JP7365799B2 - Power transmission device, control method and program for power transmission device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power transmission device, a control method for the power transmission device , and a program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a power transmission device for a wireless power transmission system using a magnetic field or an electric field. Patent Document 1 discloses that a power transmission device temporarily stops power transmission when charging of a battery is completed by power transmission, and resumes power transmission when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-150531

However, the wireless power transmission system described in Patent Document 1 does not take into account the details of the reason why power transmission ends, and there is a problem in that it is difficult for the user to appropriately grasp the charging status of the power receiving device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to appropriately grasp the charging status of a power receiving device.

The power transmission device according to the present invention that achieves the above object includes:
A power transmission device that is a smartphone,
A power transmission means for wirelessly transmitting power to a power receiving device;
Receiving means for receiving a power transmission termination notification including a reason code for power transmission termination from the power receiving device;
a notification means for notifying a user of charging status ;
Suppressing means for suppressing a notification to a user that may cause confusion when the reason code for ending the power transmission indicates restarting the power transmission;
It is characterized by having the following.

According to the present invention, a user can appropriately grasp the charging status of a power receiving device.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless power transmission system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a power transmission device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power receiving device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation sequence between a power transmitting device and a power receiving device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the power transmission device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the power receiving device according to the first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing performed by the power receiving device according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless power transmission system according to the present embodiment. The power transmission device 101 is a power transmission device that complies with standards established by WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) (hereinafter referred to as WPC standards). The power transmitting device 101 acquires power supplied from the AC adapter, generates electromagnetic waves, and transmits the power to the power receiving device 102 . The power receiving device 102 is a power receiving device that complies with the WPC standard. The power receiving device 102 acquires power by receiving electromagnetic waves generated by the power transmitting device 101, and charges an internal battery (not shown).

However, when the power transmitting device 101 transmits power to the power receiving device 102, the power receiving device 102 does not need to be placed on the charging stand as long as it exists within the power transmission range of the power transmitting device 101.

The power transmitting device 101 and the power receiving device 102 can have a function of executing applications other than contactless charging. An example of the power receiving device 102 is a smartphone, and an example of the power transmitting device 101 is an accessory device for charging the smartphone. The power transmitting device 101 and the power receiving device 102 may be a storage device such as a hard disk device or a memory device, or may be an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC). Further, the power transmitting device 101 and the power receiving device 102 may be, for example, an image input device such as an imaging device (a camera or a video camera) or a scanner, or an image output device such as a printer, a copier, or a projector. Good too. Moreover, the power transmission device 101 may be a smartphone. In this case, the power receiving device 102 may be another smartphone or may be a wireless earphone. Further, the power receiving device 102 may be a car. Further, the power transmission device 101 may be a charger installed in a console or the like in a car.

<Configuration of power transmission device>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power transmission device 101 according to the present embodiment. The power transmission device 101 includes a control section 201, a power supply section 202, a power transmission section 203, a communication section 204, a coil 205, a memory 206, a timer 207, and a display section 208.

The control unit 201 controls the entire device by executing a control program stored in the memory. The control unit 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The power supply unit 202 converts power obtained from an AC adapter or the like into necessary DC voltage and DC current, and supplies the power necessary for the entire device to operate.

Power transmission unit 203 generates an alternating voltage and an alternating current to be transmitted to power receiving device 102 via coil 205. Specifically, the DC voltage supplied by the power supply unit 202 is converted into an AC voltage by a half-bridge or full-bridge switching circuit using FETs (Field Effect Transistors). It is also assumed that the power transmission unit 203 also includes a gate driver that controls on/off of the FET.

The communication unit 204 performs control communication for wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard with a communication unit (communication unit 303 described later) of the power receiving device 102. In this embodiment, the control communication executed by the communication unit 204 is communication in which the AC voltage or AC current generated by the power transmission unit 203 is modulated and a signal for use in wireless power transmission is superimposed. However, the control communication may be communication using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard or the like.

The coil 205 converts the alternating current voltage and alternating current generated by the power transmitting unit 203 into electromagnetic waves so that the coil (coil 305 described below) of the power receiving device 102 can receive the power. The memory 206 stores a control program executed by the control unit 201, and also stores the state of the power transmitting device 101, the state of the power receiving device 102, and the state of the entire wireless power transmission system. The timer 207 is used by the control unit 201 to measure time in order to perform control communication for wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard.

The display unit 208 is used to notify the user of the state of the power transmitting device 101, the state of the power receiving device 102, and the state of the entire wireless power transmission system. In the present embodiment, the control unit 201 controls an LED (Light Emitting Diode) to notify the user of the charging status by turning it on when power is being transmitted, turning it off when power transmission is stopped, and blinking when power transmission is paused. do. Note that although an LED is used as an example in this embodiment, a speaker, a vibration generating circuit, a display, or the like may be used to notify the user.

<Configuration of power receiving device>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power receiving device 102 according to the present embodiment. The power receiving device 101 includes a control unit 301, a charging unit 302, a communication unit 303, a power receiving unit 304, a coil 305, a memory 306, a timer 307, a display unit 308, and a temperature sensor 309. .

The control unit 301 controls the entire device by executing a control program stored in the memory 306. The control unit 301 is composed of a CPU and the like. The charging unit 302 charges the battery using the DC voltage and DC current supplied from the power receiving unit 304.

The communication unit 303 performs control communication for wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard with the communication unit 204 of the power transmission device 101. In this embodiment, control communication executed by the communication unit 304 is communication performed by load modulating electromagnetic waves received by the coil 305. However, the control communication may be communication using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard or the like.

The power reception unit 304 receives the AC voltage and AC current transmitted from the power transmission device 101 via the coil 305, converts them into DC voltage and DC current, and supplies the power necessary for the entire device to operate. . Coil 305 generates alternating current voltage and alternating current from electromagnetic waves, and receives power supplied from power transmission device 101 . The memory 306 stores a control program executed by the control unit 301, and also stores the state of the power transmitting device 101, the state of the power receiving device 102, and the state of the entire wireless power transmission system.

The timer 307 is used by the control unit 301 to measure time in order to perform control communication for wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard. The display unit 308 is used to notify the user of the state of the power transmitting device 101, the state of the power receiving device 102, and the state of the entire wireless power transmission system. In this embodiment, the control unit 301 controls the LED and notifies the user of the charging state by lighting the LED when power is being transmitted, turning it off when power transmission is stopped, and blinking when power transmission is temporarily stopped. Note that although an LED is used as an example in this embodiment, a speaker, a vibration generating circuit, a display, or the like may be used to notify the user.

Temperature sensor 309 measures the temperature of power receiving device 102 . Based on the information acquired from the temperature sensor 309, the control unit 301 controls the temporary stop and restart of power transmission.

<Operation sequence>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation sequence between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device according to the present embodiment. In S401, the power transmitting device 101 performs object detection, and the power receiving device 102 is detected as an object. Furthermore, in S401, it is confirmed whether the power transmitting device 101 and the power receiving device 102 are in mutually appropriate positions and whether there are any foreign objects. In S402, the power transmitting device 101 and the power receiving device 102 mutually authenticate whether the devices are based on the WPC standard, and perform settings necessary for wireless power transmission such as power settings. In S403, the power transmitting device 101 transmits power to the power receiving device 102.

In S404, the power receiving device 102 notifies the power transmitting device 101 that power transmission has ended. Note that the power transmission termination notification is notified together with a reason code for power transmission termination (information indicating the reason for power transmission termination), such as completion of charging of the power receiving device 102, restart of the power receiving device 102, and temporary suspension of charging of the power receiving device 102. do. Here, it is assumed that the power transmission termination notification has a reason code of restart. At this time, the power transmitting device 101 ends power transmission to the power receiving device 102, and further, the power transmitting device 101 performs object detection for restarting power transmission after a predetermined restart time has elapsed. It is assumed that the restart time is a fixed value of, for example, 0.5 seconds. However, this restart time may be set by the user.

After the restart time has elapsed, in steps S405 to S407, object detection, authentication, settings, and power transmission are performed in order to resume power transmission, in the same manner as in steps S401 to S403. Next, in S408, it is assumed that the power receiving device 102 notifies the power transmitting device 101 of setting a temporary stop time. Note that this setting notification shall include the temporary stop time. The pause time is assumed to be a fixed value of 3 seconds, for example, but may be variable. For example, this pause time may be set by the user.

In S409, the power transmission end notification whose reason code is "temporary stop" has not been sent, so the power transmitting apparatus 101 continues transmitting power to the power receiving apparatus 102 following S407. Assume that in S410, the power receiving apparatus 102 issues a power transmission end notification with the reason code being "temporary stop". Then, the power transmitting device 101 ends power transmission to the power receiving device 102.

In S411 to S413, after the set temporary stop time has elapsed, object detection, authentication, setting, and power transmission are performed in order to restart power transmission. Assume that in step S414, the power receiving apparatus 102 notifies the power transmitting apparatus 101 that the power transmission has ended with the reason code being "charging completed". In response to the power transmission end notification whose reason code is charging complete, the power transmitting device 101 ends power transmission to the power receiving device 102.

<Processing of power transmission equipment>
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a procedure of processing performed by the power transmission device 101 according to the present embodiment will be described. This series of processing is executed when the power transmitting device 101 starts transmitting power to the power receiving device 102.

In S501, the control unit 201 notifies the user that charging is in progress by lighting the LED. In S502, the control unit 201 determines whether a power transmission end notification has been received from the power receiving device 102. If it has not been received, wait until it is received. On the other hand, if received, the process advances to S503.

In S503, the control unit 201 analyzes the reason code of the power transmission end notification received from the power receiving device 102. If the reason code is "temporary stop", the process advances to S504. If the reason code is restart, the process advances to S506. If the reason code is charging complete, the process advances to S507.

In S504, the control unit 201 determines whether the temporary stop time is set to a longer value than the restart time. That is, if the temporary stop time is longer than the restart time, the process advances to S505. On the other hand, if the temporary stop time is less than or equal to the restart time, the process advances to S506. For example, if the temporary stop time is 3 seconds and the restart time is 0.5 seconds, the process will proceed to S505.

Note that in this step S504, an example was explained in which it is determined whether the pause time is set to a value longer than the restart time, but the pause time is set to a value longer than another reference time. It may be determined whether or not it is. That is, the comparison target may be not the restart time but a predetermined time that is another standard. For example, the predetermined time may be a length corresponding to the blinking interval of the LED. Then, it may be determined whether the pause time is longer than a predetermined time or shorter than a predetermined time.

In S505, the control unit 201 notifies the user that charging is being interrupted by blinking the LED. In S506, the control unit 201 waits for the elapse of a time (temporary stop time or restart time) according to the reason code, and then determines whether power transmission has been restarted. If restarted, the process returns to S501. If power transmission is not restarted even after the time (temporary stop time or restart time) corresponding to the reason code has elapsed, the process advances to S507. Note that if the reason code is restart, the determination may be made after waiting for the elapse of the restart time (for example, 0.5 seconds) plus the time required for object detection, authentication, and settings. If the reason code is "temporary stop", the determination may be made after waiting for the sum of the set temporary stop time (for example, 3 seconds) and the time required for object detection, authentication, and setting to elapse.

In S507, the control unit 201 turns off the LED to notify the user that charging is not in progress (that is, the charging state is at the end of charging), and ends the series of processes.

In this embodiment, the power transmitting device 101 changes the charging state (charging (termination) will be notified to the user. Further, when the reason code is restart, the charging state (charging in progress) is notified to the user by continuing to turn on the LED when power transmission is restarted. If the reason code is "temporary stop", the user is notified of the charging state (suspended) by blinking the LED until the pause time elapses.

In this way, by appropriately notifying the user of the charging status (for example, charging, charging completed, or suspended) depending on the reason for terminating power transmission, the user can appropriately understand the charging status. . Additionally, if charging is scheduled to resume in a short period of time (e.g. restart), the notification indicating that charging is in progress will continue, and if charging is not scheduled to resume in a short period of time (e.g. paused), the notification will continue to indicate that charging is in progress. By issuing a notification indicating a certain fact, it is possible to suppress excessive changes in the content of the notification. Therefore, it is possible to prevent user confusion.

<Processing of power receiving device>
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a procedure of processing performed by the power receiving apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment will be described. This series of processing is executed when the power transmitting device 101 starts transmitting power to the power receiving device 102.

In S601, the control unit 301 notifies the user that charging is in progress by lighting the LED. In S602, the control unit 301 determines whether a power transmission end notification has been transmitted to the power transmission device 101. If not, wait until transmission is confirmed. On the other hand, if it has been transmitted, the process advances to S603.

In S603, the control unit 301 checks the reason code of the power transmission end notification sent to the power transmission device 101. If the reason code is temporary stop, the process advances to S604. If the reason code is restart, the process advances to S606. If the reason code is charging complete, the process advances to S607.

In S<b>604 , the control unit 301 determines whether or not power transmission is to be temporarily stopped due to a rise in the temperature of the power receiving device 102 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 309 . For example, power transmission is temporarily stopped in response to detection of a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If the reason is temperature rise, the process advances to S605. On the other hand, if the temperature increase is not the reason, the process advances to S606. The case where the temperature rise is not the reason is, for example, the case of supplementary charging in which the battery is charged before it is used up.

In S605, the control unit 301 notifies the user that charging is being interrupted by blinking the LED. In S606, the control unit 301 waits for the elapse of a time (temporary stop time or restart time) according to the reason code, and then determines whether power transmission has been restarted. If restarted, the process returns to S601. If power transmission is not restarted even after the time (temporary stop time or restart time) corresponding to the reason code has elapsed, the process advances to S607. Note that if the reason code is restart, the determination may be made after waiting for the elapse of the restart time (for example, 0.5 seconds) plus the time required for object detection, authentication, and settings. If the reason code is "temporary stop", the determination may be made after waiting for the sum of the set temporary stop time (for example, 3 seconds) and the time required for object detection, authentication, and setting to elapse. In S607, the control unit 301 turns off the LED to notify the user that charging is not in progress (that is, the charging state is at the end of charging), and ends the series of processing.

In this embodiment, the power receiving device 102 changes the charging state (charging (termination) will be notified to the user. Further, when the reason code is restart, the charging state (charging in progress) is notified to the user by continuing to turn on the LED when power transmission is restarted. When the reason code is "temporary stop" and the reason for the temporary stop is detection of a temperature rise in the power receiving device, the user is notified of the charging state (suspended) by blinking the LED.

In this way, by appropriately notifying the user of the charging status (for example, charging, charging completed, or suspended) depending on the reason for terminating power transmission, the user can appropriately understand the charging status. .

In addition, when performing intermittent charging to avoid temperature rise, a notification will be sent to indicate that charging is being interrupted, and in the case of top-up charging, etc., where charging is performed before the battery is used up, a notification will be sent to indicate that charging is in progress. By continuing to send notifications indicating this, excessive changes in notification content can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent user confusion.

Note that when both the processing of the power transmitting device and the processing of the power receiving device are performed, notification of the charging status is performed between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device using transmission and reception of the power transmission end notification as a trigger. The content of the notification matches the content of the notification from the power receiving device. Therefore, it is possible to synchronize and control the suspension and restart of power transmission without depending on the implementation, such as the temperature characteristics of the power receiving device including the battery, or the usage environment, such as the room temperature and the presence or absence of foreign objects. This can reduce user confusion due to inconsistency in charging status notification content between devices, and further reduce the occurrence of erroneous operations due to confusion.

(Embodiment 2)
The system configuration, the configuration of the power transmitting device, the configuration of the power receiving device, and the operation sequence of the power transmitting device and the power receiving device are the same as in the first embodiment.

<Processing of power receiving device>
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, a procedure of processing performed by the power receiving device 102 according to the present embodiment will be described. This series of processing is executed when the power transmitting device 101 starts transmitting power to the power receiving device 102.

Each process of S701 to S703 is the same as each process of S601 to S603, so a description thereof will be omitted. In S704, the control unit 301 determines whether object detection for restarting power transmission has been completed. If completed, the process advances to S705. On the other hand, if the process has not been completed, the process advances to S707. Note that this determination process may be repeatedly performed during the set pause time plus the time required for object detection, authentication, and setting. Alternatively, it may be performed in response to the elapse of the total time. Note that in this step 704, an example has been described in which it is determined whether or not object detection has been completed, but other preprocessing that can predict and confirm whether or not the restart of power transmission is completed, such as completion of authentication and settings, has been described. You may check. Each process from S705 to S707 is the same as each process from S605 to S607, so a description thereof will be omitted.

As explained above, in this embodiment, when the reason code of the power transmission end notification is "temporary suspension", the completion of object detection, which is a pre-processing for restarting power transmission, is confirmed, and object detection is completed when the suspension time elapses. If not, the user is notified by turning off the LED or the like that the charging state is not charging, that is, the charging state is charging completed. This makes it possible to easily recognize that power transmission has been temporarily suspended because there is no prospect of restarting power transmission.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an example was explained in which the user is notified of different charging states by controlling the LEDs, but the current charging state may be notified to the user by, for example, audio or screen display (for example, text display). You can do it like this. Furthermore, details of the reason corresponding to the reason code included in the power transmission termination notification may also be notified.

Further, the processing of the power transmitting device described in each of the above embodiments may be applied to the power receiving device, or the processing of the power receiving device may be applied to the power transmitting device.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention provides a system or device with a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. This can also be achieved by processing. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

101: power transmission device, 201: control unit, 202: power supply unit, 203: power transmission unit, 204: communication unit, 205: coil, 206: memory, 207: timer, 208: display unit, 102: power receiving device, 301: control 302: Charging section, 303: Communication section, 304: Power receiving section, 305: Coil, 306: Memory, 307: Timer, 308: Display section, 309: Temperature sensor

Claims (8)

A power transmission device that is a smartphone,
A power transmission means for wirelessly transmitting power to a power receiving device;
Receiving means for receiving a power transmission termination notification including a reason code for power transmission termination from the power receiving device;
a notification means for notifying a user of charging status ;
Suppressing means for suppressing a notification to a user that may cause confusion when the reason code for ending the power transmission indicates restarting the power transmission;
A power transmission device characterized by having . The power transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means continues the notification indicating that the power receiving device is being charged when the reason code for ending the power transmission indicates a restart of the power receiving device. . 3. The notification means, when the reason code for the end of power transmission indicates completion of charging of the power receiving device, provides a notification indicating that charging of the power receiving device has been completed. Power transmission equipment. Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the reason code for the end of power transmission indicates a temporary suspension of charging of the power receiving device, the notification means provides a notification indicating that charging of the power receiving device is interrupted. The power transmission device according to any one of the above. The notification means may notify that charging of the power receiving device is interrupted when the reason code for the end of power transmission indicates a temporary suspension of charging of the power receiving device and the period of the temporary suspension is longer than a predetermined time. The power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power transmission device performs a notification indicating that the power transmission device has received the power. The notification means may send a notification indicating that the power receiving device is being charged when the reason code for the end of power transmission indicates a temporary suspension of charging of the power receiving device, and the time of the temporary stop is less than or equal to a predetermined time. The power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the power transmission device continues. A method for controlling a power transmission device that is a smartphone,
A power transmission process that wirelessly transmits power to a power receiving device;
a receiving step of receiving a power transmission termination notification including a reason code for power transmission termination from the power receiving device;
a notification step of notifying the user of the charging status ;
a suppressing step of suppressing a potentially confusing notification to a user when the reason code for ending the power transmission indicates restarting the power transmission;
A method for controlling a power transmission device, comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as the power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images