JP5361275B2 - Electronic apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method to which power is supplied from an external power source.

  In recent years, in electronic devices, as a power supply method (power supply method), in place of the conventional contact power supply method (contact power supply system) in which metal electrodes are contacted, contactless power supply by a power source using electromagnetic induction called a power sheet The system (contactless power supply system) is starting to be put into practical use.

  In this wireless power supply system, there is no need to expose the electrode part, so there is high safety and the convenience that the user only has to place the electronic device on the power seat. Has been.

  For example, a technique has been proposed in which a non-contact power feeding unit is provided on a mounting table (hereinafter referred to as a cradle) of a digital camera as an electronic device, and charging starts when the digital camera is placed on the cradle (see Patent Document 1). .

  The technique proposed in Patent Document 1 also has a function of communicating between the digital camera body and the cradle, monitoring the power load, and issuing a warning on the display unit of the cradle if there is an abnormality.

In general, in such a non-contact power supply system, a one-to-one relationship is maintained between a power source and an electronic device due to a mechanical structure or the like, which is unsupported in terms of versatility. However, in the future, it is considered that a power sheet capable of arranging electronic devices in arbitrary places will appear, and it is expected that the power supply will be more versatile.
JP 2003-134699 A

  The conventional contact power supply system is configured to connect a dedicated terminal by a mechanical mechanism, and it is difficult for a situation where a power supply outside the specification is connected.

  However, in the contactless power supply system that has recently appeared, when the power sheet becomes widespread as a general-purpose power supply and power can be supplied to all electronic devices, the power supply capability is the specification of the required voltage and required current on the supplied side There are situations where less than The power supply source has a high possibility of unilaterally sending out power, and some measures are required on the supply side.

This onset Ming, aim to get to know supply capacity of the external power supply.

An electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device, and includes a power receiving unit that receives power supply from an external power source in a contactless manner, and a power that is supplied from the external power source in a contactless manner is a first power. Output means for outputting first information indicating that the first operation is permitted and second information indicating that the second operation different from the first operation is permitted; and the first information and When the second information is output, selection means for selecting any one of the first operation and the second operation, and electric power supplied in a non-contact manner from the external power source are used. Control means for controlling the operation selected by the selection means to be performed, and the output means is supplied with second power smaller than the first power from the external power supply in a non-contact manner. If that, without outputting the previous SL first information, before The second output information, the control unit, when the inability to use the power supplied by the non-contact from the external power source performs the first operation and the second operation, to the electronic device A third operation for outputting third information indicating that the first operation and the second operation cannot be performed is performed using electric power supplied from a connected battery. It is characterized by controlling .
The method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an electronic device, wherein a step of receiving power supply from an external power source in a contactless manner and a power supplied from the external power source in a contactless manner are the first power. A first information indicating that the first operation is permitted and a second information indicating that the second operation different from the first operation is permitted; and When the information and the second information are output, the step of selecting one of the first operation and the second operation is used, and the power supplied in a non-contact manner from the external power source is used. And controlling the selected operation to be performed , and outputting the first information when the second power that is not equal to or higher than the first power is supplied from the external power source in a contactless manner. without a step of outputting the second information When the first operation and the second operation cannot be performed using power supplied from the external power source in a contactless manner, using power supplied from a battery connected to the electronic device, A step of performing a third operation for outputting third information indicating that the first operation and the second operation cannot be performed .

According to the onset bright, it is possible to know the supply capacity of the external power supply.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, electronic equipment 11 is supplied with power from a general-purpose power supply 12.

  The electronic device 11 includes an interface 13 connected to the general-purpose power supply 12, a power-off switch 14, a power supply unit 15 for controlling the power supply, a display unit (liquid crystal panel or the like) 16 for transmitting the situation to the outside, and a load capable of applying a power load A control unit 17 is provided.

  In addition, the electronic device 11 includes a control unit 18 that issues control commands to various devices, a signal processing unit 19 that processes various signals, an operation unit 20 that receives operations, and an interface 21 for connecting to a battery 22.

  The interfaces 13 and 21 are not limited to a shape in which a conventional metal terminal contacts, but include a non-contact shape using electromagnetic induction or the like.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the general-purpose power source 12 outputs an unknown power source that conforms to the specifications of the electronic device 11.

  When such a general-purpose power supply 12 is connected to the electronic device 11, first, the power supply unit 15 performs voltage confirmation (detection). When the control unit 18 determines that the voltage is within the operable range of the electronic device 11 based on the voltage detection signal from the power supply unit 15, the load control unit 17 starts to apply a load.

  The power supply unit 15 continues to detect the voltage and continues to apply a load variably by the load control unit 17 until a voltage abnormality such as a voltage drop is detected. The maximum load value may be set to the maximum current consumption consumed by the electronic device 11.

  It is also possible to determine in advance which functions of the electronic device 11 can be used by preparing a load table.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a load table when the electronic apparatus 11 of FIG. 1 is a digital video camera.

  In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the voltage conforms to the specification. With these methods, when the capability confirmation of the general-purpose power supply 12 is completed, the usable functions are displayed on the display unit 16 with light or sound to notify the user.

  Here, when the user operates the operation unit 20 to activate the electronic device 11, the operable mode is displayed on the display unit 16. The user operates the operation unit 20 to select an arbitrary mode. Even if the supply capability of the general-purpose power supply 12 does not completely satisfy the specifications of the electronic device 11, the operation possible mode corresponding to the supply capability is displayed on the display unit 16, so that the user can use the electronic device even though the operation mode is limited. The device 11 can be used.

  Further, when the general-purpose power source 12 deviates significantly from the specification of the electronic device 11, the power source unit 15 disconnects the connection with the general-purpose power source 12 by the power-off switch 14 and uses the power source of the battery 22 to display the display unit 16. Inform the user by displaying a warning.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the capability confirmation process of the general-purpose power supply 12 executed by the electronic device 11 of FIG.

  This process is executed under the control of the control unit 18 in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, when the electronic apparatus 11 (main body) is connected to the general-purpose power source 12 (step S31), the control unit 18 confirms (detects) the supply voltage of the general-purpose power source 12 (step S32).

  Step S32 functions as first confirmation means for confirming the voltage supplied from the general-purpose power supply 12.

  When the supply voltage of the general-purpose power supply 12 is significantly different from the specification of the electronic device 1 (in the case of a stationary voltage), the connection with the general-purpose power supply 12 is disconnected and the presence or absence of the battery 22 is confirmed (step S38). .

  Step S38 functions as third confirmation means for confirming whether or not the battery 22 is attached when the supplied voltage is confirmed to be a voltage at which the electronic device 11 cannot operate. To do.

  If the battery 22 is mounted and the power can be supplied, the power supply is used, and the display unit 16 displays the inoperability of the general-purpose power supply 12 by sound or light (step S39). Then, this process ends.

  Step S39 functions as third display means for displaying that the operation by the general-purpose power supply 12 is impossible when the third confirmation means confirms that the battery 22 is attached.

  When the voltage (movable voltage) of the general-purpose power source 12 capable of operating the electronic device 11 is confirmed (detected), the control unit 18 variably applies a current load by the load control unit 17 (step S33). If the output voltage drops due to a load that is appropriate in voltage but cannot even start up the electronic device 11, the process proceeds to step S38 and step S39 as described above. However, if a load that can be notified by sound or light can be pulled from the general-purpose power supply 12, it may be used.

  In step S33, when it is confirmed by the first confirmation means that the supplied voltage is a voltage at which the electronic apparatus can operate, the current of the general-purpose power supply 12 is confirmed by applying a variable current load. 2 functions as a confirmation means.

  When the load is applied by the load control unit 17 and the control unit 18 has confirmed (determined) the supply capability of the general-purpose power supply 12, the display unit 16 displays that it can be operated by sound or light (step S34).

  Step S34 functions as a display means for displaying that the general-purpose power supply 12 is operable when it is confirmed by the second confirmation means that the capacity of the general-purpose power supply 12 is operable.

  Here, when the user activates the electronic device 11, a list of operable modes corresponding to the supply capability is displayed on the display unit 16 (step S35).

  Step S35 functions as a second display unit that displays an operation mode in accordance with the capability of the general-purpose power source 12.

  When the user selects and executes the operation mode, the electronic device 11 operates (step S36).

  The voltage of the general-purpose power supply 12 is constantly monitored (step S37), and if there is a sudden change due to power supply removal or the like, the process returns to step S32 to execute the voltage confirmation process. If there is no sudden change, this process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view when the digital video camera as the electronic device 11 of FIG. 1 is placed at an appropriate location of the power sheet as the general-purpose power source 12.

  In FIG. 4, the digital video camera 41 includes a display unit 16. The power sheet 42 that is a non-contact power supply device operates by connecting the power connector 43 to a commercial power source, and supplies power to the digital video camera 41 on the power sheet 42.

  Here, it is assumed that the digital video camera 41 is placed at an arrangement place 44 where the power sheet 42 can supply power most efficiently.

  Then, the operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed inside the digital video camera 41.

  For example, if it can be confirmed that a voltage supply of about 8 V corresponding to two cells of a Li-ion (lithium-ion) battery required for the digital video camera 41 can be confirmed, the digital video camera 41 is determined to be operable. Then, the current load shown in FIG. 2 is applied to check the supply capability of the power sheet 42.

  If it is determined that the digital video camera 41 has a supply capability capable of operating to some extent, the display unit 16 of the digital video camera 41 is used to notify that it can operate with light or sound.

  Here, when the user activates the digital video camera 41, a list of screen operable modes is displayed on the display screen 51 of the display unit 16, as shown in FIG.

  Here, even when a load corresponding to the maximum power consumption is applied, there is no problem in the output of the power sheet 42, and all the operations are displayed. The user can select and operate the mode to be operated from this list.

  FIG. 6 is an external perspective view when the digital video camera as the electronic device 11 of FIG. 1 is placed at an inappropriate location of the power sheet as the general-purpose power source 12.

  In FIG. 6, the digital video camera 41 includes a display unit 16. The power sheet 42 operates by connecting the power connector 43 to a commercial power source, and supplies power to the digital video camera 41 that is a non-contact power feeding device on the power sheet 42.

  Since the non-contact power feeding device such as the power sheet 42 uses electromagnetic induction, a sufficient voltage cannot be applied to the digital video camera 41 at an improper placement location 61 and it is also vulnerable to load fluctuations.

  In this embodiment, even in such a case, the power supply capability is determined from the voltage confirmation and the load confirmation, so that an operable mode corresponding to the supply capability can be determined.

  As shown in the display screen 71 of FIG. 7, all modes cannot be operated, but operable modes can be executed. In this way, even a power supply that does not meet the specifications can be provided to the user, and the electronic device 11 can be used with various general-purpose power supplies 12.

  Here, in FIG. 1, a dedicated load control unit 17 is added for confirming the supply capability of the general-purpose power supply 12, but a signal processing unit 19 may be used. The electronic device 11 has a plurality of signal processing ICs, and the consumed power differs.

  Using this, the control unit 18 may start up the ICs in order from the low load IC, and check (detect) whether or not an abnormality occurs in the voltage detected by the power supply unit 15. Alternatively, the supply capability of the general-purpose power supply 12 may be determined by detecting an IC that cannot be activated correctly.

It is a block diagram of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the load table when the electronic device 11 of FIG. 1 is a digital video camera. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the capability confirmation process of the general purpose power supply 12 performed by the electronic device 11 of FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view when the digital video camera as the electronic device 11 of FIG. 1 is placed at an appropriate location of the power sheet as the general-purpose power source 12. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of the digital video camera of FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view when the digital video camera as the electronic apparatus 11 of FIG. 1 is placed on an inappropriate arrangement place of a power sheet as a general-purpose power source 12. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of the digital video camera of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Electronic device 12 General-purpose power supply 13 Interface 14 Power-off switch 15 Power supply part 16 Display part 17 Load control part 18 Control part 19 Signal processing part 20 Operation part 21 Interface 22 Battery

Claims (9)

Electronic equipment,
Power receiving means for receiving power from an external power source in a contactless manner;
When the electric power supplied from the external power source in a non-contact manner is the first electric power, the first information indicating that the first operation is permitted and the second operation different from the first operation are permitted. Output means for outputting second information indicating that,
A selection means for selecting one of the first operation and the second operation when the first information and the second information are output;
Control means for controlling the operation selected by the selection means to be performed using electric power supplied in a non-contact manner from the external power source;
And the output means, wherein when said external power supply first power is less than the second power is supplied in a non-contact, without outputting the previous SL first information, and outputs the second information ,
The control means is supplied from a battery connected to the electronic device when the first operation and the second operation cannot be performed using electric power supplied in a non-contact manner from the external power source. An electronic device that controls to perform a third operation for outputting third information indicating that the first operation and the second operation cannot be performed using electric power. machine. It has a detection means which detects whether at least one of the 1st operation and the 2nd operation can be performed using the electric power supplied without contact from the external power supply. The electronic device according to claim 1 . If the voltage of the external power supply fluctuates, can the detection means perform at least one of the first operation and the second operation using electric power supplied in a non-contact manner from the external power supply? The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein whether or not it is detected again. Whether the detection means can perform at least one of the first operation and the second operation according to at least one of a voltage supplied from the external power source and a load of the electronic device. the electronic device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that to detect the. When the second information is output without outputting the first information, the selection unit causes the second operation to be selected without causing the first operation to be selected. The electronic device of any one of Claim 1 to 4 . The first operation, the electronic device according to claim 1, any one of 5, characterized in that it comprises the operation relating to the reproduction. The first operation, the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an operation related to recording. The first operation, the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an operation related to transmission of the data. A method of controlling an electronic device,
Receiving power from an external power source in a contactless manner;
When the electric power supplied from the external power source in a non-contact manner is the first electric power, the first information indicating that the first operation is permitted and the second operation different from the first operation are permitted. Outputting second information indicating that to perform,
A step of selecting one of the first operation and the second operation when the first information and the second information are output; and
Controlling the selected operation to be performed using electric power supplied in a non-contact manner from the external power source; and
When said second power not from an external power supply the first power or more is applied in a non-contact, without outputting the first information, and outputting the second information,
When the first operation and the second operation cannot be performed using power supplied from the external power source in a contactless manner, using power supplied from a battery connected to the electronic device, Performing a third operation for outputting third information indicating that the first operation and the second operation cannot be performed .

Images