TWI857364B - Electronic device and charging method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device and a charging method thereof are provided. The charging method of the electronic device includes the following steps. A historical average discharge current for a past period before a current time is obtained. A predicting average discharge current for a future period after the current time is obtained. A charging current is set according to the historical average discharge current and the predicting average discharge current. The electronic device is charged with charging current.

Description

Electronic device and charging method thereof

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a control method thereof, and in particular to an electronic device having a battery and a charging method thereof.

With the development of technology, many electronic devices can use built-in batteries to provide sufficient power for mobile use. However, overcharging will seriously affect the life of the battery. Researchers are working to develop an innovative charging method to achieve a proper balance between charging efficiency and battery life.

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a charging method thereof, which sets an appropriate charging current based on past power usage and predicted future power usage to avoid overcharging, thereby achieving a balance between charging efficiency and battery life.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a charging method for an electronic device is proposed. The charging method for an electronic device includes the following steps. Obtain a historical average discharge current of a past time period before a current time. Obtain a predicted average discharge current of a future time period after the current time. Set a charging current based on the historical average discharge current and the predicted average discharge current. Charge with the charging current.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an operation unit, a prediction unit, a setting unit and a charging control unit. The operation unit is used to obtain a historical average discharge current of a past period before a current time. The prediction unit is used to obtain a predicted average discharge current of a future period after the current time. The setting unit sets a charging current according to the historical average discharge current and the predicted average discharge current. The charging control unit charges with the charging current.

In order to better understand the above and other aspects of this disclosure, the following is a specific example, and the attached drawings are used to explain in detail as follows:

100: Electronic devices

110: Processing unit

120: Storage unit

130: Arithmetic unit

140: Prediction unit

150: Setting unit

160: Charging control unit

170:Battery

900: Charger

CR0: Charging current

CR1: Historical average discharge current

CR2: Predicted average discharge current

CV1, CV2: discharge current curve

FT: Application prediction record

HS: Application execution log

P1: Past period

P2: Future period

S110,S130,S140,S150,S160: Steps

T0: Current time

T11,T12,T13,T21,T22,T23,T24,T25,T26,T27: Time points

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a charging method for an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Figure 4 shows an example of each step in Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows another example of the steps in Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows another example of the steps in Figure 3.

Figure 7 shows another example of the steps in Figure 3.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between past time periods and future time periods according to an embodiment.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between past time periods and future time periods according to another embodiment.

Figure 10 illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between past time periods and future time periods according to another embodiment.

Figure 11 illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between past time periods and future time periods according to another embodiment.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which shows a schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a laptop, a tablet, an electronic reader, or a smart phone. In order to pursue charging efficiency, many chargers 900 can provide a relatively high charging power, such as 65W, 100W, and 120W. However, when the electronic device 100 is continuously charged at a high power through the charger 900, the life of the battery 170 will be affected.

Please refer to Figure 2, which shows a block diagram of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment. The electronic device 100 includes a processing unit 110, a storage unit 120, an operation unit 130, a prediction unit 140, a setting unit 150, a charging control unit 160 and a battery 170. The functions of each component are summarized as follows. The processing unit 110 is used to execute various applications. The storage unit 120 is used to store various data. The operation unit 130 is used to execute the operation program, the prediction unit 140 is used to execute the prediction program, and the setting unit 150 is used to perform the charging settings. The charging control unit 160 is used to bridge the charger 900 and perform the charging process. The processing unit 110, the computing unit 130, the prediction unit 140, the setting unit 150 and the charging control unit 160 are, for example, a circuit, a chip, a circuit board, a program code, a storage device storing program codes, or various computer program products. The storage unit 120 is, for example, a memory, a register or a hard disk.

In this embodiment, the setting unit 150 can set the appropriate charging current according to the past power usage and the predicted future power usage to avoid overcharging. The following is a flowchart to explain the operation of each component in detail.

Please refer to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a charging method for an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment, and Figure 4 illustrates an example of each step of Figure 3. In step S110, the charging control unit 160 determines whether the electronic device 100 is connected to the charger 900 connected to the power source. If the electronic device 100 is connected to the charger 900 connected to the power source, it enters step S130. If the electronic device 100 is not connected to the charger 900 connected to the power source, it returns to step S110.

In step S130, the operation unit 130 obtains a historical average discharge current CR1 of a past period P1 before a current time T0. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the processing unit 110 of the electronic device 100 monitors the executed applications. These applications can be classified into, for example, document software, game software, video software, and other software. The power consumption of document software, game software, video software, and other software is, for example, 0.5C, 1C, 1C, and 0.3C, respectively. The execution record of the application is stored in the storage unit 120. When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at the current time T0, the computing unit 130 can obtain the application execution record HS of the past time period P1 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. As shown in Figure 4, at time points T11 to T12, other software is executed; at time points T12 to T13, the game software is executed; at time points T13 to the current time T0, the document software is executed.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV1 by executing the record HS according to the application program. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the historical average discharge current CR1 of the past period P1 according to the discharge current curve CV1.

Next, in step S140, the prediction unit 140 obtains a predicted average discharge current CR2 for a future time period P2 after the current time T0. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the processing unit 110 of the electronic device 100 monitors the executed applications. These applications can be classified into, for example, document software, game software, video software, and other software. The execution records of the applications are stored in the storage unit 120. When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at the current time T0, the calculation unit 130 can obtain the application prediction record FT for the future time period P2 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. Application forecast records FT are forecast records generated based on the same time period of each day, the same day of each week, or the same date of each month.

As shown in Figure 4, from the current time T0 to the time point T21, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; at the time point T21~T22, it is estimated that no software will be executed; at the time point T22~T23, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; at the time point T23~T24, it is estimated that the document software and other software will be executed; at the time point T24~T25, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; at the time point T25~T26, it is estimated that no software will be executed; at the time point T26~T27, it is estimated that the document software will be executed. The power consumption of document software, game software, video software and other software are, for example, 0.5C, 1C, 1C, and 0.3C respectively.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV2 based on the application program prediction record FT. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the predicted average discharge current CR2 for the future period P2 based on the discharge current curve CV2.

The above-mentioned step S130 and step S140 can also be executed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

Next, in step S150, the setting unit 150 sets a charging current CR0 according to the historical average discharge current CR1 and the predicted average discharge current CR2. Taking Figure 4 as an example, the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a low level (e.g., lower than 0.9C) and the predicted average discharge current CR2 is also at a low level (e.g., lower than 0.9C), so the charging current CR0 is set to 0.3C.

Then, in step S160, the charging control unit 160 controls the charger 900 to charge the battery 170 with the charging current CR0.

According to the above embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is connected to the charger 900 connected to the power source, the appropriate charging current CR0 can be immediately set. Taking Figure 4 as an example, when the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a low level, it can be known that the battery 170 has been used less in the past; when the predicted average discharge current CR2 is at a low level, it can be known that the battery 170 will not be used much in the future, so a lower charging current CR0 can be set to meet the demand without causing overcharging.

Please refer to Figure 5 again, which illustrates another example of each step of Figure 3. When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at the current time T0, the computing unit 130 obtains the application execution record HS of the past time period P1 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. As shown in Figure 5, at time points T11 to T12, other software is executed; at time points T12 to T13, the game software is executed; at time points T13 to the current time T0, the document software is executed.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV1 by executing the record HS according to the application program. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the historical average discharge current CR1 of the past period P1 according to the discharge current curve CV1.

When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at the current time T0, the computing unit 130 can obtain the application prediction record FT of the future time period P2 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. As shown in Figure 5, from the current time T0 to the time point T21, it is estimated that the document software and the game software will be executed; at the time point T21~T22, it is estimated that the game software will be executed; at the time point T22~T23, it is estimated that the document software and the game software will be executed; at the time point T23~T24, it is estimated that the document software and other software will be executed; at the time point T24~T25, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; at the time point T25~T26, it is estimated that the game software will be executed; at the time point T26~T27, it is estimated that the document software will be executed.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV2 based on the application program prediction record FT. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the predicted average discharge current CR2 for the future period P2 based on the discharge current curve CV2.

Taking Figure 5 as an example, if the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a low level (e.g., lower than 0.9C) and the predicted average discharge current CR2 is at a high level (e.g., higher than 0.9C), the charging current CR0 is set to 0.5C.

According to the above embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is connected to the charger 900 connected to the power source, an appropriate charging current CR0 can be immediately set. Taking Figure 5 as an example, when the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a low level, it can be known that the battery 170 has been used less in the past; when the predicted average discharge current CR2 is at a high level, it can be known that the battery 170 will be used more in the future, so a medium charging current CR0 can be set to meet the demand without causing overcharging.

Please refer to Figure 6 again, which illustrates another example of each step of Figure 3. When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at time point T0, the computing unit 130 obtains the application execution record HS of the past time period P1 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. As shown in Figure 6, at time points T11 to T12, the word processing software and other software are executed; at time points T12 to T13, the game software is executed; at time points T13 to the current time T0, the word processing software and video software are executed.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV1 by executing the record HS according to the application program. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the historical average discharge current CR1 of the past period P1 according to the discharge current curve CV1.

When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at the current time T0, the computing unit 130 can obtain the application prediction record FT of the future time period P2 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. As shown in Figure 6, from the current time T0 to time point T21, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; from time point T21 to T22, it is estimated that no software will be executed; from time point T22 to T23, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; from time point T23 to T24, it is estimated that the document software and other software will be executed; from time point T24 to T25, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; from time point T25 to T26, it is estimated that no software will be executed; from time point T26 to T27, it is estimated that the document software will be executed.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV2 based on the application program prediction record FT. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the predicted average discharge current CR2 for the future period P2 based on the discharge current curve CV2.

Taking Figure 6 as an example, if the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a high level (e.g., higher than 0.9C) and the predicted average discharge current CR2 is at a low level (e.g., lower than 0.9C), the charging current CR0 is set to 0.5C.

According to the above embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is connected to the charger 900 connected to the power source, an appropriate charging current CR0 can be immediately set. Taking Figure 6 as an example, when the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a high level, it can be known that the battery 170 has been used a lot in the past; when the predicted average discharge current CR2 is at a low level, it can be known that the battery 170 will not be used in the future. Therefore, a medium charging current CR0 can be set to meet the demand without causing overcharging.

Please refer to Figure 7 again, which illustrates another example of each step of Figure 3. When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at the current time T0, the computing unit 130 obtains the application execution record HS of the past time period P1 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. As shown in Figure 7, at time points T11 to T12, the word processing software and other software are executed; at time points T12 to T13, the game software is executed; at time points T13 to the current time T0, the word processing software and video software are executed.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV1 by executing the record HS according to the application program. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the historical average discharge current CR1 of the past period P1 according to the discharge current curve CV1.

When the charger 900 connected to the power source is connected at the current time T0, the computing unit 130 can obtain the application prediction record FT of the future time period P2 before the current time T0 from the storage unit. As shown in Figure 7, from the current time T0 to the time point T21, it is estimated that the document software and the game software will be executed; at the time point T21~T22, it is estimated that the game software will be executed; at the time point T22~T23, it is estimated that the document software and the game software will be executed; at the time point T23~T24, it is estimated that the document software and other software will be executed; at the time point T24~T25, it is estimated that the document software will be executed; at the time point T25~T26, it is estimated that the game software will be executed; at the time point T26~T27, it is estimated that the document software will be executed.

The calculation unit 130 obtains the discharge current curve CV2 based on the application program prediction record FT. The calculation unit 130 can then calculate the predicted average discharge current CR2 for the future period P2 based on the discharge current curve CV2.

Taking Figure 7 as an example, if the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a high level (e.g., higher than 0.9C), and the predicted average discharge current CR2 is also at a high level (e.g., higher than 0.9C), the charging current CR0 is set to 1C.

According to the above embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is connected to the charger 900 connected to the power source, the appropriate charging current CR0 can be immediately set. Taking Figure 7 as an example, when the historical average discharge current CR1 is at a high level, it can be known that the battery 170 has been used a lot in the past; when the predicted average discharge current CR2 is at a high level, it can be known that the battery 170 will be used a lot in the future, so a higher charging current CR0 can be set to meet the demand.

The charging current CR0 disclosed in this disclosure does not mainly consider the remaining power, but makes the charging current CR0 positively correlated with the historical average discharge current CR1, and makes the charging current CR0 positively correlated with the predicted average discharge current CR2, so that the charging efficiency and battery life can be balanced.

Please refer to Figure 8, which illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between a past time period P1 and a future time period P2 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the past time period P1 is calculated from the current time T0, and the future time period P2 is calculated from the current time T0. The length of the past time period P1 and the length of the future time period P2 can be the same.

Please refer to FIG. 9, which illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between a past time period P1 and a future time period P2 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the past time period P1 is calculated from the current time T0, and the future time period P2 is calculated from the current time T0. When the remaining power of the battery 170 is lower than a preset level, the length of the future time period P2 can be greater than the length of the past time period P1 to increase the consideration weight of the power consumption required for the future time period P2.

Please refer to Figure 10, which illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between a past time period P1 and a future time period P2 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 10, the past time period P1 is calculated from the current time T0, and the future time period P2 is calculated from the current time T0. When the remaining power of the battery 170 is higher than a preset level, the length of the future time period P2 can be shorter than the length of the past time period P1 to reduce the consideration weight of the power consumption required for the future time period P2.

Please refer to Figure 11, which illustrates an example of a relationship diagram between the past time period P1 and the future time period P2 according to an embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 11, the current time T0 is at night, the past time period P1 is the daytime of the same day, and the future time period P2 is the daytime of the next day.

According to the above embodiment, the electronic device 100 can set an appropriate charging current according to past power usage and predicted future power usage to avoid overcharging, so as to achieve a balance between charging efficiency and battery life.

In summary, although the present disclosure has been disclosed as above by the embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the scope defined by the attached patent application.

S110,S130,S140,S150,S160: Steps

Claims (15)

A charging method for an electronic device includes: obtaining a historical average discharge current of a battery of the electronic device in a past period before a current time; obtaining a predicted average discharge current of the battery in a future period after the current time; setting a charging current of the battery according to the historical average discharge current and the predicted average discharge current; and charging the battery with the charging current. A method for charging an electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the length of the past time period is the same as the length of the future time period. A charging method for an electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the past time period is calculated from the current time forward, and the future time period is calculated from the current time backward. A charging method for an electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the charging current is positively correlated with the historical average discharge current. A charging method for an electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the historical average discharge current is calculated based on the usage of multiple applications used. A charging method for an electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the charging current is positively correlated with the predicted average discharge current. A method for charging an electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the predicted average discharge current is estimated based on the usage of a plurality of applications that are expected to be used. The method for charging an electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the current time is night, the past time period is the daytime of the current day, and the future time period is the daytime of the next day. An electronic device includes: a battery; a calculation unit for obtaining a historical average discharge current of the battery in a past period before a current time; a prediction unit for obtaining a predicted average discharge current of the battery in a future period after the current time; a setting unit for setting a charging current of the battery according to the historical average discharge current and the predicted average discharge current; and a charging control unit for charging the battery with the charging current. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the length of the past time period is the same as the length of the future time period. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the past time period is calculated from the current time forward, and the future time period is calculated from the current time backward. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the charging current set by the setting unit is positively correlated with the historical average discharge current. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the computing unit calculates the historical average discharge current according to the usage of multiple applications used. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the charging current set by the setting unit is positively correlated with the predicted average discharge current. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the prediction unit estimates the predicted average discharge current according to the usage conditions of a plurality of applications that are expected to be used.

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