WO2020162646A1

WO2020162646A1 - Mobile terminal and method for controlling same

Info

Publication number: WO2020162646A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/001529
Authority: WO
Inventors: 최원광; 김현우; 박영필; 양진석; 유형식
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2019-02-07
Filing date: 2019-02-07
Publication date: 2020-08-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal which receives power from an external power source, and a method for controlling same. The mobile terminal according to the present invention comprises: a main body; a battery provided in the main body; a memory for storing information related to charging of the battery; and a controller which detects and stores time information related to the charging of the battery when the charging of the battery is performed through the external power source, and detects the charge level of the battery when the charging of the battery ends.

Description

Mobile terminal and its control method

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal receiving power from an external power source and a control method thereof.

Terminals can be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals depending on whether they can be moved. Again, the mobile terminal may be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mounted terminal according to whether the user can directly carry it.

The functions of mobile terminals are diversifying. For example, there are functions for data and voice communication, photo and video shooting through a camera, voice recording, music file playback through a speaker system, and output of an image or video to the display. In some terminals, an electronic game play function is added or a multimedia player function is performed. In particular, recent mobile terminals can receive multicast signals providing visual content such as broadcasting and video or television programs.

As functions are diversified, such a terminal is in the form of a multimedia player with complex functions such as, for example, taking pictures or videos, playing music or video files, and receiving games and broadcasts. It is being implemented.

Meanwhile, in recent years, as technology has been developed, it has become possible to charge a battery of a mobile terminal at high speed. However, even though charging of the battery is completed through fast charging, factors that may deteriorate the performance of the battery have been discovered due to a usage pattern in which power is not removed from the mobile terminal.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof that prevents the performance of a battery from deteriorating due to charging of the battery.

More specifically, the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof for selecting a charging method of a battery capable of preventing deterioration of battery performance by providing a plurality of battery charging modes.

In addition, the present invention provides a mobile terminal capable of selecting a charging method of a battery in consideration of the user's pattern by learning a user's battery charging pattern and a control method thereof.

The mobile terminal according to the present invention provides time information related to charging of the battery when charging of the battery is performed through a main body, a battery provided in the main body, a memory storing information related to charging of the battery, and an external power source. And a control unit configured to detect and store a charge level of the battery when charging of the battery is terminated, wherein the control unit indicates a charging pattern of the battery based on the time information and the charge level of the battery. A charging pattern table is generated, and when a charging event of the battery occurs, a charging mode related to a charging speed of the battery is controlled based on the charging pattern table.

In an embodiment, the time information includes information about elapsed time until the external power is removed after the battery is charged to a predetermined reference level or higher, and the control unit includes, based on the elapsed time information, It is characterized in that it is determined that the battery is normally charged or overcharged.

In an embodiment, the control unit determines that the battery is normally charged when the elapsed time is less than the reference time, determines that the battery is overcharged when the elapsed time is more than the reference time, and the charging pattern table Is characterized in that at least two of the starting charging of the battery, the normal charging of the battery, and the overcharging information of the battery each include matching information.

In an embodiment, the controller compares matching information included in the charging pattern table with time information at a time when the charging event occurs, predicts a possibility of overcharging the battery at the time when the charging event occurs, and Based on the prediction result, the charging mode of the battery is controlled.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the charging mode of the battery to a fast charging mode when normal charging of the battery is expected at the time when the charging event occurs as a result of the prediction, and the prediction result, the charging event When overcharging of the battery is expected at a time point of occurrence, the charging mode of the battery is controlled to a low-speed charging mode.

In an embodiment, the matching information is present by matching a charging start time of the battery, a normal charging number of the battery, and an overcharging number of the battery.

In an embodiment, the control unit compares the number of normal charging and the number of overcharging at a charging start time corresponding to a time when the charging event occurs among the matching information, and as a result of the comparison, charging corresponding to the time at which the charging event occurs When the number of overcharges at the start time is greater than the number of normal charges, it is characterized in that it predicts that the battery may be overcharged.

In an embodiment, further comprising a display unit, the control unit, when the charging mode of the battery is driven in the low speed charging mode, controls the display to output a function icon for changing the charging mode of the battery, When the function icon is selected, the charging mode of the battery is switched from the slow charging mode to the fast charging mode.

In an embodiment, the time information may further include at least one of a charging start time of the battery, a charging end time of the battery, and a time when the battery reaches a preset charging level.

The control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes at least one of a charging start time of the battery, a charging end time, and a time when the battery reaches a preset charging level when charging of the battery is performed through an external power source. Storing time information; When the external power source is removed after the charging level of the battery is charged to a predetermined reference level or higher, calculating an elapsed time after a time when the battery reaches a predetermined charging level based on the time information; Determining whether the battery is overcharged or normally charged according to whether the calculated time is greater than or equal to a reference time; Creating a charging pattern table including the time information and whether the battery is overcharged or normally charged; When a charging event of the battery occurs, predicting a possibility of overcharging the battery at a time when the charging event occurs, using the charging pattern table; And charging the battery in a low-speed charging mode when overcharging of the battery is expected as a result of the prediction.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal and the control method thereof according to the present invention, by learning the battery charging pattern of the user, the possibility of normal charging and the possibility of overcharging of the battery can be predicted. Further, according to the mobile terminal and the control method thereof according to the present invention, the charging speed of the battery can be differently controlled according to the predicted result. Therefore, when overcharging of the battery is expected, by controlling the charging speed of the battery at a low speed, it is possible to prevent the battery performance from deteriorating due to overcharging of the battery.

Further, according to the mobile terminal and the control method thereof according to the present invention, by providing a user interface capable of switching the charging rate of the battery to each other, the user can selectively control the charging rate of the battery as needed.

1A is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal related to the present invention.

1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams of an example of a mobile terminal related to the present invention viewed from different directions.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a method of learning a charging pattern of a battery in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of learning a battery charging pattern in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of learning a battery charging pattern in a mobile terminal according to the present invention and a method of performing battery charging using the learned result.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery charging pattern in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery charging pattern table generated using a result of learning a charging pattern of a battery in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

7 to 9 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method of controlling a charging mode of a battery in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably in consideration of only the ease of preparation of the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinguished from each other by themselves. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention It should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it is directly connected to or may be connected to the other component, but other components may exist in the middle. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the present application, terms such as "comprises" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features. It is to be understood that the presence or addition of elements or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof does not preclude in advance.

Mobile terminals described herein include mobile phones, smart phones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation systems, and slate PCs. , Tablet PC (tablet PC), ultrabook (ultrabook), wearable device (wearable device, for example, smartwatch, glass type terminal (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display)), etc. have.

However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiment described in the present specification may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and digital signage, except when applicable only to mobile terminals. will be.

1A to 1C, FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal related to the present invention, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual views of an example of a mobile terminal related to the present invention viewed from different directions.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a control unit 180, and a power supply unit 190. ), etc. The components shown in FIG. 1A are not essential for implementing the mobile terminal, and thus, the mobile terminal described in the present specification may have more or fewer components than those listed above.

More specifically, among the above components, the wireless communication unit 110 is provided between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between the mobile terminal 100 and an external server. It may include one or more modules to enable wireless communication between. In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that connect the mobile terminal 100 to one or more networks.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one of a broadcast reception module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, and a location information module 115. .

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 or an image input unit for inputting an image signal, a microphone 122 for inputting an audio signal, or an audio input unit, and a user input unit 123 for receiving information from a user, for example, , A touch key, a mechanical key, etc.). The voice data or image data collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed as a user's control command.

The sensing unit 140 may include one or more sensors for sensing at least one of information in the mobile terminal, information on surrounding environments surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information. For example, the sensing unit 140 includes a proximity sensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, and gravity. G-sensor, gyroscope sensor, motion sensor, RGB sensor, infrared sensor (IR sensor), fingerprint sensor (finger scan sensor), ultrasonic sensor (ultrasonic sensor) , Optical sensor (for example, camera (see 121)), microphone (microphone, see 122), battery gauge, environmental sensor (for example, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer, radiation detection sensor, It may include at least one of a heat sensor, a gas sensor, etc.) and a chemical sensor (eg, an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.). Meanwhile, the mobile terminal disclosed in the present specification may combine and utilize information sensed by at least two or more of these sensors.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output related to visual, auditory or tactile sense, and includes at least one of a display unit 151, an audio output unit 152, a hap tip module 153, and a light output unit 154. can do. The display unit 151 may form a layer structure with the touch sensor or are integrally formed to implement a touch screen. Such a touch screen may function as a user input unit 123 that provides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user, and can provide an output interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user.

The interface unit 160 serves as a passage between various types of external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 connects a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, and a device equipped with an identification module. It may include at least one of a port, an audio input/output (I/O) port, an input/output (video I/O) port, and an earphone port. The mobile terminal 100 may perform appropriate control related to the connected external device in response to the connection of the external device to the interface unit 160.

In addition, the memory 170 stores data supporting various functions of the mobile terminal 100. The memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs (applications) driven by the mobile terminal 100, data for operation of the mobile terminal 100, and commands. At least some of these application programs may be downloaded from an external server through wireless communication. In addition, at least some of these application programs may exist on the mobile terminal 100 from the time of shipment for basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (eg, incoming calls, outgoing functions, message reception, and outgoing functions). Meanwhile, the application program may be stored in the memory 170, installed on the mobile terminal 100, and driven by the controller 180 to perform an operation (or function) of the mobile terminal.

In addition to the operation related to the application program, the controller 180 generally controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. The controller 180 may provide or process appropriate information or functions to a user by processing signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the above-described components or by driving an application program stored in the memory 170.

In addition, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components described with reference to FIG. 1A in order to drive the application program stored in the memory 170. Further, in order to drive the application program, the controller 180 may operate by combining at least two or more of the components included in the mobile terminal 100 with each other.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power to each of the components included in the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery or a replaceable battery.

At least some of the components may operate in cooperation with each other to implement an operation, control, or control method of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments described below. Further, the operation, control, or control method of the mobile terminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170.

Hereinafter, before looking at various embodiments implemented through the mobile terminal 100 described above, the components listed above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1A.

First, referring to the wireless communication unit 110, the broadcast receiving module 111 of the wireless communication unit 110 receives a broadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Two or more broadcast reception modules may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 for simultaneous broadcast reception or broadcast channel switching for at least two broadcast channels.

The mobile communication module 112 includes technical standards or communication methods for mobile communication (eg, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM)), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), Code Division Multi Access 2000 (CDMA2000), EV -DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc.), transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server.

The wireless signal may include a voice call signal, a video call signal, or various types of data according to transmission/reception of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built-in or external to the mobile terminal 100. The wireless Internet module 113 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies.

Examples of wireless Internet technologies include WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc., and the wireless Internet module ( 113) transmits and receives data according to at least one wireless Internet technology in a range including Internet technologies not listed above.

From the point of view that wireless Internet access by WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A, etc. is made through a mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 performing wireless Internet access through the mobile communication network. ) May be understood as a kind of the mobile communication module 112.

The short range communication module 114 is for short range communication, and includes Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and NFC. Near field communication may be supported by using at least one of (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) technologies. Such, short-range communication module 114, between the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or a mobile terminal 100 through a wireless area network (Wireless Area Networks). ) And a network in which the other mobile terminal 100 or an external server is located may support wireless communication. The local area wireless communication network may be a wireless personal area network (Wireless Personal Area Networks).

Here, the other mobile terminal 100 is a wearable device (for example, a smart watch), smart glasses capable of exchanging data (or interoperable) with the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display). The short-range communication module 114 may detect (or recognize) a wearable device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 100 around the mobile terminal 100. Further, when the sensed wearable device is a device that is authenticated to communicate with the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, the controller 180 transmits at least part of the data processed by the mobile terminal 100 to the short-range communication module ( 114) can be transmitted to the wearable device. Accordingly, a user of the wearable device can use data processed by the mobile terminal 100 through the wearable device. For example, according to this, when a call is received by the mobile terminal 100, the user performs a phone call through the wearable device, or when a message is received by the mobile terminal 100, the user receives the received call through the wearable device. It is possible to check the message.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location (or current location) of a mobile terminal, and representative examples thereof include a GPS (Global Positioning System) module or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module. For example, if the mobile terminal utilizes a GPS module, it can acquire the location of the mobile terminal by using a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite. As another example, when the mobile terminal utilizes the Wi-Fi module, the mobile terminal may acquire the location of the mobile terminal based on information of the Wi-Fi module and a wireless access point (AP) that transmits or receives a wireless signal. If necessary, the location information module 115 may perform any function among other modules of the wireless communication unit 110 in order to obtain data on the location of the mobile terminal as a substitute or additionally. The location information module 115 is a module used to obtain the location (or current location) of the mobile terminal, and is not limited to a module that directly calculates or obtains the location of the mobile terminal.

Next, the input unit 120 is for inputting image information (or signal), audio information (or signal), data, or information input from a user. For inputting image information, the mobile terminal 100 Alternatively, a plurality of cameras 121 may be provided. The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or a video obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151 or stored in the memory 170. Meanwhile, a plurality of cameras 121 provided in the mobile terminal 100 may be arranged to form a matrix structure, and through the camera 121 forming a matrix structure as described above, the mobile terminal 100 may have various angles or focus. A plurality of image information may be input. In addition, the plurality of cameras 121 may be arranged in a stereo structure to obtain a left image and a right image for implementing a stereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 processes an external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be used in various ways according to a function (or an application program being executed) being executed by the mobile terminal 100. Meanwhile, the microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise removal algorithms for removing noise generated in a process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 123 is for receiving information from a user, and when information is input through the user input unit 123, the control unit 180 may control the operation of the mobile terminal 100 to correspond to the input information. . Such, the user input unit 123 is a mechanical (mechanical) input means (or, a mechanical key, for example, a button located on the front, rear or side of the mobile terminal 100, a dome switch (dome switch), a jog wheel, Jog switch, etc.) and a touch-type input means. As an example, the touch input means is composed of a virtual key, a soft key, or a visual key displayed on a touch screen through software processing, or parts other than the touch screen It may be made of a touch key (touch key) disposed on. On the other hand, the virtual key or the visual key can be displayed on the touch screen while having various forms. For example, graphic, text, icon, video, or these It can be made of a combination of.

Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 senses at least one of information in the mobile terminal, information on surrounding environment surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information, and generates a sensing signal corresponding thereto. The controller 180 may control the driving or operation of the mobile terminal 100 or perform data processing, functions or operations related to an application program installed in the mobile terminal 100 based on such a sensing signal. Representative sensors among various sensors that may be included in the sensing unit 140 will be described in more detail.

First, the proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object existing in the vicinity using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays without mechanical contact. In the proximity sensor 141, the proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner area of the mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen as described above or near the touch screen.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive type proximity sensor, a magnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, and the like. When the touch screen is a capacitive type, the proximity sensor 141 may be configured to detect the proximity of the object by a change in the electric field according to the proximity of the conductive object. In this case, the touch screen (or touch sensor) itself may be classified as a proximity sensor.

On the other hand, for convenience of explanation, the action of allowing an object to be recognized as being positioned on the touch screen without touching the object on the touch screen is called "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching an object on the screen is referred to as "contact touch". A position at which an object is touched in proximity on the touch screen means a position at which the object is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the object is touched in proximity. The proximity sensor 141 may detect a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (eg, proximity touch distance, proximity touch direction, proximity touch speed, proximity touch time, proximity touch position, proximity touch movement state, etc.). have. Meanwhile, as above, the controller 180 processes data (or information) corresponding to the proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern sensed through the proximity sensor 141, and further, provides visual information corresponding to the processed data. It can be output on the touch screen. Further, the controller 180 may control the mobile terminal 100 so that different operations or data (or information) are processed according to whether a touch to the same point on the touch screen is a proximity touch or a touch touch. .

The touch sensor detects a touch (or touch input) applied to the touch screen (or display unit 151) using at least one of various touch methods such as a resistive film method, a capacitive method, an infrared method, an ultrasonic method, and a magnetic field method. do.

As an example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the touch screen or a capacitance generated in a specific portion into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect a location, area, pressure when touched, capacitance when touched, etc. of a touch object applied to the touch screen on the touch sensor. Here, the touch object is an object that applies a touch to the touch sensor, and may be, for example, a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, or a pointer.

In this way, when there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the signal(s) corresponding thereto is transmitted to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal(s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 has been touched. Here, the touch controller may be a separate component from the controller 180 or may be the controller 180 itself.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 may perform different controls or perform the same control according to the type of the touch object by touching the touch screen (or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen). Whether to perform different controls or to perform the same control according to the type of the touch object may be determined according to an operation state of the mobile terminal 100 or an application program being executed.

On the other hand, the touch sensor and the proximity sensor described above are independently or in combination, and a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi touch, and a drag touch on the touch screen. ), flick touch, pinch-in touch, pinch-out touch, swipe touch, hovering touch, etc. You can sense the touch.

The ultrasonic sensor may recognize location information of a sensing target by using ultrasonic waves. Meanwhile, the controller 180 may calculate the location of the wave generator through information sensed from the optical sensor and the plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The location of the wave generator may be calculated by using a property that the light is much faster than the ultrasonic wave, that is, the time that the light reaches the optical sensor is much faster than the time that the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. More specifically, the position of the wave generator may be calculated using a time difference between a time when the ultrasonic wave arrives using light as a reference signal.

On the other hand, the camera 121, viewed as the configuration of the input unit 120, includes at least one of a camera sensor (eg, CCD, CMOS, etc.), a photo sensor (or image sensor), and a laser sensor.

The camera 121 and the laser sensor are combined with each other to detect a touch of a sensing target for a 3D stereoscopic image. The photosensor may be stacked on the display device, and the photosensor is configured to scan a motion of a sensing object close to the touch screen. More specifically, the photo sensor scans the contents placed on the photo sensor by mounting a photo diode and a transistor (TR) in a row/column and using an electrical signal that changes according to the amount of light applied to the photo diode. That is, the photosensor may calculate the coordinates of the sensing object according to the amount of light change, and through this, the location information of the sensing object may be obtained.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display execution screen information of an application program driven in the mobile terminal 100, or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information according to such execution screen information. .

In addition, the display unit 151 may be configured as a three-dimensional display unit that displays a three-dimensional image.

A three-dimensional display method such as a stereoscopic method (glasses method), an auto stereoscopic method (no glasses method), and a projection method (holographic method) may be applied to the stereoscopic display unit.

The sound output unit 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 170 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. The sound output unit 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (eg, call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The sound output unit 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, and a buzzer.

The haptic module 153 generates various tactile effects that a user can feel. A typical example of the tactile effect generated by the haptic module 153 may be vibration. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 153 may be controlled by a user's selection or setting of a controller. For example, the haptic module 153 may synthesize and output different vibrations or sequentially output them.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 153 is designed to respond to stimuli such as an arrangement of pins that move vertically with respect to the contact skin surface, blowing force or suction force of air through the injection or inlet, grazing against the skin surface, contact of electrodes, and electrostatic force. It can generate various tactile effects, such as the effect by the effect and the effect by reproducing the feeling of cooling and warming using an endothermic or heat generating element.

The haptic module 153 may not only deliver a tactile effect through direct contact, but may also be implemented so that a user can feel the tactile effect through muscle sensations such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 153 may be provided depending on the configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The light output unit 154 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event using light from a light source of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal 100 may include message reception, call signal reception, missed call, alarm, schedule notification, email reception, and information reception through an application.

The signal output from the light output unit 154 is implemented as the mobile terminal emits a single color or multiple colors of light to the front or rear. The signal output may be terminated when the mobile terminal detects the user's event confirmation.

The interface unit 160 serves as a passage for all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits it to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device equipped with an identification module. (port), an audio input/output (I/O) port, a video input/output (I/O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 160.

Meanwhile, the identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the right to use the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), and universal user authentication. It may include a module (universal subscriber identity module; USIM). A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Accordingly, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through the interface unit 160.

In addition, the interface unit 160 serves as a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or is input from the cradle by a user. It may be a path through which various command signals are transmitted to the mobile terminal 100. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The memory 170 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input/output data (eg, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 170 may store data on vibrations and sounds of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 170 is a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type, a multimedia card micro type. ), card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read (EEPROM) -only memory), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may be operated in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 170 over the Internet.

Meanwhile, as described above, the controller 180 controls an operation related to an application program and, in general, an overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the state of the mobile terminal satisfies a set condition, the controller 180 may execute or release a lock state that restricts input of a user's control command to applications.

In addition, the controller 180 performs control and processing related to voice calls, data communication, video calls, etc., or performs pattern recognition processing capable of recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively. I can. Furthermore, in order to implement various embodiments described below on the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, the controller 180 may control one or more of the above-described components in combination.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for the operation of each component. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery configured to be rechargeable, and may be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging or the like.

Further, the power supply unit 190 may include a connection port, and the connection port may be configured as an example of an interface 160 to which an external charger supplying power for charging a battery is electrically connected.

As another example, the power supply unit 190 may be configured to charge the battery in a wireless manner without using the connection port. In this case, the power supply unit 190 uses at least one of an inductive coupling method based on a magnetic induction phenomenon or a magnetic resonance coupling method based on an electromagnetic resonance phenomenon from an external wireless power transmitter. Power can be delivered.

Meanwhile, various embodiments below may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or a similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

1B and 1C, the disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to various structures such as a watch type, a clip type, a glass type, or a folder type, a flip type, a slide type, a swing type, a swivel type to which two or more bodies are movably coupled. . Although it will relate to a specific type of mobile terminal, the description of a specific type of mobile terminal can be generally applied to other types of mobile terminals.

Here, the terminal body may be understood as a concept of referring to the mobile terminal 100 as at least one aggregate.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a case (for example, a frame, a housing, a cover, etc.) forming an exterior. As illustrated, the mobile terminal 100 may include a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are disposed in the inner space formed by the combination of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one middle case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

A display unit 151 is disposed on the front of the terminal body to output information. As illustrated, the window 151a of the display unit 151 is mounted on the front case 101 to form the front surface of the terminal body together with the front case 101.

In some cases, electronic components may also be mounted on the rear case 102. Electronic components that can be mounted on the rear case 102 include a removable battery, an identification module, and a memory card. In this case, a rear cover 103 for covering the mounted electronic component may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102. Therefore, when the rear cover 103 is separated from the rear case 102, the electronic components mounted on the rear case 102 are exposed to the outside.

As shown, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102, a part of the side surface of the rear case 102 may be exposed. In some cases, the combined serious case 102 may be completely covered by the rear cover 103. Meanwhile, the rear cover 103 may be provided with an opening for exposing the camera 121b or the sound output unit 152b to the outside.

These

cases

101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection of synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal such as stainless steel (STS), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

The mobile terminal 100 may be configured such that one case provides the inner space, unlike the above example in which a plurality of cases provide an inner space accommodating various electronic components. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 of a uni-body in which synthetic resin or metal extends from the side to the rear may be implemented.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may include a waterproof unit (not shown) to prevent water from permeating into the terminal body. For example, the waterproof unit is provided between the window 151a and the front case 101, between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, or between the rear case 102 and the rear cover 103, and the combination thereof It may include a waterproof member for sealing the inner space.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a display unit 151, first and second

sound output units

152a and 152b, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, a light output unit 154, and first and second sound output units.

Cameras

121a and 121b, first and second operation units 123a and 123b, microphone 122, interface unit 160, and the like may be provided.

Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a display unit 151, a first sound output unit 152a, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, and an optical output unit are provided on the front surface of the terminal body. 154), the first camera (121a) and the first operation unit (123a) is disposed, the second operation unit (123b), the microphone 122 and the interface unit 160 are disposed on the side of the terminal body, the terminal body The mobile terminal 100 in which the second sound output unit 152b and the second camera 121b are disposed on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 100 will be described as an example.

However, these configurations are not limited to this arrangement. These configurations may be excluded or replaced as necessary, or may be disposed on different sides. For example, the first operation unit 123a may not be provided on the front of the terminal body, and the second sound output unit 152b may be provided on the side of the terminal body rather than the rear of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). display), a three-dimensional display (3D display), an electronic ink display (e-ink display).

In addition, two or more display units 151 may exist depending on the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. In this case, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart from one surface or integrally disposed in the mobile terminal 100, or may be respectively disposed on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensor that senses a touch on the display unit 151 so that a control command can be input by a touch method. Using this, when a touch is made to the display unit 151, the touch sensor detects the touch, and the controller 180 can be configured to generate a control command corresponding to the touch based on the touch. The content input by the touch method may be a letter or a number, or an instruction or designable menu item in various modes.

On the other hand, the touch sensor is composed of a film having a touch pattern, is disposed between the display (not shown) on the back surface of the window 151a and the window 151a, or a metal wire that is directly patterned on the back surface of the window 151a. It can be. Alternatively, the touch sensor may be integrally formed with the display. For example, the touch sensor may be disposed on the substrate of the display, or may be provided inside the display.

As such, the display unit 151 may form a touch screen together with a touch sensor, and in this case, the touch screen may function as a user input unit 123 (see FIG. 1A ). In some cases, the touch screen may replace at least some functions of the first operation unit 123a.

The first sound output unit 152a may be implemented as a receiver that delivers a call sound to the user's ear, and the second sound output unit 152b is a loud speaker that outputs various alarm sounds or multimedia playback sounds. ).

A sound hole for emitting sound generated from the first sound output unit 152a may be formed in the window 151a of the display unit 151. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sound may be configured to be emitted along an assembly gap between structures (for example, a gap between the window 151a and the front case 101). In this case, the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 can be made simpler because the holes formed independently for the sound output are not visible or hidden.

The light output unit 154 is configured to output light to notify when an event occurs. Examples of the event include message reception, call signal reception, missed calls, alarm, schedule notification, email reception, information reception through an application, and the like. The control unit 180 may control the light output unit 154 so that the output of light is terminated when the user's event confirmation is detected.

The first camera 121a processes an image frame of a still image or video obtained by an image sensor in a shooting mode or a video call mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151 and may be stored in the memory 170.

The first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b are an example of a user input unit 123 that is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may also be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion. have. The first and second operation units 123a and 123b may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates while receiving a tactile feeling such as touch, push, scroll, etc. In addition, the first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b may also be employed in a manner in which the first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b are operated without a user's tactile feeling through proximity touch, hovering touch, or the like.

In this figure, the first operation unit 123a is illustrated as a touch key, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first operation unit 123a may be a push key (mechanical key) or may be configured as a combination of a touch key and a push key.

Contents input by the first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 123a receives commands such as menu, home key, cancel, search, etc., and the second operation unit 123b is output from the first or second

sound output units

152a, 152b. Commands such as adjusting the volume of sound and switching to the touch recognition mode of the display unit 151 may be input.

Meanwhile, as another example of the user input unit 123 on the rear surface of the terminal body, a rear input unit (not shown) may be provided. The rear input unit is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and the input content may be variously set. For example, commands such as power on/off, start, end, scroll, etc., control the volume of sound output from the first and second

sound output units

152a, 152b, and touch recognition mode of the display unit 151. You can receive commands such as conversion of. The rear input unit may be implemented in a form capable of inputting by a touch input, a push input, or a combination thereof.

The rear input unit may be disposed to overlap the front display unit 151 in the thickness direction of the terminal body. For example, when the user holds the terminal body with one hand, the rear input unit may be disposed at the upper rear portion of the terminal body so that it can be easily operated using the index finger. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the position of the rear input unit may be changed.

When the rear input unit is provided on the rear side of the terminal body, a new type of user interface can be implemented using this. In addition, when the touch screen or the rear input unit described above replaces at least some functions of the first operation unit 123a provided on the front of the terminal body, and the first operation unit 123a is not disposed on the front of the terminal body, The display unit 151 may be configured with a larger screen.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with a fingerprint recognition sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint, and the controller 180 may use fingerprint information detected through the fingerprint recognition sensor as an authentication means. The fingerprint recognition sensor may be embedded in the display unit 151 or the user input unit 123.

The microphone 122 is configured to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like. The microphone 122 may be provided at a plurality of locations and configured to receive stereo sound.

The interface unit 160 is a passage through which the mobile terminal 100 can be connected to an external device. For example, the interface unit 160 is a connection terminal for connection with other devices (eg, earphones, external speakers), a port for short-range communication (eg, an infrared port (IrDA Port), a Bluetooth port (Bluetooth Port), a wireless LAN port, etc.], or at least one of a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented in the form of a socket for accommodating an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM), or a memory card for storing information.

A second camera 121b may be disposed on the rear side of the terminal body. In this case, the second camera 121b has a shooting direction substantially opposite to the first camera 121a.

The second camera 121b may include a plurality of lenses arranged along at least one line. The plurality of lenses may be arranged in a matrix format. Such a camera may be referred to as an'array camera'. When the second camera 121b is configured as an array camera, images may be captured in a variety of ways using a plurality of lenses, and better quality images may be obtained.

The flash 124 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera 121b. When a subject is photographed by the second camera 121b, the flash 124 illuminates light toward the subject.

A second sound output unit 152b may be additionally disposed on the terminal body. The second sound output unit 152b may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 152a, and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be provided in the terminal body. The antenna may be built in the terminal body or may be formed in the case. For example, an antenna forming a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (refer to FIG. 1A) may be configured to be retractable from the terminal body. Alternatively, the antenna may be formed of a film type and attached to the inner surface of the rear cover 103, or a case including a conductive material may be configured to function as an antenna.

The terminal body is provided with a power supply unit 190 (see FIG. 1A) for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery 191 built in the terminal body or configured to be detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may be configured to receive power through a power cable connected to the interface unit 160. Also, the battery 191 may be configured to be wirelessly charged through a wireless charger. The wireless charging may be implemented by a magnetic induction method or a resonance method (magnetic resonance method).

On the other hand, in this drawing, the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102 to cover the battery 191 to limit the separation of the battery 191 and protect the battery 191 from external shocks and foreign substances. It is illustrated. When the battery 191 is configured to be detachably attached to the terminal body, the rear cover 103 may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.

An accessory that protects the exterior of the mobile terminal 100 or assists or expands the function of the mobile terminal 100 may be added. An example of such an accessory is a cover or pouch that covers or accommodates at least one surface of the mobile terminal 100. The cover or pouch may be configured to expand the function of the mobile terminal 100 in conjunction with the display unit 151. Another example of an accessory is a touch pen for assisting or expanding a touch input to a touch screen.

Meanwhile, as described above, the power supply unit 190 (refer to FIG. 1) according to the present invention receives external power or internal power under the control of the controller 180 to receive each component included in the mobile terminal 100. Supply power to the field. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery 191 (or battery cell), and the battery 191 may be a built-in battery or a replaceable battery.

When the battery 191 receives power from an external power source (or external current), the battery 191 may be charged (charged, charged, 充電).

Here, it means that when charging and electric current are supplied to the battery, it is filled with electricity through its chemical action and restored to its original state. Charging is the opposite of discharging, and it can be said that electric energy is supplied from the outside and accumulated as chemical energy in the battery.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the state of charge of the battery 191 is largely defined as two. The first state among the charging states of the battery is'normal charging state', after the battery starts charging, i) the charging is terminated before the rechargeable capacity of the battery is 100% filled, or ii) the charging of the battery This is the battery state when charging is terminated before a preset time after the available capacity is 100% filled.

In contrast, the second state of the charging state of the battery is an'overcharged state', which is a state of the battery when charging is started and the charging capacity of the battery is 100% filled and then the charging is terminated after a preset time. .

In other words, when the elapsed time until the external power is removed after the battery is charged to a preset reference level or higher is equal to or greater than the preset reference time, it can be said that the battery is overcharged.

That is, the overcharge state is a state in which external power has not been removed from the battery for a long time after charging of the battery is completed. If the overcharge state continues, performance of the battery may be deteriorated. For example, when overcharging of the battery occurs continuously or frequently, at least one of a decrease in capacity of the battery and a swelling phenomenon in which the battery swells may occur due to heat generation of the battery.

Accordingly, in the present invention, a mobile terminal capable of preventing overcharging of a battery by analyzing a charging habit of charging a battery by a user provides a control method thereof. That is, the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof for selecting a charging method of a battery capable of preventing deterioration of battery performance by providing a plurality of battery charging modes. As described above, the present invention provides a mobile terminal capable of learning a battery charging pattern of a user and selecting a charging method of a battery in consideration of the learned battery charging pattern, and a control method thereof.

Hereinafter, together with the accompanying drawings, a battery charging method capable of preventing overcharging of the battery will be described in more detail. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method of learning a charging pattern of a battery in a mobile terminal according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of learning a charging pattern of a battery in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of learning a battery charging pattern in a mobile terminal according to the present invention and a method of performing battery charging using a learning result, and FIG. 5 is a battery charging pattern in a mobile terminal according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram for explaining.

6 and 7 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a battery charging pattern table generated by using a result of learning a charging pattern of a battery in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

More specifically, the battery of the mobile terminal according to the present invention may be charged under the control of the controller 180.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 180 may include a data collection unit 210, a user pattern calculation unit 220, and a protection mode calculation unit 230.

The data collection unit 210, the user pattern calculation unit 220, and the protection mode calculation unit 230 are conceptually classified and named according to their functions for convenience of description, and substantially, the control unit 180 It can be controlled collectively by Accordingly, in the following description, it is possible to unify and name each component by the controller 180, without separately naming each component.

First, the data collection unit 210 according to the present invention collects information related to charging of the battery 191. In the present invention, information related to charging of the battery 191 may be very diverse, and as an example, may include time information related to charging of the battery.

Here, the time information related to battery charging is the starting time of charging the battery, the charging end time, the time information when the battery is charged to a preset reference level, and the external power is removed after the battery is charged above the preset reference level. Information on the elapsed time until the battery is overcharged, information on the charging start time when the battery is overcharged, information on the charging end time when the battery is overcharged, information on the day of the week when the battery is overcharged, information on the battery charging time when the battery is overcharged, and overcharge Information on the maintained time, information on the charging start time when the battery is normally charged, information on the charging end time when the battery is normally charged, information on the day of the week when the battery is normally charged, information on the battery charging time when the battery is normally charged, etc. It may include at least one of various time-related information.

Here, the preset reference level information is related to the charging level of the battery, and the preset reference level refers to the charging level of the battery in a state in which all the rechargeable capacities of the battery are fully charged.

The charging level of the battery (or the level of the battery) is a measure of the usable capacity of the battery, and the level of the level may be variously changed according to settings. For example, in the case where 80% of the chargeable capacity of the battery is charged on the scale represented by level 0 to level 5, the charging level of the battery can be said to be level 4. In addition, if all of the battery's chargeable capacity is discharged, the charge level of the battery is zero.

Furthermore, the data collection unit 210 may collect information on a charge level of a battery. The data collection unit 210 may collect at least one of a charge level of a battery when charging of the battery starts and a charge level of a battery when charging of the battery ends.

In addition, the data collection unit 210 may count and collect the number of overcharging and normal charging of the battery.

The data collection unit 210 may count and collect the number of overcharges and the number of normal charges in subdivided time zones at preset time intervals.

For example, the controller 180 may divide 24 hours a day based on a preset time interval (eg, 1 hour interval), and then count and collect the number of overcharges and the number of normal charges for each divided time period. .

The controller 180 may count and collect the number of times of overcharging and the number of normal charging based on a time when charging starts or when charging ends.

In this way, when various information related to the battery is collected through the data collecting unit 210, the user pattern calculating unit 220 may calculate a user pattern related to charging of the battery using the collected information.

The user pattern calculation unit 220 may generate and update a charging pattern table representing a charging pattern of a battery by using the information collected by the data collection unit 210.

The data collection unit 210 may collect information related to battery charging whenever charging of the battery is performed. In addition, the user pattern calculation unit 220 may update the charging pattern table using information collected each time the battery is charged. The charging pattern table may be stored on the memory 170.

The charging pattern table is divided into a plurality of time zones based on a preset time interval, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and at least one of overcharge count, normal charge count, overcharge time, and undercharge count for each time zone. May exist by matching each.

The matching information may exist by matching the charging start time of the battery, the normal charging number of the battery, and the overcharging number of the battery.

The user pattern calculation unit 220 may include an overcharge calculation unit 221 that calculates an overcharge section and an overcharge prediction calculation unit 222 that calculates an overcharge estimate calculation.

The overcharge calculation unit 221 calculates an overcharged section based on the information collected by the data collection unit 210.

Here, the section in which overcharging is performed may be divided based on the number of overcharging or the number of normal charging for each time period divided based on a preset time interval.

For example, the overcharge calculation unit 221 counts the number of overcharges and the number of normal charges, respectively, for each divided time period, and when the number of overcharges is greater than the number of normal charges, the corresponding time period may be determined as an overcharge section. And, on the contrary, when the number of normal charging is greater than the number of overcharging, the overcharge calculating unit 221 may determine that the corresponding time period is a normal charging section.

For example, when the number of overcharging and normal charging from 13:00 to 14:00 is counted and the number of overcharging is greater than the number of normal charging, it may be determined as an overcharging section from 13:00 to 14:00.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 may set a corresponding time zone as an overcharge section only when the number of overcharges is greater than the number of normal charging by a preset reference multiple.

Next, the overcharge prediction calculation unit 222 may determine whether overcharge is expected when a charging event occurs, based on the overcharge section determined by the overcharge section calculation unit 221. The overcharge prediction calculation unit 222 may predict overcharge based on the above-described charging pattern table.

The overcharge prediction calculator 222 may compare matching information included in the charging pattern table with time information at a time when the charging event occurs to predict a possibility of overcharging the battery at a time when the charging event occurs.

Here, the charging event occurs when an external power source is connected to the mobile terminal to supply power to the battery.

For example, the overcharge prediction calculator 222 may determine that the overcharge is expected when the time point at which the charging event occurs is within the overcharge section calculated by the overcharge section calculator 221. Alternatively, the overcharge prediction calculation unit 222 may determine that normal charging is expected when the time point at which the charging event occurs is not included within the overcharge section calculated by the overcharge section calculation unit 221.

On the other hand, the overcharge prediction calculation unit 222 may determine that the overcharge is expected even when the event occurs is not necessarily included in the overcharge section, which is, in the time zone corresponding to the overcharge section, a preset time interval This is the case in which a charging event occurs in the time range before and after as many as

Next, the protection mode calculation unit 230 may control a charging mode related to the charging speed of the battery according to whether the overcharge or normal charging is expected by the overcharge prediction calculation unit 222.

The protection mode calculation unit 230 controls the charging mode of the battery to a fast charging mode when the predicted (or predicted) result, when normal charging of the battery is expected at the time when the charging event occurs, and the prediction result When the overcharging of the battery is predicted (or predicted) when the charging event occurs, the charging mode of the battery is controlled as a low-speed charging mode.

The battery charging speed in the fast charging mode and the slow charging mode are different, and the battery charging speed in the fast charging mode is faster than the battery charging speed in the slow charging mode.

On the other hand, in the present invention, when overcharging is expected, the charging mode of the battery is performed at a low speed, thereby reducing the holding time for the overcharging of the battery.

Hereinafter, based on the concepts discussed above, a method of learning a charging pattern of a battery will be described in more detail with the flowchart of FIG. 3.

In the following description, the data collection unit 210, the user pattern calculation unit 220, and the protection mode calculation unit 230 shown in FIG. 2 are not separately named, but will be collectively referred to as the control unit 180.

As shown in FIG. 3, when charging is started by supplying external power (or external current) to the battery, the controller 180 performs a process of detecting at least one of a charging start time and a battery level (or battery charging level). To perform (S301).

The charging start time may include at least one of year, month, day, day, hour, minute, and second information. The battery level may be the level of the current battery.

Further, although not shown, when charging of the battery is completed after charging of the battery is completed by supplying external power, the controller 180 may extract time information and the battery level at the time when charging of the battery is completed.

Next, when the external power is removed from the terminal while the battery is being charged, a charging end event may occur (S302).

When a battery charging end event occurs, the controller 180 detects a battery level at the end of charging and a charging end time (S303).

The controller 180 may determine whether the battery is normally charged or whether the battery is overcharged according to whether charging of the battery is completed before the external power is terminated or whether the charging of the battery is not completed.

Here, the completion of charging of the battery may mean that the battery is charged until it reaches a preset charging level. Here, the preset charging level means a battery charging level in a state in which the rechargeable capacity of the battery is filled.

Then, the controller 180 calculates a battery charging pattern based on the determined information on whether or not normal charging or overcharging (S304).

More specifically, the controller 180 determines that the battery is normally charged when external power is terminated before charging of the battery is completed.

In addition, in a time zone corresponding to the charging start time detected in step S301, the battery is matched and stored.

In addition, the controller 180 determines whether the battery is normally charged or overcharged, based on the elapsed time from the completion of charging of the battery to the termination of the external power, when external power is terminated after charging of the battery is completed. can do.

The controller 180 determines that the battery is normally charged when the elapsed time from the completion of charging of the battery until the external power is terminated is less than the reference time, and when the elapsed time is more than the reference time, the battery is overcharged. It can be judged as.

Here, the reference time may mean a threshold time in which a battery abnormality does not occur even if external power is continuously supplied to the terminal after charging of the battery is completed. The reference and setting of the reference time may be set or changed under the control of the controller 180.

The battery charging pattern may be calculated based on the accumulated number of times by accumulating the number of times of normal charging and the number of overcharging of the battery for each time period in which charging of the battery is started.

As described above, the control unit, the number of overcharging of the battery, and the number of normal charging may be counted and collected.

The controller 180 may count and collect the number of overcharges and the number of normal charges in subdivided time zones at preset time intervals.

The controller 180 may count and collect the number of overcharges and the number of normal charges based on the time at which the charging started (or the time at which the charging was terminated).

As described above, when charging and related information of a battery is collected, the controller 180 may calculate a battery charging pattern, that is, a user pattern related to charging of the battery, using the collected information.

This battery charging pattern is a collection of information on whether the battery is overcharged or normally charged at the time when the battery starts charging, and the information is arranged and patterned for each preset time period, and the charging pattern is As shown in 5, it can be represented.

As shown in the figure, points representing overcharge and normal charge, respectively, for each preset time period may be schematically illustrated. The horizontal axis index is the charging start time, and the vertical axis index may be expressed as the total charging time.

As illustrated, the controller 180 may set a section in which the number of overcharging times is greater than the number of times of normal charging as the overcharging section 510.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 creates and updates a battery charging pattern table based on the calculated charging pattern (S305). The creation and update of the charging pattern table may be performed each time the battery is charged, or may be performed at preset intervals.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the charging pattern table may include matching information in which at least two of starting charging of a battery, normal charging of the battery, and overcharging information of the battery are matched, respectively.

The charging pattern table is divided into a plurality of time zones based on a preset time interval, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and at least one of overcharge count, normal charge count, overcharge time, and undercharge count for each time zone. May exist by matching each.

The controller 180 may determine a section in which overcharging is performed and a section in which normal charging is performed, based on the charging pattern table.

Like the charging pattern table, the number of overcharges or the number of normal charges may be counted for each time period divided based on a preset time interval.

In this way, when the charging pattern table is created, the controller 180 may determine whether overcharging is expected when a charging event occurs, using the charging pattern table. The controller 180 may predict the possibility of overcharging the battery at the time when the charging event occurs by comparing matching information included in the charging pattern table with time information at the time when the charging event occurs.

Hereinafter, when a charging event occurs, a method of predicting a possibility of overcharging a battery using a charging pattern table will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 4, when charging is started by supplying external power (or external current) to the battery, the controller 180 performs a process of detecting at least one of a charging start time and a battery level (or battery charging level). It performs (S410).

In this way, when a battery charging event occurs, the controller 180 performs a process of predicting the possibility of overcharging the battery (S420).

More specifically, the controller 180 analyzes the above-described charging pattern table (S421).

That is, when the charging event occurs, the controller 180 may determine whether overcharging is expected. The controller 180 may predict overcharging based on the charging pattern table.

The controller 180 compares and analyzes the matching information included in the charging pattern table with time information at the time when the charging event occurs.

Then, the controller 180 predicts the possibility of overcharging the battery at the time when the charging event occurs based on the comparison and analysis (S422).

For example, with reference to the table, the controller 180 may determine that overcharging is expected when the time point at which the charging event occurs is included within the overcharging section calculated by the overcharging section calculating unit 221. Alternatively, when the time point at which the charging event occurs is not included in the overcharge section calculated by the overcharge section calculator 221, the controller 180 may determine that normal charging is expected.

The controller 180 compares the number of normal charging and the number of overcharging at the charging start time corresponding to the time when the charging event occurred among matching information included in the table, and as a result of the comparison, starting charging corresponding to the time when the charging event occurred When the number of overcharges in time is greater than the number of normal charges, it can be predicted that the battery may be overcharged.

On the other hand, the control unit 189 may determine that the overcharging is expected, even if the time when the event occurs is not necessarily included within the overcharging section, which is a time zone corresponding to the overcharging section. In this case, a charging event occurs before and after a predetermined time interval.

In this way, the controller 180 predicts the possibility of overcharging the battery at the time when the charging event occurs by comparing the matching information included in the charging pattern table with time information at the time when the charging event occurs, and the prediction Based on the result, the charging mode of the battery is controlled (S423).

That is, the controller 180 generates a charging pattern table representing the charging pattern of the battery each time the charging of the battery is performed or at preset intervals, and when a charging event of the battery occurs, based on the charging pattern table, The charging mode related to the charging speed of the battery may be controlled.

More specifically, the controller 180 may control a charging mode related to a charging speed of the battery according to whether overcharging or normal charging is possible.

As a result of the prediction (or prediction), when normal charging of the battery is expected when the charging event occurs, the controller 180 may control the charging mode of the battery as a fast charging mode. Further, as a result of the prediction, when overcharging of the battery is predicted (or predicted) when the charging event occurs, the controller 180 controls the charging mode of the battery to a slow charging mode.

The battery charging speed in the fast charging mode and the slow charging mode are different, and the battery charging speed in the fast charging mode is faster than the battery charging speed in the slow charging mode. In the present invention, when overcharging is expected, by performing the charging mode of the battery at a low speed, it is possible to reduce the holding time for overcharging the battery.

Meanwhile, the charging rate in the low-speed charging mode may vary at each point in time when a charging event is started.

That is, the charging pattern table may include time information for which charging is maintained for each preset time period (see FIG. 5). The controller 180 may control the charging speed in the low-speed charging mode based on the charging maintenance time.

For example, the longer the charging maintenance time is, the slower the charging speed in the slow charging mode may be.

In addition, the charging speed in the fast charging mode may also be different at each point in time when the charging event is started. That is, the charging pattern table may further include the number of times when power is removed while the battery is not fully charged (or the battery has not reached a preset charging level), and information on the charging maintenance time.

Based on this information, the controller 180 is in a state in which charging of the battery is not completed (or the state in which the battery has not reached a preset charging level), and when the end of battery charging is expected, the charging speed is set to a general high speed. It can be controlled faster than charging.

On the other hand, based on such a charging pattern table, when the charging speed of the battery is controlled and then the battery charging is terminated, the battery charging is based on information related to charging at the end of charging, as in the method described in FIG. 3 above. You can update the pattern table.

When a battery charging end event occurs (S430), the controller 180 detects a battery level and a charging end time at the end of charging (S440).

Then, the controller 180 calculates a battery charging pattern based on the determined information on whether or not normal charging or overcharging (S454).

In addition, in the time zone corresponding to the charging start time detected in step S410, the battery is matched and stored.

In addition, the controller 180 determines whether the battery is normally charged or overcharged, based on the elapsed time from the completion of charging of the battery to the termination of the external power, when external power is terminated after charging of the battery is completed. can do

The battery charging pattern may be calculated based on the accumulated number of times by accumulating the number of times of normal charging and the number of overcharging of the battery for each time period in which the battery has started charging.

The controller 180 may count and collect the number of overcharges and the number of normal charges based on the time at which the charging started (or the time at which the charging was completed).

The description of the battery charging pattern table is replaced with the description of FIGS. 5 and 6 above.

As described above, in the present invention, when a charging event of the battery occurs, the charging mode of the battery can be controlled based on the previously created charging pattern table. In addition, when charging is terminated, time information and battery charge level information at a time point when charging is terminated may be detected, and a previously created charging pattern table may be updated.

Meanwhile, as described above, whether to perform the battery charge protection mode and control related to the battery charge protection mode may be controlled based on a user's selection. Hereinafter, together with the accompanying drawings, a user interface provided in connection with charging a battery will be described. 7 to 9 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method of controlling a charging mode of a battery in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 7, whether to activate the battery protection mode may be determined based on a user's selection. That is, the control unit may receive a determination from the user whether to activate the battery protection mode using the setting screen 710 illustrated in FIG. 7.

The controller 180 may control the charging mode of the battery according to whether the battery protection mode is activated. When the battery protection mode is selected to be deactivated, the controller 180 may charge the battery in a fast charging mode when a charging event occurs. In this case, even if the battery charging pattern table exists, the controller 180 may not refer to the charging pattern table.

Meanwhile, even when the battery protection mode is deactivated, the controller 180 may collect information related to battery charging whenever a battery charging event occurs and a battery charging end event occurs, thereby creating and updating a charging pattern table. Here, the information related to battery charging, as previously discussed, includes the charging start time, the battery charge level at the start of charging the battery, the charging end time, the time at which the battery charging is completed, and the battery charge level at the end of charging the battery. May contain information.

In addition, when it is selected that the battery protection mode is activated, the controller 180 may control the battery charging speed by referring to the battery charging pattern table when a charging event occurs.

On the other hand, when the battery ambiguous mode is activated and the battery is controlled to be charged in the low-speed mode, the controller 180 charges the current battery in a low-speed mode in a region of the display unit 151 as shown in FIG. 8. Notification information 810 notifying that it is being performed may be output.

The notification information may include information 811 indicating a current charging mode and a function icon 812 for changing the current charging mode.

That is, when the charging mode of the battery is driven in the low-speed charging mode, the controller 180 may control the display unit 151 to output a function icon 812 for changing the charging mode of the battery.

In addition, when the function icon 812 is selected, the controller 180 may switch the charging mode of the battery from the slow charging mode to the fast charging mode.

Conversely, when the battery is controlled to be charged in the high-speed mode, as shown in FIG. 9, the controller 180 provides notification information indicating that the current battery is being charged in the high-speed mode in a region of the display unit 151. 810 can be output.

The notification information may include information 911 indicating a current charging mode and a function icon 912 for changing the current charging mode.

That is, when the charging mode of the battery is driven in the fast charging mode, the controller 180 may control the display unit 151 to output a function icon 912 for changing the charging mode of the battery.

In addition, when the function icon 912 is selected, the controller 180 may switch the charging mode of the battery from the fast charging mode to the slow charging mode.

Claims

main body;

A battery provided in the main body;

A memory for storing information related to charging of the battery;

When the battery is charged through an external power source, time information related to charging of the battery is detected and stored,

When the charging of the battery is finished, comprising a control unit for detecting the charging level of the battery,

The control unit,

Based on the time information and the charging level of the battery, a charging pattern table representing the charging pattern of the battery is generated,

When a charging event of the battery occurs, a charging mode related to a charging speed of the battery is controlled based on the charging pattern table.
According to claim 1,

The time information is,

It includes information about elapsed time until the external power is removed after the battery is charged to a preset reference level or higher,

The control unit,

And determining that the battery is normally charged or overcharged based on the elapsed time information.
According to claim 2,

The control unit,

If the elapsed time is less than the reference time, it is determined that the battery is normally charged,

If the elapsed time is more than the reference time, it is determined that the battery is overcharged,

The filling pattern table,

And at least two of the starting charging of the battery, the normal charging of the battery, and the overcharging information of the battery each include matching information.
The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit,

By comparing the matching information included in the charging pattern table with time information at the time when the charging event occurs, predicting the possibility of overcharging the battery at the time when the charging event occurs,

And controlling a charging mode of the battery based on the prediction result.
According to claim 4,

The control unit,

As a result of the prediction, when normal charging of the battery is expected at the time when the charging event occurs, the charging mode of the battery is controlled as a fast charging mode,

As a result of the prediction, when overcharging of the battery is expected at a time when the charging event occurs, the charging mode of the battery is controlled to a low-speed charging mode.
According to claim 4,

The matching information,

The mobile terminal, wherein the charging start time of the battery, the normal charging number of the battery, and the overcharging number of the battery are matched to exist.
The method of claim 6,

The control unit,

Compare the number of normal charging and overcharging at the time when the charging event occurs and the corresponding charging start time among the matching information,

As a result of the comparison, when the number of overcharges is greater than the number of normal charges at a charging start time corresponding to the time when the charging event occurs, the mobile terminal is predicted that the battery may be overcharged.
The method of claim 5,

Further comprising a display unit,

The control unit,

When the charging mode of the battery is driven in the low-speed charging mode, controlling the display to output a function icon for changing the charging mode of the battery,

And when the function icon is selected, the charging mode of the battery is switched from the slow charging mode to the fast charging mode.
According to claim 2,

The time information further includes at least one of a charging start time of the battery, a charging end time of the battery, and a time time when the battery reaches a preset charging level.
Storing time information including at least one of a charging start time, a charging end time, and a time when the battery reaches a preset charging level when charging of the battery is performed through an external power source;

When the external power source is removed after the charging level of the battery is charged to a predetermined reference level or higher, calculating an elapsed time after a time when the battery reaches a predetermined charging level based on the time information;

Determining whether the battery is overcharged or normally charged according to whether the calculated time is greater than or equal to a reference time;

Creating a charging pattern table including the time information and whether the battery is overcharged or normally charged;

When a charging event of the battery occurs, predicting a possibility of overcharging the battery at a time when the charging event occurs, using the charging pattern table; And

And charging the battery in a low-speed charging mode when overcharging of the battery is expected as a result of the prediction.