Electronic device and control method

Abstract

An electronic device and a control method capable of ensuring a target operating time are provided. [Solution] An electronic device includes a battery, two or more electronic circuits that operate on power supplied from the battery, and a controller. The controller acquires power information indicating the power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits, acquires capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery, receives time information indicating a target time for which the two or more electronic circuits will operate, and adjusts the power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits based on the power information and capacity information so that the two or more electronic circuits will operate for at least the target time.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Various electronic devices that operate on power supplied from batteries are currently in use. In order to ensure the operating time of the electronic devices, it is sometimes necessary to limit the power consumption of each part of the electronic devices. In conventional technology, it is possible to limit the power consumption of electronic devices by setting a mode such as a power saving mode in the electronic devices.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for displaying the remaining operating time of a battery in an electronic device having a battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-129355 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although there are conventional techniques for limiting the power consumption of electronic devices, it is not possible to adjust the power consumption to target the operation time desired by the user.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a control method that can ensure a target operating time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an electronic device comprising a battery, two or more electronic circuits that operate on power supplied from the battery, and a controller, wherein the controller acquires power information indicating the power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits, acquires capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery, receives time information indicating a target time for which the two or more electronic circuits will operate, and adjusts the power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits based on the power information and the capacity information so that the two or more electronic circuits operate for at least the target time.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the controller may adjust the power consumption of at least one of the two or more electronic circuits based on the magnitude of power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the controller may receive electronic circuit information indicating at least one of the two or more electronic circuits, and adjust the power consumption of the at least one electronic circuit indicated by the electronic circuit information.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the controller may display the power consumption indicated by the power information on a display.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, when the remaining capacity indicated by the capacity information is less than the capacity required for operation of the two or more electronic circuits at the target time, the controller may reduce the power consumption of the at least one electronic circuit.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, when the remaining capacity indicated by the capacity information is greater than the capacity required for operation of the two or more electronic circuits at the target time, the controller may increase the power consumption of the at least one electronic circuit.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for adjusting power consumption in two or more electronic circuits that operate on power supplied from a battery, comprising the steps of acquiring power information indicating the power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits, acquiring capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery, accepting time information indicating a target time for which the two or more electronic circuits will operate, and adjusting the power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits based on the power information and the capacity information so that the two or more electronic circuits operate for at least the target time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure a target operating time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of screens on a display unit of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a pie chart showing an example of power consumption of an electronic circuit of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of screens on a display unit of an electronic device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] An example of the hardware configuration of an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device 10.

[0018] The electronic device 10 includes a CPU 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display unit 14, a chipset 21, a BIOS memory 22, a storage medium 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, a USB connector 26, an embedded controller 31, an input unit 32, a power supply circuit 33, and a battery 34.

[0019] The CPU 11 executes various arithmetic processes under program control and controls the entire electronic device 10. For example, the CPU 11 executes processes based on programs of an OS (Operating System) and a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The CPU 11 is an example of a processor.

[0020] Main memory 12 is a writable memory used as a read area for the execution program of CPU 11 or as a work area for writing processing data for the execution program. Main memory 12 is composed of, for example, multiple DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. This execution program includes an OS, various drivers for operating peripheral devices, various services / utilities, application programs, etc.

[0021] Video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display, and includes a video controller. The video controller processes drawing commands from CPU 11, writes the processed drawing information to a video memory, and also reads the drawing information from the video memory and outputs it to display unit 14 as drawing data (display data).

[0022] The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays a display screen based on the drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem 13.

[0023] The chipset 21 includes controllers for a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Serial AT Attachment (Serial ATA), a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, and a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, and is connected to a plurality of devices, such as a BIOS memory 22 (described later), a storage medium 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, a USB connector 26, and an embedded controller 31.

[0024] The BIOS memory 22 is configured with an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash ROM. The BIOS memory 22 stores the BIOS and system firmware for controlling the embedded controller 31. The BIOS memory 22 is an example of a sub-memory.

[0025] The storage medium 23 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. For example, the storage medium 23 stores an OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs, and various data.

[0026] The audio system 24 is connected to a microphone and a speaker (not shown) and records, plays back, and outputs sound data. The microphone and the speaker are built into the electronic device 10, for example.

[0027] The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25 connects to a network via a wireless LAN to perform data communication. For example, when the WLAN card 25 receives data from the network, it generates an event trigger indicating that the data has been received. The USB connector 26 is a connector for connecting peripheral devices that use USB.

[0028] The input unit 32 collectively refers to input devices (input equipment) provided in the electronic device 10. The input unit 32 includes a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The input unit 32 outputs input information input by a user operation to the embedded controller 31.

[0029] The power supply circuit 33 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter, a charge / discharge unit, an AC / DC adapter, etc. For example, the power supply circuit 33 converts a DC voltage supplied from an external power source such as an AC adapter (not shown) or a battery 34 into a plurality of voltages required to operate the electronic device 10. The power supply circuit 33 also supplies power to each component of the electronic device 10 based on control from the embedded controller 31.

[0030] The battery 34 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. When power is supplied to the electronic device 10 from an external power source, the battery 34 is charged via the power supply circuit 33. When power is not supplied to the electronic device 10 from an external power source, the battery 34 outputs the stored power via the power supply circuit 33 as operating power for the electronic device 10.

[0031] The embedded controller 31 is a one-chip microcomputer that monitors and controls various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, etc.) regardless of the system state of the electronic device 10. The embedded controller 31 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, A / D input terminals for multiple channels, a D / A output terminal, a timer, and digital input / output terminals (not shown). The digital input / output terminals of the embedded controller 31 are connected to an input unit 32, a power supply circuit 33, etc., and the embedded controller 31 controls the operations of these components. The embedded controller 31 also controls changes in the clock frequency of the CPU 11 via the chipset 21.

[0032] The electronic device 10 may be a clamshell-type personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or other portable device in which a display device is integrally attached to a housing. Alternatively, the electronic device 10 may be a desktop personal computer in which the device body and the display device are separate. The electronic device according to this embodiment is applicable to all devices equipped with a CPU.

[0033] An example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 10 relating to adjustment of power consumption in each unit of the electronic device 10.

[0034] The electronic device 10 includes a control unit 100, a battery 110, and electronic circuits 120 to 122. The functions of the control unit 100 are realized by a CPU 11, an embedded controller 31, or a combination of the CPU 11 and the embedded controller 31. The functions of the battery 110 are realized by a power supply circuit 33 and a battery 34.

[0035] The electronic circuits 120 to 122 operate on power supplied from the battery 110. For example, the electronic circuit 120 corresponds to the display unit 14, the electronic circuit 121 corresponds to the CPU 11, and the electronic circuit 122 corresponds to the main memory 12. Although three electronic circuits 120 to 122 are shown in FIG. 2, the number of electronic circuits is not limited to three. The electronic device 10 may include two or more electronic circuits.

[0036] The process executed by the electronic device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device 10.

[0037] (Step S100) The control unit 100 reads out the specified values ​​set by the OS, which indicate parameters related to the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122.

[0038] (Step S105) The control unit 100 monitors the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122, and obtains power information indicating the power consumption of each electronic circuit per unit time.

[0039] (Step S110) The control unit 100 monitors the input unit 32 and determines whether or not the user has input a target time for the operation of the electronic device 10 into the input unit 32. If the user has not input the target time into the input unit 32, the control unit 100 executes step S105. If the user has input the target time into the input unit 32, the control unit 100 accepts time information indicating the target time.

[0040] 4 shows an example screen of the display unit 14. The display unit 14 displays an input screen SC1 for the user to input a target time. The input screen SC1 includes an input field IF1. The user operates the input unit 32 to input the target time into the input field IF1. The control unit 100 accepts time information indicating the target time input into the input field IF1.

[0041] (Step S115) The control unit 100 converts the target time indicated by the time information into power consumption (required power consumption). At this time, the control unit 100 assumes that the electronic circuits 120 to 122 operate according to a specified value set by the OS, and calculates the total power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 during the target time as the required power consumption.

[0042] (Step S120) The control unit 100 checks the remaining capacity of the battery 110 and acquires capacity information indicating the remaining capacity.

[0043] Step S120 may be executed between step S105 and step S110. The control unit 100 may convert the remaining capacity of the battery 110 into an amount of time for which the electronic device 10 is operable. The control unit 100 may display the amount of time on the display unit 14. The user can input a target time for the operation of the electronic device 10 by referring to the amount of time for which the electronic device 10 is operable.

[0044] (Step S125) The control unit 100 determines whether the remaining capacity of the battery 110 is less than the capacity (required capacity) that can supply the required power consumption.

[0045] (Step S130) When the remaining capacity of the battery 110 is less than the required capacity, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 in order to operate the electronic device 10 for the target time. The control unit 100 selects at least one of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 as an adjustment target for reducing the power consumption.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a pie chart showing an example of the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122. The power consumption PW1 of the electronic circuit 120, the power consumption PW2 of the electronic circuit 121, and the power consumption PW3 of the electronic circuit 122 are shown. The power consumption PW1 of the electronic circuit 120 is the largest. Generally, liquid crystal displays consume a lot of power. For example, if the electronic circuit 120 corresponds to the display unit 14, the control unit 100 selects the electronic circuit 120 as the electronic circuit to be adjusted. The control unit 100 may select two or more electronic circuits as electronic circuits to be adjusted in descending order of power consumption.

[0047] (Step S135) If the remaining capacity of the battery 110 is greater than the required capacity, there is no need to reduce the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122, and it is possible to increase the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122. The control unit 100 selects at least one of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 as an adjustment target for increasing power consumption. As in step S130, the control unit 100 may select the electronic circuit with the highest power consumption as the adjustment target. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may select the electronic circuit with the lowest power consumption as the adjustment target. The control unit 100 may select two or more electronic circuits as adjustment targets in descending order of power consumption. If there is no need to increase the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122, step S135 may be skipped.

[0048] (Step S140) The control unit 100 adjusts the power consumption of the adjustment target selected in step S130 or step S135. For example, if the electronic circuit 120 is selected as the adjustment target in step S130, the control unit 100 reduces the power consumption of the electronic circuit 120 so that the total power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 at the target time is equal to or less than the required power consumption. If the electronic circuit 120 is selected as the adjustment target in step S135, the control unit 100 increases the power consumption of the electronic circuit 120 so that the total power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 at the target time does not exceed the required power consumption. For example, if the electronic circuit 120 corresponds to the display unit 14, the control unit 100 decreases or increases the brightness of the display unit 14.

[0049] When the remaining capacity of the battery 110 is less than the required power consumption, the target time required for operation of the electronic device 10 can be secured by reducing the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122. When the remaining capacity of the battery 110 is more than the required power consumption, the performance of the electronic device 10 can be improved while securing the target time required for operation of the electronic device 10 by increasing the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122.

[0050] (Step S145) The control unit 100 determines whether the AC adapter is available.

[0051] (Step S150) If an AC adapter is available, the electronic device 10 can operate using power supplied from a commercial power source via the AC adapter. Therefore, the control unit 100 reads the default value set by the OS, as in step S100. In this case, the adjustment in step S140 is invalidated.

[0052] (Step S155) If the AC adapter is not available, the control unit 100 monitors the power consumption of the electronic circuits 120 to 122, and obtains power information indicating the power consumption of each electronic circuit per unit time, after which step S120 is executed.

[0053] In step S130, the control unit 100 may select a first adjustment target for decreasing power consumption and a second adjustment target for increasing power consumption. In this case, the amount of decrease in power consumption of the first adjustment target in step S140 is greater than the amount of increase in power consumption of the second adjustment target in step S140.

[0054] In step S135, the control unit 100 may select a first adjustment target for increasing power consumption and a second adjustment target for decreasing power consumption. In this case, the increase in power consumption of the first adjustment target in step S140 is greater than the decrease in power consumption of the second adjustment target in step S140.

[0055] The user may select the target for power consumption adjustment. An example of this case will be described below.

[0056] 6 shows an example screen of the display unit 14. The display unit 14 displays an input screen SC2 for the user to input a target time. The input screen SC2 includes an input field IF1. The input field IF1 of the input screen SC2 is the same as the input field IF1 of the input screen SC1 shown in FIG.

[0057] The input screen SC2 includes a button BT1 for the user to select a power consumption adjustment target. The user operates the button BT1 via the input unit 32 to input adjustment target information indicating the adjustment target. The adjustment target information (electronic circuit information) indicates at least one of the electronic circuits 120 to 122. For example, if the power consumption of the electronic device 10 needs to be reduced and the user values ​​high speed response over display brightness, the user selects the display as the processing target. Alternatively, the power consumption of the electronic device 10 may be increased and the user values ​​high speed response over display brightness, the user selects the CPU as the processing target.

[0058] Control unit 100 receives adjustment target information in step S130 or step S135. Control unit 100 adjusts the power consumption of the adjustment target indicated by the adjustment target information in step S140. As described above, by adjusting the power consumption of the adjustment target selected by the user, it is possible to ensure the target time required for operation of electronic device 10 and maintain or improve the performance of functions required by the user.

[0059] The input screen SC2 may include a pie chart similar to the pie chart shown in Fig. 5. That is, the input screen SC2 may include information indicating the power consumption of each of the electronic circuits 120 to 122. The user can flexibly select the target for power consumption adjustment by referring to the power consumption of each electronic circuit.

[0060] As described above, the electronic device 10 includes the battery 110, the electronic circuits 120 to 122 that operate using power supplied from the battery 110, and the control unit 100 (controller). The control unit 100 acquires power information indicating the power consumption of each of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 and acquires capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the battery 110. The control unit 100 receives time information indicating a target time for which the electronic circuits 120 to 122 will operate. The control unit 100 adjusts the power consumption of each of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 based on the power information and the capacity information so that the electronic circuits 120 to 122 will operate for at least the target time. This allows the electronic device 10 to ensure the target operating time.

[0061] The control unit 100 adjusts the power consumption of at least one of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 based on the magnitude of power consumption of each of the electronic circuits 120 to 122. This allows the control unit 100 to easily select a target for power consumption adjustment based on the magnitude of power consumption.

[0062] The control unit 100 receives electronic circuit information indicating at least one of the electronic circuits 120 to 122, and adjusts the power consumption of the at least one electronic circuit indicated by the electronic circuit information. This allows the control unit 100 to select a target for power consumption adjustment in accordance with the user's wishes.

[0063] When the user selects an adjustment target, the control unit 100 displays the power consumption indicated by the power information on the display unit 14. The user can flexibly select an adjustment target for power consumption by referring to the power consumption of each electronic circuit.

[0064] When the remaining capacity indicated by the capacity information is less than the capacity required for the operation of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 in the target time, the control unit 100 reduces the power consumption of at least one of the electronic circuits, thereby enabling the control unit 100 to ensure the target time required for the operation of the electronic device 10.

[0065] When the remaining capacity indicated by the capacity information is greater than the capacity required for the operation of the electronic circuits 120 to 122 in the target time, the control unit 100 increases the power consumption of at least one of the electronic circuits. This allows the control unit 100 to improve the performance of the electronic device 10 while ensuring the target time required for the operation of the electronic device 10.

[0066] The above has described in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10 Electronic equipment, 11 CPU, 12 Main memory, 13 Video subsystem, 14 Display unit, 21 Chipset, 22 BIOS memory, 23 Storage medium, 24 Audio system, 25 WLAN card, 25 WLAN card, 26 USB connector, 31 Embedded controller, 32 Input unit, 33 Power supply circuit, 34, 110 Battery, 35 Switch, 100 Control unit, 120, 121, 122 Electronic circuit

Claims

1. A battery, two or more electronic circuits that operate on power supplied from the battery; A controller; Equipped with The controller acquiring power information indicating power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits; acquiring capacity information indicating a remaining capacity of the battery; receiving time information indicating a target time for the two or more electronic circuits to operate; adjusting power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits based on the power information and the capacity information so that the two or more electronic circuits operate for at least the target time; electronic equipment.

2. The controller adjusting the power consumption of at least one of the two or more electronic circuits based on the magnitude of the power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. The controller receiving electronic circuit information indicating at least one of the two or more electronic circuits; Adjusting the power consumption of at least one electronic circuit indicated by the electronic circuit information The electronic device according to claim 1 .

4. The controller displays the power consumption indicated by the power information on a display. The electronic device according to claim 3 .

5. When the remaining capacity indicated by the capacity information is less than the capacity required for operation of the two or more electronic circuits in the target time, the controller reduces the power consumption of the at least one electronic circuit.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2.

6. When the remaining capacity indicated by the capacity information is greater than the capacity required for operation of the two or more electronic circuits in the target time, the controller increases the power consumption of the at least one electronic circuit.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2.

7. A control method for adjusting power consumption in two or more electronic circuits that operate on power supplied from a battery, comprising: obtaining power information indicative of power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits; acquiring capacity information indicating a remaining capacity of the battery; receiving time information indicating a target time for the two or more electronic circuits to operate; adjusting power consumption of each of the two or more electronic circuits based on the power information and the capacity information so that the two or more electronic circuits operate for at least the target time; A control method comprising:

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