extend the duration of location broadcasting.
[0006] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a power management system, which is applied to an electronic device, including a control circuit and a wireless communication device, including: a first power management circuit, configured to provide a first power supply to the control circuit; and a second power management circuit, configured to provide a second power supply to the wireless communication device. The second power supply is controlled by the control circuit in a first mode of the electronic device. The second power supply is controlled by the second power management circuit in a second mode of the electronic device, and is not controlled by the control circuit.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a power management method, which is applied to an electronic device, including a control circuit, a first power management circuit, a second power management circuit and a wireless communication device. The power management method includes: the first power management circuit provides a first power to the control circuit; the second power management circuit provides a second power to the wireless communication device; the control circuit controls the second power in a first mode of the electronic device; and the second power management circuit controls the second power in a second mode of the electronic device, and is not controlled by the control circuit.
[0008] In view of the above-described embodiments, the duration of the location broadcast can be extended even if the battery of the electronic device is low.
[0009] These and other objects of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 Flowchart of the power management system operation.
[0012] Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 Waveform diagram of the power management system signals.
[0013] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a power management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a practical application of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the following description, several embodiments are provided to explain the concept of the present invention. It should be understood that the terms "first", "second", "third" in the following description are only used to distinguish different elements and do not mean the order of the elements. For example, a first device and a second device only mean that these devices may have the same structure but are different devices.
[0016] Figure 1 and Figure 21 is a block diagram of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power management system PS includes a first power management circuit PMC_1 and a second power management circuit PMC_2, which are included in an electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 is Figure 1 In the first mode, Figure 2 In the second mode. Figure 1 As shown, the electronic device 100 includes a power supply 101, a control circuit 103, a wireless communication device 105 and a power management system PS.
[0017] The first power management circuit PMC_1 is configured to provide a first power P_1 to the control circuit 103. The second power management circuit PMC_2 is configured to provide a second power P_2 to the wireless communication device 105. The control circuit 103 can control the first power management circuit PMC_1, the second power management circuit PMC_2, and the wireless communication device 105. In addition to the first power management circuit PMC_1, the second power management circuit PMC_2, and the wireless communication device 105, the control circuit 103 can also control other devices of the electronic device 100. For example, the electronic device 100 is a mobile device, and the control circuit 103 is a processing circuit in the mobile device. Such a processing circuit can be used to control the display or the power on and off of the mobile device.
[0018] In the following embodiments, the power source 101 is a battery. Similarly, the first power management circuit PMC_1, the second power management circuit PMC_2, and the control circuit 103 are integrated circuits (ICs), and the wireless communication device 105 is a Bluetooth device. However, this does not mean to limit the scope of the present invention. As described above, the electronic device 100 is Figure 1 Similarly, in the first mode, the second power supply is controlled by the control circuit 103. In one embodiment, the first mode means a normal mode of the electronic device 100. The operation clock signal of the wireless communication device 105 can also be provided or controlled by the control circuit 103. The operation speed or timing of the wireless communication device 105, such as transmitting or receiving a signal, can be determined by the operation clock signal.
[0019] Therefore, in one embodiment, the user starts the electronic device 100 through the first power supply P_1 provided by the first power management circuit PMC_1, so that the control circuit 103 starts. In this way, the electronic device 100 operates in normal mode. In normal mode, the wireless communication device 105 can be turned on (activated) by activating the Bluetooth function of the device. In one embodiment, the control circuit 103 maintains the enable pin of the second power management circuit PMC_2 to keep it active. The second power management circuit PMC_2 then supplies power to the wireless communication device 105 to facilitate its operation.
[0020] In the second mode of the electronic device 100, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the second power source P_2 is controlled by the second power management circuit PMC_2, but not by the control circuit 103. In addition, in the second mode, the operation clock signal of the wireless communication device 105 may be controlled by the second power management circuit PMC_2, but not by the control circuit 103. Therefore, the second power management circuit PMC_2 can also be regarded as a wireless communication control circuit.
[0021] The triggering of the second mode may be different in different embodiments. In one embodiment, when the battery power of the electronic device 100 is higher than the first power threshold, the electronic device 100 operates in the first mode, and when the battery power is lower than the second power threshold, the electronic device 100 operates in the second mode, wherein the second power threshold is lower than or equal to the first power threshold. In other words, if the battery power is high, the electronic device 100 operates in the first mode; if the battery power is low, the electronic device 100 operates in the second mode.
[0022] In another embodiment, at least one device of the electronic device 100 is turned off (inactive) in the second mode. For example, the display device of the electronic device 100 is turned off in the second mode. In another embodiment, except for the second power management circuit PMC_2 and the wireless communication device, no other device is active in the second mode. In other words, the second mode is a shutdown mode, the electronic device 100 is powered off, the control circuit 103 is inactive, but the second power management circuit PMC_2 and the wireless communication device are still active. Therefore, Figure 2 As shown, in the second mode, the first power management circuit PMC_1 does not provide the first power P_1 to the control circuit 103 .
[0023] In the second mode, since the second power management circuit PMC_2 still provides the second power P_2, the wireless communication device 105 can still work, so the wireless communication device 105 broadcasts the location of the electronic device 100 in the second mode. The broadcasted location can be received by another paired electronic device, so the user can find the electronic device 100 according to the broadcasted location. The steps or content of the location broadcast may be different from the communication standard used by the wireless communication device 105. Please note that in one embodiment, the wireless communication device 105 also broadcasts the location in the first mode.
[0024] As described above, the wireless communication device 105 can broadcast a location in the power saving mode or shutdown mode of the electronic device 100. Therefore, the user can try to turn on the electronic device 100 after finding the electronic device 100 according to the broadcasted location. In this case, if the power button is triggered, the electronic device 100 switches from the second mode to the first mode.
[0025] Figure 3According to the present invention Figure 1 and Figure 2 Flowchart of the operation of the power management system of the embodiment. Figure 4 According to the present invention Figure 1 and Figure 2 Waveform diagram of the power management system signal of the embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4 More detailed operation of the power management system is shown in . Note that Figure 3 and Figure 4 These are merely illustrative examples and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.
[0026] Figure 3 The following steps are included: Step 301
[0027] The electronic device 100 is turned off.
[0028] For example, the battery power of the electronic device 100 is low or zero, so that the electronic device 100 enters a power saving mode or a shutdown mode.
[0029] Step 303
[0030] The control of the wireless communication device 105 is removed from the control circuit 103 .
[0031] For example, the registration of the BT driver of the wireless communication device 105 is removed from the control circuit 103. In this way, the control circuit 103 cannot control the second power source P_2 in the second mode.
[0032] The Bluetooth driver may be implemented by at least one program stored in a storage device that can be read by the wireless communication device 105. In one embodiment, the storage device and the wireless communication device 105 are provided in a single chip, such as a Bluetooth chip.
[0033] Step 305
[0034] Is the function of “finding lost devices using Bluetooth low energy” triggered? If not, go to step 307. If yes, go to step 315.
[0035] Such triggers can be preset by the user.
[0036] Step 307
[0037] The electronic device 100 is powered off.
[0038] Step 309
[0039] Determine whether the power button is triggered. If not, keep in step 307. If yes, go to step 311.
[0040] Step 311
[0041] The self-power control and the self-clock control of the second power management circuit PMC_2 are disabled.
[0042] As described above, the second power management circuit PMC_2 may be used to control the second power P_2 and / or the operation clock of the wireless communication device 105 .
[0043] Step 313
[0044] The electronic device 100 is turned on and waits for the control circuit 103 to turn on the second power management circuit PMC_2 .
[0045] Step 311 and step 313 may be regarded as steps of “switching from the second mode to the first mode”.
[0046] Step 315
[0047] Setting up the Bluetooth low energy advertising data packet. Such setting can be performed by the electronic device 100 itself before broadcasting the location, but can also be preset by the user.
[0048] Step 315 further includes the step of “the Bluetooth driver sends a start command to the second power management circuit PMC_2.” The start command means starting the self-power control and self-clock control of the second power management circuit PMC_2.
[0049] Step 317
[0050] The second power management circuit PMC_2 autonomously controls the second power P_2 and the operation clock signal of the wireless communication device 105 .
[0051] Step 319
[0052] The control right of the I / O interface of the electronic device 100 is disconnected from the control circuit 103 .
[0053] In one embodiment, the I / O interface does not include a power button.
[0054] Step 321
[0055] The wireless communication device 105 broadcasts the location of the electronic device 100 .
[0056] Step 323
[0057] Determine whether the power button is triggered. If not, keep in step 321. If yes, go to step 311.
[0058] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of the second mode, the electronic device 100 is powered off. For example, the electronic device 100 is lost and its battery is too low so the electronic device 100 automatically powers off. Figure 4The first mode in is the normal mode. Please note that for ease of explanation, Figure 4 Only the Figure 3 Signals related to the operation.
[0059] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the signal PHONE state indicates the state of the electronic device 100, the signal BT_TX indicates the signal generated by the wireless communication device 105, and the signals PMIC_EN0 and PMIC_EN1 correspond to the mode of the second power management circuit PMC_2. In addition, the English letters A, B, C... indicate events, and the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3... indicate time periods. In time period 0, the electronic device 100 operates in normal mode, and the power-off process starts in time period 1. Event A indicates that the control circuit 103 is turned off, and event B indicates that the second power management circuit PMC_2 is disconnected from the control circuit 103. In addition, event C indicates that the control circuit 103 is turned off. Therefore, in time period 1, the signal PHONE state turns from high to low, and the dotted area of the signal BT_TX indicates that the wireless communication device 105 is ready to broadcast the location. In addition, in time period 1, the signal PMIC_EN0 turns from high to low, which means that the second power management circuit PMC_2 leaves a mode controlled by the control circuit 103. In addition, during the period 1, the signal PMIC_EN1 changes from low to high, which means that the second power management circuit PMC_2 enters a mode in which it controls the second power P_2 and the operation clock signal by itself.
[0060] Period 2 means waiting N seconds (e.g., 2 seconds) at 1 st Before Bluetooth low energy advertising. Period 3 means that the wireless communication device 105 enters the active state. Period 4 means 1 st Bluetooth low energy advertising (trapezoidal). Period 5 means that the wireless communication device 105 enters Ultra-Deep-Sleep. Period 6 means that the wireless communication device 105 sleeps for M seconds (e.g., 2 seconds). Periods 5 and 6 may save battery power of the electronic device 100. Periods 7, 8, 9, and 10 repeat the operations of periods 3, 4, 5, and 6. Event D in period 10 means that the power button is triggered to turn on the electronic device 100.
[0061] In period 11, the control circuit 103 is reset, so event E means that the control circuit 103 is reset. In addition, in period 11, the second power management PNC_2 is reset and leaves a mode in which the second power management circuit PMC_2 controls the second power P_2 and the operation clock signal. Therefore, in period 11, the signal PMIC_EN1 turns from high to low. In period 12, the signal PMIC_EN0 turns from low to high and the electronic device 100 is turned on, so event F means that the control circuit 103 is turned on.
[0062] In view of the above embodiments, it can be obtained Figure 5 The power management method is applied to an electronic device, including a control circuit, a first power management circuit, a second power management circuit and a wireless communication device, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 Electronic equipment shown. Figure 5 The power management methods shown include:
[0063] Step 501
[0064] The first power management circuit provides a first power source P_1 to the control circuit.
[0065] Step 503
[0066] The second power management circuit provides a second power source P_2 to the wireless communication device.
[0067] Step 505
[0068] In the first mode of the electronic device, the second power source P_2 is controlled by the control circuit.
[0069] Step 507
[0070] In the second mode of the electronic device, the second power source P_2 is controlled by the second power management circuit and is not controlled by the control circuit.
[0071] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a practical application of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to such applications. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the lost mobile phone 601 has the function of "finding lost device by Bluetooth low energy". In the short time after being lost, the mobile phone 601 still has power and may operate in the first mode. In this mode, the mobile phone 601 may broadcast the location or not. In addition, in this mode, the power supply of the wireless communication device of the mobile phone 601 is controlled by its control circuit.
[0072] After the mobile phone 601 is lost for a long time, the battery power of the mobile phone 601 may become low, so the mobile phone 601 enters the second mode, which may be a power saving mode or a shutdown mode. In the second mode, the mobile phone 601 broadcasts the location, and the power of the wireless communication device of the mobile phone 601 is controlled by the second power management circuit instead of the control circuit. In this way, the user can use another mobile phone 603 that can receive the broadcast location to find the mobile phone 601. Please note that the details of the first mode and the second mode may change according to different needs.
[0073] In view of the above embodiments, even if the battery power of the electronic device is very low or the electronic device has been turned off, the duration of the location broadcast can be extended.
[0074] Those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that numerous modifications and variations can be made to the apparatus and methods while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Therefore, the above disclosure should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A power management system for an electronic device having a control circuit and a wireless communication device, comprising: a first power management circuit configured to provide a first power supply to the control circuit; and a second power management circuit configured to provide a second power source to the wireless communication device; Wherein, the second power source is controlled by the control circuit in the first mode of the electronic device; Wherein, the second power source is controlled by the second power management circuit in the second mode of the electronic device, and is not controlled by the control circuit. 2 . The power management system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device broadcasts the location of the electronic device in the second mode.
3. The power management system of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication device is a Bluetooth device. The power management system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the electronic device is a mobile device.
5. A power management system as described in claim 1, wherein the electronic device operates in the first mode when the battery power of the electronic device is higher than a first power threshold, and operates in the second mode when the battery power is lower than a second power threshold, wherein the second power threshold is lower than or equal to the first power threshold. 6 . The power management system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one device is inactive in the second mode.
7. The power management system of claim 6, wherein no other devices are active in the second mode except the second power management circuit and the wireless communication device. 8 . The power management system of claim 6 , wherein the electronic device comprises a power button, and if the power button is triggered, the electronic device switches from the second mode to the first mode. 9 . The power management system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the operation clock signal of the wireless communication device is controlled by the second power management circuit in the second mode, and is not controlled by the control circuit.
10. A power management method applied to an electronic device having a control circuit, a first power management circuit, a second power management circuit and a wireless communication device, comprising: The first power management circuit provides a first power supply to the control circuit; Providing a second power supply to the wireless communication device by the second power management circuit; The second power supply is controlled by the control circuit in the first mode of the electronic device; and In the second mode of the electronic device, the second power supply is controlled by the second power management circuit and is not controlled by the control circuit.
11. The power management method according to claim 10, further comprising: In the second mode the location of the electronic device is broadcast by the wireless communication device.
12. The power management method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wireless communication device is a Bluetooth device.
13. The power management method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electronic device is a mobile device.
14. A power management method as described in claim 10, wherein the electronic device operates in the first mode when the battery power of the electronic device is higher than a first power threshold, and operates in the second mode when the battery power is lower than a second power threshold, wherein the second power threshold is lower than or equal to the first power threshold.
15. The power management method as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one device is in an inactive state in the second mode.
16. The power management method of claim 15, wherein no other devices are active in the second mode except the second power management circuit and the wireless communication device.
17. The power management method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the electronic device comprises a power button, the power management method further comprising: If the power button is triggered, the electronic device is switched from the second mode to the first mode.
18. The power management method according to claim 10, further comprising: In the second mode, the operation clock signal of the wireless communication device is controlled by the second power management circuit and is not controlled by the control circuit.