Portable information terminal extension device

Abstract

To provide a portable information terminal extension device capable of receiving more stable power supply.SOLUTION: A portable information terminal extension device includes: a portable information terminal connection interface; a first power supply interface connected to a first power supply; a second power supply interface connected to a second power supply; one or a plurality of output devices; one or a plurality of user interface devices; input power supply switching means for switching any of external power supplies and receiving power supply; a battery; output power supply switching means for switching output power from external power or charge power to be outputted; power distribution means; and power control processing means for determining a switching pattern of a switching state of input power supply switching means and a switching state of output power supply switching means by using a connection state of the external power supply.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for expanding the input / output interface of a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone to that of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "mobile information terminal expansion device"). [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to expand the input / output interface of a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone to the same level as a personal computer, a means for performing various signal conversions and power conversions related to the mobile information terminal (hereinafter, simply referred to as "conversion means") is required. For example, an electronic device described in Patent Document 1 is an example of a conventional conversion means.

[0003] The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 has a built-in battery and includes multiple types of connection ports (power supply port / data communication port), such as a USB-C port, a USB-A port, and a DC power supply port. The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 simultaneously realizes switching of the built-in battery charging interface and various types of data communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-519186 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in terms of convenience because it cannot be used as a mobile information terminal extension device that expands to an input / output interface comparable to that of a personal computer unless devices such as a display, keyboard, touch pad, etc. are separately connected. In particular, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in terms of flexibility of connection, such as being connectable only to Android (registered trademark) smartphones due to the specifications of the USB port.

[0006] In addition, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 is premised on using a power source that can supply power stably, but depending on the installation location, there may be cases where there is no commercial power source or where a stable power supply cannot be received.

[0007] In view of the above problems, there is a demand for a portable information terminal extension device that can receive a more stable power supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The portable information terminal extension device of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problem, comprises a portable information terminal connection interface connected to a portable information terminal, a first power supply interface connected to a first external power supply, a second power supply interface connected to a second external power supply, one or more output devices that output based on a signal supplied from the portable information terminal, one or more user interface devices that receive an operation input from a user and supply an operation signal corresponding to the received operation input to the portable information terminal, an input power supply switching means that switches between either the first external power supply or the second external power supply to receive power supply, and The device is characterized by having an input power source switching means that charges an external power supplied thereto and that can discharge the charged power, an output power source switching means that switches and outputs an output power of either the external power or the charged power, a power distribution means that distributes the output power within the device itself, and a power control processing means that uses at least a connection state with the first external power source and a connection state with the second external power source to determine a switching pattern of the switching state of the input power source switching means and the switching state of the output power source switching means, and controls the switching states of the input power source switching means and the output power power switching means in accordance with the determined switching pattern. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable information terminal extension device that is highly convenient and can accommodate flexible connections. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of each device according to an embodiment (including a perspective view of a mobile information terminal extension device according to an embodiment); [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are side views (right side view and left side view) of a mobile information terminal extension device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of signal processing in a portable information terminal extension device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of power control in a portable information terminal extension device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a switching pattern of a power supply switching control process by a power supply control processing unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (A) Main embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a portable information terminal extension device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (A-1) Configuration and operation of the embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a mobile information terminal extension device 10 and peripheral devices according to this embodiment.

[0013] The mobile information terminal extension device 10 is a device that extends the functions (mainly input / output functions) of the smartphone 20. The mobile information terminal extension device 10 is capable of operating with power supplied from two power sources, a solar cell 30 and a PD power source 40. The mobile information terminal extension device 10 is also capable of supplying power to the smartphone 20.

[0014] The mobile information terminal extension device 10 is assumed to include, as input / output devices, a keyboard 102, a touchpad 103, a touch panel type display panel 104 (a display including a touch panel 105), an NFC communication unit 106, and a speaker 107. The combination of input / output devices included in the mobile information terminal extension device 10 is not limited to the example in Fig. 1. For example, the mobile information terminal extension device 10 may be configured to include at least the keyboard 102, the touchpad 103, and the display panel 104 as input / output devices.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable information terminal extension device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0016] 2(a) and 2(b) are a right side view and a left side view, respectively, of the portable information terminal extension device 10. FIG.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates input / output ports, power ports, and the like that the portable information terminal extension device 10 is provided with.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile information terminal expansion device 10 has, as input / output ports, a USB Type C port 211 for a first terminal, a memory card slot 213, a USB Type C port 214 for a device, an audio jack 215, an HDMI (registered trademark) output port 216, a USB Type C port 217 for a second terminal, and an HDMI input port 218.

[0019] The first terminal USB Type C port 211 is a USB Type C port for connecting an Apple smartphone (iPhone), and the second terminal USB Type C port 217 is a USB Type C port for connecting an AndroidOS smartphone. In other words, when the smartphone 20 is an Apple smartphone (iPhone), the smartphone 20 is connected to the first terminal USB Type C port 211, and when the smartphone 20 is an AndroidOS smartphone, the smartphone 20 is connected to the second terminal USB Type C port 217.

[0020] Furthermore, the mobile information terminal extension device 10 has, as power supply ports, a USB Type-C power supply port 301 and a DC power supply port 302. The USB Type-C power supply port 301 can be connected to a PD power supply 40, and the DC power supply port 302 can be connected to a solar battery 30. The PD power supply 40 is a device equipped with an interface capable of supplying power via PD (USB Type-C), and is, for example, a PD power supply adapter connected to a commercial power supply or a battery (for example, a mobile battery) that functions as a PD power supply.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of signal processing in the portable information terminal extension device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0022] The portable information terminal expansion device 10 has an interface expansion section 200 as an element that accommodates each input / output port and converts / controls each signal.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the interface extension unit 200 has USB hubs 221 to 224, a signal conversion processor 225, a signal processing processor 226, an audio module 227, and an HDMI module 228 in addition to the above-mentioned input / output ports.

[0024] The USB hubs 221 to 224 are chips that correspond to the functions of a USB hub. As shown in Fig. 3, the USB hubs 221 to 224 are connected in series and configured to be capable of communicating (USB communication) with USB devices (including the smartphone 20) under the control of each hub.

[0025] The USB hub 221 is a hub for accommodating the smartphone 20 (iphone) via the first terminal USB type-C port 211. The USB hub 221 supplies the video signal / audio signal (Lightning interface video signal) supplied from the smartphone 20 (iphone) to the signal conversion processor 225. The signal conversion processor 225 performs processing for converting the supplied video signal / audio signal (Lightning interface video signal) into an HDMI video signal / audio signal and supplying it to the signal processing processor 226.

[0026] The USB hub 222 is a hub for accommodating the smartphone 20 (Android OS) and operates in the alternate mode of the USB Type-C via the second terminal USB Type-C port 217. A signal line corresponding to the display port of the second terminal USB Type-C port 217 is directly connected to the signal processor 226.

[0027] The HDMI video signal / audio signal supplied from the HDMI output port 216 is supplied to a signal processor 226 .

[0028] The signal processor 226 mainly processes the supplied signals (video signal / audio signal) and supplies them to the output side. The signal processor 226 acquires an audio signal from the supplied signals and supplies it to an audio module 227. The signal processor 226 also converts the supplied signals (video signal / audio signal) into HDMI format signals and supplies them to an HDMI module 228.

[0029] The audio module 227 is a chip that processes audio signals (mainly DA conversion), converts the supplied audio signal into an analog signal, and supplies it to the audio jack 215 and / or the speaker 107.

[0030] The HDMI module 228 is a chip that processes HDMI signals, and performs processing to output the HDMI signal supplied from the signal processor 226 from the HDMI output port 216 .

[0031] The USB hub 223 is a hub that connects the keyboard 102, the touch pad 103, and the touch panel 105.

[0032] The USB hub 224 is a hub that connects the memory card slot 213, the NFC communication unit 106, and the device USB Type-C port 214.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of power control in the portable information terminal extension device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0034] The portable information terminal extension device 10 has a power control unit 300 as an element for performing power control.

[0035] In addition to the power ports (USB Type-C port 301 for power supply and DC power port 302), the power control unit 300 has a DC / DC converter 304, a battery charging control unit 305, a battery 306, a power distributor 307, a power control processing unit 308, an MPPT control circuit 309, a power supply selector 310 and an output selector 311.

[0036] The PD power supply control unit 303 is an element that controls power (power control according to USB-PD procedures) supplied to and received from the PD power supply 40 via the power supply USB Type-C port 301. The PD power supply control unit 303 negotiates (negotiation according to PD procedures) with the PD power supply 40 and performs processing to determine the power (electricity) supplied from the PD power supply 40. As the PD power supply control unit 303, for example, an IC (power supply controller IC) that functions as a controller for receiving power supply and demand via USB-PD can be used.

[0037] The MPPT control circuit 309 is connected to the solar cell 30 via the DC power port 302, and controls the power supplied to and received from the solar cell 30 by a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method. The MPPT control circuit 309 can be, for example, an IC that performs power control by the MPPT method.

[0038] The power source selector 310 is a power source switching means that switches between power supplied from the PD power source 40 via the power source USB Type-C port 301 (hereinafter referred to as the "PD side power source") and power supplied from the solar cell 30 via the DC power source port 302 and the MPPT control circuit 309 (hereinafter referred to as the "solar cell side power source") and supplies the power to the subsequent stage (power source selector 310). As the power source selector 310, for example, an IC equipped with various power switching means can be applied.

[0039] In addition, in the following, the power sources supplied from outside the mobile information terminal extension device 10 (in this embodiment, the PD power source 40 and the solar cell 30) are collectively referred to as the "external power sources," and the power source inside the mobile information terminal extension device 10 (in this embodiment, the battery 306) is referred to as the "internal power source."

[0040] The DC / DC converter 304 is a power conversion means that converts (voltage / current conversion) the power supplied from the power supply selector 310 side and supplies it to the subsequent stage (the battery charging control unit 305 and the output selector 311).

[0041] The battery charging control unit 305 is a charging control means that controls charging of the battery 306 using the power supplied from the DC / DC converter 304. As the battery charging control unit 305, for example, an IC for battery charging control (battery charge controller) can be applied.

[0042] The battery 306 charges based on the power controlled by the battery charging control section 305, and supplies the charged power to the subsequent stage (output selector 311).

[0043] The output selector 311 is a power output conversion means that switches the power source (supply source) to either the DC / DC converter 304 (i.e., external power source) or the battery 306 (i.e., internal power source) and supplies the power from the switched source to the subsequent stage (power distributor 307). As the output selector 311, for example, an IC equipped with various power switching means can be applied.

[0044] The power distributor 307 is a power distribution means that distributes and supplies the power supplied from the output selector 311 to each unit in the mobile information terminal extension device 10 and to the outside (smartphone 20). For example, an IC having various power distribution circuits can be applied as the power distributor 307. In this embodiment, the power distributor 307 supplies power to the main power supply unit 312 and the smartphone 20 side.

[0045] The main power supply unit 312 is a means for supplying power to each element (each IC, circuit, device, etc.) inside the mobile information terminal extension device 10. The main power supply unit 312 can be implemented using various power sources and power supply circuits.

[0046] The power distributor 307 supplies power to the smartphone 20 via the first terminal USB Type C port 211 or the second terminal USB Type C port 217. In this embodiment, the smartphone 20 is connected to only one of the first terminal USB Type C port 211 or the second terminal USB Type C port 217. That is, the power distributor 307 supplies power only to the first terminal USB Type C port 211 or the second terminal USB Type C port 217 to which the smartphone 20 is connected. Note that when distributing power to the main power supply unit 312 and the smartphone 20 side, if the amount of power supplied from the previous stage is insufficient, the power distributor 307 is preferably configured to prioritize the power supply to the main power supply unit 312 side.

[0047] The power supply control processing unit 308 is a power control means that controls each unit in the power control unit 300. The power supply control processing unit 308 can be configured, for example, by installing a power control program in a microcomputer that includes a microprocessor and memory (memory including non-volatile memory) not shown. The power supply control processing unit 308 may be configured as software using a program as described above, or may be configured as hardware using a dedicated IC chip.

[0048] In this embodiment, the power supply control processing unit 308 controls the switching of the power supply selector 310 and the output selector 311 (hereinafter, this control will be referred to as "power supply switching control") based on the connection state of each external power supply (in this embodiment, the connection state of the PD side power supply and the aspect power supply side power supply) and the operating state of the mobile information terminal extension device 10 (for example, whether it is operating (whether the main power supply is ON or not), etc.).

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a switching pattern of the power supply switching control process by the power supply control processing unit 308. In FIG.

[0050] In Figure 5, for each combination of the "PD side power connection state" (the state of power received under the control of the PD power control unit 303), the "solar cell side power connection state" (the state of power received under the control of the MPPT control circuit 309), and the "device operation state" (either the ON state or the OFF state of the mobile information terminal extension device 10), the "power selector switching state (the switching state of the power selector 310), the "output selector switching state" (the switching state of the output selector 311), and the "battery state" (either the "charging state" or the "discharging state" of the battery 306) are shown.

[0051] The PD-side power supply connection state is indicated as either "connected" (a state in which power is normally received from the PD power supply 40) or "disconnected" (a state in which the PD power supply 40 is not connected, or a state in which the PD power supply 40 is physically connected but power is not normally received). The power supply control processing unit 308 can confirm whether the PD-side power supply is "connected" or "disconnected" by checking the operating state of the PD power supply control unit 303.

[0052] The solar cell side power supply connection state is indicated by either "connected (sufficient power)" (a state in which power equal to or greater than a threshold is normally received from the solar cell 30), "connected (insufficient power)" (a state in which power is normally received from the solar cell 30 but the received power is less than the threshold), or "not connected" (a state in which the solar cell 30 is not connected, or a state in which the solar cell 30 is physically connected but is not normally receiving power). The power supply control processing unit 308 can check the "connected" or "not connected" state of the solar cell side power supply by checking the operating state of the MPPT control circuit 309. In addition, the power supply control processing unit 308 can determine whether the power supplied from the solar cell 30 is equal to or greater than a threshold by monitoring the power supplied from the MPPT control circuit 309 to the power supply selector 310. At this time, the threshold for determining whether the power supplied from the solar cell 30 is sufficient or insufficient is hereinafter represented as "TH1". TH1 needs to be set to, for example, the minimum amount of power that must be supplied to the main power supply unit 312 (i.e., the minimum amount of power required by each element in the mobile information terminal extension device 10). For example, when the internal configuration of the mobile information terminal extension device 10 is as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.

[0053] In the power supply control processing unit 308, a switching pattern of the power supply switching control process set according to a predetermined policy (for example, a program or script corresponding to a table such as that shown in FIG. 5) is set, and power supply switching control is performed according to the switching pattern. In FIG. 5, examples of switching patterns corresponding to the respective state numbers 1 to 11 are shown.

[0054] In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the "PD side power supply connection state" is simply represented as "PD", the solar cell side power supply connection state is represented as "sun", the "device operation state" is represented as "device", the "power supply selector switching state" is represented as "power supply", the output selector switching state is represented as "output", and the "battery state" is represented as "battery". For example, in the switching pattern shown in Figure 5, in state number 3, the state becomes [power supply = PD power supply, output = external power supply, battery = charging state] in response to the state [PD = connected, sun = not connected, device = ON].

[0055] The switching pattern shown in FIG. 5 is based on a policy (hereinafter referred to as the "solar cell side power effective utilization policy") that, when the solar cell side power connection state is a connected state ([solar = connected (insufficient power)] or [solar = connected (sufficient power)]), the power from the solar cell side is utilized as effectively as possible (used for power consumption within the device and for charging the battery 306). For example, in the switching pattern shown in FIG. 5, when [PD = connected, solar = connected (sufficient power)], "power source = solar cell" is always set. Also, for example, in the switching pattern shown in FIG. 5, even if [PD = connected, solar = connected (insufficient power)], when [device = OFF], [power source = solar cell, battery = charging state] is set and utilized for charging the battery 306.

[0056] Furthermore, in the switching pattern shown in Figure 5, even in the case of state number 7 [PD = not connected, solar = connected (insufficient power), device = OFF], the state is set to [battery = charging state] in order to make more effective use of the power from the solar cell side.

[0057] (A-2) Effects of the embodiment The mobile information terminal extension device 10 of this embodiment can be connected to multiple external power sources (in this embodiment, the PD power source 40 and the solar cell 30), and can flexibly accommodate power source connections according to the convenience of the user's installation location. In particular, since the mobile information terminal extension device 10 of this embodiment supports both the solar cell 30 and the PD power source 40 as external power sources, it is possible to stably use the mobile information terminal extension device 10 even in a location where there is no commercial power source or the like.

[0058] In addition, the mobile information terminal extension device 10 of this embodiment controls the switching state of the power source selector 310 and the output selector 311, taking into consideration at least the connection state of the PD side power source and the solar cell side power source. In particular, the mobile information terminal extension device 10 of this embodiment adopts a solar cell side power efficient use policy, so that it is possible to receive a stable power supply with less environmental impact. For example, in the mobile information terminal extension device 10 of this embodiment, when both the PD power source 40 and the solar cell 30 are in a connected state, the power of the solar cell 30 is used preferentially.

[0059] (B) Other embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may include modified embodiments such as those exemplified below.

[0060] (B-1) In the switching pattern of the power supply switching control process (switching pattern shown in FIG. 5), even when [battery=charging state], if the charge amount of the battery 306 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (for example, if the charge amount of the battery 306 is equal to or greater than 90% of the maximum charge amount), the power supply control processing unit 308 may control the battery charging control unit 305 to interrupt charging of the battery 306. The charge amount of the battery 306 can be monitored by monitoring the state of the battery charging control unit 305.

[0061] (B-2) In the case of [power supply=solar cell, output=external power supply], if the amount of power supplied from the solar cell side is insufficient, the power control processing unit 308 may control the power distributor 307 to cut off the power distribution to the smartphone 20 side. For example, if the power required by the main power supply unit 312 (in the mobile information terminal extension device 10) is about 15W (TH1=15W) and the amount of power supplied from the solar cell side is about 16W, when power is supplied to the smartphone 20 side, the amount of power distributed to the main power supply unit 312 (in the mobile information terminal extension device 10) may be insufficient. In such a case, it is desirable to lower the priority of the power distribution to the smartphone 20 side. In other words, even if the amount of power supplied from the solar cell side is TH1 or more, if it is less than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as "th2"), the power control processing unit 308 may control the power distributor 307 to cut off the power distribution to the smartphone 20 side. The setting of th2 is not limited, but for example, when th1=15W, th2=17W may be used.

[0062] (B-3) In the mobile information terminal extension device 10 of the above embodiment, only the display panel 104 may be provided with a switch function capable of turning on / off a switch. Regarding the above switch function, the mobile information terminal extension device 10 may be provided with a separate hardware or software switch. For example, in the mobile information terminal extension device 10, the above switch function may be realized by a predetermined key operation on the keyboard 102, or the above switch function may be realized by receiving a menu operation on the keyboard 102 or the touch pad 103.

[0063] In addition, in the mobile information terminal extension device 10, when the display panel 104 is turned off as described above, the power control unit 300 (power control processing unit 308) may perform control to cut off the power supply to the elements that process the video signal (for example, the signal conversion processor 225, the signal processing processor 226, the audio module 227, and the HDMI module 228). The means for selectively turning on / off the power supply to the elements that process the video signal is not limited, and for example, a separate switch circuit may be mounted.

[0064] In the mobile information terminal extension device 10, the element that consumes the most power is the display panel 104, so by providing a switch function for this display panel 104, a margin is created in the amount of power supplied to the smartphone 20. For example, in the mobile information terminal extension device 10, when the PD side power supply connection state is not connected, the power supply needs to rely on the solar cell side, but when the amount of power supplied from the solar cell side is insufficient (for example, in the case of the state of state number 9 in the table of FIG. 5), by providing the switch function for the display panel 104 as described above, it becomes possible to increase the power that can be distributed to the smartphone 20. For example, when using the mobile information terminal extension device 10 at a disaster site or the like, the above function is useful when prioritizing charging of the smartphone 20 over the function of displaying on the display panel 104. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10...mobile information terminal extension device, 20...smartphone, 30...solar cell, 40...PD power supply, 102...keyboard, 103...touchpad, 104...display panel, 105...touch panel, 106...NFC communication unit, 107...speaker, 200...interface extension unit, 211...USB type C port for first terminal, 213...memory card slot, 214...USB type C port for device, 215...audio jack, 216...HDMI output port, 217...USB type C port for second terminal, 218...HDMI input port, 221...USB hub, 221...hub, 222...USB hub, 222... Hub, 223...Hub, 223...USB hub, 224...Hub, 224...USB hub, 225...Signal conversion processor, 226...Signal processing processor, 227...Audio module, 228...HDMI module, 300...Power control unit, 301...USB Type C port for power supply, 302...DC power port, 303...PD power control unit, 304...DC / DC converter, 305...Battery charging control unit, 306...Battery, 307...Power distributor, 308...Power control processing unit, 309...MPPT control circuit, 310...Power selector, 311...Output selector, 312...Minimum main power supply unit, 312...Main power supply unit, C...USB type

Claims

1. a mobile information terminal connection interface for connecting to a mobile information terminal; a first power interface for connecting to a first external power source; a second power interface for connecting to a second external power source; one or more output devices that output based on a signal supplied from the portable information terminal; one or more user interface devices that receive an operation input from a user and supply an operation signal corresponding to the received operation input to the mobile information terminal; an input power source switching unit that switches between the first external power source and the second external power source to receive power supply; a battery capable of charging the external power supplied by the input power source switching means and discharging the charged power; an output power source switching unit that switches between the external power and the charging power and outputs the switched output power; a power distribution means for distributing the output power within the device itself; a power control processing means for determining a switching pattern of a switching state of the input power source switching means and a switching state of the output power source switching means by utilizing at least a connection state with the first external power source and a connection state with the second external power source, and for controlling the switching states of the input power source switching means and the output power source switching means in accordance with the determined switching pattern; A portable information terminal expansion device comprising:

2. 2. The portable information terminal extension device according to claim 1, wherein the second power source is a solar cell.

3. The portable information terminal expansion device according to claim 2, characterized in that the power control processing means also utilizes the power value of the power supplied from the second power source to determine the switching state of the input power switching means and the switching pattern of the switching state of the output power switching means.

4. 4. The portable information terminal expansion device according to claim 3, wherein said power control processing means determines said switching pattern so as to give priority to consumption of power supplied from said second power source.

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