Apparatus and method

Abstract

To provide a DC-DC converter.SOLUTION: A device includes a main power supply, a DC-DC converter that receives power supply from the main power supply and generates main power, an auxiliary power supply that can generate auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter is stopped, and an internal circuit that stops the DC-DC converter and receives supply of auxiliary power from the auxiliary power supply in at least one first period in which reception processing of a radio signal is performed. In the above-mentioned device, the internal circuit may operate the DC-DC converter and receive supply of the main power from the DC-DC converter in a second period in which reception processing of the wireless signal is not performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 states, "The control unit 12 controls the variable frequency oscillator circuit 13 to output a set frequency, changes the external synchronization frequency of the DC-DC converter 14, and changes the noise frequency generated by the DC-DC converter." (paragraph 0038). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-57120 A Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a main power supply; a DC-DC converter that receives power from the main power supply and generates main power; an auxiliary power supply that can generate auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter is stopped; and an internal circuit that stops the DC-DC converter and receives the auxiliary power from the auxiliary power supply during at least one first period in which a radio signal reception process is performed.

[0004] In the above device, the internal circuit may operate the DC-DC converter and receive the main power from the DC-DC converter during a second period in which no wireless signal reception processing is performed.

[0005] In any of the above devices, the internal circuit may operate the DC-DC converter and receive the main power from the DC-DC converter during at least one period of performing a subsequent radio signal reception process in response to the strength of the radio signal received during the first period exceeding a predetermined strength threshold.

[0006] In any of the above devices, the internal circuit may stop the DC-DC converter during the first period and receive the auxiliary power from the auxiliary power source in response to a failure in the radio signal reception process performed by operating the DC-DC converter and receiving the main power during at least one period before the first period.

[0007] In any of the above devices, the internal circuit may operate the DC-DC converter to receive the main power from the DC-DC converter when the remaining charge of the auxiliary power supply becomes less than a predetermined remaining charge threshold while receiving the auxiliary power.

[0008] In any of the above devices, the auxiliary power supply may charge the main power while the DC-DC converter is operating, and discharge the charged main power as the auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter is operating.

[0009] In any of the above devices, the internal circuit may charge the auxiliary power supply until the auxiliary power reaches a voltage that exceeds a central voltage in a rated range of a power supply voltage received by the internal circuit.

[0010] In any of the above devices, the auxiliary power supply may include a series regulator that steps down the output voltage of the main power supply and outputs the resulting voltage as the auxiliary power.

[0011] In any of the above devices, the internal circuit may operate the DC-DC converter at startup to receive the main power from the DC-DC converter.

[0012] Any of the above devices may be an IoT sensor device, and the internal circuit may include a sensor and a wireless communication circuit that transmits measurement data measured by the sensor.

[0013] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: a DC-DC converter receiving power from a main power supply to generate main power; an auxiliary power supply generating auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter is stopped; and an internal circuit stopping the DC-DC converter and receiving the auxiliary power from the auxiliary power supply during a first period in which the internal circuit performs a receiving process for a wireless signal.

[0014] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] The configuration of the device 10 according to this embodiment is also shown. [Figure 2] 1 shows a first example of a power supply control flow of the device 10 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 shows a second example of the power supply control flow of the device 10 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] The configuration of the device 10 according to a first modified example of this embodiment is also shown. [Figure 5] The configuration of the device 10 according to a second modification of this embodiment is also shown. [Figure 6] 22 illustrates an example computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a device 10 according to this embodiment. The device 10 communicates with other devices to send and receive signals. The device 10 may be an IoT (Internet of Things) sensor device. In this case, one or more devices 10 may be installed in a facility such as a plant. Plants in which the device 10 may be installed include industrial plants such as chemical plants, plants that manage and control wellheads and surrounding areas of gas fields and oil fields, plants that manage and control power generation such as hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power, plants that manage and control energy generation such as solar and wind power, and plants that manage and control water supply and sewage systems, dams, etc. The device 10 may be connected to other devices via a wireless network such as a mobile phone network, a wireless WAN, a wireless LAN, or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0018] In the example shown in the figure, the device 10 includes a main power supply 1, a DC-DC converter 2, a wireless communication circuit 3, a CPU 4, a memory 5, a sensor 6, an antenna 7, and a power storage element 8. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the device 10 is an IoT sensor device. Alternatively, the device 10 may be any device that includes at least the main power supply 1, the DC-DC converter 2, the wireless communication circuit 3, and the power storage element 8.

[0019] The device 10 according to this embodiment stops the DC-DC converter 2 while receiving a wireless signal, thereby preventing the received wireless signal from being affected by noise from the DC-DC converter 2. At least one of the wireless communication circuit 3, CPU 4, memory 5, and sensor 6 may be included in an "internal circuit" that can receive auxiliary power from an auxiliary power source, such as the storage element 8 in the illustrated example, while the DC-DC converter 2 is stopped. Among the components of the device 10, those that must operate while receiving a wireless signal (e.g., the wireless communication circuit 3 and, if necessary, the CPU 4) and those that must maintain their internal state while receiving a wireless signal (e.g., the memory 5) may be included in the "internal circuit" that can receive auxiliary power. When the device 10 is an IoT sensor device, the internal circuit may include at least the sensor 6 and the wireless communication circuit 3. Alternatively, the sensor 6 may not be included in the "internal circuit" that can receive auxiliary power, and may stop operating when the DC-DC converter 2 is stopped. In this embodiment, the wireless communication circuit 3, CPU 4, memory 5, and sensor 6 are "internal circuits" that can receive auxiliary power.

[0020] The main power supply 1 provides power to the internal circuitry within the device 10. The main power supply 1 may be a primary or secondary battery.

[0021] The DC-DC converter 2 is connected to the main power supply 1. The DC-DC converter 2 receives power from the main power supply 1 and generates main power. The DC-DC converter 2 may convert the power supplied from the main power supply 1 and supply a constant voltage of main power to the internal circuit of the device 10. The DC-DC converter 2 may step up or step down the voltage supplied from the main power supply 1. The DC-DC converter 2 may have an ON / OFF function terminal for instructing the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 to be ON or OFF. When the ON / OFF function terminal is at a high (H) level, the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 is ON, and when it is at a low (L) level, the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 is OFF, the ON / OFF function terminal may be pulled up to the power supply voltage supplied by the main power supply 1, and the DC-DC converter 2 may be ON by default. When the ON / OFF function terminal is at a high (H) level, the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 is OFF, and when it is at a L level, the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 is ON, the ON / OFF function terminal may be pulled down to a reference voltage such as ground, and the DC-DC converter 2 may be ON by default. Alternatively, the DC-DC converter 2 may have a switch element on the input side for switching the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 between ON and OFF.

[0022] A DC-DC converter such as the DC-DC converter 2 switches a switch element at a constant or variable switching frequency, generates an induced current in a coil using current from a power source such as the main power supply 1, and outputs power having a desired output voltage using the induced current. For this reason, the DC-DC converter 2 emits high-frequency noise such as the switching frequency and its integer multiples as the switch elements are switched during operation.

[0023] The wireless communication circuit 3 is connected to the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8. The wireless communication circuit 3 receives power from at least one of the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8, and transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna 7. When the device 10 is an IoT sensor device, the wireless communication circuit 3 may transmit measurement data measured by the sensor 6 and may receive setting data related to measurement and measurement data transmission.

[0024] The CPU 4 is connected to the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8 and receives power from at least one of the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8. The CPU 4 functions as a "power supply control circuit" that controls the operation of the DC-DC converter 2. The CPU 4 may control the ON and OFF of the DC-DC converter 2 by supplying an ON / OFF signal to an ON / OFF function terminal of the DC-DC converter 2. The CPU 4 controls the operation of each unit of the device 10 based on at least one of setting data, etc., supplied from the wireless communication circuit 3 and programs and data stored in the memory 5. The CPU 4 may control the transmission and reception operation of the wireless communication circuit 3 based on at least one of setting data related to measurement data transmission supplied from the wireless communication circuit 3 and programs and data related to the operation of each unit of the wireless communication circuit 3 stored in the memory 5. The CPU 4 may control the measurement operation of the sensor 6 based on setting data related to measurement supplied from the wireless communication circuit 3. The CPU 4 may write data, such as the reception results of the wireless communication circuit 3, to the memory 5.

[0025] The memory 5 is connected to the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8, and receives power from at least one of the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8. The memory 5 stores programs or data used for the operation of the CPU 4. The memory 5 may include a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or may include a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM).

[0026] The sensor 6 is connected to the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8, and receives power from at least one of the DC-DC converter 2 and the power storage element 8. The sensor 6 measures conditions within the facility in which the device 10 is installed. The sensor 6 may measure at least one of temperature, humidity, pressure, illuminance, vibration, and other conditions.

[0027] The antenna 7 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 3. The antenna 7 emits a wireless transmission wave corresponding to the wireless signal output by the wireless communication circuit 3, receives a wireless reception wave sent from another device with which the device 10 is to communicate, and supplies the received radio wave to the wireless communication circuit 3. As a result, the antenna 7 transmits a wireless signal from the wireless communication circuit 3 to the other device, and supplies a wireless signal received from the other device to the wireless communication circuit 3.

[0028] The storage element 8 is connected to the DC-DC converter 2, the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, and the sensor 6. The storage element 8 is a type of auxiliary power source. The storage element 8 receives power from the DC-DC converter 2 and supplies auxiliary power to at least one of the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, and the sensor 6. The storage element 8 can generate auxiliary power when the DC-DC converter 2 is stopped. The storage element 8 may charge the main power while the DC-DC converter 2 is operating and discharge the charged main power as auxiliary power. This allows the device 10 to charge the storage element 8 without using an additional power source, thereby enabling miniaturization. Furthermore, the device 10 can charge the storage element 8 when the storage element 8 is not supplying auxiliary power, eliminating the need for an additional charging period and allowing power to be supplied to the internal circuitry in a time-efficient manner. The storage element 8 may be, for example, a ceramic capacitor, a tantalum capacitor, an electrolytic capacitor, a supercapacitor, or a secondary battery. The power storage element 8 may have a capacity that can maintain a voltage that ensures operation of the internal circuitry for the time that the wireless communication circuit 3 performs reception processing. For example, the power storage element 8 may have a capacity of several tens of mF.

[0029] Such a storage element 8 does not employ a structure that switches a switch element at a switching frequency as in the DCDC converter 2, and therefore can suppress noise generation compared to the DCDC converter 2. On the other hand, since the storage element 8 stores the power generated by the DCDC converter 2, its power efficiency is lower than that of the DCDC converter 2, and there is a limit to the amount of power that can be stored.

[0030] 2 shows a first example of a power control flow of the device 10 according to this embodiment. When the device 10 is started up, the device 10 starts the flow shown in this figure.

[0031] In step 210 (S210), the DC-DC converter 2 supplies main power to the internal circuit. The internal circuit may receive main power from the DC-DC converter 2 by operating the DC-DC converter 2 at startup. To achieve this, the internal circuit may pull up or pull down the ON / OFF function terminal of the DC-DC converter 2 so that the DC-DC converter 2 operates by default when the device 10 starts up.

[0032] In S220, the CPU 4 determines whether or not the wireless communication circuit 3 will perform reception processing of the wireless signal. The CPU 4 may determine that the wireless communication circuit 3 will perform reception processing of the wireless signal in response to the wireless communication circuit 3 receiving a wireless signal. If the CPU 4 has received information about the next reception processing in the previous reception processing (the time when the next reception processing will be performed, the time from the previous reception processing until the next reception processing will be performed, etc.), the CPU 4 may determine whether or not the wireless communication circuit 3 will perform reception processing of the wireless signal based on whether it is time to perform the next reception processing.

[0033] When the CPU 4 determines that the wireless communication circuit 3 does not perform wireless signal reception processing (No in S220), the device 10 returns the process to S210. In S210 after returning from S220, the DC-DC converter 2 supplies main power to the internal circuit. Therefore, the internal circuit operates the DC-DC converter 2 and receives main power from the DC-DC converter 2 during at least one period (also referred to as the "second period") during which wireless signal reception processing is not performed. As a result, the device 10 supplies main power to the internal circuit instead of auxiliary power during the period during which wireless signal reception processing is not performed, thereby enabling efficient power supply to the internal circuit. Note that the internal circuit may receive main power from the DC-DC converter 2 during all periods during which wireless signal reception processing is not performed, or may receive auxiliary power from the storage element 8 during some periods during which wireless signal reception processing is not performed.

[0034] When the CPU 4 determines that the wireless communication circuit 3 performs wireless signal reception processing (Yes in S220), the device 10 proceeds to S230. In S230, the CPU 4 stops the DC-DC converter 2. The CPU 4 may stop the DC-DC converter 2 by outputting an OFF signal to the ON / OFF terminal of the DC-DC converter 2. In response to the DC-DC converter 2 being stopped, the power storage element 8 supplies the stored auxiliary power to the internal circuit. As a result, during at least one period (also referred to as the "first period") during which wireless signal reception processing is performed, the internal circuit stops the DC-DC converter 2 and receives auxiliary power from the auxiliary power source. Note that the internal circuit may receive auxiliary power from the power storage element 8 during the entire period during which wireless signal reception processing is performed, or may receive main power from the DC-DC converter 2 during part of the period during which wireless signal reception processing is performed.

[0035] In S240, the CPU 4 determines whether the remaining charge of the power storage element 8, which is the auxiliary power source, is less than a predetermined remaining charge threshold. The predetermined remaining charge threshold may be a lower limit value of the remaining charge at which the auxiliary power supplied by the power storage element 8 can operate the CPU 4, or a value higher than the lower limit value by a predetermined margin value. The CPU 4 may then determine whether the remaining charge of the power storage element 8 is less than the remaining charge threshold value based on whether the output voltage of the power storage element 8 is less than a predetermined reference voltage. The reference voltage may be a value higher by a predetermined margin voltage (such as several hundred mV) than the lower limit value of the rated operating voltage of the CPU 4.

[0036] If the remaining amount of the storage element 8 is not less than the predetermined remaining amount threshold (No in S240), the device 10 advances the process to S260.

[0037] If the remaining charge of the storage element 8 is less than the predetermined remaining charge threshold (Yes in S240), the device 10 proceeds to S250. In S250, the DC-DC converter 2 supplies main power to the internal circuit. As a result, when the remaining charge of the auxiliary power falls below the predetermined remaining charge threshold while the internal circuit is receiving auxiliary power, the DC-DC converter 2 operates to receive main power from the DC-DC converter 2. The CPU 4 may operate the DC-DC converter 2 by outputting an ON signal to the ON / OFF terminal of the DC-DC converter 2. As a result, when the remaining charge of the auxiliary power is insufficient, the device 10 can continue the reception process by supplying main power to the internal circuit instead of auxiliary power. In this case, depending on the strength of the wireless signal, the device 10 may detect a reception error due to noise from the DC-DC converter 2. If a reception error is detected, the device 10 may receive a retransmission of the wireless signal by, for example, waiting for a retransmission from the transmitting device, requesting a retransmission from the transmitting device, or requesting a retransmission by broadcasting.

[0038] In S260, the CPU 4 determines whether the wireless communication circuit 3 has completed the wireless signal reception process. The CPU 4 may determine that the wireless communication circuit 3 has completed the wireless signal reception process when the current time reaches a predetermined reception end time. The CPU 4 may determine that the wireless communication circuit 3 has completed the wireless signal reception process when a predetermined reception period has elapsed since the wireless communication circuit 3 started the reception process. The CPU 4 may determine that the wireless signal reception process by the wireless communication circuit 3 has completed the wireless signal reception process when the wireless signal received by the wireless communication circuit 3 contains an instruction to terminate communication. If the CPU 4 determines that the wireless signal reception process by the wireless communication circuit 3 has not completed the wireless signal reception process (No in S260), the device 10 returns the process to S240 and continues to determine the remaining auxiliary power threshold during wireless reception in S240 and S250.

[0039] In S270, the CPU 4 ends the wireless signal reception process by the wireless communication circuit 3. The CPU 4 may end the wireless signal reception process by the wireless communication circuit 3 in response to the current time reaching a predetermined reception end time. The CPU 4 may end the wireless signal reception process by the wireless communication circuit 3 in response to the elapse of a predetermined reception period from the time the wireless communication circuit 3 started the reception process. The device 10 returns the process to S210.

[0040] When the CPU 4 determines that the wireless communication circuit 3 has completed the wireless signal reception process (Yes in S260), the device 10 returns the process to S210. In S210, which has returned from S260 or S270, the CPU 4 operates the DC-DC converter 2. The CPU 4 may operate the DC-DC converter 2 by outputting an ON signal to the ON / OFF terminal of the DC-DC converter 2. In response to the operation of the DC-DC converter 2, the DC-DC converter 2 supplies main power to the internal circuit. During operation, the DC-DC converter 2 may supply main power to the storage element 8 to charge it. The internal circuit may charge the storage element 8 until the auxiliary power exceeds the central voltage of the rated range of the power supply voltage received by the internal circuit. This allows the device 10 to charge the storage element 8 to a battery level sufficient for the operation of the internal circuit.

[0041] According to the device 10 described above, by stopping the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 during the first period in which the radio signal is received and supplying auxiliary power to the auxiliary power supply, it is possible to improve the deterioration of reception performance caused by the radiation noise from the DC-DC converter 2. Furthermore, according to the device 10 described above, it is possible to improve the deterioration of reception performance with a simpler or smaller configuration than when the deterioration of reception performance is improved by covering the DC-DC converter 2 with a shielding case or by increasing the distance between the DC-DC converter 2 and the antenna 7.

[0042] 3 shows a second example of the power control flow of the device 10 according to this embodiment. When the device 10 is started up, the device 10 starts the flow shown in this figure.

[0043] S310 and S320 may be similar to S210 and S220, respectively, in Fig. 2. In S330, the CPU 4 determines whether a previous reception process performed while receiving main power failed. The CPU 4 may read the results of the previous reception process from the memory 5 and determine whether the process failed.

[0044] If the CPU 4 determines that the reception process performed while receiving the main power supply has failed (Yes in S330), the device 10 proceeds to S340. In S340, the CPU 4 determines whether the strength of a wireless signal previously received by the wireless communication circuit 3 exceeds a predetermined strength threshold. The CPU 4 may read the strength of the wireless signal previously received from the memory 5. The CPU 4 may read the predetermined strength threshold from the memory 5. The predetermined strength threshold may be a lower limit value of the strength of a wireless signal that the wireless communication circuit 3 can receive even while the DC-DC converter 2 is operating, or a value higher than the lower limit value by a predetermined margin. The predetermined strength threshold may be a lower limit value of the strength of a wireless signal at which an index value indicating reception quality, such as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the wireless communication circuit 3, exceeds a predetermined threshold even while the DC-DC converter 2 is operating, or a value higher than the lower limit value by a predetermined margin.

[0045] If the reception process performed while receiving the main power fails (Yes in S330), or if the CPU 4 determines that the strength of the wireless signal previously received by the wireless communication circuit 3 does not exceed a predetermined strength threshold (No in S340), the device 10 proceeds to S350. S350 may be similar to S230 in FIG. 2. As a result, the internal circuit stops the DC-DC converter 2 during the first period and receives auxiliary power from the auxiliary power source in response to the failure of the reception process performed while receiving the main power and operating the DC-DC converter 2 during at least one period prior to the first period. The device 10 with this function can improve reception performance degradation due to noise by supplying auxiliary power to the internal circuit when the wireless signal is affected by noise from the DC-DC converter 2. Furthermore, when the wireless signal is not affected by noise from the DC-DC converter 2, the device 10 supplies the main power to the internal circuit instead of the auxiliary power, thereby efficiently supplying power to the internal circuit.

[0046] S360 may be the same as S240 in Fig. 2. If the remaining amount of the power storage element 8 is not less than the predetermined remaining amount threshold (No in S360), the device 10 proceeds to S380.

[0047] If the CPU 4 determines that the reception process performed while receiving the main power supply has not failed (No in S330), if the CPU 4 determines that the strength of the wireless signal previously received by the wireless communication circuit 3 exceeds a predetermined strength threshold (Yes in S340), or if the remaining charge of the power storage element 8 is less than a predetermined remaining charge threshold (Yes in S360), the device 10 proceeds to S370. S370 may be the same as S250 in FIG. 2. In S370, the CPU 4 operates the DC-DC converter 2 by supplying an ON signal to the ON / OFF terminal of the DC-DC converter 2. This causes the DC-DC converter 2 to supply the main power to the internal circuit. As a result, the internal circuit operates the DC-DC converter 2 and receives the main power from the DC-DC converter 2 during at least one period in which the reception process of the subsequent wireless signal is performed, depending on whether the strength of the wireless signal received during the first period exceeds the predetermined strength threshold. The device 10 having such a function can efficiently supply power to the internal circuitry by supplying the main power to the internal circuitry instead of the auxiliary power when the wireless signal is not affected by noise from the DC-DC converter 2. The internal circuitry may be supplied with the main power from the DC-DC converter 2 during the entire period in which the subsequent wireless signal reception process is performed, or may be supplied with the auxiliary power from the storage element 8 during a part of the period in which the subsequent wireless signal reception process is performed.

[0048] In S380, the CPU 4 determines whether the wireless communication circuit 3 has completed the wireless signal reception process. S380 may be the same as S260 in Fig. 2. If the CPU 4 determines that the wireless communication circuit 3 has not completed the wireless signal reception process (No in S380), the device 10 returns the process to S360 and continues to determine the remaining power threshold of the auxiliary power source during wireless reception in S360 and S370.

[0049] If the CPU 4 determines that the wireless signal reception process by the wireless communication circuit 3 has ended (Yes in S380), the device 10 proceeds to S400. S390 may be the same as S270 in FIG. 2. After S390, the device 10 proceeds to S400. In S400, the CPU 4 records the reception process result in the memory 5. The CPU 4 may record in the memory 5 whether the wireless signal reception process performed with the supply of main power has failed. The CPU 4 may record in the memory 5 an index indicating the reception quality, such as the RSSI, of the wireless communication circuit 3. The CPU 4 may determine whether the wireless signal reception process has failed based on the index indicating the reception quality, such as the RSSI, of the wireless communication circuit 3.

[0050] 4 shows the configuration of a device 10 according to a first modified example of this embodiment. In the example shown in this figure, the device 10 includes a main power supply 1, a DC-DC converter 2, a wireless communication circuit 3, a CPU 4, a memory 5, a sensor 6, an antenna 7, and a series regulator 9. The antenna 7 may be the same as that shown in FIG.

[0051] The main power supply 1 supplies power to at least one of the DC-DC converter 2 and the series regulator 9. The main power supply 1 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery.

[0052] The DC-DC converter 2 is connected to the main power supply 1. The DC-DC converter 2 steps down the voltage supplied from the main power supply 1. Other configurations of the DC-DC converter 2 may be the same as those in FIG.

[0053] The wireless communication circuit 3, memory 5, and sensor 6 are respectively connected to the DCDC converter 2 and the series regulator 9, and receive power from at least one of the DCDC converter 2 and the series regulator 9. The wireless communication circuit 3, memory 5, and sensor 6 may be the same as those in FIG. 1 except for their connection relationships.

[0054] The series regulator 9 is connected to the main power supply 1, the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, and the sensor 6. The series regulator 9 is a type of auxiliary power supply. That is, in the example shown in this figure, the auxiliary power supply includes the series regulator 9. The series regulator 9 receives power from the DC-DC converter 2 and supplies auxiliary power to at least one of the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, and the sensor 6. The series regulator 9 can generate auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter 2 is stopped. The series regulator 9 steps down the output voltage of the main power supply 1 and outputs it as auxiliary power. The series regulator 9 may be composed of a transistor and one or more semiconductors. The series regulator 9 may have an ON / OFF function terminal for instructing the operation of the series regulator 9 to be ON or OFF. When the ON / OFF function terminal is at a high (H) level, the operation of the series regulator 9 is ON, and when it is at a low (L) level, the operation of the series regulator 9 is OFF. In this case, the ON / OFF function terminal may be pulled down to the power supply voltage supplied by the main power supply 1, turning the series regulator 9 OFF by default. If the series regulator 9 is turned off when the ON / OFF function terminal is at H level and turned on when the ON / OFF function terminal is at L level, the ON / OFF function terminal may be pulled up to the voltage of the power supplied by the main power supply 1, turning the series regulator 9 off by default. Alternatively, the series regulator 9 may have a switch element on the input side for switching the operation of the series regulator 9 between ON and OFF. The switch element may be a P-channel MOFSET. The series regulator 9 may have a protection element on the output side to prevent reverse current flow when the DC-DC converter 2 starts up. The protection element may be a diode.

[0055] A series regulator such as the series regulator 9 has a transistor connected in series with a load to which power is supplied, and adjusts the voltage drop caused by the transistor by adjusting the base current of the transistor so that the output voltage supplied to the load becomes the target voltage. For this reason, the series regulator 9 does not employ a structure that switches switch elements at a switching frequency like the DC-DC converter 2, and therefore can suppress noise generation compared to the DC-DC converter 2. On the other hand, the series regulator 9 has lower power efficiency compared to the DC-DC converter 2 because the transistor consumes power equivalent to the voltage drop.

[0056] In the example shown in this figure, the CPU 4 is connected to the DCDC converter 2 and the series regulator 9 and receives power from at least one of the DCDC converter 2 and the series regulator 9. The CPU 4 functions as a "power supply control circuit" that controls the operations of the DCDC converter 2 and the series regulator 9. The CPU 4 may control the ON and OFF states of the DCDC converter 2 by supplying an ON / OFF signal to an ON / OFF function terminal or a switch element of the DCDC converter 2. The CPU 4 may control the ON and OFF states of the series regulator 9 by supplying an ON / OFF signal to an ON / OFF function terminal or a switch element of the series regulator 9. The relationship between the CPU 4, the wireless communication circuit 3, the memory 5, and the sensor 6 may be the same as that shown in FIG. 1.

[0057] 2 or S350 in FIG. 3, the CPU 4 in this figure may output an OFF signal to the ON / OFF terminal or switch element of the DCDC converter 2 to stop the DCDC converter 2, and output an ON signal to the ON / OFF terminal or switch element of the series regulator 9 to operate the series regulator 9. In S210 returning from S270 in FIG. 2 or S310 returning from S380 in FIG. 3, the CPU 4 in this figure may output an ON signal to the ON / OFF terminal or switch element of the DCDC converter 2 to operate the DCDC converter 2, and output an OFF signal to the ON / OFF terminal or switch element of the series regulator 9 to stop the series regulator 9. The CPU 4 in the example in this figure does not need to perform the operations of S240 in FIG. 2 and S340 in FIG. 3.

[0058] According to the device 10 of this figure, by stopping the operation of the DC-DC converter 2 in the first period and supplying auxiliary power to the series regulator 9, it is possible to improve the deterioration of reception performance caused by the radiated noise from the DC-DC converter 2. Furthermore, according to the device 10 of this figure, it is possible to improve the deterioration of reception performance with a simpler or more compact configuration compared to the case where the deterioration of reception performance is improved by covering the DC-DC converter 2 with a shielding case or by increasing the distance between the DC-DC converter 2 and the antenna 7.

[0059] 5 shows the configuration of a device 10 according to a second modified example of this embodiment. In the example shown in this figure, the device 10 includes a main power supply 1, a DC-DC converter 2, a wireless communication circuit 3, a CPU 4, a memory 5, a sensor 6, an antenna 7, a storage element 8, and a series regulator 9. The main power supply 1, the DC-DC converter 2, and the antenna 7 are the same as those in FIG.

[0060] The wireless communication circuit 3, memory 5, and sensor 6 are respectively connected to the DCDC converter 2, the power storage element 8, and the series regulator 9, and receive power supply from at least one of the DCDC converter 2, the power storage element 8, and the series regulator 9. The wireless communication circuit 3, memory 5, and sensor 6 may be the same as those in FIG. 1 except for the connection relationship.

[0061] The storage element 8 is connected to the DCDC converter 2, the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, the sensor 6, and the series regulator 9. The storage element 8 receives power from at least one of the DCDC converter 2 and the series regulator 9, and supplies auxiliary power to at least one of the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, and the sensor 6. The storage element 8 may be charged with main power while the DCDC converter 2 is operating, and may discharge the main power charged while the DCDC converter 2 is operating as auxiliary power. The storage element 8 may be charged with auxiliary power supplied from the series regulator 9 while the DCDC converter 2 is stopped and the series regulator 9 is operating, and may discharge the auxiliary power from the series regulator 9 charged while the DCDC converter 2 is operating as auxiliary power. The storage element 8 may be the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the connection relationship.

[0062] The series regulator 9 is connected to the main power supply 1, the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, the sensor 6, and the storage element 8. The series regulator 9 is a type of auxiliary power supply. The series regulator 9 receives power from the DC-DC converter 2 and supplies auxiliary power to at least one of the wireless communication circuit 3, the CPU 4, the memory 5, the sensor 6, and the storage element 8. The series regulator 9 can generate auxiliary power when the DC-DC converter 2 is stopped and the storage element 8 cannot supply auxiliary power. The series regulator 9 may be the same as that shown in FIG. 4 except for the connection relationship.

[0063] In the example shown in this figure, the CPU 4 is connected to the DC-DC converter 2, the power storage element 8, and the series regulator 9, and receives power supply from at least one of the DC-DC converter 2, the power storage element 8, and the series regulator 9. The CPU 4 may be the same as that shown in FIG. 4 except for the connection relationship.

[0064] The CPU 4 in this diagram stops the DC-DC converter 2 at S250 in FIG. 2 or S350 in FIG. 3. The CPU 4 may stop the DC-DC converter 2 by outputting an OFF signal to the ON / OFF terminal of the DC-DC converter 2. In response to the DC-DC converter 2 being stopped, the storage element 8 supplies the stored auxiliary power to the internal circuit. The CPU 4 does not need to output an ON signal to the ON / OFF control terminal or switch element of the series regulator 9.

[0065] 2, the CPU 4 may operate the series regulator 9 by outputting an ON signal to the ON / OFF terminal or switch element of the series regulator 9, instead of the operation of S260. This allows the internal circuit to receive auxiliary power from the series regulator 9 instead of the auxiliary power from the storage element 8.

[0066] According to the device 10 shown in this figure, when the capacity of the storage element 8 becomes insufficient, power supply is switched to a path through the series regulator 9, thereby making operation more stable than when only the storage element 8 is provided as an auxiliary power source.

[0067] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where the blocks (e.g., blocks in flowcharts, blocks designated as "means" or "unit") may represent (1) stages of a process in which operations are performed or (2) sections of an apparatus responsible for performing the operations. Particular stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuitry and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuitry including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0068] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device, such that the computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, and semiconductor storage media. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, and the like.

[0069] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0070] The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a programmable data processing apparatus, such as a computer, locally or over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, etc., which executes the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams.

[0071] Here, the computer may be a computer such as a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, or general-purpose computer, or may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system, and is a computer in the broad sense. In a distributed computing system, the multiple computers collectively execute a program by each executing a part of the program and passing data between the computers as needed during program execution.

[0072] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of a program and passes data between processors as needed during program execution, allowing the multiple processors to collectively execute the program. For example, in multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at time slice intervals. In this case, which portion of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Alternatively, which portion of a program each of the multiple processors executes may be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0073] 6 illustrates an example of a computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. Programs installed on the computer 2200 may cause the computer 2200 to function as or perform operations associated with an apparatus or one or more sections of the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, and / or to perform a process or steps of a process according to embodiments of the present invention. Such programs may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0074] A computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0075] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214 or into the graphics controller 2216 itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0076] The communications interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0077] The ROM 2230 stores therein a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 2200 upon activation, and / or programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0078] The programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and executed by the CPU 2212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by realizing information manipulation or processing in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0079] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in the RAM 2214, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM 2201, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0080] The CPU 2212 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0081] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 2212 may search for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0082] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable medium on or near the computer 2200. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can also be used as a computer-readable medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 2200 via the network.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0084] It should be noted that the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 main power supply, 2 DC / DC converter, 3 wireless communication circuit, 4 CPU, 5 memory, 6 sensor, 7 antenna, 8 power storage element, 9 series regulator, 10 device, 2200 computer, 2201 DVD-ROM, 2210 host controller, 2212 CPU, 2214 RAM, 2216 graphics controller, 2218 display device, 2220 input / output controller, 2222 communication interface, 2224 hard disk drive, 2226 DVD-ROM drive, 2230 ROM, 2240 input / output chip, 2242 keyboard

Claims

1. The main power supply and a DC-DC converter that receives power from the main power supply and generates main power; an auxiliary power supply capable of generating auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter is stopped; an internal circuit that stops the DC-DC converter and receives the auxiliary power from the auxiliary power supply during at least one first period in which a reception process of a wireless signal is performed; An apparatus comprising:

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the internal circuit operates the DC-DC converter and receives the main power from the DC-DC converter during a second period in which no wireless signal reception processing is performed.

3. The device described in claim 1, wherein the internal circuit operates the DC-DC converter and receives the main power from the DC-DC converter during at least one period for performing reception processing of a subsequent radio signal in response to the strength of the radio signal received during the first period exceeding a predetermined strength threshold.

4. The device described in claim 1, wherein the internal circuit stops the DC-DC converter during the first period and receives the auxiliary power from the auxiliary power source in response to a failure in the radio signal reception process performed by operating the DC-DC converter and receiving the main power during at least one period prior to the first period.

5. The device described in claim 1, wherein the internal circuit operates the DC-DC converter to receive the main power supply from the DC-DC converter when the remaining charge of the auxiliary power supply falls below a predetermined remaining charge threshold while receiving the auxiliary power.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power supply charges the main power while the DC-DC converter is operating, and discharges the charged main power as the auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter is operating.

7. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the internal circuit charges the auxiliary power source until the auxiliary power reaches a voltage exceeding a center voltage of a rated range of power supply voltages received by the internal circuit.

8. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power supply includes a series regulator that steps down the output voltage of the main power supply and outputs the stepped-down voltage as the auxiliary power.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the internal circuit receives the main power from the DC-DC converter by operating the DC-DC converter at startup.

10. The device is an IoT sensor device, The internal circuit includes a sensor and a wireless communication circuit that transmits measurement data measured by the sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1.

11. a DC-DC converter receiving power from a main power supply and generating main power; an auxiliary power supply generating auxiliary power while the DC-DC converter is stopped; during a first period in which an internal circuit performs a receiving process for a wireless signal, the DC-DC converter is stopped and the auxiliary power is supplied from the auxiliary power source; A method for providing the above.

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