Power supply apparatus, power supply system, power supply control method, and power supply control program

Abstract

To allow a user of a power receiving apparatus to recognize a state of power supply by a power supply apparatus if power is supplied from the power supply apparatus to the power receiving apparatus via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line.SOLUTION: A power supply apparatus 50 for supplying, via a power supply line 81, power to a power receiving apparatus 70 connected via a cable 80 including the power supply line 81 and a communication line 82, comprises: a selection unit 51 for selecting an input from an external power source 60 or an output from a built-in battery 500 as a supply source of power for the power receiving apparatus 70 according to a state of the input from the external power source 60; a detection unit 52 for detecting a supply state 520 of power by the supply source; and a presentation unit 53 for transmitting information representing the supply state 520 to the power receiving apparatus 70 via the communication line 82 and presenting the information representing the supply state 520 to a user of the power receiving apparatus 70 via the power receiving apparatus 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device, a power supply system, a power supply control method, and a power supply control program.

Background Art

[0002] For example, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) (registered trademark) standard is one of the communication interface standards composed of a power bus (VBUS line and GND line) and differential serial signals, and is widely used in today's computers and electronic devices. Among the USB standards, Type-C (registered trademark) is also used as a power supply means by implementing the extended standard USB Power Delivery. Here, USB Power Delivery is a standard for expanding the power supply capacity by USB. In the implementation with Type-C, the maximum power available on the power supply (power transmission) side and the power receiving side is determined through the CC (Configuration Channel) communication line existing in the Type-C port, and the output (voltage / current) of VBUS is dynamically changed according to the power. USB Power Delivery can supply up to 240 W (watts) of power to the device (power receiving device) to which power is supplied, including the Extended Power Range standard. Power supply devices corresponding to the USB Power Delivery standard are commercially available, and some of them integrate an AC (Alternating Current) adapter and an internal battery.

[0003] On the other hand, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a power supply device that enables an electronic device without an internal battery to maintain a powered-on state even during a power outage and to safely shift to a powered-off state when the power outage continues. The UPS includes a battery, an AC outlet for connecting to the power receiving device, and a LAN (Local Area Network) interface for notifying the power receiving device of the operating state of the UPS.

[0004] There is a demand to use an inexpensive power supply device compatible with USB Power Delivery, in which the above-described AC adapter and internal battery are integrated, as a substitute for the above-described expensive UPS. In this case, it is necessary to implement the functions provided by the UPS in a power supply device compatible with USB Power Delivery. Generally, a power supply device compatible with USB Power Delivery does not notify a power receiving device of status information indicating whether power is being supplied by either an external power supply (AC adapter) or an internal battery. There is an expectation for a technology to implement a function of notifying such status information to the power receiving device in a power supply device compatible with USB Power Delivery.

[0005] In relation to the above technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a first device on the power supply side and a second device on the power receiving side, which are connected via a cable capable of data transmission and power supply. The first device in this system includes a transmission unit, and the transmission unit transmits status information indicating the status of the power supply of the first device to the second device via the cable. The second device includes a reception unit and a control unit. The reception unit receives the status information from the first device via the cable. The control unit controls charging of a battery mounted on the second device using the power supplied from the first device via the cable based on the status of the power supply of the first device indicated by the status information received by the reception unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] By using the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, for example, when power is supplied from a power supply device to a power receiving device via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, such as a power supply system compatible with USB Power Delivery, information indicating the power supply state of the power supply device can be notified to the power receiving device. However, in Patent Document 1, the information indicating the power supply state of the power supply device notified to the power receiving device is used for internal control of charging the battery mounted on the power receiving device. Therefore, for example, the user of the power receiving device cannot recognize the power supply state of the power supply device. Thus, especially when the power receiving device does not have an internal battery, a user who cannot recognize the power supply state of the power supply device may continue to use the power receiving device even though the power supply device is supplying power to the power receiving device via the internal battery due to a power outage or the like. In this case, as the remaining amount of the internal battery of the power supply device decreases, the power supply from the power supply device may suddenly stop while the user is using the power receiving device, which may have a great impact on the work using the power receiving device by the user.

[0008] A main object of the present invention is to enable a user of a power receiving device to recognize the power supply state by the power supply device when power is supplied from the power supply device to the power receiving device via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] A power supply device according to an aspect of the present invention is a power supply device that supplies power to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line through the power supply line, and includes a selection means for selecting an input from an external power source or an output from a built-in battery as a power supply source for the power receiving device according to the state of the input from the external power source, a detection means for detecting a power supply state by the power supply source, and a presentation means for transmitting information indicating the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line and presenting the information indicating the supply state to the user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device.

[0010] In another aspect for achieving the above object, a power supply control method according to an aspect of the present invention supplies power to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line by a power supply device that supplies power via the power supply line. The power supply device selects, according to the state of the input from an external power source or the output from a built-in battery, a power supply source for the power receiving device, detects the power supply state by the power supply source, transmits information representing the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line, and presents the information representing the supply state to the user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device.

[0011] Furthermore, in a further aspect for achieving the above object, a power supply control program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer included in a power supply device that supplies power to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line to perform a selection process of selecting, according to the state of the input from an external power source or the output from a built-in battery, a power supply source for the power receiving device, a detection process of detecting the power supply state by the power supply source, a transmission process of transmitting information representing the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line, and a presentation process of presenting the information representing the supply state to the user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by a computer-readable non-volatile recording medium storing such a power supply control program (computer program).

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] In the case of supplying power from a power supply device to a power receiving device via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, the present invention enables the user of the power receiving device to recognize the power supply state by the power supply device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power supply system 1 according to the present disclosure. The power supply system 1 generally includes a power supply device 10, a power receiving device 20, and a display device 40. The power supply device 10 includes a Type-C connector 100 described later, the power receiving device 20 includes a Type-C connector 200 described later, and the Type-C connector 100 and the Type-C connector 200 are communicably connected by a Type-C cable 30. The power supply device 10 and the power receiving device 20 are compatible with USB Power Delivery, and the power supply device 10 supplies power to the power receiving device 20 via the Type-C cable 30. The Type-C cable 30 includes a VBUS line (power supply line) and a CC communication line (communication line).

[0017] The power supply device 10 includes a Type-C connector 100, a selection unit 11, a detection unit 12, a Type-C controller 13, an acquisition unit 14, an external power input unit 151, an AC-DC conversion unit 152, a voltage conversion unit 160, a battery 171, a battery charging unit 172, a FET (Field Effect Transistor) 181, and a FET 182. The detection unit 12 includes an external power state detection unit 121 and a battery state detection unit 122. The Type-C controller 13 includes a presentation unit 130. The selection unit 11, the detection unit 12, the presentation unit 130, and the acquisition unit 14 are examples of a selection means, a detection means, a presentation means, and an acquisition means, respectively, in this order.

[0018] The external power input unit 151 is an AC plug or an inlet or the like that is connected to an external power source (such as an outlet) not shown. The voltage of the power input from the external power input unit 151 is converted from an AC voltage to a DC voltage by the AC-DC conversion unit 152.

[0019] The external power supply state detection unit 121 included in the detection unit 12 constantly detects the state of the external power supply input from the external power supply input unit 151. More specifically, the external power supply state detection unit 121 acquires the output voltage from the AC-DC conversion unit 152, and determines whether the acquired output voltage is equal to or lower than a given threshold value that serves as a criterion for determining that the state of the external power supply is abnormal. When the output voltage is equal to or lower than the threshold value, there is a high possibility that the state of the external power supply is abnormal. In particular, when the output voltage is almost 0, it is assumed that a power outage has occurred. The external power supply state detection unit 121 generates or updates the power supply state information 120 including the detection result regarding the state of the external power supply, and inputs the power supply state information 120 to the selection unit 11 described later.

[0020] The battery state detection unit 122 included in the detection unit 12 constantly detects the state of the battery 171. More specifically, the battery state detection unit 122 acquires the output voltage from the battery 171, and detects the remaining amount of the battery 171 from the output voltage. The battery state detection unit 122 generates or updates the power supply state information 120 including the detection result regarding the state of the battery 171, and inputs the power supply state information 120 to the selection unit 11 described later.

[0021] Based on the power supply state information 120 input from the detection unit 12 including the external power supply state detection unit 121 and the battery state detection unit 122 as described above, the selection unit 11 selects either the input from the external power supply input unit 151 or the output from the battery 171 as the power supply source for the power receiver 20. More specifically, when the power supply state information 120 indicates that the state of the external power supply is normal, the selection unit 11 selects the input from the external power supply input unit 151 as the power supply source for the power receiver 20. When the power supply state information 120 indicates that the state of the external power supply is abnormal (for example, a power outage has occurred), the selection unit 11 selects the output from the battery 171 as the power supply source for the power receiver 20.

[0022] When the selection unit 11 selects the input from the external power input unit 151 as the power supply source for the power receiving device 20, it sets the FET 181 to the on (energized) state and sets the FET 182 to the off (cut-off) state. In this case, the battery charging unit 172 charges the battery 171 using the external power supply.

[0023] When the selection unit 11 selects the output from the battery 171 as the power supply source for the power receiving device 20, it sets the FET 181 to the off (cut-off) state and sets the FET 182 to the on (energized) state. In this case, the charging operation of the battery 171 by the battery charging unit 172 stops.

[0024] The selection unit 11 may include the selection result regarding the power supply source for the power receiving device 20 described above in the power supply state information 120.

[0025] Note that the components to be controlled in the above-described selection operation by the selection unit 11 are not limited to FETs such as the FET 181 and the FET 182. The power supply device 10 may include a circuit (configuration) different from the FET that has the same functions as the FET 181 and the FET 182.

[0026] The Type-C controller 13 communicates with the power receiving device 20 regarding USB Power Delivery by Type-C CC communication. The presentation unit 130 included in the Type-C controller 13 acquires the power supply state information 120 including the selection result regarding the power supply source for the power receiving device 20 by the selection unit 11 from the detection unit 12. The presentation unit 130 transmits the acquired power supply state information 120 to the power receiving device 20 by Type-C CC communication, and controls the control unit 22 in the power receiving device 20 to output the transmitted power supply state information 120 to the display device 40. Note that the display device 40 is, for example, a terminal device including a display screen, and the power supply state information 120 is presented to the user of the power receiving device 20 via the display screen.

[0027] The acquisition unit 14 acquires power usage status information 140 indicating the power usage status of a control unit 22 (to be described later) in the power receiving device 20 via Type-C CC communication by the Type-C controller 13.

[0028] In addition, in the current USB standard, since the protocols for communications other than Power Delivery communication and Alternate Mode communication are not defined, the above-described CC communication by the Type-C controller 13 can be implemented by any protocol that does not affect other communication protocols including Power Delivery communication and Alternate Mode communication.

[0029] The voltage conversion unit 160 receives control according to the result of Power Delivery communication by the Type-C controller 13, converts the output voltage from the FET 181 or FET 182 into a voltage corresponding to the power receiving device 20, and outputs the converted voltage to the VBUS. The voltage output from the voltage conversion unit 160 is input to the VBUS of the power receiving device 20 via the Type-C cable 30.

[0030] The detection unit 12 may also calculate the remaining time during which the battery 171 can supply power to the power receiving device 20 based on the remaining amount of the battery 171 included in the power supply status information 120 and the power usage status information 140 acquired by the acquisition unit 14. Then, the presentation unit 130 transmits the power supply status information 120 including the remaining time calculated by the detection unit 12 to the power receiving device 20 via Type-C CC communication, and controls the control unit 22 in the power receiving device 20 to output the transmitted power supply status information 120 including the remaining time to the display device 40.

[0031] The detection unit 12 may further determine whether the remaining time for the power supply device 20 by the battery 171 calculated as described above is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Then, when the calculated remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the presentation unit 130 transmits to the power receiving device 20 the power supply state information 120 including a warning indicating that the power supply is stopped, and controls the control unit 22 to output the power supply state information 120 including the transmitted warning to the display device 40. In this case, the predetermined threshold for the remaining time may be, for example, at least the time required to stop the operation of the power receiving device 20 and turn off its power, and more specifically, the time required to complete the shutdown process by the control unit 22.

[0032] The power receiving device 20 includes a Type-C connector 200, a Type-C controller 21, a control unit 22, and a voltage conversion unit 23. The Type-C controller 21 includes a notification unit 210. The notification unit 210 and the control unit 22 are examples of a notification means and a control means, respectively.

[0033] The voltage conversion unit 23 converts the voltage input to VBUS from the power supply device 10 as described above into a voltage that can be used by the control unit 22 described later, and inputs the converted voltage to the control unit 22.

[0034] The Type-C controller 21 performs Type-C CC communication with the Type-C controller 13 of the power supply device 10. The Type-C controller 21 inputs the power supply state information 120 transmitted from the presentation unit 130 to the control unit 22. The notification unit 210 included in the Type-C controller 21 acquires power usage state information 140 indicating the usage state of the power supplied to the control unit 22, and notifies the power supply device 10 via Type-C CC communication.

[0035] The control unit 22 executes various information processes such as an application, for example, according to an instruction by the user of the power receiving device 20 or the like. The control unit 22 outputs the power supply state information 120 input from the Type-C controller 21 and transmitted from the presentation unit 130 to the display device 40 according to the control by the presentation unit 130. Also, the user of the power receiving device 20 can arbitrarily turn on / off the power supplied to the control unit 22.

[0036] The control unit 22 also includes the power supply state information 120 transmitted from the presentation unit 130. When the remaining time for the battery 171 to supply power to the power receiving device 20 included in the power supply state information 120 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, a shutdown process for automatically ending the currently executed process may be executed.

[0037] Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 5, the operation (process) of the power supply system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the power supply device 10 starts supplying power to the power receiving device 20 in the power supply system 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0039] An external power source is connected to the external power source input unit 151 of the power supply device 10 by the user, and the output voltage from the external power source input unit 151 is input to the AC-DC conversion unit 152 (step S101). The external power source state detection unit 121 of the detection unit 12 detects that power is being supplied from the external power source based on the output voltage of the AC-DC conversion unit 152, and notifies the selection unit 11 of the detection result (step S102). The selection unit 11 sets the FET 181 to the on (energized) state and the FET 182 to the off (blocked) state according to the detection result by the external power source state detection unit 121, and generates or updates the power supply state information 120 including these setting results (step S103).

[0040] The user connects the Type-C connector 100 and the Type-C connector 200 via the Type-C cable 30 (step S104). The Type-C controller 13 of the power supply device 10 and the Type-C controller 21 of the power receiving device 20 perform Power Delivery communication via the CC communication line (step S105). The voltage conversion unit 160 generates the voltage determined by the Power Delivery communication and supplies power to the power receiving device 20 via the VBUS line (step S106).

[0041] The user turns on the power of the control unit 22 of the power receiving device 20 (step S107). The notification unit 210 of the Type-C controller 21 transmits the power usage status information 140 to the power supply device 10 via the CC communication line (step S108). The acquisition unit 14 of the power supply device 10 receives the power usage status information 140 from the notification unit 210 of the power receiving device 20 via the CC communication line (step S109), and the overall process ends.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the power supply device 10 switches the power supply source to the power receiving device 20 from the external power source to the battery 171 due to the occurrence of a power outage in the external power source in the power supply system 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0043] The presentation unit 130 of the power supply device 10 transmits the power supply status information 120 to the power receiving device 20 via the CC communication line at any time, and the acquisition unit 14 receives the power usage status information 140 from the power receiving device 20 via the CC communication line at any time (step S201). The control unit 22 of the power receiving device 20 displays the power supply status information 120 received from the power supply device 10 on the display device 40 according to the control by the presentation unit 130 (step S202). The external power source status detection unit 121 of the detection unit 12 checks whether the output voltage of the AC-DC conversion unit 152 indicates the occurrence of a power outage in the external power source (step S203).

[0044] When the output voltage of the AC-DC conversion unit 152 does not indicate that a power outage has occurred (No in step S204), the process returns to step S201. When the output voltage of the AC-DC conversion unit 152 indicates that a power outage has occurred (Yes in step S204), the selection unit 11 sets the FET 181 to the off (cut-off) state and stops the charging from the battery charging unit 172 to the battery 171 (step S205). The selection unit 11 checks whether the power usage status information 140 indicates that the power of the control unit 22 is on and whether the power supply status information 120 indicates that power supply from the battery 171 to the power receiving device 20 is possible (step S206).

[0045] When the power usage status information 140 indicates that the power of the control unit 22 is off, or when the power supply status information 120 indicates that power supply from the battery 171 is not possible (No in step S207), the selection unit 11 sets the FET 182 to the off (cut-off) state (step S208), and the overall process ends. When the power usage status information 140 indicates that the power of the control unit 22 is on and the power supply status information 120 indicates that power supply from the battery 171 is possible (Yes in step S207), the selection unit 11 sets the FET 182 to the on (energized) state (step S209). The presentation unit 130 of the Type-C controller transmits the power supply status information 120 indicating power supply from the battery 171 to the power receiving device 20 and controls the control unit 22 to display the power supply status information 120 on the display device 40. The voltage conversion unit 160 supplies the power from the battery 171 to the power receiving device 20 via the VBUS line (step S210), and the overall process ends.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of stopping power supply from the battery 171 due to a decrease in the remaining amount of the battery 171 when the power supply device 10 is supplying power to the power receiving device 20 by the battery 171 in the power supply system 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0047] The detection unit 12 of the power supply device 10 calculates the remaining time during which the power supply from the battery 171 to the power receiving device 20 is possible based on the remaining amount of the battery 171 indicated by the power supply state information 120 and the power usage state information 140 (step S301). The detection unit 12 determines whether the calculated remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step S302).

[0048] If the calculated remaining time is greater than the predetermined threshold (No in step S303), the process returns to step S301. If the calculated remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S303), the presentation unit 130 of the Type-C controller 13 transmits the power supply state information 120 including a warning indicating that the power supply to the power receiving device 20 is to be stopped, to the power receiving device 20 (step S304).

[0049] The control unit 22 of the power receiving device 20 displays the power supply state information 120 including the warning received from the power supply device 10 on the display device 40 according to the control by the presentation unit 130 (step S305). The control unit 22 executes a shutdown process for ending the process being executed in the power receiving device 20 (step S306). The selection unit 11 stops the power supply to the power receiving device 20 by setting the FET 182 to the off (cut-off) state (step S307), and the entire process ends.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching the power supply source for the power receiving device 20 from the battery 171 to an external power source when power supply is restored in a state where the power supply device 10 supplies power to the power receiving device 20 by the battery 171 in the power supply system 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0051] The external power supply state detection unit 121 of the detection unit 12 checks whether the power outage has been restored (the state where power is supplied from an external power supply) from the output voltage of the AC-DC conversion unit 152 (step S401). If the output voltage of the AC-DC conversion unit 152 indicates that the power outage has not been restored (No in step S402), the process returns to step S401. If the output voltage of the AC-DC conversion unit 152 indicates that the power outage has been restored (Yes in step S402), the selection unit 11 sets the FET 181 to the on (energized) state and the FET 182 to the off (cut-off) state, thereby switching the power supply source for the power receiving device 20 from the battery 171 to the external power supply, and the battery charging unit 172 resumes charging the battery 171 (step S403).

[0052] The presentation unit 130 of the Type-C controller 13 transmits power supply state information 120 indicating that the power supply source for the power receiving device 20 has been switched from the battery 171 to the external power supply to the power receiving device 20, and controls the control unit 22 to display the power supply state information 120 on the display device 40 (step S404). The control unit 22 displays the power supply state information 120 received from the power supply device 10 on the display device 40 according to the control by the presentation unit 130 (step S405), and the entire process ends.

[0053] When the power supply device 10 according to the present disclosure supplies power from the power supply device to the power receiving device via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, the user of the power receiving device can recognize the power supply state by the power supply device. The reason is that the power supply device 10 transmits the power supply state information 120 to the power receiving device 20 via the Type-C cable 30, and controls the power receiving device 20 to present the transmitted power supply state information 120 to the user by displaying it on the display device 40.

[0054] Hereinafter, the effects achieved by the power supply device 10 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0055] For example, in the case of power supply to a power receiving device from a power supply device via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, such as a power supply system compatible with USB Power Delivery, there is a system configured to notify the power receiving device of information indicating the power supply state of the power supply device. However, in this system, generally, the information indicating the power supply state of the power supply device notified to the power receiving device is used for internal control in the system. Therefore, for example, the user of the power receiving device cannot recognize the power supply state of the power supply device. Thus, particularly when the power receiving device does not have an internal battery, a user who cannot recognize the power supply state of the power supply device may continue to use the power receiving device even though the power supply device is supplying power to the power receiving device via the internal battery due to a power outage or the like. In this case, as the remaining amount of the internal battery of the power supply device decreases, there is a risk that the power supply from the power supply device will suddenly stop while the user is using the power receiving device, greatly affecting the work performed by the user using the power receiving device.

[0056] In response to such a problem, the power supply device 10 according to the present disclosure supplies power to the power receiving device 20 connected via a Type-C cable 30 including a VBUS line (power supply line) and a CC communication line (communication line) via the VBUS line. The power supply device 10 selects, according to the state of the input from the external power source, either the input to the external power input unit 151 or the output from the built-in battery 171 as the power supply source for the power receiving device 20. The power supply device 10 detects the power supply state by the power supply source. Then, the power supply device 10 transmits power supply state information 120 to the power receiving device 20 via the CC communication line, and presents the power supply state information 120 to the user of the power receiving device 20 via the power receiving device 20. That is, since the power supply device 10 presents the power supply state information 120 to the user of the power receiving device 20, the user of the power receiving device 20 can recognize the power supply state by the power supply device 10.

[0057] In addition, the power supply device 10 according to the present disclosure acquires power usage status information 140 indicating the power usage status of the power receiving device 20. The power supply device 10 detects the power supply status including the remaining amount of the battery 171, and calculates the remaining time during which the battery 171 can supply power to the power receiving device 20 based on the power supply status information 120 including the remaining amount of the battery 171 and the power usage status information 140. The power supply device 10 presents the power supply status information 120 including the calculated remaining time to the user of the power receiving device 20. Further, the power supply device 10 determines whether the calculated remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and when the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, presents to the user of the power receiving device 20 the power supply status information 120 including a warning indicating that the power supply will stop. Thereby, the power supply device 10 can assist the user of the power receiving device 20 to finish the work using the power receiving device 20 before the power supply device 10 becomes unable to supply power to the power receiving device 20.

[0058] In addition, when the remaining time during which the battery 171 can supply power to the power receiving device 20 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the power receiving device 20 according to the present disclosure controls to end the process being executed in the power receiving device 20. Thereby, the power receiving device 20 can more reliably assist the user of the power receiving device 20 to finish the work using the power receiving device 20 before the power supply stops.

[0059] Note that in the power supply system 1, the cable connecting the power supply device 10 and the power receiving device 20 is not limited to the Type-C cable 30. The power supply device 10 and the power receiving device 20 may be connected by a cable having a different standard from USB Type-C, including a power supply line and a communication line. However, in this case, the power supply device 10 and the power receiving device 20 shall be provided with connectors conforming to the standard of the cable connecting the power supply device 10 and the power receiving device 20 instead of the Type-C connector 100 and the Type-C connector 200.

[0060] <Modification Example of the First Embodiment> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply system 1A according to the present disclosure. Among the components included in the power supply system 1A, for the components having the same functions as those included in the above-described power supply system 1, the same numbers as those of the components included in the power supply system 1 are assigned, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] The power supply device 10A included in the power supply system 1A includes an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 19 in addition to the components of the power supply device 10 according to the above-described power supply system 1. Similarly, the power receiving device 20A included in the power supply system 1A includes an MCU 24 in addition to the components of the power receiving device 20 according to the above-described power supply system 1. Further, the power supply device 10A includes a Type-C controller 13A, and the power receiving device 20 includes a Type-C controller 21A.

[0062] In the power supply system 1, the presentation unit 130 is included in the Type-C controller 13, while in the power supply system 1A, the presentation unit 130 is included in the MCU 19, and the Type-C controller 13A does not include the presentation unit 130. Similarly, in the power supply system 1, the notification unit 210 is included in the Type-C controller 21, while in the power supply system 1A, the notification unit 210 is included in the MCU 24, and the Type-C controller 21A does not include the notification unit 210.

[0063] The MCU 19 and the MCU 24 are configured to be able to communicate through any communication line in the Type-C connectors 100 and 200, and the Type-C cable 30. Since the USB Type-C interface incorporates, for example, a high-speed signal transmission line and a communication line for sideband signals associated therewith in addition to USB2.0 and the CC communication line, the MCU 19 and the MCU 24 can utilize these communication lines. That is, in the power supply system 1A, CC communication other than Power Delivery communication performed between the Type-C controllers 13 and 21 in the power supply system 1 is performed between the MCU 19 and the MCU 24.

[0064] When the power supply device 10A according to the present disclosure supplies power from the power supply device to the power receiving device via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, the user of the power receiving device can recognize the power supply state by the power supply device. The reason is as described above for the power supply device 10.

[0065] In addition, in the power supply system 1A according to the present disclosure, since the function of performing communication added to the existing USB Type-C interface is implemented in the MCUs 19 and 24, in the power supply device and the power receiving device, the existing Type-C controller can be used as it is without requiring a design change to the existing Type-C controller.

[0066] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power supply device 50 according to the present disclosure. The power supply device 50 is a power supply device that supplies power via a power supply line 81 to a power receiving device 70 connected via a cable 80 including a power supply line 81 and a communication line 82. The cable 80 is, for example, a cable similar to the Type-C cable 30 according to the power supply system 1. The power supply line 81 is, for example, a power supply line similar to the VBUS line according to the power supply system 1. The communication line 82 is, for example, a communication line similar to the CC communication line according to the power supply system 1. The power receiving device 70 is, for example, a device similar to the power receiving device 20 according to the power supply system 1.

[0067] The power supply device 50 includes a selection unit 51, a detection unit 52, and a presentation unit 53. The selection unit 51, the detection unit 52, and the presentation unit 53 are, in order, examples of selection means, detection means, and presentation means.

[0068] The selection unit 51 selects, according to the input from the external power supply 60 or the output from the built-in battery 500, the power supply source for the power receiving device 70 in accordance with the state of the input from the external power supply 60. The external power supply 60 is, for example, the same power supply as the external power supply connected to the external power supply input unit 151 related to the power supply system 1. The battery 500 is, for example, the same battery as the battery 171 related to the power supply system 1. The selection unit 51 operates in the same manner as the selection unit 11 related to the power supply system 1, for example.

[0069] The detection unit 52 detects the power supply state 520 by the power supply source. The power supply state 520 is, for example, the same state as the state represented by the power supply state information 120 related to the power supply system 1. The detection unit 52 operates in the same manner as the detection unit 12 related to the power supply system 1, for example.

[0070] The presentation unit 53 transmits the information representing the supply state 520 to the power receiving device 70 via the communication line 82, and presents the information representing the supply state 520 to the user of the power receiving device 70 via the power receiving device 70. The presentation unit 53 operates in the same manner as the presentation unit 130 related to the power supply system 1, for example.

[0071] Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the operation (processing) of the power supply device 50 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0072] The selection unit 51 selects, according to the input from the external power supply 60 or the output from the built-in battery 500, the power supply source for the power receiving device 70 in accordance with the state of the input from the external power supply 60 (step S501). The detection unit 52 detects the power supply state 520 by the power supply source (step S502). The presentation unit 53 transmits the information representing the supply state 520 to the power receiving device 70 via the communication line 82, and presents the information representing the supply state 520 to the user of the power receiving device 70 via the power receiving device 70 (step S503), and the entire process ends.

[0073] When the power supply device 50 according to the present disclosure supplies power from the power supply device to the power receiving device via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, the user of the power receiving device can recognize the power supply state by the power supply device. The reason is that the power supply device 50 transmits information representing the supply state 520 by the power supply source to the power receiving device 70 via a cable 80 including a power supply line 81 and a communication line 82, and controls the power receiving device 70 to present the transmitted information representing the supply state 520 to the user of the power receiving device 70.

[0074] <Hardware Configuration Example> In each of the above-described embodiments, each part in the power supply system and the power supply device shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 can be realized by dedicated HW (HardWare) (electronic circuit). Further, in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, at least the following configurations can be regarded as functional (processing) units (software modules) of a software program including instructions executed by a processor. · Selection units 11 and 51, · Detection units 12 and 52, · External power supply state detection unit 121, · Battery state detection unit 122, · Presentation units 130 and 53, · Acquisition unit 14, · Notification unit 210 · Control unit 22.

[0075] However, the division of each part shown in these drawings is a configuration for convenience of explanation, and various configurations can be assumed in implementation. An example of the hardware environment in this case will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating the configuration of an information processing apparatus 900 (computer) capable of realizing the power supply apparatus or the power receiving apparatus according to the present disclosure. That is, FIG. 9 shows the configuration of a computer (information processing apparatus) capable of realizing the power supply apparatus or the power receiving apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, and represents a hardware environment capable of realizing each function in the above-described embodiment. However, each unit in the above-described power supply apparatus or power receiving apparatus may be provided in a distributed manner in a plurality of information processing apparatuses 900, or at least some of its functions may be provided in a server or the like constituting a cloud computing environment.

[0077] The information processing apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9 includes the following as components. · CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, · ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, · RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, · Hard disk (storage device) 904, · Communication interface 905, · Bus 906 (communication line), · Reader / writer 908 capable of reading and writing data stored in a recording medium 907 such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), · Input / output interface 909 such as a monitor, a speaker, and a keyboard.

[0078] That is, the information processing apparatus 900 including the above components is a general computer in which these components are connected via a bus 906. The information processing apparatus 900 may include a plurality of CPUs 901, or may include a CPU 901 configured by a multi-core. The information processing apparatus 900 may also not include some of the above-described configurations.

[0079] Then, the present invention described by taking the above-described embodiments as examples provides a computer program capable of realizing the following functions for the information processing apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9. The functions are the above-described configurations in the block diagrams (FIGS. 1, 6, and 7) referred to in the description of the embodiments, or the functions of the flowcharts (FIGS. 2 to 5 and FIG. 8). The present invention is then achieved by reading the computer program into the CPU 901 of the hardware, interpreting, and executing it. Further, the computer program supplied into the apparatus may be stored in a readable and writable volatile memory (RAM 903), or a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM 902 or a hard disk 904.

[0080] Also, in the above case, a general procedure at present can be adopted as a method for supplying the computer program into the hardware. Examples of the procedure include a method of installing it into the apparatus via various recording media 907 such as a CD-ROM, and a method of downloading it from the outside via a communication line such as the Internet. And in such a case, the present invention can be regarded as being constituted by the code constituting such a computer program or the recording medium 907 storing the code.

[0081] The present invention has been described above by taking the above-described embodiments as exemplary examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. That is, the present invention can apply various aspects understandable by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

[0082] Note that part or all of each of the above-described embodiments can also be described as follows in the appended claims. However, the present invention exemplified by the above-described embodiments is not limited to the following.

[0083] (Appended Claim 1) A power supply device that supplies power via the power supply line to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, Selecting means for selecting, according to the state of the input from the external power supply, an input from the external power supply or an output from a built-in battery as a power supply source for the power receiving device; Detecting means for detecting a power supply state by the supply source; Presenting means for transmitting information representing the supply state via the communication line to the power receiving device and presenting, via the power receiving device, information representing the supply state to a user of the power receiving device; A power supply device comprising the above.

[0084] (Appendix 2) The detecting means detects the supply state including the remaining amount of the battery. The power supply device according to Appendix 1.

[0085] (Appendix 3) The power supply device further comprises obtaining means for obtaining information representing a power usage state by the power receiving device. The detecting means calculates a remaining time during which the battery can supply power to the power receiving device based on the information representing the supply state and the information representing the usage state. The presenting means presents, to the user of the power receiving device, information representing the supply state including the calculated remaining time. The power supply device according to Appendix 2.

[0086] (Appendix 4) The detecting means determines whether or not the remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. When the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, the presenting means presents, to the user of the power receiving device, information representing the supply state including a warning indicating that power supply will stop in the information representing the supply state. The power supply device according to Appendix 3.

[0087] (Appendix 5) The detecting means determines whether or not an input voltage from the external power supply is equal to or less than a given threshold value. When the input voltage is equal to or less than the given threshold value, the selecting means selects an output from the battery as the supply source. The power supply device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4.

[0088] (Supplementary Note 6) The cable is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C cable. The power supply device according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2.

[0089] (Supplementary Note 7) The presentation means is included in either a Type-C controller or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The power supply device according to Supplementary Note 6.

[0090] (Supplementary Note 8) Including the power supply device according to Supplementary Note 4 and the power receiving device connected via the cable, The power receiving device is A notification means for notifying the acquisition means of the information indicating the usage state, A control means for controlling to end the process being executed in the power receiving device when the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value. A power supply system comprising the above.

[0091] (Supplementary Note 9) By a power supply device that supplies power via a power supply line to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, Select an input from an external power source or an output from a built-in battery as a power supply source for the power receiving device according to the state of the input from the external power source, Detect the power supply state by the supply source, Transmit information indicating the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line, and present information indicating the supply state to the user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device. A power supply control method.

[0092] (Supplementary Note 10) Detecting the supply state including the remaining amount of the battery The power supply control method according to Supplementary Note 9

[0093] (Supplementary Note 11) Obtaining information representing the usage state of the power supply by the power receiving device Calculating the remaining time during which the battery can supply power to the power receiving device based on the information representing the supply state and the information representing the usage state Presenting the information representing the supply state including the calculated remaining time to the user of the power receiving device The power supply control method according to Supplementary Note 10

[0094] (Supplementary Note 12) Determining whether the remaining time is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold When the remaining time is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, presenting to the user of the power receiving device a warning indicating that the power supply of the information representing the supply state is stopped The power supply control method according to Supplementary Note 11

[0095] (Supplementary Note 13) Determining whether the input voltage from the external power supply is less than or equal to a given threshold When the input voltage is less than or equal to the given threshold, selecting the output from the battery as the power supply source The power supply control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 9 to 12

[0096] (Supplementary Note 14) The cable is a USB Type-C cable The power supply control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 9 to 13

[0097] (Supplementary Note 15) Transmitting the information representing the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line, and presenting the information representing the supply state to the user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device are performed by a Type-C controller or an MCU 15. A power supply control method as described in claim 14.

[0098] (Appendix 16) The power receiving device connected to the power supply device via the cable notifying the power supply device of information representing the usage state; When the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the process being executed in the power receiving device is controlled to be terminated. 13. The power supply control method according to claim 12.

[0099] (Appendix 17) A computer included in a power supply device that supplies power to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, a selection process for selecting an input from an external power source or an output from a built-in battery as a power supply source for the power receiving device according to a state of the input from the external power source; A detection process for detecting a power supply state by the power supply source; a presentation process of transmitting information representing the power supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line and presenting the information representing the power supply state to a user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device; A power supply control program for executing the above.

[0100] (Appendix 18) The detection process detects the supply state including the remaining charge of the battery. 18. The power supply control program according to claim 17.

[0101] (Appendix 19) and causing the computer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring information indicating a usage state of a power source by the power receiving device; the detection process calculates a remaining time during which the battery can supply power to the power receiving device based on the information representing the supply state and the information representing the usage state; The presentation process presents information representing the supply state including the calculated remaining time to the user of the power receiving device. The power supply control program described in Supplementary Note 18.

[0102] (Supplementary Note 20) The detection process determines whether the remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. When the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, the presentation process presents to the user of the power receiving device the information representing the supply state including a warning indicating that the power supply is stopped. The power supply control program described in Supplementary Note 19.

[0103] (Supplementary Note 21) The detection process determines whether the input voltage from the external power supply is equal to or less than a given threshold value. When the input voltage is equal to or less than the given threshold value, the selection process selects the output from the battery as the power supply source. The power supply control program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 17 to 20.

[0104] (Supplementary Note 22) The cable is a USB Type-C cable. The power supply control program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 17 to 21.

[0105] (Supplementary Note 23) The presentation process is executed by a Type-C controller or MCU operating as the computer. The power supply control program described in Supplementary Note 22.

[0106] (Supplementary Note 24) In the computer included in the power receiving device connected via the cable to the power supply device that executes the power supply control program described in Supplementary Note 20, Control processing for controlling to end the process being executed in the power receiving device when the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value A power supply control program for execution.

Explanation of symbols

[0107] 1 Power supply system 1A Power supply system 10 Power supply device 10A Power supply device 100 Type-C connector 11 Selection unit 12 Detection unit 120 Power supply status information 121 External power supply status detection unit 122 Battery status detection unit 13 Type-C controller 13A Type-C controller 130 Presentation unit 14 Acquisition unit 140 Power consumption status information 151 External power supply input unit 152 AC-DC conversion unit 160 Voltage conversion unit 171 Battery 172 Battery charging unit 181 FET 182 FET 19 MCU 20 Power receiving device 20A Power receiving device 200 Type-C connector 21 Type-C controller 21A Type-C controller 210 Notification unit 22 Control unit 23 Voltage conversion unit 24 MCU 30 Type-C cable 40 Display device 50 Power supply device 51 Selection unit 52 Detection unit 520 Supply status 53 Presentation unit 500 Battery 60 External power supply 70 Power receiving device 80 Cable 81 Feeder line 82 Communication line 900 Information processing device 901 CPU 902 ROM 903 RAM 904 Hard disk (storage device) 905 Communication interface 906 Bus 907 Recording medium 908 Reader / writer 909 Input / output interface

Claims

1. A power supply device that supplies power to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, the power supply line being used to supply power, comprising: selection means for selecting, according to the state of input from an external power source or output from a built-in battery, a power supply source for supplying power to the power receiving device; detection means for detecting a power supply state by the power supply source; presentation means for transmitting information representing the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line, and presenting, via the power receiving device, information representing the supply state to a user of the power receiving device; A power supply device comprising the above.

2. The detection means detects the supply state including the remaining amount of the battery. The power supply device according to claim 1.

3. The power supply device further comprises acquisition means for acquiring information representing a power usage state of the power receiving device, the detection means calculates a remaining time during which the battery can supply power to the power receiving device based on information representing the supply state and information representing the usage state, and the presentation means presents information representing the supply state including the calculated remaining time to a user of the power receiving device. The power supply device according to claim 2.

4. The detection means determines whether or not the remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, and when the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, the presentation means presents to the user of the power receiving device information representing the supply state including a warning indicating that power supply will stop. The power supply device according to claim 3.

5. The detection means determines whether or not an input voltage from the external power source is equal to or less than a given threshold value, and when the input voltage is equal to or less than the given threshold value, the selection means selects the output from the battery as the power supply source. The power supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The cable is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C cable. The power supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The presentation means is included in either a Type-C controller or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The power supply device according to claim 6.

8. A power supply device according to claim 4, and a power receiving device connected via the cable, wherein the power receiving device comprises: notification means for notifying the acquisition means of information representing the usage state. Control means for controlling to terminate the process being executed in the power receiving device when the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value; A power supply system comprising the same. **Claim 9** By a power supply device that supplies power via a power supply line to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, select an input from an external power source or an output from a built-in battery as a power supply source for the power receiving device according to the state of the input from the external power source, detect the power supply state by the power supply source, transmit information representing the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line, and present the information representing the supply state to the user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device; A power supply control method. **Claim 10** In a computer included in a power supply device that supplies power via a power supply line to a power receiving device connected via a cable including a power supply line and a communication line, a selection process of selecting an input from an external power source or an output from a built-in battery as a power supply source for the power receiving device according to the state of the input from the external power source, a detection process of detecting the power supply state by the power supply source, a presentation process of transmitting information representing the supply state to the power receiving device via the communication line and presenting the information representing the supply state to the user of the power receiving device via the power receiving device; A power supply control program for causing the above to be executed.

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