JP2010193565A - Device for determining battery remaining capacity - Google Patents

Abstract

[Object] The present invention relates to a battery remaining amount determining device that supplies driving power to an electronic device that operates intermittently and determines whether or not the remaining amount of a battery that is charged intermittently is appropriate. It is possible to avoid false alarms indicating an abnormality in the power supply system without changing the system and without significantly increasing the amount of processing to be performed based on software.
Power control means for supplying power charged to a battery intermittently to an electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate, and power to be supplied to the electronic device via the power control means. A remaining amount determining means for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate as an average of a magnitude relationship between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold value in a specific period including a charging period of a length in which the battery can be charged; Is provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery remaining amount determining device that supplies driving power to an electronic device that operates intermittently and determines whether or not the remaining amount of a battery that is charged intermittently is appropriate.

  Many electronic devices installed in remote areas such as mountainous areas, such as observation station devices for telemeter systems, use solar cells as a source of driving power, and most of the driving power reduces costs while saving energy. In order to achieve this, it is supplied only during intermittent operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional telemeter system.
In the figure, a plurality of telemeter observation stations 30-1 to 30-N are arranged under the control of the central station 20 via a wireless line.
The control station 20 includes the following elements that operate when drive power is supplied from a commercial power source.

(1) A processing device 21 that is connected to an upper station (not shown) via a communication link and that implements the main functions of the central station 20 to be realized in cooperation with the upper station by software.
(2) A wireless interface unit 22 that interfaces the wireless line and the processing device 21
(3) Peripheral devices 23-1 to 23-n connected to the processing device 21

(4) A personal computer 24 that cooperates with the processing device 21 and realizes functions related to display operations and the like of the control station 20.
The telemeter observation station 30-1 includes the following elements.

(1) A processor 31-1 which is connected to a plurality (= n) of sensors (not shown) and realizes the main functions of the telemeter observation station 30-1 by software.
(2) Modem 32-1 for interfacing with the wireless line and processor 31-1
(3) Solar cell 33-1

(4) Charge / discharge unit 34-1 cascaded to solar cell 33-1
(5) Battery 35-1 whose anode is connected to the output of charge / discharge unit 34-1 and connected to the power supply terminal of modem 32-1 and whose cathode is grounded
(6) The inverting input is connected to the output of the charge / discharge unit 34, the potential of the non-inverting input is set to a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as “threshold”) Vref, and the output corresponds to the processor 31-1. Comparator 36-1 connected to the input port

(7) A voltage converter 37-1 connected to the output of the charging / discharging unit 34-1 and connected to the squelch output of the modem 32-1 and supplying driving power to each part of the telemeter observation station 30-1.

  Since the configuration of the telemeter observation stations 30-2 to 30-N is the same as the configuration of the telemeter observation station 30-1, hereinafter, the reference numerals “31” to “37” are added with “1” as a suffix. Instead of “2” to “N”, the illustration and description are omitted.

  Further, in the following, items common to the telemeter observation stations 30-1 to 30-N correspond to any of “1” to “N” as suffix numbers added to the reference numerals of related components. It is described using the capital letter “C” that means

The operation of each part of the telemeter system having such a configuration is as follows.
In the telemeter observation station 30-C, the charge / discharge unit 34-C monitors the terminal voltage of the battery 35-C, and when the terminal voltage is less than or equal to the upper limit value Vmax, the electric power supplied by the solar cell 33-C is monitored. Charging the battery 35-C is allowed. When the terminal voltage of the battery 35-C is equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit value Vmin (<Vmax), the power charged in the battery 35-C is supplied to the voltage conversion unit 37-C.

The upper limit value Vmax is switched to a value Vmax2 smaller than Vmax1 when the terminal voltage of the battery 35-C is equal to or higher than Vmax1 (preset for the purpose of avoiding overcharging of the battery 35-C). On the contrary, when the terminal voltage becomes less than this value Vmax2, it is switched to Vmax1 again.
Further, the lower limit value Vmin is switched to a value Vmin2 larger than Vmax1 when the terminal voltage of the battery 35-C becomes Vmin1 (preset for the purpose of avoiding overdischarge of the battery 35-C) or less. On the contrary, when the terminal voltage exceeds this value Vmin2, it is switched to Vmin1 again.

Therefore, even when the terminal voltage frequently increases or decreases, the battery 35-C does not cause overcharging and overdischarging under the hysteresis characteristic corresponding to the change in the terminal voltage, and the telemeter observation station 30-C. It becomes a supply source of driving power.
The voltage conversion unit 37-C refrains from supplying driving power to each unit of the telemeter observation station 30-C during a period when a “discharge request” to be described later is not given by the modem 32-C.

  On the other hand, in the central station 20, the processing device 21 is connected to a specific telemeter observation station among the telemeter observation stations 30-1 to 30-N based on a predetermined scenario or a request given from the above-mentioned higher-order station. When the opportunity to perform remote measurement is identified by 30-C, the telemeter observation station 30-C is accessed via the radio interface unit 22 and the radio line.

  In the telemeter observation station 30-C, the reception detection part of the modem 32-C is always supplied with driving power by the battery 35-C, and is accessed from the central station 20 as described above, so that a predetermined value is transmitted via a wireless line. When a carrier wave is received, a “discharge request” is given to the voltage conversion unit 37-C over a period in which the carrier wave is received, and binary information indicating that is given to the processor 31-C. The carrier wave is a carrier wave of a transmission wave that is transmitted by the wireless interface unit 22 provided in the central station 20 under the control of the processing device 21 and modulated with predetermined transmission information.

The voltage conversion unit 37-C supplies power supplied from the battery 35-C to the respective units of the telemeter observation station 30-C through the charge / discharge unit 34-C during the period when the “discharge request” is given. Supply.
The processor 31-C starts operation according to the drive power supplied by the voltage conversion unit 37-C, and cooperates with each unit as follows.

The processor 31-C collects measurement information obtained through the plurality of sensors described above, and transmits the measurement information to the central station 20 via the modem 32-C and the wireless line.
In the central station 20, the processing device 21 captures the measurement information received via the wireless line and the wireless interface unit 22, and notifies the host station of the results obtained by performing predetermined processing on the measurement information. Alternatively, when a series of processes handed over to the peripheral devices 23-1 to 23-n and the personal computer 24 is completed, the access to the telemeter observation station 30-C via the wireless line is completed.

In the telemeter observation station 30-1, the modem 32-C cannot receive the above-described carrier wave from the radio line when the access to the own station by the central station 20 is completed in this way. When the processor 31-C identifies the state in which the carrier wave cannot be received based on the above-described binary information, the processor 31-C cancels the “discharge request” given to the voltage conversion unit 37-C.
Therefore, the voltage conversion unit 37-C stops the supply of drive power to each unit other than the processor 31-C and the comparator 36-C other than the reception detection portion of the modem 32-C.

  Further, in the telemeter observation station 30-C, the comparator 36-C is input to the voltage conversion unit 37-C during a period in which drive power is supplied from the battery 35-C via the charge / discharge unit 34-C. The voltage V applied to is compared with the above-described threshold value Vref.

  The processor 31-C monitors the result of the comparison at a predetermined frequency. When the voltage V falls below the threshold value Vref, the processor 31-C sends predetermined alarm information to the control station 20 via the modem 32-C and the radio line. Send.

In the central station 20, when the processing device 21 identifies the alarm information, the processing device 21 performs a predetermined process on the observation result obtained from the telemeter observation station 30-C based on the processing procedure corresponding to the alarm information.
Thus, in the conventional example described above, the telemeter observation station 30-C is generated by the solar cell 33-C and stored in the battery 35-C even when installed in a remote area where it is difficult to secure power. It is driven by the generated power and operates independently and stably while flexibly adapting to the remaining capacity and characteristic changes and variations of the battery 35-C.

  In addition, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 to be described later, the prior art related to the present invention includes “a solar battery and an electric storage means in combination with an inverter that converts direct current generated by the solar battery into alternating current”. And the output of the inverter is connected to an electric power system, and when the voltage of the electric power system exceeds a predetermined value, the electric energy generated by the solar cell is stored in the power storage means Thus, there is a photovoltaic power generation system characterized in that, even when the voltage of the power system is high, the output of the solar cell can be effectively used while maintaining the voltage at the receiving end normally.

JP-A-6-133472

  By the way, in the above-described conventional example, the alarm information described above is performed regardless of whether or not it is a time zone in which power generation is performed by the solar cell 33-C (hereinafter referred to as “power generation time zone”), and It was generated based on the result of the one-time comparison performed by the comparator 36-C.

  Therefore, when the telemeter observation station 30-C frequently performs remote measurement at night that is not the power generation time zone, the terminal voltage of the battery 35-C decreases one after another as the remote measurement is repeated. In some cases, the alarm information is transmitted to the station 20 by mistake.

  However, even when alarm information is transmitted at night, power is generated by the solar cell 33-C during the daytime when the corresponding telemeter observation station 30-C is maintained. In addition, it is difficult to determine the deterioration of the battery 35-C, and there are many cases where wasteful time and cost are required for the movement and work of the personnel who perform the maintenance.

  Note that the configuration of the telemeter observation station 30-C can be operated regardless of whether the time period during which the distance measurement is performed is limited and whether the source of driving power is the solar cell 33-C. It is required to be. Therefore, it has not been allowed to limit the time period during which remote measurement is performed in order to solve the above problem.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery remaining amount determination device that can avoid false alarms of power supply system alarms without significantly increasing the amount of processing performed by software and without changing the hardware configuration. Objective.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the power control means supplies the electric power charged in the battery intermittently to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate. The remaining amount determining means is configured to determine a predetermined terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined value during a specific period including a charging period of a length that allows the power to be supplied to the electronic device via the power control means to be charged to the battery. Appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery is determined as an average of the magnitude relationship with the threshold.
That is, when the battery and a system that intermittently charges the battery are operating normally, the determination of whether the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate is a period during which the power consumed by the electronic device is ensured with high accuracy. In addition, it is accurately performed as an average of a plurality of times of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the power control means supplies the electric power charged in the battery intermittently to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate. The remaining amount determining means is an average of a magnitude relationship between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold value for a specific period of a length that allows the battery to supply the electronic device with the necessary power via the power control means. As shown in FIG.
That is, when the battery and a system that intermittently charges the battery are operating normally, the determination of whether the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate is a period during which the power consumed by the electronic device is ensured with high accuracy. In addition, it is accurately performed as an average of a plurality of times of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the power control means supplies the electric power intermittently charged in the battery to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate.
The remaining amount determining means is a specific period of a length that allows the electronic device to operate intermittently over the number of times that the battery can supply the electronic device with the necessary power via the power control means. Whether or not the remaining amount is appropriate is determined as an average of the magnitude relation between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold value.
That is, when the battery and a system that intermittently charges the battery are operating normally, the determination of whether the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate is a period during which the power consumed by the electronic device is ensured with high accuracy. In addition, it is accurately performed as an average of a plurality of times of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the battery remaining amount determining device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the storage means is intermittent for each combination of one or both of climate and time zone. In particular, the charging efficiency of the charging system for charging the battery is recorded in advance. The control means sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency recorded in the storage means corresponding to the combination is smaller.
In other words, even when the charging efficiency of the charging system changes according to the climate and time zone, it is possible to stably determine the appropriateness of the remaining battery level and secure the power required to operate the electronic device with high accuracy. Is done.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the pre-characteristic deterioration monitoring means monitors the deterioration of the battery characteristics. The control means sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the degree of deterioration of the characteristic monitored by the characteristic deterioration monitoring means is larger.
That is, even if the characteristics of the battery change, it is possible to stably determine the appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery and secure the power necessary for operating the electronic device with high accuracy.

According to the present invention, even when it is difficult to secure driving power and the electronic device operates in a time zone in which the battery is not charged, the remaining capacity of the battery, changes in characteristics, and variations are limited. Adapts flexibly and operates stably.
According to the present invention, a shortage of power stored in the battery can be avoided with a high degree of accuracy, and the electronic device can continue to operate more stably.

According to the present invention, regardless of the type of battery, whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate can be accurately determined, and the electronic apparatus can operate stably within a range in which the overdischarge does not occur.
According to the present invention, the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is maintained high regardless of the climate, the time zone, and the charging efficiency of the charging system.

According to the present invention, even when the temperature changes, the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is maintained high.
According to the present invention, even when the characteristics of the battery change, the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is maintained high over a long period.

The system and apparatus to which the present invention is applied stably and effectively supplies power supplied by an intermittently charged battery without greatly restricting or changing the basic configuration of hardware and software. Can be used.
Therefore, a device or system that is supplied with driving power by an intermittently charged battery and that operates intermittently has a high overall reliability and is maintained at a high level.

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional telemeter system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, elements having the same functions as those of the conventional example are given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted here.

The difference between the present embodiment and the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 is as follows.
(1) A telemeter observation station 10-C is provided instead of the telemeter observation station 30-C.
(2) The telemeter observation station 10-C includes a processor 11-C instead of the processor 31-C, and the processor 11-C includes a nonvolatile memory 12-C.
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
A feature of the present embodiment is a procedure of processing performed by the processor 11-C in order to generate alarm information.
In the telemeter observation station 10-C, the comparator 36-C is input to the voltage conversion unit 37-C via the charge / discharge unit 34-C according to the electric power stored in the battery 35-C, as in the conventional example. The applied voltage V is compared with the aforementioned threshold value Vref. In the following, it is assumed that the result of such comparison is obtained as binary information that becomes “0” when the voltage V falls below the threshold value Vref.

  However, unlike the conventional example, the processor 31-C is configured to generate the alarm information according to the result of the monitoring, with respect to the characteristics of the solar cell 33-C, the charge / discharge unit 34-C, and the battery 35-C. Along with the performance, on the assumption that the remaining amount of the battery 35-C is normal, a period that satisfies any one of the following conditions or any combination (hereinafter referred to as “alarm determination period”). To do.

(1) A period including a period that is long enough for the battery 35-C to be charged by the solar battery 31-C by the power that can be consumed by the telemeter observation station 10-C for remote measurement (hereinafter referred to as “required power”). (Hereinafter referred to as “charging supply period”.)
(2) A long period of time during which the battery 35-C can supply the required power even if power generation is not performed by the solar cell 31-C (hereinafter referred to as “remaining amount supply period”).
(3) Even if no power is generated by the solar cell 31-C, the telemeter observation station 10-C can perform remote measurement over the number of times that the battery 35-C can supply the required power. Period (hereinafter referred to as “repeatable period”)

  During such an alarm determination period, the processor 31-C integrates the above-described comparison result on the storage area of the nonvolatile memory 12-C (step S1, FIG. 3 (1) in FIG. 2), and the integration. Alarm information is generated when the result falls below a predetermined threshold TH (step S2 in FIG. 2). Further, the processor 31-C transmits the alarm information generated in this way to the central office 20 via the modem 32-C and the radio line.

  In the central station 20, when the processing device 21 identifies the alarm information, the processing device 21 forgoes the observation by the telemeter observation station 10-C, and is peculiar to be performed on the observation result obtained from the telemeter observation station 10-C. Process.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the alarm determination period is such that when the power supply system including the solar cell 33-C, the charge / discharge unit 34-C, and the battery 35-C is operating normally, the telemeter observation station 10 -C is set to a period in which the power consumed for the distance measurement is ensured with high accuracy, and the generation of alarm information is performed with the voltage V applied to the input of the voltage conversion unit 37-C and the above-described period This is performed based on the result of a plurality of comparisons with the threshold value Vref.

  Therefore, even if the telemeter observation station 10-C is installed in a remote area where it is difficult to secure electric power and the solar battery 33-C frequently performs remote measurement in a time zone where power generation is not possible, the telemeter observation station 10-C The power stored in the battery 35-C is stably operated as drive power without being flexibly adapted to the remaining capacity and characteristic changes and variations and without erroneously transmitting alarm information to the central station 20.

  In the present embodiment, the alarm determination period is set on the premise of the following items or in consideration of the following items, thereby avoiding generation of erroneous alarm information with higher accuracy, and comprehensive performance and reliability. Can be kept high.

(1) The telemetry station 10-C has the highest frequency of remote measurement
(2) The state where the telemeter observation station 10-C can consume the maximum power during remote measurement
(3) A lead battery or the like is adopted as the battery 35-C, and the charge / discharge unit 34-C is connected to the terminal of the battery 35-C within a range where overdischarge that causes deterioration of the characteristics of the battery 35-C is avoided. Maintain voltage.

(4) Change in power generation efficiency of solar cell 31-C according to climate and time zone (time)
(5) Change in power generation efficiency of solar cell 31-C monitored as electromotive force or charging current
(6) Change in performance of all or part of solar cell 31-C, charge / discharge unit 34-C and battery 35-C according to environmental conditions such as temperature

  In the present embodiment, the alarm determination period (the charge supply period, the remaining amount supply period, and the repeatable measurement period) may not be constant. For example, the solar cell 31 based on the terminal voltage history of the battery 35-C. -C, identification of changes in characteristics of the charge / discharge unit 34-C and the battery 35-C, and correction of the time zone and length of the alarm determination period based on the result of the identification are performed by the processor 11-C. It may be broken.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the identification of the alarm determination period and the generation of alarm information in each alarm determination period may not be performed independently by the processor 11-C provided in the telemeter observation station 10-C. For example, in order to standardize and reduce the configuration of the telemeter observation station 10-C, the processing device 21 provided in the central station 20 is realized as distributed processing performed in cooperation with the processor 11-C via a wireless line. May be.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the trigger for the telemetry observation station 10-C to perform the remote measurement is given by the carrier wave received from the central station 20 via the wireless line. It may be given based on a predetermined scenario, or may be given as a point in time when a predetermined event occurs in the telemeter observation station 10-C.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the battery 35-C is not limited to a battery whose characteristics deteriorate due to overdischarge, such as a lead battery, and can be replaced with various batteries that satisfy desired needs. If this is allowed, the configuration and function of the charge / discharge unit 34-C may be simplified.

Further, the solar cell 33-C for charging the battery 35-C can be replaced with various batteries to which wind power generation or bio power generation technology is applied if it is a power source that intermittently generates (charges) power. May be.
Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to various devices and systems that are supplied with power by a battery that is intermittently charged and that operate intermittently without an attendant.

  In this embodiment, the telemeter observation station 10-C is always operated only by the receiving system for receiving the above-described carrier among the components of the modem 32-C, and the other part receives the carrier. It is operated by the power supplied by the voltage conversion unit 37-C during the period. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the driving power of hardware that gives an opportunity to operate intermittently is supplied by a power source different from the battery 35-C, and the battery 35-C The present invention can be similarly applied to the case where the supply of driving power performed by is interrupted.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention, and any improvements may be made to all or some of the components.

  Hereinafter, the inventions disclosed in the present application will be organized and listed in a format according to the descriptions in the “Claims” and “Means for Solving the Problems” columns.

[Claim 1] Electric power control means for supplying electric power intermittently charged to a battery to an electronic apparatus during a period in which the electronic apparatus should operate;
The power to be supplied to the electronic device via the power control means has a magnitude relationship between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold during a specific period including a charging period of a length that allows the battery to be charged. A battery remaining amount determining device comprising: a remaining amount determining means for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate as an average.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, the power control means supplies the electric power that is intermittently charged to the battery to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate. The remaining amount determining means is configured to determine a predetermined terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined value during a specific period including a charging period of a length that allows the power to be supplied to the electronic device via the power control means to be charged to the battery. Appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery is determined as an average of the magnitude relationship with the threshold.
That is, when the battery and a system that intermittently charges the battery are operating normally, the determination of whether the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate is a period during which the power consumed by the electronic device is ensured with high accuracy. In addition, it is accurately performed as an average of a plurality of times of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship.
Therefore, even when it is difficult to secure driving power and the electronic device operates in a time zone when the battery is not charged, the electronic device flexibly adapts to the remaining capacity of the battery, changes in characteristics, and variations. Operate stably.

[Claim 2] Power control means for supplying electric power intermittently charged to the battery to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate;
Whether or not the remaining amount is appropriate as an average of the magnitude relationship between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold value during a specific period of a length in which the battery can supply the power required for the electronic device via the power control means. A remaining battery level determining device for determining the remaining battery level.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, the power control means supplies the electric power that is intermittently charged to the battery to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate. The remaining amount determining means is an average of a magnitude relationship between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold value for a specific period of a length that allows the battery to supply the electronic device with the necessary power via the power control means. As shown in FIG.
That is, when the battery and a system that intermittently charges the battery are operating normally, the determination of whether the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate is a period during which the power consumed by the electronic device is ensured with high accuracy. In addition, it is accurately performed as an average of a plurality of times of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship.
Therefore, even when it is difficult to secure driving power and the electronic device operates in a time zone when the battery is not charged, the electronic device flexibly adapts to the remaining capacity of the battery, changes in characteristics, and variations. Operate stably.

[Claim 3] Electric power control means for supplying electric power intermittently charged to the battery to the electronic apparatus during a period in which the electronic apparatus should operate;
For a specific period of time that the electronic device can be operated intermittently over the number of times that the battery can supply the electronic device with the necessary power via the power control means, the terminal voltage of the battery A battery remaining amount determining device comprising: a remaining amount determining means for determining whether the remaining amount is appropriate or not as an average of a magnitude relationship with a predetermined threshold.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, the power control means supplies the electric power that is intermittently charged to the battery to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate. The remaining amount determining means is a specific period of a length that allows the electronic device to operate intermittently over the number of times that the battery can supply the electronic device with the necessary power via the power control means. Whether or not the remaining amount is appropriate is determined as an average of the magnitude relation between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold value.
That is, when the battery and a system that intermittently charges the battery are operating normally, the determination of whether the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate is a period during which the power consumed by the electronic device is ensured with high accuracy. In addition, it is accurately performed as an average of a plurality of times of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship.
Therefore, even when it is difficult to secure driving power and the electronic device operates in a time zone when the battery is not charged, the electronic device flexibly adapts to the remaining capacity of the battery, changes in characteristics, and variations. Operate stably.

[Claim 4] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The specific period is
The battery remaining capacity determination device, wherein the electronic device is allowed to operate at a maximum frequency intermittently.
In the remaining battery level determining apparatus having such a configuration, the remaining battery level determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronic device is operated intermittently during the specific period. Is a period in which the maximum is allowed.
That is, the power consumed by the electronic device is maintained with high accuracy and stability compared to the inventions according to claims 1 to 3, and the appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery is accurately determined.
Therefore, a shortage of power stored in the battery can be avoided with a high degree of accuracy, and the electronic device can continue to operate more stably.

[Claim 5] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The specific period is
A remaining battery level determination apparatus characterized in that it is a period during which the electric power that can be consumed by the electronic apparatus is allowed to be maximum.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus configured as described above, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the electric power that can be consumed by the electronic device is maximum during the specific period. It is a period that is allowed to be.
That is, the power consumed by the electronic device is maintained with high accuracy and stability compared to the inventions according to claims 1 to 3, and the appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery is accurately determined.
Therefore, a shortage of power stored in the battery can be avoided with a high degree of accuracy, and the electronic device can continue to operate more stably.

[Claim 6] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The specific period is
A remaining battery level determining apparatus, wherein the battery is in a period in which overdischarge does not occur.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the specific period is a period in which overdischarge of the battery does not occur. is there.
That is, the battery overdischarge that can be caused by supplying the driving power of the electronic device from the battery and the deterioration of the battery due to such overdischarge are avoided.
Therefore, regardless of the type of battery, whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate can be accurately determined, and the electronic apparatus can operate stably within a range where the overdischarge does not occur.

[Claim 7] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Storage means in which the charging efficiency of a charging system that charges the battery intermittently for each one or a combination of climate and time zone is recorded in advance;
And a control unit configured to set the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency recorded in the storage unit corresponding to the combination is smaller.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus with such a configuration, the remaining battery amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage means includes a combination of one or both of climate and time zone. The charging efficiency of the charging system that charges the battery intermittently every time is recorded in advance. The control means sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency recorded in the storage means corresponding to the combination is smaller.
In other words, even when the charging efficiency of the charging system changes according to the climate and time zone, it is possible to stably determine the appropriateness of the remaining battery level and secure the power required to operate the electronic device with high accuracy. Is done.
Therefore, the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is kept high regardless of the climate and time zone.

[Claim 8] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Power generation efficiency monitoring means for monitoring the charging efficiency of a charging system that charges the battery intermittently;
A battery remaining amount determination device, characterized by control means for setting the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency monitored by the power generation efficiency monitoring means is smaller.
In the remaining battery level determining apparatus having such a configuration, in the remaining battery level determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the power generation efficiency monitoring means is a charge that intermittently charges the battery. Monitor the charging efficiency of the system. The control unit sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency monitored by the power generation efficiency monitoring unit is smaller.
That is, even if the charging efficiency of the charging system changes, determination of whether the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate and securing of power necessary for operating the electronic device are stably and highly accurately realized.
Therefore, the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is maintained high regardless of the charging efficiency of the charging system.

[Claim 9] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Storage means in which the charging efficiency of the charging system that charges the battery intermittently for each temperature is recorded in advance;
Temperature measuring means for measuring temperature;
A remaining battery level determining device, characterized in that the control unit sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency recorded in the storage unit is smaller corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit. .
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the storage unit charges the battery intermittently at each temperature. The charging efficiency of the charging system to be performed is recorded in advance. The temperature measuring means measures the temperature. The control means sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency recorded in the storage means corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means is smaller.
That is, even if the charging efficiency of the charging system changes according to the temperature, the determination of the appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery and the securing of the electric power necessary for the operation of the electronic device are stably and highly accurately realized.
Therefore, the temperature changes and the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is maintained high.

[Claim 10] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Storage means in which the discharge efficiency of a discharge system for supplying power charged in the battery to the electronic device is recorded in advance for each temperature;
Temperature measuring means for measuring temperature;
The remaining battery level determining device, characterized in that the control unit sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the discharge efficiency recorded in the storage unit is smaller corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit. .
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, the storage unit stores electric power charged in the battery in the electronic device. The discharge efficiency is recorded in advance for each temperature of the discharge system supplied to. The temperature measuring means measures the temperature. The control means sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the discharge efficiency recorded in the storage means corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature measurement means is smaller.
That is, even if the discharge efficiency of the discharge system changes according to the temperature, the determination of the appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery and the securing of the electric power necessary for the operation of the electronic device are realized stably and with high accuracy.
Therefore, even if the temperature changes, the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is maintained high.

[Claim 11] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Characteristic deterioration monitoring means for monitoring deterioration of the characteristics of the battery;
A battery remaining amount determination device, characterized by: control means for setting the length of the specific period to be shorter as the degree of deterioration of the characteristic monitored by the characteristic deterioration monitoring means is larger.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the pre-characteristic deterioration monitoring unit monitors deterioration of the characteristics of the battery. . The control means sets the length of the specific period to be shorter as the degree of deterioration of the characteristic monitored by the characteristic deterioration monitoring means is larger.
That is, even if the characteristics of the battery change, it is possible to stably determine the appropriateness of the remaining amount of the battery and secure the power necessary for operating the electronic device with high accuracy.
Therefore, even in an environment where the characteristics of the battery can change, the overall reliability of the system including the electronic device is maintained high over a long period of time.

[Claim 12] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A function for realizing determination of whether the remaining amount is appropriate or not is realized by distributing functions with other devices cooperating with the electronic device.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a function for determining whether or not the remaining amount is appropriate is provided with the electronic device. This is achieved by distributing functions with other cooperating devices.
That is, the present invention can be flexibly adapted to distributed processing performed in various forms.
Therefore, the system and apparatus to which the present invention is applied stably and effectively use the power supplied by the battery that is intermittently charged without greatly restricting or changing the basic configuration. be able to.

[Claim 13] In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An operation period identifying means for identifying an operation period in which the electronic device should be operated based on a linkage with an apparatus that cooperates with the battery remaining amount determination apparatus or a preset scenario;
The remaining amount determining means includes
A remaining battery level determining apparatus characterized in that a period including a part or all of the operating period is set as the specific period.
In the battery remaining amount determining apparatus having such a configuration, in the battery remaining amount determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the operation period identifying unit includes:
The operating period in which the electronic device is to be operated is identified based on the cooperation with the device that cooperates with the battery remaining amount determining device or a preset scenario. The remaining amount determining means sets a period including a part or all of the operation period as the specific period.
That is, the present invention can be applied to various hardware configurations.
Therefore, the system and apparatus to which the present invention is applied stably and effectively utilize the power supplied by the battery that is charged intermittently without greatly restricting or changing the hardware configuration. can do.

10, 30 Telemeter observation station 11, 31 Processor 12 Non-volatile memory 20 Control station 21 Processing device 22 Wireless interface unit 23 Peripheral device 24 Personal computer 32 Modem 33 Solar cell 34 Charging / discharging unit 35 Battery 36 Comparator 37 Voltage conversion unit

Claims (5)

Power control means for intermittently charging the battery with electric power supplied to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate;
The power to be supplied to the electronic device via the power control means has a magnitude relationship between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold during a specific period including a charging period of a length that allows the battery to be charged. A battery remaining amount determining device comprising: a remaining amount determining means for determining whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is appropriate as an average. Power control means for intermittently charging the battery with electric power supplied to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate;
Whether or not the remaining amount is appropriate as an average of the magnitude relationship between the terminal voltage of the battery and a predetermined threshold value during a specific period of a length in which the battery can supply the power required for the electronic device via the power control means. A remaining battery level determining device for determining the remaining battery level. Power control means for intermittently charging the battery with electric power supplied to the electronic device during a period in which the electronic device should operate;
For a specific period of time that the electronic device can be operated intermittently over the number of times that the battery can supply the electronic device with the necessary power via the power control means, the terminal voltage of the battery A battery remaining amount determining device comprising: a remaining amount determining means for determining whether the remaining amount is appropriate or not as an average of a magnitude relationship with a predetermined threshold. In the battery remaining charge determination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Storage means in which the charging efficiency of a charging system that charges the battery intermittently for each one or a combination of a climate and a time zone is recorded in advance;
And a control unit configured to set the length of the specific period to be shorter as the charging efficiency recorded in the storage unit corresponding to the combination is smaller. In the battery remaining charge determination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Characteristic deterioration monitoring means for monitoring deterioration of the characteristics of the battery;
A battery remaining amount determination device, characterized by: control means for setting the length of the specific period to be shorter as the degree of deterioration of the characteristic monitored by the characteristic deterioration monitoring means is larger.