Electronic device and method for controlling battery on basis of temperature, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

At least one processor is configured to: identify whether the lowest temperature among temperatures measured by a plurality of thermistors is less than a threshold temperature; while identifying that the lowest temperature is less than the threshold temperature, detect whether a voltage level of at least one battery of a plurality of batteries is less than a first threshold voltage; on the basis of detecting that the voltage level is less than the first threshold voltage, disable a function of setting a state of charge (SoC) of the plurality of batteries to a power-off value; determine the SoC of the plurality of batteries by using capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by a plurality of fuel gauges; on the basis of detecting, for the plurality of batteries, a battery condition below a second threshold voltage, cause an electronic device to be turned off according to a user interface (UI) SoC reduced to the power-off value; and after the electronic device is turned on, display, through a display, a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries.

Description

Electronic device, method, and non-transient computer-readable storage medium for controlling a battery based on temperature

[0001] The following descriptions relate to an electronic device, a method, and a non-transient computer-readable storage medium for controlling a battery based on temperature.

[0002] An electronic device can measure the temperature of a battery using a thermistor. An electronic device can measure the capacity and voltage of a battery using a fuel gauge.

[0003] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0004] An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include a plurality of batteries. The electronic device may include a plurality of fuel gauges corresponding to the plurality of batteries. The electronic device may include a plurality of thermistors corresponding to the plurality of batteries. The electronic device may include a display. The electronic device may include a memory that stores instructions and includes one or more storage media. The electronic device may include at least one processor that includes a processing circuit. When the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to identify whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermistors is below a threshold temperature. When the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to detect whether the voltage level of at least one of the plurality of batteries is below a first threshold voltage while identifying that the lowest temperature is below the threshold temperature. When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the function of setting the state of charge (SoC) of the plurality of batteries to a power-off value based on detecting that the voltage level is below the first threshold voltage. When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the SoC of the plurality of batteries to be determined using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges.When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to turn off according to a UI (user interface) SoC reduced to a power off value based on detecting a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries. When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to display a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries through the display after the electronic device turns on.

[0005] A method is provided by an electronic device comprising a plurality of batteries, a plurality of fuel gauges corresponding to the plurality of batteries, a plurality of thermistors corresponding to the plurality of batteries, and a display. The method may include an operation of identifying whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermistors is below a threshold temperature. The method may include an operation of detecting whether the voltage level of at least one of the plurality of batteries is below a first threshold voltage while identifying that the lowest temperature is below the threshold temperature. The method may include an operation of disabling a function to set the state of charge (SoC) of the plurality of batteries to a power-off value based on detecting that the voltage level is below the first threshold voltage. The method may include an operation of determining the SoC of the plurality of batteries using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges. The above method may include an operation of causing the electronic device to turn off according to a UI (user interface) SoC reduced to a power off value based on detecting a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries. The above method may include an operation of displaying a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries through the display after the electronic device is turned on.

[0006] A non-transient computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing one or more programs. The one or more programs may include instructions that cause the electronic device to identify whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermistors is below a critical temperature when executed by at least one processor of the electronic device. The one or more programs may include instructions that cause the electronic device to detect whether the voltage level of at least one of the plurality of batteries is below a first critical voltage while identifying that the lowest temperature is below the critical temperature when executed by at least one processor of the electronic device. The one or more programs may include instructions that cause the electronic device to disable the function of setting the state of charge (SoC) of the plurality of batteries to a power-off value based on detecting that the voltage level is below the first critical voltage when executed by at least one processor of the electronic device. The above one or more programs may include instructions that cause the electronic device to determine the SoC of the plurality of batteries using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges when executed by at least one processor of the electronic device. The above one or more programs may include instructions that cause the electronic device to turn off according to the UI (user interface) SoC reduced to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below a second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries when executed by at least one processor of the electronic device.The above one or more programs may include instructions that cause the electronic device to display a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries through the display after the electronic device is turned on, when executed by at least one processor of the electronic device.

[0007] In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0009] FIGS. 2a to 2f are drawings showing the components of an electronic device.

[0010] Figure 3a is a flowchart showing the operation of electronic devices according to the temperature of the batteries.

[0011] Figure 3b illustrates the battery mode of an electronic device in a low temperature state.

[0012] Figure 4a is a flowchart showing the operation of electronic devices according to the temperature and state of charge (SoC) of the batteries.

[0013] FIG. 4b illustrates the battery mode of an electronic device according to the temperature and SoC of the batteries.

[0014] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operations of an electronic device to stop the reduction of the UI SoC.

[0015] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of an electronic device to stop the reduction of the UI SoC.

[0016] FIGS. 7a and 7b are flowcharts illustrating the operations of an electronic device according to battery mode.

[0017] FIGS. 8a and FIGS. 8b illustrate examples of the performance of an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the performance of an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the performance of an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

[0020] The terms used in this disclosure are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art described in this disclosure. Terms used in this disclosure that are defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they have in the context of the relevant technology, and are not to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this disclosure. In some cases, even terms defined in this disclosure are not to be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0021] In the various embodiments of the present disclosure described below, a hardware-based approach is described as an example. However, since the various embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques using both hardware and software, the various embodiments of the present disclosure do not exclude a software-based approach.

[0022] Additionally, in this disclosure, expressions of "greater than" or "less than" may be used to determine whether a specific condition is satisfied or fulfilled; however, this is merely for the purpose of expressing an example and does not exclude descriptions of "greater than" or "less than." Conditions described as "greater than" may be replaced with "greater than," conditions described as "less than" may be replaced with "less than," and conditions described as "greater than and less than" may be replaced with "greater than and less than." Furthermore, "A" to "B" below refer to at least one of elements from A (including A) to B (including B). Below, "C" and / or "D" refers to including at least one of "C" or "D," i.e., {"C", "D", "C" and "D"}.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network) or with at least one of an electronic device (104) or a server (108) through a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) through a server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), memory (130), input module (150), sound output module (155), display module (160), audio module (170), sensor module (176), interface (177), connection terminal (178), haptic module (179), camera module (180), power management module (188), battery (189), communication module (190), subscriber identification module (196), or antenna module (197). In some embodiments, at least one of these components (e.g., connection terminal (178)) may be omitted from the electronic device (101), or one or more other components may be added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., sensor module (176), camera module (180), or antenna module (197)) may be integrated into a single component (e.g., display module (160)).

[0025] The processor (120) can control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) by executing software (e.g., a program (140)), and can perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) can store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in volatile memory (132), and store the resulting data in non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) that can operate independently or together with it (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor). For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and an auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a designated function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as part thereof.

[0026] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least some of the functions or states associated with at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., display module (160), sensor module (176), or communication module (190)) on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., image signal processor or communication processor) may be implemented as part of another functionally related component (e.g., camera module (180) or communication module (190)). According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing an artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence model may be generated through machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, on the electronic device (101) itself where the artificial intelligence model is executed, or through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm may include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers.An artificial neural network may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to the hardware structure, the artificial intelligence model may include a software structure, either additionally or substantially.

[0027] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)). The data may include, for example, input data or output data for software (e.g., program (140)) and related commands. The memory (130) may include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0028] The program (140) may be stored as software in memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0029] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used for a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120)) from outside the electronic device (101) (e.g., user). The input module (150) may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0030] The sound output module (155) can output a sound signal to the outside of the electronic device (101). The sound output module (155) may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver may be used to receive incoming calls. According to one embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separately from the speaker or as part thereof.

[0031] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external (e.g., user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling said device. According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of the force generated by said touch. For example, the display module (160) may be referred to as a display.

[0032] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal or, conversely, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150) or output sound through the sound output module (155) or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphones) connected directly or wirelessly to the electronic device (101).

[0033] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating state of the electronic device (101) (e.g., power or temperature) or the external environmental state (e.g., user state) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0034] The interface (177) may support one or more specified protocols that can be used for the electronic device (101) to be connected directly or wirelessly to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0035] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) can be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0036] The haptic module (179) can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration or movement) or an electrical stimulus that can be perceived by the user through tactile or kinesthetic senses. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulation device.

[0037] The camera module (180) can capture still images and video. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0038] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented, for example, as at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0039] The battery (189) can supply power to at least one component of the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0040] The communication module (190) can support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between an electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may include one or more communication processors that operate independently of the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., cellular communication module, short-range wireless communication module, or GNSS (global navigation satellite system) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., LAN (local area network) communication module, or power line communication module). The corresponding communication module among these communication modules can communicate with an external electronic device (104) through a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can identify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0041] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following 4G networks, for example, new radio access technology. NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (massive machine type communications (mMTC)), or high reliability and low latency (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC)). The wireless communication module (192) can support a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate, for example. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in the high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large-scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (104)), or network system (e.g., second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) may support a Peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or U-plane latency (e.g., downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) each 0.5 ms or less, or round trip 1 ms or less) for URLLC realization.

[0042] An antenna module (197) can transmit a signal or power to or from an external source (e.g., an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna comprising a radiator made of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as a first network (198) or a second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by a communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device through the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, other components (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module (197).

[0043] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent to a first surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a specified high frequency band (e.g., mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on or adjacent to a second surface (e.g., top surface or side surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving a signal of the specified high frequency band.

[0044] At least some of the above components can be connected to each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)) and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other.

[0045] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) through a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102, or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations performed on the electronic device (101) may be performed on one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, if the electronic device (101) needs to perform a function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may request one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or service instead of performing the function or service itself or additionally. One or more external electronic devices that receive the above request may execute at least part of the requested function or service, or additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may provide the result as is or additionally processed as at least part of the response to the request. For this purpose, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used. The electronic device (101) may provide ultra-low latency services using, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server using machine learning and / or neural networks. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included within a second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0046] FIGS. 2a through 2f are drawings illustrating components of an electronic device. The electronic device (101) of FIGS. 2a through 2f may correspond to the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 2a through 2d, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may include a processor (201), a power management module (202), a first battery (203), a first fuel gauge (204), a first thermistor (205), a second battery (206), a second fuel gauge (207), and a second thermistor (208). The first battery (203) may be associated with the first fuel gauge (204) and the first thermistor (205). The second battery (206) may be associated with the second fuel gauge (207) and the second thermistor (208). A system comprising a plurality of fuel gauges as illustrated in FIGS. 2a to 2d may be referred to as a multi-fuel gauge system.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2a, in one embodiment, in a first arrangement structure (210), a first battery (203), a first fuel gauge (204), a first thermistor (205), a second battery (206), a second fuel gauge (207), and a second thermistor (208) may each be arranged separately. For example, the first fuel gauge (204) and the first thermistor (205) may be arranged outside the first battery (203). For example, the second fuel gauge (207) and the second thermistor (208) may be arranged outside the second battery (206). The number and arrangement structure of the components of the electronic device (101) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2a. For example, the electronic device (101) may include only some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), the first thermistor (205), the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208). For example, at least some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), and the first thermistor (205) may be integrated into a single module. For example, at least some of the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208) may be integrated into a single module.

[0048] In one embodiment, the processor (201) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a communication line (260) to control the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the processor (201) and the power management module (202) may be electrically and / or operably coupled with each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the first fuel gauge (204) may be electrically and / or operably coupled with each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the second fuel gauge (207) may be electrically and / or operably coupled with each other via the communication line (260). In the following, the hardware components being operatively combined may mean that a direct or indirect connection between the hardware components is established via wire (or wirelessly) so that a second hardware component (e.g., power management module (202), first fuel gauge (204), or second fuel gauge (207)) is controlled by a first hardware component (e.g., processor (201)) among the hardware components.

[0049] In one embodiment, the power management module (202) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) to supply power to the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the power management module (202) may receive power from outside the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) connected to a charging port (or connector port). For example, the power management module (202) and the processor (201) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the first battery (203) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the second battery (206) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250).

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2b, in one embodiment, in the second arrangement structure (220), the first battery (203) may include a first fuel gauge (204) and a first thermistor (205). For example, the first fuel gauge (204) and the first thermistor (205) may be placed inside the first battery (203). In one embodiment, in the second arrangement structure (220), the second battery (206) may include a second fuel gauge (207) and a second thermistor (208). For example, the second fuel gauge (207) and the second thermistor (208) may be placed inside the second battery (206). The number and arrangement structure of the components of the electronic device (101) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2b. For example, the electronic device (101) may include only some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), the first thermistor (205), the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208). For example, at least some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), and the first thermistor (205) may be integrated into a single module. For example, at least some of the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208) may be integrated into a single module.

[0051] In one embodiment, the processor (201) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a communication line (260) to control the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the processor (201) and the power management module (202) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the first fuel gauge (204) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the second fuel gauge (207) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260).

[0052] In one embodiment, the power management module (202) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) to supply power to the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the power management module (202) may receive power from outside the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) connected to a charging port (or connector port). For example, the power management module (202) and the processor (201) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the first fuel gauge (204) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the second fuel gauge (207) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). In FIG. 2b, the power management module (202) is shown connected to a fuel gauge placed inside the battery via a power line (250), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the power management module (202) may be directly connected to the first battery (203) and the second battery (206) via the power line (250).

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2c, in one embodiment, in the third arrangement structure (230), the first battery (203) and the first fuel gauge (204) may each be arranged separately. For example, the first battery (203) may include a first thermistor (205). For example, the first thermistor (205) may be placed inside the first battery (203). In one embodiment, in the third arrangement structure (230), the second battery (206) and the second fuel gauge (207) may each be arranged separately. For example, the second battery (206) may include a second thermistor (208). For example, the second thermistor (208) may be placed inside the second battery (206). The number and arrangement structure of the components of the electronic device (101) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2c. For example, the electronic device (101) may include only some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), the first thermistor (205), the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208). For example, at least some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), and the first thermistor (205) may be integrated into a single module. For example, at least some of the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208) may be integrated into a single module.

[0054] In one embodiment, the processor (201) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a communication line (260) to control the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the processor (201) and the power management module (202) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the first fuel gauge (204) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the second fuel gauge (207) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260).

[0055] In one embodiment, the power management module (202) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) to supply power to the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the power management module (202) may receive power from outside the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) connected to a charging port (or connector port). For example, the power management module (202) and the processor (201) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the first battery (203) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the second battery (206) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250).

[0056] Referring to FIG. 2d, in one embodiment, in the fourth arrangement structure (240), the first battery (203) and the first thermistor (205) may be arranged separately. For example, the first battery (203) may include a first fuel gauge (204). For example, the first fuel gauge (204) may be placed inside the first battery (203). In one embodiment, in the fourth arrangement structure (240), the second battery (206) and the second thermistor (208) may be arranged separately. For example, the second battery (206) may include a second fuel gauge (207). For example, the second fuel gauge (207) may be placed inside the second battery (206). The number and arrangement structure of the components of the electronic device (101) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2d. For example, the electronic device (101) may include only some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), the first thermistor (205), the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208). For example, at least some of the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), and the first thermistor (205) may be integrated into a single module. For example, at least some of the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208) may be integrated into a single module.

[0057] In one embodiment, the processor (201) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a communication line (260) to control the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the processor (201) and the power management module (202) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the first fuel gauge (204) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260). For example, the processor (201) and the second fuel gauge (207) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the communication line (260).

[0058] In one embodiment, the power management module (202) may be connected to the components of the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) to supply power to the components of the electronic device (101). For example, the power management module (202) may receive power from outside the electronic device (101) via a power line (250) connected to a charging port (or connector port). For example, the power management module (202) and the processor (201) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the first battery (203) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). For example, the power management module (202) and the second battery (206) may be electrically and / or operationally connected to each other via the power line (250). In FIG. 2d, the power management module (202) is shown connected to a fuel gauge placed inside the battery via a power line (250), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the power management module (202) may be directly connected to the first battery (203) and the second battery (206) via the power line (250).

[0059] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may correspond to a foldable electronic device. For example, the electronic device (101) may include a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part may be rotatably connected to the second housing part by a hinge structure. In one embodiment, the first housing part of the electronic device (101) may include a first battery (203), a first fuel gauge (204), and a first thermistor (205). In the first housing part, the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), and the first thermistor (205) may be arranged based on one of a first arrangement structure (210), a second arrangement structure (220), a third arrangement structure (230), or a fourth arrangement structure (240). In one embodiment, the second housing part of the electronic device (101) may include a second battery (206), a second fuel gauge (207), and a second thermistor (208). In the second housing part, the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208) may be arranged based on one of a first arrangement structure (210), a second arrangement structure (220), a third arrangement structure (230), or a fourth arrangement structure (240).

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 2e and 2f, the electronic device (101) may correspond to a multi-foldable electronic device. For example, the electronic device (101) may be configured according to one of a first folded state (270), a second folded state (275), or a third folded state (280). For example, the electronic device (101) may include a first housing part (291), a second housing part (292), and a third housing part (293). The first housing part (291) may be rotatably connected to the second housing part (292). The second housing part (292) may be rotatably connected to the third housing part (293). In one embodiment, a first housing part (291) of an electronic device (101) may include a first battery (203), a first fuel gauge (204), and a first thermistor (205). In the first housing part (291), the first battery (203), the first fuel gauge (204), and the first thermistor (205) may be arranged based on one of a first arrangement structure (210), a second arrangement structure (220), a third arrangement structure (230), or a fourth arrangement structure (240). In one embodiment, a second housing part (292) of an electronic device (101) may include a second battery (206), a second fuel gauge (207), and a second thermistor (208). In the second housing part (292), the second battery (206), the second fuel gauge (207), and the second thermistor (208) may be arranged based on one of the first arrangement structure (210), the second arrangement structure (220), the third arrangement structure (230), or the fourth arrangement structure (240). In one embodiment, the third housing part (293) of the electronic device (101) may include a third battery, a third fuel gauge, and a third thermistor.In the third housing part (293), the third battery, third fuel gauge, and third thermistor may be arranged based on one of the first arrangement structure (210), second arrangement structure (220), third arrangement structure (230), or fourth arrangement structure (240).

[0061] The hardware components illustrated in FIGS. 2a through 2d are illustrated based on different blocks, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, some of the hardware components illustrated in FIGS. 2a through 2d (e.g., at least some of the processor (201) and power management module (202)) may be included in a single integrated circuit such as a system on chip (SoC) or a system in package (SIP). The type and number of hardware components included in the electronic device (101) are not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 2a through 2d. For example, the electronic device (101) may include only some of the hardware components illustrated in FIGS. 2a through 2d.

[0062] In one embodiment, the processor (201) of the electronic device (101) may include a hardware component for processing data based on one or more instructions. The hardware component for processing data may include, for example, an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). As an example, the hardware component for processing data may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processing unit (DSP), a microcontroller (MCU), and / or a neural processing unit (NPU). The number of processors (201) may be one or more. For example, the processor (201) may have the structure of a multi-core processor, such as a dual core, a quad core, or a hexa core.

[0063] In one embodiment, the processor (201) may include various processing circuits and / or a plurality of processors. For example, the term “processor” as used herein, including in the claims, may include various processing circuits including at least one processor, and one or more of the at least one processor may be configured to perform the various functions described below in a distributed manner, individually and / or collectively. As used below, where “processor,” “at least one processor,” and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform various functions, these terms encompass, for example, but not limited to, situations where one processor performs some of the cited functions and other processor(s) perform other parts of the cited functions, and also situations where one processor can perform all of the cited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors that perform the enumerated / disclosed various functions, for example, in a distributed manner. The at least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform the various functions. The processor (201) of FIG. 2a can be substantially identical to the processor (120) of FIG. 1.

[0064] In one embodiment, a power management module (202) of an electronic device (101) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). For example, the power management module (202) can be implemented as at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0065] In one embodiment, the first battery (203) of the electronic device (101) may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device (101). For example, the first battery (203) may supply power to at least one component of the first housing part of the electronic device (101). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first battery (203) may supply power to a component of the second housing part of the electronic device (101). For example, the first battery (203) may include a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, and / or a fuel cell. In one example, the first battery (203) may include a lithium-ion battery and / or a silicon-carbon battery. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0066] In one embodiment, a second battery (206) of an electronic device (101) may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device (101). For example, the second battery (206) may supply power to at least one component of a second housing part of the electronic device (101). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second battery (206) may supply power to a component of a first housing part of the electronic device (101). For example, the second battery (206) may include a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, and / or a fuel cell. In one example, the second battery (206) may include a lithium-ion battery and / or a silicon-carbon battery. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0067] In one embodiment, the first fuel gauge (204) of the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the first battery (203). For example, the first fuel gauge (204) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharging current (or output current) of the first battery (203). For example, the first fuel gauge (204) can identify the charge amount of the first battery (203) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharging current of the first battery (203). The charge amount of the first battery (203) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the first battery (203). In one example, the charge amount of the first battery (203) may be identified in units of milliampere-hours (mAh). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one example, the first fuel gauge (204) may be referred to as a first coulomb counter fuel gauge. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0068] In one embodiment, the first fuel gauge (204) of the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203). For example, the first fuel gauge (204) can provide information about the voltage of the first battery (203) to the processor (201). In one example, the first fuel gauge (204) can periodically provide information about the voltage of the first battery (203) to the processor (201). In one example, the first fuel gauge (204) can provide information about the voltage of the first battery (203) to the processor (201) in response to the voltage of the first battery (203) exceeding a threshold voltage or being below a threshold voltage. For example, the first fuel gauge (204) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) is below a cut-off voltage. For example, the first fuel gauge (204) can set the charge amount (or capacity, remaining capacity) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) upon identifying that the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than the discharge termination voltage. For example, the first fuel gauge (204) can provide information to the processor (201) regarding the charge amount (or capacity, remaining capacity) of the first battery (203) set to the power off value.

[0069] In one embodiment, the second fuel gauge (207) of the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the second battery (206). For example, the second fuel gauge (207) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharge current (or output current) of the second battery (206). For example, the second fuel gauge (207) can identify the charge amount of the second battery (206) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharge current of the first battery (206). The charge amount of the second battery (206) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the second battery (206). In one example, the charge amount of the second battery (206) may be identified in units of milliampere-hours (mAh). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one example, the second fuel gauge (207) may be referred to as a second Coulomb counter fuel gauge. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0070] In one embodiment, the second fuel gauge (207) of the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206). For example, the second fuel gauge (207) can provide information about the voltage of the second battery (206) to the processor (201). In one example, the second fuel gauge (207) can periodically provide information about the voltage of the second battery (206) to the processor (201). In one example, the second fuel gauge (207) can provide information about the voltage of the second battery (206) to the processor (201) in response to the voltage of the second battery (206) exceeding a threshold voltage or being below a threshold voltage. For example, the second fuel gauge (207) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) is below the discharge termination voltage. For example, the second fuel gauge (207) can set the charge amount (or capacity, remaining capacity) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) upon identifying that the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the discharge termination voltage. For example, the second fuel gauge (207) can provide information to the processor (201) regarding the charge amount (or capacity, remaining capacity) of the second battery (206) set to the power off value. In one example, the function of setting the charge amount of the battery to a power off value when the voltage of the battery is less than the discharge termination voltage may be referred to as the discharge termination voltage detection function by the fuel gauge (FG).

[0071] In one embodiment, the first thermistor (205) of the electronic device (101) can measure the temperature of the first battery (203). For example, the first thermistor (205) can measure the temperature of the first battery (203) based on the resistance value of the first thermistor (205). In one example, if the temperature of the first battery (203) increases, the resistance value of the first thermistor (205) may decrease. If the temperature of the first battery (203) decreases, the resistance value of the first thermistor (205) may increase. However, this is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another example, if the temperature of the first battery (203) increases, the resistance value of the first thermistor (205) may increase. If the temperature of the first battery (203) decreases, the resistance value of the first thermistor (205) may decrease. For example, the first thermistor (205) can provide information about the measured temperature of the first battery (203) to the processor (201).

[0072] In one embodiment, the second thermistor (208) of the electronic device (101) can measure the temperature of the second battery (206). For example, the second thermistor (208) can measure the temperature of the second battery (206) based on the resistance value of the second thermistor (208). In one example, if the temperature of the second battery (206) increases, the resistance value of the second thermistor (208) may decrease. If the temperature of the second battery (206) decreases, the resistance value of the second thermistor (208) may increase. However, this is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another example, if the temperature of the second battery (206) increases, the resistance value of the second thermistor (208) may increase. If the temperature of the second battery (206) decreases, the resistance value of the second thermistor (208) may decrease. For example, the second thermistor (208) can provide information about the measured temperature of the second battery (206) to the processor (201).

[0073] FIG. 3a is a flowchart illustrating the operations of an electronic device according to the temperature of the batteries. At least some of the operations of FIG. 3a may be performed by the electronic device (101). For example, at least some of the operations may be controlled by the processor (201) of the electronic device (101). In the following, each operation may be performed sequentially, but is not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed. For example, at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 3a, in operation 301, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify (or measure) the temperatures of batteries using thermistors. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the temperature of a first battery (203) using a first thermistor (205). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the temperature of a second battery (206) using a second thermistor (208).

[0075] In operation 302, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can determine whether the temperature of the batteries is below a critical temperature. In the following embodiments, the temperature of the batteries is described based on the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, describing based on the lowest temperature may be replaced by describing based on the average temperature of the batteries or the temperature of a designated battery among the batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the lowest temperature among the identified temperatures of the batteries using thermistors. The electronic device (101) can determine whether the lowest temperature is below a critical temperature. For example, the critical temperature may be predetermined (or designated). In one example, the critical temperature may be 10 degrees. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the state of an electronic device (101) in which the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is below the critical temperature may be referred to as a low temperature state (or, low temperature environment). For example, the state of an electronic device (101) in which the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is above the critical temperature may be referred to as a room temperature state (or, room temperature environment).

[0076] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 303 upon identifying that the lowest temperature of the batteries is below a critical temperature. In another example, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 307 upon identifying that the lowest temperature of the batteries is above a critical temperature.

[0077] In operation 303, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may disable or deactivate a function to set the state of charge (SoC) of a battery that meets battery conditions of less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) to a power off value.

[0078] In one embodiment, the first threshold voltage may correspond to a cut-off voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) may disable the function of setting the SoC of the battery to a power-off value when the battery condition of being less than the first threshold voltage is met in a low temperature state. In one example, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function of setting the SoC of the battery to a power-off value when the battery condition of being less than the first threshold voltage is met is enabled may be referred to as the first mode. In one example, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function is disabled may be referred to as the second mode. In examples that are not limited, disabling the function of setting the SoC of the battery to a power-off value when the battery condition of being less than the first threshold voltage is met may include setting the first threshold voltage to a specific value (e.g., 0V, 0.5V).

[0079] In one embodiment, the function of setting the SoC of a battery that satisfies the battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage to a power-off value may be referred to as the Vempty function. The electronic device (101) may disable the Vempty function, which causes the remaining capacity of the battery to rapidly reach zero when the battery voltage reaches the discharge termination voltage in a low temperature state. By disabling the Vempty function, the battery capacity is determined only by the current integration of the fuel gauge, so the battery capacity held by the fuel gauge can be preserved. With the Vempty function disabled, the battery capacity held by the fuel gauge can be reduced only by the coulomb counter. By disabling the Vempty function, the battery capacity held by the fuel gauge is preserved, but a sudden off of the system may occur during a voltage drop. To prevent a sudden off of the system, when the battery voltage monitored based on software (SW) reaches the discharge termination voltage, the UI SoC may be gradually reduced to cause the electronic device (101) to turn off.

[0080] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may disable or deactivate the function of setting the charge amount (or SoC) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using the first fuel gauge (204) when the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) in a low temperature state. The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage.

[0081] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may disable the function of setting the charge amount (or SoC) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using the second fuel gauge (207) when the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) in a low temperature state. The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage.

[0082] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may enable or activate a function to monitor whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below a second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) in a low temperature state. In one example, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function to monitor whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below the second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) is enabled may be referred to as the second mode. In one example, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function is disabled may be referred to as the first mode.

[0083] In operation 304, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can determine the SoC for a plurality of batteries based on capacities measured by a plurality of fuel gauges. For example, since the function of setting the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) to a power-off value is disabled, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC for a plurality of batteries based on capacities measured by a plurality of fuel gauges.

[0084] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharging current (or output current) of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the charge amount of the first battery (203) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharging current of the first battery (203). The charge amount of the first battery (203) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the first battery (203). In one example, the charge of the first battery (203) may be identified in units of milliampere-hours (mAh). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0085] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharge current (or output current) of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the charge amount of the second battery (206) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharge current of the second battery (206). The charge amount of the second battery (206) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the second battery (206). In one example, the charge amount of the second battery (206) may be identified in milliampere-hours. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0086] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC based on capacities (or charges, remaining capacities) measured by a plurality of fuel gauges. For example, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC based on the capacity of the first battery (203) measured by the first fuel gauge (204) and the capacity of the second battery (206) measured by the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the SoC of the batteries of the electronic device (101) can be determined according to [Equation 1] below.

[0087]

[0088] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of being less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of being less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries based on a second mode that monitors whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are less than a second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). The second threshold voltage may be referred to as a low threshold voltage.

[0089] For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the first battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) is less than the second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the first battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than the second threshold voltage.

[0090] For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the second battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) is less than the second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the second battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the second threshold voltage.

[0091] For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied based on whether a first battery condition is satisfied and / or whether a second battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied if one of the first battery condition and the second battery condition is satisfied. In another example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied if both the first battery condition and the second battery condition are satisfied.

[0092] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may sequentially decrease the UI SoC to a power-off value (e.g., 0) according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy battery conditions below a second threshold voltage. The UI SoC may refer to an SoC displayed through the display of the electronic device (101) (e.g., display module (160)). For example, the electronic device (101) may decrease the UI SoC by a specified value (e.g., 1%) based on a period (e.g., 10 seconds or 30 seconds). For example, the electronic device (101) may identify whether the UI SoC corresponds to a power-off value (e.g., 0). For example, the electronic device (101) may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off upon identifying that the UI SoC corresponds to a power-off value. As described above, causing the electronic device (101) to turn off based on reducing the UI SoC to a power off value is intended to prevent battery damage caused by sudden off of the electronic device (101) due to voltage drop in a low-temperature environment.

[0093] In operation 305, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can cause the electronic device (101) to turn off based on a UI (user interface) SoC reduced to a power off value according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage.

[0094] In operation 306, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can display a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the SoC determined based on the capacities measured by fuel gauges after turn-on through a display (e.g., display module (160)).

[0095] The battery characteristics in a low-temperature state may be degraded compared to the battery characteristics in a room-temperature state. For example, a low-temperature state may cause a voltage drop in the battery. In a low-temperature state, if a function to set the SoC of a battery that meets the battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) to a power-off value (e.g., 0) is enabled (e.g., first mode), the battery usage time may be reduced. When the first mode is enabled in a low-temperature state, the UI SoC has a value (e.g., 0) corresponding to the SoC set to the power-off value, so the electronic device (101) cannot be turned on after being turned off. As described above, the electronic device (101) according to the present disclosure may disable the first mode in a low-temperature state. Since the first mode is disabled, the actual remaining capacity of the batteries may be preserved. For example, the electronic device (101) may measure the actual remaining capacity of the batteries using fuel gauges. Therefore, the electronic device (101) according to the present disclosure may have an increased operating time in a low temperature state. The electronic device (101) according to the present disclosure may be turned on after turn-off because the UI SoC has a value of SoC measured by fuel gauges.

[0096] In operation 307, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may enable a function (e.g., Vempty function) to set the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) to a power-off value (e.g., 0). For example, the electronic device (101) may enable a function to set the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage to a power-off value upon identification that the lowest temperature of the batteries is above a threshold temperature. The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) may enable a function to set the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage to a power-off value at room temperature.

[0097] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can enable a function to set the charge amount (or SoC) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using the first fuel gauge (204) when the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than the first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) at room temperature.

[0098] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can enable a function to set the charge amount (or SoC) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using the second fuel gauge (207) when the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) at room temperature.

[0099] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may disable the function of monitoring whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below a second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) at room temperature.

[0100] In operation 308, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may set the SoC of a plurality of batteries that satisfy battery conditions below a first threshold voltage to a power off value (e.g., 0). For example, when the voltage of at least one battery reaches a first threshold voltage (e.g., discharge termination voltage) due to a voltage drop, the fuel gauge may set the charge amount (or capacity, remaining capacity, SoC) of the battery to a power off value (e.g., 0).

[0101] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V). The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can set the charge amount (or SoC) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than the first threshold voltage. For example, the first fuel gauge (204) of the electronic device (101) can set the charge amount (or remaining capacity) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) upon identifying that the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than a first threshold voltage.

[0102] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V). The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can set the charge amount (or SoC) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the first threshold voltage. For example, the second fuel gauge (207) of the electronic device (101) can set the charge amount (or remaining capacity) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) upon identifying that the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the first threshold voltage.

[0103] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage is satisfied if the voltage of the first battery (203) and / or the voltage of the second battery (206) is below the first threshold voltage. For example, if the battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage is satisfied, the electronic device (101) can reduce the UI SoC to a power-off value (e.g., 0). For example, the electronic device (101) can reduce the UI SoC by a specified value (e.g., 1%) based on a period (e.g., 10 seconds or 30 seconds).

[0104] In operation 309, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off based on a UI SoC reduced to a power off value (e.g., 0) according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage. The electronic device (101) may prevent damage to the batteries by causing the electronic device (101) to turn off when the battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage is satisfied at room temperature.

[0105] FIG. 3b illustrates the battery mode of an electronic device in a low temperature state. FIG. 3b describes the battery mode of an electronic device in a low temperature state (or, low temperature environment) in which the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries of the electronic device (101) is below a critical temperature (e.g., 10 degrees).

[0106] The electronic device (101) can operate based on a first mode or a second mode.

[0107] In one embodiment, the first mode may be a mode in which the Vempty function is enabled. In the first mode, the battery voltage may be monitored by hardware (HW) (e.g., a fuel gauge). The Vempty function may be a function that, in order to prevent damage to the battery, sets the charge amount (or remaining capacity, capacity) of the battery to a power-off value (e.g., 0) using the fuel gauge when the battery voltage is below a discharge cut-off voltage (e.g., 3.3V). The charge amount (or remaining capacity, capacity) of the battery set to the power-off value may differ from the actual charge amount (or actual remaining capacity, actual capacity) of the battery.

[0108] In one embodiment, the second mode may be a mode in which the Vempty function is disabled. In the second mode, the battery voltage may be monitored by software (SW). For example, at room temperature, the battery characteristics due to temperature are not poor, so the discharge termination voltage detection function by the fuel gauge may be enabled. At low temperature, the battery characteristics due to temperature are poor, so the discharge termination voltage detection function by the fuel gauge must be disabled and the discharge termination voltage detection function by SW must be enabled. However, if the raw SoC is less than the threshold SoC (e.g., 433 in FIG. 4b), the discharge termination voltage detection function by the fuel gauge may be enabled even at low temperature.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the battery characteristics of the electronic device (101) in a low-temperature state may be degraded compared to the battery characteristics in a room-temperature state. A low-temperature state may cause a voltage drop in the battery. Due to the voltage drop caused by the low-temperature state, the voltage of the battery may drop below the cut-off voltage. When the voltage of the battery drops below the cut-off voltage, the electronic device (101) may set the SoC of the battery to a power-off value regardless of the actual charge amount of the battery (or actual remaining capacity, actual capacity). Since the SoC of the battery is set to a power-off value regardless of the actual charge amount of the battery, the battery usage time may be reduced.

[0110] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the electronic device (101) according to the present disclosure may deactivate a first mode (310) and activate a second mode (320) in a low temperature state. In the second mode, the electronic device (101) may monitor whether the voltage of the battery is below a low threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). For example, when the second mode is activated, the electronic device (101) may determine the SoC of the battery by measuring the actual charge amount of the battery (or actual remaining capacity, actual capacity) using a fuel gauge. Since the actual charge amount of the battery is preserved, the usage time of the battery of the electronic device (101) may be increased.

[0111] FIG. 4a is a flowchart illustrating the operations of an electronic device according to the temperature and state of charge (SoC) of the batteries. At least some of the operations of FIG. 4a may be performed by the electronic device (101). For example, at least some of the operations may be controlled by the processor (201) of the electronic device (101). In the following, each operation may be performed sequentially, but is not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed. For example, at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 4a, in operation 401, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify (or measure) the temperatures of batteries using thermistors. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the temperature of a first battery (203) using a first thermistor (205). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the temperature of a second battery (206) using a second thermistor (208).

[0113] In operation 402, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is below a critical temperature. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the lowest temperature among the identified battery temperatures using thermistors. The electronic device (101) can identify whether the lowest temperature is below a critical temperature. For example, the critical temperature may be predetermined (or designated). In one example, the critical temperature may be 10 degrees. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the state of the electronic device (101) in which the lowest temperature among the battery temperatures is below the critical temperature may be referred to as a low temperature state. For example, the state of the electronic device (101) in which the lowest temperature among the battery temperatures is above the critical temperature may be referred to as a room temperature state.

[0114] In operation 403, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the state of charge (SoC) of the batteries exceeds a threshold SoC (e.g., 5%). For example, the SoC of the batteries of the electronic device (101) can be determined according to [Equation 1] described above. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the SoC of the batteries exceeds a threshold SoC in a first cycle.

[0115] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204) in a first cycle. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharging current (or output current) of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the charge amount of the first battery (203) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharging current of the first battery (203). The charge amount of the first battery (203) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the first battery (203). In one example, the charge of the first battery (203) may be identified in units of milliampere-hours (mAh). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0116] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may measure the current of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207) in a first cycle. For example, the electronic device (101) may measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharge current (or output current) of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) may identify the charge amount of the second battery (206) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharge current of the second battery (206). The charge amount of the second battery (206) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the second battery (206). In one example, the charge amount of the second battery (206) may be identified in milliampere-hours. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0117] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC based on capacities measured by a plurality of fuel gauges. For example, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC based on the capacity of the first battery (203) measured by the first fuel gauge (204) and the capacity of the second battery (206) measured by the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the SoC of the batteries of the electronic device (101) at a first time can be determined according to [Equation 1].

[0118] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the SoC of the batteries determined in the first cycle exceeds a threshold SoC.

[0119] In operation 404, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may disable or deactivate a function that sets the state of charge (SoC) of a battery to a power-off value when the battery condition is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V). The first threshold voltage may correspond to a cut-off voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) may disable the function that sets the state of charge (SoC) of a battery to a power-off value when the battery condition is less than the first threshold voltage and the SoC of the batteries exceeds the threshold SoC. In one example, when the voltage of the battery is less than the first threshold voltage, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function of setting the charge amount (or SoC) of the battery to a power-off value (e.g., 0) using a fuel gauge is enabled may be referred to as the first mode. In one example, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function is disabled may be referred to as the second mode.

[0120] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may disable or deactivate a function (e.g., Vempty function) for setting the charge amount (or SoC) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using the first fuel gauge (204) when the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) in a low temperature state. The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage.

[0121] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may disable the function of setting the charge amount (or SoC) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using the second fuel gauge (207) when the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) in a low temperature state. The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage.

[0122] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may enable or activate a function to monitor whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below a second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) in a low temperature state. In one example, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function to monitor whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below the second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) is enabled may be referred to as the second mode. In one example, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which the function is disabled may be referred to as the first mode.

[0123] In operation 405, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can determine the SoC based on capacities measured by a plurality of fuel gauges. For example, since the function of setting the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) to a power-off value is disabled, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC based on capacities measured by a plurality of fuel gauges in a second cycle after a first cycle.

[0124] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharging current (or output current) of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the charge amount of the first battery (203) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharging current of the first battery (203). The charge amount of the first battery (203) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the first battery (203). In one example, the charge of the first battery (203) may be identified in units of milliampere-hours (mAh). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0125] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharge current (or output current) of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the charge amount of the second battery (206) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharge current of the second battery (206). The charge amount of the second battery (206) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the second battery (206). In one example, the charge amount of the second battery (206) may be identified in milliampere-hours. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0126] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC in the second cycle based on capacities measured by a plurality of fuel gauges. For example, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC in the second cycle based on the capacity of the first battery (203) measured by the first fuel gauge (204) and the capacity of the second battery (206) measured by the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the SoC of the batteries of the electronic device (101) in the second cycle can be determined according to [Equation 1].

[0127] In operation 406, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can cause the electronic device (101) to turn off based on a UI (user interface) SoC reduced to a power off value according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage.

[0128] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of being less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of being less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries based on a second mode that monitors whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are less than a second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V).

[0129] For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the first battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) is less than a second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). The second threshold voltage may be referred to as a lower threshold voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the first battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than the second threshold voltage.

[0130] For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the second battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) is less than the second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). The second threshold voltage may be referred to as the lower threshold voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the second battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the second threshold voltage.

[0131] For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied based on whether a first battery condition is satisfied and / or whether a second battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied if one of the first battery condition and the second battery condition is satisfied. In another example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage is satisfied if both the first battery condition and the second battery condition are satisfied.

[0132] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may sequentially decrease the UI SoC to a power-off value (e.g., 0) according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy battery conditions below a second threshold voltage. The UI SoC may refer to an SoC displayed through the display of the electronic device (101) (e.g., display module (160)). For example, the electronic device (101) may decrease the UI SoC by a specified value (e.g., 1%) based on a period (e.g., 10 seconds or 30 seconds). For example, the electronic device (101) may identify whether the UI SoC corresponds to a power-off value (e.g., 0). For example, the electronic device (101) may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off upon identifying that the UI SoC corresponds to a power-off value.

[0133] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 3.48 V) is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition exceeding the first recovery threshold voltage is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) exceeds the first recovery threshold voltage and / or the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) exceeds the first recovery threshold voltage. Based on the identification that a battery condition exceeding the first recovery threshold voltage is satisfied, the electronic device (101) can refrain from reducing the UI SoC and wait until the next polling cycle.

[0134] In operation 407, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can display a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the SoC determined based on the capacities measured by fuel gauges at a second time after turn-on through a display (e.g., display module (160)).

[0135] In operation 408, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may enable a function to set the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) to a power off value (e.g., 0). The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) may enable a function to set the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage to a power off value at room temperature. For example, the electronic device (101) may enable a function to set the SoC of a battery that satisfies a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage to a power off value in order to prevent battery damage when the SoC of a plurality of batteries is less than a threshold SoC.

[0136] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may enable a function to set the charge amount (or SoC) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using a first fuel gauge (204) when the voltage of the first battery (203) is below a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) in a state of room temperature or when the SoC of the batteries is below a threshold SoC.

[0137] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may enable a function to set the charge amount (or SoC) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) using the second fuel gauge (207) when the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V) in a state of room temperature or when the SoC of the batteries is less than a threshold SoC.

[0138] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may disable the function of monitoring whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below a second threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) at room temperature.

[0139] In operation 409, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can set the SoC of a plurality of batteries that satisfy a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage to a power off value (e.g., 0).

[0140] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V). The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can set the charge amount (or SoC) of the first battery (203) to a power off value (e.g., 0) based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than the first threshold voltage.

[0141] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) is less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.3V). The first threshold voltage may correspond to a discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can set the charge amount (or SoC) of the second battery (206) to a power off value (e.g., 0) based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the first threshold voltage.

[0142] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage is satisfied if the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below the first threshold voltage. For example, if the battery condition of being below a first threshold voltage is satisfied, the electronic device (101) can reduce the UI SoC to a power-off value (e.g., 0). For example, the electronic device (101) can reduce the UI SoC by a specified value (e.g., 1%) based on a period (e.g., 10 seconds or 30 seconds).

[0143] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 4V) is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) exceeds the second recovery threshold voltage and / or the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) exceeds the second recovery threshold voltage. Based on the identification that the battery condition exceeding the second recovery threshold voltage is satisfied, the electronic device (101) may refrain from reducing the UI SoC and wait until the next polling cycle.

[0144] In operation 410, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off based on a UI SoC reduced to a power off value (e.g., 0) according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy a battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage. The electronic device (101) may prevent damage to the batteries by causing the electronic device (101) to turn off when the battery condition of less than a first threshold voltage is satisfied in a room temperature state or when the SoC is below the threshold SoC.

[0145] Figure 4b illustrates the battery mode of an electronic device according to the temperature and SoC of the batteries.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 4b, the electronic device (101) can activate a first mode (421) and deactivate a second mode (422) in a room temperature state (420) where the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries exceeds a critical temperature (e.g., 10 degrees). In the first mode, since VEMPTY_HW Vempty detection is activated, the battery voltage can be monitored by hardware (HW) (e.g., a fuel gauge). In the first mode, if the battery voltage is below a discharge cut-off voltage (e.g., 3.3V), the electronic device (101) can use the fuel gauge to set the charge amount of the battery (or, remaining capacity, capacity) to a power-off value (e.g., 0). For example, the integrated circuit (IC) of the electronic device (101) may set the reported capacity (repcap) or reported SoC (repsoc) to a power-off value (e.g., 0) when it identifies that the battery voltage corresponds to the discharge termination voltage. The electronic device (101) may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off by reducing the UI SoC in response to the charge amount (or, remaining capacity, capacity, SoC) of the battery set to the power-off value. When the voltage of the battery is below the discharge termination voltage due to a voltage drop in the ambient temperature state (420), the electronic device (101) may prevent damage to the battery by causing the electronic device (101) to turn off according to the first mode.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 4b, the electronic device (101) can determine the battery mode of the electronic device (101) according to the state of charge (SoC) of the batteries in a low temperature state (430) in which the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is below a threshold temperature (e.g., 10 degrees). For example, the electronic device (101) can disable the first mode (431) and enable the second mode (432) when the SoC of the batteries exceeds 5%. In the second mode, the electronic device (101) can monitor whether the voltage of the battery is below a low threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). With the second mode enabled, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC of the battery by measuring the actual charge amount (or actual remaining capacity, actual capacity) of the battery using a fuel gauge. Since the actual charge amount of the battery is preserved, the usage time of the battery of the electronic device (101) can be increased.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 4b, the electronic device (101) can activate a first mode (433) and deactivate a second mode (434) when the SoC of the batteries is less than 5%. In the first mode, when the voltage of the battery is less than the discharge termination voltage (e.g., 3.3V), the electronic device (101) can be turned off by using a fuel gauge to set the charge amount (or remaining capacity, capacity) of the battery to a power off value (e.g., 0). The electronic device (101) can prevent damage to the battery by turning off the electronic device (101) according to the first mode when the actual SoC of the battery is less than the threshold SoC (e.g., 5%), even if it is in a low temperature state (430).

[0149] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of an electronic device for stopping the reduction of the UI SoC. At least some of the operations of FIG. 5 may be performed by the electronic device (101). For example, at least some of the operations may be controlled by the processor (201) of the electronic device (101). In the following, each operation may be performed sequentially, but is not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed. For example, at least two operations may be performed in parallel. FIG. 5 describes the operations of the electronic device (101) for stopping the reduction of the UI SoC (user interface state of charge) when a second mode is activated for monitoring whether the voltages of the batteries of the electronic device (101) are below a low threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). For example, the operations of the electronic device (101) shown in FIG. 5 may be performed before the operation 305 of FIG. 3a or the operation 406 of FIG. 4a.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 5, in operation 501, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may reduce the UI SoC (user interface state of charge) according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy a battery condition of less than a low threshold voltage in a first period. The UI SoC may refer to an SoC displayed through a display of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a display module (160)). A UI SoC with a power off value (e.g., 0) may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off.

[0151] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the first battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) is below a low threshold voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the first battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) is below the low threshold voltage.

[0152] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the second battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) is below a low threshold voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the second battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) is below the low threshold voltage.

[0153] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than a low threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than a low threshold voltage is satisfied based on whether a first battery condition is satisfied and / or whether a second battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than a low threshold voltage is satisfied if one of the first battery condition and the second battery condition is satisfied. In another example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than a low threshold voltage is satisfied if both the first battery condition and the second battery condition are satisfied.

[0154] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may sequentially decrease the UI SoC to a power-off value (e.g., 0) according to a plurality of batteries that meet battery conditions below a low threshold voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) may decrease the UI SoC by a specified value (e.g., 1%) based on a period (e.g., 10 seconds or 30 seconds).

[0155] In operation 502, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether, in a second cycle, a plurality of batteries meet battery conditions exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 3.48V).

[0156] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a third battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) exceeds a first recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 3.8V). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the third battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) exceeds the first recovery threshold voltage.

[0157] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the fourth battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) exceeds the first recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 3.8V). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the fourth battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) exceeds the first recovery threshold voltage.

[0158] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage is satisfied based on whether a third battery condition is satisfied and / or whether a fourth battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage is satisfied if one of the battery conditions of the third battery condition and the fourth battery condition is satisfied. In another example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage is satisfied if the third battery condition and the fourth battery condition are satisfied.

[0159] In operation 503, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may refrain from reducing the UI SoC. For example, the electronic device (101) may refrain from reducing the UI SoC upon identifying that, in a second cycle after a first cycle, a plurality of batteries satisfy a battery condition of exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage.

[0160] In operation 504, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may reduce the UI SoC. For example, the electronic device (101) may reduce the UI SoC upon identifying that, in a second cycle after a first cycle, a plurality of batteries do not satisfy the battery condition of exceeding a first recovery threshold voltage.

[0161] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of an electronic device for stopping the reduction of the UI SoC. At least some of the operations of FIG. 6 may be performed by the electronic device (101). For example, at least some of the operations may be controlled by the processor (201) of the electronic device (101). In the following, each operation may be performed sequentially, but is not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed. For example, at least two operations may be performed in parallel. FIG. 6 describes the operations of the electronic device (101) for stopping the reduction of the UI (user interface) SoC when a first mode is activated that sets the state of charge (SoC) of the batteries of the electronic device (101) to a power off value (e.g., 0) that satisfies the battery condition of being less than a discharge cut-off voltage (e.g., 3.3V). For example, the operations of the electronic device (101) shown in FIG. 6 may be performed before the operation 309 of FIG. 3a or the operation 410 of FIG. 4a.

[0162] Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 601, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may reduce the UI SoC (user interface state of charge) according to a plurality of batteries that satisfy battery conditions below a cut-off voltage in a first period. The UI SoC may refer to an SoC displayed through a display of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a display module (160)). A UI SoC with a power-off value (e.g., 0) may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off.

[0163] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the fifth battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) is less than the discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the fifth battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) is less than the discharge termination voltage.

[0164] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the sixth battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) is less than the discharge termination voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the second battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) is less than the discharge termination voltage.

[0165] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than the discharge termination voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of less than the discharge termination voltage is satisfied based on whether a fifth battery condition is satisfied and / or whether a sixth battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than the discharge termination voltage is satisfied if one of the fifth battery condition and the sixth battery condition is satisfied. In another example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of less than the discharge termination voltage is satisfied if the fifth battery condition and the sixth battery condition are satisfied.

[0166] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may progressively reduce the UI SoC to a power-off value (e.g., 0) according to a plurality of batteries that meet battery conditions below a discharge cutoff voltage. For example, the electronic device (101) may reduce the UI SoC by a specified value (e.g., 1%) based on a period (e.g., 10 seconds or 30 seconds).

[0167] In operation 602, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether, in a second cycle, a plurality of batteries satisfy a battery condition of exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 4V).

[0168] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the seventh battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) measured using the first fuel gauge (204) exceeds the second recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 4V). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the seventh battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) exceeds the second recovery threshold voltage.

[0169] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the eighth battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the voltage of the second battery (206) measured using the second fuel gauge (207) exceeds the second recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 4V). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that the eighth battery condition is satisfied based on the identification that the voltage of the second battery (206) exceeds the second recovery threshold voltage.

[0170] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage is satisfied for a plurality of batteries. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether a battery condition of exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage is satisfied based on whether a seventh battery condition is satisfied and / or whether an eighth battery condition is satisfied. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage is satisfied if one of the battery conditions of the seventh battery condition and the eighth battery condition is satisfied. In another example, the electronic device (101) can identify that a battery condition of exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage is satisfied if the seventh battery condition and the eighth battery condition are satisfied.

[0171] In operation 603, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may refrain from reducing the UI SoC. For example, the electronic device (101) may refrain from reducing the UI SoC upon identifying that, in a second cycle after a first cycle, a plurality of batteries satisfy a battery condition of exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage.

[0172] In operation 604, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may reduce the UI SoC. For example, the electronic device (101) may reduce the UI SoC upon identifying that, in a second cycle after a first cycle, a plurality of batteries do not satisfy the battery condition of exceeding a second recovery threshold voltage.

[0173] FIGS. 7a and 7b are flowcharts illustrating the operations of an electronic device according to battery mode. At least some of the operations of FIGS. 7a and 7b may be performed by the electronic device (101). For example, at least some of the operations may be controlled by the processor (201) of the electronic device (101). In the following, each operation may be performed sequentially, but is not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed. For example, at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

[0174] In FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b, the battery mode of the electronic device (101) may include a first mode, a second mode, a second-1 mode, and a second-2 mode. For example, the first mode may mean a battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which a function is enabled to set the state of charge (SoC) of batteries that satisfy a battery condition of less than a cut-off voltage (3.3V) to a power-off value (e.g., 0). For example, the second mode may mean a battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which a function is enabled to monitor whether a battery condition of less than a low threshold voltage (3.2V) is satisfied. For example, the second-1 mode may mean a battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which a battery condition of less than the low threshold voltage is detected. For example, the second-2 mode may mean a battery mode of the electronic device (101) in which a battery condition of greater than the recover threshold voltage associated with the second mode is detected.

[0175] Referring to FIG. 7a, in operation 701, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify (or measure) the voltages of batteries using fuel gauges. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the voltage of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the voltage of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207).

[0176] In operation 702, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are less than a first threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V). For example, the first threshold voltage may correspond to a low threshold voltage.

[0177] In operation 703, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the battery mode is a first mode. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the battery mode is a first mode based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are less than a first threshold voltage.

[0178] In operation 704, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may set the battery mode to a second-1 mode. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the battery mode to a second-1 mode based on the identification that the battery mode is a first mode.

[0179] In operation 705, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the battery mode is a second-1 mode and whether the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) exceed a recovery threshold voltage (e.g., 3.48V).

[0180] In operation 706, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may set the battery mode to a second-2 mode. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the battery mode to a second-2 mode if the battery mode is not a second-1 mode or if the voltage of the first battery (203) and the voltage of the second battery (206) are below the recovery threshold voltage.

[0181] In operation 707, the electronic device (101) can identify the SoC of the batteries.

[0182] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharging current (or output current) of the first battery (203) using the first fuel gauge (204). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the charge amount of the first battery (203) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharging current of the first battery (203). The charge amount of the first battery (203) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the first battery (203). In one example, the charge of the first battery (203) may be identified in units of milliampere-hours (mAh). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0183] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can measure the current of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can measure the charging current (or input current) and / or discharge current (or output current) of the second battery (206) using the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the charge amount of the second battery (206) based on integrating the charging current and / or discharge current of the second battery (206). The charge amount of the second battery (206) may correspond to the remaining capacity (or capacity) of the second battery (206). In one example, the charge amount of the second battery (206) may be identified in milliampere-hours. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0184] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can identify the SoC based on capacities measured by a plurality of fuel gauges. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the SoC based on the capacity of the first battery (203) measured by the first fuel gauge (204) and the capacity of the second battery (206) measured by the second fuel gauge (207). For example, the SoC of the batteries can be identified according to [Equation 1].

[0185] In operation 708, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify the temperatures of batteries obtained using thermistors. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the temperature of a first battery (203) using a first thermistor (205). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the temperature of a second battery (206) using a second thermistor (208). For example, the electronic device (101) can identify the lowest temperature among the temperature of the first battery (203) and the temperature of the second battery (206).

[0186] In operation 709, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is below a critical temperature (e.g., 10 degrees). For example, a state in which the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is below the critical temperature may be referred to as a low temperature state (or, low temperature environment). For example, a state in which the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is above the critical temperature may be referred to as a room temperature state (or, room temperature environment).

[0187] In operation 710, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the battery mode is a first mode. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the battery mode is a first mode based on whether it is identified as being in a room temperature state. For example, if the battery mode is a first mode in a room temperature state, the electronic device (101) can wait until the next cycle and then perform operation 701.

[0188] In operation 711, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the SoC of the batteries is below a threshold SoC and whether the battery mode does not correspond to a first mode. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the SoC of the batteries is below a threshold SoC and whether the battery mode does not correspond to a first mode in a low temperature state.

[0189] In operation 712, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may set the battery mode to a first mode. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the battery mode to a first mode based on the identification that the battery mode does not correspond to the first mode in a room temperature state. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the battery mode to a first mode based on the identification that the SoC of the batteries is below a threshold SoC in a low temperature state and the battery mode does not correspond to the first mode.

[0190] In operation 713, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the SoC of the batteries exceeds a threshold SoC and whether the battery mode corresponds to a first mode.

[0191] In operation 714, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may set the battery mode to a second mode. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the battery mode to a second mode based on the identification that the SoC of the batteries in a low temperature state exceeds a threshold SoC and the battery mode corresponds to a first mode.

[0192] In operation 715, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the battery mode corresponds to the second-1 mode. For example, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the battery mode corresponds to the second-1 mode based on the identification that the SoC of the batteries in a low-temperature state is below a threshold SoC or that the battery mode does not correspond to the first mode.

[0193] In operation 716, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may reduce the UI SoC. For example, the electronic device (101) may reduce the UI SoC upon identification that the battery mode corresponds to the 2-1 mode. The UI SoC may refer to the SoC displayed through the display of the electronic device (101) (e.g., display module (160)). For example, the electronic device (101) may reduce the UI SoC by a specified value (e.g., 1%) based on a period (e.g., 10 seconds or 30 seconds). For example, the UI SoC reduced to a power-off value (e.g., 0) may cause the electronic device (101) to turn off.

[0194] In operation 717, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment can identify whether the battery mode corresponds to the second-2 mode and whether the UI SoC corresponds to the SoC.

[0195] In operation 718, an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may set the battery mode to a second mode. For example, the electronic device (101) may set the battery mode to a second mode based on the identification that the battery mode corresponds to a second-2 mode and the UI SoC corresponds to the SoC.

[0196] In operation 719, the electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may wait until the next cycle. For example, the cycle may be referred to as a polling cycle.

[0197] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate examples of the performance of an electronic device according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 8a, the electronic device (101) may operate in a first mode in which the state of charge (SoC) of batteries meeting battery conditions of less than a discharge cut-off voltage (e.g., 3.3V) is set to a power-off value (e.g., 0). In FIG. 8b, the electronic device (101) may operate in a second mode in which, with the first mode disabled, it monitors whether battery conditions of less than a low threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) are met.

[0198] Referring to FIG. 8a, in period (811), the electronic device (101) can identify, using the first fuel gauge (204), that the voltage (3.2V) of the first battery (203) is less than the discharge termination voltage (3.3V). Based on the identification, the electronic device (101) can set the remaining capacity (or charge amount) of the first battery (203) to a power-off value (e.g., 0). In one example, the remaining capacity of the first battery (203) set to the power-off value may differ from the actual remaining capacity of the first battery (203). In period (812), the electronic device (101) can identify, using the second fuel gauge (207), that the voltage (3.2V) of the second battery (206) is less than the discharge termination voltage (3.3V). The electronic device (101) may set the remaining capacity (or charge amount) of the second battery (206) to a power-off value (e.g., 0) according to the identification. In one example, the remaining capacity of the second battery (206) set to a power-off value may differ from the actual remaining capacity of the second battery (206). In cycle (812), since the remaining capacity of the first battery (203) and the remaining capacity of the second battery (206) are set to a power-off value (e.g., 0), the SoC of the batteries of the electronic device (101) may be set to a power-off value (e.g., 0). The electronic device (101) may reduce the UI (user interface) SoC to cause the electronic device (101) to turn off from cycle (811) or cycle (812). When the UI SoC reaches a power off value (e.g., 0), the electronic device (101) can be turned off. After the electronic device (101) is turned off in a low temperature state (810), the electronic device (101) can enter a room temperature state (820). However, when the electronic device (101) is turned off in the first mode, the actual remaining capacity of the batteries is not preserved, so the electronic device (101) cannot be turned on.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 8b, in period (831), the electronic device (101) can identify, using the first fuel gauge (204), that the voltage (3.1V) of the first battery (203) is below a low threshold voltage (3.2V). In period (832), the electronic device (101) can identify, using the second fuel gauge (207), that the voltage (3.1V) of the second battery (206) is below a low threshold value (3.2V). The electronic device (101) can reduce the UI SoC from period (811) or period (812) according to the identification. Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, since the first mode of the electronic device (101) is deactivated and the second mode is activated, the electronic device (101) can determine the SoC using the first fuel gauge (204) and the second fuel gauge (207). Since the SoC is determined by the measurement of the fuel gauges, the actual remaining capacity of the batteries can be preserved. When the UI SoC reaches a power off value (e.g., 0), the electronic device (101) can be turned off. After the electronic device (101) is turned off in a low temperature state (830), the electronic device (101) can enter a room temperature state (840). When the electronic device (101) is turned on, the electronic device (101) can be turned on because the actual remaining capacity of the batteries is preserved.

[0200] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the performance of an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

[0201] In the first chart (910), the electronic device (101) may operate in a first mode in which the state of charge (SoC) of batteries meeting battery conditions below a discharge cut-off voltage (e.g., 3.3V) is set to a power-off value (e.g., 0). Referring to FIG. 9, at a first time point (911), the electronic device (101) may identify that the first battery (203) and the second battery (206) meet battery conditions below a discharge cut-off voltage. The electronic device (101) may be turned off at a second time point (912) according to the first mode.

[0202] In the second chart (920), the electronic device (101) may operate in a second mode that monitors whether a battery condition of less than a low threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V) is met while the first mode is disabled. Referring to FIG. 9, at a third time point (921), the electronic device (101) may identify that the first battery (203) and the second battery (206) meet the battery condition of less than the low threshold voltage. Depending on the second mode, the electronic device (101) may be turned off at a fourth time point (922) after the second time point (912). As illustrated in FIG. 9, if the electronic device (101) operates in the second mode in a low-temperature environment, the usage time may be increased. Additionally, referring to the second chart (920), when the electronic device (101) is turned off, the SoC of the batteries of the electronic device (101) is not a power off value (e.g., 0), so it can be turned on based on obtaining user input to turn on the electronic device (101).

[0203] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the performance of an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

[0204] The electronic device (101) may operate in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, when the voltage of the battery is below a discharge cut-off voltage (e.g., 3.3V), the electronic device (101) may use a fuel gauge to set the remaining capacity (or capacity, charge amount) of the battery to a power-off value (e.g., 0). In the second mode, when the voltage of the battery is below a low threshold voltage (e.g., 3.2V), the electronic device (101) may use a fuel gauge to measure the actual remaining capacity (or actual capacity, actual charge amount) of the battery.

[0205] The electronic device (101) may correspond to a foldable device. For example, a first model of the foldable device may operate only in a first mode. For example, a second model of the foldable device may operate in the first mode when the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is above a threshold temperature. For example, a second model of the foldable device may operate in the second mode when the lowest temperature among the temperatures of the batteries is below a threshold temperature.

[0206] Referring to FIG. 10, the table (1010) illustrates the performance of the first foldable device.

[0207] At room temperature, the first model of the first foldable device can be used for 18 hours and 8 minutes through the first mode. At room temperature, the second model of the first foldable device can be used for 18 hours and 8 minutes through the first mode. Since the first model and the second model operate in the first mode at room temperature, the usage time may be the same.

[0208] In a low temperature state, the first model of the first foldable device can be used for 11 hours and 2 minutes through the first mode. On the other hand, in a low temperature state, the second model of the first foldable device can be used for 12 hours through the second mode.

[0209] The capacity retention rate of the first model of the first foldable device may be 60.8%. The capacity retention rate of the second model of the second foldable device may be 66.2%. The capacity retention rate may represent the ratio between the battery usage time at room temperature and the battery usage time at low temperature.

[0210] Referring to FIG. 10, the table (1020) illustrates the performance of the second foldable device.

[0211] At room temperature, the first model of the second foldable device can be used for 17 hours and 10 minutes through the first mode. At room temperature, the second model of the second foldable device can be used for 17 hours and 10 minutes through the first mode. Since the first model and the second model operate in the first mode at room temperature, the usage time may be the same.

[0212] In a low temperature state, the first model of the second foldable device can be used for 8 hours and 20 minutes through the first mode. On the other hand, in a low temperature state, the second model of the second foldable device can be used for 10 hours and 30 minutes through the second mode.

[0213] The capacity retention rate of the first model of the second foldable device may be 48.5%. The capacity retention rate of the second model of the second foldable device may be 61.1%. The capacity retention rate may represent the ratio between the battery usage time at room temperature and the battery usage time at low temperature.

[0214] As described above, the usage time of the second models of foldable devices using the second mode in a low-temperature state may be longer than that of the first models of foldable devices using the first mode in a low-temperature state.

[0215] The technical problems to be solved in this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0216] The electronic device described above may include a plurality of batteries. The electronic device may include a plurality of fuel gauges corresponding to the plurality of batteries. The electronic device may include a plurality of thermistors corresponding to the plurality of batteries. The electronic device may include a display. The electronic device may include a memory that stores instructions and includes one or more storage media. The electronic device may include at least one processor that includes a processing circuit. When the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to identify whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermistors is below a critical temperature. When the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to disable the function of setting the state of charge (SoC) of the battery to a power-off value based on detecting a battery condition below a first critical voltage for the battery, upon the identification that the lowest temperature is below the critical temperature. When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the SoC of the plurality of batteries to be determined using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges. When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to turn off according to the UI (user interface) SoC reduced to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries.When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the display to show a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries after the electronic device is turned on.

[0217] For example, when the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the battery's SoC to be set to a power-off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage, upon identifying that the lowest temperature is above the threshold temperature.

[0218] For example, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the UI SoC to decrease based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the first cycle, upon identifying that the lowest temperature is above the threshold temperature. For example, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the UI SoC to stop decreasing based on detecting a battery condition above the third threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the second cycle.

[0219] For example, when the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the UI SoC to decrease based on detecting a battery condition below the second threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the first cycle, upon identifying that the lowest temperature is below the threshold temperature. When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the UI SoC to stop decreasing based on detecting a battery condition above the fourth threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the second cycle.

[0220] For example, the function of setting the SoC of the battery to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage may be disabled when the SoC of the battery is greater than or equal to the threshold SoC.

[0221] For example, the function of setting the SoC of the battery to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage can be enabled when the SoC of the battery is below the threshold SoC.

[0222] For example, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the electronic device to detect a battery condition below the second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries including a first battery and a second battery, based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery are below the second threshold voltage. When the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause the UI SoC to decrease based on the detection of the battery condition below the second threshold voltage.

[0223] For example, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause to detect a battery condition below the second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries including a first battery and a second battery, based on the identification that the battery voltage of one of the voltages of the first battery and the second battery is below the second threshold voltage. When the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device may cause to reduce the UI SoC based on detecting the battery condition below the second threshold voltage.

[0224] For example, the value of the SoC of the plurality of batteries determined using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges may differ from the value of the UI SoC that is reduced based on detecting battery conditions below the second threshold voltage.

[0225] For example, the first threshold voltage may exceed the second threshold voltage.

[0226] A method is provided by an electronic device comprising a plurality of batteries as described above, a plurality of fuel gauges corresponding to the plurality of batteries, a plurality of thermistors corresponding to the plurality of batteries, and a display. The method may include an operation of identifying whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermistors is below a critical temperature. The method may include an operation of detecting whether the voltage level of at least one of the plurality of batteries is below a first critical voltage while identifying that the lowest temperature is below the critical temperature. The method may include an operation of disabling a function to set the state of charge (SoC) of the plurality of batteries to a power-off value based on detecting that the voltage level is below the first critical voltage. The method may include an operation of determining the SoC of the plurality of batteries using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges. The above method may include an operation of causing the electronic device to turn off according to a UI (user interface) SoC reduced to a power off value based on detecting a battery condition of less than a second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries. The above method may include an operation of displaying a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries through the display after the electronic device is turned on.

[0227] For example, the above method may include an operation to enable a function to set the SoC of the battery to a power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage according to the identification that the lowest temperature is above the threshold temperature.

[0228] For example, the method may include an operation to reduce the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition below a first threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in a first cycle, upon identifying that the lowest temperature is above the threshold temperature. The method may include an operation to stop reducing the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition above a third threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in a second cycle.

[0229] For example, the method may include an operation to reduce the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition below a second threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in a first cycle, upon identifying that the lowest temperature is below the threshold temperature. The method may include an operation to stop reducing the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition above a fourth threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in a second cycle.

[0230] For example, the function of setting the SoC of the battery to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage may be disabled when the SoC of the battery is greater than or equal to the threshold SoC.

[0231] For example, the function of setting the SoC of the battery to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage can be enabled when the SoC of the battery is below the threshold SoC.

[0232] For example, the above method may include an operation of detecting a battery condition below a second threshold voltage based on identifying that the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery are below the second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries including a first battery and a second battery. The above method may include an operation of reducing the UI SoC based on detecting the battery condition below the second threshold voltage.

[0233] For example, the above method may include an operation of detecting a battery condition below a second threshold voltage based on identifying that, for the plurality of batteries including a first battery and a second battery, the voltage of one of the voltages of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery is below the second threshold voltage. For example, the above method may include an operation of reducing the UI SoC based on detecting the battery condition below the second threshold voltage.

[0234] For example, the value of the SoC of the plurality of batteries determined using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges may differ from the value of the UI SoC that is reduced based on detecting battery conditions below the second threshold voltage.

[0235] For example, the first threshold voltage may exceed the second threshold voltage.

[0236] An electronic device (101) according to the present disclosure can preserve the actual remaining capacity of a battery by disabling the function of setting the state of charge (SoC) of a battery that satisfies battery conditions below a cut-off voltage in a low-temperature environment to a power-off value (e.g., 0). Since the actual remaining capacity of the battery is preserved, the electronic device (101) can increase the usage time in a low-temperature environment. Since the actual remaining capacity of the battery is preserved, the electronic device (101) can be turned on after being turned off by a user interface (UI) SoC having a power-off value.

[0237] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

[0238] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components described in one or more of the prior art drawings may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes and / or methods as described in the present disclosure. For example, a processor (e.g., a baseband processor) described in the present disclosure in relation to one or more of the prior art drawings may be configured to operate according to one or more examples described in the present disclosure. As another example, circuits associated with user equipment (UE), a base station, a network element, etc., as described above in relation to one or more of the prior art drawings may be configured to operate according to one or more examples described herein.

[0239] Any of the embodiments described above may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments) unless otherwise explicitly stated. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments is for illustrative and explanatory purposes only, and is not intended to limit or exhaust the scope of the embodiments in the exact form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings or may be obtained from the practice of various embodiments.

[0240] The electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may be of various forms. The electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, electronic devices, or consumer electronics. The electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the devices described above.

[0241] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B or C," "at least one of A, B and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish said components from other said components and do not limit said components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order). Where any (e.g., 1st) component is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., 2nd) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicationly," it means that said any component may be connected to said other component directly (e.g., via a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0242] The term “module” as used in the various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit, for example. A module may be a component formed integrally, or a minimum unit of said component or a part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0243] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., program (140)) comprising one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory (136) or external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., electronic device (101)) may call at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that can be executed by an interpreter. The storage medium readable by the machine may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-temporary' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily.

[0244] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0245] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., module or program) of the components described above may include a singular or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Generally or additionally, multiple components (e.g., module or program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the corresponding component among the multiple components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, program, or other components may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. In an electronic device, Multiple batteries; A plurality of fuel gauges corresponding to the plurality of batteries above; A plurality of thermistors corresponding to the plurality of batteries above; display; Memory for storing instructions and including one or more storage media; and It includes at least one processor comprising a processing circuit, and When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device, Identify whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermistors is below a critical temperature, and While identifying that the lowest temperature is below the threshold temperature, detect whether the voltage level of at least one of the plurality of batteries is below the first threshold voltage, and Based on detecting that the above voltage level is less than the first threshold voltage, the function of setting the state of charge (SoC) of the plurality of batteries to a power off value is disabled, and The SoC of the plurality of batteries is determined using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges, and Based on detecting a battery condition below a second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries, according to a UI (user interface) SoC reduced to the power off value, the electronic device is turned off, and After the electronic device is turned on, causing a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries to be displayed through the display, Electronic device.

2. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device, Causing to enable a function to set the SoC of the battery to a power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage, upon identification that the minimum temperature is above the threshold temperature. Electronic device.

3. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device, Based on the identification that the above minimum temperature is above the above critical temperature, and detecting a battery condition below the first critical voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the first cycle, the UI SoC is reduced, and Based on detecting a battery condition exceeding a third threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the second cycle, causing to stop reducing the UI SoC, Electronic device.

4. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device, Based on the identification that the lowest temperature is below the critical temperature, and detecting a battery condition below the second critical voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the first cycle, the UI SoC is reduced, and Based on detecting a battery condition exceeding a fourth threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the second cycle, causing to stop reducing the UI SoC, Electronic device.

5. In Paragraph 1, The function of setting the SoC of the battery to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage is disabled when the SoC of the battery is greater than or equal to the threshold SoC. Electronic device.

6. In Paragraph 1, The function of setting the SoC of the battery to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage is activated when the SoC of the battery is below the threshold SoC, Electronic device.

7. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device, For the plurality of batteries including a first battery and a second battery, a battery condition below the second threshold voltage is detected based on the identification that the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery are below the second threshold voltage, and Based on detecting battery conditions below the second threshold voltage, causing the UI SoC to decrease, Electronic device.

8. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the electronic device, For the plurality of batteries including a first battery and a second battery, a battery condition below the second threshold voltage is detected based on the identification that the battery voltage of one of the voltages of the first battery and the second battery is below the second threshold voltage, and Based on detecting battery conditions below the second threshold voltage, causing the UI SoC to decrease, Electronic device.

9. In Paragraph 1, The value of the SoC of the plurality of batteries determined using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges is different from the value of the UI SoC that is reduced based on detecting battery conditions below the second threshold voltage. Electronic device.

10. In Paragraph 1, The first threshold voltage above exceeds the second threshold voltage, Electronic device.

11. A method performed by an electronic device comprising a plurality of batteries, a plurality of fuel gauges corresponding to the plurality of batteries, a plurality of thermistors corresponding to the plurality of batteries, and a display, An operation to identify whether the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermistors is below a critical temperature; While identifying that the lowest temperature is below the threshold temperature, the operation of detecting whether the voltage level of at least one of the plurality of batteries is below a first threshold voltage; An operation to disable the function of setting the state of charge (SoC) of the plurality of batteries to a power off value based on detecting that the above voltage level is less than the first threshold voltage; The operation of determining the SoC of the plurality of batteries using the capacities of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges; An operation that causes the electronic device to turn off according to a UI (user interface) SoC reduced to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below a second threshold voltage for the plurality of batteries; and After the electronic device is turned on, the operation includes displaying a UI SoC having a value corresponding to the determined SoC of the plurality of batteries through the display. method.

12. In Paragraph 11, further comprising an operation to enable a function to set the SoC of the battery to a power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage according to the identification that the lowest temperature is above the threshold temperature. method.

13. In Paragraph 11, An operation to reduce the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the first cycle, according to the identification that the minimum temperature is above the threshold temperature; and The operation further includes stopping the reduction of the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition exceeding a third threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the second cycle. method.

14. In Paragraph 11, An operation to reduce the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition below the second threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the first cycle, according to the identification that the lowest temperature is below the threshold temperature; and The operation further includes stopping the reduction of the UI SoC based on detecting a battery condition exceeding a fourth threshold voltage using the voltages of the plurality of batteries measured by the plurality of fuel gauges in the second cycle. method.

15. In Paragraph 11, The function of setting the SoC of the battery to the power off value based on detecting a battery condition below the first threshold voltage is disabled when the SoC of the battery is greater than or equal to the threshold SoC. method.

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