JPH0454620A - Personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always maintain a stable battery power source state by displaying a fact that a mounting main battery which necessitates charging at the time of driving by a main battery. CONSTITUTION:31L and 31R are main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) of a pack format which are constituted of a chargeable battery and can be attached and detached to and from a device main body (PC main body), respectively, and in this case, at the time of driving, one battery of them is selected as a use object under the control of a power source circcuit 30, and when its battery is discharged to the limit, the use object battery is switched, and the other battery becomes the use object. Also, a state that charging is necessary is decided and such an inconvenience as falls into an overdischarge state that charging is difficult is avoided, and a continuous operation by stable battery driving extending over many hours can be maintained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a personal computer that can be operated with a rechargeable battery, and particularly to a personal computer that can be operated with a rechargeable battery, and particularly in a configuration in which two sets of main batteries can be installed. , relates to a personal computer characterized by charging and switching control of each battery, and display of its status.

(Prior Art) In recent years, various types of personal computers that are easy to carry and can be operated on batteries have been developed. In this type of personal computer, it is necessary to constantly recognize the operating power supply status and eliminate all failures caused by power supply abnormalities, whether using an AC adapter or a mounted battery. However, until now, there has been no effective centralized control mechanism for power sources in devices that can operate with such various power sources. In particular, in conventional personal computers that can be operated with mounted batteries, power control is required to forcibly cut off the operating power when the mounted battery is in a discharged state where it cannot maintain a predetermined specified potential. As a result, the power is suddenly cut off during processing, causing the inconvenience of having to stop the operation halfway through processing, as well as overlooking the discharge state of the mounted battery that requires charging, making it difficult to charge. There was a risk of falling into an overdischarge state.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in a personal computer that is easy to carry and can be operated with an on-board battery, it can be used either with an AC adapter or with an on-board battery. It is necessary to recognize the operating power supply status and eliminate all failures due to power supply abnormalities, but conventionally there has been an effective centralized control mechanism for power supplies in devices that can operate with various power sources. In particular, in the past, the operating power supply was forcibly cut off when the mounted battery reached a discharged state where it could not maintain the specified potential, so the power supply was cut off unexpectedly during processing, causing processing to be interrupted in advance. There is an inconvenience in that the operation must be stopped without taking any necessary measures, and there is also the inconvenience that there is a risk that the discharge state of the mounted battery that requires charging may be overlooked and the battery may fall into an over-discharge state that is difficult to charge. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is particularly applicable to a personal computer that is easy to carry and can be operated with mounted batteries, and in particular, when two sets of batteries are linked together to enable long-term use. By properly charging and switching the battery and displaying its status,
To provide a personal computer that can always maintain a stable battery power state.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides first and second main batteries that can be charged and used independently, and a system that determines the charge/discharge state of each of the batteries and uses them. Means for selecting a first or second battery in a ready state as a target battery for use; means for supplying power of the target battery selected by the same means to an internal circuit; A means for determining whether or not the main battery of the main battery has reached its usable limit that requires charging, and when the main battery reaches its usable limit, supplies charging power to the main battery until it is fully charged, and switching control of the battery to be used. and a means for displaying that there is an installed main battery that requires charging when the main battery is used to drive the main battery, and constantly monitors the discharging state of the pair of main batteries during the battery drive.
It is configured to determine and display the state in which charging is required.
This avoids the inconvenience of the mounted battery falling into an over-discharged state where charging is difficult, and allows continuous operation by stable battery drive for a long period of time to be maintained.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply circuit shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a system bus, and 11 to 28 are components connected to the system bus 1o. Among these components, 11 is a CPU (main CPU) that controls the entire system, and 12 is a system firmware ROM in which fixed programs and the like are stored.

13 is a RAM constituting the main memory in which programs and data to be processed are stored, and 14 is a DMA controller (DMA controller) that performs direct memory access control.
C; Djreet Metxory Access
15 is an interrupt control that can be set by a program. -ra (PIC; Pr
ogrammable InterruptContr
1B is an interval timer (PIT; Progra) that can be set by the program.
mmableInterval Tiger),
17 is a clock module (RT
C; Real-Time C1ock). 1
B is a large-capacity expansion RAM that can be inserted into and removed from the dedicated card slot of the main unit, and here it is IMB.

It is possible to install any four types of memory cards, including the existing 2MB memory card, 4MB and 8MB new memory cards. In this case, the existing memory card (IM
B, 2MB) and a new memory card (4MB, 8
The shared interface mechanism of M B ) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

19 is a backup RAM that serves as a data storage area to realize the resume function, and a backup power supply (V
BK) is supplied. 20 is a floppy disk controller (FDC), here two floppy disk drives (FDD (1)).

Although the control targets are FDD (2) 32A and 32B, it is possible to install a 2.5-inch hard disk instead of one floppy disk drive (for example, FDD (2) 32B), making it easier to upgrade the system. It is structured as follows. From the FDD ten FDD configuration at this time, H
The first means of upgrading the system to a DD+FDD configuration is
This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

21 is a printer controller (PRT-CONT) to which, for example, a 5-inch external floppy disk drive 33 or a printer 34 is selectively connected via a connector. 22 is an input/output interface (UA
RT; Lluniversal Asynchronous
us Receiver/Transmitter
), and an R8-232C interface device 35 or the like is connected as necessary. Reference numeral 23 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC), which controls input from a keyboard 36 that is integrally provided in the main body of the device on which the CPU board is mounted. 24 is a display controller (DISP-C
ONT), and here the display drive target is only the LCD 37 with a side light using an FL (cold cathode tube) mounted on the display unit rotatably attached to the main body of the device, but as an external display. It is also possible to control the display drive of the CRT display section.

25 is a video RAM (VRAM) to which a backup power supply (VBK) is supplied; 26 is a kanji ROM for obtaining a kanji character pattern from a kanji character code; and 27 is a dictionary ROM for realizing a kana/kanji conversion dictionary and the like. Reference numeral 28 denotes a power supply control interface (PS-IF) for connecting a power supply circuit (see FIG. 2) 30, which will be described later, to the CPU 11 via the system bus lO.
It has a serial-to-parallel conversion function for data transfer with the power control CPU 30G via a serial interface.

A power adapter 29 (hereinafter referred to as an AC adapter) rectifies and smoothes a commercial alternating current power source (AC) to obtain a DC working power source of a predetermined potential, and is plug-in connected to the main body of the personal computer.

30 is an intelligent power supply (hereinafter referred to as a power supply circuit) equipped with a power control CPU (PC-CPU), and the configuration of this power supply circuit 30 will be described later with reference to FIG.

31L and 31R are back-type main batteries (M-BATA, M-BAT) that are removable from the device body (PC body), each consisting of a rechargeable battery.
B), and here, during driving, one of the batteries is selected as the target of use (power supply target) under the control of the power supply circuit 30, and when that battery is discharged to its usage limit, the target battery is switched. Then, the other battery becomes the target for use. Also, the above pair of main batteries (M-BATA, M-BAT
B) Among 31L and 31R, battery (M-
BATA) 31L is referred to as the left main battery, and battery (M-BATB) 31R is referred to as the right main battery. Also, here are two types of capacity (2200mA type/
A main battery with a 1700 mA type) is prepared, and any of these batteries can be used. This main battery (M-BATA).

The charging control processing means of M-BATB) 31L and 31R are shown in FIG. 3, and the selection and switching processing means including battery check during battery drive are shown in FIG. The status display will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, and the battery usage status display and state transition display will be described later with reference to FIG. 6. In addition, a pair of main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB
') At least one of the main batteries of 31L and 31R has a removable structure, and two types of battery bags with different current capacities are prepared as the main battery, and any battery pack can be used. A mechanism for determining the type of the mounted battery pack when mounting is possible and a charging processing means according to the type determination will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

318 is a built-in sub-battery (S-BAT) 7'JS, RA, which is also composed of a rechargeable battery.
M13. Expansion RAM 1g, video RAM 2
Supplies backup power (VBK) to memories that require backup, such as 5.

40 is an expansion bus connector (E B C
), for example, an external hard disk (external HDD), etc. can be selectively connected as necessary, or various components for functional expansion (e.g., keyboard, CRT display, large capacity memory, personal computer mounting mechanism, etc.) can be connected. It is selectively attached to and circuit-coupled to the expansion unit provided with the expansion unit.

41 is a built-in HDD (with HDC) when upgrading the system to an HDD mounting type (one HDD and one FDD installed).
This is a built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF) for connecting the floppy disk drive (FDD) when upgrading the system.
2)) Internal HD via connector 42 instead of 32B
D is interfaced. At this time, the two floppy disk drives (FDD(1), FDD
D(2)) Method for upgrading the system to an HDD+FDD configuration consisting of one 2.5-inch hard disk (HDD) and 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, instead of the FDD-plus-FDD type with built-in 32A and 32B. will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

50 is a power control CPU of the power supply circuit 30;
30[i] is a status display section consisting of a plurality of status display LEDs (L1 to L9) whose display drive is controlled under the control of the display drive control unit 30[i, and the details thereof are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply circuit 30. As shown in FIG.

In the figure, 301 is a power switch, 302 is a reset switch, and 303 is a display switch.

304 is a main battery (31L or 31R) capacity (2200sA type/1700■A type) setting switch, which is set to ON when using a high capacity (2200mA type) main battery (31L or 31R). . 305 is each of these switches 301 and 302
.

303 and 304, and setting information of the power control CPU 30B, which will be described later.
It is 10.

306 is a power control CPU (PC-CPU) that centrally controls the power supply of the entire device, and an internal bus 307
Information on each part of the power supply circuit 30 and the main CPU
Input the instruction information etc. of the main CPU II,
It controls the power supply to each part of the device depending on the internal status, external operation status, etc. Here, the left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) are used.
It has power supply control processing functions including charging control according to charging setting data (charging control parameters) as shown in FIG. 3 and battery drive control as shown in FIG. 4 for 31L and 31R.

308 is a 10 driver that drives and controls the FL control of the LCD 37 and each of the LEDs (Ll-L9) of the status display section 50 under the control of the power control CPU 30B.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the status display unit 50 includes LEDs for displaying the power-on status and operating speed setting status.
(Ll), left main battery (M-BATA
) 31L status display LED (L2), right main battery (M-BA TB) 31R status display LED (L3), AC adapter connection status LED (L4), floppy disk drive (FDD) (1)) L for displaying the usage status of 32A
ED (L5), floppy disk drive (FD)
D(2)) 32B usage status display LED (L6
) and the like are provided. Further, each of the above-mentioned LEDs is capable of displaying in two colors, red and green, and one or both of them is selectively drive-controlled to perform color-specific display. That is, to give a specific example, when the power is turned on, the LED (LL) is driven to light up in green during high-speed clock operation, and is driven to light up in red during low-speed clock operation.

In addition, the LEDs (L2, L3) are connected to the corresponding main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB).
) 31L and 31R are like low batteries! ! (discharging state at the limit of use), it is driven to flash in red, it is driven to light up in yellow (red + green) when it is in a rapid charge state, and it is driven to light up in green when it is in a fully charged state. Also, LED (L4)
is driven to light up in red when the AC adapter 29 is in a valid connection state, and is driven to blink in red when the AC adapter 29 is in a valid connection state and the power supply circuit 30 is in an abnormal state.

309 is a main battery switch (S) interposed in the current supply path of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L, which is controlled on/off by the output of the 10 driver 308 under the control of the power control CPU 30B.
L I ), 310a, and 310b are main battery switches (S
RI, 5RO). 311 is power control C
The main battery (M-BA
This is a charging unit that charges TA, M-BATB) 31L and 31R. 312 is the main battery (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L
, 31R is a current detector that detects the output current. 3
13 and 314 are the main batteries (M-BA
TA, M-BATB) 31L is a backflow prevention diode interposed in the SIR current output path. 3
15 is the power supply of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L via the main battery switch 309, or the right main battery (M-B A TB) 311 via the main battery switch 310a and glOb?
This is a DC-DC converter that obtains power for operating various parts within the device from the power source. 316 is the sub battery (S-BAT
) 31S, and 317 is a DC-DC converter that obtains a backup power source (VBK) from the power source of the sub-battery (S-BAT) 31S. 31g is the detected current value of the current detector 312, main battery (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L
, 31R output voltage, DC-DC converter 315
, 317 as digital data and supplies it to the power control CPU 306. 31
9 is power control CPU 306 and main CP
Serial I10 is used to send and receive information to and from the power control CPU 308. It converts the data received from the power control CPU 308 into serial data, sends it to the power supply control interface (PS-IF) 2B, and sends the serial data to the power supply control interface (PS-IF) 2B. The control interface (PS-IF) 2B restores it to parallel data and sends it to the main CPU II.

Figures 3 and 4 are power control CP, respectively.
3 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of U 306;

Of these, Figure 3 shows the power control CPU
3 is a flowchart showing a charging IJal (charge control) routine in one embodiment of the present invention executed under the control of 306; This charging side a (charge control) processing is performed by the power control CPU 80.
6 confirms the connection state of the AC adapter via the A/D converter 318, the process is repeated at predetermined time intervals. Figure 4 shows the above power control CP 03
12 is a flowchart showing a power-on processing routine when a batch switch is driven (when an AC adapter is not connected) in an embodiment of the present invention, which is executed under the control of 0B. This power-on processing routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals during a battery-powered power-on state.

FIG. 5 shows a status display section 5 related to charging control shown in FIG. 3 above.
This is a diagram for explaining the display contents of 0, and here AC
The status display LED (L2) of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L and the right main battery (M-BATA) under charging control with external power supplied from the adapter.
M-BATB) 31R status display LED (L3
), each display color of the LED (L4) for displaying the AC adapter connection state and its display contents are shown in comparison.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of the status display unit 50 related to the battery drive control shown in FIG.

M-BATB) 31L, 31R are selected and each of the above LEDs (L
2 to L4) are shown as usage state display and state transition display examples.

Figure 7 shows the above pair of main batteries (M-BATA
, M-BATB) 31L, 31R, one of the main batteries is semi-fixed with screws (here, the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L), and the other right main battery (M-B A TB)
31R can be attached or detached as desired using a sliding mounting means, and each of the main batteries (M-BATA
, M-BATB) 31L, 31R, with two types of battery packs with different current capacities (in this case, a high capacity type of 2200mA and a low capacity type of 1700IllA), which can be used as desired for easy replacement. Mount the battery back on the side where possible (right main battery (
M-BATB) 31)? ) type (capacity type)
It is a diagram for explaining the determination mechanism. Further, FIG. 8 shows the power control CPU 3 according to the capacity setting switch 304.
This shows the setting data (charging control parameter) switching processing flow for 06.Here, it is applied to the capacity setting of the battery back (left main battery (M-BATA) 31L) that is semi-fixed with the screws mentioned above. be done.

That is, in this embodiment, the pair of main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L, 3
One of the main batteries in 1R is semi-fixed with screws (here, the left main battery (M-BATA)
)31L) and the other right main battery (
M-BATB) 31R can be freely attached and detached using a sliding mounting means, and each of the above main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L
, 31R, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and (b),
The configuration is such that two types of battery bags with different current capacities (here, a high capacity type of 2200 mA and a low capacity type of 1700 mA) can be used arbitrarily. At this time, each of the above main batteries (M-BATA, M-BA
As mentioned above, the charging control of the TB) 31L, , 81R is performed by the power control CPU 30B based on the setting data (charging control parameters). In order to enable arbitrary use, it is necessary to control the charging current using setting data (charging control parameters) according to the capacity type of the mounted battery bag. Therefore,
In this embodiment, the battery back is semi-fixed with screws, that is, the left main battery (M-BATA)
For 81L, the capacity type of the mounted battery pack is set by operating the main battery capacity setting switch 304 according to the capacity type of the mounted battery pack.

The setting data (charging control parameter) switching processing means of the power control CPU 30B according to the capacity setting switch 304 at this time is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In addition, there is a battery pack that can be attached or detached at will using a sliding mounting means, that is, the right main battery (M-
BATB) 31R is configured to automatically recognize the capacity type of the installed battery pack and automatically switch the setting data (charging control parameters). That is, here, the right main battery (M-BATB)
Of the battery packs used as 31R, 17
As shown in FIG. 7(b), a low-capacity type battery pack of 00 mA is provided with a protruding piece 70 for switch operation at the tip in the fixed position in the mounting direction (arrow shown), and
When the battery pack is attached to the PC body, a switch 71 is provided that is operated by the protruding piece 70, and based on the signal from the switch 71, the power control CP 030B recognizes the capacity type of the installed battery pack. The right main battery (M-BA
TB) 31R is configured to control the charging current of the battery pack. With this configuration, the right main battery (M-
For the battery pack BATB) 31R,
Any capacity type (2200 mA high capacity type / 1700 mA high capacity type/1700 m
A low capacity type) battery pack can be used, and the left main battery (M-B
For a battery bag of ATA) 31L, it is only necessary to operate the capacity setting switch 304 once when mounting the bag, and it is easily possible to use an arbitrary battery capacity configuration according to the purpose of use.

Figures 9 and 10 show IMB
, 4MB to the existing 2MB memory card.

Existing memory cards (I
MB, 2MB) and new memory card (4MB, 8MB)
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the shared interface mechanism of FIG. Here, within a certain pin count limit (for example, 40 pins), the power supply bin and ground bin of the existing memory card (IMB, 2MB) are reduced by one (total of two), and one of them (Ta) is used. is allocated to the address increase of the new memory card (4MB, 8MB), and the remaining one (Tb) is allocated to identify the same card, and the signal of terminal Tb (S E
L) is at high level (SEL-“1”) Installed memory card (4MB or 8MB new memory card)
The increased address (A9 .4MB, 8
The configuration is such that output control is performed on the most significant bit of the address of the MB card.

11 to 13 show two floppy disk drives (FDD(1), FDD(2) using a built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF) 41.
)) Instead of the FDD+FDD type with built-in 32A and 32B, one 2.5-inch hard disk (HD
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating means for upgrading the system to an HDD-FDD type consisting of a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive.

In the figure, 1 is the CPU board 3. Personal computer main body (PC main body) on which keyboard 36 etc. are installed
This is the base case for two floppy disk drives (FDD (1)).

FDD (2)) FDD + FDD type base case equipped with 32A and 32B (see Figure 13 (a)) IA, one 2.5 inch hard drive, ISD (HDD) and 3.5 inch HDD + FDD type base housing equipped with a floppy disk drive (first
3 (b)) IB and two types of base casings are prepared, and the base casing IA (see Fig. 13(a)) is replaced with the base casing IB (see Fig. 13(b)). Built-in hard disk (HDD) with built-in HDD interface (HDD)
-IF) By connecting the connector through 41,
The configuration allows for easy system upgrades to HDD + FDD type. During this gap, the 2.5-inch hard disk (
HDD), as shown in Fig. 13(c) and (d),
．． It is housed in a housing that has the same shape as a 5-inch floppy disk drive, placed on a removable tray 111, and can be placed on the removable tray 111 and taken out by operating an eject button 112. However, the detailed configuration will be omitted here.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a pop-up menu for displaying battery status, and here, each of the left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L, 3
Each display area targeting 1R ((LEFT>Ep, c
RIGIIT＞E...F), respectively.
The state where the battery is not installed is displayed as rN/AJ, and the state where the battery is installed (state R before charging starts) is displayed as "rN/AJ".
'? ? ? J, and when the battery starts charging, instead of displaying the above-mentioned battery attachment status "???", the existing battery capacity is displayed with triangular marks (maximum 7).

Here, the operation in one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the above figures.

The power control CPU 30B of the power supply circuit 30 constantly monitors the operating state of the power switch 301.

That is, the power control CPU 30B executes the power control processing routine regardless of the power on/off state of the device, and when operating using the AC adapter (power on state), the power control CPU 30B executes the power control processing routine regardless of whether the device is powered on or off. The charge control routine shown in the figure is executed, and when the battery is driven without an AC adapter connected, the power-on processing routine shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

When the device is in the power off state, the power switch 301
When the switch is operated, the state of the switch operation changes to parallel l.
10305, and its state is read into the power control CPU 306 at a predetermined processing timing.
It is recognized that the power switch 301 has been operated. In this case, the operation of the power switch 301 is recognized at a fixed cycle, the counter is updated each time, and when the updated count value reaches the set value, the power switch 301 is turned on to turn on the device power. recognize what has happened.

During operation using the AC adapter (power-on state), the charging control (charge control) shown in Figure 3 is performed.
The routine is executed.

At this time, an external operating power (DC-IN) is supplied to the device main body from the AC adapter 29, and the external power supply state is determined by the power control CPU 30B via the A/D converter 318 and the internal bus 307. is recognized by the power control CPU 306, and under the control of the power control CPU 30G, the LED for displaying the AC adapter connection status of the status display unit 50 is displayed via the parallel 10305 and 10 driver 308. L4) is driven to light up in red, and the same LED (
L4) displays the valid connection state of the AC adapter 29 (see step S2 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5).

External operating power supply (DC-IN) from this AC adapter 29
is being supplied, first connect the right main battery (M
-BATB) 31R is installed (step S2 in Figure 3), and the right main battery (M
-BATB) 311? When the is installed,
Turn off the main battery switch (SLI) 309,
Also, main battery switch (SRI) 310
a to turn on the charge unit 311.
The right main battery (
M-BATB) 31R is charged (step S3 in FIG. 3).

In this case, the right main battery (M-BATB) SI
The R status display LED (L3) is driven to light up in yellow (red/green), and the LED (L3) indicates that the right main battery (M-B A TB) 311? It is displayed that the battery is being charged (step S4 in FIG. 3).

(See Figure 5).

The above charging control allows the right main battery (M-BATB
) 31R is fully charged, and when the fully charged state is detected (step S5 in Figure 3), the right main battery (M
-B A TB ) 31R status display LED (L
3) is lit in green (red off/green on), and the right main battery (M
-B A TB ) 31R is displayed to indicate that charging has been completed (see step S2 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5).

This right main battery (M-B A TB)
When the 31R is fully charged, the main battery switch (
SRI) 310a is controlled off (step S in Figure 3).
7).

Further, in the above-mentioned determination of the installation state of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R (step S2 in FIG. 3), if it is determined that the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is not installed, the left main battery (M-BATB) 31R is not installed. M-BATA
) 31L is installed or not (step S8 in Figure 3), and the left main is correctly installed (M-BAT).
A) When the 31L is installed, turn on the main battery switch (SLI) 309 and turn off the main battery switch (SRI) 310a to charge the left main battery ( M-BATA)31
The battery L is charged (step S9 in FIG. 3).

In this case, the left main battery (M-BATA) 31
The L status display LED (L2) is driven to light up in yellow (red/green), and the LED (L2) indicates that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is being charged (Figure 3). Step 5l (1; see Figure 5).

Due to the above charging control, the left main battery (M-BAT
A) When 31L is fully charged and the fully charged state is detected (step 5ll in Figure 3), the left main battery (
M-BATA) 31L status display LED (L2
) is driven to light up in green (red off/green on), and the same LE
D (L2) connects the left main battery (M-B
ATA) 31L is displayed when charging is completed (3rd
Figure step S12; see Figure 5).

This left main battery (MBATA) 3
When 1L is fully charged, press the main battery switch (S
LJ) 309 is controlled off (step S13 in Fig. 3).
).

In this way, the external operating power supply (DC
-1N) is supplied, power control C
Under the control of PU 30B, left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L,
31R is controlled and managed to maintain an appropriate state of charge at all times.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a power-on processing operation during battery operation (operation with no AC adapter connected) will be described.

During this battery drive mode, the AC adapter 29 is not connected, so the LED (L4) for displaying the AC adapter connection status is off (see FIG. 6).

In this processing routine, it is determined whether or not the power switch 301 has been operated for a certain period of time (step 520 in FIG. 4).
), when the device is operated for a certain period of time, it is determined whether the main body of the device is currently in a power-on state (power-on state).

Here, if the power is currently in the power-on state (power-on state), a power-off processing routine (not shown) is executed (step 522 in FIG. 4).

If the power is in the power-off state, it is determined whether the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (Step 323 in Figure 4), and normal operation is performed. When the power supply voltage is sufficient to ensure the
A, M-BATB) 31L, 31R, determine which battery is used to turn on the power (4th
Figure step 527).

In this case, the left main battery (M-BATA) 31
Since L is in a power supply voltage state that ensures normal operation, the battery power is supplied to the DC-DC converter 315, and based on the battery power, the DC-DC converter 3
At step 15, power for each part is generated (power is turned on by the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L).

Further, the operation determination step of the power switch 3o1 (fourth
In step 520), if it is not detected that the power switch 301 has been operated for a certain period of time, the power is on! ! It is determined whether or not the power is on (power-on state fl) (step 521 in FIG. 4), and if the power is on (power-on state), the left main battery (M-BATA)
It is determined whether or not 31L is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (step 523 in Figure 4), and when the power supply voltage state is such that normal operation can be ensured, the LED (L4)
(Step 526 in Figure 4) to turn off the left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-B
It is determined which battery of ATB 31L and 31R is used to turn on the power (step 527 in FIG. 4).

Also, the above left main battery (M-BATA) 31
When it is determined that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a power supply voltage state where normal operation cannot be ensured, that is, in a low battery state, by checking the power supply voltage status of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L (step 523 in Figure 4), the right main battery (M-BATA) 31L is checked. M-
It is determined whether the BATB ) 31R is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (step 524 in FIG. 4).
When the power supply voltage is sufficient to ensure normal operation, after turning on the main battery switch (SRO) 310b (step 525 in Figure 4), the LED (L4
) to turn off the lights (Step 32B in Figure 4), the left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-B
ATB) Among 31L and 31R,
It is determined which battery is used to power on (step 527 in FIG. 4).

In this case, main battery switch (SRO) 310
b is turned on, the right main battery
(M-B A TB ) 31R is supplied to the DC-DC converter 315, and the DC-DC converter 315 generates power for operating each part based on the battery power. Also, at this time, the backflow prevention diode 313 prevents the power from flowing from the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R to the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L.

In the power-on battery determination step (step 527 in Figure 4), the left main battery (M-B A
TA) 3] When it is determined that the power has been turned on by L, the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L
The status display LED (L2) is driven to light up in green (red off/green on), and the LED (L2) indicates that the left main battery (M-B ATA') 31L is selected and in use. (Step 828 in FIG. 4; see FIG. 6(b)), and it is also determined whether the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a low battery state (Step 529 in FIG. 4).

If it is determined that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a low battery state, it is determined whether the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is attached or not (step 530 in FIG. 4).

Here, right main battery (M-BATB) 31R
If it is installed, the same battery (M-BATB)
It is determined whether or not 31R is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (step 531 in FIG. 4), and if the power supply voltage state is such that normal operation can be ensured, the main battery switch (SRO) 310b is turned on. , the power supply of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is DC-DC.
The power is supplied to the converter 315, and power for operating each part of the DC-DCC converter 315 is generated based on the battery power (step 532 in FIG. 4).

In this case, the left main battery (M-BATA) 31
The L status display LED (L2) is driven to light up in red (red on/green off), and the LED (L2)
The display indicates that the left main battery (M-BATA) 81L is in a low battery state that requires charging (3rd
Step S33; see FIG. 5 (C)), and the right main battery (M-BATB) IIR status indicator
The ED (L3) is driven to light up in green (red off/green on), and the LED (L8) indicates that the right main battery (M-BATB'') 31R is selected and in use (Fig. 4). Step S34; FIG. 6 (b
)reference).

In addition, when it is determined that the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is not installed in the above-mentioned determination of whether or not the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is installed (step 530 in FIG. 4), or if the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is not installed, (M-
BATB) 31R status judgment (Fig. 4 Step S
31), right main battery (M-BATB) 31R
When it is determined that the battery is in a low battery state that requires charging, the left main battery (M-BATA)
The status display LED (L2) of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is driven to blink in red (blinking red/off green), and the LED (L2) indicates that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a low battery state that requires charging, and that the battery is low. It is displayed that driving is impossible (step S39 in FIG. 3; see FIG. 5(c)).

Also, in the above power-on battery identification (step 527 in Figure 4), the right main battery (M-BATB) 3
When it is determined that 1R is selected and used, the status display LED (L3) of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is lit in green (red off/green on), and the LED (L3) , it is displayed that the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is selected and in use (step S34 in Figure 4; Figure 6 (
(see b)) as well as the right main battery (M-BA
TB) It is determined whether or not 31R is in a low battery state (step 535 in FIG. 4).

Here, right main battery (M-BATB) 31R
is in the low battery state, it is determined whether the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is installed (step 516 in FIG. 4), and the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is installed.
If TA ) 31L is installed, the same battery (M
-BATA) 31L is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (step 537 in Figure 4).
).

Here, when the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a power supply voltage state that ensures normal operation, the right main battery (M-BATB) 311? The status display LED (L2) is lit in red (red on/green off), and the LED (L2) indicates that the right main battery (M-BATB) 3]R is in a low battery state that requires charging. is displayed (step 838 in FIG. 3; see FIG. 5(c)), and the step for determining the power-on state (power-on state) described above (step 5 in FIG. 4) is performed.
22).

Also, the above left main battery (M-BATA) 31L
When it is determined that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is not installed in the installation/non-installation judgment (step 530 in FIG. 4), or when the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is not installed,
A) When it is determined that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a low battery state that requires charging in the state judgment of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L (step 531 in FIG. 4), the right main battery (M-BATB) is The status display LED (L3) of 31R is driven to blink red (red blinking/green off), and the LED (L3) indicates that the right main battery (M-B A TB) 31R is in a low battery state that requires charging. , and battery power is not possible (Step S in Figure 3).
40; see FIG. 5(c)).

When the status display LED (L2) of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L or the status display LED (L3) of the right main battery (M-B A TB) 31R is driven to blink red, the set time (
After 3 minutes of operation in this case, a power-off processing routine (not shown) is entered.

Such power-on processing operation during battery operation (operation with no AC adapter connected) ensures stable and highly reliable battery-operation processing operations over a long period of time.

Also, in this embodiment, the pair of main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L.

Of 31R, one main battery is semi-fixed with screws (here, the left main battery (M-BATA
) 31L), and the other right main battery (M-B A TB ) 31R is configured to be detachable at will with a sliding mounting means, and each of the above-mentioned main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 3
1L and 31R, as shown in Fig. 7(a) and (b), there are two types with different current capacities (2200n+A in this case).
The configuration allows for the use of any battery pack (high capacity type of 1700mA and low capacity type of 1700mA).

At this time, each of the above main batteries (M-BATA, M
-BATB) 31L and 31R are controlled by the power control CPU 30B based on the setting data (charging control parameters) as described above, but the above two types of battery packs with different current capacities are used. In order to be able to use it arbitrarily, it is necessary to control the charging current using setting data (charging control parameters) according to the capacity type of the mounted battery pack.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a semi-fixed battery bag fixed with screws, that is, a left main battery (M-B A
For TA) 31L, the capacity type of the mounted battery pack is set by operating the main battery capacity setting switch 304 according to the capacity type of the mounted battery pack. The setting data (charging control parameter) switching processing means of the power control CPU 30B according to the capacity setting switch 304 at this time is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Above left main battery (M-BATA) 3
When controlling 1L charging, the power control CP
The U 30B reads the contents of the capacity setting switch 304 and determines whether the current capacity of the mounted memory pack on the semi-fixed side is a high capacity type of 2200 mA from the setting contents.
00mA low capacity type, the output current of the charge unit 311 is controlled based on the charge control setting data (charge control parameters) corresponding to that capacity type, and the left main battery (M-B
ATA) Performs high-speed charging control under optimal conditions for 31L.

In addition, there is a battery bag that can be attached or detached at will using a sliding attachment means, that is, the right main battery (M-BATB).
) 31R is configured to automatically recognize the capacity type of the installed battery bag and automatically switch the setting data (charging control parameters). That is, here, the right main battery (M-B A TB )
Of the battery bags used as 31R, 17
As shown in FIG. 7(b), a low-capacity type bathotery pack of 00 mA is provided with a protruding piece 70 for switch operation at the tip in the fixed position in the mounting direction (arrow shown in the figure).
When the battery pack is attached to the PC main body, a current capacity detection switch 71 is provided which is operated by the protruding piece 70, and based on the signal from the switch 71, the power control CPU 30B detects the mounted battery pack. The configuration is such that the capacity type of the battery is recognized and the charging current of the battery back, which is the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R, is controlled using setting data (charging control parameters) corresponding to the capacity type.

That is, when controlling the charging of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31H, the power control CPU 30
B reads the detection signal of the current capacity detection switch 71,
Based on the detection signal, it is determined whether the current capacity of the mounted memory pack on the side that can be attached or detached is a high capacity type of 2200mA or a low capacity type of 1700mA, and charging control is performed according to the capacity type. The output current of the charge unit 311 is controlled based on the setting data (charging control parameters), and the output current of the right main battery (M
-BATB) 31R with high-speed charging control under optimal conditions O With this configuration, the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R can be attached or removed at will. You can use any capacity type battery pack (220C1wA high capacity type/1700taA low capacity type) without having to be aware of the equality, and the left main battery (M-BATA) IIL is semi-fixed. As for the battery bag, it is only necessary to operate the capacity setting switch 304 once when mounting the bag, and it is possible to easily use an arbitrary battery capacity configuration depending on the purpose of use.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the main battery (M-BAT
A, M-BATB) 31L, 31R mounting status and capacity (remaining capacity) status are displayed in the pop-up menu shown in FIG. 14. Under the control of the power control CPU 30B, the left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) are
Each display area targeting 31L and 31R ((LEF
In T>E P, (old GHT) E...F), the state where the battery is not installed is displayed as [N/AJ, and the state with the battery installed before charging is displayed as "'? ?
? J, and when the battery starts charging, instead of displaying the above-mentioned battery attachment status "???", the existing battery capacity is displayed with triangular marks (maximum 7).

This pop-up menu allows you to select a pair of left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L.
, 31R's mounting status and capacity (remaining amount) status can be easily recognized.

In addition, in this embodiment, as the additional RAM 1g, IMB,
It is possible to install any four types of memory cards, including a new 4MB and 8MB memory card in addition to the existing 2MB memory card.
A common interface mechanism for the new memory cards (4MB, 8MB) is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Here, within a certain pin count limit (for example, 40 bins), replace one power supply bin and one ground bin (total of two) of existing memory cards (IMB, 2MB), ), and one of the two bins mentioned above (T
a) for the increased address of the new memory card (4MB, 8MB), and the remaining one (Tb) for identifying the same card, and when the signal (SEL) at terminal Tb is at high level (SEL-" 12), Add the increased address (A9.4MB) to terminal Ta of the installed memory card (4MB or 8MB new memory card).

The configuration is such that the output is controlled by the most significant bit of the address of the 8MB card.

As a result, the additional RA M Ill is 1MB.

4MB in addition to the existing memory card of 2MB.

A new 8MB memory card can be used, making it easy to increase the memory capacity as desired.

In addition, in this embodiment, a built-in HDD interface (H
DD-IF) 41, and the same interface (HD
D-IF) 41 can be used to easily connect two floppy disk drives (FDD(1)).

F D D (2)) F with built-in 32A and 32B
The system is configured so that it is possible to upgrade the system from a DD/FDD type to an HDD/FDD type consisting of one 2.5-inch hard disk (HDD) and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, two floppy disk drives (FDD (1)) are used as the base casing of the personal computer main body (PC main body).

F D D (2)) F equipped with 32A and 32B
A DD/FDD type base case (see Figure 13(a)) 1^ and one 2.5-inch hard disk (HD
D) and an HDD/FDD type base housing equipped with a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive (Fig. 13(b)
)) Prepare the base casing IA (see Fig. 13(a)) and the base casing IB (see Fig. 13(b)).
Replace the mounted hard disk (HDD) with the built-in HD
D interface (HDD-IF) By connecting the connector through 41, you can easily connect HDD + FDD.
The system is configured so that it can be upgraded to a new type. At this time, the 2.5-inch hard disk (HDD) is mounted on a removable tray 111 in a housing having the same shape as a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, as shown in FIGS. 13(c) and 13(d).
Although the configuration is such that it can be placed on the removable tray 111 and taken out by operating the take-out button 112, the detailed configuration will be omitted here.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the power controller/1zc
When the device is in a power-off state, the PU 30B constantly monitors the operating state of the power switch 301 and the state of the power supply and the device in the power-off processing routine, and externally monitors the state of the power supply and the device. indicate. That is, in the power-on processing routine, after confirming that no expansion board is connected to the expansion connector 40 or that the expansion board connected to the expansion connector 40 is in a ready state, the power is turned on. Executes the power-on process, then determines the power status in the same way as the power-off process routine, determines the status of each part of the device, and recognizes that an abnormality has occurred in the power supply during the repetition of the process, or When it is recognized that the reset switch 302 has been operated, information to turn off the power is sent to the main CPU II, and then power off processing is executed. In this power-off process, each power source inside the device is controlled to be shut off in a predetermined order, except for the backup power source (VBK), after waiting for a response from the main CPU II, and then the process moves to the power-off process routine. At this time, the main CPU II connects the power control CP via the power control interface 28.
When information to turn off the power is received from the 030B, the setting state of the resume function is recognized, and if the resume function is in the resume setting state, the response information is sent to the power control interface 28 after finishing the resume processing using the backup RAM 19. It is then returned to the power control CPU 30G.

In this way, the power control CPU 30B
Main battery mentioned above (M-BAT^, M-
BATB) 31L, 31R executes a processing routine for the device power supply, including charging control and usage state control, and determines the operation state of the power switch 301 and the main battery (M
-BATA, M-BATB) 31L, 31
1? The status of the power supply and equipment, including the equipment, is constantly monitored, and the status of the power supply and equipment is displayed externally.

The power supply control means according to the present invention is not limited to the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, but can be easily applied to other system configurations. Further, the configuration of the power supply circuit 30 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be configured using a main battery (M
-BATA, M-BATB) 31L, 3
It may also be a means for recognizing the state of 1R. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, no operating power is supplied from the outside;
When the first or second main battery is in the discharge limit state where it can be charged, the means for notifying this through an LED display has been exemplified, but it may be configured to notify by a combination of a display and a sound.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, in a personal computer that is easy to carry and can be operated by an internal battery, a first computer that can be used and charged independently is provided. a second main battery; a means for determining the charge/discharge state of each of the batteries and selecting the first or second battery in a usable state as a target battery; and a power source for the target battery selected by the means; When the main battery is being driven by the main battery, it is determined whether the main battery in use has reached its usage limit that requires charging, and when the usage limit has been reached, the main battery is fully charged. The battery-powered battery-powered battery is equipped with a means for supplying charging power until the state is reached, a means for switching and controlling the battery to be used, and a means for displaying that there is an installed main battery that requires charging when the battery is driven by the main battery. By constantly monitoring the discharging state of the pair of main batteries at any given time, and determining and displaying the state in which charging is necessary, the inconvenience of the mounted battery falling into an over-discharged state that is difficult to charge can be avoided. Continuous operation can be maintained over a long period of time with stable battery power.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply circuit in the above embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively shown in the above embodiment. A flowchart showing the main battery processing flow of the power control CPU in the example, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of the status display section related to the charging control shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the type determination mechanism of the mounted battery bag in the above embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of the status display unit related to the battery drive control shown in the figure. 7th
9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the interface mechanism of the memory card used as the additional RAM in the above embodiment, and FIGS. Figure 13 shows the built-in HDD in each of the above embodiments.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a system upgrade means using an interface (HDD-IF), and is a diagram showing a pop-up menu for displaying the battery status in the above embodiment. l...Device main body (PC main body) IA...FDD+FDD type base casing, IB...HDD+FDD
Type base casing, 3...c p v hort, 1
0...System bus, 11...CPU (host CPU)
U), 12...ROM, 13...RAM, 14...
・DMA controller (DMA controller)
tMemory Access Control
r), 15--Interrupt controller (PIC;
Programmable Interrupt Con
troller), 1B-...interval tie v
(PIT: Programmable In
terval Tjaer), 17-...Clock module (RTC; Real-Time C1ock)
, 18... Expansion RAM (memory card) 19...
Backup RAM, 20... Floppy disk controller (FDC) 21... Printer controller (PRT-CONT), 22... Input/output interface (, UART, υn1versal＾5ync
chronous Receiver/Transajt
ter), 23-...Keyboard controller (K
BC), 24...Display': I a-ra (D I
S P-C'ON T), 25-? Thio RAM (V
RAM), 2B...Kanji ROM, 27...Dictionary RO
M, 28...Power control interface (PS-I
F), 29...Power adapter (AC adapter) 30
... Intelligent power supply (power supply circuit)
, 31L, 31R... Main battery (M-
BATA, M-BATB), 31S...Sub battery (S-BATT), 32A. 32B...Floppy disk drive (FDD (1)
). F D D (2)), 33...External floppy disk drive, 34...Printer, 35...R8-
212C interface device, 3B...Keyboard, 37...LCD, 40...Expansion bus connector (E
BC), 41...Built-in HDD interface (HD
D-IF), 50...Status display section, 70...Protruding piece, 71...Current capacity detection switch, 111...
Removable tray, 112...Eject button, 301...Power switch, 302...Reset switch, 303...
- Display switch, 304... Main battery capacity setting switch, 305... Parallel I10.
30B...Power control CPU (PC-CP
U), 307...Internal bus, 308...10 driver, 309...Main battery switch (S L
I), 310a... Main battery switch (
SRI), 310b... Main battery switch (SRO), 311, 3111i... Charge unit, 312... Current detector, 313, 31
4... Backflow prevention diode, 315, 317...
・DC-DC converter, Ll, L2, L3, -L
9-=LED, Ta. Tb: Memory card terminal. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 (a) Figure (a) (b) (c) Figure 8 (a) Figure (b)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) means for inputting an external power source; first and second main batteries that can be charged by the input power; a means for selecting a battery to be used, a means for supplying power from the battery selected by the same means to an internal circuit, and a means for selecting a battery to be used when the main battery is in use when the main battery is used for driving. means for determining whether or not the limit has been reached, and supplying charging power to the main battery until it is fully charged when the limit of use has been reached; and means for switching and controlling the target battery to be used; and means for displaying the presence of a mounted main battery that requires charging. (2) When the main battery is powered, when no operating power is supplied from the outside and the first and second main batteries are in a state that requires charging, or when the first and second main batteries are Claim (1) further comprising means for controlling the operating power source to be cut off after a predetermined period of time when one of the batteries is in a state that requires charging and the other battery is in an unattached state. Personal computer as described. (3) One LED is provided corresponding to each of the first and second main batteries, and the LED indicates the three states of the corresponding main battery: charging required, charging in progress, and charging completed;
2. The personal computer according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a battery usage state when the computer is driven by a battery.