Patent Grant
8680811
The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a cellular phone, or the like, a charger for charging the electronic device, and an electronic device charging system consisting of the electronic device and the charger.
In a mobile electronic device such as a cellular phone, or the like, normally a secondary battery that can be charged/discharged repeatedly with electricity is employed to secure a power source. Also, some of conventional electronic devices are designed to charge a secondary battery in a noncontact manner (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
In the electronic device that puts the secondary battery on charge in a noncontact manner, when a power receiving coil for noncontact charging and a loop antenna for proximity noncontact communication (Felica (registered trademark), or the like) are arranged in close vicinity to each other, it is probable that a malfunction is induced in the proximity noncontact communication due to an adverse influence of a harmonic noise generated in the power receiving coil.
Also, as the method of preventing the adverse influence of such harmonic noise, in Patent Literature 2, for example, the technology to shift a resonance frequency of one tuning circuit in two proximity noncontact communication antennas or more from resonance frequencies of the remaining tuning circuits respectively is disclosed.
Meanwhile, in such a situation that the proximity noncontact communication should be conducted after the noncontact charging is continued until the charging of a secondary battery is completed, it is impossible to get into the proximity noncontact communication during the noncontact charging. For example, when video contents should be downloaded through the proximity noncontact communication, neither the video contents can be downloaded during the noncontact charging by using the proximity noncontact communication, nor the video contents can be viewed during the noncontact charging while downloading such video contents. Also, when the long-time communication (e.g., the downloading of the video contents) is conducted by using the proximity noncontact communication in a low battery-voltage state in which the secondary battery is set substantially closely to its overdischarge state, the secondary battery falls into an overdischarge state.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device which is capable of conducting a proximity noncontact communication even if charging of a secondary battery is not fully completed and also whose secondary battery never falls into an overdischarge state during the proximity noncontact communication.
An electronic device of the present invention that employs a secondary battery, which is rechargeable by a charger, as a power source and is capable of conducting a proximity noncontact communication with the charger, includes a power receiving coil for receiving an electric power from the charger by electromagnetic induction; an antenna used for the proximity noncontact communication; and a charging and communication controlling section for controlling a charging and the proximity noncontact communication; wherein the secondary battery is charged based on the received electric power, and the charging and communication controlling section controls to execute a first charging process of charging the secondary battery, then a first communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication, then a second charging process of charging the secondary battery, and then a second communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication.
According to this configuration, the electronic device executes the first charging process of charging the secondary battery, then the first communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication, then the second charging process of charging the secondary battery, and then the second communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication. Therefore, the proximity noncontact communication can be conducted even before the charging is fully completed, and also the long-time proximity noncontact communication such as the downloading of the video contents, or the like can be conducted during the noncontact charging. Also, the proximity noncontact communication is not conducted during the period in which the harmonic noise is produced from the power receiving coil (i.e., the period in which the secondary battery is charged). Therefore, the proximity noncontact communication is never affected by the noise.
An electronic device of the present invention that employs a secondary battery, which is rechargeable by a charger, as a power source and is capable of conducting a proximity noncontact communication with the charger, includes a power receiving coil for receiving an electric power from the charger by electromagnetic induction; an antenna used for the proximity noncontact communication; and a charging and communication controlling section for controlling a charging and the proximity noncontact communication; wherein the secondary battery is charged based on the received electric power, and the charging and communication controlling section controls to execute a first charging process of charging the secondary battery, then a first communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication for a first variable time, then a second charging process of charging the secondary battery, and then a second communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication for the first variable time, and wherein the first variable time is set to a first predetermined period when a voltage of the secondary battery is more than a predetermined value, and is set to a second predetermined period when the voltage of the secondary battery is below the predetermined value.
An electronic device of the present invention that employs a secondary battery, which is rechargeable by a charger, as a power source and is capable of conducting a proximity noncontact communication with the charger, includes a power receiving coil for receiving an electric power from the charger by electromagnetic induction; an antenna used for the proximity noncontact communication; and a charging and communication controlling section for controlling a charging and the proximity noncontact communication; wherein the secondary battery is charged based on the received electric power, and the charging and communication controlling section controls to execute a first charging process of charging the secondary battery for a first variable time, then a first communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication for a second variable time, then a second charging process of charging the secondary battery for the first variable time, and then a second communicating process of conducting the proximity noncontact communication for the second variable time, and wherein the first variable time is set to a first predetermined period when a voltage of the secondary battery is more than a predetermined value, and is set to a second predetermined period that is shorter than the first predetermined period when the voltage of the secondary battery is below the predetermined value, and the second variable time is set to a third predetermined period when the voltage of the secondary battery is more than the predetermined value, and is set to a fourth predetermined period that is shorter than the third predetermined period when the voltage of the secondary battery is below the predetermined value.
The antenna and the power receiving coil may be arranged in a superposed state.
Also, the antenna may be composed of a loop antenna, and a center of the loop antenna may be set to coincide with a center of the power receiving coil.
Also, a part of conductor of the loop antenna and a part of conductor of the power receiving coil may be formed in common.
Also, the electronic device may further includes a changeover switch connected to the antenna, for switching electrical conduction and cutoff; wherein the charging and communication controlling section brings the changeover switch into a conduction state during the first communicating process and the second communicating process, and brings the changeover switch into a cutoff state during the first charging process and the second charging process.
A charger of the present invention that charges an electronic device using a secondary battery as a power source, and is capable of conducting a proximity noncontact communication with the electronic device, includes a power receiving coil for feeding an electric power to the electronic device by electromagnetic induction; an antenna used for the proximity noncontact communication; and a charging and communication controlling section for controlling a power transmission and the proximity noncontact communication; wherein a charge of electricity is given to the electronic device.
The antenna and the power transmitting coil may be arranged in a superposed state.
Also, the antenna may be composed of a loop antenna, and a center of the loop antenna may be set to coincide with a center of the power receiving coil.
Also, a part of conductor of the loop antenna and a part of conductor of the power transmitting coil may be formed in common.
The charger may further includes a changeover switch connected to the antenna, for switching electrical conduction and cutoff; wherein the charging and communication controlling section brings the changeover switch into a conduction state during the first communicating process and the second communicating process, and brings the changeover switch into a cutoff state during the first charging process and the second charging process.
An electronic device charging system of the present invention, includes the electronic device set forth in the above; and the charger set forth in the above.
According to the present invention, the electronic device which is capable of conducting the proximity noncontact communication even if the charging of the secondary battery is not fully completed and whose secondary battery never falls into the overdischarge state during the proximity noncontact communication can be provided.
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Preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings hereinafter.
In the electronic device 2, a proximity noncontact communication antenna 21 for conducting the proximity noncontact communication with the charger 3, and a noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 for receiving an electric power from the charger 3 by electromagnetic induction are provided on the same plane of an equipment main body. In the charger 3, a proximity noncontact communication external unit antenna 31 for conducting the proximity noncontact communication with the electronic device 2, and a noncontact feeding primary coil 32 for transmitting an electric power to the electronic device 2 by electromagnetic induction are provided on the same plane of a charger main body.
The proximity noncontact communication secondary controlling portion 23 receives a billing request signal transmitted from the charger 3 via the proximity noncontact communication antenna 21, performs a billing process in accordance with the received billing request signal, and transmits a billing process completion signal to the charger 3 via the proximity noncontact communication antenna 21 after the billing process. The input signal deciding portion 24 makes a decision of a communication transmission mode (billing) state in the proximity noncontact communication secondary controlling portion 23.
The noncontact charging secondary controlling portion 25 transmits ID information assigned to the electronic device 2 from the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 to the charger 3 by utilizing a load modulation, or the like, and receives an electric power transmitted from the charger 3 via the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22. Also, the noncontact charging secondary controlling portion 25 transmits a charging completion signal notifying that the charging process is completed, to the charger 3 from the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 to the charger 3 by utilizing the load modulation, or the like. Also, the noncontact charging secondary controlling portion 25 judges whether a remaining battery level detected by the remaining battery level detecting portion 27 is in excess of a predetermined voltage or is below the predetermined voltage. The remaining battery level detecting portion 27 detects a battery voltage of the secondary battery 28 as a remaining battery level. The battery charging controlling portion 26 controls start/stop of the charging of the secondary battery 28, based on a decision of the remaining battery level made by the noncontact charging secondary controlling portion 25. The battery charging controlling portion 26 performs the charging of the secondary battery 28 by using an electric power received by the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22.
Also, in the electronic device 2, the proximity noncontact communication secondary controlling portion 23, the input signal deciding portion 24, the noncontact charging secondary controlling portion 25, the battery charging controlling portion 26, and the remaining battery level detecting portion 27 constitute a charging and communication controlling portion 37 that controls the charging and the proximity noncontact communication. Also, in the charger 3, a controlling portion 33 of a proximity noncontact communication external unit and a noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34 constitute a power-transmitting communication controlling portion 38 that controls the power transmission and the proximity noncontact communication.
First, in
Then, in
In the present embodiment, Ta2 (third predetermined period)>Ta1 (fourth predetermined period) and Tb2 (first predetermined period)>Tb1 (second predetermined period) are given. Here, Ta1 and Ta2 are a time period that is sufficiently shorter than a time required until the secondary battery 28 is fully charged, respectively, and are set to 1 second to 10 second, for example, and about 60 second is available at a maximum. Also, the reason why Ta1 is set shorter than Ta2 is that a battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is lower than the voltage obtained in the case of Ta2. In this case, it is a matter of course that, when the electronic device 2 is removed from the charger 3 during the charging period, the charging is suspended.
In this manner, in such a situation that the electronic device 2 can employ the secondary battery 28, which is rechargeable by the charger 3 that gives a charge of electricity in a noncontact system, as a power source and also can conduct the proximity noncontact communication with the charger 3, when a voltage of the secondary battery 28 is below a predetermined value Va, the electronic device 2 repeats the charging process in which the electronic device 2 charges the secondary battery 28 for a predetermined period Tb1 by receiving a supply of the electric power from the charger 3 via the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22, and the communication process in which the electronic device 2 conducts the data communication for a predetermined period Ta1. Also, when a voltage of the secondary battery 28 is in excess of a predetermined value Va, the electronic device 2 repeats the charging process in which the electronic device 2 charges the secondary battery 28 for a predetermined period Tb2 by receiving a supply of the electric power from the charger 3 via the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22, and the communication process in which the electronic device 2 conducts the data communication for a predetermined period Ta2 (>Ta1).
Returning to
Also, the noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34 detects a foreign object in response to a value of the electric current flowing through the noncontact feeding primary coil 32. In this case, a value of the electric current flowing through the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 is different between the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 of the electronic device 2 and other body (e.g., ten yen coin). Therefore, if a value of the electric current flowing through the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 is stored when the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 is located closely, the noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34 can decide a difference between the electronic device 2 and other body by comparing the detected value with this stored value. In this event, if a value of the electric current flowing through the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 is also stored when other body (e.g., ten yen coin, or the like) other than the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 is put on the noncontact feeding primary coil 32, the noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34 can decide the concerned body.
Also, the noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34 conducts an ID authentication, based on the signal that is received by the noncontact feeding primary coil 32. In this case, the ID information is transmitted from the electronic device 2 by setting the electronic device 2 on the charger 3. Therefore, the noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34 acquires this ID information and conducts the ID authentication. Also, the noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34 counts a time required for transmitting an electric power to the electronic device 2.
In this manner, the charger 3 can charge the electronic device 2, in which the secondary battery 28 is used as a power source, in a noncontact system, and can conduct the proximity noncontact communication with the electronic device 2. Also, when the charger 3 detects the electronic device 2 in a standby mode, it transmits the electric power to the electronic device 2. Then, when the charger 3 receives a predetermined period completing signal indicating the effect that the transmission of electric power should be stopped, from the electronic device 2, it stops the transmission of the electric power. Immediately after this stop, the charger 3 conducts the proximity noncontact communication with the electronic device 2 so as to download the video contents, etc.
Next, respective operations of the electronic device 2 and the charger 3 in the electronic device charging system 1 according to the present embodiment will be explained hereunder.
In the decision of a power transmission mode, if it is judged that the foreign object is present and the irregular load (the load whose ID cannot be confirmed) is applied, the charger 3 goes back to step S13. Also, if it is judged that the foreign object is not present but the regular load is applied in a condition that a battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is below a predetermined value Va, the charger 3 goes to a Tb1 period power transmission mode. Also, if it is judged that the foreign object is not present but the regular load is applied in a condition that a battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is in excess of a predetermined value Va, the charger 3 goes to a Tb2 period power transmission mode.
The charger 3 transmits an electric power to the electronic device 2 in the Tb1 period power transmission mode (step S15). Then, the charger 3 stops the transmission of the electric power when this charger receives a predetermined time expired signal from the electronic device 2 (step S16). That is, the charging operation is stopped. Then, the charger 3 goes to a Ta1 period communication transmission mode, and then transmits the video contents to the electronic device 2 (step S17). If the process of transmitting the video contents is not completed (i.e., the transmission of all data to be downloaded is not completed yet), the charger 3 goes back to step S14. Then, the decision of a power transmission mode is made, and then the transmission of the electric power and the transmission of the video contents are executed once again. The processes in step S15 to step S17 are repeated until the communication between the electronic device 2 and the charger 3 is terminated.
While the charger 3 is communicating with the electronic device 2, such charger 3 judges whether or not the load is present and whether or not the regular load (the load whose ID can be confirmed) is applied. If the load is not present (i.e., the electronic device 2 is removed from the charger 3), the charger 3 judges that the load is not present, and then the charger 3 goes back to step S11. Also, if the regular load is applied, the charger 3 still continues the transmission. Also, if the irregular load is applied, the charger 3 goes back to step S13. If the process of transmitting the video contents is completed (i.e., the transmission of all data to be downloaded is completed), the video contents process is completed (step S18).
In contrast, in the decision in step S14, if it is judged that the foreign object is not present but the regular load is applied in a condition that a battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is in excess of a predetermined value Va, the charger 3 goes to the Tb2 period power transmission mode. In this Tb2 period power transmission mode, the charger 3 transmits an electric power to the electronic device 2 (step S19). Then, the charger 3 stops the transmission of the electric power when this charger receives a predetermined time expired signal from the electronic device 2 (step S20). That is, the charging operation is stopped. Then, the charger 3 goes to a Ta2 period communication transmission mode, and transmits the video contents to the electronic device 2 (step S21). Then, if the process of transmitting the video contents is not completed (i.e., the transmission of all data to be downloaded is not completed yet), the charger goes back to step S14. Then, the decision of a power transmission mode is made, and then the transmission of the electric power and the transmission of the video contents are executed once again. The processes in step S19 to step S21 are repeated until the communication between the electronic device 2 and the charger 3 is terminated.
While the charger 3 is communicating with the electronic device 2, such charger 3 judges whether or not the load is present and whether or not the regular load is applied. If the load is not present (i.e., the electronic device 2 is removed from the charger 3), the charger 3 judges that the load is not present, and then the charger 3 goes back to step S11. Also, if the regular load is applied, the charger 3 still continues the transmission. Also, if the irregular load is applied, the charger 3 goes back to step S13. If the process of transmitting the video contents is completed (i.e., the transmission of all data to be downloaded is completed), the video contents process is completed (step S18).
In this manner, the charger 3 checks whether or not the load is present over the noncontact feeding primary coil 32. Then, if the load is present, the charger 3 confirms the authentication ID. Then, if the authentication ID can be confirmed, the charger 3 judges that the regular load is applied. The charger 3 executes the electric power feeding for the charging and the transmission of the video contents to the electronic device 2, which judges that the regular load is applied, repeatedly in a time-division system.
Next,
After the electronic device 2 notified the charger 3 of the authentication ID, this electronic device 2 judges a battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 (step S32). Then the electronic device 2 goes to a charging mode (1) if the battery voltage Vp is below a predetermined value Va, whereas the electronic device 2 goes to a charging mode (2) if the battery voltage Vp is in excess of a predetermined value Va. In the charging mode (1), the electronic device 2 judges whether or not the charging is applied to the secondary battery 28 in a Tb1 period (step S33). If a Tb1 period is not expired, the electronic device 2 repeats this process until this period is expired. Also, in the charging mode (1), the electronic device 2 judges whether or not a power source is turned OFF. If the power source is turned OFF, the electronic device 2 goes back to step S30. Then, if the charging applied to the secondary battery 28 in a Tb1 period is completed, the electronic device 2 sends a charging stop notification to the charger 3 (step S34). In this charging stop notification, the electronic device 2 judges whether or not a request signal indicating whether the downloading of the video contents is requested or not is issued from the charger 3. If this request signal is not issued, the electronic device 2 repeats this deciding operation. If this request signal is issued, the electronic device 2 goes to a video contents processing mode. In this video contents processing mode, the electronic device 2 downloads the data of the video contents in a Ta1 period (step S35). Also, in this video contents processing mode, if the data that is downloaded this time does not correspond to the last one, the electronic device 2 goes back to step S32. Also, if the communication is cut off, the electronic device 2 goes back to step S30. In contrast to the above, if the data that is downloaded this time corresponds to the last data, the electronic device 2 issues a video contents process completed notification to the charger 3 (step S36). In the video contents process completed notification, if the sending-out of the video contents data is completed, i.e., if the reception of all data is terminated, the electronic device 2 turns OFF the power source.
In contrast, in the decision in step S32, if a battery voltage Vp is in excess of a predetermined value Va, the electronic device 2 goes to the charging mode (2). In the charging mode (2), the electronic device 2 judges whether or not the charging is applied to the secondary battery 28 in a Tb2 period (step S37). If the Tb2 period is not expired, this process is repeated until this period is expired. Also, in the charging mode (2), the electronic device 2 judges whether or not the power source is turned OFF. If the power source is turned OFF, the electronic device 2 goes back to step S30. Then, if the charging applied to the secondary battery 28 in the Tb2 period is completed, the electronic device 2 sends a charging stop notification to the charger 3 (step S38). In this charging stop notification, the electronic device 2 judges whether or not the request signal indicating whether the downloading of the video contents is requested or not is issued from the charger 3. If this request signal is not issued, the electronic device 2 repeats this decision. If this request signal is issued, the electronic device 2 goes to a video contents processing mode. In the video contents processing mode, the data of the video contents is downloaded in the Ta2 period (step S39). Also, in the video contents processing mode, if the data that is downloaded this time does not correspond to the last one, the electronic device 2 goes back to step S32. Also, if the communication is cut off, the electronic device 2 goes back to step S30. In contrast to the above, if the data that is downloaded this time corresponds to the last data, the electronic device 2 sends the video contents process completed notification to the charger 3 (step S36).
As described above, the electronic device charging system 1 of the present embodiment employs the secondary battery 28, which is rechargeable by the charger 3 that gives a charge of electricity in a noncontact system, as the power source, and includes the electronic device 2 that can conduct the proximity noncontact communication with the charger 3. Also, this electronic device 2 repeats the charging process in which this electronic device 2 receives a supply of the electric power from the charger 3 via the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 to charge the secondary battery 28, and the communicating process in which this electronic device 2 conducts the data communication through the proximity noncontact communication. As a result, the electronic device can conduct the proximity noncontact communication even if the charging of the secondary battery is not fully completed, and the long-time proximity noncontact communication such as the downloading of the video contents, or the like can be handled during the noncontact charging. Also, the user can view the video contents during the noncontact charging while downloading such video contents.
Also, when the voltage of the secondary battery 28 at a time of charging start is below a predetermined value Va, the electronic device 2 repeats the charging process in which this electronic device charges the secondary battery 28 for a predetermined period Tb1 by receiving a supply of the electric power from the charger 3 via the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22, and the communication process in which this electronic device conducts the data communication for a predetermined period Ta1. Also, when the voltage of the secondary battery 28 at a time of charging start is more than a predetermined value Va, the electronic device 2 repeats the charging process in which this electronic device charges the secondary battery 28 for a predetermined period Tb2 (>Tb1) by receiving a supply of the electric power from the charger 3 via the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22, and the communication process in which this electronic device conducts the data communication for a predetermined period Ta2 (>Ta1). Therefore, when the battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is below a predetermined value Va, the proximity noncontact communication is conducted in a time that is shorter than a time in which the communication is conducted when the battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is more than a predetermined value Va. As a result, such a situation can be prevented that the secondary battery falls into the overdischarge state during the proximity noncontact communication. Further, when the battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is more than a predetermined value Va, the noncontact charging is applied in a time that is longer than a time in which the noncontact charging is applied when the battery voltage Vp of the secondary battery 28 is more than a predetermined value Va. Therefore, when the battery voltage Vp is more than a predetermined value Va, not only the number of times the start and stop of the noncontact charging are repeated per unit time can be reduced, but also the number of times the communications are conducted between the electronic device 2 and the charger 3 per unit time to start and end the noncontact charging can be reduced. Thus, a time required for these communications can be shortened, so that a time applicable to the proximity noncontact communication can be extended relatively. As a result, the video contents, or the like can be downloaded quickly.
In addition, the proximity noncontact communication is not conducted during a period in which the harmonic noise is produced from the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 (a period in which the secondary battery is charged). Therefore, the proximity noncontact communication is never affected by the noise.
In addition, in the electronic device 2A, when the proximity noncontact communication antenna 21 is composed of the loop antenna, a part of conductor of the loop antenna and a part of the conductor of the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 may be formed in common. Accordingly, a center of the proximity noncontact communication antenna 21 and a center of the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22, both being formed of the common conductor, coincide naturally with each other. Therefore, the volume and the mass of the proximity noncontact communication antenna 21 and the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 can be reduced in total, and a reduction in size and mass of the electronic device 2A can be achieved.
Similarly, in the charger 3A, when the proximity noncontact communication external unit antenna 31 is composed of the loop antenna, a part of conductor of the loop antenna and a part of the conductor of the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 may be formed in common. Accordingly, a center of the proximity noncontact communication external unit antenna 31 and a center of the noncontact feeding primary coil 32, both being formed of the common conductor, coincide naturally with each other. Therefore, the volume and the mass of the proximity noncontact communication external unit antenna 31 and the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 can be reduced in total, and a reduction in size and mass of the charger 3A can be achieved.
Also, when the proximity noncontact communication antenna and the noncontact charging coil are arranged in the electronic device 2A and the charger 3A in a superposed state respectively, an interference is caused between them. Thus, while one component is used, the other component is cut off in operation from the circuit. In order to cut off the unused component from the circuit, the electronic device 2A is equipped with changeover switches 29a, 29b, and a conflict controlling portion 30 for controlling the switching of the changeover switches 29a, 29b. Also, the charger 3A is equipped with changeover switches 35a, 35b, and a conflict controlling portion 36 for controlling the switching of the changeover switches 35a, 35b. For example, when the charger 3A gives a charge of electricity to the electronic device 2A, the conflict controlling portion 36 of the charger 3A turns OFF the changeover switch 35a (open state, cutoff state) and also turns ON the changeover switch 35b (closed state, conduction state), and the conflict controlling portion 30 of the electronic device 2A turns OFF the changeover switch 29a (open state, cutoff state) and also turns ON the changeover switch 29b (closed state, conduction state).
The electric power being fed from the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 to the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 to charge the secondary battery 28 is extremely high in contrast to the electric power being utilized in the proximity noncontact communication between the proximity noncontact communication antenna 21 and the proximity noncontact communication external unit antenna 31. Therefore, the electric power of the harmonic wave produced by the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 is relatively high. As a result, the influence on the proximity noncontact communication cannot be neglected, which may act as the factor that causes a malfunction in the proximity noncontact communicating function.
Therefore, as described above, because the conflict control is applied to the changeover switches 35a, 35b, 29a, 29b, an electric current never flows between the proximity noncontact communication antenna 21 and the proximity noncontact communication secondary controlling portion 23 while the electric power is fed from the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 to the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22. As a result, a malfunction never occurs in the proximity noncontact communicating function.
Further, according to this conflict control, an electric current never flows between the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 and the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22 during the proximity noncontact communication, and such a situation is never caused that the electric power that is to be utilized in the proximity noncontact communication is absorbed by the noncontact feeding primary coil 32 or the noncontact power-receiving secondary coil 22. As a result, the user can carry out the proximity noncontact communication more firmly.
In this manner, the proximity noncontact communication antenna and the noncontact charging coil are arranged in the electronic device 2A and the charger 3A in a superposed state respectively. Therefore, an occupied area of them in the equipment main bodies respectively can be reduced, and a further size reduction of the electronic device 2A and the charger 3A can be attained. In the present embodiment, it is similar to above Embodiment 1 that the noncontact charging and the proximity noncontact communication are executed between the electronic device 2A and the charger 3A in a time-division system, and also the similar advantages can be achieved.
Here, in the electronic device 2A, the proximity noncontact communication secondary controlling portion 23, the input signal deciding portion 24, the noncontact charging secondary controlling portion 25, the battery charging controlling portion 26, the remaining battery level detecting portion 27, and the conflict controlling portion 30 constitute a charging and communication controlling portion 39 that controls the charging and the proximity noncontact communication. Also, in the charger 3A, the controlling portion 33 of the proximity noncontact communication external unit, the noncontact charging primary controlling portion 34, and the conflict controlling portion 36 constitute a power-transmitting communication controlling portion 40 that controls the power feeding and the proximity noncontact communication.
The present invention is explained in detail with reference to the particular embodiments. But it is apparent for those skilled in the art that various variations and modifications can be applied without departing from a spirit and a scope of the present invention.
This application is based upon Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-091246) filed on Mar. 31, 2008; wherein the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention possesses such advantages that, even if the charging of the secondary battery is not fully completed, the proximity noncontact communication can be conducted, and that the secondary battery never falls into the overdischarge state during the proximity noncontact communication, and is applicable to the electronic device such as the cellular phone, PHS, PDA, or the like.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-091246 | Mar 2008 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2008/003457 | 11/25/2008 | WO | 00 | 9/29/2010 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009/122470 | 10/8/2009 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20110025264 A1 | Feb 2011 | US |
