Electronic apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide technology that improves the possibility that an electronic apparatus for lowering input voltage from a power feeding device at a predetermined rate supplies, to an external apparatus, an appropriate voltage corresponding to the voltage that the external apparatus supports.SOLUTION: Provided is an electronic apparatus comprising: conversion means for converting an input voltage from a power feeding device to a predetermined 1 / N-fold output voltage (N>1); connection means for supplying the output voltage to an external apparatus connected to connection means; and control means for requesting the power feeding device to supply a third voltage that is N times the first voltage and, after requesting the power feeding device to supply the third voltage, performing communication with the external apparatus when the external apparatus is connected to the connection means, and upon reception of an indication in said communication for raising the voltage supplied from the electronic apparatus to the external apparatus to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, requesting the power feeding device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In electronic devices such as cameras, a removable battery is generally used as a power source. DC couplers that supply power to cameras are known. DC couplers have the same shape as a battery, and supply power to the camera from an external power source such as an AC adapter. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that uses a DC coupler to supply power to a camera.

[0003] In addition, in recent years, power supply devices that comply with the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard have appeared. An electronic device that receives power from a power supply device that complies with the USB PD standard can request the necessary power from the power supply device by specifying a power profile according to the standard. For example, if the electronic device requires 45 W, the electronic device can request 15 V and 3 A from the power supply device, and if the electronic device requires 60 W, the electronic device can request 20 V and 3 A from the power supply device. Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic device that receives power from a power supply device such as an AC adapter that complies with the USB PD standard.

[0004] Also, a switched capacitor type DC-DC converter is known as a voltage conversion circuit for electronic devices. A switched capacitor has excellent conversion efficiency and can suppress heat generation inside electronic devices. On the other hand, the output voltage of a switched capacitor is fixed to, for example, 1 / 2 the input voltage. Therefore, when using a switched capacitor, it is not possible to adjust the output voltage to an arbitrary voltage relative to the input voltage. Patent Document 3 discloses the configuration of a power supply circuit using a switched capacitor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-235789 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-185739 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-141510 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The voltages supported by electronic devices such as cameras vary depending on the model. However, as mentioned above, a switched capacitor DC-DC converter cannot adjust the output voltage to an arbitrary voltage for the input voltage. Therefore, when using an electronic device such as a DC coupler equipped with a switched capacitor DC-DC converter, depending on the input voltage from the power supply device, an inappropriate voltage (too high or too low) may be supplied to an external electronic device such as a camera.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technique for improving the possibility that an electronic device that steps down an input voltage from a power supply device at a predetermined factor can supply an appropriate voltage to an external device according to a voltage that the external device can handle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an electronic device comprising: a conversion means for converting an input voltage supplied from a power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times a predetermined value (N>1); a connection means for supplying the output voltage to an external device connected to a connection means; and a control means for requesting the power supply device to supply a third voltage that is N times a first voltage, and, if the external device is connected to the connection means after requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage, communicating with the external device, and, in response to receiving, in the communication, an instruction from the external device to set the voltage to be supplied from the electronic device to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, requesting the power supply device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the likelihood that an electronic device that steps down an input voltage from a power supply device by a predetermined factor will supply an appropriate voltage to an external device according to the voltage that the external device supports.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device 100. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration. [Figure 3A] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic device 100. [Figure 3B] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic device 100. [Figure 4] 4 is a timing chart of the output voltage of the connection unit 102. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic device 100 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0013] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 has a function as a power receiving device conforming to USB Power Delivery (USB PD), and is connected to a power supply device 200 by a connector 101. The power supply device 200 is a power supply device conforming to USB PD. The connector 101 is a connector conforming to USB Type-C. The connection unit 102 connects to an external device 300. The electronic device 100 receives a voltage from the power supply device 200, converts the received voltage, and outputs the converted voltage to the external device 300 connected to the connection unit 102. The controller 103 communicates with the power supply device connected to the connector 101 in accordance with the USB PD standard. The controller 103 requests the power supply device 200 for a power profile desired by the electronic device 100.

[0014] The converter 104 is a DC-DC converter that converts an input voltage supplied from the power supply device 200 into a predetermined 1 / N-fold (N>1) output voltage. As a specific configuration of the converter 104, any configuration can be adopted as long as it converts the input voltage into a predetermined 1 / N-fold (N>1) output voltage (in other words, it steps down the input voltage by a predetermined factor). As an example, the converter 104 is a switched capacitor type DC-DC converter, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2. In the following description, the converter 104 is assumed to be a switched capacitor type DC-DC converter that converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device 200 into a 1 / 2-fold output voltage.

[0015] The control unit 105 includes a memory (not shown) that stores a control program, and controls each component of the electronic device 100 by executing the control program. The control unit 105 also includes a connection detection unit 106 and a communication unit 107. The connection detection unit 106 detects (determines) whether the external device 300 is connected to the connection unit 102. The communication unit 107 communicates with the external device 300 connected to the connection unit 102, and receives information about the external device 300. The capacitor 108 is connected in parallel with the connection unit 102 to the output side of the converter 104, and receives the output voltage of the converter 104. The discharge control unit 109 discharges the charge of the capacitor 108 according to the control of the control unit 105.

[0016] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. The electronic device 100 is connected to a power supply device 200 and receives power (voltage and current) from the power supply device 200. The electronic device 100 converts the voltage of the power received from the power supply device 200 and supplies it to an external device 300. The power supply device 200 complies with the USB PD standard. The power supply device 200 may be, for example, an AC adapter, a mobile battery, an output port of a PC, a power port accommodated in a wall, or the like.

[0017] The external device 300 is, for example, an electronic device such as a camera. The external device 300 can operate using a removable battery as a power source. The external device 300 also has a case (battery case) for mounting the battery. The electronic device 100 has a shape that allows it to be mounted in this battery case. The electronic device 100 can be mounted in the battery case of the external device 300 instead of a battery. In this case, the electronic device 100 functions as a DC coupler for the external device 300.

[0018] 3A and 3B are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the electronic device 100. Unless otherwise specified, the processing of each step of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 105 executing a control program. When the power supply device 200 is connected to the connector 101, the processing of this flowchart starts.

[0019] In S101, the power supply of 5V starts from the power supply device 200 to the electronic device 100 via the connector 101. In response to the start of the power supply, the control unit 105 performs a startup process of the electronic device 100.

[0020] In S102, the control unit 105 controls the controller 103 to perform USB PD communication with the power supply device 200 and receive information on the power supply capacity from the power supply device 200. Based on the information on the power supply capacity, the control unit 105 determines the power (hereinafter referred to as the "power profile") to be requested from the power supply device 200 among a plurality of patterns of power (combinations of voltage and current) that the power supply device 200 can supply. Then, the control unit 105 controls the controller 103 to transmit the requested power profile to the power supply device 200. In this example, it is assumed that 15V and 3A are requested from the power supply device 200. The power supply device 200 supplies the requested voltage and current according to the power profile requested by the electronic device 100. The 15V and 3A power supplied from the power supply device 200 is input to the converter 104 via the connector 101.

[0021] In S103, converter 104 converts the input voltage supplied from power supply device 200. As described above, converter 104 converts the input voltage to an output voltage that is 1 / 2 the input voltage, so here, an input voltage of 15V is converted to an output voltage of 7.5V. This starts outputting 7.5V. In addition, with the voltage conversion, the current that can be supplied from converter 104 changes from 3A to 6A. Converter 104 supplies the converted 7.5V, 6A power to connection unit 102. Hereinafter, a state in which 15V is supplied as an input voltage from the power supply device so that converter 104 outputs 7.5V as an output voltage is referred to as state 1.

[0022] In S104, the connection detection unit 106 determines whether the external device 300 is connected to the connection unit 102. The connection detection unit 106 repeats the determination in S104 until the external device 300 is connected to the connection unit 102. When the external device 300 is connected to the connection unit 102, the process proceeds to S105. When the external device 300 is connected to the connection unit 102, a power of 7.5 V (output voltage in state 1) and 6 A is supplied to the external device 300 via the connection unit 102. The external device 300 receives the power supply from the connection unit 102 and starts up. When the external device 300 starts up, the external device 300 becomes able to communicate with the electronic device 100.

[0023] In S105, the communication unit 107 communicates with the external device 300 via the connection unit .

[0024] In this embodiment, it is possible to connect, as the external device 300, a device compatible with the output voltage in state 1 and a device compatible with a voltage higher than the output voltage in state 1. A state in which a voltage higher than state 1 is output from the converter 104 is referred to as state 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the output voltage in state 2 is 10V and the input voltage is 20V.

[0025] In this communication, the communication unit 107 transmits information about its own type (information indicating the model name and classification) to the external device 300. The external device 300 receives this information transmitted from the electronic device 100.

[0026] If the external device 300 is a device compatible with the voltage of state 2, the external device 300 detects the type of the electronic device 100 (bits representing the model name or category) based on the information received from the electronic device 100. The external device 300 compatible with the voltage of state 2 holds information on the conditions corresponding to the type of the electronic device 100, and determines whether or not the electronic device 100 can supply the voltage corresponding to state 2 according to these conditions. When the external device 300 compatible with the voltage of state 2 determines that the electronic device 100 can supply the voltage corresponding to state 2, it transmits a command to the electronic device 100 to instruct it to transition to state 2.

[0027] Furthermore, if the external device 300 is not compatible with the voltage of state 2, the external device 300 does not transmit a command instructing a transition to state 2 even if it receives information from the electronic device 100.

[0028] The external device 300 may transmit a command to the electronic device 100 to instruct the electronic device 100 to transition to state 2, regardless of whether the electronic device 100 can supply a voltage corresponding to state 2. In this case, the communication unit 107 does not need to transmit information on its type (information indicating the model name or category) to the external device 300. When an electronic device that cannot supply a voltage corresponding to state 2 receives a command, the electronic device may simply ignore the command.

[0029] In S106, the control unit 105 determines whether or not a command instructing a transition to State 2 has been received from the external device 300 in the communication of S105. If a command instructing a transition to State 2 has not been received, the process proceeds to S107, and if a command instructing a transition to State 2 has been received, the process proceeds to S108.

[0030] In S107, the connection detection unit 106 determines whether the external device 300 has been disconnected from the connection unit 102. The connection detection unit 106 repeats the determination in S107 until the external device 300 is disconnected from the connection unit 102. If the external device 300 is disconnected from the connection unit 102, the process returns to S104. Therefore, if the external device 300 does not support the output voltage of state 2 and no command instructing a transition to state 2 is received from the external device 300, the electronic device 100 continues to supply the voltage in state 1 (i.e., supply a voltage of 7.5V) to the external device 300.

[0031] In S108, control unit 105 controls controller 103 to request a profile of 20 V, 3 A from power supply device 200. Power supply device 200 supplies 20 V, 3 A in accordance with this request. The 20 V, 3 A power supplied from power supply device 200 is input to converter 104 via connector 101.

[0032] In S109, converter 104 converts the input voltage supplied from power supply device 200. As described above, converter 104 converts the input voltage to an output voltage that is 1 / 2 the input voltage, so here, an input voltage of 20V is converted to an output voltage of 10V. This starts outputting 10V. In addition, with the voltage conversion, the current that converter 104 can output changes from 3A to 6A. Converter 104 supplies the converted 10V, 6A power to connection unit 102. Therefore, if external device 300 supports the output voltage of state 2, electronic device 100 transitions from state 1 to state 2.

[0033] As described above, the output voltage in state 2 is higher than the output voltage in state 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the electronic device 100 does not receive a command from the external device 300 instructing a transition to a relatively high output voltage (state 2), control is performed to supply a relatively low output voltage (state 1) to the external device 300. In addition, in response to the electronic device 100 receiving a command from the external device 300 instructing a transition to a relatively high output voltage (state 2), control is performed to supply the relatively high output voltage (state 2) supported by the external device 300 to the external device 300. Since such control is performed, the possibility that the electronic device 100 will supply an appropriate voltage according to the voltage supported by the external device 300 is improved.

[0034] Note that the specific magnitude of the output voltage in state 1 is not particularly limited, but as an example, the output voltage in state 1 is a voltage that is compatible with most (or all) of the external devices that are expected to be connected to the electronic device 100. In this case, when the external device 300 is connected to the electronic device 100, the possibility that a voltage exceeding the voltage that the external device 300 can support is supplied to the external device 300 is further reduced. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the possibility that the electronic device 100 will supply an appropriate voltage according to the voltage that the external device 300 can support.

[0035] In S110, the connection detection unit 106 determines whether the external device 300 has been disconnected from the connection unit 102. The connection detection unit 106 repeats the determination in S110 until the external device 300 is disconnected from the connection unit 102. If the external device 300 has been disconnected from the connection unit 102, the process proceeds to S112.

[0036] In S111, control unit 105 controls controller 103 to request power supply device 200 to supply 15 V, 3 A. In response to this request, power supply device 200 supplies 15 V, 3 A. The 15 V, 3 A power supplied from power supply device 200 is input to converter 104 via connector 101.

[0037] In S112, converter 104 converts the input voltage supplied from power supply device 200. As described above, converter 104 converts the input voltage to an output voltage that is 1 / 2 the input voltage, so here, an input voltage of 15V is converted to an output voltage of 7.5V. This causes electronic device 100 to transition from state 2 to state 1, and an output of 7.5V begins. In addition, with the conversion of the voltage, the current that converter 104 can output changes from 3A to 6A.

[0038] As a result of the process of S112, the output voltage of converter 104 changes from 10V to 7.5V. However, since capacitor 108 is connected to the output path of converter 104, it takes time for the voltage at connection unit 102 to fall to 7.5V. Therefore, in S113, control unit 105 performs control to shorten the time until the voltage at connection unit 102 falls to 7.5V. Specifically, control unit 105 controls discharge control unit 109 to discharge the charge of capacitor 108, thereby shortening the time until the voltage at connection unit 102 falls to 7.5V. Thereafter, the process returns to S104.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the output voltage of the connection unit 102. At time T1, the electronic device 100 operates in state 2 in which the converter 104 outputs 10V and 6A. At time T2, the external device 300 is disconnected from the connection unit 102, and the electronic device 100 transitions to state 1 in which the converter 104 outputs 7.5V and 6A (S110 to S112). At this time, the connection unit 102 is in an unloaded state, so if the process of S113 is not performed, it takes time until time T4 for the charge of the capacitor 108 to be discharged and the voltage to fall to 7.5V. In contrast, if the discharge control unit 109 controls the discharge of the capacitor 108 in S113, the voltage falls to 7.5V at time T3, which is earlier than time T4. Therefore, the time until the voltage of the connection unit 102 falls to 7.5V is shortened.

[0040] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes the converter 104 that converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device 200 into a predetermined output voltage that is 1 / N times (N>1). As described above, the converter 104 is, for example, a switched capacitor type DC-DC converter that converts the input voltage into an output voltage that is 1 / 2. The electronic device 100 also includes a connection unit 102, and when an external device is connected to the connection unit 102, the connection unit 102 supplies the output voltage of the converter 104 to the external device.

[0041] The electronic device 100 requests the power supply device 200 to supply a third voltage (for example, 15V) that is N times (for example, twice) the first voltage (for example, 7.5V). After that, when an external device is connected to the connection unit 102, the electronic device 100 communicates with the external device 300. If the external device 300 supports a second voltage (for example, 10V) higher than the first voltage (for example, 7.5V), the external device 300 transmits a command instructing a transition to state 2. When the electronic device 100 receives a command instructing a transition to state 2 corresponding to the second voltage (for example, 10V) from the external device 300, the electronic device 100 requests the power supply device 200 to supply a fourth voltage (for example, 20V) that is N times (for example, twice) the second voltage (for example, 10V).

[0042] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the possibility that the electronic device 100 will supply to the external device 300 an appropriate voltage according to the voltage compatible with the external device.

[0043] In the above description, it is assumed that power is exchanged between the electronic device 100 and the power supply device 200 in accordance with the USB PD standard. However, this embodiment is not limited to the USB PD standard. Any configuration can be adopted for the exchange of power between the electronic device 100 and the power supply device 200 as long as the power supply device 200 is configured to be able to supply the voltage requested by the electronic device 100 to the electronic device 100. This also applies to a second embodiment described later.

[0044] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the electronic device 100 performs control to transition from state 1 to state 2 when it receives a command instructing a transition to state 2 from the external device 300. In the second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the electronic device 100 determines whether or not the external device 300 supports state 2, and performs control to transition from state 1 to state 2 when it is determined that the external device 300 supports state 2.

[0045] In the second embodiment, the basic configurations of the electronic device 100, the power supply device 200, and the external device 300 are similar to those in the first embodiment. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic device 100 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, S109 in Fig. 5 follows S110 in Fig. 3B, and S113 in Fig. 3B follows S104 in Fig. 5.

[0047] In S205, the communication unit 107 communicates with the external device 300 via the connection unit 102. Then, the communication unit 107 receives information about the external device 300 (external device information) through communication with the external device 300.

[0048] The external device information is information that can be used to determine whether or not the external device 300 supports the output voltage of state 2. As in the first embodiment, state 2 refers to a state in which an input voltage is supplied from a power supply device so that the converter 104 outputs an output voltage that is higher than the output voltage of state 1. In the following description, the output voltage and input voltage of state 2 are assumed to be 10V and 20V, respectively.

[0049] The specific configuration of the external device information is not particularly limited, and for example, the external device information may be information indicating the maximum voltage supported by the external device 300. As another example, the external device information may be the type name or model classification of the external device 300. In this case, the electronic device 100 can identify the maximum voltage supported by the external device 300 by referring to information that associates the type name or model classification with the maximum voltage. The information that associates the type name or model classification with the maximum voltage is, for example, information in a table format that includes a plurality of combinations of the type name or model classification with the maximum voltage, and is held in advance in a non-volatile memory (not shown) of the electronic device 100.

[0050] In S206, the control unit 105 determines whether or not the external device 300 supports the output voltage in state 2, based on the external device information obtained in S205. If the external device 300 does not support the output voltage in state 2, the process proceeds to S107. Therefore, if the external device 300 does not support the output voltage in state 2, the electronic device 100 continues to supply the voltage in state 1 (i.e., supply a voltage of 7.5V) to the external device 300.

[0051] If it is determined in S206 that the external device 300 supports the output voltage of state 2, the process proceeds to S108. Therefore, until it is confirmed that the external device 300 supports the relatively high output voltage (state 2), control is performed to supply the relatively low output voltage (state 1) to the external device 300. Then, in response to confirmation that the external device 300 supports the relatively high output voltage (state 2), control is performed to supply the relatively high output voltage (state 2) supported by the external device 300 to the external device 300. Since such control is performed, the possibility that the electronic device 100 will supply an appropriate voltage according to the voltage supported by the external device 300 is improved.

[0052] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes the converter 104 that converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device 200 into a predetermined output voltage that is 1 / N times (N>1). As described above, the converter 104 is, for example, a switched capacitor type DC-DC converter that converts the input voltage into an output voltage that is 1 / 2. The electronic device 100 also includes a connection unit 102, and when an external device is connected to the connection unit 102, the connection unit 102 supplies the output voltage of the converter 104 to the external device.

[0053] The electronic device 100 requests the power supply device 200 to supply a third voltage (e.g., 15V) that is N times (e.g., twice) the first voltage (e.g., 7.5V). Thereafter, when an external device is connected to the connection unit 102, the electronic device 100 determines whether the external device 300 supports a second voltage (e.g., 10V) that is higher than the first voltage (e.g., 7.5V). If it is determined that the external device 300 supports the second voltage (e.g., 10V), the electronic device 100 requests the power supply device 200 to supply a fourth voltage (e.g., 20V) that is N times (e.g., twice) the second voltage (e.g., 10V).

[0054] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the possibility that the electronic device 100 will supply to the external device 300 an appropriate voltage according to the voltage compatible with the external device.

[0055] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0056] [summary] The above-described embodiment discloses at least the inventions shown in the following items, but is not limited to these inventions. [Item 1] An electronic device, A conversion means for converting an input voltage supplied from a power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times a predetermined value (N>1); a connection means for supplying the output voltage to an external device connected to the connection means; requesting the power supply device to supply a third voltage that is N times the first voltage; after requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage, if the external device is connected to the connection means, communicating with the external device; In the communication, in response to receiving an instruction from the external device to set a voltage to be supplied from the electronic device to the external device to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, the power supply device is requested to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage. A control means; An electronic device comprising: [Item 2] When the external device is disconnected from the connection means while the input voltage supplied from the power supply device is the fourth voltage, the control means requests the power supply device to supply the third voltage. 2. The electronic device according to item 1, [Item 3] a capacitor connected in parallel with the connection means to an output side of the conversion means and receiving the output voltage of the conversion means; When the external device is disconnected from the connection means while the input voltage supplied from the power supply device is the fourth voltage, the control means controls the capacitor to be discharged until the voltage of the capacitor becomes the first voltage. 3. The electronic device according to item 2, [Item 4] The conversion means converts the input voltage into the output voltage by a switched capacitor. 4. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 3. [Item 5] The power supply device complies with the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard. 5. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 4. [Item 6] In the communication, the control means transmits information regarding a type of the electronic device to the external device. 6. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 5. [Item 7] When the power supply device supplies the fourth voltage in response to a request for the fourth voltage to the power supply device, the conversion means converts the fourth voltage supplied from the power supply device into the second voltage, and the connection means supplies the second voltage to the external device. 7. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 6. [Item 8] The electronic device has a shape that allows it to be attached to a battery case of the external device, and can be attached to the battery case in place of a battery of the external device. 8. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 7. [Item 9] A control method executed by an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A conversion means for converting an input voltage supplied from a power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times a predetermined value (N>1); a connection means for supplying the output voltage to an external device connected to the connection means; The control method includes: requesting the power supply device to supply a third voltage that is N times the first voltage; after requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage, if the external device is connected to the connection means, communicating with the external device; In the communication, in response to receiving an instruction from the external device to set a voltage to be supplied from the electronic device to the external device to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, the power supply device is requested to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage. Equipped with a control process A control method comprising: [Item 10] A program for causing a computer to function as a control means for the electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 8. [Item 11] A conversion means for converting an input voltage supplied from a power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times a predetermined value (N>1); a connection means for supplying the output voltage to an external device connected to the connection means; requesting the power supply device to supply a third voltage that is N times the first voltage; determining whether or not the external device supports a second voltage higher than the first voltage when the external device is connected to the connection means after requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage; when it is determined that the external device is compatible with the second voltage, requesting the power supply device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage; A control means; An electronic device comprising: [Item 12] A control method executed by an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: A conversion means for converting an input voltage supplied from a power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times a predetermined value (N>1); a connection means for supplying the output voltage to an external device connected to the connection means; The control method includes: requesting the power supply device to supply a third voltage that is N times the first voltage; determining whether or not the external device supports a second voltage higher than the first voltage when the external device is connected to the connection means after requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage; when it is determined that the external device is compatible with the second voltage, requesting the power supply device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage; Equipped with a control process A control method comprising: [Item 13] A program for causing a computer to function as a control means for the electronic device described in item 11.

[0057] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 100...electronic device, 101...connector, 102...connection unit, 103...controller, 104...converter, 105...control unit, 106...connection detection unit, 107...communication unit, 108...capacitor, 109...discharge control unit, 200...power supply device, 300...external device

Claims

1. It is an electronic device, A conversion means that converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times (N > 1) of a predetermined value, A connection means to which an external device is connected, the connection means outputting the output voltage to the external device connected to the connection means, The power supply device is provided with control means for requesting that a third voltage, which is N times the first voltage, be supplied to the power supply device. When the third voltage is supplied from the power supply device in response to the request for the third voltage, the conversion means converts the third voltage to the first voltage, and the connection means outputs the first voltage. After requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage, if the external device is connected to the connection means, the control means communicates with the external device, and in response to receiving an instruction from the external device during the communication to set the voltage output from the electronic device to the external device to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, it requests the power supply device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage. An electronic device characterized by the following features.

2. When the third voltage is supplied from the power supply device and the external device is connected to the connection means, the first voltage is output from the connection means to the external device. When the fourth voltage is supplied from the power supply device in response to a request for the fourth voltage, the conversion means converts the fourth voltage to the second voltage, and the connection means outputs the second voltage to the external device in place of the first voltage. The electronic device according to feature 1.

3. If the external device is disconnected from the connection means while the input voltage supplied from the power supply device is the fourth voltage, the control means requests the power supply device to supply the third voltage. The electronic device according to feature 1.

4. The conversion means is further provided with a capacitor connected in parallel with the connecting means to the output side of the conversion means, which receives the output voltage of the conversion means. If the external device is disconnected from the connection means while the input voltage supplied from the power supply device is the fourth voltage, the control means controls the capacitor to discharge until its voltage reaches the first voltage. The electronic device according to feature 3.

5. The conversion means converts the input voltage to the output voltage using a switched capacitor. The electronic device according to feature 1.

6. The aforementioned electronic device is a power receiving device compliant with the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard and receives power from the aforementioned power supply device compliant with the USB PD standard. The electronic device according to feature 1.

7. comprising a connector for connecting to the power supply device, The aforementioned connector is a USB Type-C compliant connector. When the power supply device is connected to the connector, power is supplied from the power supply device via the connector. The electronic device according to feature 6.

8. In the aforementioned communication, the control means transmits information regarding the type of the electronic device to the external device. The electronic device according to feature 1.

9. The electronic device has a shape that allows it to be attached to the battery case of the external device, and can be attached to the battery case in place of the external device's battery. The electronic device according to feature 1.

10. A control method performed by an electronic device, wherein the electronic device is A conversion means that converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times (N > 1) of a predetermined value, A connection means to which an external device is connected, the connection means outputting the output voltage to the external device connected to the connection means, The control method comprises, The system includes a control step that requests the power supply device to supply a third voltage that is N times the first voltage, When the third voltage is supplied from the power supply device in response to the request for the third voltage, the conversion means converts the third voltage to the first voltage, and the connection means outputs the first voltage. The control step, after requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage, if the external device is connected to the connection means, communicates with the external device, and in response to receiving an instruction from the external device during the communication to set the voltage output from the electronic device to the external device to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, requests the power supply device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage. A control method characterized by the following:

11. A program for causing a computer to function as a control means for an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A conversion means that converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times (N > 1) of a predetermined value, A connection means to which an external device is connected, the connection means outputting the output voltage to the external device connected to the connection means, The power supply device is provided with control means for requesting that a third voltage, which is N times the first voltage, be supplied to the power supply device. When the third voltage is supplied from the power supply device in response to the request for the third voltage, the conversion means converts the third voltage to the first voltage, and the connection means outputs the first voltage. After requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage, the control means determines whether the external device corresponds to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, if the external device is connected to the connection means, and if it is determined that the external device corresponds to the second voltage, it requests the power supply device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage. An electronic device characterized by the following features.

13. A control method performed by an electronic device, wherein the electronic device is A conversion means that converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device into an output voltage that is 1 / N times (N > 1) of a predetermined value, A connection means to which an external device is connected, the connection means outputting the output voltage to the external device connected to the connection means, The control method comprises, The system includes a control step that requests the power supply device to supply a third voltage that is N times the first voltage, When the third voltage is supplied from the power supply device in response to the request for the third voltage, the conversion means converts the third voltage to the first voltage, and the connection means outputs the first voltage. The control step, after requesting the power supply device to supply the third voltage, determines whether the external device corresponds to a second voltage higher than the first voltage, if the external device is connected to the connection means, and if it is determined that the external device corresponds to the second voltage, requests the power supply device to supply a fourth voltage that is N times the second voltage. A control method characterized by the following:

14. A program for causing a computer to function as a control means for the electronic device described in claim 12.

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