JP3346289B2 - Power supply system and power supply method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a power supply system and a power supply method, and more particularly to a power supply system and a power supply method for supplying power to an electronic device that can be driven by an internal battery or an external power supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable computer devices such as notebook personal computers that can use an external power supply or an internal battery as a drive power supply have become widespread. When the portable computer device is carried and used without an external power source, the internal battery is used as a driving power source. However, since the total amount of power of the battery that can be used in one charge is a finite amount, if the power consumption of the portable computer device is large, the usable time becomes short, which is very inconvenient. In addition, when a computer device is normally used, an auxiliary device such as an external or built-in hard disk device is connected to the computer device for use. Therefore, the required power consumption increases as the number of such sub devices increases.

[0003] Therefore, various techniques have been developed to extend the use time of the portable computer device. For example, in the power-saving power supply circuit disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-314587, there are several states such as a state where all the functions are operated in a CPU of a computer and a state where the functions are stopped except for interrupt processing. In addition, the operating state of the sub-device is further detected, and the state of the CPU is set to be sufficient for realizing the operating state, and the sub-mode is set to be an operating state suitable for the state of the CPU. Control the device.

That is, not all the functions of the CPU and the sub-device are always driven to be usable, but the total power consumption is reduced by driving such that necessary and sufficient functions can be used at the time of use.

However, also in this technique, when the number of connected sub-devices increases, the amount of power consumed by the internal battery of the computer also increases. In addition, if the CPU and the connected sub-devices are operated for a long time in a state where all the functions are operated, the connected sub-devices consume a large amount of power and are eventually stored in the battery without being in a state of reducing power consumption. It can happen that the power used up is exhausted. In such a case, the usable time of the computer device is shortened.

Accordingly, a technology has been developed in which an internal battery is also mounted in the sub-device, and the power consumed by the sub-device is supplied by the battery mounted in each sub-device. With such a technology, the internal battery of the computer device only needs to cover its own power consumption, and the operating time of the computer device is relatively extended as compared with the case where this technology is not used. Further, even if the power supply of the computer device or the like is cut off for some reason, the sub device has its own internal battery, and thus has an effect of protecting the operation of the sub device.

[0007]

The above-described conventional power supply system and power supply method have the following problems. The battery needs to be charged as a prerequisite for its use, and when using many sub-devices, it is troublesome for the user to consciously control the use and charging of the battery of this sub-device. Furthermore, when the computer is not in use, it takes a lot of time to individually charge the batteries beforehand, which is very troublesome. That is, there is a problem such as how to control the use and charging of the battery without making the user aware when using the computer device or the like, and research on this problem has not been sufficiently conducted.

As a technique for connecting a sub-device to a main device acting as a host and charging a battery mounted on the sub-device to be connected, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-8612.
There is a power supply device for a camera-integrated VTR disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. This power supply device can acquire electric power from the outside and attach a battery and a camera-integrated VTR, and can also acquire video signals and audio signals from the camera-integrated VTR and output them to the outside. I have. The camera-integrated VTR is driven by receiving power supply through the power supply device, and can charge the internal battery of the camera-integrated VTR. In addition, a battery different from the battery can be attached to the power supply device, and two batteries can be charged at a time.

Here, in the above-mentioned technology, it is possible to charge via the power supply device while a battery is mounted on the camera-integrated VTR, and it is possible to charge another battery at the same time. Must be used by connecting to an external power supply. Therefore,
Even if it is applied to the case where a secondary device equipped with an internal battery is connected to a portable computer device such as a notebook personal computer that can use the internal battery as a drive power source,
It only acts as a charger to charge the internal battery of the secondary device via the portable computer when there is an external power supply. Thus, how to use and control the internal battery of the secondary device remains a challenge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a power supply system and a power supply method capable of charging and using a battery without a user's awareness. .

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is capable of transmitting and receiving data and the like by being connected to each other, and receiving power from each external device to an internal battery. While charging, the power supply system of a main device and a sub device including a power supply unit that outputs necessary power while utilizing an internal battery according to the presence or absence of power supply from the outside, the main device side,
A determining unit for determining whether or not the power supply unit is receiving power supply from the outside, and an output unit for supplying power from the power supply unit to a sub-device; When the determination result of the unit is input and the required power is externally supplied by the power supply unit of the main device, the power supply unit of the sub device receives the power supply from the output unit and receives the power supply of the sub device. It is configured to include a charge control unit that outputs necessary power and charges the internal battery of the auxiliary device.

In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, when the determining unit on the main device side determines whether or not the power supply unit is receiving power supply of required power from the outside, the determination unit of the auxiliary device Based on the determination result, if the power supply unit of the main device is supplied with required power from the outside based on the determination result, the charge control unit receives the power supply from the output unit and supplies the power to the sub device. It outputs the required power of the device and charges the internal battery of this sub device. In other words, the sub device receives its power from the external power supply via the main device and supplies its own power, and also charges its own internal battery. Therefore, when the main device is driven and used by the external power supply, the sub device charges the internal battery even if the user is not conscious of the charging.

Here, the determination unit only needs to be able to determine whether the required power is externally supplied to the main unit. For example, if the power supply unit is in a power supply state from an external power supply, the external power supply can be used. Is transmitted, and if the power is supplied from the internal battery, a signal indicating the use of the internal battery may be transmitted. In addition, the power supply unit supplies a rated voltage and a rated current to be driven by the main device and the sub device to the main device and the sub device from outside of these devices or from a battery attached to the device. The output unit only needs to be able to transmit power using a cable or the like. For example, power from the outside of the main unit may be obtained by converting the output of a home AC power supply to obtain this rating, or may be used by converting the output of a commercial AC power supply. Can be used.

In general, since the rating of the main device and the rating of the sub device are the same, the power supply unit of the main device converts the power from outside the sub device into the rating of the main device as described above. The power output by the output unit can be rated by using the power supply unit of the auxiliary device, but the power input from the outside to the main device is directly output by the output unit, The output power may be converted into the rating of the sub device by the power supply unit of the sub device.

Further, the internal battery is also required to be able to convert its output power to the above-mentioned rating and be rechargeable. Generally, a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery is used. Any rechargeable battery can be used.

Further, the charge control unit may control charging of the battery of the sub-device in accordance with whether or not the power supply unit of the main device is supplied with necessary power from outside. Therefore, specific examples of the control, or to claim 1
According to the present invention, in the power supply system described above, the charging control unit of the sub device, based on a determination result of the determination unit, when the power supply unit of the main device receives power supply of required power from outside, The power supply unit of the auxiliary device receives the supply of power from the output unit and outputs the required power of the auxiliary device, and charges the internal battery of the auxiliary device. When the power supply unit of the sub-device is supplied with the required power from the sub-device, the power supply unit of the sub-device is switched from outputting the required power of the sub-device from the internal battery of the sub-device without receiving the power supply from the output unit. It is configured to include switch control means.

In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, when the determination unit determines whether or not the power supply unit of the main device is supplied with the required power from the outside, the determination is made as follows. Reflected on the switch control means, the processing of the charge control unit is switched by the switch control means between a case where the required power is supplied to the power supply unit of the main device from the outside and a case where the power is supplied from the internal battery.

That is, when power is supplied to the main device from the outside, the sub device also receives power from the outside via the main device to drive itself and charge its internal battery, and When no power is supplied to the sub-device, the sub-device drives itself by supplying power from its own internal battery. Here, the switch control means may perform control according to the case where the determination unit determines, for example, may use a switching operation of a transistor.

By the way, if the power cord is suddenly disconnected while the main unit is using the external power supply, or if a sudden power failure occurs, the external power supply is momentarily interrupted. At this time, in a hard disk device or the like, the stored data may be damaged due to the instantaneous power interruption. As described above, there are many devices in which it is not preferable to suddenly turn off the power. However, in the present invention, when the main device is driven by the external power, the drive power of the sub device depends on the drive power of the main device. Therefore, it is not preferable that the power supply of the sub device is also momentarily interrupted when the power supply of the main device is momentarily interrupted.

Therefore, as an example in which the sub-device can be protected in the event of such an instantaneous interruption of the power supply, the invention according to claim 2 is based on the power supply system according to claim 1. The control means switches the internal battery of the sub-device so as to supply power to the sub-device when the power of the main device is momentarily interrupted.

In the invention according to claim 2 configured as described above, even if the power supply of the main device is momentarily interrupted, the sub-device continues to be driven by the internal battery of the sub-device. That is, it is possible to prevent the power of a device, for which it is not preferable to turn off the power rapidly, from being suddenly turned off.

Here, the invention according to claim 3 is an example of a configuration in the case of protecting the sub-device at the moment of a power interruption.
3. The power supply system according to claim 2 , wherein the determination unit determines whether the main device is supplied with necessary power from the outside by a voltage signal including a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. 4. That is, the switch control means is configured to determine that the power supply of the main device is momentarily interrupted when the voltage signal falls below the smaller voltage value of the reference voltage without notice.

[0023] In the invention according to claim 3 configured as described above, the determination unit may be configured to supply power to the power supply unit of the main device from the outside or to supply power from an internal battery. When it is determined that each of them corresponds to a predetermined voltage value, this voltage value is sent to the sub device as a signal. The switch control means performs a switching operation according to the voltage value, and further,
If the power supply of the main unit is momentarily interrupted, the voltage signal is lower than the smaller voltage value of the reference voltage without prior notice. In such a case, it is determined that the power supply of the main unit is momentarily interrupted. That is, the switch control means corresponds to the case of the power supply to the main device and the processing at the moment of a power interruption.

Further, as an example of a configuration capable of making the user less conscious of the charging of the internal battery when the internal battery of the sub-device runs out when the main device is driven by the internal battery. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the power supply system according to the first aspect, the sub-device detects a remaining amount of power of an internal battery of the sub-device, and detects an electric power of the internal battery of the main device. A power remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of power, and the charging control unit is configured to detect the remaining amount of power when the power supply unit of the main device receives power supply from an internal battery. When it is detected that the remaining amount of the internal battery of the main unit is sufficient and the remaining amount of the internal battery of the sub unit is low,
It is configured to receive the supply of power from the output unit to output the required power of the sub device and not to charge the internal battery of the sub device.

In the invention according to claim 4 , the power supply unit of the main device receives power supply of required power from an internal battery of the main device, and the remaining power of the sub device is When the detection unit detects the remaining amount of power of the internal battery of the sub device and detects the remaining amount of power of the internal battery of the main device, the charging control unit sets the remaining amount of power of the internal battery of the main device to a margin. And when it is detected that the remaining amount of the internal battery of the sub device is low, the power is supplied from the output unit to output the required power of the sub device, and the internal battery of the sub device is charged. Is not done.

That is, when the remaining power of the internal battery of the sub-device is small, the sub-device supplies power from the internal battery of the main device if the remaining power of the internal battery of the main device has a margin. Therefore, even if only the power of the internal battery of the sub device is cut off, the sub device is driven. Therefore, if there is enough power remaining in the internal battery of the main device, the main device and the sub device continue to be driven without the user being conscious of charging the battery.

As described above, the method of determining the power supply state of the main apparatus and controlling the charging of the internal battery of the sub apparatus and the supply of power to the sub apparatus according to the state are limited to the actual apparatus. It is easy to understand that it is not necessary and that it also works as a method.

Therefore, the present invention provides a main device which can transmit and receive data and the like while being connected to each other, and a sub-device which can receive power from the main device and a sub-device which can receive power from the main device. A power supply method for outputting necessary power to the main device and the sub device while utilizing the internal battery according to the presence or absence of power supply from the outside while receiving power from the outside and charging the internal battery. ,
On the main device side, there is provided a determining step of determining whether or not the necessary power is supplied from the outside.On the sub device side, the main device receives the required power supply from the outside by the determining step. When it is determined that the power is supplied from the main device and outputs the required power of the sub device, and a charging control step of charging an internal battery of the sub device is provided. Can
You. That is, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a substantial device, and there is no difference that the present invention is effective as a method.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Here, a thick line indicates a power supply connection for supplying power, and a thin line indicates a signal connection for transmitting and receiving signals. Each component is grounded by a common ground. In the figure, a main device 141 is an electronic device which performs a predetermined function while exchanging data by connecting to another electronic device, and includes a main device circuit 143 for performing the predetermined function. . The main device circuit 143 is connected to the power supply switching device 146 by power supply connection. The main device 141 includes a secondary battery as the internal battery 144 and a regulator 145, which are connected to the power switching device 146. The power of the internal battery 144 is
Can be output to the power supply switching device 146, and the regulator 145 outputs the power of the external power supply 161 to DC.
The power can be converted to a power output 147 and output.

Further, the main device 141 includes a power supply connection state determination circuit 142 and a charger 150 for a sub device in the main device.
The power supply switching device 146 includes the main device circuit 1
43, a charger 150 for a sub device in the main device, a power connection state determination circuit 142, and a connection terminal 122 to the sub device, which are connected by a power supply connection, and a DC power output 147;
Alternatively, one of the outputs 148 of the internal battery 144 is selected and the main device circuit 143, the charger 150,
Power connection state determination circuit 142, connection terminal 12 to sub-device
2 can be supplied with power. In this sense, the internal battery 144, the regulator 145, and the power supply switching device 146 constitute a power supply unit of the main device.

The power supply connection state determination circuit 142 is signal-connected to the power supply switching device 146, the connection terminal 121, and the charger 150 for the auxiliary device in the main device, and receives the electric power supplied from the power supply switching device 146. Driven by the main unit 14
1 is checked whether it is in a power supply state from the external power supply 161 or in a power supply state from its own internal battery 144.
7, 149 as a charger 15 for sub-devices in the main device
0 and the sub device 101 are notified. As the power status signal 107, reference values of two positive voltages are used. In this sense, the power supply connection state determination circuit 142 constitutes the determination unit.

Charger 150 for sub-device in main device
Is connected to the connection terminal 123 and the power switching device 146 by a power connection, and is connected to the power connection state determination circuit 142 by a signal connection. Then, a charging current can be supplied to the switch B106 in the sub device via the connection terminal 123. The power status signal 149 is
Supply of the charging current of the charger 150 for the sub device in the main device when the received power status signal 149 is received by the charger 150 for the sub device in the main device and indicates the internal battery connection state. Is stopped, and when the power supply status signal 149 indicates the external power supply connection state, the charging current of the charger 150 for the sub device in the main device is supplied.

On the other hand, the main device 141 and the sub device 101
It is connected by connection terminals 121 for signal connection and connection terminals 122 and 123 for power supply connection, power is supplied via the connection terminals 122 and 123, and the power status signal 107 is supplied via the connection terminal 121. Is entered. In this sense, the connection terminals 122 and 12
3 constitutes the output unit.

The sub device 101 is an electronic device that performs a predetermined function while exchanging data by connecting to the main device, and a sub device circuit 1 for performing the predetermined function.
03, and a secondary battery as the internal battery 104. Further, the sub device 101 includes a switch control device 102 and switches A105 and B106. The switch control device 102 is connected to the connection terminal 121, the switch A105, and the switch B106 by signal connection. Further, the auxiliary device is connected to the connection terminal 122 by a power supply connection,
2 is driven by the electric power supplied via the power supply 2 and can transmit a signal for switching the switch A105 and the switch B106 in accordance with the power supply status signal 107.

The switch A105 is connected to the sub-device circuit 103 by power supply connection, and the terminal a of the switch A105 is connected to the terminal a of the switch B106 by power supply connection. Further, the terminal b of the switch A105 is connected to the connection terminal 122 by power supply connection. The switch A 105 can be switched to connect the terminal a or the terminal b to the sub device circuit 103 in accordance with a signal from the switch control device 102.

The switch B 106 is connected to the internal battery 104 by power supply connection.
The terminal a of the switch 106 is connected to the terminal a of the switch A105 by the power supply connection as described above. Further, the terminal b of the switch B106 is connected to the connection terminal 123 by power supply connection. The switch B 106 can be switched to connect the terminal a or the terminal b to the sub device circuit 103 in accordance with a signal from the switch control device 102. Here, the operation of the switch A105 and the switch B106 for the signal from the switch control device 102 are the same, and when the switch A105 is switched to the terminal a, the switch B106 is also switched to the terminal a.

When the power status signal 107 indicates the external power connection state, both the switch A 105 and the switch B 106 are switched to the terminal b, and the power from the connection terminal 122 is supplied to the sub-device via the switch A 105. The charging current supplied to the circuit 103 and from the connection terminal 123 is supplied to the internal battery 104 via the switch B106. On the other hand, the power status signal 10
When switch 7 indicates the internal battery connection state, switch A
105 and switch B106 are both switched to terminal a, and the power of internal battery 104 is switched to switch A10.
5 is supplied to the sub-device circuit 103.

In this sense, the switch control device 102, the switch A 105, and the switch B 106 constitute the charge control unit, and the internal battery 104
And the connection terminals 122 and 123 constitute a power supply unit of the auxiliary device.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described. The user operates the main device 141 and the sub device 1
The main device 141 is driven by selecting either an external power supply or an internal battery in accordance with a place or a situation where 01 is used. When the user uses the external power supply 161 to drive the main device 141, the power connection status determination circuit 142 of the main device 141 sends a power status signal to the charger 150 for the sub device in the main device. 149 notifies the main device 141 that the external power supply is connected, the charger 150 for the sub device in the main device supplies a charging current to the switch B 106 in the sub device 101 via the connection terminal 123, The power supply switching device 146 is connected to the connection terminal 12
The power is supplied to the switch control device 102 and the switch A 105 of the sub device 101 via the switch 2.

In the above case, the power supply connection state judgment circuit 142 further operates the switch control device 102 of the sub device 101.
To the main unit 141 in response to the power status signal 107.
Is in the external power supply connection state. Then, according to a signal from the switch control device 102, both the switches A 105 and B 106 are switched to the terminal b, charge the internal battery 104, and supply power to the sub device circuit 103 from the main device 141. Therefore, when the user uses the main device 141 with the external power supply 161, the user can charge the battery 104 mounted on the sub device 101 without special attention.

The main device 141 is connected to the internal battery 14.
4 is used, the power supply connection state determination circuit 142 of the main device 141
In response to the power supply status signal 107, the main unit 1
41 indicates that the internal battery is being used.
Then, the switches A 105 and B 106 are both switched to the terminal a by the signal from the switch control device 102, and the power is supplied to the sub device circuit 103 from the internal battery 104. At this time, the terminals b of the switch A105 and the switch B106 are in an open state, so that the supply of power to these terminals is stopped.

Therefore, the load on the internal battery 144 of the main device 141 is reduced, and as a result, the user can use these devices for a longer time than when the sub device 101 and the main device 141 are driven by the internal battery 144 alone. it can.

The power supply status signal 107 notified from the main unit 141 uses reference values of two positive voltages. Therefore, if the voltage of the power supply status signal 107 falls below the smaller voltage value without notice, the switch control device 1
02 determines that the power of the main device 141 is momentarily interrupted.
Are connected to the terminal a so that the terminal of the internal battery 104 of the sub device 101 is connected to the power supply terminal of the sub device circuit 103. . As a result, the secondary device 101 can execute the emergency processing by the internal battery 104.
Reliability is improved.

In the power supply system described above, the charger 150 is provided in the main device 141, but
It is not always necessary to provide it in the main device, and a configuration in which it is provided in the sub device is also possible. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the power supply system according to the embodiment in this case.
Also in this case, a thick line indicates a power supply connection for supplying power, and a thin line indicates a signal connection for transmitting and receiving signals. Each component is grounded by a common ground.

In the figure, a main device 241 is an electronic device which performs a predetermined function while exchanging data by connecting to another electronic device. A main device circuit 243 for performing the predetermined function is provided. Have. This main device circuit 24
3 is connected to the power supply switching device 246 by power supply connection. The main device 241 includes a secondary battery as the internal battery 244 and a regulator 245, which are connected to the power switching device 246. The power of the internal battery 244 can be output to the power supply switching device 246 as an output 248, and the regulator 245 can convert the power of the external power supply 261 to a DC power output 247 and output it.

The main device 241 includes a power connection state determination circuit 242. The power switching device 246 includes a main device circuit 243, a power connection state determination circuit 242, a connection terminal 222 to a sub device, and a power connection. Connected
By selecting either the DC power output 247 or the output 248 of the internal battery 244, the main device circuit 24 is selected.
3. It is possible to supply power to the power connection state determination circuit 242 and the connection terminal 222 to the sub device. In this sense, the internal battery 244, the regulator 245, and the power supply switching device 246 constitute a power supply unit of the main device.

The power connection state determination circuit 242 is connected to the power switching device 246 and the connection terminal 221 by a signal.
The main device 241 is driven by the power supplied from the power supply switching device 246, and checks whether the main device 241 is in a power supply state from the external power supply 261 or in a power supply state from its own internal battery 244. The inspection result is notified to the sub device 201 via the connection terminal 221 as a power status signal 207. As the power status signal 207, reference values of two positive voltages are used. In this sense, the power connection state determination circuit 242 constitutes the determination unit.

On the other hand, the main device 241 and the sub device 201
The connection terminal 221 for signal connection and the connection terminal 222 for power supply connection are connected.
Power is supplied through the connection terminal 22, and the power supply status signal 207 is input through the connection terminal 221. In this sense, the connection terminal 222 constitutes the output unit.

The sub-device 201 is an electronic device that performs a predetermined function while exchanging data with the main device, and performs a predetermined function.
3 and a secondary battery as the internal battery 204. Further, the sub device 201 includes a power control device 202, switches A205 and B206, and a charger 208 in the sub device.
02 denotes a connection terminal 222 and a switch A2
05, a switch B206, and a charger 208 in the sub device. Further, the sub device 201 is driven by power supplied through a connection terminal 222 connected by power supply connection, and a signal for switching between the switch A 205 and the switch B 206 according to the power supply status signal 207, and a power supply status signal. The power supply status signal 209 same as the power status signal 207 can be transmitted.

The charger 208 in the auxiliary device is connected to the connection terminal 222 and the switch B 206 by power supply connection, and is connected to the power supply control device 202 by signal connection. The charging current can be supplied to the switch B206 in the sub device by the power supplied through the connection terminal 222. This causes the power status signal 209 to be transmitted to the charger 208 for the main device in the sub device.
And the received power status signal 209
Indicates that the internal battery is connected, the supply of the charging current to the charger 208 in the sub-device is stopped. When the power status signal 209 indicates the external power connection, the charging of the charger 208 in the sub-device is stopped. Current is supplied.

The switch A205 is connected to the sub-device circuit 203 by power supply connection, the terminal a of the switch A205 is connected to the terminal a of the switch B206 by power supply connection, and the terminal b of the switch A205 is connected to the power supply connection. Is connected to the connection terminal 222. The switch A 205 can be switched to connect the terminal a or the terminal b to the sub device circuit 203 in accordance with a signal from the power supply control device 202.

The switch B206 is connected to the internal battery 204 by power supply connection.
Terminal a of the switch A205 as described above.
The terminal b of the switch B206 is connected to the connection terminal 222 by the power supply connection. The switch B 206 is connected to the terminal a or the terminal b in response to a signal from the power control device 202.
Can be switched to be connected to the sub-device circuit 203. Here, the operation of the switch A205 and the switch B206 with respect to the signal from the power control device 202 are the same, and when the switch A205 is switched to the terminal a, the switch B206 is also switched to the terminal a.

When the power status signal 207 indicates the external power supply connection state, both the switch A 205 and the switch B 206 are switched to the terminal b, and the power from the connection terminal 222 is transmitted via the switch A 205 to the sub-device circuit. The charging current supplied to the internal battery 204 is supplied to the internal battery 204 via the switch B206. On the other hand, when the power status signal 207 indicates the internal battery connection state, both the switch A 205 and the switch B 206 are switched to the terminal a, and the power of the internal battery 204 is supplied to the sub device circuit 203 via the switch A 205. You. In this sense, the power supply control device 202, the switch A205, and the switch B206 constitute a charge control unit, and the internal battery 204 and the connection terminal 222 constitute a power supply unit of the sub device.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described. The user uses the main device 241 and the sub device 2
The main device 241 is driven by selecting either an external power supply or an internal battery according to the place or situation where 01 is used. When the user is driving the main device 241 using the external power supply 261, the power connection state determination circuit 242 of the main device 241 is connected to the power control device 202 of the sub device 201 via the connection terminal 221. The main unit 241 is notified by the power supply status signal 207 that the external power supply is connected, and the charger 208 in the sub unit is connected to the connection terminal 22.
2 supplies a charging current to the switch B206 with the power supplied via the power supply 2 and supplies power to the power supply control device 202 and the switch A205.

In the above case, the power supply control device 20
2, the switches A205 and B206
Are both switched to the terminal b to charge the internal battery 204 and supply power from the main device 241 to the sub device circuit 203. Therefore, when the user uses the main device 241 with the external power supply 261, the user can charge the battery 204 mounted on the sub device 201 without special attention.

The main unit 241 is connected to the internal battery 24.
4 is used, the power connection state determination circuit 242 of the main device 241 notifies the power control device 202 of the sub device 201 that the main device 241 is using the internal battery by the power status signal 207. . Then, the signal from the power supply control device 202 causes the switch A2
05 and B206 are both switched to the terminal a, and power is supplied to the sub device circuit 203 from the internal battery 204. At this time, the charging current is stopped as described above, and the terminal b of the switch A205 is in an open state, so that the supply of power to these terminals is stopped.

Therefore, the load on the internal battery 244 of the main device 241 is reduced, and as a result, the user can use these devices for a longer time than when the sub device 201 and the main device 241 are driven by the internal battery 244 alone. it can.

The power supply status signal 207 notified from the main unit 241 uses reference values of two positive voltages. Therefore, when the voltage of the power supply status signal 207 falls below the smaller voltage value without notice, the power supply control device 20
2 judges that the power of the main device 241 is momentarily interrupted, and the main device 241 performs the same processing as when the internal battery 244 is used, that is,
The switch A is connected so that the terminal of the internal battery 204 of the sub device 201 is connected to the power supply terminal of the sub device circuit 203.
Both 205 and B206 are connected to terminal a. As a result, the secondary device 201 can execute the emergency processing by the internal battery 204, so that the reliability is improved.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a thick line indicates a power supply connection for supplying power, and a thin line indicates a signal connection for transmitting and receiving signals. Each component is grounded by a common ground.

In the figure, the notebook computer 341 is
Device circuit 34 for making this notebook computer function
The device circuit 343 is connected to a 5V regulator 346 and a 12V regulator 345 by power supply connection. This 5V regulator 346
The power supply connection state determination circuit 342, the 5V connection terminal 323, and the power supply switching device 349 are connected by power supply connection.
Input power can be converted and output, and it functions as a 5V power supply. In addition, the 12V regulator 345
It is connected to the V connection terminal 324 and the power supply switching device 349 by power supply connection, is capable of converting input power and outputting it, and functions as a 12 V power supply.

The power supply switching device 349 is connected to the internal 14.4 V battery 344 and the regulator 347 by power supply connection. The power of the internal 14.4 V battery 344 can be output to the power supply switching device 349 as an output 352. I have. The regulator 347 is a home AC1
The power of the 00V power supply 361 can be converted into a DC power output 351 and output.

The power supply switching device 349 is widely used in conventional electronic equipment, and as described above, the 5V regulator 346, the 12V regulator 345, and the charger 3
48 and the DC power output 351 or the internal 14.4V battery 344.
352, a 5V regulator 346, a 12V regulator 345, and a charger 348.
It is possible to supply power to

The power connection state determination circuit 342 is connected to the 5 V regulator by a power connection, and is connected to the power state communication terminal 322 and the power switching device 349 by a signal. The notebook PC 341 is driven by the power supplied from the 5V regulator 346, and is in a power supply state from the household AC 100V power supply 361 or in a power supply state from its own internal 14.4V battery 344. This state is inspected, and the inspection result is notified to the power state communication terminal 322 and the charger 348 as power state signals 312 and 353. Note that the power status signals 312 and 353 use reference values of two positive voltages.

The charger 348 is connected to the charging power supply terminal 32.
5 and the power supply switching device 349 are connected by power supply connection, and are connected to the power supply connection state determination circuit 342 by signal connection. The charging current can be supplied to the switch B 308 in the hard disk drive via the charging power supply terminal 325.
3 is received by the charger 348, and when the received power status signal 353 indicates the internal 14.4V battery connection state, the supply of the charging current of the charger 348 is stopped.

On the other hand, the notebook personal computer 341 and the hard disk device 301 are connected to a SCSI bus 350 and a SCSI bus 311 which are standard disk interfaces.
, A SCSI bus terminal 321, a power status communication terminal 322 for signal connection, and 5 V for power connection.
The connection terminal 323, the 12V connection terminal 324, and the charging power supply terminal 325 are connected. This allows
Power is supplied through a 5V connection terminal 323, a 12V connection terminal 324, and a charging power supply terminal 325, and the power status signal 31 is transmitted through a power status communication terminal 322.
2 is input, and data is exchanged via the SCSI bus terminal 321.

The switch control device 302 in the hard disk device 301 is connected to the power state communication terminal 32 by signal connection.
2, switch B 308, switch A 309a, and switch A 309b, and further connected to the 5V connection terminal 323 by power supply connection. As a result, the switch control device 302 sets the 5V connection terminal 3
Driven by the electric power supplied via the power supply 23, a signal for switching between the switch B 308, the switch A 309 a, and the switch A 309 b can be transmitted according to the power supply status signal 312.

The switch A 309a is connected to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device by power supply connection.
The terminal a of the switch A309a is a 5V regulator 3
06 is connected by power supply connection, and the terminal b of the switch A309a is connected to the 5V connection terminal 323 by power supply connection. This switch A309
“a” can be switched so as to connect the terminal “a” or the terminal “b” to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device in response to a signal from the switch control device 302.

The switch A 309 b is connected to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device by power supply connection.
The terminal a of the switch A309b is connected to the 12V regulator 3
The switch A 309b is connected to the terminal b by the power supply connection.
It is connected to the V connection terminal 324. Switch A309
b denotes a terminal a or a terminal b in response to a signal from the switch control device 302, and the device circuit 30 of the hard disk drive.
3 can be switched.

The switch B 308 is connected to the internal 14.4 V battery 304 by power supply connection. The terminal a of the switch B 308 is connected to the 5 V regulators 306 and 1.
Connected to a 2V regulator 305,
The terminal b of the switch B308 is connected to the charging power supply terminal 325 by power supply connection. Switch B308
Can be switched so that the terminal a or the terminal b is connected to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device in response to a signal from the switch control device 302. Here, switch A 309a and switch A
309b and the above switch control device 3 of the switch B308
02 in response to the signal from switch A
When switch 309a is switched to terminal a, switch A
309b and switch B308 can also be switched to terminal a.

When the power supply status signal 312 indicates the external power supply connection state, the switch A 309a
The switch A 309b and the switch B 308 are switched to the terminal b. Thus, the 5V connection terminal 323
Is supplied to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device via the switch A 309a, and the 12V connection terminal 3
24 is supplied to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device via the switch A309b.
The charging current from the charging power supply terminal 325 is the switch B
It is supplied to the internal battery 304 via 308.

On the other hand, when the power status signal 312 indicates the internal battery connection state, the switch A309a
The terminal a is switched between the switch A 309b and the switch B 308. This allows the power of the internal 14.4V battery 304 to be reduced by the 5V regulators 306 and 12
The output of the 5V power supply is supplied to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device via the switch A309a, and the output of the 12V power supply is supplied to the device circuit 30 of the hard disk device via the switch A309b.
3 is supplied.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described. The user drives the notebook personal computer 341 by selecting either the home AC 100V power supply or the internal battery according to the place and the situation where the notebook personal computer 341 and the hard disk device 301 are used. Then, the user uses the home AC 100V power supply 361.
When the notebook personal computer 341 is driven by using the power supply, the power supply connection state determination circuit 342 of the notebook personal computer 341 notifies the charger 348 that the notebook personal computer 341 is in the external power supply connection state by the power supply status signal 353. Thus, the charger 348 supplies a charging current to the switch B308 in the hard disk device 301 via the charging power supply terminal 325, and the 5V regulator 346 switches the switch A via the 5V connection terminal 323.
309a, and the 12V regulator 345 supplies power to the switch A 309b via the 12V connection terminal 324.

In the above case, the power supply connection state determination circuit 342 further notifies the switch control device 302 of the hard disk device 301 that the notebook computer 341 is in the external power supply connection state by the power supply status signal 312. Then, according to a signal from the switch control device 302, a switch A309a, a switch A309b,
The switch B 308 switches to the terminal b, charges the internal battery 304, and supplies power from the notebook computer 341 to the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device. Therefore, when using the notebook personal computer 341 with the household AC 100V power supply 361, the user can charge the battery 304 mounted on the hard disk device 301 without special awareness.

When the notebook personal computer 341 uses the internal 14.4 V battery 344, the power supply connection state judgment circuit 342 sends a signal to the switch control device 302 of the hard disk device 301 so that the notebook personal computer 341 uses the internal power supply status signal 312. Notifies that the battery is being used. Then, a signal from the switch control device 302 causes the switches A309a and A30
9b and the switch B308 are both switched to the terminal a.
As a result, the power of the internal 14.4V battery 304 is reduced by the 5V regulator 306 and the 12V regulator 30.
5 and the output of the 5V power supply is switched to switch A309.
a, and the output of the 12 V power supply is supplied to the hard disk device circuit 303 via the switch A309b.

At this time, since the switch A 309a, the switch A 309b, and the switch B 308 terminal b are in an open state, the supply of power to them is stopped. For this reason, the internal 14.4V of the notebook computer 341
The load on the battery 344 is reduced, and as a result, the user can use these devices for a longer time than when the hard disk device 301 and the notebook computer 341 are driven only by the internal 14.4 V battery 344.

The power status signal 312 notified from the notebook computer 341 uses two positive voltage reference values. Therefore, when the voltage of the power status signal 312 falls below the smaller voltage value without notice, the switch control device 302 determines that the power of the notebook computer 341 is momentarily interrupted, and the notebook computer 341 uses the internal 14.4 V battery 344. Performs the same processing as when. That is, the switch A309a and the switch A3 are connected so that the terminal of the internal battery 304 of the hard disk device 301 is connected to the power supply terminal of the device circuit 303 of the hard disk device.
09b and the switch B308 are connected to the terminal a. As a result, the hard disk device 301 can execute the emergency processing such as the normal end work of the ongoing recording operation and the retracting of the head by the internal 14.4V battery 304. Reliability is improved.

Here, when the main unit is driven by connecting the external power supply as described above, the user does not need to be aware of the charging of the internal battery of the sub-unit, but drives the main unit with the internal battery. If the battery of the sub-device runs out earlier than the main device, the sub-device needs to be charged again in the above configuration. Therefore, even in such a case, as an embodiment for the user to continue using the main device and the sub device without paying attention to the charging of the internal battery of the sub device, as one embodiment, the power of the battery of the sub device and the internal battery of the main device is used. If a device that detects the amount of remaining battery is added and the remaining amount of battery in the main device is sufficient and the remaining amount of battery in the sub device is low, most of the currently popular electronic devices are used. As in the case of the device, only the circuit driving power of the sub device may be supplied from the internal battery of the main device, and the internal battery of the sub device may not be charged.

As described above, the power source for driving the main device is determined. When the main device is driven by the external power source, the sub device is driven by the external power source, and the internal battery of the sub device is charged. Is driven by the internal battery, the sub-device is driven by the internal battery of the sub-device, so that the user can charge and use the internal battery of the sub-device without being conscious of the user.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, the connection power source is automatically determined and the internal battery is charged according to the determination, so that the user is not conscious of the charging of the internal battery. A supply system can be provided. In particular, according to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to control the determination of the connection power supply with a simple switch control.
Further , according to the invention according to claim 2 , a highly reliable power supply system can be provided. In addition, billing
According to the invention according to item 3 , a highly reliable power supply system with a simple configuration can be provided. In addition, 請
According to the invention as set forth in claim 4 , the use continuation time can be lengthened. Further, according to the present invention, since the connection power supply is automatically determined and the internal battery is charged according to the determination, it is possible to provide a power supply method without the user being conscious of the charging of the internal battery. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power supply system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of a power supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Sub apparatus 102 Switch control apparatus 103 Sub apparatus circuit 104 Internal battery 105 Switch A 106 Switch B 121 Connection terminal 122 Connection terminal 123 Connection terminal 141 Main apparatus 142 Power supply connection state judgment circuit 143 Main apparatus circuit 144 Internal battery 145 Regulator 146 Power supply switching Device 150 Charger 161 External power supply

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. Can be connected to each other to send and receive data
And receive power from each
While the external battery is being charged, external power
Output necessary power while using internal battery according to need
Power supply between the main device and the sub device equipped with a power supply unit
In the system, on the main device side, the power supply unit is supplied with required power from outside by the power supply unit.
A determination unit for determining whether or not the power supply unit is connected, and an output unit for supplying power from the power supply unit to the sub device.
The sub device side inputs the judgment result of the judgment unit and supplies the main device with
If the power unit is receiving the required power from the outside
In this case, the power supply unit of this
Output the required power for this sub-device
And charge the internal battery of this secondary device.
Charge control unitEquipped, The charge control unit of the auxiliary device, Based on the judgment result of the judgment unit,
When the power supply unit is receiving the required power supply from outside
If the power supply unit of this secondary device is the output unit
Output the required power for this sub-device
At the same time, charge the internal battery of this sub device.
And the power supply unit of the main unit
When the necessary power is being supplied,
The unit does not receive power from the output unit
The required power of this sub device from the internal battery of this sub device
Switch control means for switching between outputting and
Do A power supply system characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein said switch control means is such that when the power supply of said main device is momentarily interrupted, an internal battery of said sub device supplies power to said sub device. A power supply system characterized by switching to: 3. The power supply system according to claim 2 , wherein said determination unit determines whether said main unit is supplied with required power from outside by a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. Wherein the switch control means determines that the power supply of the main device is momentarily interrupted when the voltage signal falls below the smaller voltage value of the reference voltage without notice. Power supply system. 4. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the sub device detects a remaining amount of power of an internal battery of the sub device and determines a remaining amount of power of an internal battery of the main device. The charging control unit includes a power remaining amount detecting unit for detecting, and when the power supply unit of the main device is receiving supply of required power from an internal battery, the charging remaining amount of the main device is determined by the power remaining amount detecting unit. When it is detected that the remaining amount of the internal battery is sufficient and the remaining amount of the internal battery of the sub device is low, the power is supplied from the output unit and the necessary power of the sub device is output. A power supply system, wherein charging of an internal battery of the auxiliary device is not performed.