Electronic equipment and control methods for electronic equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device and a control method for the electronic device that can suppress the degradation of secondary batteries. [Solution] The system includes a degradation determination unit that determines the degree of degradation of a secondary battery, and a usage state changing unit that, if the degree of degradation is above a predetermined first degradation threshold, changes the usage state of the secondary battery so as to reduce the degradation of the secondary battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes that the full charge capacity of a secondary battery mounted on an electronic device decreases due to aging deterioration (see FIG. 2). It is known that such aging deterioration of the secondary battery is suppressed when the secondary battery is used in a state where the charge amount is less than full charge compared to when the secondary battery is used in a fully charged state, for example, when the secondary battery is used in an 80% charged state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, it is difficult for a user of an electronic device to always grasp the charge state of the secondary battery and then use the electronic device. Therefore, there is a risk of using the electronic device in a fully charged state of the secondary battery and promoting the deterioration of the secondary battery without intention.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device capable of suppressing deterioration of a secondary battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention employs a first solution relating to electronic equipment, which includes a degradation determination unit for determining the degree of degradation of a secondary battery, and a usage state changing unit for changing the usage state of the secondary battery so as to reduce the degradation of the secondary battery when the degree of degradation is equal to or greater than a predetermined first degradation threshold.

[0007] In the present invention, as a second solution relating to electronic equipment, the first solution described above employs a method in which the usage state changing unit changes the usage state of the secondary battery so as to reduce the deterioration of the secondary battery when the secondary battery is used continuously for a predetermined time threshold or longer at a predetermined temperature threshold or higher.

[0008] In the present invention, as a third solution relating to electronic equipment, the first or second solution described above employs a means to change the usage state of the secondary battery such that the deterioration of the secondary battery is reduced when the cumulative time or number of charges of the secondary battery in a fully charged state exceeds a predetermined charging threshold and the secondary battery is used continuously for a full charge time threshold or longer.

[0009] In the present invention, as a fourth solution relating to electronic equipment, the first or second solution described above employs a method in which the first degradation threshold is set to a value that is a predetermined value higher than the degradation state determination criterion corresponding to the number of charging cycles that the degradation determination unit has stored in advance.

[0010] In the present invention, as a fifth solution relating to electronic equipment, the first or second solution described above employs a means in which the usage state changing unit changes the usage state by outputting a first suggestion that encourages the use of the secondary battery in a charge state lower than the fully charged state.

[0011] In the present invention, as a sixth solution relating to electronic equipment, the fifth solution described above employs a method in which, if the degree of degradation is below a second degradation threshold, a second suggestion is output to encourage use in the fully charged state instead of a lower charge state.

[0012] In the present invention, as a seventh solution relating to electronic equipment, the method adopted is that, in the sixth solution described above, the second degradation threshold is set to a value that is larger than the first degradation threshold by a predetermined offset value.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention employs a solution for a control method of electronic equipment, comprising a degradation determination step for determining the degree of degradation of a secondary battery, and a usage state change step for changing the usage state of the secondary battery so as to reduce the degradation of the secondary battery if the degree of degradation is equal to or greater than a predetermined first degradation threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic device and a control method for the electronic device that can suppress the degradation of a secondary battery. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a control method for an electronic device relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a first flowchart showing a control method for an electronic device relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a second flowchart showing a control method for an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the notebook computer A according to this embodiment includes a storage medium 1, a BIOS 2, a chipset 3, a CPU 4, a display unit 5, a battery 6, a power supply circuit 7, and an embedded controller 8.

[0017] This notebook computer A is a so-called notebook personal computer. Although details will be described later, this notebook computer A operates using the power of battery 6 (secondary battery) (battery power) as a power source and also operates using commercial power supplied from the outside. Such a notebook computer A corresponds to the electronic device according to the present invention.

[0018] As shown in the figure, the storage medium 1 is connected to the BIOS 2 and the chipset 3. This storage medium 1 is a general term for various storage devices such as semiconductor memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or hard disks. As shown in the figure, such a storage medium 1 stores at least an OS (Operating System) 1a, an application 1b, and a driver 1c.

[0019] The OS 1a is basic software that manages and controls the operation of the entire notebook computer A. The application 1b is a general term for various application software that operates on the OS 1a. The driver 1c is software that mediates between the hardware of the notebook computer A and the OS 1a and peripheral devices.

[0020] The BIOS 2 is an abbreviation for Basic Input Output System and is connected to the storage medium 1 and the chipset 3. This BIOS 2 is software stored in a non-volatile memory (hardware) such as ROM. Such a BIOS 2 manages and controls the hardware of the notebook computer A by starting up prior to the above-mentioned OS 1a when the notebook computer A is started up.

[0021] As shown in the figure, the chipset 3 is connected to the storage medium 1, the BIOS 2, the CPU 4, and the embedded controller 8. This chipset 3 is an integrated circuit (hardware) that mediates (bridges) between the storage medium 1, the BIOS 2, and the embedded controller 8 mounted on the notebook computer A and the CPU 4. Such a chipset 3 is an integrated circuit specialized for the CPU 4, and manages and controls the input and output of data between the storage medium 1, the BIOS 2, and the embedded controller 8 and the CPU 4.

[0022] The CPU 4 is connected to the chipset 3 and the display unit 5. This CPU 4 is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit (central processing unit: hardware). By executing the OS 1a, the application 1b, and the driver 1c read from the storage medium 1 via the chipset 3, the CPU 4 causes the notebook computer A to exhibit the desired functions according to the application 1b.

[0023] The display unit 5 is connected to the CPU 4. This display unit 5 is a panel display device (hardware) such as a liquid crystal display panel. Such a display unit 5 displays various images (two-dimensional images) according to the image signal input from the CPU 4.

[0024] The battery 6 is connected to the power supply circuit 7 and the embedded controller 8. This battery 6 is a secondary battery (hardware) mounted on the notebook computer A. That is, the battery 6 stores the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 7 as battery power under the control of the embedded controller 8. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the battery 6 supplies the battery power as a power source to the storage medium 1, the BIOS 2, the chipset 3, the CPU 4, the display unit 5, and the embedded controller 8.

[0025] The power supply circuit 7 is connected to the external power supply B, the battery 6, and the embedded controller 8. This power supply circuit 7 is a charging circuit (hardware) that, under the control of the embedded controller 8, converts external power (AC power) such as commercial power supplied from the external power supply B into DC power and supplies it to the battery 6.

[0026] The embedded controller 8 is connected to the chipset 3, the battery 6, and the power supply circuit 7. The embedded controller 8 is a multi-purpose controller that mediates when the CPU 4 manages and controls the battery 6 and the power supply circuit 7 via the chipset 3. In other words, this embedded controller 8 is an integrated circuit (hardware) that efficiently performs fine-grained control of the battery 6 and the power supply circuit 7 by the CPU 4 via the chipset 3.

[0027] Thus, the notebook computer A according to this embodiment is a computer that performs various information processing according to application 1b through the cooperation of software resources and hardware resources. The CPU 4 in this notebook computer A performs characteristic power management, which will be described below as operation, by executing the power management program included in application 1b.

[0028] Of the components in such a notebook computer A, the storage medium 1, chipset 3, CPU 4, display unit 5, power supply circuit 7, and embedded controller 8, excluding the BIOS 2 and battery 6, constitute the degradation determination unit and usage state change unit of the present invention. In other words, the notebook computer A according to this embodiment includes a degradation determination unit and a usage state change unit composed of the storage medium 1, chipset 3, CPU 4, display unit 5, power supply circuit 7, and embedded controller 8.

[0029] The storage medium 1, chipset 3, CPU 4, display unit 5, power supply circuit 7, and embedded controller 8 together constitute a degradation determination unit that determines the degree of degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery). Furthermore, the storage medium 1, chipset 3, CPU 4, display unit 5, power supply circuit 7, and embedded controller 8 together constitute a usage state change unit that changes the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) so as to reduce the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) when the degree of degradation is above a predetermined first degradation threshold.

[0030] Next, the operation of the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0031] First, the degradation status determination criteria included as control data in the power management program (Application 1b) described above will be explained with reference to Figure 2. As shown in the figure, these degradation status determination criteria indicate the degree of degradation based on the charging power (%Capacity) of the battery 6 (secondary battery) according to the number of charge cycles (Cycle Count).

[0032] In the initial stages of use, the charging power of battery 6 (secondary battery) decreases rapidly with each subsequent charge cycle. In other words, the degree of degradation of battery 6 (secondary battery) is extremely high during the initial period of use. After this initial period, the decrease in charging power becomes more gradual than in the initial stage. In other words, the degree of degradation of battery 6 (secondary battery) decreases after the initial period of use.

[0033] Furthermore, the battery 6 (secondary battery) experiences less change in charging power after a certain number of charging cycles (e.g., 750 cycles) following initial use. In other words, the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) slows down after a certain number of charging cycles following initial use.

[0034] The power management program has several preset thresholds. The first degradation threshold R1, as shown in Figure 2, is set to a value corresponding to a charging power that is a predetermined value Δr higher than the charging power (Capacity) for each number of charge cycles (Cycle Count) in the degradation state determination criteria described above, that is, a value that is a predetermined value Δr lower than the degradation state determination criteria. Note that the above predetermined value Δr is set appropriately considering the usability of notebook computer A, etc.

[0035] Next, the first management operation of notebook computer A (electronic device) based on the power management program will be described with reference to Figure 3. This first management operation corresponds to the control method of notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment.

[0036] CPU4 first determines whether the power management mode is set to "PI Mode" (step S1). This "PI Mode" is a power management mode that forcibly reduces the charging voltage of battery 6 when the user of notebook computer A routinely uses AC power (commercial power). Note that the charging voltage in "PI Mode" is, for example, a voltage equivalent to 80% of the fully charged voltage of battery 6.

[0037] Then, if the decision in step S1 is "Yes", CPU4 displays a pop-up suggesting the 80% charging function on display unit 5 (step S2). In other words, if the power management mode is set to "PI Mode", CPU4 visually suggests to the user of notebook computer A that they change the power management mode from "PI Mode" to the 80% charging mode.

[0038] On the other hand, if the judgment in step S1 above is "No," that is, if the power management mode is not set to "PI Mode," CPU4 determines whether the power management mode is set to "Normal Mode" (step S3). This "Normal Mode" is a power management mode that fully charges (100% charge) battery 6 relative to its actual capacity.

[0039] If the determination in step S3 is "Yes", the CPU 4 determines whether the temperature of the battery 6 (battery temperature) has exceeded a predetermined temperature threshold Rt (step S4). This temperature threshold Rt consists of a temperature threshold Rc related to the operating temperature of the battery 6 and a time threshold Rk related to the operating time of the battery 6. If the determination in step S4 is "Yes", that is, if the battery 6 is used continuously at a high temperature of Rc or higher and for a time of Rk or longer, the CPU 4 displays a pop-up suggesting the 80% charge function on the display unit 5 (step S5).

[0040] In other words, the usage state changing unit of the notebook computer A changes the usage state of the battery 6 so as to reduce the degradation of the battery 6 when the battery 6 is used continuously for a predetermined time threshold Rk or longer at a temperature threshold Rt or higher, i.e., at a temperature threshold Rc or higher.

[0041] On the other hand, if the determination in step S4 is "No", the CPU 4 determines whether the battery 6 has reached a predetermined charging threshold Rj or higher (step S6). This charging threshold Rj consists of a full charge time threshold Rj1 related to the cumulative time of full charge and a full charge count threshold Rj2 related to the number of full charge cycles.

[0042] If the decision in step S6 is "Yes," that is, if the battery 6 is fully charged to or above the charging threshold Rj, CPU 4 displays a pop-up suggesting the 80% charge function on the display unit 5 (step S7).

[0043] In other words, the usage state changing unit of the notebook computer A changes the usage state of the battery 6 so as to reduce the degradation of the battery 6 when the cumulative time of full charge of the battery 6 becomes equal to or greater than the full charge time threshold Rj1, or when the number of full charge cycles of the battery 6 becomes equal to or greater than the full charge cycle threshold Rj2.

[0044] Furthermore, if the determination in step S3 is "No," that is, if the power management mode is not set to "Normal Mode," and if the determination in step S6 is "No," the CPU 4 determines whether the degradation level of the battery 6 is equal to or greater than the first degradation threshold R1 shown in Figure 2 (step S8). In other words, the degradation determination unit of the notebook computer A evaluates the degradation level of the battery 6 by comparing the actual charging capacity of the battery 6 with the first degradation threshold R1.

[0045] Then, if the judgment in step S8 is "Yes," that is, if the degradation level of the battery 6 is above the first degradation threshold R1, the CPU 4 displays a pop-up suggesting the 80% charge function as the first suggestion on the display unit 5 (step S9).

[0046] In other words, the usage state changing unit of the notebook computer A changes the usage state of the battery 6 to reduce its degradation if the degradation level of the battery 6 is greater than or equal to a predetermined first degradation threshold R1. If the determination in step S8 is "No", the CPU 4 terminates the processing based on the power management program without displaying the suggestion popup on the display unit 5.

[0047] Next, a second management operation of the notebook computer A (electronic device) based on the power management program will be described with reference to Figure 4. This second management operation, like the first management operation described above, corresponds to the control method of the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment.

[0048] CPU4 first determines whether the power management mode is set to "PI Mode" (step S10). If the determination in step S10 is "Yes", CPU4 terminates the processing based on the power management program.

[0049] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1 is "No," that is, if the power management mode is not set to "PI Mode," CPU4 determines whether the power management mode is set to "Normal Mode" (step S11). If the determination in step S11 is "Yes," CPU4 determines whether the temperature of battery 6 (battery temperature) has risen above a predetermined temperature threshold Rt (step S12).

[0050] Then, if the decision in step S12 is "Yes," that is, if the temperature of battery 6 (battery temperature) exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold Rt, CPU 4 terminates processing based on the power management program. On the other hand, if the decision in step S12 is "No," CPU 4 determines whether or not the battery 6 has reached a full charge level of a predetermined charge threshold Rj (step S13).

[0051] If the determination in step S13 is "Yes," that is, if the battery 6 is fully charged to or above a predetermined charging threshold Rj, CPU4 terminates the processing based on the power management program.

[0052] Furthermore, if the judgment in step S11 is "No", and if the judgment in step S13 is "No", the CPU 4 determines whether the degree of degradation of the battery 6 is less than or equal to the second degradation threshold R2 (step S14). In other words, the degradation determination unit of the notebook computer A evaluates the degree of degradation of the battery 6 by comparing the actual charge power of the battery 6 with the second degradation threshold R2.

[0053] Here, the second degradation threshold R2 is set to a value that is larger by a predetermined offset value α than the first degradation threshold R1 described in the first management operation. In other words, the second degradation threshold R2 in the second management operation is set to a different value from the first degradation threshold R1 in the first management operation.

[0054] Then, if the judgment in step S14 is "Yes," that is, if the degradation level of battery 6 is less than or equal to the second degradation threshold R2, CPU 4 terminates processing based on the power management program. On the other hand, if the judgment in step S14 is "No," that is, if the degradation level of battery 6 is greater than the second degradation threshold R2, CPU 4 displays a pop-up suggesting the 80% charge release on the display unit 5 (step S9).

[0055] In other words, if the degradation level of the battery 6 is below a predetermined second degradation threshold R2, the notebook computer A's usage status changing unit outputs a pop-up to the display unit 5 as a second suggestion, which is to cancel the 80% charge state and instead encourage the user to use the fully charged state, instead of the 80% charge state which is lower than the fully charged state.

[0056] The notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment includes a degradation determination unit that determines the degree of degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery), and a usage state changing unit that, if the degree of degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) is equal to or greater than a predetermined first degradation threshold R1, changes the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) so as to reduce the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0057] The control method for the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment includes a degradation determination step for determining the degree of degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery), and a usage state change step for changing the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) so as to reduce the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) if the degree of degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) is equal to or greater than a predetermined first degradation threshold R1.

[0058] According to this embodiment, a notebook computer A (electronic device) and a control method for the notebook computer A (electronic device) can be provided that include a deterioration determination unit and a usage state changing unit, and have a deterioration determination process and a usage state changing process, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0059] Furthermore, in the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment, the usage state changing unit changes the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) so as to reduce the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) when the battery 6 (secondary battery) is used continuously for a predetermined time threshold Rk or longer at a predetermined temperature threshold Rc or higher. According to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0060] Furthermore, in the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment, the usage state changing unit changes the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) so as to reduce the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) when the battery 6 (secondary battery) is fully charged to or above a predetermined charging threshold Rj and used continuously for a full charging time threshold Rj1 or more. According to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0061] Furthermore, in the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment, the first degradation threshold R1 is set to a value that is smaller by a predetermined value Δr than the degradation state determination criterion corresponding to the number of charge cycles that the degradation determination unit has stored in advance. According to this embodiment, it is possible to accurately suppress the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0062] Furthermore, in the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment, the usage state changing unit changes the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) by outputting a pop-up (first suggestion) on the display unit 5 that suggests an 80% charge function to encourage the use of the battery 6 (secondary battery) at a charge level lower than the fully charged state. According to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the deterioration of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0063] Furthermore, in the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment, if the degree of degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery) is less than or equal to the second degradation threshold R2, a pop-up (secondary proposal) is displayed that suggests releasing the 80% charge to encourage use at a fully charged state instead of a lower charge state. According to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0064] Furthermore, in the notebook computer A (electronic device) according to this embodiment, the second degradation threshold R2 is set to a value that is larger than the first degradation threshold R1 by a predetermined offset value α. According to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the degradation of the battery 6 (secondary battery).

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and for example, the following modifications are possible. (1) In the above embodiment, a notebook computer A was described as an example of an electronic device, but the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to a notebook computer A. The present invention is applicable to various electronic devices that operate on a secondary battery.

[0066] (2) In the above embodiment, the usage status of the battery 6 (secondary battery) was changed by outputting a first suggestion to the display unit 5 that encourages the use of the battery 6 (secondary battery) at a charge level lower than the fully charged state. In other words, in the above embodiment, the usage status of the battery 6 (secondary battery) was changed by a visual method of outputting the first suggestion to the display unit 5.

[0067] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) may be changed by means other than outputting a pop-up suggesting the 80% charge function (first suggestion) to the display unit 5. For example, the usage state of the battery 6 (secondary battery) may be changed by outputting voice guidance from the speaker.

[0068] (3) In the above embodiment, a pop-up suggesting the 80% charge function was output to the display unit 5 as the first suggestion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, a suggestion method other than the pop-up suggesting the 80% charge function may be adopted as the first suggestion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] A laptop computer, 1 storage medium, 2 BIOS, 3 chipset, 4 CPU, 5 display unit, 6 battery, 7 power supply circuit, 8 embedded controller

Claims

1. A degradation determination unit for determining the degree of degradation of a secondary battery, If the degree of degradation is greater than or equal to a predetermined first degradation threshold, the usage state changing unit changes the usage state of the secondary battery so that the degradation of the secondary battery decreases. An electronic device characterized by having the following features.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the usage state changing unit changes the usage state of the secondary battery such that the deterioration of the secondary battery decreases when the secondary battery is used continuously for a predetermined time threshold or longer at a predetermined temperature threshold or higher.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the usage state changing unit changes the usage state of the secondary battery such that the deterioration of the secondary battery decreases when the secondary battery is fully charged to or above a predetermined charging threshold and used continuously for a full charging time threshold or longer.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first degradation threshold is set to a value that is a predetermined value smaller than the degradation state determination criterion corresponding to the number of charge cycles that the degradation determination unit has stored in advance.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the usage state changing unit changes the usage state by outputting a first suggestion that encourages the use of the secondary battery in a charge state lower than the fully charged state.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the degree of degradation is below the second degradation threshold, it outputs a second suggestion to encourage use in the fully charged state instead of a lower charge state.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second degradation threshold is set to a value that is larger than the first degradation threshold by a predetermined offset value.

8. A degradation determination process for determining the degree of degradation of a secondary battery, If the degree of degradation is greater than or equal to a predetermined first degradation threshold, a usage state change step is performed to change the usage state of the secondary battery so as to reduce the degradation of the secondary battery. A control method for an electronic device as described above, characterized by having the following features.

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