Electronic device, control method, and program

Abstract

To estimate, when a plurality of batteries are connected to an electronic apparatus, information that cannot be acquired from the battery not supplying power to the electronic apparatus by using information acquired from the battery supplying power to the electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus has: acquisition means that acquires information from a first battery supplying power to the electronic apparatus, and acquires information from a second battery not supplying power to the electronic apparatus; and control means that calculates first operable time corresponding to the time during which the electronic apparatus can operate based on the information acquired from the first battery, and calculates second operable time corresponding to the time during which the electronic apparatus can operate by using the second battery based on the information acquired from the second battery and information that cannot be acquired from the second battery and is calculated by using the information acquired from the first battery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device to which a plurality of batteries can be connected, a control method, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] When multiple batteries are connected to an electronic device such as a digital camera to supply power, there are two types: one in which power is supplied from multiple batteries simultaneously, and one in which power is supplied from one battery. When power is supplied from one battery, the electronic device cannot obtain information about the battery that is not supplying power.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for acquiring information on a plurality of batteries under the same load condition by arbitrarily switching the battery that supplies power in an electronic device to which a plurality of batteries can be connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-187299 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the method described in Patent Document 1 cannot estimate information that cannot be obtained from a battery that is not supplying power, using information obtained from a battery that is supplying power.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable, when multiple batteries are connected to an electronic device, information that cannot be obtained from a battery that is not supplying power to be estimated using information obtained from a battery that is supplying power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the electronic device has an acquisition means for acquiring information from a first battery that is supplying power to the electronic device and acquiring information from a second battery that is not supplying power to the electronic device, and a control means for calculating a first operable time corresponding to the time the electronic device can operate based on the information acquired from the first battery, and for calculating a second operable time corresponding to the time the electronic device can operate from the second battery based on the information acquired from the second battery and information that cannot be acquired from the second battery and is calculated using the information acquired from the first battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when multiple batteries are connected to an electronic device, information that cannot be obtained from a battery that is not supplying power can be estimated using information obtained from a battery that is supplying power. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of an electronic device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining battery information in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining types of battery icons corresponding to battery capacities in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating an operable time of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating an operable time of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operable time calculation process of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of an electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the electronic device 100 is described as an imaging device such as a digital camera, but it is not limited to a digital camera and may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0013] Moreover, in the first embodiment, an example will be described in which a battery grip to which multiple (for example, two) batteries can be connected is connected to the electronic device 100. For example, if the electronic device 100 is a digital camera, the battery grip is an accessory device that can be attached to and detached from the camera body. When the battery grip is connected, it becomes impossible to connect a battery to the electronic device 100, and power is supplied from the battery connected to the battery grip. Note that the number of batteries that can be connected to the battery grip is not limited to two, and three or more batteries may be used. Furthermore, if the electronic device 100 is a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, the battery grip may be a mobile battery that can be connected to the mobile device as a backup power source.

[0014] First, with reference to FIG. 1, components of an electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0015] The control unit 101 has a microcomputer including a processor (e.g., a CPU) that controls the entire electronic device 100, a memory, an interface circuit, etc. The control unit 101 executes a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 103, which will be described later, to realize the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIG. 7. Note that instead of the control unit 101 controlling the entire electronic device 100, the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

[0016] The working memory 102 is, for example, a RAM, and is used as a working area for expanding constants and variables for the operation of the control unit 101, programs read from a non-volatile memory 103 (described later), etc. The working memory 102 is also used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data captured by an imaging unit 105 (described later), and as an image display memory for a display unit 107 (described later).

[0017] Nonvolatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, such as an EEPROM. Constants and programs for the operation of control unit 101 are recorded in nonvolatile memory 103. Here, the program refers to a program for executing a process for calculating the remaining operable time of electronic device 100, which will be described later.

[0018] The image processing unit 104 has a processor (e.g., a GPU) that performs resizing and color conversion processing on image data captured by the imaging unit 105, which will be described later. The image processing unit 104 also generates image files by compressing and encoding the processed still image data in a format such as JPEG, or by encoding the moving image data in a moving image compression format such as MP4, and records the image files on a recording medium 113, which will be described later. The image processing unit 104 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data. The control unit 101 performs AF (autofocus) processing and AE (autoexposure) processing by controlling the focus lens, aperture, and shutter included in the optical system 106 based on the results of the arithmetic processing by the image processing unit 104.

[0019] The imaging unit 105 has an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS that converts a subject image into an electrical signal, and an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the imaging element into a digital signal.

[0020] The optical system 106 includes a lens, an aperture, a shutter, and mechanisms for driving these components. The imaging unit 105 converts the subject image light formed by the optical system 106 into an electrical signal using an imaging element, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs digital image data.

[0021] The display unit 107 displays a live view image during shooting, a shot image, and text for interactive operation. The display unit 107 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 107 may be formed integrally with the electronic device 100, or may be connected to the electronic device 100 as an external device. The electronic device 100 only needs to be able to connect to the display unit 107 and have a function for controlling the display of the display unit 107.

[0022] A recording medium interface (I / F) 108 reads and writes data from and to a recording medium 120. The recording medium 120 is a memory card, a hard disk, or the like. An operation unit 109 includes operation members such as switches, buttons, and a touch panel that accept user operations.

[0023] The first battery communication unit 110 has an interface circuit and the like that communicates with a battery control unit 131 of the first battery 130, which will be described later. When the first battery 130 is connected to the electronic device 100, the first battery communication unit 110 is communicably connected to the battery control unit 131 of the first battery 130. The control unit 101 transmits and receives data to and from the battery control unit 131 of the first battery 130 via the first battery communication unit 110. For example, the control unit 101 transmits a control signal related to charging and discharging of the first battery 130 to the battery control unit 131 of the first battery 130 via the first battery communication unit 110. Furthermore, the battery control unit 131 of the first battery 130 transmits information related to the first battery 130 (battery information) to the control unit 101.

[0024] The second battery communication unit 111 has an interface circuit and the like that communicates with a battery control unit 141 of the second battery 140, which will be described later. When the second battery 140 is connected to the electronic device 100, the second battery communication unit 111 is communicably connected to the battery control unit 141 of the second battery 140. The control unit 101 transmits and receives data to and from the battery control unit 141 of the second battery 140 via the second battery communication unit 111. For example, the control unit 101 transmits a control signal related to charging and discharging of the second battery 140 to the battery control unit 141 of the second battery 140 via the second battery communication unit 111. Furthermore, the battery control unit 141 of the second battery 140 transmits information (battery information) related to the second battery 140 to the control unit 101.

[0025] The power supply control unit 112 has a detection circuit that detects whether a battery is connected to the electronic device 100 and detects the type of battery connected to the electronic device 100. The power supply control unit 112 controls the voltage conversion unit 113 (described later) based on the detection result and instructions from the control unit 101, and supplies the required voltage to each component of the electronic device 100 for the required period of time.

[0026] When the first battery 130 is connected to the electronic device 100, the power supply control unit 112 is electrically connected to the battery cell 132 of the first battery 130 and is capable of receiving power supplied from the first battery 130. In addition, the power supply control unit 112 detects the discharge current of the first battery 130 from the battery cell 132 of the first battery 130, converts the detection result into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the control unit 101.

[0027] Furthermore, when the second battery 140 is connected to the electronic device 100, the power supply control unit 112 is electrically connected to the battery cell 142 of the second battery 140 and is capable of receiving power supplied from the second battery 140. Furthermore, the power supply control unit 112 detects the discharge current of the second battery 140 from the battery cell 142 of the second battery 140, converts the detection result into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the control unit 101.

[0028] The power supply control unit 112 also includes a switch circuit that selects at least one of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 connected to the electronic device 100 as a power supply that supplies power to the electronic device 100.

[0029] The voltage conversion unit 113 includes a DC / DC converter that converts the power received by the power supply control unit 112 from at least one of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 into a voltage suitable for the operation of the electronic device 100.

[0030] The internal bus 114 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus that connect the components 101 to 113 of the electronic device 100 so that data can be exchanged.

[0031] The first battery 130 is a rechargeable battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a lithium-ion battery. The first battery 130 includes a battery control unit 131 and a battery cell 132. The battery control unit 131 includes a processor, a memory, an interface circuit, and the like that are capable of communicating with the control unit 101 via the first battery communication unit 110 when connected to the electronic device 100. The battery control unit 131 controls charging and discharging of the first battery 130 based on a control signal received from the control unit 101 via the first battery communication unit 110 of the electronic device 100. The battery control unit 131 also transmits battery information of the first battery 130 to the control unit 101 via the first battery communication unit 110 of the electronic device 100. The battery cell 132 includes multiple cells that are capable of supplying power to the power supply control unit 112 when connected to the electronic device 100, and the capacity (%) and voltage (V) of the first battery 130 increase in proportion to the number of cells and the capacity per cell.

[0032] The second battery 140 is a rechargeable battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a lithium-ion battery. The second battery 140 includes a battery control unit 141 and a battery cell 142. The battery control unit 141 includes a processor, a memory, an interface circuit, and the like that are capable of communicating with the control unit 101 via the second battery communication unit 111 when connected to the electronic device 100. The battery control unit 141 controls charging and discharging of the second battery 140 based on a control signal received from the control unit 101 via the second battery communication unit 111 of the electronic device 100. The battery control unit 141 also transmits battery information about the second battery 140 to the control unit 101 via the second battery communication unit 111 of the electronic device 100. The battery cell 142 includes multiple cells that are capable of supplying power to the power supply control unit 112 when connected to the electronic device 100, and the capacity (%) and voltage (V) of the second battery 140 increase in proportion to the number of cells and the capacity per cell.

[0033] Next, the battery information in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the battery information 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0035] When the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are connected to the electronic device 100, the control unit 101 of the electronic device 100 receives battery information 200 of the first battery 130 from the first battery 130. The battery information 200 of the first battery 130 includes a capacity (%), a voltage (V), a discharge current (mA), and a remaining dischargeable amount (mAh). Furthermore, when the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are connected to the electronic device 100, the control unit 101 of the electronic device 100 receives battery information 200 of the second battery 140 from the second battery 140. The battery information 200 of the second battery 140 includes a capacity (%), a voltage (V), a discharge current (mA), and a remaining dischargeable amount (mAh).

[0036] The electronic device 100 displays a battery icon 304 and an operable time 305 of the electronic device 100 on a display screen 300 described later in FIG. 3 based on the battery information acquired from the first battery 130 and the battery information 200 acquired from the second battery 140.

[0037] Next, the display screen of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0039] 3, a display screen 300 displays, for example, information such as a captured image 301, a capture time 302, and a capture setting 303, as well as a battery icon 304 indicating the remaining battery power and an operable time 305 of the electronic device 100.

[0040] The battery icon 304 indicates the capacity of the first battery 130 or the second battery 140 connected to the electronic device 100. When the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are connected to the electronic device 100, the battery icon 304 indicates the total capacity obtained by averaging the capacities of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140.

[0041] The operating time 305 indicates a first operating time corresponding to the time during which the electronic device 100 is operable by the first battery 130 connected to the electronic device 100. Alternatively, the operating time 305 indicates a second operating time corresponding to the time during which the electronic device 100 is operable by the second battery 140 connected to the electronic device 100. Alternatively, the operating time 305 indicates a total operating time corresponding to the time during which the electronic device 100 is operable by the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 connected to the electronic device 100.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the types of battery icons corresponding to the battery capacities in the first embodiment.

[0043] In FIG. 4, battery capacity (%) 400 indicates the capacity of the first battery 130 connected to the electronic device 100, or the capacity of the second battery 140, or the total capacity of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140.

[0044] In FIG. 4, if the battery capacity or total capacity is greater than 75% and less than or equal to 100%, a battery icon 401 is displayed, showing the entire battery with diagonal lines. If the battery capacity or total capacity is greater than 50% and less than or equal to 75%, a battery icon 402 is displayed, showing three-quarters of the entire battery with diagonal lines. If the battery capacity or total capacity is greater than 25% and less than or equal to 50%, a battery icon 403 is displayed, showing half of the entire battery with diagonal lines. If the battery capacity or total capacity is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 25%, a battery icon 404 is displayed, showing one-quarter of the entire battery with diagonal lines. If battery information cannot be obtained due to reasons such as an inability to communicate with the battery, a battery icon 405 with a question mark inside the battery is displayed.

[0045] In a state where the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are connected, the electronic device 100 in the first embodiment performs a first power supply control to supply power from either the first battery 130 or the second battery 140. In addition, in a state where the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are connected, the electronic device 100 in the first embodiment performs a second power supply control to supply power from both the first battery 130 and the second battery 140.

[0046] The first power supply control is performed when the difference between the voltage of the first battery 130 and the voltage of the second battery 140 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The first power supply control controls so that power is supplied from the battery with the higher voltage of the first battery 130 or the second battery 140, and so that power is not supplied from the battery with the lower voltage.

[0047] The second power supply control is performed when the voltage of the battery supplying power in the first power supply control decreases and the difference between the voltage of the first battery 130 and the voltage of the second battery 140 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The second power supply control controls power to be supplied from both the first battery 130 and the second battery 140. In the second power supply control, the sum of the discharge current supplied from the first battery 130 and the discharge current supplied from the second battery 140 becomes equal to the discharge current (mA) supplied from one battery in the first power supply control. In the second power supply control, half of the power (discharge current) supplied to the electronic device 100 is supplied from the first battery 130 and the second battery 140. Alternatively, power (discharge current) according to the ratio between the voltage of the first battery 130 and the voltage of the second battery 140 is supplied from the first battery 130 and the second battery 140.

[0048] After switching from the first power supply control to the second power supply control, the second power supply control continues without returning to the first power supply control (while the difference between the voltage of the first battery 130 and the voltage of the second battery 140 remains below a predetermined threshold).

[0049] Next, a method for calculating the operable time of the electronic device 100 in a state in which the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are connected to the electronic device 100 as in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] First, a method for calculating the operable time of the electronic device 100 using the discharge current and the remaining dischargeable capacity obtained from the battery that supplies power, either the first battery 130 or the second battery 140, will be described.

[0051] While the discharge current can be obtained from a battery that is supplying power, the discharge current cannot be obtained from a battery that is not supplying power. Therefore, the operable time of electronic device 100 can be calculated using Equation 1 from the discharge current and remaining discharge capacity obtained from the battery that is supplying power.

[0052] (Formula 1) Operating time (min) = remaining discharge capacity (mAh) ÷ discharge current (mA) × 60

[0053] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a method for calculating the operable time of the electronic device 100 in the first power supply control when the first battery 130 supplies power and the second battery 140 does not supply power will be described.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the operable time of the electronic device 100 in the first power supply control when the first battery 130 supplies power and the second battery 140 does not supply power.

[0055] When the first battery 130 is supplying power and the second battery 140 is not supplying power, the first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 is calculated using the discharge current and remaining dischargeable capacity obtained from the first battery 130 according to Equation 1.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 5, the remaining dischargeable capacity of the first battery 130 is 3000 (mA) and the discharge current is 1000 (mA), so the first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 is calculated as follows using Equation 1:

[0057] 180(min)=3000(mAh)÷1000(mA)×60

[0058] On the other hand, since the second battery 140 is not supplying power, the discharge current of the second battery 140 is 0 (mAh), and the second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 cannot be calculated using Equation 1.

[0059] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the discharge current of the second battery 140 is calculated using the battery information of the first battery 130.

[0060] To calculate the discharge current of the second battery 140, first, the power consumption of the electronic device 100 is calculated using the voltage and discharge current of the first battery 130 according to Equation 2.

[0061] (Formula 2) Power consumption (W) = Battery voltage (V) x Discharge current (mA)

[0062] In the example of FIG. 5, the voltage of the first battery 130 is 10.0 (V) and the discharge current is 1000 (mA), so the power consumption (W) of the electronic device 100 is calculated using Equation 2 as follows:

[0063] 10(W) = 10.0(V) x 1(A)

[0064] Next, the discharge current (mA) of the second battery 140 is calculated using the power consumption (W) of the electronic device 100 calculated using Equation 2 and the voltage (V) of the second battery 140 using Equation 3.

[0065] (Formula 3) Discharge current (mA) = Power consumption (W) ÷ Battery voltage (V)

[0066] In the example of FIG. 5, the power consumption of the electronic device 100 is 10 (W) and the voltage of the second battery 140 is 8.0 (V), so the discharge current (mA) of the second battery 140 is calculated as follows using Equation 3:

[0067] 1.25(A)=10(W)÷8.0(V)

[0068] Then, using the discharge current (mA) of the second battery 140 calculated by Equation 3, the second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 is calculated by Equation 1.

[0069] In the example of FIG. 5, the voltage of the second battery 140 is 8.0 (V), so the second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 is calculated using Equation 3 as follows:

[0070] 120(min)=2500(mAh)÷1250(mA)×60

[0071] Finally, the total operable time (300 (min)) of the electronic device 100 is calculated by adding up the first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 and the second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 calculated by the above procedure.

[0072] 5, a case has been described in which, in the first power supply control, the first battery 130 supplies power and the second battery 140 does not supply power. Conversely, the operable time of the electronic device 100 can be calculated in a similar manner in a case in which the second battery 140 supplies power and the first battery 130 does not supply power.

[0073] Next, a method for calculating the operable time of the electronic device 100 under the second power supply control will be described with reference to FIG.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the operable time of the electronic device 100 in the second power supply control.

[0075] In the second power supply control, the total operable time of the electronic device 100 is calculated using the average value of the dischargeable remaining capacity of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 and the average value of the discharge current of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 according to Equation 1.

[0076] 6, the remaining dischargeable capacity of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 is 3000 (mA), and the discharge current is 500 (mA). Therefore, the remaining dischargeable capacity and the average value of the discharge current of the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are used to calculate the operable time of the electronic device 100 according to Equation 1.

[0077] 360(min)=(3000+3000)÷2(mAh)÷(500+500)÷2(mA)×60

[0078] In addition, using Equation 1, the first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 and the first operable time corresponding to the second battery 130 may be calculated separately, and the average value of the first operable time and the second operable time may be calculated as the total operable time of the electronic device 100.

[0079] Next, referring to FIG. 7, a description will be given of the remaining operable time calculation process of the electronic device 100 in a state in which the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 are connected to the electronic device 100 as in the first embodiment.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operable time calculation process of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0081] The process 700 in FIG. 7 is realized by the control unit 101 executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 103.

[0082] In step S701, the control unit 101 communicates with the first battery 130 via the first battery communication unit 110 and acquires the capacity, voltage, discharge current, and remaining dischargeable amount of the first battery 130. The control unit 101 stores the capacity, voltage, discharge current, and remaining dischargeable amount of the first battery 130 in the work memory 102, and proceeds to step S702 in process 700.

[0083] In step S702, the control unit 101 communicates with the second battery 140 via the second battery communication unit 111, and acquires the capacity, voltage, discharge current, and remaining dischargeable amount of the second battery 140. The control unit 101 stores the capacity, voltage, discharge current, and remaining dischargeable amount of the second battery 140 in the work memory 102, and proceeds to step S703 in process 700.

[0084] In step S703, the control unit 101 determines whether the difference between the voltage of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 and the voltage of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the voltage of the first battery 130 and the voltage of the second battery 140 is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 101 assumes that the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 have the same potential, and proceeds with process 700 to step S715. If it is determined that the difference between the voltage of the first battery 130 and the voltage of the second battery 140 exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit 101 proceeds with process 700 to step S704.

[0085] In step S704, the control unit 101 compares the voltage of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 with the voltage of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether the voltage of the first battery 130 is higher than the voltage of the second battery 140. If it is determined that the voltage of the first battery 130 is higher than the voltage of the second battery 140, the control unit 101 advances the process 700 to step S705. If it is determined that the voltage of the first battery 130 is equal to or lower than the voltage of the second battery 140, the control unit 101 advances the process 700 to step S710.

[0086] In step S705, the control unit 101 uses the discharge current and remaining dischargeable capacity of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 to calculate a first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 from Equation 1. The control unit 101 stores the first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 in the work memory 102, and proceeds to step S706 in process 700.

[0087] In step S706, the control unit 101 uses the voltage and discharge current of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 to calculate the power consumption of the electronic device 100 from Equation 2. The control unit 101 stores the power consumption of the electronic device 100 in the working memory 102, and the process 700 proceeds to step S707.

[0088] In step S707, the control unit 101 uses the power consumption of the electronic device 100 calculated in step S706 and the voltage of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702 to calculate the discharge current of the second battery 140 from Equation 3. The control unit 101 stores the discharge current of the second battery 140 in the working memory 102, and proceeds to step S708 in the process 700.

[0089] In step S708, the control unit 101 uses the discharge current of the second battery 140 calculated in step S707 and the remaining dischargeable capacity of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702 to calculate a second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 from Equation 1. The control unit 101 stores the second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 in the work memory 102, and proceeds to step S709 in process 700.

[0090] In step S709, the control unit 101 calculates a total available operation time by adding together the first available operation time calculated in step S705 and the second available operation time calculated in step S708. The control unit 101 stores the total available operation time, which is the sum of the first available operation time and the second available operation time, in the working memory 102, and the process 700 proceeds to step S718.

[0091] In step S710, the control unit 101 uses the discharge current and remaining dischargeable capacity of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702 to calculate a second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 from Equation 1. The control unit 101 stores the second operable time corresponding to the second battery 140 in the work memory 102, and proceeds to step S711 in the process 700.

[0092] In step S711, the control unit 101 uses the voltage and discharge current of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702 to calculate the power consumption of the electronic device 100 from Equation 2. The control unit 101 stores the power consumption of the electronic device 100 in the working memory 102, and proceeds to step S712 in the process 700.

[0093] In step S712, the control unit 101 uses the power consumption of the electronic device 100 calculated in step S711 and the voltage of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 to calculate the discharge current of the first battery 130 from Equation 3. The control unit 101 stores the discharge current of the first battery 130 in the working memory 102, and proceeds to step S713 in the process 700.

[0094] In step S713, the control unit 101 uses the discharge current of the first battery 130 calculated in step S712 and the remaining dischargeable capacity of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 to calculate a first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 from Equation 1. The control unit 101 stores the first operable time corresponding to the first battery 130 in the work memory 102, and proceeds to step S714 in the process 700.

[0095] In step S714, the control unit 101 calculates a total available operation time by adding together the second available operation time calculated in step S710 and the first available operation time calculated in step S713. The control unit 101 stores the total available operation time by adding together the first available operation time and the second available operation time in the work memory 102, and the process 700 proceeds to step S718.

[0096] In step S715, the control unit 101 calculates the average value of the remaining dischargeable capacity of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 and the remaining dischargeable capacity of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702. The control unit 101 stores the average value of the remaining dischargeable capacity of the first battery 130 and the remaining dischargeable capacity of the second battery 140 in the working memory 102, and proceeds to step S716 in the process 700.

[0097] In step S716, the control unit 101 calculates the average value of the discharge current of the first battery 130 acquired in step S701 and the discharge current of the second battery 140 acquired in step S702. The control unit 101 stores the average value of the discharge current of the first battery 130 and the discharge current of the second battery 140 in the working memory 102, and the process 700 proceeds to step S717.

[0098] In step S717, the control unit 101 uses the remaining dischargeable capacity calculated in step S715 and the discharge current calculated in step S716 to calculate the total operable time of the electronic device 100 on the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 from Equation 1. The control unit 101 stores the total operable time of the electronic device 100 on the first battery 130 and the second battery 140 in the working memory 102, and proceeds to step S718 in process 700.

[0099] In step S718, the control unit 101 displays the total remaining operable time calculated in step S709, S714, or S717 on the display unit 107, and ends the process 700. The control unit 101 displays the battery icon 304 and the remaining operable time 305 of the electronic device 100 as shown in the display screen 300 in FIG.

[0100] According to the first embodiment, when multiple batteries 130, 140 are connected to the electronic device 100, battery information that cannot be obtained from the battery 140 that is not supplying power is estimated using battery information obtained from the battery 130 that is supplying power. This makes it possible to calculate the total operable time of the electronic device 100 based on the multiple batteries 130, 140.

[0101] [Embodiment 2] The various functions, processes, or methods described in the above embodiments can also be realized by a computer of the device or apparatus executing a program. In this case, the program is supplied to the computer of the device or apparatus via a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium in embodiment 2 includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, a memory card, a volatile memory, or a non-volatile memory. The computer-readable storage medium in embodiment 2 is, for example, a non-transitory storage medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 100...electronic device, 101...control unit, 110...first battery communication unit, 111...second battery communication unit, 112...power supply control unit, 130...first battery, 140...second battery

Claims

1. An electronic device, an acquisition means for acquiring information from a first battery supplying power to the electronic device and acquiring information from a second battery not supplying power to the electronic device; a control means for calculating a first operable time corresponding to a time during which the electronic device is operable, based on information acquired from the first battery, and for calculating a second operable time corresponding to a time during which the electronic device is operable by the second battery, based on information acquired from the second battery and information that cannot be acquired from the second battery and is calculated using information acquired from the first battery; An electronic device comprising:

2. the information acquired from the first battery includes a capacity, a voltage, a discharge current, and a remaining dischargeable amount of the first battery; the information acquired from the second battery includes a capacity, a voltage, and a remaining dischargeable amount of the second battery; the control means calculates the first operable time based on a dischargeable remaining capacity and a discharge current of the first battery; calculating the second operable time based on the power consumption of the electronic device calculated from the discharge current and voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first operable time and the second operable time are summed to calculate a total operable time indicating a time during which the electronic device can be operated by the first battery and the second battery.

3. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means compares the voltage of the first battery with the voltage of the second battery, and when a difference between the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery exceeds a predetermined threshold, controls the first battery or the second battery to supply power from the battery with the higher voltage and not to supply power from the battery with the lower voltage.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the control means controls the supply of power from both the first battery and the second battery when a difference between the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

5. 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, when the difference between the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the control means calculates a total operable time indicating a time during which the electronic device can be operated by the first battery and the second battery based on an average value of the dischargeable remaining capacity of the first battery and the second battery and an average value of the discharge current of the first battery and the second battery.

6. The electronic device described in claim 4, characterized in that when the difference between the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the control means calculates the first operable time based on the dischargeable remaining capacity and discharge current of the first battery, calculates the second operable time based on the dischargeable remaining capacity and discharge current of the second battery, and calculates an average value of the first operable time and the second operable time as a total operable time indicating the time the electronic device can operate using the first battery and the second battery.

7. 7. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising a display means for displaying the total operable time.

8. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: obtaining information from a first battery powering the electronic device and obtaining information from a second battery not powering the electronic device; calculating a first operable time corresponding to a time during which the electronic device is operable based on information obtained from the first battery; calculating a second operable time corresponding to a time during which the electronic device is operable by the second battery, based on information acquired from the second battery and information that cannot be acquired from the second battery and is calculated using information acquired from the first battery; A control method comprising:

9. For electronic devices, computers, obtaining information from a first battery powering the electronic device and obtaining information from a second battery not powering the electronic device; calculating a first operable time corresponding to a time during which the electronic device is operable based on information obtained from the first battery; calculating a second operable time corresponding to a time during which the electronic device is operable by the second battery, based on information acquired from the second battery and information that cannot be acquired from the second battery and is calculated using information acquired from the first battery; A program to execute.

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