Battery Time Display Using Dual Current Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video cameras fail to accurately display the remaining usable time due to unexpected loads from external devices, as they calculate remaining time based on discharged current, which becomes longer at high voltage and shorter at low voltage, leading to incorrect estimates.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a battery pack that includes two remaining usable time calculating units: one based on consumed current and another on discharged current, with a selecting unit to choose the shorter time or calculate an average, ensuring accurate display even with external loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the remaining usable time is calculated based on the discharged current of the battery pack, then the calculation is simple, but the displayed remaining usable time becomes longer than the correct time when the discharged current is smaller at the beginning of discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the remaining usable time calculation into two separate calculation methods: one based on battery pack discharged current and another based on electronic apparatus consumed current. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, and the system divides the problem into multiple approaches to overcome the limitations of individual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the calculation parameter from a single discharged current-based method to a dual-parameter method that compares both discharged current and consumed current. By monitoring changes in these parameters and selecting the appropriate calculation basis, the system achieves more accurate remaining usable time display across different operating conditions.
2Device complexity
If only one remaining usable time calculation method is used, then the device complexity is low, but the accuracy deteriorates when unexpected loads are induced by external apparatus connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic selection mechanism that adapts the calculation method based on real-time operating conditions. The selecting unit dynamically chooses which remaining usable time value to display by comparing calculated values from different methods, ensuring reliability under varying load conditions including unexpected external apparatus connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by comparing the remaining usable time calculated from discharged current with that calculated from consumed current. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect discrepancies caused by unexpected loads and select the more reliable calculation result, improving overall display reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus which is capable of correctly displaying the remaining usable time even if a discharged current of a battery pack is changed by an unexpected load due to an external apparatus connected. The electronic apparatus has a battery pack with a secondary battery mounted therein. A first remaining usable time of the electronic apparatus is calculated based on a consumed current of the electronic apparatus. A second remaining usable time of the electronic apparatus is calculated based on a discharged current of the secondary battery. The first remaining usable time calculated by the first remaining usable time calculating unit or the second remaining usable time calculated by the second remaining usable time calculating unit, whichever is smaller, is selected, and then a displaying unit displays the selected remaining usable time.