JPH11285158A - Battery control method and device, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a battery control method and device capable of constantly and efficiently charging a battery. SOLUTION: A sub CPU 7 controls a battery 1.
1, 13 charging currents are detected, the detected charging currents are compared with the charging capacity of the system, and the charging current is always higher than the charging capacity of the system while charging the battery having high charging efficiency. If it is lower, the control is performed so that the batteries 11 and 13 are charged simultaneously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery control method and device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system (including electronic equipment) and a storage medium storing a control program for controlling the battery control device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a battery charging control method in a case where a plurality of batteries are mounted in an electronic system, performs charging in accordance with a charging priority determined in advance by the electronic system, and when the electronic system is fully charged. , The battery with the next highest priority was charged.

Further, when a plurality of batteries are mounted on a portable electronic device, several methods have been considered as a method of controlling the use of these batteries.

The simplest method is to connect a plurality of batteries in parallel and use them simultaneously. This method has the advantage that the electronic device can continue to operate even if one of the batteries is suddenly removed from the electronic device. However, on the other hand, when one battery is removed from the electronic device and the operation is continued while the battery is operating, there is a disadvantage that the remaining available electric power decreases by the remaining amount of the removed battery.

For this reason, if control is performed so that the power of the battery is used in order, the battery with a small remaining amount is removed even when the battery is removed, so that the remaining battery when the electronic device is carried is carried. It is possible to increase the amount.

[0006] Such a situation occurs, for example, when carrying an electronic device, when a user removes and carries some batteries from the electronic device to reduce the weight.

[0007] Therefore, when the second method is used in which the order in which the batteries are used is determined in advance, and the connected batteries are sequentially switched one by one and used, the electronic device which is problematic in the above-described method is used. When the battery is removed from the electronic device when the portable device is carried, if the battery with the smaller remaining capacity is selected and removed, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the battery remaining capacity in this state.

However, when the second method is adopted, a new problem occurs. That is, when the battery is removed from the electronic device, if the battery used by the electronic device is removed, the operation of the electronic device stops.

Therefore, when the second method is used,
It is necessary to notify a control circuit in the electronic device in advance that the battery is to be removed from the electronic device.
A mechanical lock mechanism is provided to prevent the battery from being easily removed, and when the user removes the battery from the electronic device, the battery is released from the electronic device after releasing the lock by the lock mechanism. ing. Then, inside the electronic device, it is detected that the lock by the lock mechanism has been released, and the usage state of the battery is changed so that the battery may be removed from the electronic device.

Conventionally, by providing such a mechanical locking mechanism, a method of sequentially switching and using batteries in a portable electronic device having a plurality of batteries has been realized.

[0011]

However, as described above, the electronic system performs charging according to the charging priority determined in advance, and when the battery is fully charged, the battery with the next highest priority is charged. In the conventional example where charging is performed by charging the battery, the charging efficiency per unit time differs greatly between when the state of charge of the battery is close to empty and when the state of charge is close to full, such as a lithium ion battery. Since the charging is performed in a predetermined order without performing the charging control in consideration, there is a problem that efficient charging cannot be performed except when all the batteries are fully charged.

Further, by providing a mechanical lock mechanism as described above, in a conventional example in which a battery is sequentially switched and used in a portable electronic device having a plurality of batteries mounted thereon, a mechanical lock mechanism is provided. Therefore, there is a problem that a complicated lock mechanism needs to be provided, and the configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the above-described conventional technology, and a first object of the present invention is to always efficiently charge a battery. It is another object of the present invention to provide a battery control method and device as described above.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a battery control method and apparatus capable of sequentially consuming a battery without providing a mechanical lock mechanism. .

A third object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a control program capable of smoothly controlling a battery control device capable of achieving the first object described above. Things.

Further, a fourth object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a control program capable of smoothly controlling a battery control device capable of achieving the above-mentioned second object. Things.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system. A charging efficiency calculating step of calculating a charging efficiency from a battery voltage at the time of charging, a charging efficiency comparing step of comparing the charging efficiency calculated in the charging efficiency calculating step, and always charging a battery having a high charging efficiency. And a control step of controlling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control method according to the first aspect, wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, wherein the battery control device includes a battery for charging. Charging efficiency calculating means for calculating the charging efficiency from the voltage, charging efficiency comparing means for comparing the charging efficiency calculated in the charging efficiency calculating step, and control means for controlling to always charge a battery having a high charging efficiency And characterized in that:

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control device according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery. Features.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, the method comprising: A charging current detecting step of detecting a current; a comparing step of comparing the charging current detected in the charging current detecting step with the charging capability of the system; And controlling the battery to simultaneously charge a plurality of batteries when the current is lower than the charging capability of the system.

In order to achieve the first object, a battery control method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the battery control method according to the fifth aspect, wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control apparatus for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, the battery control apparatus comprising: A charging current detecting means for detecting a current; a comparing means for comparing the charging current detected by the charging current detecting means with the charging capability of the system; Control means for controlling a plurality of batteries to be charged simultaneously when the current is lower than the charging capacity of the system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control device according to the present invention, wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery. .

In order to achieve the second object, a battery control method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted in an electronic system and used by being sequentially switched. A detecting step of detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system; a switching step of temporarily switching a use state of the battery when the battery has been removed from the electronic system; and A change step of changing the usage state of the battery after detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system; and switching the usage state of the battery before the power is cut off even if the battery is removed from the electronic system. And a control step of performing control as described above.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control apparatus for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system and used by being sequentially switched. Detecting means for detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system; switching means for temporarily switching the use state of the battery when the battery has been removed from the electronic system; and Changing means for changing the use state of the battery after detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system, and switching the use state of the battery before the power is cut off even if the battery is removed from the electronic system. Control means for performing such control.

In order to achieve the second object, a battery control method according to claim 11 of the present invention is a battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted in an electronic system and used by being sequentially switched. A detecting step of detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system; a switching step of selecting a battery to be supplied with power from a plurality of batteries to switch a use state; A step of deciding whether to extract power from the electronic system, and temporarily connecting all the batteries in parallel via a power backflow prevention means when the detection step detects that the battery has been removed from the electronic system. A first control step of controlling
While the first control step controls all the batteries to be connected in parallel via the power backflow prevention means, the determination step determines which battery is to be extracted next, and the switching step And a second control step of performing control so as to switch the use state by selecting the selected one.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system and used by being sequentially switched. Detecting means for detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system; switching means for selecting a battery to be supplied with power from a plurality of batteries to switch the use state; Determining means for determining whether to extract power from the battery, power backflow preventing means for preventing backflow of power from the battery, and temporarily detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system by the detecting means. First control means for controlling all batteries to be connected in parallel via the power backflow prevention means; While the control means controls all the batteries to be connected in parallel via the power backflow prevention means, the determination means determines which battery is to be extracted next, and the switching means selects a battery. Control to switch the usage status by using
And control means.

In order to achieve the third object, a storage medium according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention stores a control program for controlling a battery control device that controls a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system. A control program which is a medium and has a control module for calculating charging efficiency from a battery voltage at the time of charging, comparing the calculated charging efficiencies, and controlling to always charge a battery having high charging efficiency. Is stored.

In order to achieve the third object, a storage medium according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention controls a battery control device which is mounted on an electronic system and controls a plurality of batteries which are sequentially switched and used. A storage medium for storing a control program, wherein the detection is made that the battery is removed from the electronic system, and when the battery is removed from the electronic system, the use state of the battery is temporarily switched, and the detection is performed. Changing the use state of the battery after detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system by a process, and switching the use state of the battery before power is cut off even if the battery is removed from the electronic system. That the control program having the control module of the control step is stored. To.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 15 of the present invention controls a battery control device which is mounted on an electronic system and controls a plurality of batteries which are sequentially switched and used. A storage medium for storing a control program, wherein it is determined from which battery power is to be taken out based on the state of the battery, and when it is detected that the battery has been removed from the electronic system, all of the batteries are temporarily stored. While the battery is controlled to be connected in parallel via the power backflow prevention means, it is determined which battery is to be used for power extraction based on the state of the battery next, and the battery is selected based on the determination. And storing a control program having a control module of a step of performing control to switch the use state.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus (main system; Main System), which is an electronic system including a battery control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. Device, 2 a system bus, 3 CPU for controlling the entire information processing device 1
(Central processing unit) 4 is an external storage unit (storage medium of the present invention) which stores a device control program and the like, and is loaded into a memory 5 described later as needed. 5
Is a memory in which information is stored. Reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit on which information is displayed. 7 is a Sub CPU that controls the power supply rotation
(Central processing unit), 8 is a DC / DC converter,
It converts the power output from the battery or the AC / DC converter before supplying it to the electronic system.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a power switch for turning on / off the power, and 10 denotes the first battery 1.
Charger 1 that charges battery 1 (Charge
r) and 11 are first batteries (Battery), which are lithium-ion batteries in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 12 denotes a second charger (Charger) for charging the second battery 13, and reference numeral 13 denotes a second battery (Batte).
ry), in this embodiment, a lithium ion battery.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply line of an information processing apparatus which is an electronic system including the battery control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 14 denotes a selector (Sel).
In this case, power supply control from the batteries 11 and 13 and charge control for the batteries 11 and 13 are performed. Fifteen
An AC / DC converter on the information processing apparatus 1 converts an AC current supplied from an AC line into a DC current.

Next, the battery charging processing operation of the information processing apparatus, which is an electronic system including the battery control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S301, the Sub CPU
7 determines whether the charging condition is satisfied. As the charging conditions, in addition to the fact that the AC adapter is connected, the temperature of the battery, the current voltage of the battery, and the charging current are appropriate values. If all the charging conditions are not satisfied, the determination processing in step S301 is continued until the charging conditions are satisfied. If all the charging conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step S302.

In step S302, the first battery 11
The Sub CPU 7 determines whether or not is fully charged by inquiring the first battery 11.
If the first battery 11 is not fully charged and can be charged, the process proceeds to the next step S303. In step S303, by setting the state in which the first battery 11 can be charged by the selector 14, the charging of the first battery 11 is started.
Proceed to 304. Before starting charging the first battery 11, the Sub CPU 7 checks the voltage of the first battery 11, and checks the voltage again after a predetermined time has elapsed. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is stored as the current charging efficiency value of the first battery 11. On the other hand, the step S
If the first battery 11 is fully charged in 302, the process skips step S303 and proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the second battery 13
The Sub CPU 7 determines whether or not is fully charged by inquiring of the second battery 13.
If the second battery 13 is not fully charged and can be charged, the process proceeds to the next step S305. In step S305, by setting the state in which the second battery 13 can be charged by the selector 14, the charging of the second battery 13 is started.
Proceed to 306. Before starting charging the second battery 13, the Sub CPU 7 checks the voltage of the second battery 13, and checks the voltage again after a predetermined time has elapsed. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is stored as the value of the current charging efficiency of the second battery 13. On the other hand, the step S
If the second battery 13 is fully charged in 304, the process skips step S305 and proceeds to step S306.

In step S306, the first battery 11
The Sub CPU 7 determines whether or not both the second battery 13 and the second battery 13 are fully charged by inquiring the first battery 11 and the second battery 13. When both the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are fully charged, the process ends without performing any processing. If both the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are not fully charged, the process proceeds to the next step S307.

In step S307, the Sub CPU 7
Compares the charging efficiencies of the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 to determine whether the charging efficiency of the first battery 11 is higher than the charging efficiency of the second battery 13.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the capacity of the battery is small, the charging efficiency per unit time is high, and the charging efficiency per unit time decreases as the capacity approaches full, as shown in FIG. I will do it. The electronic system stores the difference between the battery voltages when the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are charged for a unit time, and determines and selects a battery having a high charging efficiency by comparing the differences.

If the charging efficiency of the first battery 11 is higher than the charging efficiency of the second battery 13 in step S307, the process proceeds to step S308.
If the charging efficiency of the battery 3 is higher than the charging efficiency of the first battery 11, the process proceeds to step S309.

In step S308, the charging of the first battery 11 is started by setting the state in which the first battery 11 can be charged by the selector 14.
Before starting charging the first battery 11, Sub
The CPU 7 checks the voltage of the first battery 11, and checks the voltage again after a predetermined time has elapsed. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is changed from the previously stored value as the current charging efficiency value of the first battery 11 and stored. Thereafter, the process returns to step S306.

In step S309, the selector 1
The charging of the second battery 13 is started by setting the second battery 13 in a state in which the second battery 13 can be charged in Step 4. Before starting charging the second battery 13, Su
b. The CPU 7 checks the voltage of the second battery 13 and checks the voltage again after a certain period of time. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is changed and stored as the value of the current charging efficiency of the second battery 13 from the previously stored value. Thereafter, the process returns to step S306.

Confirmation of charging conditions such as AC adapter connection
The Sub CPU 7 is constantly monitoring other than the step S301, and the charging is terminated when the charging condition is not satisfied.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing charging characteristics of the two lithium ion batteries 11 and 13 by the battery control device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the vertical axis represents the charging capacity, and the horizontal axis represents time. , The solid line shows the charging characteristics of the two lithium ion batteries 11 and 13 by the battery control device according to the present embodiment, and the broken line shows the charging characteristics of the conventional example.

As is clear from FIG. 5, it can be seen that the charging characteristics of the battery control device according to the present embodiment are higher in efficiency than the charging characteristics of the conventional example.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The configuration of the information processing apparatus, which is an electronic system including the battery control device according to the present embodiment, and the configuration of the power supply line are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description will be made by using these figures.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a battery charging processing operation of the information processing apparatus which is an electronic system including the battery control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

First, in step S601, the Sub CPU
7 determines whether the charging condition is satisfied. As the charging conditions, in addition to the fact that the AC adapter is connected, the temperature of the battery, the current voltage of the battery, and the charging current are appropriate values. If all the charging conditions are not satisfied, the determination processing in step S601 is continuously performed until the charging conditions are satisfied. If all the charging conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step S602.

In step S602, the first battery 11
The Sub CPU 7 determines whether or not is fully charged by inquiring the first battery 11.
If the first battery 11 is not fully charged and can be charged, the process proceeds to the next step S603. In step S603, by setting the state where the first battery 11 can be charged by the selector 14, the charging of the first battery 11 is started.
Proceed to 604. Before starting charging the first battery 11, the Sub CPU 7 checks the voltage of the first battery 11, and checks the voltage again after a predetermined time has elapsed. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is stored as the current charging efficiency value of the first battery 11. The charging current at the end of charging is also stored to determine whether the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 can be charged simultaneously.

On the other hand, in step S602, the first
If the battery 11 is fully charged, the process skips step S603 and proceeds to step S604.

In step S604, the second battery 13
The Sub CPU 7 determines whether or not is fully charged by inquiring of the second battery 13.
If the second battery 13 is not fully charged and can be charged, the process proceeds to the next step S605. In step S605, by setting the state in which the second battery 13 can be charged by the selector 14, the charging of the second battery 13 is started.
Proceed to 606. Before starting charging the second battery 13, the Sub CPU 7 checks the voltage of the second battery 13, and checks the voltage again after a predetermined time has elapsed. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is stored as the value of the current charging efficiency of the second battery 13. The charging current at the end of charging is also stored to determine whether the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 can be charged simultaneously.

On the other hand, in step S604, the second
If the battery 13 is fully charged, the process skips step S605 and proceeds to step S606.

In step S606, the first battery 11
The Sub CPU 7 determines whether or not both the second battery 13 and the second battery 13 are fully charged by inquiring the first battery 11 and the second battery 13. When both the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are fully charged, the process ends without performing any processing. If both the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are not fully charged, the process proceeds to the next step S607.

In step S607, the first battery 11
And whether or not the second battery 13 can be charged at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the charge capacity of the lithium ion battery is small, the charge current shows a large value, but as the charge capacity increases, the charge current decreases. The previously stored charging currents at the end of charging of the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are added, and are lower than the charging capacity, and the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are not fully charged. In this case, since simultaneous charging can be performed efficiently, the answer in step S607 is affirmative (Yes), and the process proceeds to step S611. In addition, when the charging capacity is exceeded, or when the first battery 11 and the second battery 11 13 is fully charged, the process proceeds to step S60.
Since the answer at 7 is negative (No), step S6
Proceed to 08.

In step S611, the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 are set to a state in which the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 can be charged simultaneously by the selector 14, so that the charging of the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 is started. Later,
Since simultaneous charging is always possible, there is no need to measure the charging current and battery voltage for efficiency. Step S
After finishing the process of 611, the process returns to the step S606.

In step S608, Sub C
The PU 7 compares the charging efficiencies of the first battery 11 and the second battery 13 to determine whether the charging efficiency of the first battery 11 is higher than the charging efficiency of the second battery 13.

As shown in FIG. 4, the charging efficiency of a lithium ion battery is high when the battery capacity is small, and decreases as the capacity approaches full capacity. I will do it. The electronic system includes a first battery 11 and a second battery 13.
Are stored for each unit time, and by comparing them, a battery having a high charging efficiency is determined and selected.

If the charging efficiency of the first battery 11 is higher than the charging efficiency of the second battery 13 in step S307, the flow advances to step S609.
If the charging efficiency of the third battery 11 is higher than the charging efficiency of the first battery 11, the process proceeds to step S610.

In step S609, the charging of the first battery 11 is started by setting the state in which the first battery 11 can be charged by the selector 14.
Before starting charging the first battery 11, Sub
The CPU 7 checks the voltage of the first battery 11, and checks the voltage again after a predetermined time has elapsed. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is changed from the previously stored value as the current charging efficiency value of the first battery 11 and stored. Then, the process returns to step S606.

In step S610, the selector 1
The charging of the second battery 13 is started by setting the second battery 13 in a state in which the second battery 13 can be charged in Step 4. Before starting charging the second battery 13, Su
b. The CPU 7 checks the voltage of the second battery 13 and checks the voltage again after a certain period of time. The difference between the battery voltages before and after the start of charging is changed and stored as the value of the current charging efficiency of the second battery 13 from the previously stored value. Then, the process returns to step S606.

Checking charging conditions such as AC adapter connection
The Sub CPU 7 is constantly monitoring other than the step S601, and the charging is terminated when the charging condition is not satisfied.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the charging characteristics of the two lithium ion batteries 11 and 13 by the battery control device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the vertical axis represents the charging capacity, and the horizontal axis represents time. , The solid line shows the charging characteristics of the two lithium ion batteries 11 and 13 by the battery control device according to the present embodiment, and the broken line shows the charging characteristics of the conventional example.

As is clear from FIG. 8, the charging characteristics of the battery control device according to the present embodiment are higher in efficiency than the charging characteristics of the conventional example.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device provided with the battery control device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a first battery, 902 denotes a second battery, and 903 denotes a first battery. A first switch 904 for controlling the power from the battery 901, a second switch 904 for controlling the power from the second battery 902, a first rectifier 905 for preventing a current from flowing into the first battery 901, and a reference numeral 906. A second rectifier 907 for preventing current from flowing into the second battery 902 is a first rectifier 907 for detecting that the first battery 901 has been removed from the electronic device.
A detector 908 is a second detector for detecting that the second battery 902 has been removed from the electronic device, and 909 is a power supply circuit for operating an electronic circuit in the electronic device. Is producing electricity.
A microcomputer 910 monitors the state of the battery and controls power supply switching.

The first detector 907 and the second detector 908
Tells the microcomputer 910 two states of the presence / absence of the battery, and indicates to the first switch 903 and the second switch 904 that the battery is removed at the moment when the battery is removed from the electronic device. It has the function of transmitting signals temporarily.

In FIG. 9, when the first battery 901 and the second battery 902 are connected together and the electronic device is operating, a low-priority battery (a battery with a high possibility of being removed from the electronic device by the user) is used. Battery,
Alternatively, the microcomputer 910 controls the first switch 903 and the second switch 904 so that the microcomputer 910 operates with power from the battery having the smaller remaining amount. First
When the priority of the second battery 902 is lower than the priority of the battery 901, the microcomputer 910 opens the first switch 903 (OPEN: open) and closes the second switch 904 (CLOSE: close).

When the second battery 902 is removed from the electronic device in this state, the second detector 908 detects the second battery 902.
It detects that battery 902 has been removed from the electronic device, and outputs a signal to temporarily close first switch 903. At this time, the second detector 908 outputs the second
The microcomputer 910 is notified that the battery 902 has been removed from the electronic device. Second battery 90
The microcomputer 910, which recognizes that the power supply 2 has been removed from the electronic device, switches the power supply from the second battery 902 to the power supply while the first switch 903 is closed by a signal from the second detector 908. Control is performed to change to one battery 901. Therefore, a signal is output to the first switch 903 so that the first switch 903 is closed. Thereafter, the microcomputer 910 outputs a signal to the second switch 904 to open the second switch 904.

Thereafter, the signal from the second detector 908 to the first switch 903 is restored. At this time, the power from the first battery 901 to the first switch 903 is supplied from the first battery 901 by the signal from the microcomputer 910. Is being supplied via

By performing the above operation, power is extracted from a battery with a lower priority (a battery that is more likely to be removed from the electronic device by a user or a battery that has a smaller remaining amount). When the battery is replaced, the operation of increasing the remaining amount of the battery attached to the electronic device without replacing all the batteries can be realized without having a mechanical structure.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic apparatus provided with the battery control device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. The same reference numerals are given.

FIG. 10 differs from FIG. 9 in that a third switch 911 and a fourth switch 912 for charging the first battery 901 and the second battery 902 are added to the configuration of FIG. First battery 901 and second battery 901
That is, a charger 913 for charging the battery 902 and supplying power to the power supply circuit 909 is added.

In FIG. 10, when the first battery 901 and the second battery 902 are connected together and the electronic device is operating, the priority of the second battery 902 is lower than that of the first battery 901. The microcomputer 910 controls the first switch 903 to open, the second switch 904 to close, the third switch 911 to open, and the fourth switch 912 to close. We consume from electricity.

At this time, when the second battery 902 has been removed from the electronic device, the second detector 908 detects that the second battery 902 has been removed from the electronic device. The second detector 908 temporarily stores the first switch 903
And outputs a signal for opening the fourth switch 912. At this time, the second detector 908 notifies the microcomputer 910 that the second battery 902 has been removed from the electronic device. The microcomputer 910, which has recognized that the second battery 902 has been removed from the electronic device, sets the second detector 908 to the first switch 9
While outputting a signal to the third switch 912 and the fourth switch 912, control is performed so that the power supply source is changed from the second battery 902 to the first battery 901. Therefore, a signal is output to the first switch 903 and the third switch 911 so that the first switch 903 and the third switch 911 are closed. Thereafter, the microcomputer 910 outputs a signal to the second switch 904 and the fourth switch 912 so as to open the second switch 904 and the fourth switch 912.

Thereafter, the signals from the second detector 908 to the first switch 903 and the fourth switch 912 return, but at this time, the power to the power supply circuit 909 is already supplied by the signal from the microcomputer 910 to the first battery 901. From the first switch 903 and the third switch 91
1 is supplied.

By performing the above operation, even if a charging function is added to the electronic device, the batteries can be consumed sequentially without having a mechanical structure.

[0082]

As described in detail above, according to the battery control method and device of the present invention, there is an effect that the battery can always be efficiently charged.

Further, according to the battery control method and device of the present invention, there is an effect that electric power can be sequentially extracted from the battery without having a mechanical lock mechanism for preventing the battery from being removed. .

Further, according to the storage medium of the present invention, there is an effect that the above-described battery control device of the present invention can be smoothly controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus that is an electronic system including a battery control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply line of an information processing apparatus which is an electronic system having the battery control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a charging processing operation procedure of the information processing apparatus which is an electronic system including the battery control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing charging characteristics of a lithium ion battery.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing charging characteristics of the battery control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and two lithium ion batteries according to a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a charging processing operation procedure of an information processing apparatus which is an electronic system having a battery control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing charging characteristics of a lithium ion battery.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating charging characteristics of a battery control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention and two lithium ion batteries according to a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device having a battery control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device having a battery control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 electronic system (information processing device) 2 system bus 3 CPU (central processing unit) 4 external storage unit 5 memory 6 display unit 7 Sub CPU (central processing unit) 8 DC / DC converter 9 power switch 10 first charger 11 First battery 12 Second charger 13 Second battery 14 Selector 15 Power switch 16 AC / DC converter 901 First battery 902 Second battery 903 First switch 904 Second switch 905 First rectifier 906 Second rectifier 907 First detector 908 second detector 909 power supply circuit 910 microcomputer 911 third switch 912 fourth switch 913 charger

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, comprising: a charging efficiency calculating step of calculating charging efficiency from a battery voltage during charging;
A battery control method, comprising: a charge efficiency comparison step of comparing the charge efficiencies calculated in the charge efficiency calculation step; and a control step of controlling to always charge a battery having a high charge efficiency. 2. The battery control method according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery. 3. A battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, comprising: charging efficiency calculating means for calculating charging efficiency from a battery voltage during charging;
A battery control device comprising: a charging efficiency comparing unit that compares the charging efficiencies calculated in the charging efficiency calculating step; and a control unit that controls to always charge a battery having a high charging efficiency. 4. The battery control device according to claim 3, wherein said battery is a lithium ion battery. 5. A battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, comprising: a charging current detecting step of detecting a charging current of the battery; and a charging current detected by the charging current detecting step. A comparing step of comparing the charging capacity of the system, and simultaneously charging a battery having a high charging efficiency, and simultaneously charging a plurality of batteries when the charging current is lower than the charging capacity of the electronic system. And a control step of controlling the battery control. 6. The battery control method according to claim 5, wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery. 7. A battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, comprising: a charging current detecting means for detecting a charging current of the battery; a charging current detected by the charging current detecting means; Comparing means for comparing the charging capacity of the system; and charging the battery with high charging efficiency at the same time, and simultaneously charging a plurality of batteries when the charging current is lower than the charging capacity of the electronic system. And a control means for controlling the battery control. 8. The battery control device according to claim 7, wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery. 9. A battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system and used sequentially by switching, wherein a detecting step of detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system; A step of temporarily switching the use state of the battery when the battery is removed from the electronic system, and changing the use state of the battery after detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system by the detecting step. A battery control method, comprising: a changing step; and a control step of controlling to switch a use state of a battery before power supply is stopped even when the battery is removed from the electronic system. 10. A battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system and used sequentially by switching, wherein a detecting means for detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system, and the battery Switching means for temporarily switching the use state of the battery when the battery is removed from the electronic system, and changing the use state of the battery after the detection means detects that the battery is removed from the electronic system. A battery control device comprising: a change unit; and a control unit that controls to switch a use state of a battery before power supply is stopped even when the battery is removed from the electronic system. 11. A battery control method for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system and used sequentially by switching, comprising: a detecting step of detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system; A switching step of selecting a battery that supplies power from the battery and switching the use state, and a determining step of determining which battery to extract power from based on the state of the battery,
A first control step of temporarily controlling all the batteries to be connected in parallel via a power backflow prevention unit when the detection step detects that the batteries have been removed from the electronic system; and While all the batteries are controlled to be connected in parallel via the power backflow prevention means by the first control step, the determination step determines from which battery the power is to be extracted next, and selects the battery by the switching step. And a second control step of performing control so as to switch the use state. 12. A battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted in an electronic system and used by being sequentially switched, comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect that the battery is removed from the electronic system; Switching means for selecting a battery that supplies power from the battery and switching the use state, and determining means for determining which battery to extract power from based on the state of the battery,
Power backflow prevention means for preventing backflow of power from a battery, and temporarily detecting all batteries through the power backflow prevention means when the detection means detects that the battery has been removed from the electronic system. First control means for controlling connection in parallel; and while the first control means controls all batteries for parallel connection via the power backflow prevention means, And a second control unit that determines which battery is to be used for power extraction, and controls the switching unit to select the battery and switch the use state. 13. A storage medium for storing a control program for controlling a battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system, wherein a charging efficiency is calculated from a battery voltage at the time of charging, and the calculated charging is performed. A storage medium storing a control program having a control module of a step of comparing the efficiencies and controlling to always charge a battery having a high charging efficiency. 14. A storage medium for storing a control program for controlling a battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system and used by being sequentially switched, wherein the battery is removed from the electronic system. Detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system, temporarily switching the use state of the battery when the battery has been removed from the electronic system, and using the battery after detecting that the battery has been removed from the electronic system by the detecting step. Storing a control program having a control module of a step of changing a situation and controlling to switch a use state of the battery before power is cut off even when the battery is removed from the electronic system. Medium. 15. A storage medium for storing a control program for controlling a battery control device for controlling a plurality of batteries mounted on an electronic system and used in a sequentially switched manner. It is determined whether to take out the electric power, and when it is detected that the battery has been removed from the electronic system, while controlling to temporarily connect all the batteries in parallel via the power backflow prevention means, A control program having a control module of a step of determining which battery to take power from based on the state of the battery, and controlling to select the battery based on the determined content and to switch the use state. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned.