Power control method, electronic device, and computer-readable medium

Abstract

An electronic device according to one embodiment disclosed herein may comprise: a first battery including a plurality of battery sets; a second battery; a plurality of switches connected between the plurality of battery sets and the second battery; memory for storing at least one instruction; and a processor operatively connected to the memory. For example, the at least one instruction, when executed by the processor, may cause the electronic device to: identify state information of the second battery; identify required power on the basis of the state information; and control the open / closed states of the plurality of switches so that the amount of supply power supplied from the first battery corresponds to the required power.

Description

Power control methods, electronic devices, and computer-readable media

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0014083 filed February 4, 2025 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0163445 filed November 3, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a power control method, an electronic device, and a computer-readable medium.

[0003] Recently, active research and development on secondary batteries has been underway. Here, secondary batteries refer to rechargeable batteries, encompassing conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries as well as the more recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of having a much higher energy density compared to conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured to be compact and lightweight, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices.

[0004] Meanwhile, various electronic devices, such as mobile robots, electric vehicles, space equipment, and sensor nodes, require both long-term power supply and high energy stability. To meet this demand, hybrid battery systems consisting of multiple batteries with different characteristics arranged in parallel or series are widely adopted. However, conventional systems rely solely on voltage differences or load conditions for power distribution between batteries, leading to a problem where the same supply pattern is maintained even when the condition of the auxiliary battery deteriorates. In such structures, the overall system efficiency is reduced, and the lifespan of specific batteries is frequently shortened.

[0005] To overcome the aforementioned problems, other types of next-generation batteries are being developed. For example, active research and development is being conducted on nuclear batteries (or beta batteries) that generate electricity using beta particles emitted during the decay of radioactive isotopes. Similarly, active research and development is also being carried out on nuclear batteries (or alpha batteries) that generate electricity through the alpha decay of alpha particles. However, while nuclear batteries provide stable power over the long term, their instantaneous output is relatively low, presenting a problem in that they are not suitable for devices requiring high power output.

[0006] Furthermore, while some systems have attempted to regulate power supply based on battery State of Charge (SoC) or temperature information, it is difficult to accurately predict the degree of battery degradation or remaining capacity in real-world environments using SoC alone. In particular, since the actual usable capacity of batteries such as lithium-ion or ternary batteries decreases as internal resistance increases over time, precise control considering both SoC and State of Health (SoH) is essential. Existing technologies have limitations in that they cannot simultaneously evaluate these complex states, or even when they do, they are limited to simple control based on a single threshold value, making them unable to adapt to changes in the actual operating environment.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device and a power control method thereof can be provided for controlling the amount of charging power supplied from a nuclear battery to a battery by controlling the open / closed state of a switch based on state information (e.g., SoC, SoH, SoP, etc.) of a chargeable battery.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems can be inferred from the following embodiments.

[0009] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first battery comprising a plurality of battery sets, a second battery, a plurality of switches connected between the plurality of battery sets and the second battery, a memory storing at least one instruction, and a processor operatively connected to the memory. For example, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device checks the status information of the second battery, checks the required power based on the status information, and controls the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the amount of supply power supplied from the first battery corresponds to the required power.

[0010] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the output performance of each of the plurality of battery sets corresponds to the target power consumption of a target module among at least one module included in the electronic device, and the target power consumption may correspond to the minimum value among the power consumption of each of the at least one module.

[0011] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first battery comprises a plurality of battery sets composed of nuclear batteries, and the second battery may correspond to any one of a lithium-ion battery, a ternary battery, or a lithium iron phosphate battery.

[0012] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device determines the required power based further on the type information of the second battery.

[0013] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device identifies, among the mapping tables stored in the memory, a target table corresponding to the type of the second battery according to the type information and including a correlation between the SoC and OCV of the second battery, and uses the target table to identify the state information including the SoC of the second battery.

[0014] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device controls the open / closed state of the plurality of switches such that when the State of Charge (SoC) of the second battery included in the state information is between a first value and a second value greater than the first value, the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value, and when the SoC exceeds the second value, the supply power and the SoC are inversely proportional to each other.

[0015] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured to provide a user interface that indicates that charging of the second battery is required using a display device while controlling the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that when the SoC of the second battery is less than the first value, the supply power is set to a preset maximum value.

[0016] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device controls the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to a preset maximum value, and then, when the SoC identifies that it has reached a second value, checks the real-time power consumption of the second battery and controls the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to an amount equal to the real-time power consumption.

[0017] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device checks the State of Health (SoH) of the second battery included in the state information when the SoC of the second battery is included between the first value and the second value, and controls the open / closed state of the plurality of switches to adjust the supply power to a maximum value when the SoH is greater than or equal to a threshold SoH.

[0018] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device checks the real-time power consumption of the second battery when the SoH of the second battery is less than the threshold SoH, and controls the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to an amount equal to the real-time power consumption.

[0019] In an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one instruction may be configured such that, when executed by the processor, the electronic device checks a corrected remaining capacity corresponding to the product of the SoC and SoH of the second battery, and if the corrected remaining capacity is less than a critical remaining capacity while the operating mode of the electronic device is in a normal mode, the supply power is increased based on a first increase rate until the SoC reaches the second value, thereby controlling the open / closed state of the plurality of switches, and if the corrected remaining capacity is less than the critical remaining capacity while the operating mode of the electronic device is in a standby mode, the supply power is increased based on a second increase rate smaller than the first increase rate until the SoC reaches the second value.

[0020] A power control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an operation of checking state information of a second battery, an operation of checking a required power based on the state information, and an operation of controlling the open / closed state of a plurality of switches connected between a plurality of battery sets and a second battery such that the amount of supply power supplied from a first battery including a plurality of battery sets to the second battery corresponds to the required power.

[0021] A power control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an operation of identifying a target table among a mapping table stored in memory that corresponds to the type of the second battery according to the type information of the second battery and includes a correlation between the SoC and OCV of the second battery, and an operation of identifying the state information including the SoC of the second battery using the target table.

[0022] A power control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: an operation of controlling the open / closed state of the plurality of switches such that when the State of Charge (SoC) of the second battery included in the state information is between a first value and a second value greater than the first value, the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value; and an operation of controlling the open / closed state of the plurality of switches such that when the SoC exceeds the second value, the supply power and the SoC are inversely proportional.

[0023] A medium according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be a computer-readable medium having a program stored on it for executing any one of the methods described above on a computer.

[0024] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, a power control method, an electronic device, and a computer-readable medium can be provided for supplying optimal charging power from a nuclear battery to a battery based on the state information of the battery and controlling the battery to enable efficient long-term use.

[0025] The effects of the invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

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

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

[0028] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between SoC and voltage according to the type of battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the change in required power according to the SoX of a battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] In describing the embodiments, technical details that are well known in the technical field to which this disclosure belongs and are not directly related to this disclosure are omitted. This is intended to convey the essence of this disclosure more clearly without obscuring it by omitting unnecessary explanations.

[0035] For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings have been exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. Additionally, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual dimensions. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing have been assigned the same reference numbers.

[0036] The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. The embodiments provided are merely to ensure that the disclosure is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0037] At this time, it will be understood that each block of the process flow diagrams and combinations of the flow diagrams can be executed by computer program instructions. Since these computer program instructions can be loaded into the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, the instructions executed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create means for performing the functions described in the flow diagram block(s). Since these computer program instructions can also be stored in computer-available or computer-readable memory that can be directed toward the computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement functions in a specific way, the instructions stored in such computer-available or computer-readable memory can also produce a manufactured item containing means of instruction for performing the functions described in the flow diagram block(s). Since computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, the instructions that execute the computer or other programmable data processing equipment by creating a process that is executed by a computer through a series of operation steps performed on the computer or other programmable data processing equipment can also provide steps for executing the functions described in the flow diagram block(s).

[0038] Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or part of code containing one or more executable instructions for executing a specific logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative execution examples, the functions mentioned in the blocks may occur out of order. For instance, two blocks described in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may be executed in reverse order according to their corresponding functions.

[0039] In this embodiment, the term "part" refers to a software or hardware component, such as an FPGA or ASIC, and the "part" performs certain roles. However, the meaning of "part" is not limited to software or hardware. The "part" may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to operate one or more processors. Thus, for example, the "part" includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, as well as processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and "parts" may be combined into a smaller number of components and "parts" or further separated into additional components and "parts." Furthermore, the components and "parts" may be implemented to operate one or more CPUs within a device or secure multimedia card.

[0040] The expression “at least one of a, b, and c” described throughout the specification may include ‘a alone’, ‘b alone’, ‘c alone’, ‘a and b’, ‘a and c’, ‘b and c’, or ‘a, b, and c all’.

[0041] The "terminal" mentioned below may be implemented as a computer or portable terminal capable of connecting to a server or other terminal via a network. Here, the computer includes, for example, a notebook, desktop, or laptop equipped with a web browser, and the portable terminal is a wireless communication device that ensures portability and mobility, and may include all types of handheld-based wireless communication devices such as IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), communication-based terminals, smartphones, tablet PCs, etc.

[0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044]

[0045] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device (100) may include a memory (110), a processor (120), a first battery (130), a second battery (140), at least one module (150), and a switch (160). According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 may further include at least one component other than the components illustrated in FIG. 1 (e.g., a communication device, an interface, an input device, a display device).

[0047] According to one embodiment, the memory (110) may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the memory (110) may store data used by at least one component of the electronic device (100) (e.g., processor (120)). For example, the data may include software (or related instructions), input data, or output data. In one embodiment, the instructions may cause the electronic device (100) to perform operations defined by the instructions when executed by the processor (120).

[0049] According to one embodiment, the memory (110) may store instructions or data. For example, the memory (110) may store at least one instruction that causes the electronic device (100) (or the processor (120)) to perform various operations when executed by the processor (120). For example, a program (or at least one instruction) stored in the memory (110) may be executed by the processor (120).

[0050] According to one embodiment, the memory (110) may include a plurality of storage devices of different types. For example, the memory (110) may include a volatile and / or non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory (110) may include at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an eMMC (Embedded Multi-Media Card), or any combination thereof. For example, the memory (110) may include a buffer for temporarily storing data and a data area for storing data transferred from the buffer or an external device.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may be implemented as a computer or a similar device according to hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In hardware, the processor (120) may be implemented in the form of an electronic circuit that processes electrical signals to perform control functions, and in software, it may be implemented in the form of a program that drives the hardware processor (120). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may be operatively connected to a component included in the electronic device (100) to control the connected component.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

[0053] Meanwhile, unless otherwise specifically mentioned in the following description, the operation of the electronic device (100) may be interpreted as being performed under the control of the processor (120). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may be implemented as at least one of a notebook, desktop, laptop, and server computing device that acquires and processes various information regarding a battery from an external device.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the first battery (130) may include a nuclear battery.

[0055] For example, the first battery (130) can convert energy released as a radioactive isotope decays into electricity.

[0056] For example, the first battery (130) may include an alpha cell that converts alpha rays emitted as a radioactive isotope undergoes alpha decay into power.

[0057] For example, the first battery (130) may include a beta cell that converts beta rays emitted as a radioactive isotope undergoes beta decay into power.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the second battery (140) may include a battery that converts external electrical energy into the form of chemical energy for storage and generates electricity when needed. The second battery (140) may include a rechargeable battery capable of charging and discharging.

[0059] For example, the second battery (140) may include a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the second battery (140) may include at least one of a lead-acid battery, a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery, a lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery, an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery, an NCM (Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese) battery, or any combination thereof.

[0060] According to one embodiment, at least one module (150) may mean a set of unit modules arranged to provide various functions through an electronic device (100).

[0061] For example, at least one module (150) may include a low-power module that performs a function by consuming less than a specified amount of power. As an example, at least one module (150) may include a Global Positioning System (GPS) module, Bluetooth (or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)) and / or a sensor module.

[0062] Additionally or generally, at least one module (150) may further include various types of modules with relatively low power consumption. For example, at least one module (150) may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) module and / or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) module.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the switch (160) may be placed between the first battery (130) and the second battery (140).

[0064] For example, the switch (160) may include a plurality of switches connecting each of the plurality of battery sets included in the first battery (130) to the second battery (140). For example, when the switch (160) is open, the power supplied by the target battery set corresponding to the switch among the plurality of battery sets may not be transferred to the second battery (140). In this case, the power supplied by the target battery set may be stored in a separate storage device (e.g., a supercapacitor).

[0065]

[0066] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1) may include a processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1), a first battery (e.g., the first battery (130) of FIG. 1), a second battery (e.g., the second battery (140) of FIG. 1), at least one relay (e.g., the switch (160) of FIG. 1), or at least one combination thereof.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of at least one relay and monitor the state information of the second battery.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the first battery may include a plurality of battery sets, including a first battery set, a second battery set, and a Nth battery set. For example, the output performance (or amount of power output per unit time) of each of the plurality of battery sets may correspond to the target power consumption per unit time of a target module having a minimum power consumption per unit time among at least one module (e.g., at least one module (150) of FIG. 1) included in the electronic device (100).

[0070] For example, the output performance of each of the plurality of battery sets corresponds to the target power consumption of the target module among at least one module included in the electronic device (100), and the target power consumption may correspond to the minimum value among the power consumption of each of the at least one module.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the relay may include a plurality of switches. Each of the plurality of switches may be placed on the electrical path of a plurality of battery sets and a second battery. For example, a processor may control the open / closed state of each of the plurality of switches based on state information of the second battery.

[0072]

[0073] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between SoC and voltage according to the type of battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may store information regarding the correlation between the SoC and voltage according to the type (or type) of the battery in a memory (110). Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can determine the correlation between the SoC and voltage of the second battery based on the type of the second battery.

[0075] The graph according to reference number 301 can show the correlation between SoC and voltage of an NCM (Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese) battery.

[0076] The graph according to reference number 302 can show the correlation between the SoC and voltage of an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery.

[0077] Referring to reference numbers 301 and 302, it can be seen that for NCM batteries, the SoC increases relatively linearly as the voltage increases. Conversely, for LFP batteries, it can be seen that there is a specific range where the SoC does not change even as the voltage increases.

[0078] Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can determine the amount of power required to be supplied to the battery from the nuclear battery based on the correlation between the SoC and the voltage according to the type of battery.

[0079] For example, the electronic device (100) can identify a target table among a mapping table that is predefined and stored in memory based on the above correlation, which corresponds to the type of the second battery and includes the correlation between the SoC and OCV of the second battery, and can identify (or calculate) state information including the SoC of the second battery using the target table.

[0080]

[0081] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the change in required power according to the SoX of a battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine the required power to be supplied from the first battery (e.g., nuclear battery) to the second battery based on the state information of the second battery. The electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches connected between the second battery and a plurality of battery sets included in the first battery so that the power supplied through the first battery corresponds to the determined required power. For example, the number of switches to be closed among the plurality of switches can be increased as the required power increases. As another example, the number of switches to be opened among the plurality of switches can be increased as the required power decreases. Meanwhile, the electronic device (100) can store the power supplied from the target battery set corresponding to the open switch in a storage device (e.g., supercapacitor) through a separate electrical path.

[0083] Reference number 401 represents a graph that checks the power requirement based on SoC among the status information of the second battery, and reference number 402 represents a graph that checks the power requirement based on SoH.

[0084] For example, referring to reference number 401, when the SoC is within a specified range (e.g., about 20% to about 80%), the electronic device (100) can control multiple switches so that the output of the power supplied through the first battery (130) becomes a maximum value. For example, the specified range may correspond to a range within a first value (e.g., 20%) to a second value (80%). For example, when the SoC of the second battery is within the specified range, the electronic device (100) can charge the second battery (140) by using all of the power supplied by multiple battery sets by controlling all of the switches to close. Subsequently, when the SoC exceeds the specified range (or, when the SoC of the second battery exceeds the second value), the electronic device (100) can control multiple switches so that the power required is inversely proportional to the SoC. For example, the electronic device (100) can gradually reduce the amount of power supplied by gradually increasing the number of switches that are opened among the multiple switches when the SoC gradually increases as it exceeds a specified interval.

[0085] For example, referring to reference number 402, when SoH is greater than or equal to a specified value, the electronic device (100) can control multiple switches so that the output of the power supplied through the first battery (130) becomes a maximum value. For example, when SoH is greater than or equal to a specified value, the electronic device (100) can charge the second battery (140) by using all of the power supplied by multiple battery sets by controlling all of the multiple switches to be closed. Conversely, when SoH is less than a specified value, the electronic device (100) can control multiple switches so that the power supplied is proportional to SoH. For example, when SoH is less than a specified value and gradually decreases, the electronic device (100) can gradually decrease the amount of power supplied by gradually increasing the number of switches that are opened among the multiple switches.

[0086] As described above, the electronic device (100) can rapidly increase the SoC of the second battery (140) by determining that the second battery (140) must be charged with maximum power when the SoC is in a designated range. Additionally, the electronic device (100) can determine that the second battery (140) is in a stable state when the SoH is greater than or equal to a designated value, and determine that it is safe to charge the second battery (140) with maximum power. Through this charging logic, the electronic device (100) can minimize the degradation of the lifespan of the second battery (140) and efficiently use the second battery (140) for a long time.

[0087]

[0088] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can perform the operations disclosed in FIG. 5. For example, at least some of the components included in the electronic device (100) (e.g., memory (110), processor (120), first battery (130), second battery (140), at least one module (150) and switch (160) of FIG. 1) may be configured to perform the operations of FIG. 5.

[0090] In the following embodiments, the operations of S510 to S530 may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. Additionally, content corresponding to or overlapping with the above description in relation to FIG. 5 may be briefly explained or omitted.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can check the status information of the second battery (S510).

[0092] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine the required power based further on the type information (or type) of the second battery. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 above, since the correlation between SoC and voltage may differ depending on the type (or type) of the second battery, the electronic device (100) can adaptively determine the magnitude of the required power by further utilizing the type information of the second battery.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can check the required power based on state information (S520).

[0094] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the amount of power supplied from the first battery corresponds to the required power (S530).

[0095] For example, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches to adjust the supply power to a maximum value when the State of Charge (SoC) of the second battery included in the state information is between a first value (e.g., 20%) and a second value greater than the first value (e.g., 80%) (or is included in a specified range). As an example, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that all of the plurality of switches (or a specified maximum number of switches) are closed.

[0096] For example, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches to set the supply power and SoC to an inverse relationship when SoC exceeds a second value. That is, the electronic device (100) can determine that there is no need to charge through the maximum supply power when SoC exceeds the second value. Accordingly, as the SoC is confirmed to exceed the second value and gradually increase, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the number of open switches among the plurality of switches gradually increases in order to gradually reduce the supply power.

[0097] For example, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches to adjust the supply power to a maximum value when the State of Health (SoH) of the second battery included in the state information exceeds a specified value (e.g., 80%). That is, when the SoH exceeds the specified value, the electronic device (100) can confirm that the second battery is operating in a normal state without degradation and determine that no abnormalities will occur even if it is charged through the maximum supply power.

[0098] For example, the electronic device (100) can operate by incorporating an algorithm that checks the magnitude of the required power through SoC and SoH. For example, if it is determined that the supply power should be adjusted to a maximum value because SoC is included within a specified range, and then it is confirmed that SoH is less than a second value, the electronic device (100) can close a number of switches smaller than the specified maximum number by taking SoH into account.

[0099] For example, the output performance of a plurality of battery sets may correspond to the target power consumption of a target module among at least one module included in the electronic device (100). As an example, the target power consumption may correspond to the minimum value among the power consumption of at least one module included in the electronic device.

[0100]

[0101] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can perform the operations disclosed in FIG. 5. For example, at least some of the components included in the electronic device (100) (e.g., memory (110), processor (120), first battery (130), second battery (140), at least one module (150) and switch (160) of FIG. 1) may be configured to perform the operations of FIG. 6.

[0103] In the following embodiments, the operations of S610 to S620 may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. Additionally, content corresponding to or overlapping with the above description in relation to FIG. 6 may be briefly explained or omitted.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify a target table among the mapping tables stored in memory that corresponds to the type of the second battery and includes a correlation between the SoC and OCV of the second battery (S610).

[0105] For example, the electronic device (100) can receive type information of the second battery from a BMS chipset connected to the second battery. Along with the type information, the electronic device (100) can receive various information associated with the second battery, such as identification information (e.g., ID), cell count, and manufacturer code of the second battery.

[0106] For example, the electronic device (100) can identify the type of the second battery based on type information of the second battery that is input or defined by the original manufacturer. Subsequently, the electronic device (100) can identify a target table corresponding to the type of the second battery.

[0107] For example, since the OCV-SoC curve characteristics differ for each type of battery, the electronic device (100) can identify a table corresponding to the type of the second battery among multiple OCV-SoC mapping tables for each type of battery stored in memory through the mapping table. That is, the electronic device (100) can quickly identify the characteristics of the second battery by referring to the target table stored in memory.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify state information including the SoC of the second battery using a target table (S620).

[0109] For example, the electronic device (100) can estimate the SoC of the second battery using the real-time voltage of the second battery together with a target table. The electronic device (100) can inversely estimate the SoC using the real-time voltage measurement value and then determine the SoH of the second battery based on the periodic change amount of the SoC.

[0110] For example, the electronic device (100) can estimate the SoH of the second battery by comparing the actual discharge capacity (Wh) with the estimated SoC value of the second battery over time.

[0111] Consequently, the electronic device (100) can check (or correct) the SoC and SoH of the second battery included in the state information based on the type information of the second battery, check the required power based thereon, and control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power corresponds to the required power.

[0112]

[0113] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can perform the operations disclosed in FIG. 7. For example, at least some of the components included in the electronic device (100) (e.g., memory (110), processor (120), first battery (130), second battery (140), at least one module (150) and switch (160) of FIG. 1) may be configured to perform the operations of FIG. 7.

[0115] In the following embodiments, the operations of S710 to S740 may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. Additionally, content corresponding to or overlapping with the above description in relation to FIG. 7 may be briefly explained or omitted.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can check the SoC and SoH of the second battery (S710).

[0117] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine the SoC and SoH of the second battery based on the battery status information obtained through the BMS.

[0118] For example, the electronic device (100) can correct the SoC and SoH included in the state information based on the type information of the second battery as described in FIG. 6 above, or verify (or estimate) the SoC and SoH of the second battery using real-time data of the second battery included in the state information (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, resistance, etc.) and a target OCV table.

[0119] For example, the electronic device (100) can estimate the real-time OCV of the second battery and identify the SoC corresponding to the estimated real-time OCV by referring to the target table corresponding to the second battery among the battery type-specific OCV-SoC mapping tables stored in memory.

[0120] Subsequently, the electronic device (100) can estimate the SoH of the second battery by comparing the difference between the amount of change in SoC of the second battery over time and the actual discharge capacity (or charge capacity). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine whether the SoC falls between the first value and the second value (S720).

[0121] For example, the first value may correspond to 20%, and the second value may correspond to 80%. That is, the electronic device (100) can check whether the SoC of the second battery corresponds to a designated range within 20% to 80%.

[0122] For example, if it is confirmed that the SoC is included between the first value and the second value (e.g., operation S720 - Yes), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S730.

[0123] For example, if it is determined that the SoC is not included between the first value and the second value (e.g., operation S720 - No), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S725.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can check whether the SoC is less than a first value (S725).

[0125] For example, if it is confirmed that the SoC is less than the first value (e.g., operation S725 - Yes), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S735.

[0126] For example, if it is confirmed that the SoC is greater than or equal to the first value (e.g., operation S725 - No), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S727.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may provide a user interface indicating that the second battery needs to be charged using a display device (S735).

[0128] For example, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value, and can display (or provide) to the user a user interface indicating that the second battery needs to be charged using a display device.

[0129] For example, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches to a closed state so that the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value.

[0130] For example, the electronic device (100) can prevent the discharge of the second battery in advance by setting the supply power to a maximum value and simultaneously providing a user interface that indicates through a display device that rapid charging is required.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to an amount equal to the real-time power consumption (S727).

[0132] For example, the electronic device (100) may determine that charging with the maximum supply power is unnecessary after confirming that the SoC of the second battery exceeds the second value. Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can continuously maintain the state in which the SoC of the second battery exceeds the second value by checking the real-time power consumption of the second battery and controlling the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power through the first battery has a value equal to the real-time power consumption.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can check whether the SoH of the second battery is greater than or equal to the threshold SoH (S730).

[0134] For example, if it is confirmed that SoH is greater than or equal to the threshold SoH (e.g., operation S730 - Yes), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S740.

[0135] For example, if it is confirmed that SoH is less than the threshold SoH (e.g., operation S730 - No), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S737.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to an amount equal to the real-time power consumption (S737).

[0137] For example, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to an amount equal to the real-time power consumption.

[0138] For example, if the SoH of the second battery is below the threshold SoH, the electronic device (100) can set the supply power to the same level as the real-time power consumption to minimize battery performance degradation due to excessive charging.

[0139] If the real-time power consumption is greater than or equal to the critical power amount, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to a value equal to the critical power amount.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches to control the supply power to a maximum value (S740).

[0141] For example, if the electronic device (100) identifies that the SoC corresponds between the first value and the second value and the SoH is greater than or equal to the threshold SoH, it can rapidly increase the SoC of the second battery by adjusting the supply power to the maximum value.

[0142]

[0143] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of a power control method performed by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can perform the operations disclosed in FIG. 8. For example, at least some of the components included in the electronic device (100) (e.g., memory (110), processor (120), first battery (130), second battery (140), at least one module (150) and switch (160) of FIG. 1) may be configured to perform the operations of FIG. 8.

[0145] In the following embodiments, the operations of S810 to S840 may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of each operation may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. Additionally, content corresponding to or overlapping with the above description in relation to FIG. 8 may be briefly explained or omitted.

[0146] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can determine the corrected remaining capacity corresponding to the product of the SoC and SoH of the second battery (S810).

[0147] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine the SoC and SoH of the second battery based on the battery status information obtained through the BMS.

[0148] For example, the electronic device (100) can correct the SoC and SoH included in the state information based on the type information of the second battery as described in FIG. 6 above, or verify (or estimate) the SoC and SoH of the second battery using real-time data of the second battery included in the state information (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, resistance, etc.) and a target OCV table.

[0149] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine the corrected residual capacity corresponding to the result of multiplying the identified SoC and SoH.

[0150] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can check whether the corrected remaining capacity is less than the critical remaining capacity (S820).

[0151] For example, the critical residual capacity may correspond to 30%, but this is exemplary and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0152] For example, if it is confirmed that the correction remaining capacity is less than the threshold remaining capacity (e.g., operation S820 - Yes), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S830.

[0153] For example, if it is confirmed that the correction remaining capacity is greater than or equal to the critical remaining capacity (e.g., operation S820 - No), the electronic device (100) may repeat operation S810.

[0154] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can check whether the operating mode of the electronic device (100) is a normal mode (S830).

[0155] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine whether the operating mode of the electronic device (100) is a normal mode based on the operating state of the processor (120) (e.g., CPU load rate, sensor activation state, whether the communication module is operating, etc.). Additionally, the electronic device (100) can determine the operating mode of the electronic device (100) based on real-time current values ​​measured through a current sensor, memory or CPU usage rate, etc.

[0156] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine that the operating mode corresponds to a normal mode when the main function of the electronic device (100) (e.g., camera driving, wireless communication, driving, etc.) is activated.

[0157] For example, the electronic device (100) can determine that the operating mode corresponds to a standby mode (or, power saving mode) when the electronic device (100) is identified as being in a state where it consumes only minimum power (e.g., screen off state, communication standby state, driving hold state, etc.).

[0158] For example, the electronic device (100) may determine the operating mode of the electronic device (100) to standby mode if, during a critical time (e.g., 1 minute), the computational load rate of the processor (120) is less than or equal to a predefined critical load rate (e.g., less than 15%), there is no data transmission or reception, or the display is in an OFF state.

[0159] For example, if the operating mode of the electronic device (100) is confirmed to be a normal mode (e.g., operation S830 - Yes), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S840.

[0160] For example, if it is determined that the operating mode of the electronic device (100) is not a normal mode (e.g., operation S830 - No), the electronic device (100) can perform operation S835.

[0161] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power increases based on a first increase rate until the SoC reaches a second value (S840).

[0162] For example, the electronic device (100) can increase the supply power based on a first increase rate while gradually increasing the number of open switches among a plurality of switches until the SoC of the second battery reaches a second value. The electronic device (100) can control the switch opening and closing state so that the supply power increases based on the first increase rate until the supply power reaches a preset maximum value.

[0163] Through this, the electronic device (100) can quickly restore the second battery and efficiently maintain system power stability even if rapid discharge occurs.

[0164] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches so that the supply power is increased based on a second increase rate that is smaller than a first increase rate until the SoC reaches a second value (S835).

[0165] For example, the electronic device (100) can increase the supply power based on a second growth rate that is smaller than the first growth rate while gradually increasing the number of open switches among the plurality of switches until the SoC of the second battery reaches a second value. The electronic device (100) can control the switch opening and closing state so that the supply power increases based on the second growth rate until the supply power reaches a preset maximum value. That is, the electronic device (100) can increase the output load supplied from the first battery to the second battery relatively slowly by sequentially closing only some of the plurality of switches. Meanwhile, regarding the switches that are not closed at this time, the electronic device (100) can efficiently manage the power of the first battery by controlling the opening and closing state so that the supply power of the first battery is supplied to a super capacitor rather than the second battery.

[0166] Through this, the electronic device (100) can improve energy efficiency while minimizing power consumption in a situation where the electronic device (100) is operating in standby mode using only minimal power, while minimizing waste of power supplied through the first battery.

[0167] Additionally, the electronic device (100) may further include a charging element (e.g., a supercapacitor) electrically connected to the first battery. For example, the electronic device (100) may store the remaining surplus power that is not supplied to the second battery by controlling the open / closed state of a plurality of switches among the power generated by the first battery in the charging element.

[0168]

[0169] The electronic device (100) according to the above-described embodiments may include a processor, memory for storing and executing program data, permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for communicating with an external device, and user interface devices such as a touch panel, a key, an icon, etc. Methods implemented as software modules or algorithms may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium as computer-readable code or program instructions executable on the processor. Here, computer-readable recording media include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM (read-only memory), floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) and optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD: Digital Versatile Disc). Computer-readable recording media may be distributed across networked computer systems, allowing computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The medium may be readable by a computer, stored in memory, and executed by a processor.

[0170] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. These functional blocks may be implemented by various numbers of hardware and / or software configurations that execute specific functions. For example, the embodiments may employ integrated circuit configurations such as memory, processing, logic, look-up tables, etc., which can execute various functions by the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similar to how components may be implemented as software programming or software elements, the embodiments may be implemented in programming or scripting languages ​​such as C, C++, Java, assembler, etc., including various algorithms implemented as combinations of data structures, processes, routines, or other programming configurations. Functional aspects may be implemented as algorithms executed on one or more processors. Additionally, the embodiments may employ prior art for electronic configuration, signal processing, and / or data processing. Terms such as “mechanism,” “element,” “means,” and “configuration” may be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical and physical configurations. The above terms may include the meaning of a series of software processes (routines) in conjunction with processors, etc.

[0171] The aforementioned embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may be implemented within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. In an electronic device, A first battery comprising a plurality of battery sets; Second battery; A plurality of switches connected between the plurality of battery sets and the second battery; Memory for storing at least one instruction; and A processor operatively connected to the above memory; comprising, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: Check the status information of the second battery mentioned above, and Based on the above status information, check the required power, and Configured to control the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the amount of supply power supplied from the first battery corresponds to the required power, Electronic device.

2. In Paragraph 1, The output performance of each of the above plurality of battery sets corresponds to the target power consumption of the target module among at least one module included in the electronic device, and The above target power consumption corresponds to the minimum value among the power consumption of each of the at least one module. Electronic device.

3. In Paragraph 1, The first battery above includes the plurality of battery sets composed of nuclear batteries, and The second battery above corresponds to any one of a lithium-ion battery, a ternary battery, or a lithium iron phosphate battery. Electronic device.

4. In Paragraph 3, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: Configured to verify the required power based further on the type information of the second battery, Electronic device.

5. In Paragraph 4, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: Among the mapping tables stored in the memory, identify a target table that corresponds to the type of the second battery according to the type information and includes a correlation between the SoC and OCV of the second battery, and Configured to identify the state information including the SoC of the second battery using the above target table, Electronic device.

6. In Paragraph 1, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: When the State of Charge (SoC) of the second battery included in the above state information is between a first value and a second value greater than the first value, the open / closed state of the plurality of switches is controlled so that the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value, and When the above SoC exceeds the above second value, the open / closed state of the plurality of switches is controlled such that the supply power and the above SoC are inversely proportional. Electronic device.

7. In Paragraph 6, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: When the SoC of the second battery is less than the first value, the system is configured to provide a user interface that indicates that charging of the second battery is required using a display device while controlling the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value. Electronic device.

8. In Paragraph 7, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: After controlling the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value, if it is identified that the SoC has reached the second value, the real-time power consumption of the second battery is checked, and Configured to control the opening and closing states of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to an amount equal to the real-time power consumption, Electronic device.

9. In Paragraph 7, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: If the SoC of the second battery is included between the first value and the second value, the SoH (State of Health) of the second battery included in the state information is checked, and When the above SoH is greater than or equal to the threshold SoH, the method is configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of switches to adjust the supply power to a maximum value. Electronic device.

10. In Paragraph 9, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: If the SoH of the second battery is less than the threshold SoH, check the real-time power consumption of the second battery, and Configured to control the opening and closing states of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to an amount equal to the real-time power consumption, Electronic device.

11. In Paragraph 9, When the above at least one instruction is executed by the processor, the electronic device: Check the corrected remaining capacity corresponding to the product of the SoC and SoH of the second battery above, and When the operating mode of the electronic device is in a normal mode and the correction remaining capacity is less than the threshold remaining capacity, the open / closed state of the plurality of switches is controlled so that the supply power is increased based on the first increase rate until the SoC reaches the second value. When the operating mode of the electronic device is in a standby mode and the corrected remaining capacity is less than the threshold remaining capacity, the supply power is increased based on a second growth rate smaller than the first growth rate until the SoC reaches the second value, configured to control the opening and closing states of the plurality of switches. Electronic device.

12. In a power control method performed by an electronic device, Operation to check the status information of the second battery; An operation to check the required power based on the above state information; and An operation to control the open / closed state of a plurality of switches connected between a plurality of battery sets and a second battery such that the amount of supply power supplied from a first battery comprising a plurality of battery sets to a second battery corresponds to the required power; comprising Power control method.

13. In Paragraph 12, The above power control method is, An operation to identify, among mapping tables stored in memory, a target table corresponding to the type of the second battery according to the type information of the second battery and including a correlation between the SoC and OCV of the second battery; and The operation of identifying the state information including the SoC of the second battery using the above target table; further comprising Power control method.

14. In Paragraph 12, The above power control method is, An operation to control the open / closed state of the plurality of switches so that the supply power is set to a predefined maximum value when the State of Charge (SoC) of the second battery included in the above state information is included between a first value and a second value greater than the first value; and When the above SoC exceeds the above second value, the operation of controlling the open / closed state of the plurality of switches such that the supply power and the above SoC are inversely proportional; further comprising Power control method.

15. A computer-readable medium storing a program for executing the method of paragraph 12 on a computer.

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