JP2008167562A - Portable electronic devices - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of a battery exhaustion due to a user forgetting to charge, and to cope with a sudden battery exhaustion at a destination without carrying an AC power adapter. To provide a portable electronic device that can perform economically advantageous charging according to usage conditions.
A communication control unit 17 capable of receiving charging mode determination data from a communication base station, a plurality of types of charging units 23, 24, and 25 incorporated for charging an internal secondary battery 21, A changeover switch 27 that switches between the plurality of types of charging means 23, 24, and 25, and a charge control unit 29 that automatically controls the connection operation of the changeover switch 27 based on the charge mode determination data received from the communication base station, An economically advantageous charging is possible without the user being aware of it.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a notebook personal computer, or a mobile personal computer.

  Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, and mobile computers usually have a built-in secondary battery as a power source, and an AC power adapter is attached to charge the secondary battery when it is depleted. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-332637 A

By the way, it is desirable for a portable electronic device to fully charge a secondary battery before going out with it, but forgetting the charging operation may cause inconvenience of running out of battery at the destination. It was not possible to prevent the user from forgetting to charge due to carelessness.
Furthermore, even if the battery is fully charged before going out, if the usage time at the destination is long, the battery often runs out at the destination.
Therefore, it is sufficient to carry the AC power adapter in consideration of when the built-in battery is exhausted at the destination, but it is very inconvenient to always carry the bulky AC power adapter.

In addition, when the destination is outside, for example, and an AC outlet for connecting the AC power adapter cannot be secured, the AC power adapter cannot be used even if it is carried, and there is a problem that it is impossible to cope with a sudden battery exhaustion.
In order to cope with such a case, a digital camera or the like that can operate with a primary battery has been proposed, but the use of a primary battery requires that a primary battery must be purchased, weight However, it is difficult to say that it is an excellent response.

  In the case of conventional portable electronic devices, AC power adapters attached as means for charging secondary batteries generally start charging when connected to an AC outlet. There is no consideration for effective use, and if you want to use midnight power, you have to select a time zone in which midnight power can be used and connect the AC power adapter yourself, which is inconvenient.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can prevent the occurrence of battery exhaustion due to the user forgetting to charge, and cope with sudden battery exhaustion at the destination without carrying a bulky AC power adapter. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device that can reduce the operation cost of the device by performing economically advantageous charging according to the use state of the device without being conscious of the user. It is.

  (1) The solution of the above-described problem of the present invention is incorporated in the device main body in order to charge the internal secondary battery and the communication control unit that can receive the charging mode determination data such as date information from the communication base station. A plurality of types of charging means, a changeover switch that switches between the plurality of types of charging means, and a charge control unit that controls the connection operation of the changeover switch based on the charging mode determination data received from the communication base station, This is achieved by a portable electronic device characterized in that it is provided.

According to the above configuration, when the built-in secondary battery is exhausted, the charging control unit automatically connects any of the plurality of types of charging means incorporated in the device body to the secondary battery and starts charging. Therefore, even if the user does not consciously perform the charging operation, the battery can be automatically charged, and it is possible to prevent the battery from running out due to the user forgetting to charge.
Further, since the secondary battery can be charged from the charging means incorporated in the apparatus main body, it is possible to cope with a sudden battery exhaustion at the destination without carrying a bulky AC power adapter.
Further, the charging control unit determines which of the plurality of charging means to use at the time of charging based on the charging mode determination data from the communication base station. Even if the user is not conscious of selecting charging with midnight power via the adapter, it is possible to perform economically advantageous charging according to the usage status of the device, and to reduce the operation cost of the device.

(2) Preferably, in the portable electronic device according to the above (1), the plurality of types of charging means incorporated in the device main body are equipped with charging means capable of charging the secondary battery independently. It is better to have the configuration.
With such a configuration, for example, even when the destination is outdoors and an AC outlet to connect the AC power adapter cannot be secured, the charging operation can be performed only on the device side without being influenced by the environment. Even in the outdoors where the charging environment is not maintained, it is possible to cope with sudden battery exhaustion.

(3) Preferably, in the portable electronic device according to the above (1) or (2), a configuration including a solar cell and a fuel cell as a charging means capable of charging the secondary battery independently. And good.
With such a configuration, when charging is necessary, for example, based on the charging mode determination data from the communication base station, it is determined that sufficient sunshine is obtained in the daytime in the low-latitude region, based on the usage status of the device. When the charging is performed, the charging control unit selects charging by the solar battery, so that economical charging using sunlight can be automatically performed. In addition, when it is determined by the charging mode determination data from the communication base station that the usage status of the device is a status where the solar cell cannot be used, the charging control unit automatically selects charging by the fuel cell. The charging operation can be performed without the user being conscious.
That is, it is possible to perform advantageous (effective) charging according to the usage state of the device without the user being aware of it.

(4) Preferably, in the portable electronic device according to any one of (1) to (3), an input voltage is defined between the changeover switch and a built-in secondary battery. A configuration including a voltage converter for converting to a charging voltage is preferable.
With such a configuration, it is not necessary to individually equip a plurality of charging means with voltage converters, so that each charging means incorporated in the device can be made compact, and an increase in size of the apparatus can be prevented.

In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, when the built-in secondary battery is exhausted, the charge control unit automatically connects any of the plurality of types of charging means incorporated in the device body to the secondary battery. Since charging is started, charging can be performed automatically without the user performing the charging operation consciously, and the occurrence of running out of battery due to the user forgetting to charge can be prevented.
Further, since the secondary battery can be charged from the charging means incorporated in the apparatus main body, it is possible to cope with a sudden battery exhaustion at the destination without carrying a bulky AC power adapter.
Furthermore, the charging control unit determines which of the plurality of charging means to use at the time of charging based on the charging mode determination data from the communication base station. Even if the user is not conscious of selecting charging with midnight power via the adapter, it is possible to perform economically advantageous charging according to the usage status of the device, and to reduce the operation cost of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding mobile phone as an embodiment of a portable electronic device according to the present invention in an open state, and FIG. 2 is a cradle (AC power adapter) by folding the mobile phone shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the charging means selection operation of the charge control unit shown in FIG.

  A mobile phone 1 which is an embodiment of a portable electronic device according to the present invention includes a device main body 3 rotatably coupled to a lower case 4 via a hinge portion 6 at the upper end of the lower case 4. This is a foldable mobile phone configured with an upper case 5 that is folded over the lower case 4 when being carried.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile phone 1 includes a plurality of input operation keys and an input unit 11 used for various information input operations, and a display using a liquid crystal display for displaying input information and operating states. Means 13, a memory 15 for storing various applications and input information for performing telephone call and mail transmission / reception processing, and the like for transmitting and receiving information by wireless communication during telephone call and mail transmission / reception processing, etc. A communication control unit 17 capable of receiving charging mode determination data such as date / time information, geographical position information, weather information, etc. from a communication base station (not shown), and a telephone call or mail transmission / reception process by controlling the operation of each unit described above A main control unit 19 that executes various applications, a built-in secondary battery 21 that supplies power to each of the above-described units, and a device main body for charging the secondary battery 21 Three types of charging means including a solar cell 23, a fuel cell 24, and an adapter connection portion 25 incorporated in the battery, and a changeover switch that can selectively connect these charging means 23, 24, and 25 to the secondary battery 21 27 and a charging control unit 29 that automatically controls the connection operation of the changeover switch 27 based on the charging mode determination data received by the communication control unit 17 from the communication base station.

The adapter connection portion 25 is a connection terminal for connecting to the AC power adapter 31 and is provided exposed on the lower end surface of the lower case 4.
In the case of the present embodiment, the AC power adapter 31 is provided in a form built in a cradle 33 provided separately from the device main body 3.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the apparatus main body 3 is folded and set in the cradle 33, the adapter connection portion 25 provided at the lower end of the lower case 4 contacts the contact terminal of the AC power adapter 31 built in the cradle 33. Thus, the AC power adapter 31 and the adapter connection unit 25 are connected in a conductive state.
In this state, if the AC cord 35 extended from the cradle 33 is inserted into an outlet, charging with an AC power supply becomes possible.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the secondary battery 21, the fuel cell 24, the changeover switch 27 and the like are built in the lower case 4. A plurality of input operation keys constituting the input means 11 are arranged on the inner surface (not shown) of the lower case 4.
The solar cell 23 that is one of the charging means is equipped with a solar panel that generates power by receiving sunlight on the outer surface of the upper case 5.

  Of the three types of charging means incorporated in the apparatus main body 3, the solar cell 23 and the fuel cell 24 are charging means capable of charging the secondary battery 21 independently without being connected to an external device or an outlet.

  In the case of the present embodiment, a voltage converter 37 that converts the input voltage from the charging means side into a specified charging voltage is provided in the charging control unit 29 provided between the changeover switch 27 and the built-in secondary battery 21. I have.

  Charging mode determination data transmitted from a communication base station (not shown) is information necessary for determining which charging means is advantageous to use. For example, date and time information, geographical position information (latitude and longitude information) ), Weather information (sunny, cloudy, rain), etc. (referred to as date / time information, etc.), information selected in advance by the developer of the mobile phone 1 is provided.

FIG. 4 shows a process in which the charging control unit 29 selects and determines the charging means based on the charging mode determination data transmitted from the communication base station.
First, the charging control unit 29 communicates with the communication base station via the communication control unit 17 (step S101), and obtains date and time information that is charging mode determination data (step S102). Then, based on the obtained charging mode determination data, it is determined whether or not the usage status of the device is in the daytime and in a low latitude area, and there is good sunshine, and it is determined to be applicable Sometimes it is selected / determined to be charged from the solar cell 23 (steps S103, S104).
When it is determined that the determination condition in step S103 is not met, the process proceeds to the next determination step S111, where it is determined whether or not the charging time zone corresponds to midnight. The AC power adapter 31 is connected to the connection unit 25 and is selected / determined to be charged by the AC power (step S112).
Further, when it is determined that the determination condition of the determination step S111 is not satisfied, it is selected and determined to charge from the fuel cell 24 (step S121).

  When the selection / determination of the charging means to be used is completed, it is confirmed that the selected charging means is normally connected by switching the connection by the changeover switch 27 (step S131), and actual charging is started.

  The charging mode determination data is transmitted based on a prescribed information description format (information table). However, based on date and time information, geographical position information, etc., charging is performed by a solar cell during daylight hours. For example, the communication base station side may transmit the order information of the charging means that is sequentially prioritized.

  In the mobile phone 1 described above, when the built-in secondary battery 21 is exhausted, the charge control unit 29 automatically selects one of the plurality of types of charging means 23, 24, 25 incorporated in the device body 3. Since charging is started by connecting to the secondary battery 21, charging can be performed automatically without the user performing the charging operation consciously, and the occurrence of running out of battery due to the user forgetting to charge can be prevented.

  Further, since the secondary battery 21 can be charged from the charging means 23 and 24 incorporated in the device main body 3, it is possible to cope with a sudden battery exhaustion at the destination without carrying the bulky AC power adapter 31. .

  Further, since the charging control unit 29 determines which of the plurality of charging means 23, 24, and 25 is to be used at the time of charging based on the charging mode determination data from the communication base station, for example, FIG. As shown, if the adapter connection unit 25 is connected to the AC power adapter 31, the user can select charging at midnight power via the AC power adapter 31 during the midnight hours, without the user being conscious. It is also possible to reduce the operation cost of the device by carrying out economically advantageous charging according to the usage status of the device.

Moreover, in the mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, the solar battery 23 that is a charging means that can charge the secondary battery 21 independently without connecting to an external device or an outlet as the charging means incorporated in the device body 3. And a fuel cell 24 is provided.
Therefore, for example, even when the destination is outdoors and an AC outlet for connecting the AC power adapter 31 cannot be secured, the charging operation can be performed only on the device side without being influenced by the environment. Even in the outdoors where there is no maintenance, it can cope with sudden battery exhaustion.

Further, in the mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, there is no single charging means that can charge the secondary battery 21 alone, and the solar battery 23 and the fuel cell 24 are provided.
Therefore, when charging becomes necessary, for example, when it is determined by the charging mode determination data from the communication base station that the use status of the device can provide sufficient sunshine in the daytime in low-latitude areas, charging is performed. When the control unit 29 selects charging by the solar battery 23, it is possible to automatically perform economical charging using sunlight. In addition, when it is determined by the charging mode determination data from the communication base station that the usage status of the device is a status where the solar cell 23 cannot be used, the charging control unit 29 automatically selects the charging by the fuel cell 24. By doing so, the charging operation can be performed without the user being aware of it.
That is, it is possible to perform advantageous (effective) charging according to the usage state of the device without the user being aware of it.

In the cellular phone 1 according to the present embodiment, a voltage converter 37 that converts an input voltage into a specified charging voltage is provided between the changeover switch 27 and the built-in secondary battery 21.
Therefore, it is not necessary to individually equip the plurality of charging means 23, 24, and 25 with the voltage converter 37, and the charging means 23, 24, and 25 incorporated in the device can be made compact to prevent the apparatus from becoming large. it can.

Note that the portable electronic device of the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone described in the above embodiment. The present invention can be applied to various portable electronic devices having a built-in secondary battery, such as a notebook personal computer, a mobile personal computer, and a digital camera having a communication function.
In the present invention, specific examples of the plurality of charging means built in the device main body are not limited to the solar cell and the fuel cell described in the above embodiment.
For example, if design conditions such as dimensions and weight are satisfied, it is conceivable that a solar thermal power generation device, a wind power generation device, or the like is incorporated in the device body as a charging means.

1 is a perspective view of a folding mobile phone that is an embodiment of a portable electronic device according to the present invention in an open state; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1 is folded and set in a cradle (AC power adapter). FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile phone illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows the charging means selection operation | movement of the charge control part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 3 Apparatus main body 4 Lower case 5 Upper case 11 Input means 13 Display means 15 Memory 17 Communication control part 19 Main control part 21 Secondary battery 23 Solar cell 24 Fuel cell 25 Adapter connection part 27 Changeover switch 29 Charging control part 31 AC power adapter 33 Cradle 35 AC cord 37 Voltage converter

Claims (4)

  A communication control unit capable of receiving charging mode determination data such as date and time information from a communication base station, a plurality of types of charging means incorporated in a device main body to charge an internal secondary battery, and the plurality of types A portable electronic device comprising: a changeover switch for switching a charging means; and a charge control unit for controlling a connection operation of the changeover switch based on charge state determination data received from the communication base station.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of types of charging means incorporated in the device main body are equipped with charging means capable of charging the secondary battery independently.   The portable electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising a solar cell and a fuel cell as a charging unit capable of charging the secondary battery independently.   The portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a voltage converter that converts an input voltage into a specified charging voltage between the changeover switch and a built-in secondary battery. Electronics.

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