U.S. patent application number 14/799698 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for method and apparatus for power management.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kuchul JUNG, Kisun LEE.
Application Number | 20160018880 14/799698 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53541624 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160018880 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JUNG; Kuchul ; et
al. |
January 21, 2016 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER MANAGEMENT
Abstract
An apparatus is provided comprising a system including one or
more electronic components; a power input unit arranged to supply
power to the system; and a power management module configured to:
detect whether the system is in an abnormal state, and in response
to detecting that the system is in the abnormal state, adjust at
least one of (i) power supplied from a battery to the system, (ii)
the power supplied from the power input unit to the system, and
(iii) power supplied from the power input unit to the battery.
Inventors: |
JUNG; Kuchul; (Seoul,
KR) ; LEE; Kisun; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53541624 |
Appl. No.: |
14/799698 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/3287 20130101;
G06F 1/263 20130101; G06F 1/30 20130101; H04B 1/1615 20130101; G06F
11/0757 20130101; G06F 1/3212 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/32 20060101
G06F001/32; G06F 11/07 20060101 G06F011/07 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 16, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0089593 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a system including one or more
electronic components; a power input unit arranged to supply power
to the system; and a power management module configured to: detect
whether the system is in an abnormal state, and in response to
detecting that the system is in the abnormal state, adjust at least
one of (i) power supplied from a battery to the system, (ii) the
power supplied from the power input unit to the system, and (iii)
power supplied from the power input unit to the battery.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein detecting whether the system
is in the abnormal state includes detecting whether a temperature
measurement associated with the system exceeds a threshold.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein detecting whether the system
is in the abnormal state includes detecting at least one of (a)
whether current supplied by the battery to the system exceeds a
first threshold, and (b) whether current supplied by the power
input unit to the system exceeds a second threshold.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power management module
detects whether the system is in the abnormal state based on a
signal from a watch-dog timer and interrupts the supply of power
from the power input unit to the system based on the signal.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power management module
detects whether the system is in the abnormal state based on a
signal from a watch-dog timer, and, based on the signal, reduces at
least one of (a) the power supplied from the power input unit to
the system, (b) the power supplied from the power input unit to the
battery, and (c) the power supplied from battery to the system.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power management module
detects whether the system is in the abnormal state based on a
junction temperature within the power management module or a
temperature measurement taken by a temperature detection element
included in the system, and when the system is determined to be in
the abnormal state, the power management module reduces at least
one of (a) the power supplied from the power input unit to the
system, (b) the power supplied from the power input unit to the
battery, and (c) the power supplied from battery to the system.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power management module
comprises: a first switch unit arranged in a first signal path
between the power input unit and the system; a second switch unit
arranged in a second signal path between the system and the
battery; and a power control module arranged to control at least
one of the first switch unit and the second switch unit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power management module is
further arranged to detect at least one of (a) a level of current
supplied from the power input unit to the system, (b) a level of
current supplied by the battery to the system, and (c) a level of
current supplied by the power input unit to the battery.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power management module is
further arranged to determine whether the system is in the abnormal
state by using a watch-dog timer, and change a state of at least
one of the first switch unit and the second switch unit in order to
adjust the at least one of (i) the power supplied from the battery
to the system, (ii) the power supplied from the power input unit to
the system, and (iii) the power supplied from the power input unit
to the battery.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power management module
is further arranged to determine whether the system is in the
abnormal state based on at least one of a junction temperature
within the power management module or a measurement taken by a
temperature detection element that is part of the system.
11. A method comprising: detecting whether a battery is being
charged; when the battery is being charged, detecting whether a
system is in an abnormal state; and if the system is in the
abnormal state, adjusting by a power management module, at least
one of (i) power supplied from the battery to the system, (ii) the
power supplied from a power input unit to the system, and (iii)
power supplied from the power input unit to the battery.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting whether the system is
in the abnormal state includes detecting whether a temperature
measurement associated with the system exceeds a threshold.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting whether the system is
in the abnormal state includes detecting at least one of (a)
whether current supplied by the battery to the system exceeds a
first threshold, and (b) whether current supplied by the power
input unit to the system exceeds a second threshold.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the abnormal state is detected
based on a signal from a watch-dog timer and interrupts the supply
of power from the power input unit to the system based on the
signal.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the abnormal state is detected
based on a signal from a watch-dog timer.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the abnormal state is detected
based on a junction temperature within the power management module
or a temperature measurement taken by a temperature detection
element included in the system, and the adjusting comprises
reducing at least one of (a) the power supplied from the power
input unit to the system, (b) the power supplied from the power
input unit to the battery, and (c) the power supplied from battery
to the system.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the power management module
comprises: a first switch unit arranged in a first signal path
between the power input unit and the system; a second switch unit
arranged in a second signal path between the system and the
battery; and a power control module arranged to control at least
one of the first switch unit and the second switch unit.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the power management module is
further arranged to detect at least one of (a) a level of current
supplied from the power input unit to the system, (b) a level of
current supplied by the battery to the system, and (c) a level of
current supplied by the power input unit to the battery.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the power management module is
further arranged to determine whether the system is in the abnormal
state by using a watch-dog timer, and change a state of at least
one of the first switch unit and the second switch unit in order to
adjust the at least one of (i) the power supplied from the battery
to the system, (ii) the power supplied from the power input unit to
the system, and (iii) the power supplied from the power input unit
to the battery.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the power management module is
further arranged to determine whether the system is in the abnormal
state based on at least one of a junction temperature within the
power management module or a measurement taken by a temperature
detection element that is part of the system.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Jul. 16, 2014,
in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.
10-2014-0089593, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, and
more particularly to a method and apparatus for power
management.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, electronic devices such as a smart phone, tablet
Personal Computer (PC), Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA), Laptop PC, and wearable device such as a
wrist watch and a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) include other various
functions (e.g., Social Network Service (SNS), Internet surfing,
multimedia reproduction, and picture and moving picture
photographing and reproduction) as well as a phone function. As a
portable electronic device includes various functions, a current
consuming in a processor increases.
[0006] As a current consuming in a processor of an electronic
device having various functions increases, a problem exists that
much heat occurs at the inside of the electronic device.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus is
provided comprising a system including one or more electronic
components; a power input unit arranged to supply power to the
system; and a power management module configured to: detect whether
the system is in an abnormal state, and in response to detecting
that the system is in the abnormal state, adjust at least one of
(i) power supplied from a battery to the system, (ii) the power
supplied from the power input unit to the system, and (iii) power
supplied from the power input unit to the battery.
[0008] According to aspects of the disclosure, a method is provided
comprising: detecting whether a battery is being charged; when the
battery is being charged, detecting whether a system is in an
abnormal state; and if the system is in the abnormal state,
adjusting by a power management module, at least one of (i) power
supplied from the battery to the system, (ii) the power supplied
from a power input unit to the system, and (iii) power supplied
from the power input unit to the battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The above features and advantages of the present disclosure
will be more apparent from the following detailed description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an electronic
device, according to aspects of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a power
management module, according to aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a charge control
device, according to aspects of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another example of an
electronic device, according to aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a process, according
to aspects of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a process, according
to aspects of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of a process, according
to aspects of the present disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of a process, according
to aspects of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure are described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers are used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures
incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject
matter of the present disclosure. While the present disclosure may
be embodied in many different forms, specific embodiments of the
present disclosure are shown in drawings and are described herein
in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to
be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the
disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any
specific examples that might be provided.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an electronic
device 100, according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0020] The electronic device 100 may include a display unit 110,
user input unit 120, sensor unit 130, communication unit 140,
storage unit 150, audio unit 160, power input unit 170, battery
180, and processor 190.
[0021] The display unit 110 may include a panel, hologram device,
or projector. For example, the panel may be a Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD) or an Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode
(AM-OLED). The panel may be implemented with, for example a
flexible, transparent, or wearable method. The panel may be formed
in a module with a touch panel 121. The hologram device may show a
stereoscopic image in the air using interference of light. The
projector may project light on a screen to display an image.
According to aspects of the present disclosure, the display unit
110 may further include a control circuit for controlling a panel,
hologram device, or projector.
[0022] The user input unit 120 may include a touch panel 121, pen
sensor 122, and home key 123. For example, the touch panel 121 may
recognize a touch input with at least one method of a capacitive,
resistive, infrared ray, or ultrasonic wave method. The touch panel
121 may further include a control circuit. When the touch panel 121
is a capacitive type touch panel, the touch panel 121 may perform a
physical contact or proximity recognition. The touch panel 121 may
further include a tactile layer. In this case, the touch panel 121
may provide a haptic reaction to the user.
[0023] For example, the pen sensor 122 may be implemented using the
touch panel 121 or a separate recognition sheet. The home key 123
may include, for example a physical button, an optical key, or a
keypad.
[0024] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
electronic device 100 may receive a user input from an external
device (e.g., a computer or a server) connected to the
communication unit 140 using the communication unit 140.
[0025] The sensor unit 130 may measure a physical quantity or
detect an operation state of the electronic device 100 and convert
measured or detected information to an electric signal. The sensor
unit 130 may include at least one of, for example a gesture sensor,
gyro sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor,
acceleration sensor, grip sensor, proximity sensor, color sensor
(e.g., Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) sensor), bio sensor,
temperature/humidity sensor, illumination sensor, or Ultra Violet
(UV) sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor unit 130 may
include an E-nose sensor, electromyography sensor (EMG sensor),
electroencephalogram sensor (EEG sensor), electrocardiogram sensor
(ECG sensor), Infrared (IR) sensor, iris sensor or fingerprint
sensor, or geomagnetic field sensor. The sensor unit 130 may
further include a control circuit that controls at least one sensor
belonging to the inside thereof.
[0026] The communication unit 140 may perform data transmission and
reception in communication between the electronic device 100 and
other electronic devices connected via a network. According to
aspects of the present disclosure, the communication unit 140 may
include a mobile communication unit 141, wireless Internet unit
142, short range communication unit 143, and location information
unit 144.
[0027] The mobile communication unit 141 may provide audio
dedicated communication, audiovisual communication, a text message
service, or an Internet service through a communication network
(e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A, Code Division Multiple
Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA),
Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS), Wireless Broadband
Internet (WiBro), or Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)).
For example, the mobile communication unit 141 may perform
identification and authentication of an electronic device within a
communication network using a subscriber identity module (e.g., SIM
card). According to aspects of the present disclosure, the mobile
communication unit 141 may perform at least a partial function of
functions in which the processor 190 may provide. For example, the
mobile communication unit 141 may perform at least a portion of a
multimedia control function.
[0028] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the mobile
communication unit 141 may include a Communication Processor (CP).
For example, the mobile communication unit 141 may be implemented
with a System on Chip (SoC). The mobile communication unit 141
(e.g., communication processor) is formed with an element separate
from the processor 190, but the processor 190 may include the
mobile communication unit 141.
[0029] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
processor 190 or the mobile communication unit 141 (e.g., a
communication processor) may load and process an instruction or
data received from the storage unit 150 (e.g., a nonvolatile
memory) connected thereto or at least one of other elements in a
volatile memory. Further, the processor 190 or the mobile
communication unit 141 may store data received from at least one of
other elements or generated by at least one of other elements at
the storage unit 150 (e.g., a nonvolatile memory).
[0030] For example, the wireless Internet unit 142, short range
communication unit 143, or location information unit 144 each may
include a processor for processing data transmitted and received
through a corresponding module.
[0031] The mobile communication unit 141, wireless Internet unit
142, short range communication unit 143, or location information
unit 144 are each illustrated as a separate block, but according to
aspects of the present disclosure, at least a portion (e.g., two or
more) of the mobile communication unit 141, wireless Internet unit
142, short range communication unit 143, or location information
unit 144 may be included within one integrated chip IC or IC
package. For example, at least a portion of processors
corresponding to each of the mobile communication unit 141,
wireless Internet unit 142, short range communication unit 143, or
location information unit 144 may be implemented with a SoC.
[0032] The communication unit 140 may perform transmission and
reception of data and transmission and reception of an RF signal
through an RF module. For example, the RF module may include a
transceiver, Power Amp Module (PAM), frequency filter, or Low Noise
Amplifier (LNA). Further, the RF module may further include a
component, for example, a conductor or a conductive wire that
transmits and receives electromagnetic waves on free space in
wireless communication. By sharing one RF module, the mobile
communication unit 141, wireless Internet unit 142, short range
communication unit 143, or location information unit 144 may
transmit and receive an RF signal. According to aspects of the
present disclosure, at least one of the mobile communication unit
141, wireless Internet unit 142, short range communication unit
143, or location information unit 144 may perform transmission and
reception of an RF signal through a separate RF module.
[0033] The wireless Internet unit 142 performs a function of
accessing to wireless Internet. As wireless Internet technology,
Wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), Wireless broadband (Wibro), World
Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), and High Speed
Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) may be used.
[0034] The short range communication unit 143 performs a function
of short range communication. As short range communication
technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID),
Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), and ZigBee
may be used.
[0035] The location information unit 144 performs a function of
acquiring or determining a location of the electronic device 100.
The location information unit 144 may acquire location information
using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Here, the GNSS
is a term using for describing wireless navigation satellite
systems in which predetermined types of wireless navigation
receivers send reference signals that can determine a location
thereof at a surface of the earth or a periphery of a surface of
the earth by revolving the earth. The GNSS may include a Global
Position System (GPS) operating in US, Galileo operating in Europe,
Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System (GLONASS) operating
in Russia, COMPASS operating in China, and Quasi-Zenith Satellite
System (QZSS) operating in Japan.
[0036] Additionally, the communication unit 140 may include a
network interface (e.g. a Local Area Network (LAN) card) or a modem
that connects the electronic device 100 to a network (e.g.
Internet, a LAN, a Wire Area Network (WAN), a telecommunication
network, a cellular network, a satellite network, or a Plain Old
Telephone Service (POTS).
[0037] The storage unit 150 may include at least one of an internal
memory and an external memory.
[0038] The internal memory may include at least one of, for example
a volatile memory (e.g., a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Static RAM (SRAM),
and Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., a
One Time Programmable ROM (OTPROM), Programmable ROM (PROM),
Erasable and Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable and
Programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, and flash ROM), Hard Disk
Drive (HDD), or Solid State Drive (SSD).
[0039] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
processor 190 may load and process an instruction or data received
from at least one of other elements or a nonvolatile memory in a
volatile memory. Further, the processor 190 may store data received
from another element or generated data in the nonvolatile
memory.
[0040] The external memory may include at least one of a Compact
Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD), Micro Secure Digital (Micro-SD),
Mini Secure Digital (Mini-SD), extreme Digital (xD), or a memory
stick.
[0041] The storage unit 150 may store an application program for
operation of an operation system and an application that control a
resource of the electronic device 100. The operation system may
include a kernel, middleware, and an Application Programming
Interface (API). For example, as an operation system, Android, iOS,
Windows, Symbian, Tizen, or Bada may be used.
[0042] The storage unit 150 may store an instruction or data
received from the processor 190 or other elements (e.g., the
display unit 110, user input unit 120, sensor unit 130, and
communication unit 140) or generated by the processor 190 or other
elements. The storage unit 150 may include programming modules such
as a kernel, middleware, an API, or an application. The foregoing
respective programming modules may be formed with software,
firmware, hardware, or a combination of at least two thereof.
[0043] The kernel may control or manage system resources (e.g., a
bus, the processor 190, or the storage unit 150) used for executing
an operation or a function implemented in the remaining programming
modules, the middleware, the API, or the application. Further, the
kernel may provide an interface that can control or manage by
accessing to an individual constituent element of the electronic
device 100 in the middleware, API, or application.
[0044] The middleware may perform an intermediary function that
enables the API or the application to give and receive data by
communicating with the kernel. Further, the middleware may control
(e.g., schedule or load balance) a work request received from the
application using, for example a method of aligning a priority that
can use a system resource (e.g., the bus, processor 190, or storage
unit 150) of the electronic device 100 to at least one of the
applications.
[0045] The API is an interface that enables the application to
control a function in which the kernel or the middleware provides
and may include, for example at least one interface or function
(e.g., instruction) for file control, window control, image
processing, or text control.
[0046] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
application may include an SMS/MMS application, e-mail application,
calendar application, alarm application, health care application
(e.g., application that measures an exercise amount or blood
sugar), or environment information application (e.g., application
that provides atmospheric pressure, humidity, or temperature
information).
[0047] The audio unit 160 may interactively convert a sound and an
electronic signal. For example, the audio unit 160 may process
sound information input or output through a speaker, receiver,
earphone, or microphone.
[0048] A power supply device (e.g., a Travel Adapter (TA) or a
Travel Charger (TC) that converts AC power to DC power) may be
coupled to the power input unit 170. An external wire or wireless
charger may be coupled to the power input unit 170. The power input
unit 170 according to the present example may have a separate
interface specification distinguished from an interface
specification (e.g., 20 pin interface, micro Universal Serial Bus
(USB) interface) of a TA (hereinafter, wire charger) generally used
in a conventional mobile terminal. The power input unit 170 may
supply power input from the power supply device to the electronic
device 100.
[0049] The battery 180 may store or generate electricity and supply
power to the electronic device 100 using the stored or generated
electricity. The battery 180 may include, for example, a
rechargeable battery or a solar battery.
[0050] By driving an operation system and application program, the
processor 190 may control a plurality of hardware and software
components (e.g., the display unit 110, user input unit 120, sensor
unit 130, communication unit 140, and storage unit 150) coupled
thereto and perform various data processing and calculation
including multimedia data. For example, the processor 190 may be
implemented with a SoC. According to aspects of the present
disclosure, the processor 190 may further include a Graphic
Processing Unit (GPU). According to aspects of the present
disclosure, the processor 190 may be an Application Processor (AP)
or a Communication Processor (CP). According to aspects of the
present disclosure, the processor 190 may receive an instruction
from the foregoing other elements (e.g., the display unit 110, user
input unit 120, sensor unit 130, communication unit 140, and
storage unit 150) through a bus, decode the received instruction,
and execute calculation or data processing according to the decoded
instruction.
[0051] The processor 190 may include a power management module 191.
The power management module 191 may the supply of power to the
electronic device 100 and/or the battery 180. For example, the
power management module 191 may include a Power Management
Integrated Circuit (PMIC) and a charger Integrated Circuit (IC).
For example, the PMIC may be mounted within an IC or a SoC
semiconductor. A charging method may be classified into a wired
method and a wireless method. The charge IC may charge a battery
and prevent an overvoltage or an overcurrent from being injected
from a charger. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
charge IC may include a charge IC for at least one of a wired
charge method and a wireless charge method. The wireless charge
method may include, for example a magnetic resonance method,
magnetic induction method, or electromagnetic wave method and may
add an additional circuit, for example a circuit such as a coil
loop, resonant circuit, and rectifier for wireless charge.
[0052] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the power
management module 191 is a separate module that is not included in
the processor 190 and may operate on the electronic device 100.
[0053] The electronic device 100 according to the present example
may receive a supply of power through the power input unit 170.
When receiving a supply of power from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the power management
module 191 may determine that the electronic device 100 is
charging. When the electronic device 100 is charging, the power
management module 191 may supply power to an internal circuit of
the electronic device 100. According to aspects of the present
disclosure, when the electronic device 100 is charging, the power
management module 191 may supply power to the battery 180 and a
system 101. The system 101 is described with reference to FIGS. 3
to 4 to be described later. The system 101 may be other elements of
the electronic device 100, except for the battery 180. For example,
the system 101 may be the display unit 110, user input unit 120,
sensor unit 130, communication unit 140, storage unit 150, audio
unit 160, or processor 190.
[0054] The power management module 191 may detect an abnormal
operation of the system 101. An abnormal operation of the system
101 indicates that as the electronic device 100 or the processor
190 does not normally operate with an unknown reason, the
electronic device 100 or the processor 190 is in one state or a
state that cannot use due to a circulation state, i.e., that the
electronic device 100 or the processor 190 is in a lock-up state,
and the power management module 191 may detect the abnormal
operation.
[0055] The power management module 191, according to the present
example, may detect that the electronic device 100 or the processor
190 is in a lock-up state using a watch-dog timer (not shown)
included in the power management module 191.
[0056] The watch-dog timer is a circuit that monitors operation of
the electronic device 100 or the processor 190 to detect an
abnormal operation of the electronic device 100 or the processor
190, and for example when the electronic device 100 or the
processor 190 does not terminate a processing within a
predetermined time, the watch-dog timer may determine that the
electronic device 100 or the processor 190 is in an abnormal state
and output a signal related thereto.
[0057] For example, when the processor 190 does not determine a
register bit in the power management module 191 for a predetermined
time, the watch-dog timer may determine that the processor 190 is
in a lock-up state.
[0058] When the system 101 is in an abnormal operation state, the
power management module 191 may control power supplied through the
power input unit 170 or power input and output to and from the
battery 180.
[0059] According to aspects of the present disclosure, when the
system 101 is in an abnormal operation state, the power management
module 191 may block power supplied through the power input unit
170 to be supplied to the battery 180 and the system 101 and
control power supplied through the battery 180 to supply to the
system 101.
[0060] According to aspects of the present disclosure, when the
system 101 is in an abnormal operation state, the power management
module 191 may reduce power supplied through the power input unit
170 and power input and output to and from the battery 180 to
predetermined power. When power supplied through the power input
unit 170 and power input and output to and from the battery 180 is
reduced, power consumption in the system 101 may be reduced.
[0061] The power management module 191, according to the present
example, may detect whether the system 101 is overheating. The
electronic device 100 or the processor 190 may include an element
that can detect whether the system 101 is overheating. The power
management module 191 may determine whether the system 101 is
overheating by using a manual element or an active element such as
a thermistor in which flow of electrons increase or reduces
according to temperature increase of an element. Alternatively, the
power management module 191 may determine whether the system 101 is
overheating using a junction temperature therein. For example, when
the system 101 is in an abnormal operation state, an exothermic
phenomenon may occur.
[0062] When a temperature of the system 101 increases to a
predetermined temperature or more, the power management module 191,
according to the present example, may block power supplied through
the power input unit 170 to be supplied to the battery 180 and the
system 101 and control power supplied through the battery 180 to
supply to the system 101.
[0063] When a temperature of the system 101 increases to a
predetermined temperature or more, the power management module 191,
according to the present example, may reduce power supplied through
the power input unit 170 and power input and output to and from the
battery 180 to predetermined power. When power supplied through the
power input unit 170 and power input and output to and from the
battery 180 is reduced, power consumption of the system 101 may be
reduced. When power consumption of the system 101 is reduced, an
exothermic phenomenon of the system 101 may be mitigated.
[0064] When a temperature of the system 101 increases to a
predetermined temperature or more, the power management module 191,
according to the present example, may block power supplied through
the power input unit 170 to be supplied to the battery 180 and the
system 101 and control power supplied through the battery 180 to
supply to the system 101.
[0065] The power management module 191, according to the present
example, may detect the level of current supplied from the power
input unit 170 or the level of current input and output to and from
the battery 180. For example, when the level current supplied from
the power input unit 170 or a current input and output to and from
the battery 180 is greater than or less than a predetermined
current, the power management module 191 may control power supplied
through the power input unit 170 and power supplied through the
battery 180.
[0066] When a current supplied from the power input unit 170 or a
current input and output to and from the battery 180 is greater
than or less than a predetermined current, the power management
module 191, according to the present example, may block power
supplied through the power input unit 170 to be supplied to the
battery 180 and the system 101 and control power supplied through
the battery 180 to supply to the system 101.
[0067] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a power
management module 191 according to aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0068] The power management module 191 may include a power control
module 1911, first switch unit 1912, or second switch unit 1913.
The power control module 1911 may control operation of the first
switch unit 1912 or the second switch unit 1913. In some aspects,
the power control module 1911 may include a watch-dog timer (not
shown) that can detect an abnormal operation of the system 101.
Additionally or alternatively, the power control module 1911 may
include an element that can detect whether the electronic device
100 or the processor 190 is overheating. According to aspects of
the disclosure, the power control module 1911 may detect the level
of current provided by the power input unit 170 or the battery 180
through the first switch unit 1912 or the second switch unit
1913.
[0069] The first switch unit 1912 may adjust or control power
output from the power input unit 170 to the system 101 or the
battery 180 under the control of the power control module 1911. The
first switch unit 1912 may detect the current fed from the power
input unit 170 to the system 101 or the battery 180. Adjusting the
power output from the power input unit 170 may include reducing the
amount of power that is supplied by the power input unit 170 to the
system 101 and/or completely cutting off the supply of power from
the power input unit 170 to the system 101.
[0070] The second switch unit 1913 may adjust or control power
output from the power input unit 170 to the battery 180 or power
output from the battery 180 to the system 101 under the control of
the power control module 1911. The second switch unit 1913 may
detect a current input and output to and from the battery 180.
Adjusting the power output from the power input unit 170 may
include reducing the amount of power that is supplied by the power
input unit 170 to the battery 180 and/or completely cutting off the
supply of power from the power input unit 170 to the battery 180.
Additionally or alternatively, adjusting the power output from the
battery 180 to the system 101 may include reducing the amount of
power that is supplied by the battery 180 to the system 101 and/or
completely cutting off the supply of power from the battery 180 to
the system 101.
[0071] According to aspects of the disclosure, as the power control
module 1911 controls the first switch unit 1912 or the second
switch unit 1913, the electronic device 100 may control power
supplied to the system 101 or the battery 180.
[0072] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a charge control
device, according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0073] The charge control device of the electronic device 100 may
include a power input unit 170, power management module 191, system
101, and battery 180. The system 101 may be other elements of the
electronic device 100, except for the battery 180. For example, the
system 101 may include one or more of the display unit 110, user
input unit 120, sensor unit 130, communication unit 140, storage
unit 150, audio unit 160, or processor 190.
[0074] The power input unit 170 may be coupled to the power
management module 191. The power management module 191 may be
coupled to the power input unit 170, system 101, or battery 180.
The system 101 may be coupled to the power management module 191.
The battery 180 may be coupled to the power management module
191.
[0075] The charge control device of the electronic device 100 may
detect an abnormal operation of the system 101 through the power
management module 191. By way of example, an abnormal operation of
the system 101 may occur when the processor 190 is in a lock-up
state. The power management module 191 may detect that the
electronic device 100 or the processor 190 is in a lock-up state
using a watch-dog timer (not shown) included in the power
management module 191. When the system 101 is in an abnormal
operation state, the power management module 191 may control power
supplied through the power input unit 170 or power supplied through
the battery 180.
[0076] According to aspects of the present disclosure, when the
system 101 is in an abnormal operation state, the power management
module 191 may block power supplied through the power input unit
170 to be supplied to the battery 180 and the system 101 and
control power supplied through the battery 180 to supply to the
system 101. According to aspects of the disclosure, when the system
101 is in an abnormal operation state, the power management module
191 may reduce power supplied through the power input unit 170 and
power supplied through the battery 180 to a predetermined
level.
[0077] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the power
management module 191 may detect that the system 101 is
overheating. When a temperature of the system 101 exceeds a
threshold, the power management module 191, according to the
present example, may block power supplied through the power input
unit 170 to be supplied to the battery 180 and the system 101 and
control power supplied through the battery 180 to supply to the
system 101. When a temperature of the system 101 increases to a
predetermined temperature or more, the power management module 191,
according to the present example, may reduce power supplied through
the power input unit 170 and power supplied through the battery 180
to a predetermined level.
[0078] According to aspects of the disclosure, the power management
module 191 may detect a current supplied from the power input unit
170 or a current input and output to and from the battery 180. For
example, when a current supplied from the power input unit 170 or a
current input and output to and from the battery 180 is greater
than or less than a predetermined current level, the power
management module 191 may adjust power supplied through the power
input unit 170 and power supplied through the battery 180.
[0079] The power management module 191, according to aspects of the
disclosure, may store current use information on a use situation
basis of the electronic device 100 at production operation of the
electronic device 100. For example, when the electronic device 100
includes a camera (not shown), the electronic device 100 may
determine a current when using the camera to a maximum current of
750 mA. When using the camera, if a current of 750 mA is supplied
from the power input unit 170 or the battery 180, the electronic
device 100 may control a current supplied from the power input unit
170 or the battery 180. For example, the electronic device 100 may
determine a current when using an application (e.g., Internet
browser) to a maximum current of 500 mA. When using an application,
if a current of 500 mA or more is supplied from the power input
unit 170 or the battery 180, the electronic device 100 may control
a current supplied from the power input unit 170 or the battery
180.
[0080] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another example of the
electronic device 100, according to aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0081] The charge control device of the electronic device 100 may
include a power input unit 170, power management module 191, system
101, and battery 180.
[0082] The power input unit 170 may be coupled to the power
management module 191. The power management module 191 may be
coupled to the power input unit 170, system 101, or battery 180.
The system 101 may be coupled to the power management module 191.
The battery 180 may be coupled to the power management module
191.
[0083] The power management module 191 may include a power control
module 1911, first switch unit 1912, or second switch unit 1913.
The power control module 1911 may control operation of the first
switch unit 1912 or the second switch unit 1913. In some
implementations, the power control module 1911 may include a
processor, a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and/or any other
suitable type of processing circuitry. According to aspects of the
present disclosure, the power control module 1911 may include a
watch-dog timer (not shown) that can detect an abnormal operation
of the system 101. According to aspects of the present disclosure,
the power control module 1911 may include an element that can
detect whether the electronic device 100 or the processor 190 is
overheating. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
power control module 1911 may detect a current level of the power
input unit 170 or the battery 180 through the first switch unit
1912 or the second switch unit 1913.
[0084] The first switch unit 1912 may include a first transistor T1
having one end coupled to the power input unit 170 and the other
end coupled to a first node N1 and that receives an input of a
signal output from the power control module 1911, a first
transistor T2 having one end coupled to the first node N1 and the
other end coupled to the ground and that receives an input of a
signal output from the power control module 1911, and an inductor I
coupled between the first node N1 and a second node N2.
[0085] The first switch unit 1912 may adjust or control power
output from the power input unit 170 to the system 101 or the
battery 180 under the control of the power control module 1911. The
first switch unit 1912 may detect a current output from the power
input unit 170 to the system 101 or the battery 180.
[0086] The second switch unit 1913 may include a third transistor
T3 having one end coupled to the battery 180 and the other end
coupled to the second node N2 and that receives an input of a
signal output from the power control module 1911. The system 101
may be coupled to the second node N2 and receive a supply of power
output through the second node N2 and the power input unit 170 or
power output through the battery 180.
[0087] The second switch unit 1913 may adjust or control power
output from the power input unit 170 to the battery 180 under the
control of the power control module 1911 or power output from the
battery 180 to the system 101. The second switch unit 1913 may
detect a current input and output to and from the battery 180.
[0088] According to aspects of the present disclosure, as the power
control module 1911 controls the first switch unit 1912 or the
second switch unit 1913, the electronic device 100 may control
power supplied to the system 101 or the battery 180.
[0089] For example, when the first to third transistors T1, T2, and
T3 are an NMOS transistor, if the power control module 1911 outputs
a high signal to the first switch unit 1912 and the second switch
unit 1913, the power control module 1911 may supply power to the
system 101 or the battery 180 through the power input unit 170. For
example, when the first to third transistors T1, T2, and T3 are an
NMOS transistor, if the power control module 1911 outputs a low
signal to the first switch unit 1912 and outputs a high signal to
the second switch unit 1913, power supply to the system 101 or the
battery 180 through the power input unit 170 may be blocked. In
some aspects, the present disclosure is not limited to a case in
which the first to third transistors T1, T2, and T3 are an NMOS
transistor, the first to third transistors T1, T2, and T3 may be a
PMOS transistor, and the first to third transistors T1, T2, and T3
each may be transistors that form other channels.
[0090] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the first to
third transistors T1, T2, and T3 may receive the control of a
signal output to the power control module 1911 through a gate and
have different channel widths according to a signal output to the
power control module 1911. For example, the first switch unit 1912
may increase or decrease the power supplied from the power input
unit 170 to the system 101 or the battery 180 according to a signal
output to the power control module 1911. The second switch unit
1913 may increase or decrease the power supplied from the power
input unit 170 to the battery 180 or power supplied from the
battery 180 to the system 101 according to a signal output to the
power control module 1911.
[0091] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a process, according
to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0092] According to the process, the electronic device 100
determines whether power is supplied through the power input unit
170 (501). If power is supplied from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may determine that the electronic device 100 is charging.
[0093] If power is not supplied from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may use the battery 180 to power the system 101 (509).
[0094] If the electronic device 100 is charging, the electronic
device 100 may supply power to an internal circuit thereof (503).
For example, if the electronic device 100 is charging, the power
input unit 170 may supply power to the battery 180 and the system
101.
[0095] The electronic device 100 may determine whether the system
101 is in an abnormal operation state (505).
[0096] If the system 101 is in an abnormal operation state, the
electronic device 100 may interrupt the supply of power from the
power input unit 170 to the battery 180 and the system 101
(507).
[0097] If the system 101 is in a normal operation state, the power
input unit may continue to supply power to the battery 180 and the
system 101 (503).
[0098] The electronic device 100 may control to supply power
supplied through the battery 180 to the system 101 (509).
[0099] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another example of a process,
according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0100] According to the process, the electronic device 100
determines whether power is supplied through the power input unit
170 (601). If power is supplied from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may determine that the electronic device 100 is charging.
[0101] If power is not supplied from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may use the battery 180 to power the system 101 (609).
[0102] If the electronic device 100 is charging, the electronic
device 100 may supply power to an internal circuit thereof (603).
For example, if the electronic device 100 is charging, the
electronic device 100 may use the power supplied by the power input
unit 170 to charge the battery 180 and power the system 101.
[0103] The electronic device 100 may determine whether the system
101 is in an abnormal operation state (605). If the system 101 is
in a normal operation state, the electronic device 100 may continue
to supply power from the power input unit 170 to the battery 180
and the system 101 (603).
[0104] If the system 101 is overheating, i.e., if the system 101 is
in an abnormal operation state, the electronic device 100 may
change the state of at least one of the first and second switch
units 1912 and 1913 (607).
[0105] If the system 101 is in an abnormal operation state at
operation 605, the electronic device 100 may adjust at least one of
the power supplied through the power input unit 170, the power
input to the battery 180, and the power output by the battery 180
to the system 101. According to aspects of the present disclosure,
if the system 101 is in an abnormal operation state at operation
605, the electronic device 100 may reduce to a predetermined at
least one of (i) the power supplied from the battery 180 to the
system 101, (ii) the power supplied from the power input unit 170
to the system 101, and (iii) power supplied from the power input
unit 170 to the battery 180.
[0106] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of yet another example of a process,
according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0107] According to the process, the electronic device 100
determines whether power is supplied through the power input unit
170 (701). If power is supplied from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may determine that the electronic device 100 is charging.
[0108] If power is not supplied from the external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may use the battery 180 to power the system 101 (709).
[0109] If the electronic device 100 is charging, the electronic
device 100 may supply power to an internal circuit thereof (703).
For example, if the electronic device 100 is charging, the
electronic device 100 may use the power supplied by the power input
unit 170 to charge the battery 180 and power the system 101.
[0110] The electronic device 100 may determine whether the system
is overheating (705). If the system is not overheating, the
electronic device 100 may continue to use the power supplied by the
power input unit 170 to charge the battery 180 and power the system
101 (703).
[0111] If the system 101 is overheating, the electronic device 100
may change the state of at least one of the first and second switch
units 1912 and 1913 (707).
[0112] According to aspects of the present disclosure, if the
system 101 is overheating, the electronic device 100 may adjust at
least one of (i) the power supplied from the battery 180 to the
system 101, (ii) the power supplied from the power input unit 170
to the system 101, and (iii) power supplied from the power input
unit 170 to the battery 180. For example, if the system 101 is
overheating, the electronic device 100 may reduce at least one of
(i) the power supplied from the battery 180 to the system 101, (ii)
the power supplied from the power input unit 170 to the system 101,
and (iii) power supplied from the power input unit 170 to the
battery 180.
[0113] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of yet another example of a process,
according to aspects of the present disclosure.
[0114] According to the process, the electronic device 100
determines whether power is supplied through the power input unit
170 (801). If power is supplied from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may determine that the electronic device 100 is charging.
[0115] If power is not supplied from an external power supply
device through the power input unit 170, the electronic device 100
may use the battery 180 to power the system 101 (811).
[0116] The electronic device 100 may detect a current supplied from
the power input unit 170 or a current input and output to and from
the battery 180 (803). At operation 803, the electronic device 100
may detect the level of current supplied from the power input unit
170 or the battery 180, through the first switch unit 1912 or the
second switch unit 1913.
[0117] If the electronic device 100 is charging, the electronic
device 100 may supply power to an internal circuit thereof (805).
For example, at operation 805, if the electronic device 100 is
charging, the electronic device 100 may the power supplied by the
power input unit 170 to charge the battery 180 and power the system
101.
[0118] The electronic device 100 may determine whether a given
current level meets (e.g., exceeds or falls below) a threshold. The
given current level may include at least one of: (i) the level of
current supplied from the battery 180 to the system 101, (ii) the
level of current supplied from the power input unit 170 to the
system 101, and (iii) level of current supplied from the power
input unit 170 to the battery 180 (807). For instance, at operation
807, the electronic device 100 may determine whether a current
supplied from the power input unit 170 or a current input and
output to and from the battery 180 is greater than or smaller than
a predetermined current. As another example, at operation 807, the
electronic device 100 may determine whether a current supplied from
the power input unit 170 or a current input and output to and from
the battery 180 through the first switch unit 1912 or the second
switch unit 1913 is excessively high or low.
[0119] If the threshold is met, the electronic device 100 may
change the state of at least one of the first and second switch
units 1912 and 1913 (809).
[0120] According to aspects of the present disclosure, if the level
of current supplied from the power input unit 170 or current input
and output to and from the battery 180 through the first switch
unit 1912 or the second switch unit 1913 exceeds (or falls below)
the threshold, the electronic device 100 may adjust at least one
of: at least one of (i) the power supplied from the battery 180 to
the system 101, (ii) the power supplied from the power input unit
170 to the system 101, and (iii) power supplied from the power
input unit 170 to the battery 180. According to aspects of the
present disclosure, at operation 809, the electronic device 100 may
reduce at least one of: (i) the power supplied from the battery 180
to the system 101, (ii) the power supplied from the power input
unit 170 to the system 101, and (iii) power supplied from the power
input unit 170 to the battery 180.
[0121] As described above, according to aspects of the present
disclosure, in a method and apparatus for controlling charge of an
electronic device, and the electronic device including the same, by
controlling power supplied to the electronic device by detecting
the occurrence of an overheating condition and/or abnormal
operation while charging the electronic device, stable power can be
supplied to the electronic device.
[0122] Further, by controlling power supplied to the electronic
device by detecting an exothermic phenomenon or an abnormal
operation occurring while charging the electronic device, an
internal circuit or an internal device of the electronic device can
be protected from overheating.
[0123] FIGS. 1-8 are provided as an example only. At least some of
the steps discussed with respect to these figures can be performed
concurrently, performed in a different order, and/or altogether
omitted. It will be understood that the provision of the examples
described herein, as well as clauses phrased as "such as," "e.g.",
"including", "in some aspects," "in some implementations," and the
like should not be interpreted as limiting the claimed subject
matter to the specific examples.
[0124] The above-described aspects of the present disclosure can be
implemented in hardware, firmware or via the execution of software
or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a
CD-ROM, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a magnetic tape, a RAM, a
floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or computer
code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remote
recording medium or a non-transitory machine-readable medium and to
be stored on a local recording medium, so that the methods
described herein can be rendered via such software that is stored
on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, or a
special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as
an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer,
the processor, microprocessor controller or the programmable
hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc.
that may store or receive software or computer code that when
accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware
implement the processing methods described herein. In addition, it
would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses
code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of
the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special
purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein. Any of
the functions and steps provided in the Figures may be implemented
in hardware, software or a combination of both and may be performed
in whole or in part within the programmed instructions of a
computer. No claim element herein is to be construed under the
provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is
expressly recited using the phrase "means for".
[0125] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the examples provided therein, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *