Electronic device for adaptively supplying power and control method therefor

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic device. The present electronic device may comprise a memory for storing instructions, a communication interface, and one or more processors including processing circuitry, wherein the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, may cause: a first power consumption amount of the electronic device to be identified when another electronic device is connected by means of the communication interface; a maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device to be identified on the basis of the first power consumption amount; and power not greater than the maximum power supply amount to be supplied to the other electronic device by means of the communication interface.

Description

Electronic device for adaptively supplying power and method for controlling the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a method for controlling the same, and more specifically, to an electronic device that adaptively supplies power and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] Thanks to advancements in electronic technology, various types of electronic devices are being developed. In particular, recently, electronic devices are being developed that not only provide the inherent functions of an electronic device but also supply power to other electronic devices connected to it.

[0003] For example, an electronic device includes a scaler or SoC that incorporates a USB power delivery IC. When another electronic device is connected to the electronic device via its USB port, power delivery (PD) negotiation can be performed through the CC line. During the PD negotiation process, the sink capability and source capability communicate, allowing the source and sink to share their respective PD specifications. Based on the shared results, the amount of power delivered (charge amount) can be determined.

[0004] However, conventional electronic devices perform PD negotiation without considering the device's state, mode, or load levels. Furthermore, since the power supply amount is determined by PD negotiation in conventional electronic devices, user control is impossible.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure for achieving the above objectives, an electronic device comprises one or more processors including a memory for storing instructions, a communication interface, and a processing circuitry, wherein when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, if another electronic device is connected through the communication interface, a first power consumption of the electronic device is identified, a maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device is identified based on the first power consumption amount, and power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount is supplied to the other electronic device through the communication interface.

[0006] Additionally, the above one or more processors include a first sub-processor and a second sub-processor, wherein the first sub-processor identifies the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, identifies the maximum power supply based on the first power consumption, provides the maximum power supply to the second sub-processor, and the second sub-processor can supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply to the other electronic device through the communication interface.

[0007] And, the above one or more processors further include a third sub-processor, and the third sub-processor can identify the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks, and provide the identified second power consumption to the first sub-processor.

[0008] Additionally, when the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, they can identify a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the usage state of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and identify a first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks.

[0009] And, further comprising a display, the instructions control the display to display a screen including a plurality of modes related to the power supply amount when executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, and when a user command to select one of the plurality of modes is received, the maximum power supply amount can be identified based on the mode corresponding to the user command.

[0010] Additionally, when the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, they can change the operating state of the electronic device based on a mode corresponding to the user command.

[0011] And, when the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount is supplied to the other electronic device through the communication interface, and then the current flowing to the other electronic device is identified, and if the identified current is changed to less than or equal to a preset value, the mode corresponding to the user command can be changed.

[0012] Additionally, the communication interface includes a plurality of ports, and when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, if a plurality of other electronic devices are connected through the plurality of ports, the first power consumption is identified, the maximum power supply amount for charging the plurality of other electronic devices is identified based on the first power consumption amount, and power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount is supplied to the plurality of other electronic devices through the communication interface.

[0013] And, when the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, they can supply power less than the maximum power supply amount to the plurality of other electronic devices through the communication interface, identify a plurality of currents flowing through each of the plurality of ports, and distribute power less than the maximum power supply amount to each of the plurality of ports based on the plurality of currents.

[0014] In addition, the above plurality of ports may be USB (universal serial bus) standard ports.

[0015] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a control method for an electronic device may include the steps of: identifying a first power consumption of the electronic device when another electronic device is connected through a communication interface included in the electronic device; identifying a maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device based on the first power consumption amount; and supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the other electronic device through the communication interface.

[0016] Additionally, the step of identifying the first power consumption is performed by a first sub-processor included in the electronic device, by identifying the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and the step of identifying the maximum power supply is performed by the first sub-processor, by identifying the maximum power supply based on the first power consumption, and providing the maximum power supply to a second sub-processor included in the electronic device, and the supplying step is performed by the second sub-processor, by supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply to another electronic device through the communication interface.

[0017] And, the step of identifying the first power consumption may identify the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks by a third sub-processor included in the electronic device, and provide the identified second power consumption to the first sub-processor.

[0018] In addition, the step of identifying the first power consumption may identify the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the usage state of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and identify the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks.

[0019] And, the method further includes the step of displaying a screen including a plurality of modes related to the power supply amount, and the step of identifying the maximum power supply amount can identify the maximum power supply amount based on the mode corresponding to the user command when a user command selecting one of the plurality of modes is received.

[0020] In addition, the method may further include a step of changing the operating state of the electronic device based on a mode corresponding to the user command.

[0021] In addition, the method may further include the step of supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the other electronic device through the communication interface, identifying the current flowing to the other electronic device, and, if the identified current changes to less than or equal to a preset value, changing the mode corresponding to the user command.

[0022] Additionally, the communication interface includes a plurality of ports, and the step of identifying the first power consumption identifies the first power consumption when a plurality of other electronic devices are connected through the plurality of ports, the step of identifying the maximum power supply identifies the maximum power supply for charging the plurality of other electronic devices based on the first power consumption, and the supplying step can supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply to the plurality of other electronic devices through the communication interface.

[0023] In addition, the method may further include the steps of supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the plurality of other electronic devices through the communication interface, identifying a plurality of currents flowing through each of the plurality of ports, and distributing power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to each of the plurality of ports based on the plurality of currents.

[0024] In addition, the above plurality of ports may be USB (universal serial bus) standard ports.

[0025] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a non-transient computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing a method of operating an electronic device, the method of operation may include the steps of: identifying a first power consumption of the electronic device when another electronic device is connected through a communication interface included in the electronic device; identifying a maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device based on the first power consumption amount; and supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the other electronic device through the communication interface.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a hardware structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the power consumption of a plurality of hardware blocks included in an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the maximum power supply amount according to the power consumption of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7 are drawings for illustrating a plurality of modes per port according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIGS. 8 and 9 are drawings for explaining a method for controlling the operating state of an electronic device by mode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a case where a plurality of other electronic devices are connected according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device and a method for controlling the same for determining a power supply amount based on the state of the electronic device or determining a power supply amount based on user control.

[0036] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] The terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure have been selected to be as widely used as possible, taking into account their functions within this disclosure; however, these terms may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the art, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Additionally, in specific cases, terms have been arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant explanatory section of this disclosure. Therefore, terms used in this disclosure should be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the overall content of this disclosure.

[0038] In this specification, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “include,” or “may include” indicate the presence of such features (e.g., numerical values, functions, operations, or components such as parts) and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0039] The expression "at least one of A or / and B" should be understood as representing either "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0040] Expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in this specification may modify various components regardless of order and / or importance, and are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit said components.

[0041] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "consisting of" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0042] In this specification, the term "user" may refer to a person using an electronic device or a device using an electronic device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device).

[0043] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] The electronic device (100) is a device that supplies power to another electronic device connected to the electronic device (100), and can be implemented as a device such as a desktop PC, display, laptop, smartphone, tablet PC, TV, speaker, projector, smart glasses, HMD (head mounted display) device, etc. However, it is not limited thereto, and the electronic device (100) may be any device that supplies power to another electronic device connected to the electronic device (100).

[0046] According to FIG. 1, the electronic device (100) includes a memory (110), a communication interface (120), and a processor (130).

[0047] Memory (110) may refer to hardware that stores information, such as data, in an electrical or magnetic form so that a processor (130), etc. can access it. To this end, memory (110) may be implemented as at least one piece of hardware among non-volatile memory, volatile memory, flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), etc.

[0048] At least one instruction required for the operation of an electronic device (100) or a processor (130) may be stored in the memory (110). Here, the instruction is a unit of code that directs the operation of the electronic device (100) or the processor (130), and may be written in machine language, which is a language that a computer can understand. Alternatively, a plurality of instructions that perform a specific task of the electronic device (100) or the processor (130) may be stored in the memory (110) as an instruction set.

[0049] Data, which is information in bit or byte units that can represent characters, numbers, images, etc., can be stored in the memory (110). For example, a PD (power delivery) negotiation module, etc., can be stored in the memory (110).

[0050] The memory (110) is accessed by the processor (130), and the processor (130) can perform read / write / modify / delete / update, etc. on instructions, instruction sets, or data.

[0051] The communication interface (120) is a configuration that performs communication with various types of external devices according to various types of communication methods. For example, an electronic device (100) can perform communication with other electronic devices through the communication interface (120).

[0052] The communication interface (120) may include a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, an infrared communication module, and a wireless communication module. Here, each communication module may be implemented in the form of at least one hardware chip.

[0053] The Wi-Fi module and Bluetooth module perform communication using the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth methods, respectively. When using the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module, various connection information, such as the SSID and session key, is transmitted and received first; after establishing a communication connection using this information, various data can be transmitted and received. The infrared communication module performs communication based on infrared communication (IrDA, infrared data association) technology, which wirelessly transmits data over short distances using infrared rays that lie between visible light and millimeter waves.

[0054] In addition to the communication method described above, the wireless communication module may include at least one communication chip that performs communication according to various wireless communication standards such as Zigbee, 3G (3rd generation), 3GPP (3rd generation partnership project), LTE (long term evolution), LTE-A (LTE advanced), 4G (4th generation), and 5G (5th generation).

[0055] Alternatively, the communication interface (120) may include a wired communication interface such as HDMI, DP, Thunderbolt, USB (universal serial bus), RGB, D-SUB, DVI, etc. For example, the communication interface (120) may include at least one USB standard port, and the electronic device (100) may supply power to another electronic device through the USB standard port.

[0056] In addition, the communication interface (120) may include at least one of a LAN (local area network) module, an Ethernet module, or a wired communication module that performs communication using a pair cable, a coaxial cable, or a fiber optic cable.

[0057] The processor (130) controls the overall operation of the electronic device (100). Specifically, the processor (130) can control the overall operation of the electronic device (100) by being connected to each component of the electronic device (100). For example, the processor (130) can control the operation of the electronic device (100) by being connected to components such as memory (110) and a communication interface (120).

[0058] One or more processors (130) may include one or more of a CPU, a GPU (graphics processing unit), an APU (accelerated processing unit), a MIC (many integrated core), a NPU (neural processing unit), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. One or more processors (130) may control one or any combination of other components of the electronic device (100) and may perform operations or data processing related to communication. One or more processors (130) may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in memory (110). For example, one or more processors (130) may perform a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure by executing one or more instructions stored in memory (110).

[0059] When a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by a single processor or by a plurality of processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first processor (e.g., a general-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by a second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence dedicated processor).

[0060] One or more processors (130) may be implemented as a single-core processor including one core, or as one or more multicore processors including multiple cores (e.g., homogeneous multicore or heterogeneous multicore). When one or more processors (130) are implemented as multicore processors, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor may include internal processor memory such as cache memory or on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by multiple cores may be included in the multicore processor. Additionally, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor (or some of the multiple cores) may independently read and execute program instructions for implementing a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, or all (or some) of the multiple cores may be linked together to read and execute program instructions for implementing a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] When a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one of the plurality of cores included in a multi-core processor, or may be performed by a plurality of cores. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in a multi-core processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first core included in a multi-core processor and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in a multi-core processor.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more processors (130) may refer to a system-on-chip (SoC) in which one or more processors and other electronic components are integrated, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, or a core included in a single-core processor or a multi-core processor, wherein the core may be implemented as a CPU, GPU, APU, MIC, NPU, hardware accelerator, or machine learning accelerator, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. However, for convenience of explanation, the operation of the electronic device (100) is described below using the expression "processor (130)."

[0063] When another electronic device is connected through the communication interface (120), the processor (130) can identify a first power consumption of the electronic device (100). For example, the processor (130) can identify a first power consumption based on a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100). For instance, the processor (130) can identify a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100) and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks, and can identify a first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks. Alternatively, the processor (130) can identify a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the usage state of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100), and can identify a first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks.

[0064] Meanwhile, the processor (130) may identify the first power consumption of the electronic device (100) when another electronic device is connected through the communication interface (120), but is not limited thereto. For example, the processor (130) may identify the first power consumption of the electronic device (100) at a preset time interval or at a preset time. Alternatively, the processor (130) may identify the first power consumption of the electronic device (100) at a preset time interval when another electronic device is connected through the communication interface (120).

[0065] The processor (130) identifies a maximum power supply amount for charging other electronic devices based on a first power consumption amount and can supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to other electronic devices through the communication interface (120). For example, if the maximum power consumption of the electronic device (100) is 100W and the first power consumption amount is 50W, the processor (130) can supply power less than or equal to 50W to other electronic devices through the communication interface (120). Alternatively, the processor (130) may supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to other electronic devices through the communication interface (120) with a preset margin. In the example described above, the processor (130) may supply power less than or equal to 40W to other electronic devices through the communication interface (120) with a margin of 10W.

[0066] The processor (130) includes a first sub-processor and a second sub-processor, wherein the first sub-processor identifies a first power consumption based on a second power consumption of each of a plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100), identifies a maximum power supply based on the first power consumption, provides the maximum power supply to the second sub-processor, and the second sub-processor can supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply to another electronic device through a communication interface (120). Here, the first sub-processor may be a scaler or an SoC and may operate as a main IC, and the second sub-processor may be a PD (power delivery) IC. The first sub-processor may be able to access a plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100), but the second sub-processor may not be able to access the remaining configurations among the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100), excluding the configuration for supplying power to another electronic device.

[0067] The processor (130) further includes a third sub-processor, and the third sub-processor identifies a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on a voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks and a current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks, and may provide the identified second power consumption to the first sub-processor.

[0068] That is, the processor (130) may be implemented in a form including at least two of a first sub-processor, a second sub-processor, and a third sub-processor, but the processor (130) may also be implemented in a form divided into a first sub-processor, a second sub-processor, and a third sub-processor.

[0069] The electronic device (100) further includes a display, and the processor (130) controls the display to display a screen including multiple modes related to power supply amounts, and when a user command to select one of the multiple modes is received, the maximum power supply amount may be identified based on the mode corresponding to the user command. For example, the processor (130) may control the display to display a screen including multiple modes for power supply amounts for at least one port included in the communication interface (120). The processor (130) may change the operating state of the electronic device (100) based on the mode corresponding to the user command.

[0070] However, it is not limited thereto, and the processor (130) may control the display to display a screen including multiple modes for the operation of the electronic device (100). In this case, the processor (130) may identify the maximum power supply amount based on the mode corresponding to the user command.

[0071] The processor (130) supplies power to another electronic device with less than the maximum power supply amount through the communication interface (120), identifies the current flowing to the other electronic device, and if the identified current changes to less than or equal to a preset value, it may change the mode corresponding to the user command. For example, the processor (130) supplies power to another electronic device with less than the maximum power supply amount through the communication interface (120), identifies the current flowing to the other electronic device, and if the charging of the other electronic device is almost complete and the current flowing to the other electronic device changes to less than or equal to a preset value, it may change the mode corresponding to the user command to a mode with a lower maximum power supply amount.

[0072] The communication interface (120) includes multiple ports of the USB standard, and when multiple other electronic devices are connected through the multiple ports, the processor (130) identifies a first power consumption, identifies a maximum power supply amount for charging multiple other electronic devices based on the first power consumption, and can supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the multiple other electronic devices through the communication interface (120). For example, when two other electronic devices are connected through two ports, the processor (130) can supply power less than or equal to half of the maximum power supply amount to each port.

[0073] The processor (130) can supply power less than the maximum power supply amount to multiple other electronic devices through the communication interface (120), identify multiple currents flowing through each of the multiple ports, and distribute power less than the maximum power supply amount to each of the multiple ports based on the multiple currents. In the example described above, the processor (130) can supply power less than half of the maximum power supply amount to each of the two ports, and when the current flowing through one of the two ports changes to a preset value or less, it can reduce the power supplied to one of the two ports and increase the power supplied to the other of the two ports.

[0074] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device (100) may include a memory (110), a communication interface (120), and a processor (130). Additionally, according to FIG. 2, the electronic device (100) may further include a display (140), a user interface (150), a microphone (160), a speaker (170), and a camera (180). Detailed descriptions of parts of the components shown in FIG. 2 that overlap with the components shown in FIG. 1 are omitted.

[0075] The display (140) is configured to display an image and can be implemented as various types of displays such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) display, and a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The display (140) may also include a driving circuit, a backlight unit, etc., which can be implemented in the form of an a-si TFT, an LTPS (low temperature poly silicon) TFT, or an OTFT (organic TFT). Meanwhile, the display (140) can be implemented as a touch screen combined with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a 3D display, etc.

[0076] The user interface (150) may be implemented as a button, touchpad, mouse, and keyboard, or as a touch screen capable of performing display functions and operation input functions. Here, the button may be a various type of button, such as a mechanical button, touchpad, or wheel, formed in any area of ​​the exterior of the main body of the electronic device (100), such as the front, side, or back.

[0077] The microphone (160) is configured to receive sound input and convert it into an audio signal. The microphone (160) is electrically connected to the processor (130) and can receive sound under the control of the processor (130).

[0078] For example, the microphone (160) may be formed as an integrated unit on the upper side, front side, or side side of the electronic device (100). Alternatively, the microphone (160) may be provided in a remote control or the like, separate from the electronic device (100). In this case, the remote control may receive sound through the microphone (160) and provide the received sound to the electronic device (100).

[0079] The microphone (160) may include various configurations such as a microphone that collects analog sound, an amplifier circuit that amplifies the collected sound, an A / D conversion circuit that samples the amplified sound and converts it into a digital signal, and a filter circuit that removes noise components from the converted digital signal.

[0080] Meanwhile, the microphone (160) may be implemented in the form of a sound sensor, and any configuration capable of collecting sound is acceptable.

[0081] The speaker (170) is a component that outputs various audio data processed by the processor (130), as well as various notification sounds or voice messages.

[0082] The camera (180) is configured to capture still images or video. The camera (180) can capture a still image at a specific point in time, but can also capture a series of still images.

[0083] The camera (180) includes a lens, a shutter, an aperture, a solid-state image sensor, an AFE (Analog Front End), and a TG (Timing Generator). The shutter controls the time when light reflected from a subject enters the camera (180), and the aperture controls the amount of light incident on the lens by mechanically increasing or decreasing the size of the opening through which light enters. When light reflected from a subject accumulates as photocharge, the solid-state image sensor outputs an image based on the photocharge as an electrical signal. The TG outputs a timing signal for reading out pixel data from the solid-state image sensor, and the AFE samples and digitizes the electrical signal output from the solid-state image sensor.

[0084] As described above, the electronic device (100) can determine the amount of power supplied based on the state of the electronic device (100) or determine the amount of power supplied based on user control, thereby enabling more adaptive operation and improving user convenience.

[0085] The operation of the electronic device (100) will be described in more detail below through FIGS. 3 to 10. FIGS. 3 to 10 describes individual embodiments for the convenience of explanation. However, the individual embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 10 may be implemented in any combination.

[0086] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a hardware structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] The processor (130) may include a sub-processor (130-1) for controlling power supplied to other electronic devices. For example, the processor (130) may include a PD IC for controlling power supplied to other electronic devices as the sub-processor (130-1), as shown in FIG. 3. The sub-processor (130-1) can control power supplied to each of the multiple other electronic devices (200-1, 200-2) through a plurality of ports (120-1, 120-2) of the communication interface. However, the sub-processor (130-1) cannot access the remaining components of the electronic device (100).

[0088] However, it is not limited thereto, and the processor (130) may be implemented in a form physically separated from the sub-processor (130-1). For example, the electronic device (100) may include a main IC and a PD IC physically separated from the main IC, and the main IC may control the PD IC to control the power supplied to other electronic devices. Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may further include a detect IC for identifying a second power consumption of each of a plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100) and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks, in addition to the main IC and PD IC. In this case, the detect IC may provide the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks to the main IC. The main IC may identify a first power consumption of the electronic device (100) based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks, and identify a maximum power supply amount for charging other electronic devices based on the first power consumption. The main IC provides the maximum power supply to the PD IC, and the PD IC may supply power below the maximum power supply to other electronic devices.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the power consumption of a plurality of hardware blocks included in an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 4, information regarding the minimum power consumption and maximum power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100) may be stored in the memory (110). The processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100) and identify a first power consumption of the electronic device (100) based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks.

[0091] For example, the processor (130) can identify a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks, and provide the identified second power consumption to the first sub-processor.

[0092] Alternatively, the processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the usage status of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100), and identify a first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks. For example, the processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of the HDMI block or the DP block based on the resolution of the content transmitted through the HDMI block or the DP block. Alternatively, the processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of the sound block based on the volume size. Alternatively, the processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of the camera block based on the shooting resolution. Alternatively, the processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of the DDR based on the stored data capacity. Alternatively, the processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of the CPU based on the computational throughput. Alternatively, the processor (130) may identify a second power consumption of the Panel block based on brightness.

[0093] However, it is not limited to this, and the processor (130) may identify the second power consumption of each of the multiple hardware blocks through various methods.

[0094] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the maximum power supply amount according to the power consumption of an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] The processor (130) can identify a maximum power supply amount for charging other electronic devices based on a first power consumption amount. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the first power consumption amount is 0 to 40 W, the processor (130) can identify the PD charging level as high and the maximum power supply amount as 90 W. Alternatively, if the first power consumption amount is 40 to 70 W, the processor (130) can identify the PD charging level as medium and the maximum power supply amount as 60 W. Alternatively, if the first power consumption amount is 70 to 100 W, the processor (130) can identify the PD charging level as low and the maximum power supply amount as 30 W.

[0096] However, it is not limited to this, and the first power consumption may be divided into various ranges. Additionally, the processor (130) may change the maximum power supply amount in real time based on the first power consumption amount. For example, if the first power consumption amount is 40W, the processor (130) may identify the maximum power supply amount as 90W, and if the first power consumption amount increases to 60W, it may decrease the maximum power supply amount to 70W.

[0097] FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7 are drawings for illustrating a plurality of modes per port according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] The processor (130) controls the display (140) to display a screen including multiple modes related to power supply amounts, and when a user command to select one of the multiple modes is received, the processor (130) may identify the maximum power supply amount based on the mode corresponding to the user command. For example, the processor (130) may control the display (140) to display a screen including multiple modes such as auto, high, mid, and low for each of the multiple ports, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0099] The processor (130) can change the operating state of the electronic device (100) based on a mode corresponding to a user command. For example, if the port of FIG. 6 is selected as auto, the processor (130) sets the operating state of the electronic device (100) based on the current flowing through the port, if the port of FIG. 6 is selected as high or mid, the power consumption of the electronic device (100) is limited, and if the port of FIG. 6 is selected as low, the electronic device (100) can operate at maximum performance without limiting the power consumption. For instance, if the port of FIG. 6 is selected as high, the processor (130) can limit the screen brightness value of the display (140) to be selected only up to 10, if the port of FIG. 6 is selected as mid, the screen brightness value of the display (140) can be limited to be selected only up to 30, and if the port of FIG. 6 is selected as low, the screen brightness value of the display (140) can be limited to be selected only up to 50. Additionally, the processor (130) may control the display (140) to display a guidance message that limits the operating state based on user commands. For example, the processor (130) may control the display (140) to display a guidance message that the performance of the display (140) may be limited when the port of FIG. 6 is selected as high.

[0100] The processor (130) may change the operating state of the electronic device (100) by combining the modes of each of the multiple ports.

[0101] FIGS. 8 and FIGS. 9 are drawings for explaining a method of controlling the operating state of an electronic device (100) by mode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] When the port of FIG. 6 is selected as high, the processor (130) can limit the power of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100) as in FIG. 8. Alternatively, when the port of FIG. 6 is selected as low, the processor (140) can limit the power of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100) as in FIG. 9.

[0103] However, it is not limited to this, and the processor (130) may limit the power consumed by the entire electronic device (100) without limiting the power of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device (100).

[0104] Meanwhile, the processor (130) identifies the current flowing to another electronic device, and if the identified current changes to a preset value or lower, it can change the mode corresponding to the user command. For example, the processor (130) supplies power to another electronic device with a power supply amount less than the maximum power supply amount through the communication interface (120), identifies the current flowing to the other electronic device, and if the charging of the other electronic device is almost complete and the current flowing to the other electronic device changes to a preset value or lower, it can change the mode corresponding to the user command to a mode with a lower maximum power supply amount.

[0105] The processor (130) may control the display (140) to display a message guiding a mode change when the current flowing to another electronic device changes to a preset value or lower. For example, the processor (130) may control the display (140) to display a message guiding a change to the current mode to auto or low when the current flowing to another electronic device changes to a preset value or lower.

[0106] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a case where a plurality of other electronic devices are connected according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when a first electronic device (200-1) is connected through a first port (130-1) and a second electronic device (200-2) is connected through a second port (130-2), the processor (130) identifies a first power consumption, identifies a maximum power supply amount for charging the first electronic device (200-1) and the second electronic device (200-2) based on the first power consumption, and can supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the first electronic device (200-1) and the second electronic device (200-2) through a communication interface (120).

[0108] After supplying power less than the maximum power supply amount to the first other electronic device (200-1) and the second other electronic device (200-2) through the communication interface (120), the processor (130) identifies a plurality of currents flowing through the first port (130-1) and the second port (130-2), respectively, and can distribute power less than the maximum power supply amount to the first port (130-1) and the second port (130-2) respectively based on the plurality of currents.

[0109] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] First, when another electronic device is connected through a communication interface included in the electronic device, a first power consumption of the electronic device is identified (S1110). Then, based on the first power consumption, a maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device is identified (S1120). Then, power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount is supplied to the other electronic device through the communication interface (S1130).

[0111] Additionally, the step of identifying the first power consumption (S1110) is performed by a first sub-processor included in the electronic device to identify the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, the step of identifying the maximum power supply amount (S1120) is performed by the first sub-processor to identify the maximum power supply amount based on the first power consumption, the step of providing the maximum power supply amount to a second sub-processor included in the electronic device, and the step of supplying (S1130) is performed by the second sub-processor to supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to another electronic device through a communication interface.

[0112] And, the step of identifying the first power consumption (S1110) can identify the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks by the third sub-processor included in the electronic device, and provide the identified second power consumption to the first sub-processor.

[0113] Additionally, the step of identifying the first power consumption (S1110) can identify the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the usage state of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and identify the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks.

[0114] And, the method further includes the step of displaying a screen including multiple modes related to power supply amount, and the step of identifying the maximum power supply amount (S1120) can identify the maximum power supply amount based on the mode corresponding to the user command when a user command to select one of the multiple modes is received.

[0115] In addition, it may further include a step of changing the operating state of the electronic device based on a mode corresponding to a user command.

[0116] In addition, the method may further include the step of supplying power less than the maximum power supply amount to another electronic device through a communication interface, identifying the current flowing to the other electronic device, and, if the identified current changes to less than or equal to a preset value, changing the mode corresponding to the user command.

[0117] Additionally, the communication interface includes a plurality of ports, and the step of identifying a first power consumption (S1110) identifies the first power consumption when a plurality of other electronic devices are connected through the plurality of ports, the step of identifying a maximum power supply (S1120) identifies the maximum power supply for charging a plurality of other electronic devices based on the first power consumption, and the step of supplying (S1130) can supply power less than or equal to the maximum power supply to a plurality of other electronic devices through the communication interface.

[0118] In addition, the method may further include the steps of supplying power less than the maximum power supply amount to multiple other electronic devices through a communication interface, identifying multiple currents flowing through each of the multiple ports, and distributing power less than the maximum power supply amount to each of the multiple ports based on the multiple currents.

[0119] In addition, multiple ports may be USB (universal serial bus) standard ports.

[0120] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a non-transient computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing a method of operating an electronic device, the method of operation may include the steps of identifying a first power consumption of the electronic device when another electronic device is connected through a communication interface included in the electronic device, identifying a maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device based on the first power consumption amount, and supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the other electronic device through the communication interface.

[0121] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, the electronic device can determine the amount of power supplied based on the state of the electronic device or determine the amount of power supplied based on user control, thereby enabling more adaptive operation and improving user convenience.

[0122] Meanwhile, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the various embodiments described above may be implemented as software comprising instructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a computer). The machine may include an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (A)) according to the disclosed embodiments, which is a device capable of calling instructions stored from the storage medium and operating according to the called instructions. When instructions are executed by a processor, the processor may perform a function corresponding to the instructions directly or by using other components under the control of the processor. Instructions may include code generated or executed by a compiler or an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, "non-transitory" means only that the storage medium does not contain a signal and is tangible, and does not distinguish whether data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily in the storage medium.

[0123] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method according to the various embodiments described above may be provided by being 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 online in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created in a storage medium such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0124] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or a similar device using software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as the processor itself. According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein.

[0125] Meanwhile, computer instructions for performing processing operations of the device according to the various embodiments described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. When computer instructions stored in such a non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by the processor of a specific device, they cause the specific device to perform processing operations in the device according to the various embodiments described above. A non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently and is readable by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, or memory. Specific examples of a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include CDs, DVDs, hard disks, Blu-ray discs, USBs, memory cards, ROMs, etc.

[0126] Additionally, each component (e.g., module or program) according to the various embodiments described above may be composed of a single or multiple entities, and some of the aforementioned sub-components may be omitted, or other sub-components may be further included in the various embodiments. Generally or additionally, some components (e.g., module or program) may be integrated into a single entity to perform the same or similar functions as those performed by each of the respective components prior to integration. The operations performed by the module, program, or other components according to the various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or at least some operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or other operations added.

[0127] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. It is understood that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In an electronic device, Memory for storing instructions; Communication interface; and One or more processors including processing circuitry; and When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, When another electronic device is connected through the above communication interface, the first power consumption of the electronic device is identified, and Identifying the maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device based on the above first power consumption amount, and An electronic device that supplies power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the other electronic device through the communication interface.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above one or more processors, 1st subprocessor; and Includes a second sub-processor; and The above-mentioned first sub-processor is, Identifying the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and Identify the maximum power supply amount based on the above first power consumption amount, and The above maximum power supply amount is provided to the above second sub-processor, and The above second sub-processor is, An electronic device that supplies power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the other electronic device through the communication interface.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above one or more processors, It further includes a third sub-processor; and The above third sub-processor is, Identifying the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks, and An electronic device that provides the identified second power consumption to the first subprocessor.

4. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, Identifying the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the usage status of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and An electronic device that identifies the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks.

5. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a display; When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, Control the display to display a screen including a plurality of modes related to the above power supply amount, and An electronic device that identifies the maximum power supply amount based on the mode corresponding to the user command when a user command selecting one of the plurality of modes is received.

6. In Paragraph 5, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, An electronic device that changes the operating state of the electronic device based on a mode corresponding to the above user command.

7. In Paragraph 5, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, After supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the other electronic device through the communication interface, identify the current flowing to the other electronic device, and An electronic device that changes the mode corresponding to the user command when the identified current changes to a preset value or lower.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above communication interface is, It includes multiple ports, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, When a plurality of other electronic devices are connected through the plurality of ports mentioned above, the first power consumption is identified, and Identifying the maximum power supply amount for charging the plurality of other electronic devices based on the above first power consumption amount, and An electronic device that supplies power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the plurality of other electronic devices through the communication interface.

9. In Paragraph 8, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, After supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to the plurality of other electronic devices through the communication interface, identify the plurality of currents flowing through each of the plurality of ports, and An electronic device that distributes power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to each of the plurality of ports based on the plurality of currents.

10. In Paragraph 8, The above plurality of ports are, An electronic device that is a USB (universal serial bus) standard port.

11. In a method for controlling an electronic device, When another electronic device is connected through a communication interface included in the electronic device, a step of identifying the first power consumption of the electronic device; A step of identifying a maximum power supply amount for charging the other electronic device based on the first power consumption amount; and A control method comprising the step of supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to another electronic device through the communication interface.

12. In Paragraph 11, The step of identifying the first power consumption amount is, A first subprocessor included in the electronic device identifies the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and The step of identifying the maximum power supply amount mentioned above is, The first subprocessor identifies the maximum power supply amount based on the first power consumption amount, and The above maximum power supply is provided to a second sub-processor included in the electronic device, and The above-mentioned supplying step is, A control method for supplying power less than or equal to the maximum power supply amount to another electronic device through the communication interface by the second subprocessor.

13. In Paragraph 12, The step of identifying the first power consumption amount is, A third sub-processor included in the electronic device identifies the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the voltage applied to each of the plurality of hardware blocks and the current flowing through each of the plurality of hardware blocks, and A control method for providing the identified second power consumption to the first subprocessor.

14. In Paragraph 11, The step of identifying the first power consumption amount is, Identifying the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks based on the usage status of each of the plurality of hardware blocks included in the electronic device, and A control method for identifying the first power consumption based on the second power consumption of each of the plurality of hardware blocks.

15. In Paragraph 11, The method further includes the step of displaying a screen comprising a plurality of modes related to the above power supply amount; and The step of identifying the maximum power supply amount mentioned above is, A control method for identifying the maximum power supply amount based on the mode corresponding to the user command when a user command selecting one of the plurality of modes is received.

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