U.S. patent application number 14/239840 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for electronic apparatus, power supply device, system and apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Goro Kano. Invention is credited to Goro Kano.
Application Number | 20140208131 14/239840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47746147 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140208131 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kano; Goro |
July 24, 2014 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS
Abstract
A power supply device is caused to execute a new program. An
electronic apparatus that receives power from a power supply device
in a non-contact manner includes: an intra-apparatus circuit that
operates with power received via a power transmission path from the
power supply device to the electronic apparatus; a program
acquiring unit that acquires a program to be executed by the power
supply device from outside, and stores the program; and an
apparatus-side communicating unit that transmits the program to the
power supply device via the power transmission path.
Inventors: |
Kano; Goro; (Yokohama-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kano; Goro |
Yokohama-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
47746147 |
Appl. No.: |
14/239840 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
August 17, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/005191 |
371 Date: |
February 20, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 50/40 20160201;
H01M 10/46 20130101; Y02D 10/00 20180101; G06F 1/26 20130101; Y02E
60/10 20130101; G06F 8/65 20130101; H02J 50/80 20160201; H02J 50/12
20160201; H01M 2010/4278 20130101; H02J 7/00034 20200101; H02J
50/90 20160201; H02J 50/10 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/300 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/445 20060101
G06F009/445; G06F 1/26 20060101 G06F001/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2011 |
JP |
2011-181965 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An electronic apparatus that receives power from a power supply
device in a non-contact manner, the electronic apparatus
comprising: a power receiving unit that receives power via a power
transmission path from the power supply device to the electronic
apparatus; a program acquiring unit that acquires a program to be
executed by the power supply device from outside, and stores the
program; and an apparatus-side communicating unit that transmits
the program from the electronic apparatus to the power supply
device via the power transmission path.
22. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the
program acquiring unit acquires, from outside of the electronic
apparatus, an updating program for updating a program to be
executed by the power supply device, and the apparatus-side
communicating unit transmits the updating program to the power
supply device via the power transmission path, and causes the power
supply device to execute the updating program.
23. The electronic apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the
apparatus-side communicating unit: inquires, via the power
transmission path, whether to update a program, under a condition
that the updating program is stored; and when the power supply
device answers that the program is to be updated, transmits the
stored updating program to the power supply device via the power
transmission path.
24. The electronic apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the
apparatus-side communicating unit: acquires identification
information of the power supply device via the power transmission
path; and transmits, to the power supply device via the power
transmission path, the updating program for updating a program to
be executed by an apparatus corresponding to the identification
information.
25. The electronic apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the
apparatus-side communicating unit: registers a request for a
program update received from the power supply device via the power
transmission path; acquires the updating program from outside of
the electronic apparatus and stores the updating program, under a
condition that the request for a program update is registered; and
transmits the stored updating program via the power transmission
path to the power supply device that has issued the request for a
program update, under a condition that the updating program is
stored.
26. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the
electronic apparatus transmits a program to the power supply device
via the power transmission path, under a condition that power is
not being supplied from the power supply device to the electronic
apparatus.
27. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, the electronic
apparatus further comprising: a power charge control unit that
supplies, to a secondary battery, power that the power receiving
unit has received from the power supply device, and causes the
power to be stored in the secondary battery, wherein power supply
to the secondary battery by the power charge control unit and
transmission of the program by the apparatus-side communicating
unit are performed in chronological order.
28. The electronic apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the
electronic apparatus transmits the program after stopping the power
supply to the secondary battery.
29. An electronic apparatus that receives power from a power supply
device in a non-contact manner, the electronic apparatus
comprising: a program acquiring unit that acquires a program to be
executed by the power supply device from outside, and stores the
program; and a power receiving unit that receives power transmitted
from the power supply device to the electronic apparatus, and
transmits the program from the electronic apparatus to the power
supply device.
30. An electronic apparatus that receives power from a power supply
device in a non-contact manner, the electronic apparatus
comprising: a power receiving unit that receives power via a power
transmission path from the power supply device to the electronic
apparatus; a power charge control unit that supplies, to a
secondary battery, power that the power receiving unit has received
from the power supply device, and causes the power to be stored in
the secondary battery; an apparatus-side communicating unit that
receives, from the power supply device via the power transmission
path from the power supply device to the electronic apparatus, a
program to be executed by the electronic apparatus; and a processor
that executes the program received by the apparatus-side
communicating unit to control the electronic apparatus.
31. A power supply device that supplies power to an electronic
apparatus in a non-contact manner, the power supply device
comprising: a power supply unit that supplies power to the
electronic apparatus via a power transmission path from the power
supply device to the electronic apparatus; a supply-side
communicating unit that receives, from the electronic apparatus via
the power transmission path, a program to be executed by the power
supply device; and a control processor that executes the program
received by the supply-side communicating unit to control power
supply to the electronic apparatus.
32. The power supply device according to claim 31, wherein the
supply-side communicating unit receives, from the electronic
apparatus via the power transmission path, an updating program for
updating a program to be executed by the power supply device, and
the control processor executes the received updating program.
33. The power supply device according to claim 32, wherein the
supply-side communicating unit: provides a response via the power
transmission path concerning whether to update a program in
response to an inquiry from the electronic apparatus concerning
whether to update the program; and executes the updating program
received from the electronic apparatus via the power transmission
path.
34. The power supply device according to claim 31, the power supply
device further comprising a transfer status display unit that
displays a transfer status of the program from the electronic
apparatus to the power supply device.
35. The power supply device according to claim 31, wherein the
power supply device is able to supply power to a plurality of the
electronic apparatus concurrently, and when one electronic
apparatus is located at a position where the one electronic
apparatus is able to receive power from the power supply device,
the supply-side communicating unit communicates with the one
electronic apparatus via the power transmission path to acquire a
maximum power consumption value of the one electronic apparatus,
the power supply device further comprising a power control unit
that limits a total supplied power amount to be less than a
predetermined value based on a maximum power consumption value of
each of a plurality of electronic apparatus when the power supply
device supplies power to the plurality of the electronic apparatus
concurrently.
36. The power supply device according to claim 35, the power supply
device further comprising a power amount display unit that displays
the total supplied power amount.
37. A power supply device that supplies power to an electronic
apparatus in a non-contact manner, the power supply device
comprising: a power supply unit that supplies power from the power
supply device to the electronic apparatus, and receives a program
that is transmitted from the electronic apparatus to the power
supply device and is to be executed by the electronic apparatus;
and a control processor that executes the program received by the
power supply unit to control power supply to the electronic
apparatus.
38. A system comprising an electronic apparatus and a power supply
device that supplies power to the electronic apparatus in a
non-contact manner, wherein the electronic apparatus includes: a
power receiving unit that receives power via a power transmission
path from the power supply device to the electronic apparatus; a
program acquiring unit that acquires a program to be executed by
the power supply device from outside, and stores the program; and
an apparatus-side communicating unit that transmits the program
from the electronic apparatus to the power supply device via the
power transmission path, and the power supply device includes: a
power supply unit that supplies power to the electronic apparatus
via the power transmission path from the power supply device to the
electronic apparatus; a supply-side communicating unit that
receives the program from the electronic apparatus via the power
transmission path; and a control processor that executes the
program received by the supply-side communicating unit to control
power supply to the electronic apparatus.
39. The system according to claim 38, wherein a first electronic
apparatus of the electronic apparatus transmits, to the power
supply device via the power transmission path, a request to acquire
a first program to be executed for the first electronic apparatus,
under a condition that the first electronic apparatus is located at
a position where the first electronic apparatus is able to receive
power from the power supply device, the power supply device
registers the request received from the first electronic apparatus,
the power supply device transmits, to a second electronic apparatus
of the electronic apparatus via the power transmission path, a
request to acquire the first program, under a condition that the
request from the first electronic apparatus is registered in the
power supply device and the second electronic apparatus is located
at a position where the second electronic apparatus is able to
receive power, the second electronic apparatus registers therein
the request received from the power supply device; the second
electronic apparatus acquires and stores a program indicated in the
request, under a condition that the request received from the power
supply device is registered in the second electronic apparatus and
a program is able to be acquired from outside, the second
electronic apparatus transmits the first program to the power
supply device via the power transmission path, under a condition
that the first program is stored in the second electronic apparatus
and the second electronic apparatus is located at a position where
the second electronic apparatus is able to receive power from the
power supply device, the power supply device stores the first
program received from the second electronic apparatus, and the
power supply device transmits the first program to the first
electronic apparatus via the power transmission path, under a
condition that the first program is stored in the power supply
device and the first electronic apparatus is located at a position
where the first electronic apparatus is able to receive power.
40. A system comprising an electronic apparatus and a power supply
device that supplies power to the electronic apparatus in a
non-contact manner, wherein the power supply device includes: a
program acquiring unit that acquires a program to be executed by
the electronic apparatus from outside, and stores the program; and
an apparatus-side communicating unit that transmits, to the
electronic apparatus via a power transmission path from the power
supply device to the electronic apparatus, the program that the
program acquiring unit stores, and the electronic apparatus
includes: a power receiving unit that receives power via the power
transmission path; a power charge control unit that supplies, to a
secondary battery, power that the power receiving unit has received
from the power supply device, and causes the power to be stored in
the secondary battery; an apparatus-side communicating unit that
receives the program from the power supply device via the power
transmission path from the power supply device to the electronic
apparatus; and a processor that executes the program received by
the apparatus-side communicating unit to control the electronic
apparatus.
41. An apparatus that exchanges power with another apparatus in a
non-contact manner, the apparatus comprising a communicating unit
that performs at least either one of transmission and reception of
a program between the apparatus and the other apparatus via a power
transmission path for exchanging power with the other apparatus in
a non-contact manner.
Description
[0001] The contents of the following Japanese and PCT patent
applications are incorporated herein by reference:
[0002] No. JP2011-181965 filed on Aug. 23, 2011, and
[0003] No. PCT/JP2012/005191 filed on Aug. 17, 2012.
1. TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, a
power supply device, a system, and an apparatus.
2. RELATED ART
[0005] An electrically non-contact power charging system for an
electronic apparatus has been known. When an electronic apparatus
is located at a position where power supply is possible, the system
starts power supply after authentication of the electronic
apparatus. [0006] Patent Document No. 1: Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2009-213295
SUMMARY
[0007] In such a system, a power supply device has a processor for
a processing with an electronic apparatus, such as communication
and authentication. The processor executes a program preloaded at
the time of factory shipment and the like to perform a processing
such as communication and authorization.
[0008] Programs are updated to newer versions day by day. However,
the power supply device in such a system does not have functions
for communication or connectivity with an external memory.
Accordingly, the power supply device has not been able to update a
preloaded program.
[0009] Therefore, it is an object of an aspect of the innovations
herein to provide an electronic apparatus, a power supply device,
system and apparatus, which are capable of overcoming the above
drawbacks accompanying the related art. The above and other objects
can be achieved by combinations described in the claims. A first
aspect of the present invention provides an electronic apparatus
that receives power from a power supply device in a non-contact
manner, the electronic apparatus including: an intra-apparatus
circuit that operates with power received via a power transmission
path from the power supply device to the electronic apparatus; a
program acquiring unit that acquires a program to be executed by
the power supply device from outside, and stores the program; and
an apparatus-side communicating unit that transmits the program to
the power supply device via the power transmission path.
[0010] A second aspect of the present invention provides an
electronic apparatus that receives power from a power supply device
in a non-contact manner, the electronic apparatus including: an
intra-apparatus circuit that operates with power received from the
power supply device via a power transmission path from the power
supply device to the electronic apparatus; a supply-side
communicating unit that receives, from the power supply device via
the power transmission path, a program to be executed by the
electronic apparatus; and a processor that executes the program
received by the supply-side communicating unit to control the
intra-apparatus circuit.
[0011] A third aspect of the present invention provides a power
supply device that supplies power to an electronic apparatus in a
non-contact manner, the power supply device including: a
supply-side communicating unit that receives, from the electronic
apparatus via a power transmission path from the power supply
device to the electronic apparatus, a program to be executed by the
power supply device; and a control processor that executes the
program received by the supply-side communicating unit to control
power supply to the electronic apparatus.
[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a power
supply device that supplies power to an electronic apparatus in a
non-contact manner, the power supply device including: a program
acquiring unit that acquires a program to be executed by the
electronic apparatus from outside, and stores the program; and an
apparatus-side communicating unit that transmits, to the electronic
apparatus via a power transmission path from the power supply
device to the electronic apparatus, the program that the program
acquiring unit stores.
[0013] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a system
including an electronic apparatus and a power supply device that
supplies power to the electronic apparatus in a non-contact manner,
wherein the electronic apparatus includes: an intra-apparatus
circuit that operates with power received via a power transmission
path from the power supply device to the electronic apparatus; a
program acquiring unit that acquires a program to be executed by
the power supply device from outside, and stores the program; and
an apparatus-side communicating unit that transmits the program to
the power supply device via the power transmission path, and the
power supply device includes: a supply-side communicating unit that
receives the program from the electronic apparatus via the power
transmission path; and a control processor that executes the
program received by the supply-side communicating unit to control
power supply to the electronic apparatus.
[0014] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a system
including an electronic apparatus and a power supply device that
supplies power to the electronic apparatus in a non-contact manner,
wherein the power supply device includes: a program acquiring unit
that acquires a program to be executed by the electronic apparatus
from outside, and stores the program; and an apparatus-side
communicating unit that transmits, to the electronic apparatus via
a power transmission path from the power supply device to the
electronic apparatus, the program that the program acquiring unit
stores, and the electronic apparatus includes: an intra-apparatus
circuit that operates with power received from the power supply
device via the power transmission path; a supply-side communicating
unit that receives the program from the power supply device via the
power transmission path; and a processor that executes the program
received by the supply-side communicating unit to control the
intra-apparatus circuit.
[0015] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides an
apparatus that exchanges power with another apparatus in a
non-contact manner, the apparatus including a communicating unit
that performs at least either one of transmission and reception of
a program between the apparatus and the other apparatus via a power
transmission path for exchanging power with the other apparatus in
a non-contact manner.
[0016] The summary clause does not necessarily describe all
necessary features of the embodiments of the present invention. The
present invention may also be a sub-combination of the features
described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a power charging system 10
according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the functions and configuration of the power
charging system 10 according to the present embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a first flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a second flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a third flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a fourth flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows the functions and configuration of the power
charging system 10 according to a first variant of the present
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the power charging system 10
according to a second variant of the present embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows the functions and configuration of a power
supply device 30 in the power charging system 10 according to the
second variant of the present embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Hereinafter, (some) embodiment (s) of the present invention
will be described. The embodiment (s) do (es) not limit the
invention according to the claims, and all the combinations of the
features described in the embodiment (s) are not necessarily
essential to means provided by aspects of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a power charging system 10
according to an embodiment. The power charging system 10 according
to the present embodiment includes an electronic apparatus 20 and a
power supply device 30. The electronic apparatus 20 operates with
power stored in a secondary battery inside thereof.
[0028] The power supply device 30 supplies power to the electronic
apparatus 20 in a non-contact manner. Here, when power is supplied
"in a non-contact manner", metallic terminals are not connected
directly for conduction, and components may be in mechanical
contact via insulating materials and the like of the housings of
the apparatus and the like. In the present embodiment, the power
supply device 30 supplies power to the electronic apparatus 20 by
electromagnetic induction using a coil. Alternatively, the power
supply device 30 may supply power, for example, by electric field
and magnetic resonance. Techniques of supplying power to the
electronic apparatus 20 in a non-contact manner are called wireless
power supply, non-contact power transfer, non-contact power
transmission and the like.
[0029] For example, the power supply device 30 is tabular, and
supplies power to the electronic apparatus 20 in a state that the
electronic apparatus 20 is placed on the surface thereof. With the
power charging system 10, the electronic apparatus 20 can be
charged merely by being placed on the power supply device 30
without requiring special attachment and detachment operations with
respect to a charging apparatus.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the functions and configuration of the power
charging system 10 according to the present embodiment. When the
electronic apparatus 20 is placed on the power supply device 30, a
power transmission path 25 is formed to transmit power from the
power supply device 30 to the electronic apparatus 20 in an
electrically non-contact manner. Thereby, the power supply device
30 can charge the electronic apparatus 20. In the present
embodiment, the power transmission path 25 is a pathway that
transmits power by electromagnetic induction.
[0031] The electronic apparatus 20 has a power receiving unit 32, a
secondary battery 34, a power charge control unit 36, an
intra-apparatus circuit 38, a program acquiring unit 40, an
apparatus-side communicating unit 42, and a processor 44. The power
receiving unit 32 receives power from the power supply device 30 in
a non-contact manner. In the present embodiment, the power
receiving unit 32 has a coil 46, and works together with a power
supply unit 52 of the power supply device 30 to form the power
transmission path 25.
[0032] The secondary battery 34 stores power received via the power
transmission path 25. The power stored in the secondary battery 34
is supplied to each circuit in the electronic apparatus 20.
[0033] The power charge control unit 36 causes the power that the
power receiving unit 32 has received from the power supply device
30 to be supplied to and stored in the secondary battery 34. For
example, the power charge control unit 36 rectifies and converts an
AC voltage received from the power receiving unit 32 into a DC
voltage, and causes the power to be stored in the secondary battery
34.
[0034] The intra-apparatus circuit 38 operates with power received
from the power supply device 30 via the power transmission path 25.
In the present embodiment, the intra-apparatus circuit 38 operates
with power stored in the secondary battery 34.
[0035] The program acquiring unit 40 acquires a designated program
from the outside of the electronic apparatus 20 and stores the
program therein. For example, the program acquiring unit 40
downloads a designated program from an external server via a
network and stores the program therein. Also, for example, the
program acquiring unit 40 reads out a designated program from an
external memory such as a memory card that is mounted to the
electronic apparatus 20, and stores the program therein.
[0036] The program acquiring unit 40 acquires, as such a designated
program, an updating program for updating a program that is
currently executed by a control processor 58 of the power supply
device 30. For example, the program acquiring unit 40 acquires an
updating program for updating a power charge control program of the
power supply device 30. Also, when the power supply device 30
performs functions other than power supply, an updating program for
updating a program to control the functions may be acquired. For
example, the program acquiring unit 40 acquires an updating program
for updating a scheme to authenticate an ID between the power
supply device 30 and the electronic apparatus 20. Also, for
example, the program acquiring unit 40 acquires an updating program
for causing a program that is currently executed by the power
supply device 30 to support a new type of the electronic apparatus
20.
[0037] Also, a program that the program acquiring unit 40 acquires
is not limited to a program aimed for an update, but the program
acquiring unit 40 may acquire a new program that can add a new
function to the power supply device 30. For example, the program
acquiring unit 40 acquires a program for causing the power supply
device 30 to function as an image display apparatus, a program for
causing the power supply device 30 to function as a music player
apparatus, a program for causing the power supply device 30 to
function as a clock, and other programs.
[0038] The apparatus-side communicating unit 42 communicates data
with the power supply device 30 via the power transmission path 25.
In the present embodiment, the apparatus-side communicating unit 42
communicates data with a supply-side communicating unit 56 in the
power supply device 30 by modulating and demodulating current
flowing through the coil 46 of the power receiving unit 32
according to a predetermined scheme. In the present embodiment, the
apparatus-side communicating unit 42 transmits a program acquired
by the program acquiring unit 40 to the power supply device 30 via
the power transmission path 25.
[0039] The processor 44 controls each circuit, including the
intra-apparatus circuit 38, in the electronic apparatus 20.
Furthermore, the processor 44 executes an authentication process
and the like with the power supply device 30 using data that the
apparatus-side communicating unit 42 has communicated with the
power supply device 30.
[0040] The power supply device 30 has the power supply unit 52, a
supply control unit 54, the supply-side communicating unit 56, and
the control processor 58. The power supply unit 52 supplies power
to the electronic apparatus 20 in a non-contact manner. In the
present embodiment, the power supply unit 52 has a coil 62, and
works together with the power receiving unit 32 of the electronic
apparatus 20 to form the power transmission path 25.
[0041] The supply control unit 54 receives power from an external
power supply, and controls the power supply unit 52 to transfer the
power received from the external power supply to the electronic
apparatus 20 via the power transmission path 25. For example, the
supply control unit 54 varies current flowing through the coil 62
of the power supply unit 52 to induce current in the coil 46 of the
power receiving unit 32 by electromagnetic induction.
[0042] The supply-side communicating unit 56 communicates data with
the electronic apparatus 20 via the power transmission path 25. In
the present embodiment, the supply-side communicating unit 56
communicates data with the apparatus-side communicating unit 42 in
the electronic apparatus 20 by modulating and demodulating current
flowing through the coil 62 of the power supply unit 52 according
to a predetermined scheme. In the present embodiment, the
supply-side communicating unit 56 receives a program from the
electronic apparatus 20 via the power transmission path 25.
[0043] The control processor 58 controls each circuit in the power
supply device 30. Also, the control processor 58 executes an
authentication process and the like with the electronic apparatus
20 using data that the supply-side communicating unit 56 has
communicated with the electronic apparatus 20. Also, the control
processor 58 controls the power supply amount of the supply control
unit 54.
[0044] Furthermore, when the supply-side communicating unit 56
receives a program, the control processor 58 executes the received
program. In the present embodiment, the control processor 58
controls power supply to the electronic apparatus 20 by executing a
program received by the supply-side communicating unit 56.
[0045] Either or both of the electronic apparatus 20 and the power
supply device 30 may further have a transfer status display unit
60. The transfer status display unit 60 displays the transfer
status, the transfer rate, the amount of data that has been
transferred, and the like about a program transferred from the
electronic apparatus 20 to the power supply device 30. Thereby, the
transfer status display unit 60 can notify a user of to what extent
a transfer has completed.
[0046] With the power charging system 10, power can be supplied
from the power supply device 30 to the electronic apparatus 20 by
placing the electronic apparatus 20 on the power supply device 30.
Furthermore, with the power charging system 10, a program to be
executed in the power supply device 30 can be acquired by the
electronic apparatus 20 and transferred to the power supply device
30 via the power transmission path 25. Thereby, with the power
charging system 10, a new program can be executed by the power
supply device 30 even when the power supply device 30 does not have
a function to acquire data from the outside.
[0047] FIG. 3 shows a first flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment. First, the electronic apparatus 20 is placed on
the power supply device 30 (S 11). The power supply device 30
detects whether the electronic apparatus 20 has been located at a
position where the electronic apparatus 20 can receive power from
the power supply device 30. For example, the power supply device 30
detects whether the electronic apparatus 20 has been placed by
using a sensor. Also, for example, the power supply device 30
detects whether the electronic apparatus 20 has been placed based
on a load change in the power transmission path 25.
[0048] Subsequently, the power supply device 30 supplies power to
the electronic apparatus 20 via the power transmission path 25,
under a condition that the electronic apparatus 20 has been located
at a position where the electronic apparatus 20 can receive power
(S12). At a step S12, more specifically, the power supply device 30
first communicates with the electronic apparatus 20 via the power
transmission path 25 to authenticate whether the placed electronic
apparatus 20 is an apparatus to which power is allowed to be
supplied (S12-1). When the placed electronic apparatus 20 is
authenticated, the power supply device 30 subsequently supplies
power to the electronic apparatus 20 via the power transmission
path 25 (S12-2). Thereby, the electronic apparatus 20 can charge
the secondary battery 34 with power supplied from the power supply
device 30.
[0049] Then, the power supply device 30 stops power supply at a
time when sufficient power is stored in the secondary battery 34 of
the electronic apparatus 20. When power supply is stopped, the
power supply device 30 subsequently transmits, to the electronic
apparatus 20 via the power transmission path 25, a request to
transfer an updating program (S 13). More specifically, the power
supply device 30 transmits a request to transfer an updating
program, under a condition that the electronic apparatus 20 has
been located at a position where the electronic apparatus 20 can
receive power and the power supply device 30 is not supplying power
to the electronic apparatus 20.
[0050] Upon acquiring, from the power supply device 30, the request
to transfer an updating program from the electronic apparatus 20,
the electronic apparatus 20 confirms whether there is an updating
program for the power supply device 30 with a designated server via
a network (S 14). When there is an updating program in the server,
the electronic apparatus 20 downloads and acquires the updating
program from the server (S 15). In this case, when there is an
updating program in an external memory, the electronic apparatus 20
may read out and acquire the updating program from the external
memory instead of from the server.
[0051] Subsequently, the electronic apparatus 20 transmits the
acquired updating program to the power supply device 30 via the
power transmission path 25 (S16). The power supply device 30
receives the updating program transmitted from the electronic
apparatus 20 via the power transmission path 25. Then, upon
completing reception of the updating program, the power supply
device 30 executes the received updating program (S 17). Thereby,
the power supply device 30 can update the program to be executed to
a new program.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a second flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment. The power charging system 10 may execute a
program update according to the second flow shown in FIG. 4 instead
of the first flow.
[0053] First, in a state that the electronic apparatus 20 is not
placed on the power supply device 30, the electronic apparatus 20
acquires, from the outside of the electronic apparatus 20 (for
example, from a server or an external memory), an updating program
for updating a program to be executed by the power supply device 30
(S21). For example, the electronic apparatus 20 periodically
accesses a server to confirm whether there is a latest updating
program, and, when there is a latest updating program, downloads
the program. Then, the electronic apparatus 20 stores the acquired
updating program therein.
[0054] Subsequently, the electronic apparatus 20 is placed on the
power supply device 30 (S22). Subsequently, the power supply device
30 supplies power to the electronic apparatus 20 via the power
transmission path 25, under a condition that the electronic
apparatus 20 is located at a position where the electronic
apparatus 20 can receive power. The power supply processing is
executed in a manner similar to the processing of the step S12
shown in FIG. 3. Thereby, the electronic apparatus 20 can charge
the secondary battery 34 with power supplied from the power supply
device 30 (S23).
[0055] Then, the power supply device 30 stops power supply at a
time when sufficient power is stored in the secondary battery 34 of
the electronic apparatus 20. When power supply is stopped, the
electronic apparatus 20 subsequently inquires, via the power
transmission path 25, whether to update a program (S24). More
specifically, in a state that the electronic apparatus 20 has been
located at a position where the electronic apparatus 20 can receive
power from the power supply device 30 and is not receiving power
from the power supply device 30, the electronic apparatus 20
inquires, via the power transmission path 25, whether to update the
program, under a condition that an updating program is stored
therein.
[0056] Subsequently, in response to receiving the inquiry from the
electronic apparatus 20 concerning whether to update the program,
the power supply device 30 answers that the program is to be
updated if the update is possible (S25). Subsequently, when the
power supply device 30 answers that the program is to be updated,
the electronic apparatus 20 transmits the stored updating program
to the power supply device 30 via the power transmission path 25
(S26). In this case, when the electronic apparatus 20 stores a
plurality of types of updating programs therein, the electronic
apparatus 20 acquires, in advance via power transmission path 25,
the identification information of the power supply device 30, and
transmits, to the power supply device 30 via the power transmission
path 25, an updating program for updating a program to be executed
by an apparatus corresponding to the identification
information.
[0057] The power supply device 30 receives the updating program
transmitted from the electronic apparatus 20 via the power
transmission path 25. Then, upon completing reception of the
updating program, the power supply device 30 executes the received
updating program (S27). With the processing according to the flow,
the power charging system 10 can update the program of the power
supply device 30 even in an environment where the electronic
apparatus 20 cannot connect to a network in a state the electronic
apparatus 20 has been placed on the power supply device 30 because
the electronic apparatus 20 acquires the updating program in
advance when the electronic apparatus 20 is connected to a network
and the like.
[0058] FIG. 5 shows a third flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment. The power charging system 10 may execute a
program update according to the third flow shown in FIG. 5 instead
of the first and second flows.
[0059] First, the electronic apparatus 20 is placed on the power
supply device 30 (S31). Subsequently, the power supply device 30
supplies power to the electronic apparatus 20 via the power
transmission path 25, under a condition that the electronic
apparatus 20 has been located at a position where the electronic
apparatus 20 can receive power. The power supply processing is
executed in a manner similar to the processing of the step S12
shown in FIG. 3. Thereby, the electronic apparatus 20 can charge
the secondary battery 34 with power supplied from the power supply
device 30 (S32).
[0060] Then, the power supply device 30 stops power supply at a
time when sufficient power is stored in the secondary battery 34 of
the electronic apparatus 20. When power supply is stopped, the
electronic apparatus 20 subsequently inquires, via the power
transmission path 25, whether to update a program (S33). More
specifically, in a state that the electronic apparatus 20 has been
located at a position where the electronic apparatus 20 can receive
power from the power supply device 30 and is not receiving power
from the power supply device 30, the electronic apparatus 20
inquires, via the power transmission path 25, whether to update the
program, under a condition that an updating program is stored
therein.
[0061] In response to receiving the inquiry from the electronic
apparatus 20 whether to update the program, the power supply device
30 transmits, to the electronic apparatus 20 via the power
transmission path 25, a request to update the program if the update
is possible (S34). In response to receiving the request to update
the program from the power supply device 30, the electronic
apparatus 20 registers therein the request to update the program
from the power supply device 30 (S35).
[0062] Subsequently, the electronic apparatus 20 is removed from
above the power supply device 30 (S36). In a state that the
electronic apparatus 20 is not placed on the power supply device
30, the electronic apparatus 20 acquires the updating program of
the power supply device 30 from the outside of the electronic
apparatus 20 (for example, from a server or an external memory),
under a condition that the request to update the program is
registered therein (S37). Then, the electronic apparatus 20 stores
therein the acquired updating program.
[0063] Subsequently, the electronic apparatus 20 is placed on the
power supply device 30 again (S37). The power supply device 30
supplies power to the electronic apparatus 20 via the power
transmission path 25, under a condition that the electronic
apparatus 20 has been located at a position where the electronic
apparatus 20 can receive power. The electronic apparatus 20 charges
the secondary battery 34 inside thereof with power supplied from
the power supply device 30 (S38).
[0064] Subsequently, the electronic apparatus 20 transmits the
stored updating program via the power transmission path 25 to the
power supply device 30 that has issued the request to update the
program, (S39). For example, the electronic apparatus 20 determines
whether the power supply device 30 on which the electronic
apparatus 20 is placed is an apparatus that has issued the request
to update the program by acquiring the identification information
of the power supply device 30.
[0065] The power supply device 30 receives the updating program
transmitted from the electronic apparatus 20 via the power
transmission path 25. Then, upon completing reception of the
updating program, the power supply device 30 executes the received
updating program (S40). With the processing according to the flow,
the power charging system 10 can acquire an updating program
efficiently because the updating program is acquired after the
electronic apparatus 20 receives a request from the power supply
device 30.
[0066] FIG. 6 shows a fourth flow of power charge and a program
updating process in the power charging system 10 according to the
present embodiment. The power charging system 10 may execute a
program update according to the fourth flow shown in FIG. 6 instead
of the first to third flows.
[0067] First, a first electronic apparatus 20-1 is placed on the
power supply device 30 (S41). Subsequently, the power supply device
30 supplies power to the first electronic apparatus 20-1 via the
power transmission path 25, under a condition that the first
electronic apparatus 20-1 has been located at a position where the
first electronic apparatus 20-1 can receive power. The power supply
processing is executed in a manner similar to the processing of the
step S12 shown in FIG. 3. Thereby, the first electronic apparatus
20-1 can charge the secondary battery 34 with power supplied from
the power supply device 30 (S42).
[0068] Then, the power supply device 30 stops power supply at a
time when sufficient power is stored in the secondary battery 34 of
the first electronic apparatus 20-1. When power supply is stopped,
the first electronic apparatus 20-1 subsequently transmits, to the
power supply device 30 via the power transmission path 25, a
request to acquire a first program to be executed for the first
electronic apparatus 20-1 (S43). More specifically, the first
electronic apparatus 20-1 transmits a request to acquire the first
program, under a condition that the electronic apparatus 20 has
been located at a position where the electronic apparatus 20 can
receive power from the power supply device 30, and is not receiving
power from the power supply device 30.
[0069] Upon receiving the request from the first electronic
apparatus 20-1, the power supply device 30 registers therein the
request received from the first electronic apparatus 20-1 (S44).
Then, the first electronic apparatus 20-1 is removed from above the
power supply device 30 (S45).
[0070] Subsequently, a second electronic apparatus 20-2 is placed
on the power supply device 30 (S46). Subsequently, the power supply
device 30 supplies power to the second electronic apparatus 20-2
via the power transmission path 25, under a condition that the
second electronic apparatus 20-2 has been placed at a position
where the second electronic apparatus 20-2 can receive power.
Thereby, the second electronic apparatus 20-2 can charge the
secondary battery 34 with power supplied from the power supply
device 30 (S42).
[0071] Then, the power supply device 30 stops power supply at a
time when sufficient power is stored in the secondary battery 34 of
the second electronic apparatus 20-2. When power supply is stopped,
the power supply device 30 subsequently transmits, to the second
electronic apparatus 20-2 via the power transmission path 25, a
request to acquire the first program (S48). More specifically, the
power supply device 30 transmits, to the second electronic
apparatus 20-2, the request to acquire the first program, under a
condition that the request from the first electronic apparatus 20-1
is registered therein, the second electronic apparatus 20-2 has
been located at a position where the second electronic apparatus
20-2 can receive power and power is not supplied to the second
power supply device 30-2. In response to receiving, from the power
supply device 30, the request to acquire the first program, the
second electronic apparatus 20-2 registers therein the request to
acquire the first program from the power supply device 30
(S49).
[0072] Subsequently, the second electronic apparatus 20-2 is
removed from above the power supply device 30 (S50). In a state
that the second electronic apparatus 20-2 is not placed on the
power supply device 30, the second electronic apparatus 20-2
acquires, from the outside of the second electronic apparatus 20-2
(for example, from a server or an external memory), the first
program indicated in the request, under a condition that the
request received from the power supply device 30 is registered
therein and the program can be acquired from the outside (S51).
Then, the second electronic apparatus 20-2 stores therein the
acquired first program.
[0073] Subsequently, the second electronic apparatus 20-2 is placed
on the power supply device 30 again (S52). The power supply device
30 supplies power to the second electronic apparatus 20-2 via the
power transmission path 25, under a condition that the second
electronic apparatus 20-2 has been placed at a position where the
second electronic apparatus 20-2 can receive power. The second
electronic apparatus 20-2 charges the secondary battery 34 inside
thereof with power supplied from the power supply device 30
(S53).
[0074] Subsequently, the second electronic apparatus 20-2 transmits
the first program stored therein to the power supply device 30 via
the power transmission path 25, under a condition that the second
electronic apparatus 20-2 stores the first program therein, and has
been located at a position where the second electronic apparatus
20-2 can receive power from the power supply device 30 (S54). Upon
receiving the first program from the second electronic apparatus
20-2, the power supply device 30 stores the received first program
therein (S55). Then, the second electronic apparatus 20-2 is
removed from above the power supply device 30 (S56).
[0075] Subsequently, the first electronic apparatus 20-1 is placed
on the power supply device 30 again (S57). The power supply device
30 supplies power to the first electronic apparatus 20-1 via the
power transmission path 25, under a condition that the first
electronic apparatus 20-1 has been located at a position where the
first electronic apparatus 20-1 can receive power. The first
electronic apparatus 20-1 charges the secondary battery 34 inside
thereof with power supplied from the power supply device 30
(S58).
[0076] Subsequently, the power supply device 30 transmits, to the
first power supply device 30-1 via the power transmission path 25,
the first program stored therein (S59). More specifically, the
power supply device 30 transmits the first program to the first
electronic apparatus 20-1, under a condition that the first program
is stored therein and the first electronic apparatus 20-1 is
located at a position where the first electronic apparatus 20-1 can
receive power. For example, the power supply device 30 determines
whether the placed power supply device 30 is an apparatus that has
issued the request to acquire the program by acquiring the
identification information of the electronic apparatus 20.
[0077] The first electronic apparatus 20-1 receives the first
program transmitted from the power supply device 30 via the power
transmission path 25. Then, upon completing reception of the first
program, the first electronic apparatus 20-1 executes the received
first program (S60).
[0078] With the processing according to the flow, the power
charging system 10 can cause an updating program for the first
electronic apparatus 20-1 to be acquired by the second electronic
apparatus 20-2 to transfer the updating program from the second
electronic apparatus 20-2 to the first electronic apparatus 20-1
via the power supply device 30. Thereby, the power charging system
10 can update a program to be executed by the first electronic
apparatus 20-1 even when the first electronic apparatus 20-1 does
not have a function to connect to a network or an external
memory.
[0079] FIG. 7 shows the functions and configuration of the power
charging system 10 according to a first variant of the present
embodiment. Because the power charging system 10 according to the
first variant adopts the functions and configuration substantially
the same with those of the power charging system 10 explained in
conjuncture with FIGS. 1 to 6, only differences are explained.
[0080] The power supply device 30 according to the present variant
further has the program acquiring unit 40. Also, the electronic
apparatus 20 according to the present variant may not have the
program acquiring unit 40. The power supply device 30 according to
the present variant can connect to a server via a network, or
acquire data from an external memory.
[0081] The program acquiring unit 40 acquires and stores therein an
updating program for the electronic apparatus 20 via the network or
the external memory. Then, in a state that the electronic apparatus
20 is placed thereon, the power supply device 30 according to the
present variant transmits the acquired updating program to the
electronic apparatus 20 via the power transmission path 25.
Thereby, the power charging system 10 can update the program to be
executed by the electronic apparatus 20 even when the electronic
apparatus 20 does not have a function to connect to a network or an
external memory.
[0082] FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the power charging system 10
according to a second variant of the present embodiment. Because
the power charging system 10 according to the second variant adopts
the functions and configuration substantially the same with those
of the power charging system 10 explained in conjuncture with FIGS.
1 to 6, only differences are explained.
[0083] The power charging system 10 according to the present
variant can supply power to a plurality of the electronic apparatus
20 concurrently. In the present variant, the power supply device 30
has a plurality of the power supply units 52 therein, and can form
a plurality of the power transmission paths 25 simultaneously.
Then, when the electronic apparatus 20 are placed thereon, the
power supply device 30 detects the positions where the electronic
apparatus 20 are placed, and operates the power supply units 52
corresponding to the electronic apparatus 20 at the detected
positions to supply power to the corresponding electronic apparatus
20.
[0084] Also, in the present variant, one of the plurality of the
electronic apparatus 20 to be placed on the power supply device 30
acquires, from the outside, a program to be executed by the power
supply device 30. Then, in the present variant, the electronic
apparatus 20 that has acquired the program from the outside
transmits the program to the power supply device 30 via the power
transmission path 25.
[0085] FIG. 9 shows the functions and configuration of the power
supply device 30 in the power charging system 10 according to the
second variant of the present embodiment. The power supply device
30 has the plurality of the power supply units 52, a plurality of
the supply control units 54, a plurality of the supply-side
communicating units 56, the control processor 58, a power control
unit 70, and a power amount display unit 72.
[0086] Each of the plurality of the supply control units 54 and
each of the plurality of the supply-side communicating units 56 are
provided corresponding to each of the plurality of the power supply
units 52. The control processor 58 exchange data with the plurality
of the supply-side communicating units 56 and controls the entire
operation of the power supply device 30.
[0087] The power control unit 70 controls each of the plurality of
the supply control units 54 to control the amount of power supplied
to the plurality of the electronic apparatus 20. The power control
unit 70 may be realized as a function of the control processor 58.
The power amount display unit 72 displays the total amount of power
supplied from the power supply device 30 to the electronic
apparatus 20.
[0088] In the power supply device 30, when one of the electronic
apparatus 20 is located at a position where the electronic
apparatus 20 can receive power from the power supply device 30, the
supply-side communicating unit 56 communicates with the electronic
apparatus 20 via the corresponding power transmission path 25 to
acquire the maximum power consumption value of the electronic
apparatus 20. Then, when the power supply device 30 supplies power
to the plurality of the electronic apparatus 20 concurrently, the
power control unit 70 limits the supplied power amount based on the
maximum power consumption value of each of the plurality of the
electronic apparatus 20 so that the total supplied power amount
does not become a predetermined value or higher.
[0089] For example, the power control unit 70 switches over from
one of the electronic apparatus 20 to another, to which power is
supplied, at predetermined intervals, or makes the amount of power
to be supplied to the plurality of the electronic apparatus 20
smaller than that at the normal time. Thereby, the power control
unit 70 can prevent an expectedly large current from flowing when
the plurality of the electronic apparatus 20 is placed. Also, the
power amount display unit 72 may display the total power amount to
allow the user to recognize the amount of power being supplied.
[0090] While the embodiment (s) of the present invention has (have)
been described, the technical scope of the invention is not limited
to the above described embodiment (s). It is apparent to persons
skilled in the art that various alterations and improvements can be
added to the above-described embodiment (s). It is also apparent
from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such
alterations or improvements can be included in the technical scope
of the invention.
[0091] The operations, procedures, steps, and stages of each
process performed by an apparatus, system, program, and method
shown in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams can be performed in
any order as long as the order is not indicated by "prior to,"
"before," or the like and as long as the output from a previous
process is not used in a later process. Even if the process flow is
described using phrases such as "first" or "next" in the claims,
embodiments, or diagrams, it does not necessarily mean that the
process must be performed in this order.
* * * * *