JPH0454621A - Personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the reliability by deciding whether a main battery which is being used becomes its use limit or not, and switching the use object battery, when it becomes the use limit. CONSTITUTION:At the time of checking a power supply voltage state of, for instance, the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L, when it is decided that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a power supply voltage state that a normal operation cannot be secured, that is, in a low battery state, whether the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is in a power supply voltage state that the normal operation can be secured or not is decided, and when it is in the power supply voltage state that the normal operation can be secured, a main battery switch (SRO) 310b is subjected to turn-on control. In such a way, battery driving can be executed with high accuracy extending over many hours.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates 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 may be cut off unexpectedly during processing, causing inconveniences such as having to stop the operation halfway through processing, as well as overlooking the discharging state of the mounted battery that requires charging, and causing overloading that is difficult to charge. There was a risk of falling into a discharge 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 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 intended to provide a personal computer that is easy to carry and can be operated with a built-in battery, and in particular allows two sets of batteries to be linked together for highly reliable and long-term battery-powered use. The purpose is to provide a personal computer that can

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a rechargeable first battery. a second main battery; and 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 for use;
A means for supplying the power of the battery to be used selected by the same means to the internal circuit, and a means for determining whether or not the main battery in use has reached its usable limit during battery drive by the main battery, and determining whether the main battery in use has reached its usable limit. The system is equipped with a means for switching the battery to be used when the battery becomes
It is configured to switch and control the battery used, which enables highly reliable battery drive over a long period of time.

(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, one port is a system bus, and 11 to 28 are components connected to the system bus IO. Among these components, 11 is a CPU (main CPU) that controls the entire system, 12 is a system firmware ROM that stores fixed programs, etc., and 13 is a main memory that stores programs and data to be processed. R
AM514 is D that performs direct memory access control.
MA controller (DMAC; Dlrect
Memory Access Controller)
15 is an interrupt controller (PIC; Programa+ableInt) that can be set by a program.
errupt controller) 1B is an interval timer (PI
T.

Programmable Interval Ti
ger) 17 is a clock module (RTC) with its own operating battery.

Real-Time C1ock), 1g is a large capacity expansion R that can be inserted into and removed from the dedicated card slot of the main unit.
AM, and here it is possible to mount any four types of memory cards, including existing memory cards of IMB and 2MB, and new memory cards of 4MB and 8MB. In this case, the existing memory card (IMB).

The shared interface mechanism for the 2MB) and new memory cards (4MB, 8MB) will be described later 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), and here two floppy disk drives (FDD (1), FDD
(2)) 32A and 32B are controlled, but one floppy disk drive (for example, FD
A 2.5-inch hard disk can be installed in place of the D(2)32B), making system upgrades easy. From the FDD ten FDD configuration at this time, HDD +
Means for upgrading the system to an FDD configuration will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11 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; [Infversal＾5ynchrono
(usReceiver/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 (DI 5P-CONT), which is an LCD 3 with a side light using an FL (cold cathode tube) mounted on a display housing rotatably attached to the main body of the device.
7 is the display drive target, but it is also possible to control the display drive of a CRT display section as an external display. 25 is a video RAM (VRAM) to which a backup power supply (VBK) is supplied, and 26 is a kanji ROM that obtains kanji character patterns from kanji character codes.

27 is a dictionary ROM that implements a kana/kanji conversion dictionary and the like. 28 is 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 II via the system bus 10; It has a serial-to-parallel conversion function to transfer data between the two using 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 3o will be described later with reference to FIG.

31L and 31R are pack-type main batteries (M-BATA) each consisting of a rechargeable battery and detachable from the device body (PC body).

M-BATB), and here, under the control of the power supply circuit 80 during operation, one of the batteries is selected as the target of use (power supply target), and when that battery is discharged to its usable limit, the battery to be used is selected. is switched, and the other battery becomes the target of use. Also, the above pair of main batteries (M-BATA,
M-BATB) 31L, 811? Of these, 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 (2200
A main battery (IIA type/1700mA type) is prepared, and the configuration is such that any of these batteries can be used. This main battery (M-BATA
.

The charging control processing means of M-BATB) 31L and 81R are shown in FIG. 3, and the selection and switching processing means including battery check during battery drive are shown in FIG. 4. For the status display, please refer to Figure 5. Also, the battery usage status display and condition! ! Transition displays will be described later with reference to FIG. 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 for the main battery, and any battery pack can be mounted. A mechanism for determining the type of the mounted battery pack and a charging processing means according to the type determination will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The 31S is a built-in sub-battery (S-BAT) that also consists of a rechargeable battery, and the RA
M13. Expansion RAM 1111. Video RAM
Supplies backup power (VBK) to memories that require backup, such as 25.

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-IF) when upgrading the system.
(2)) Built-in H via connector 42 instead of 32B
DD is interfaced. At this time, the two floppy disk drives (FDD(1), F
DD(2)) FD with built-in 32A, 32B
Methods 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 D+FDD type will be described later with reference to Figures 11 to 13. do.

50 is a power control CPU of the power supply circuit 30;
This is a status display section consisting of a plurality of status display LEDs (Ll-L9) whose display drive is controlled under the control of 30B, the details of which 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 (2200mA type/1700mA type) setting switch, which is set to ON when using a high capacity (2200mA type) main battery (31L or 31R). 805 indicates each of these switches 301 and 302
.

303, 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 based on the internal status, external operation status, etc. Here, the left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) are used.
It has a power supply control processing function 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 drivers are 10 drivers that drive and control 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-B A
TA) 31L status display LED (L2), right main battery (M-BATB) 31R status display LED (L3), AC adapter connection status LED (L4), floppy disk drive (FDD (FDD)) 1)) 32A usage status display LE
D (L5), floppy disk drive (F
D D (2)) 32B usage status display LED (L
6) 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. Also, LED (L2
, L3) are the corresponding main batteries (
M-BATAM-BATB) 31L and 31R are driven to flash in red when they are in a low battery state (discharged state at the limit of use), are driven to light up in yellow (red and green) when in a rapid charge state, and light in green when charging is complete. Driven. Further, the 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 when the power supply circuit 30 is in an abnormal state.

309 is a left main battery (MBATA) 31 which is controlled on/off by the output of the IO driver 308 according to the control of the power control CPU 30B.
The main battery switches (S L I ), 310a and 310b interposed in the current supply path of L, have the same <I
This is a main battery switch (SRI, 5RO) interposed in the current supply path and current output path of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R, which is controlled on/off by the output of the O driver 308. 311 is a main battery under the control of power control CPU 306.
(M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L,
This is a charging unit that charges 31R. 312
is the main battery (M-BATA, M-BATB
) This is a current detector that detects the output current of 31L and 31R. 313 and 314 are main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB) 31L and 31, respectively.
This is a diode for preventing backflow that is interposed in the current output path of R. 315 is the power supply of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L via the main battery switch 309, or the main battery switches 310a and 310b.
Right main battery (M-BATB) 31R
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. 318 is the current value detected by the current detector 312 and the main battery (M-BATA).

M-BATB) 31L, 31R output voltage, D
The power control CPU 3 converts the output voltages of the C-DC converters 315 and 317 into digital data.
This is an A/D converter that performs analog/digital conversion for supplying to 0B. 319 is power control C
Serial I10 for transmitting and receiving information between P U 3H and main CPU II, and power control C
Convert the data received from P U 30 [i into serial data and convert it to power supply control interface (PS-IF) 28
The serial data is restored to parallel data by the power supply control interface (PS-IF) 28 and sent to the main CPU II.

Figures 3 and 4 are power control CP, respectively.
It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of U30B.

Of these, Fig. 3 shows the above power control CP IJ.
30B is a flowchart showing a charge control routine in one embodiment of the present invention, which is executed under the control of the charge controller 30B. This charging control (charge control) processing is performed by the power control CPU 30B.
is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals when the connection state of the AC adapter is confirmed via the A/D converter 31g. Figure 4 shows the above power control CP 030
12 is a flowchart showing a power-on processing routine executed under the control of the computer B during battery operation (operation with no AC adapter connected) in an embodiment of the present invention. 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
Status display LED (L2) of left main battery (M-BATA) 31L, right main battery (M-BATA) under charging control with external power supplied from the adapter.
-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 ) all , 31H, 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 )
311? The main battery (M-BA
TA, M-BATB) 31L SIR, when two types of battery backs with different current capacities (in this case, a high capacity type of 220C1mA and a low capacity type of 1700mA) can be used arbitrarily, making it easy to replace. Install the battery pack on the side where it is possible (right main battery (M)
-BATB) 811? ) is a diagram for explaining the type (capacity type) determination mechanism of the power control CPU 30 according to the capacity setting switch 304.
This figure shows the setting data (charging control parameter) switching processing flow in step 6. Here, the target is the capacity setting of the battery back (left main battery (M-BATA) 31L) that is semi-fixed with the screws mentioned above. becomes.

That is, 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-BA
TA) 31L), and the other right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is configured to be freely attachable and detachable using a sliding mounting means, and each of the above-mentioned main batteries (M-BATA).

M-BATB) 31L, 31R, Fig. 7 (a
).

As shown in (b), the configuration is such that two types of battery bags with different current capacities (here, a high capacity type of 2200 gA and a low capacity type of 1700 mA) can be used arbitrarily. At this time, each of the above main batteries (M-B
ATA, M-BATB) 3xt, sIR charging control is performed by the power control CPU as described above.
3 [1B, this is done based on the setting data (charging control parameters), but in order to be able to arbitrarily use the two types of battery bags with different current capacities as described above,
It is necessary to control the charging current using setting data (charging control parameters) depending on the capacity type of the mounted battery pack. Therefore, in this embodiment, the battery pack is semi-fixed with screws, that is, the left main battery pack is fixed with screws.
(M-BATA) 31L is configured to set the capacity type of the mounted battery pack by operating the main battery capacity setting switch 304 according to the capacity type of the mounted battery pack. At this time, the power control CPU according to the capacity setting switch 304
The setting data (charging control parameter) switching processing means of 30B 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 attachment means, namely the right main battery (M-BATB) 3.
For 1R, the configuration is such that the capacity type of the mounted battery bag is automatically recognized and the setting data (charging control parameters) are automatically switched. That is, here, among the battery bags used as the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R, a low capacity type battery bag of 1700+aA is installed in the mounting direction (arrow shown) as shown in FIG. 7(b). A protruding piece 7o for switch operation is provided at the tip of the position, and when the battery bag is attached to the main body of the device (PC main body), the protruding piece 7o
A switch 71 operated by the switch 71 is provided, and the power control CPU 30 is operated based on the signal from the switch 71.
B recognizes the capacity type of the installed battery pack and generates setting data (charging control parameters) according to that capacity type.
Right main battery (M-BATB) 31R using
It is configured to control the charging current of the battery bag.

Figures 9 and 10 show I as an additional RAM 1B.
MB, 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), we will reduce the power pin and ground pin of the existing memory card (IMB, 2MB) by one (total of two), and use one of them (Ta). The address increase for new memory cards (4MB, 8MB) and the remaining one (Tb) are allocated to identify the same card, and the signal at terminal Tb (S E L
) is at high level (SEL-“1”), the increased address (A9; 4MB, 8M
The configuration controls the output of the most significant bit of the address of the B card.

11 to 13 show two floppy disk drives (FDD (1)) using a built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF) 41.

F D D (2)) F with built-in 32A and 32B
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method for upgrading the system to an HDD+FDD type consisting of one 2.5-inch hard disk (HDD) and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive instead of the DD+FDD type. In the same figure, ■ indicates CPU board 3. This is the base case of a personal computer main body (PC main body) in which a keyboard 36 and the like are mounted, and here two floppy disk drives (FDD (1)).

F D D (2)) F equipped with 32A and 32B
DD+FDD type base case (see Figure 13(a)) IA and one 2.5-inch hard disk (H
HDD + FDD type base housing (Figure 13 (
b)) IB and two types of base casings are prepared, base casing LA (see Fig. 13(a)) and base casing IB (see Fig. 13(a)).
(see Figure 13(b)), and replace it with the mounted hard disk (see Figure 13(b)).
Built-in HDD interface (HDD-I)
By connecting the connector via F) 41, the system can be easily upgraded to an HDD+FDD type. At this time, 2.5 inch hard disk (HDD)
) is housed in a housing having the same shape as a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, placed on a removable tray 111, as shown in FIGS. 13(c) and 13(d).
The configuration is such that it can be placed on the removable tray 111 and taken out by the operation of step 2, but 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-BATAM-BATB) 31L, 31
J? Each display area ((LEFT>E
In F and (RIGHT>E P), the state where the battery is not installed is displayed as "N/AJ", and the state where the battery is installed (the state before charging starts!) is displayed.
When the battery starts charging, the above battery installed status will be displayed as “???”.
The existing battery capacity is indicated by a triangle mark (maximum 7m).

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 I.
/ 0305, and its state is read into the power control CPU 30B at a predetermined processing timing, and the operation of the power switch 301 is recognized. 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, external operating power (DC-IN) is being supplied to the device main body from the AC adapter 29, and the external power supply status is determined by the power control CPU 306 via the A/D converter 31B and the internal lotus 307. is recognized by the power control CPU 30B, and under the control of the power control CPU 306,
LE for displaying the AC adapter connection status of the status display unit 50 via the parallel l10305 and 10 driver 308
D (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
When the right main battery (M
-BATB) 31R is installed (Step S2 in Figure 3), and the right main battery (M
-BATB) 31R is installed, the main battery switch (SLI) 309 is turned off and the main battery switch (SRI) 310a is turned on, and the charge control of the charge unit 311 controls the right main battery. (M-BATB
) 311? Charging is performed (step S3 in FIG. 3).

In this case, the right main battery (M-BATB) 31
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-BATB) 31R is being charged (Figure 3). Step S4.

(See Figure 5).

By the above charging control, the right main battery (M-BAT
B) When 31R is fully charged and the fully charged state is detected (step S5 in Figure 3), the right main battery (M
-BATB) 31R status display LED (L3)
is driven to light up in green (red off/green on), and the same LED
(L3), the right main battery (M-BAT
B) It is displayed that 31R has completed charging (step S6 in FIG. 3; see FIG. 5).

When this right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is fully charged, the main battery switch (SRI)
310a is controlled to be turned off (step S7 in FIG. 3).

In addition, when it is determined that the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is not installed in the installation state determination of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R (step S2 in FIG. 3), the left main battery (M-BATB) 31R is not installed. M-BATA
) 31L is installed (step S8 in Figure 3), and the left main battery (M-BATA
) 31L is installed, the main battery switch (SLI) 309 is turned on and the main battery switch (SRI) 310a is turned off, and the left main battery (M -BA TA') 3
1L 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 (Fig. 3). Step 510° (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).

When this left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is fully charged, the main battery switch (SLI)
309 is turned off (step 513 in FIG. 3).

In this way, the external operating power supply (DC
-IN) is supplied, power control C
Under the control of P U 30Ei, each left and right main battery (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 523 in FIG. 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
15, the operating power for each part is generated (power is turned on by the left main battery (M-BATA) 81L).

Further, the operation determination step of the power switch 301 (fourth
In step S20), if it is not detected that the power switch 301 has been operated for a certain period of time, it is determined whether the power switch 301 is currently in the power-on state (fourth step S20).
Figure step 521), power-on state (power-on state)
If so, left main battery (M-BATA) 31
It is determined whether or not L is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (step 523 in FIG. 4), and when the power supply voltage is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation, the LED (L4) is controlled to turn off. Step 82B), left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BATB)
) It is determined which of the batteries 31L and 31R is used to turn on the power (step 527 in FIG. 4).

In addition, when checking the power supply voltage status of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L (step 523 in FIG. 4), the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is found to be in a power supply voltage state that cannot ensure normal operation, that is, a low battery state. If it is determined that the right main battery (M-BA
TB) It is determined whether or not the 31R is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (Step 524 in Figure 4), and when the power supply voltage is in a state that can ensure normal operation, the main battery switch (SRO) 310b is turned on. After controlling (
Step 525 in FIG. 4), turns off the LED (L4), and controls the left and right main batteries (M-BATA, M-BAT) in Step S2 [i) in FIG.
B) 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
By controlling b to turn on, the right main battery (
M-BATB) 31Rt7) Power supply fJ<DC-DC
The battery power is supplied to the converter 315, and the DC-DC converter 315 generates power for operating each part based on the battery power. Also, in this case, the right main battery (M-B A TB ) 31R is
This prevents power from flowing from the main battery (M-BATA) 31L 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-BATA
) 31L, the status display LED (L2) of the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L lights up green (red off/green on), and the LED (L2) lights up green (red off/green on). , it is displayed that the left main battery (M-B, ATA) 31L is selected and in use (step 828- in Figure 4).
(see Figure 6(b)), as well as the left main battery (M
-BATA) 31L is in a low battery state (step 529 in FIG. 4).

Here, the left main battery (M-BATA) 81
When it is determined that L is in a low battery state, the right main battery (M-B A TB ) 311? It is determined whether or not the device is attached (step S30 in FIG. 4).

Here, right main battery (M-BATB) 31R
If it is installed, the same battery (M-BATB) 3
It is determined whether or not 1R is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (step 531 in FIG. 4), and if the power supply voltage is in a state that can ensure normal operation, the main battery switch (SRO) 310b is turned on. The power from the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is supplied to the DC-DC converter 315, and the DC-DC converter 315 generates power for each part 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 red (red on/
The LED (L2) indicates that the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a low battery state that requires charging (step S33 in Figure 3; Figure 5). (See (C)) Furthermore, the status display LED (L3) of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is driven to light up in green (red off/green on), and the LED (L3) indicates that the right main battery <M - BATB ) 31R is selected and displayed that it is in use (Step S34 in Figure 4; Figure 6 (
b)).

Also, 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) SIR is installed (step 530 in FIG. 4), or when the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is not installed, M-B A
TB) 31R status judgment (Fig. 4 step S 31
), right main battery (M-BATB) all
? If it is determined that the battery is in a low battery state that requires charging, the left main battery (M-BATA
) 31L status display LED (L2) is red (
The same LED (L2
), the left main battery (M-BATA)
The display indicates that the 3LL is in a low battery state that requires charging and cannot be powered by the battery (3rd
(See Figure Step 539 - Figure 5(C)).

Also, in the power-on battery identification (step 527 in Figure 4), the right main battery (M-BATB) 31
When it is determined that R is selected and used, the right main battery (M-BATB) 81R status display LE
D (L3) is driven to light up in green (red off/green on), and the LED (L3) indicates that the right main battery (M-BATB) 81R is selected and in use (see step 4 in Figure 4). 834; see Figure 6(b)), as well as the right main battery (M-BATB'
) It is determined whether or not 31R is in a low battery state (step 535 in FIG. 4).

Here, right main battery (M-BATB) 81R
When the battery is in a low battery state, it is determined whether the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is installed (
Step 836 in Fig. 4), left main battery (M-
If the battery (M-BATA) 31L is installed, it is determined whether the battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a power supply voltage state that can ensure normal operation (Step 5 in Figure 4).
37).

When the left main battery (M-BATA) 31L is in a power supply voltage state that ensures normal operation, the status display LED (L2 ”) of the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is red (red on/green). The LED (L2) indicates that the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R is in a low battery state that requires charging (Step 838 in Figure 3; Figure 5 (C)). ), the above-mentioned power-on state (power-on state) judgment step (Figure 4, step 5
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 attachment/non-attachment judgment (step 530 in Figure 4), or when the left main battery (M-BA
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-B A TB)
The status display LED (L3) of 31R is driven to flash in red (blinking red/off green), and the LED (L3) indicates that the right main battery (M-B A TB) 3
It is displayed that 1R is in a low battery state that requires charging and cannot be driven by battery (step S40 in FIG. 3; see FIG. 5(c)).

Above left main battery (M-BATA) 31
L status display LED (L2) or right main battery (M-BATB) 31R status display LED
When D (L3) is driven to flash in red, a power-off processing routine (not shown) is entered after a set time (3 minutes in this case) has been left in operation.

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-B A
TA) 31L), and the other right main battery (M-BATAB) 31R is configured to be freely attachable and detachable using a sliding mounting means, and each of the above-mentioned main batteries (M-BATA).

M-BATB) 31L, 31R, Fig. 7 (a
).

As shown in (b), the configuration is such that any two types of battery packs with different current capacities (here, a high capacity type of 2200 mA and a low capacity type of 17001^) can be used.

At this time, each of the above main batteries (M-BATA, M
-BATB) 31L and 31R are controlled by the power control CPU 306 based on the setting data (charging control parameters) as described above, but the two types of battery backs with different current capacities described above can be arbitrarily controlled. In order to enable use, setting data (charging control parameters) according to the capacity type of the installed battery bag is required.
It is necessary to control the charging current by

Therefore, in this embodiment, a semi-fixed battery bag fixed with screws, that is, a left main battery (M-BAT
A) For 31L, set the main battery capacity setting switch 30 according to the capacity type of the installed battery bag.
4 to set the capacity type of the installed battery pack. At this time, capacity setting switch 3
The setting data (charging control parameters) switching processing means of the power control CP IJ 30B according to 04 is
This is shown in the flowchart in Figure. In addition, for the battery bag that can be attached and detached at will using a sliding mounting means, that is, the right main battery (M-BATB) 81R, the capacity type of the installed battery bag is automatically recognized and the setting data (charging control parameters) are automatically switched. That is, here, the right main battery
(M-BATB) Among the battery packs used as 81R, a 1700mA low capacity battery pack is equipped with a switch for operation at the tip in the fixed position in the mounting direction (arrow in the figure), as shown in Figure 7(b). protruding piece 70
A switch 71 is provided on the device body (PC body) that is operated by the protruding piece 70 when the battery pack is installed, and a power control CP 030B is implemented based on the signal from the switch 71. The configuration is such that the capacity type of the battery pack is recognized and the charging current control of the battery pack serving as the right main battery (MB A TB ) 31R is performed using setting data (charging control parameters) corresponding to the capacity type.

With this configuration, the user can choose between any capacity type, high capacity type (2200mA high capacity type), etc. for the battery back, which is the right main battery (M-BATB) 31R, which can be attached and detached at will, without the user having to be aware of the capacity types being the same. / 1700 ra^ low capacity type battery pack can be used, and for semi-fixed left main battery (M-BATA) 31L battery packs, the capacity setting switch must be pressed once when the pack is installed. 304, it is possible to easily use an arbitrary battery capacity configuration depending on the purpose of use.

In addition, in this embodiment, the main battery (M-BATA
, M-BATB) 31L, 31R, and the capacity (remaining capacity) status is displayed in a pop-up menu shown in FIG. power control cpo3
Under the control of the left and right main batteries (M-BATA).

M-BATB) Each display area targeting 81L and 31R ((LEFT>EF, (RIGHT
) In F), the state where the battery is not installed is displayed as rN/AJ, the state where the battery is installed and before charging is displayed as "???", and when the battery starts charging, the above Battery installed status "'il'7'
? Instead of displaying J, the current battery capacity is indicated by a triangle mark (
maximum of 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.

Further, in this embodiment, as the additional RAM 18, IMB,
4MB on existing 2MB memory card.

It is possible to install any four types of memory cards, including a new 8MB memory card, and the existing memory card (IMB, 2MB) and new memory card (4MB, 8MB) can be installed.
MB) common interface mechanism in Figures 9 and 10.
Shown in the figure. Here, within a certain pin number limit (for example 40 pins), existing memory cards (IMB, 2MB
) by replacing one power supply pin and one ground pin (total of two pins) to realize an interface with new memory cards (4MB, 8MB). Of the two pins mentioned above, one (Ta) New memory card (4MB, 8M
B) address increase, the remaining one (Tb) is allocated for identifying the same card, and the signal (SEL) of terminal Tb is
is at a high level (SEL-“1-”) The increased address (A9; 4MB) is sent to the 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 IMB is used as the additional RAM 18.

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
Using the D-IF) 41, you can 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)), an IA, and one 2.5-inch hard disk (H
HDD + FDD type base housing (Figure 13 (
(see b)) Prepare the IB and the base case IA (1st
3(a)) with the base casing IB (see FIG. 13(b)), and connect the mounted/X-hard disk (HDD) to the connector via the built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF) 41. Easy HDD + FD by connecting
The configuration allows the system to be upgraded to the D type. At this time, the 2.5-inch hard disk (HDD) is the 13th
As shown in Figures (c) and (d), a removable tray 11 is installed in a housing that has the same shape as a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive.
1 and stored, and by operating the eject button 112,
Although the configuration is such that it can be placed on the removable tray 111 and taken out, the detailed configuration will be omitted here.

Further, in the above embodiment, the power control CPU
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 when the device is in the power-off state, 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 controls the power control CPU via the power control interface 28.
When it receives the information to turn off the power from 30B, it recognizes the setting state of the resume function, and when it is in the resume setting state, it sends the response information after completing the resume processing using the l/sofa/tub RAM 19. Power control CPU 3 via power control interface 28
Return to 0B.

In this way, the power control CPU 30B
The main battery (M-BATA) mentioned above.

The processing routine for the device power supply including charging control and usage state control of the M-BATB) 31L and 31R is executed to check the operation state of the power switch 301 and the main power switch 301 (M-BATA, M-BAT).
B) Constantly monitor the status of the power supply and equipment including 31L and 31R, and display the status of the power supply and equipment 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 embodiments, and may be configured other than the above embodiments using the main battery (
M-BATA.

It may also be a means for recognizing the status of M-BATB) 31L and 31R. Further, in the above embodiment, when the first or second main battery, which is supplied with operating power from the outside, is in the discharge limit state where it can be charged, the means is exemplified to notify that fact by means of an LED display. However, the notification may be configured to be notified by a combination of display and 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, there is a first device that can be charged and used independently. 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; and a means for determining whether or not the main battery in use has reached its usable limit during battery drive by the main battery, and switching the battery to be used when the main battery has reached its usable limit. In preparation, when running on battery,
By recognizing the state of the battery in use and controlling the switching of the battery in use, highly reliable battery operation over a long period of time becomes possible.

[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. FIG. 5 is 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 unit 50 related to the charging control shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of the status display unit 50 related to battery drive control, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the type determination mechanism of the mounted battery bag in the above embodiment, and FIG. is a power control CPU that follows the type determination shown in Figure 7 above.
9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the interface mechanism of the memory card used as the additional RAM in the above embodiment,
Figures 11 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the system upgrade means using the built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF) in the above embodiment, respectively, and Figure 14 is a battery status display in the above embodiment. It is a figure showing a pop-up menu for. ■...Device body (PC body) IA...FDD+
FDD type base housing, IB...HDD and FDD
Type base housing, 3...CPU board, lO...
・System bus, 11...CPU (host CPU)
, 12...ROM%13...RAM, 14...D
MA controller (DMAC; Direct
Memory Access Controller)
, 15-... Interrupt controller (PIC; Pr
ograIIla+ableInterrupt Co
ntroller) 1B...Interval tie 7
(PIT; Programmable In
terval Timer), 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 (U A RT; Universal
Asynchronous Receiver/Tra
nsmitter) 2B--Keyboard controller (WBC) 24-Display controller (DI
SP-CONT) 25...Video RAM (VRA
M), 2B-...Kanji ROM, 27...Dictionary R
OM, 28...Power control interface (PS-I
F), 29...Power adapter (AC adapter) 30.
... Intelligent power supply (power supply circuit) 31
L, 31R...Main battery (M-BAT
A. M-BATB) 31S...Sub battery (S
-ATT) 32^, 32B... Floppy disk drive (FDD(1), FDD(2)
), 33...external floppy disk drive, 3
4...Printer, 35...R8-232C interface device, 36...Keyboard, 37...LC
D, 40... Expansion bus connector (E B C), 41
...Built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF)
50...Status display section, 70...Protruding piece, 71...
・Current capacity detection switch, 111...Removable tray, 1
12... Eject button, 301... Power switch, 30
2... Reset switch, 303... Display switch, 304... Main battery capacity setting switch, 305... Parallel I10.30B... Power control CPU (PC-CPU), 307
...internal bus, 308...10 driver, 309-
・・Main battery switch (SLI) 310a
...Main battery switch (SRI) 3
10b...Main battery switch (SRO)
311 316...Charge unit, 312...
- Current detector, 313, 314... Backflow prevention diode, 315, 817... DC-DC converter, Ll, L2. L3. ...L9...LED. Ta, Tb...Memory card terminals. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 (a) Figure (a) (b) (c) Figure (a) Figure (b)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Rechargeable first and second main batteries;
Means for determining the charging/discharging state of each of the batteries and selecting the first or second battery in a usable state as a target battery, and supplying power to the target battery selected by the means to an internal circuit. and a means for determining whether or not the main battery in use has reached its usage limit during driving by the main battery, and switching the target battery to be used when the usage limit has been reached. Personal computer. (2) A personal computer characterized by comprising: means for displaying whether the selected battery to be used is the first or second main battery.