Method for predicting remaining charge of portable electronics battery

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

P-0001[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-112008 filed on Apr. 15, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

P-0002[0002] The present invention relates to a method for predicting remaining charge of a battery, such as a rechargeable battery of a portable electronic device.

P-0003[0003] In general, chargeable lithium ion batteries are widely used for portable electronic devices, such as notebook personal computers. The lithium ion batteries have advantages such that the operational cost of portable electronic devices can be reduced and the capacity of the current which is instantaneously dischargeable is large. Normally, a machine which has a rechargeable battery so called secondary battery, such as a lithium ion battery, installed therein incorporates a charging circuit which is to be connected to an external power supply to charge the rechargeable battery. To meet the demands for higher performance and size reduction, recent portable devices require a compact charging circuit which can quickly charge a rechargeable battery to a full level. General portable electronic devices include a capability for predicting the remaining charge of a rechargeable battery, when they are in use, in order to avoid problems with data loss by notifying users of the consumption states of the batteries. The prediction of the remaining battery charge should be carried out accurately.

P-0004[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, an ordinary portable electronic device <b>101</b>, such as a notebook personal computer (PC); is connected to a battery pack <b>102</b> which has a plurality of built-in rechargeable batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries) <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>and operates on power from each rechargeable battery <b>102</b><i>a </i>or <b>102</b><i>b. </i>The portable device <b>101</b> is also operable on power which is supplied from an external power supply such as an AC adapter <b>103</b>.

P-0005[0005] A power supply unit for the portable device <b>101</b> will be discussed below. The portable device <b>101</b> includes a power-supply microcomputer <b>104</b>, a charger <b>105</b>, a selection circuit <b>108</b>, first and second DC-DC converters <b>109</b> and <b>110</b> and a Low Drop Out regulator (LDO) <b>111</b> as a switching regulator.

P-0006[0006] The charger <b>105</b>, which is connected to the battery pack <b>102</b> and the AC adapter <b>103</b>, supplies a charge voltage and charge current to the rechargeable batteries <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>in accordance with a control signal from the power-supply microcomputer <b>104</b> to charge the rechargeable batteries <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>with a constant voltage and a constant current.

P-0007[0007] The selection circuit <b>108</b> selects at least one of the battery pack <b>102</b> (rechargeable batteries <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b</i>) and the AC adapter <b>103</b>. The input voltage from the selected power supply is supplied to the first and second DC-DC converters <b>109</b> and <b>110</b> and the LDO <b>111</b>.

P-0008[0008] The first DC-DC converter <b>109</b> generates a supply voltage to be supplied to a CPU (not shown) from the input voltage. The second DC-DC converter <b>110</b> generates a supply voltage to be supplied to peripheral circuits (not shown) from the input voltage. The LDO <b>111</b> generates a supply voltage for generating a clock signal (not shown) from the input voltage.

P-0009[0009] The portable device <b>101</b> has a remaining-charge predicting capability for predicting the remaining charge of the battery and notifying a user of the predicted remaining charge.

P-0010[0010] The remaining-charge predicting capability will be discussed below. Generally speaking, lithium ion batteries are susceptible to overdischarging. If a user erroneously overdischarges a lithium ion battery, therefore, the performance of the lithium ion battery may not be recovered if it is charged. To prevent such overdischarging, the battery pack <b>102</b> incorporates a protection circuit <b>112</b> which detects when the voltage of one of the rechargeable batteries <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>drops below a specified voltage and stops further discharging. When the protection circuit <b>112</b> functions, the supply of the power from the rechargeable battery <b>102</b><i>a </i>or <b>102</b><i>b </i>to the portable device <b>101</b> is stopped and the portable device <b>101</b> stops operating. At this time, the portable device <b>101</b> such as a notebook PC, may suffer loss of data which is being processed. To avoid such a problem, the portable device <b>101</b> predicts the remaining charge of each of the rechargeable battery <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>and notifies the user of the consumption state of the rechargeable battery.

P-0011[0011] The prediction of the remaining battery charge is executed in consideration of various characteristics of the rechargeable batteries <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>(lithium ion batteries) incorporated in the battery pack <b>102</b>. The following will explain the characteristics of an ordinary lithium ion battery.

P-0012[0012]FIG. 2A shows a change in discharge characteristic caused by an increase in the number of times a battery set (rechargeable battery) comprising three cells is used (the number of charges/discharges which will be hereinafter called “cycle number”). The vertical scale shows the discharge voltage and the horizontal scale shows the discharge time. A curve A indicates the discharge characteristic with the cycle number being 1 (initial state), and curves B, C and D respectively indicate the discharge characteristics with the cycle number being about 250, about 400 and about 500. A curve E shows the discharge characteristic with the cycle number being about 650. It is apparent from FIG. 2A that as the cycle number increases, the dischargeable capacity of the rechargeable battery decreases, so that the discharge time (usable time) becomes shorter. This phenomenon is called the “cycle degradation characteristic”.

P-0013[0013] In FIG. 2B, the horizontal scale of FIG. 2A has been normalized. The horizontal scale indicates the discharge capacity and shows the end time at 100% discharge. FIG. 2B shows that the rate of voltage reduction of the rechargeable battery is nearly constant irrespective of the cycle number.

P-0014[0014] The cycle life characteristic of the rechargeable battery will be discussed below.

P-0015[0015]FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the cycle number and the discharge capacity which have been measured for three kinds of rechargeable batteries. The discharge capacity of the rechargeable battery decreases as the cycle number increases. For example, a curve F indicates that the discharge capacity when the cycle number is 600 (the capacity at the time of full charge) has dropped to about 30 to 40% of the maximum capacity.

P-0016[0016] The following will discuss the degradation characteristic of the rechargeable battery which varies according to the environment of use.

P-0017[0017] A curve H in FIG. 4 shows the characteristic of the rechargeable battery that has been left out for one month at 45° C., and a curve G shows the characteristic of the rechargeable battery before it has been subjected to the foregoing treatment. The discharge time (use time) of the rechargeable battery varies also depending on the temperature at which it has been used.

P-0018[0018]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the discharge power and dischargeable capacity at different temperatures of use for two kinds of rechargeable batteries. Curves I to K respectively show the characteristics when one type of rechargeable battery is used at 5° C., 25° C. and 45° C. Curves L to N respectively show the characteristics when the other rechargeable battery is used at 5° C., 25° C. and 45° C.

P-0019[0019] The rechargeable battery that is indicated by the curve I for use temperature of 5° C. can be used for about 2.8 hours with a discharge power of 10 W. The rechargeable battery of the same kind that is indicated by the curve K for use temperature of 45° C. can be used for about 3.2 hours with a discharge power of 10 W. The rechargeable battery of the other kind that is indicated by the curve L for use temperature of 5° C. can be used for about 2.8 hours with a discharge power of 10 W. The rechargeable battery of the same kind that is indicated by the curve N for use temperature of 45° C. can be used for about 3.1 hours with a discharge power of 10 W. Apparently, the dischargeable capacity of the rechargeable battery varies depending on the type, the use temperature and the discharge power.

P-0020[0020] The prediction of the remaining charge of a rechargeable battery has been carried out conventionally in consideration of the aforementioned various characteristics. The remaining charge predicting methods include a method for predicting the remaining charge based on, for example, the battery voltage of the rechargeable battery and a method for predicting the remaining charge based on the integrated values of the charge current and discharge current of the rechargeable battery.

P-0021[0021]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portable device <b>121</b> and a battery pack <b>122</b> according to a first prior art system that is equipped with a remaining charge predicting function.

P-0022[0022] The portable device <b>121</b> is, for example, a notebook PC. The portable device <b>121</b> has a built-in battery pack <b>122</b> called a smart battery or an intelligent battery.

P-0023[0023] The battery pack <b>122</b> includes plural (three) rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c, </i>a protection circuit <b>123</b>, a discharge control switch <b>124</b>, a charge control switch <b>125</b>, a remaining charge meter <b>126</b> as a remaining charge predicting device, an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) <b>127</b> and a first sense resistor <b>128</b>. FIG. 6 shows only a part of the portable device <b>121</b> that actually includes a second sense resistor <b>129</b>, a charger <b>130</b> and a microcomputer <b>131</b>, for example, a keyboard, which is one type of microcomputer.

P-0024[0024] The rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c, </i>each of which is, for example, a lithium ion battery, are connected in series to one another to form a battery set. The positive terminal of the rechargeable battery <b>122</b><i>a </i>is connected to the positive terminal, t1, of the battery pack <b>122</b> via the discharge control switch <b>124</b>, the charge control switch <b>125</b> and the first sense resistor <b>128</b>, and the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery <b>122</b><i>c </i>is connected to the negative terminal, t2, of the battery pack <b>122</b>. The discharge control switch <b>124</b> and the charge control switch <b>125</b> are formed by first and second P channel MOS transistors. The source of the discharge control switch <b>124</b> is connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery <b>122</b><i>a. </i>The drains of both switches <b>124</b> and <b>125</b> are connected together. The source of the charge control switch <b>125</b> is connected to the positive terminal t1 of the battery pack <b>122</b> via the first sense resistor <b>128</b>. The transistors of both switches <b>124</b> and <b>125</b> are connected in such a way that the back gates constitute a forward-biased diode with respect to the charge current and the discharge current.

P-0025[0025] The protection circuit <b>123</b> includes an overcharge preventing circuit and overdischarge preventing circuit (neither shown). The protection circuit <b>123</b> detects the terminal voltages (cell voltages) of the rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c </i>and turns off the discharge control switch <b>124</b> to inhibit discharging when at least one of the cell voltages decreases to or below the specified voltage or reaches an overdischarge state. When at least one of the cell voltages rises above the specified voltage or reaches an overcharge state, on the other hand, the protection circuit <b>123</b> turns off the charge control switch <b>125</b> to inhibit charging.

P-0026[0026] At the time of charging, the charge current is supplied to the rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c </i>via the charge control switch <b>125</b> which has been turned on and the discharge control switch <b>124</b>. The charger <b>130</b> of the portable device <b>121</b> is connected to an AC adapter <b>132</b> connected to an external power supply. The charger <b>130</b> controls the charge current based on the value of the current that flows across the second sense resistor <b>129</b>.

P-0027[0027] At the time of discharging, each of the rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c </i>supplies the discharge current to the portable device <b>121</b> via the discharge control switch <b>124</b> which has been turned on and the charge control switch <b>125</b>.

P-0028[0028] The remaining charge meter <b>126</b> includes a microcomputer (not shown) which measures the charge current/discharge current that flows across the first sense resistor <b>128</b> and predicts the remaining charge based on the integral value of that measured current and each cell voltage detected by the protection circuit <b>123</b>. The remaining charge meter <b>126</b> stores the predicted remaining charge in the EEPROM <b>127</b> and supplies the predicted remaining charge to the keyboard microcomputer <b>131</b> provided in the portable device <b>121</b>. When receiving the predicted value for the remaining charge from the remaining charge meter <b>126</b>, the keyboard microcomputer <b>131</b> displays the remaining battery charge on an unillustrated display unit.

P-0029[0029]FIG. 7 shows a second prior art system equipped with a remaining charge predicting function.

P-0030[0030] A portable device <b>141</b> is, for example, a notebook PC. The portable device <b>141</b> has a built-in battery pack <b>142</b>. According to the second prior art, the battery pack <b>142</b> differs from the battery pack in FIG. 6 in that it has a integrating current meter <b>143</b> as a remaining charge predicting device.

P-0031[0031] The integrating current meter <b>143</b> measures the charge current/discharge current that flows across the first sense resistor <b>128</b> and supplies a current integrated value to a power management microcomputer <b>144</b> of the portable device <b>141</b>. Then, the power management microcomputer <b>144</b> calculates a remaining charge predicted value based on the current integrated value output from the integrating current meter <b>143</b> and displays the remaining battery charge on an unillustrated display unit based on the predicted value.

P-0032[0032] These prior art systems have the following shortcomings:

P-0033[0033] 1. Shortcoming Pertaining to Prediction of Remaining Charge

P-0034[0034] In the first prior art system shown in FIG. 6, the remaining charge meter <b>126</b> calculates a remaining charge predicted value based on the cell voltage of each of the rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c </i>and the integrated values of the charge current and discharge current and supplies the predicted value to the portable device <b>121</b>. While this ensures highly precise prediction of the remaining charge, the manufacturing cost for the battery pack <b>122</b> increases due to the microcomputer provided in the remaining charge meter <b>126</b>. This makes the battery pack <b>122</b> expensive.

P-0035[0035] In the second prior art system shown in FIG. 7, on the other hand, because the battery pack <b>142</b> is not equipped with a microcomputer, an increase in the manufacturing cost for the battery pack <b>142</b> is nit incurred. However, in the battery pack <b>142</b>, the integrating current meter <b>143</b> predicts the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery only by detecting the current value. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cycle number of the rechargeable battery increases, the discharge capacity decreases, so that mere prediction of the remaining charge based on current integration would result in inaccurate prediction of the remaining charge. In a case where the battery pack <b>142</b> incorporates plural rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c, </i>particularly, their capacities (terminal voltages) vary, thus lowering the precision of the prediction of the remaining charge.

P-0036[0036] 2. Charge-Oriented Shortcoming

P-0037[0037] In the first prior art system, the charger <b>130</b> detects the charge current that flows across the second sense resistor <b>129</b> and charges the rechargeable batteries <b>122</b><i>a </i>to <b>122</b><i>c </i>with the constant voltage and constant current based on the detection result. To precisely perform such charging with the constant voltage and constant current, it is necessary to improve the precision of the current detection done by the charger <b>130</b>. In this respect, normally, a sense resistor of a high precision type is used as the second sense resistor <b>129</b> that is provided to detect the current. This disadvantageously increases the manufacturing cost for the charger <b>130</b>. Further, such a high precision type resistor is large in size, which undesirably enlarges the charger <b>130</b>. This shortcoming also arises in the second prior art system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

P-0038[0038] One aspect of the present is a method for predicting remaining charge in at least one rechargeable battery provided in a battery pack for supplying power to a portable device. The method includes measuring current flowing into or flowing out of said rechargeable battery and voltage of said rechargeable battery using a measuring unit provided in said battery pack, and predicting remaining charge based on results of measuring said current and said voltage using a data processing unit provided in said portable device.

P-0039[0039] A further perspective of the present invention is a method for controlling charging of a rechargeable battery provided in a battery pack to be connected to a portable device. The method includes measuring charge current and charge voltage to be supplied to said battery pack from an external power supply using a charger provided in said portable device, measuring current flowing into said rechargeable battery using a measuring unit provided in said battery pack, notifying said portable device of a result of measuring said current flowing into said rechargeable battery, and controlling said charge voltage and said charge current to be constant based on results of measuring said charge current and said charge voltage and said result of measuring said current flowing into said rechargeable battery.

P-0040[0040] A further perspective of the present invention is a method for controlling charging of a rechargeable battery provided in a battery pack which is connectable to a portable device and includes a first terminal for supplying charge current and charge voltage to said rechargeable battery from an external power supply and a second terminal for outputting a signal having a voltage nearly equal to a battery voltage of said rechargeable battery. The method includes measuring charge current flowing into said first terminal using a charger provided in said portable device, measuring a voltage difference between a voltage at said first terminal and a voltage at said second terminal using said charger, measuring current flowing into said rechargeable battery using a measuring unit provided in said battery pack, and controlling said charge voltage and said charge current to be constant, by using said portable device, based on results of measuring said current flowing into said rechargeable battery, said charge current and said voltage difference.

P-0041[0041] A further perspective of the present invention is a method for controlling a power supply of a portable device which has a standby power supply and is connected to a battery pack including at least one rechargeable battery, a first terminal for supplying power from said rechargeable battery to said portable device and a second terminal for outputting a signal having a voltage nearly equal to a battery voltage of said rechargeable battery. The method includes cutting off supply of power to said portable device when said portable device is in a standby mode, and supplying an enable signal to enable said standby power supply to said standby power supply via said second terminal.

P-0042[0042] A further perspective of the present invention is a battery pack having at least one rechargeable battery. The battery pack includes a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing into or flowing out of said rechargeable battery and generating an analog current detection signal. A voltage detection circuit detects a voltage of said rechargeable battery and generating an analog voltage detection signal. An analog-digital conversion circuit is connected to said current detection circuit and voltage detection circuit and converts said current detection signal and said voltage detection signal to digital signals. An interface outputs said digital signals.

P-0043[0043] A further perspective of the present invention is a semiconductor device used in a battery pack having at least one rechargeable battery. The device includes a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing into or flowing out of said rechargeable battery and generating an analog current detection signal, a voltage detection circuit for detecting a voltage of said rechargeable battery and generating an analog voltage detection signal, and an analog-digital conversion circuit connected to said current detection circuit and said voltage detection circuit, for converting said current detection signal and said voltage detection signal to digital signals.

P-0044[0044] A further perspective of the present invention is a portable device which is driven by power supplied from a battery pack. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery, a current detection circuit for detecting a current flowing into or flowing out of said rechargeable battery and generating an analog current detection signal, a voltage detection circuit for detecting a voltage of said rechargeable battery and generating an analog voltage detection signal, an analog-digital conversion circuit, connected to said current detection circuit and said voltage detection circuit, for converting said current detection signal and said voltage detection signal to digital signals, and an interface for outputting said digital signals. The portable device includes a power-supply terminal to be connected to said battery pack, and a data processing unit for receiving said digital signals via said interface and predicting remaining charge of said rechargeable battery using said digital signals.

P-0045[0045] A further perspective of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an apparatus for predicting remaining charge of at least one rechargeable battery provided in a battery pack for a portable device. The method includes providing said battery pack with a measuring unit for measuring current flowing into or flowing out of said rechargeable battery and a voltage of said rechargeable battery, and providing said portable device with a data processing unit for predicting said remaining charge of said at least one rechargeable battery based on results of measuring said current and said voltage, which are output from said measuring unit.

P-0046[0046] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

P-0047[0047] The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

P-0048[0048]FIG. 1 is a schematic block circuit diagram of an ordinary portable electronic device connected to a battery pack;

P-0049[0049]FIGS. 2A, 2B, <b>3</b>, <b>4</b> and <b>5</b> are graphs showing the characteristics of rechargeable batteries;

P-0050[0050]FIG. 6 is a schematic block circuit diagram of a portable electronic device according to a first prior art system;

P-0051[0051]FIG. 7 is a schematic block circuit diagram of a portable electronic device according to a second prior art system;

P-0052[0052]FIG. 8 is a schematic block circuit diagram of a battery pack and a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

P-0053[0053]FIG. 9 is a schematic block circuit diagram of an AD conversion circuit in FIG. 8;

P-0054[0054]FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an AD conversion system;

P-0055[0055]FIGS. 11A and 11B are detailed block circuit diagrams of the AD conversion circuit;

P-0056[0056]FIG. 12 shows a modification of what is shown in FIG. 8;

P-0057[0057]FIG. 13 is a schematic block circuit diagram of a battery pack and a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

P-0058[0058]FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams showing the charge characteristics;

P-0059[0059]FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the charge voltage and discharge capacity;

P-0060[0060]FIG. 16 is a schematic block circuit diagram of a battery pack and a portable electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

P-0061[0061]FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a comparative example with respect to what is shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

P-0062[0062] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

P-0063[0063]FIG. 8 is a schematic block circuit diagram of a battery pack <b>12</b> and a portable electronic device <b>11</b> according to the first embodiment.

P-0064[0064] The portable device <b>11</b>, connected to the battery pack <b>12</b>, is driven by the battery pack <b>12</b>. The portable device <b>11</b> is connectable to an external power supply via an AC adapter <b>13</b>.

P-0065[0065] The battery pack <b>12</b> has a battery <b>14</b>, a discharge control switch <b>15</b>, a charge control switch <b>16</b>, a protection circuit <b>17</b>, a first sense resistor <b>18</b>, a temperature sensor <b>19</b> as a temperature detection circuit and a measuring circuit <b>20</b> (measuring unit). The portable device <b>11</b> includes a power management microcomputer <b>21</b> as a data processing unit, a charger <b>22</b>, an output switch <b>23</b>, a coil <b>24</b> and a second sense resistor <b>25</b>. FIG. 8 shows a part of a power supply unit for the portable device <b>11</b>.

P-0066[0066] The battery <b>14</b> of the battery pack <b>12</b> consists of at least one rechargeable battery (for example, three rechargeable batteries (cells) <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c</i>). Each of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>is a lithium ion battery, for example. The positive terminal of the rechargeable battery <b>14</b><i>a </i>is connected to the positive terminal, t1, of the battery pack <b>12</b> as a first terminal via the discharge control switch <b>15</b>, the charge control switch <b>16</b> and the first sense resistor <b>18</b>. The positive terminal t1 is connected to the positive terminal, t11, of the portable device <b>11</b>. The negative terminal of the rechargeable battery <b>14</b><i>a </i>is connected to the negative terminal, t2, of the battery pack <b>12</b>. The negative terminal t2 is connected to the negative terminal, t22, of the portable device <b>11</b>.

P-0067[0067] The discharge control switch <b>15</b> and the charge control switch <b>16</b> are formed by P channel MOS transistors. Both switches <b>15</b> and <b>16</b> have drains connected together and gates connected to the protection circuit <b>17</b>. The source of the discharge control switch <b>15</b> is connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery <b>14</b><i>a, </i>and the source of the charge control switch <b>16</b> to the first sense resistor <b>18</b>. The transistors of both switches <b>15</b> and <b>16</b> are-connected in such a way that the back gates form a forward-biased diode with respect to the charge current and the discharge current.

P-0068[0068] The protection circuit <b>17</b> serves as a voltage detection circuit which detects the terminal voltage (cell voltage) of each of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c, </i>and supplies a voltage detection signal A1 corresponding to the detected voltage to the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. The protection circuit <b>17</b> performs the ON/OFF actions of the discharge control switch <b>15</b> and the charge control switch <b>16</b> in accordance with the cell voltage. When the protection circuit <b>17</b> turns on the discharge control switch <b>15</b>, for example, the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>can discharge with respect to the portable device <b>11</b>. When the protection circuit <b>17</b> turns on the charge control switch <b>16</b>, on the other hand, the portable device <b>11</b> can charge the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c. </i>

P-0069[0069] The protection circuit <b>17</b> includes an overdischarge preventing circuit (not shown), which prevents overdischarging of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c, </i>and an overcharge preventing circuit (not shown), which prevents overcharging. When the cell voltage of at least one of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>decreases to a specified voltage or lower, the overdischarge preventing circuit turns off the discharge control switch <b>15</b> to inhibit discharging. When the cell voltage of at least one of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>increases to a specified voltage or higher, the overcharge preventing circuit turns off the charge control switch <b>16</b> to inhibit charging. Accordingly, the protection circuit <b>17</b> prevents the performance of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>from decreasing.

P-0070[0070] The temperature sensor <b>19</b> detects the temperature of the battery <b>14</b> and supplies a temperature detection signal A2 corresponding to the temperature to the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. The temperature sensor <b>19</b> may detect the temperature of each of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c. </i>

P-0071[0071] The measuring circuit <b>20</b> includes an amplification circuit for current detection (current detection circuit) <b>26</b>, an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuit <b>27</b>, a rewritable non-volatile memory <b>28</b> and an interface (I/F) circuit <b>29</b>.

P-0072[0072] The current detection circuit <b>26</b> has an inverting input terminal (−) connected to the high-voltage terminal of the first sense resistor <b>18</b> and a non-inverting input terminal (+) connected to the low-voltage terminal of the resistor <b>18</b>. The current detection circuit <b>26</b> detects the current that flows out of the first sense resistor <b>18</b> (the discharge current of the battery <b>14</b> or the charge current that is supplied from the portable device <b>11</b>) and supplies a current detection signal A3 according to that current value to the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b>. Specifically, the current detection circuit <b>26</b> measures the voltages at both ends of the first sense resistor <b>18</b> and generates the current detection signal A3 corresponding to the difference between both voltages. When the discharge current or the charge current that flows across the first sense resistor <b>18</b> increases, therefore, the level of the current detection signal A3 is set higher, and when the current decreases, on the other hand, the level of the current detection signal A3 is set lower.

P-0073[0073] The AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> receives the voltage detection signal A1 from the protection circuit <b>17</b>, the temperature detection signal A2 from the temperature sensor <b>19</b> and the current detection signal A3 from the current detection circuit <b>26</b>. The detection signals A1 to A3 are analog signals which are to be converted to digital signals by the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b>. The digital signals are supplied to the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> equipped in the portable device <b>11</b> via the I/F circuit <b>29</b>.

P-0074[0074] The power management microcomputer <b>21</b> receives a digital value output from the measuring circuit <b>20</b> as a measured value for prediction of the remaining charge and displays the remaining battery charge on an unillustrated display unit in accordance with a remaining charge predicted value which is calculated based on that measured value. Each time prediction of the remaining charge is executed, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> stores the remaining charge predicted value calculated in that prediction and data pertaining to the present states of usage of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>(such as the amount of the discharge current, the total use time and the cycle number) in the memory <b>28</b> in the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. In the first embodiment, although the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> performs prediction of the remaining charge, the data processing unit is not limited to the power management microcomputer <b>21</b>. For example, another microcomputer provided in the portable device <b>11</b> may carry out prediction of the remaining charge.

P-0075[0075] The charger <b>22</b> includes an amplification circuit for current detection (current detection circuit) <b>31</b>, an error amplification circuit <b>32</b>, an amplification circuit for voltage detection (voltage detection circuit) <b>33</b> and a pulse width modulation (PWM) comparator <b>34</b>.

P-0076[0076] The current detection circuit <b>31</b> has an inverting input terminal connected to the low-voltage terminal of the second sense resistor <b>25</b> and a non-inverting input terminal connected to the high-voltage terminal of the resistor <b>25</b>. The current detection circuit <b>31</b> detects a charge current I_cto be supplied to the battery <b>14</b> from the AC adapter <b>13</b> at the time of charging, and supplies a current detection signal A4 corresponding to the value of the current I_c. Specifically, the current detection circuit <b>31</b> measures the voltages at both ends of the second sense resistor <b>25</b> and generates the current detection signal A4 corresponding to the difference between both voltages. When the charge current I_cincreases, the level of the current detection signal A4 is set higher, and when the charge current I_cdecreases, on the other hand, the level of the current detection signal A4 is set lower.

P-0077[0077] The current detection signal A4 from the current detection circuit <b>31</b> is input to the inverting input terminal of the error amplification circuit <b>32</b> and a first reference voltage V_ref1is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the circuit from the power management microcomputer <b>21</b>. The value of the first reference voltage V_ref1is variably controlled by the power management microcomputer <b>21</b>. The power management microcomputer <b>21</b> determines the first reference voltage V_ref1in accordance with the current measured value from the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. The error amplification circuit <b>32</b> compares the first reference voltage V_ref1with the current detection signal A4, generates an error signal A5 which is the difference between both voltages amplified, and supplies the error signal A5 to the PWM comparator <b>34</b>.

P-0078[0078] The inverting input terminal of the voltage detection circuit <b>33</b> is connected to the low-voltage terminal of the second sense resistor <b>25</b>, and a charge voltage V_cto be supplied to the battery <b>14</b> from the AC adapter <b>13</b> is input to that inverting input terminal. A second reference voltage V_ref2is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the voltage detection circuit <b>33</b>. The voltage detection circuit <b>33</b> compares the charge voltage V_cwith the second reference voltage V_ref2, amplifies the difference between both voltages to generate a voltage detection signal A6 and supplies the voltage detection signal A6 to the PWM comparator <b>34</b>.

P-0079[0079] The PWM comparator <b>34</b> receives a triangular wave signal from an unillustrated triangular wave oscillation circuit, compares the level of the triangular wave signal with the level of the error signal A5 or the level of the voltage detection signal A6, whichever is lower, and generates a pulse signal S1 having a level corresponding to the comparison result. For example, in a period where the level of the triangular wave signal is greater than that of the signal A5 or A6, the PWM comparator <b>34</b> generates the pulse signal S1 of an L level, whereas in a period where the level of the triangular wave signal is smaller than that of the signal A5 or A6, the PWM comparator <b>34</b> generates the pulse signal S1 of an H level.

P-0080[0080] The output switch <b>23</b> is an N channel MOS transistor whose gate is supplied with the pulse signal S1 from the PWM comparator <b>34</b>. The output switch <b>23</b> has a source connected to the coil <b>24</b> and a drain connected to the AC adapter <b>13</b>. The ON/OFF action of the output switch <b>23</b> is controlled based on the pulse signal S<b>1</b> output from the PWM comparator <b>34</b> in such a way that the charge current I_cand the charge voltage V_cfrom the AC adapter <b>13</b> become constant at predetermined values based on the switching operation.

P-0081[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, an analog power supply voltage AV_refand plural (only one shown in FIG. 9 for simplicity) analog input signals A_nto be measured are input to the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b>. The analog voltage AV_refmay be generated inside the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> or may be supplied from an external circuit. Likewise, a reference voltage A_mmay be supplied from an external circuit as indicated by the two-dot chain line or may be generated inside the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> as indicated by the broken line.

P-0082[0082] The analog input signal A_nis, for example, the voltage detection signal A1 supplied from the protection circuit <b>17</b>, the temperature detection signal A2 supplied from the temperature sensor <b>19</b> or the current detection signal A3 supplied from the current detection circuit <b>26</b>. The input voltage range of the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> covers, for example, the analog voltage AV_refand the analog ground, and the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> performs analog-digital conversion of the reference voltage A_mand the analog input signal A_nto generate digital values D_mand D_n, respectively, and outputs the digital values from an output terminal D_out.

P-0083[0083]FIGS. 11A and 11B are block circuit diagrams of the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b>. FIGS. 11A and 11B do not show the analog voltage AV_refand the reference voltage A_m. The voltage detection signal A1, the temperature detection signal A2 and the current detection signal A3 correspond to the analog input signals A_n.

P-0084[0084] As shown in FIG. 11A, the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> includes sampling and holding (S/H) circuits <b>41</b><i>a, </i><b>41</b><i>b </i>and <b>41</b><i>c </i>which respectively sample the analog values of the voltage detection signal A1, the temperature detection signal A2 and the current detection signal A3, a selection circuit <b>42</b> connected to the S/H circuits <b>41</b><i>a </i>to <b>41</b><i>c </i>and an AD converter unit <b>43</b> connected to the selection circuit <b>42</b>.

P-0085[0085] The S/H circuits <b>41</b><i>a </i>to <b>41</b><i>c </i>supply the selection circuit <b>42</b> with the analog values (hereinafter called “sampling values”) of the detection signals A1 to A3 simultaneously sampled and held in accordance with an unillustrated clock signal. The selection circuit <b>42</b> sequentially supplies the sampling values to the AD converter unit <b>43</b>. The AD converter unit <b>43</b> performs analog-digital conversion on the input sampling values sequentially to generate digital values D1 to D3.

P-0086[0086] Because a plurality of analog input signals A_nto be measured (i.e., the detection signals A1 to A3) are simultaneously sampled by the plural S/H circuits <b>41</b><i>a </i>to <b>41</b><i>c, </i>respectively provided, in this AD conversion system, the sampling precision is improved. As a result, the measuring circuit <b>20</b> shown in FIG. 8 can measure the voltage, current and temperature accurately.

P-0087[0087] The AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> in FIG. 11A may be modified as shown in FIG. 11B. In this case, the following AD conversion system is carried out.

P-0088[0088] An AD conversion circuit <b>27</b><i>a </i>in FIG. 11B includes S/H circuits <b>41</b><i>a </i>to <b>41</b><i>c </i>which simultaneously sample the detection signals A1 to A3, AD converters <b>44</b><i>a </i>to <b>44</b><i>c </i>provided in association with the S/H circuits <b>41</b><i>a </i>to <b>41</b><i>c, </i>and a selection circuit <b>45</b> connected to the AD converters <b>44</b><i>a </i>to <b>44</b><i>c. </i>In the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b><i>a, </i>the sampling values of the detection signals A1 to A3 simultaneously sampled are respectively connected to the AD converters <b>44</b><i>a </i>to <b>44</b><i>c. </i>The AD converters <b>44</b><i>a </i>to <b>44</b><i>c </i>perform analog-digital conversion on the sampling values at a time and supply resultant digital values to the selection circuit <b>45</b>. The selection circuit <b>45</b> sequentially outputs the digital values D1 to D3. The AD conversion circuit <b>27</b><i>a </i>improves the sampling precision and allows the measuring circuit <b>20</b> to measure the voltage, the current and the temperature more accurately.

P-0089[0089]FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the AD conversion system according to the first embodiment.

P-0090[0090] In step S<b>51</b>, the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> performs analog-digital conversion on the reference voltage A_mto generate the digital value D_mwith the analog voltage AV_refand the analog ground as the input voltage range and outputs the digital value D_m.

P-0091[0091] In step S<b>52</b>, the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> performs analog-digital conversion on the analog input signal A_n(the voltage detection signal A1, temperature detection signal A2 or current detection signal A3) to be measured to generate the digital value D_nwith the analog voltage AV_refand the analog ground as the input voltage range and outputs the digital value D_n.

P-0092[0092] In step S<b>53</b>, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> calculates the measured input value of the analog input signal A_nbased on the digital values D_mand D_nand the prestored reference voltage A_m.

P-0093[0093] In this AD conversion system, the analog input signals A_n(the voltage value, current value and temperature) are calculated based on the reference voltage A_mgiven to the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b>, irrespective of the analog voltage AV_refsupplied to the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b>.

P-0094[0094] In a case where the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> outputs a digital signal of 10 bits, for example, the reference voltage A_mis calculated from the digital value D_mand the input voltage range (the value of the analog voltage AV_refin the above case) according to an equation 1.

<i>A</i>_m=(<i>D</i>_m/1024)×<i>AV</i>_ref  (1)

P-0095[0095] The value of the analog input signal A_nis calculated from the digital value D_nand the input voltage range according to an equation 2.

<i>A</i>_n=(<i>D</i>_n/1024)×<i>AV</i>_ref  (2)

P-0096[0096] The value of the analog input signal A_nis calculated according to an equation 3 using the results of calculations in the equations 1 and 2.

<i>A</i>_n=(<i>D</i>_n<i>/D</i>_n)×<i>A</i>_m  (3)

P-0097[0097] If the reference voltage A_mis known, therefore, the value of the analog input signal A_ncan be acquired from the digital value D_mof the reference voltage A_mand the digital value D_nof the analog input signal A_n, regardless of the analog voltage AV_ref.

P-0098[0098] In general, at the time of obtaining the value of the analog input signal A_n, the value of the analog voltage AV_refis known at the time of designing the LSI, then equation 2 alone only needs to be used. In that case, however, the analog voltage AV_refshould be matched with the designed value accurately. In a case where the analog voltage AV_refis designed to be 3 V, for example, the actual analog voltage AV_refwhich is supplied to the AD conversion circuit should be set exactly to 3 V. Because the power supply circuit that generates such an accurate analog voltage AV_refrequires many circuit elements, the cost for the LSI increases.

P-0099[0099] Equation 3, on the other hand, does not require the value of the analog voltage AV_ref. What is desired for the analog voltage AV_refis that it is stable during AD conversion of the reference voltage A_mand the analog input signal A_n. Such a stable power supply circuit has fewer circuit elements than the high-precision power supply circuit and is therefore less expensive.

P-0100[0100] According to the first embodiment, therefore, the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> does not require a high-precision analog power supply circuit for performing analog-digital conversion, i.e., does not require the precision of the analog voltage AV_ref. This can allow the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> to be constructed easily and at a low cost.

P-0101[0101] The operation of the portable device <b>11</b> will be discussed below.

P-0102[0102] To begin with, the remaining charge predicting system will be elaborated.

P-0103[0103] The measuring circuit <b>20</b> of the battery pack <b>12</b> detects the charge current that flows into the battery <b>14</b> (rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c</i>) or the discharge current that flows out of the battery <b>14</b>, generates a current measured value by performing analog-digital conversion on the detected current, and supplies the current measured value to the power management microcomputer <b>21</b>. The measuring circuit <b>20</b> performs analog-digital conversion on the voltage value detected by the protection circuit <b>17</b> and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor <b>19</b>, thereby generating a voltage measured value and a temperature measured value, and supplies the voltage measured value and temperature measured value to the power management microcomputer <b>21</b>.

P-0104[0104] The power management microcomputer <b>21</b> calculates the remaining charge predicted value based on the measured values received from the measuring circuit <b>20</b> and displays the computation result on the unillustrated display unit. Further, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> stores the remaining charge predicted value and the data pertaining to the present states of usage of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>in the memory <b>28</b> in the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. In the subsequent prediction of the remaining charge, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> predicts the remaining charge based on the remaining charge predicted value and usage state data stored in the memory <b>28</b> in addition to the measured values supplied from the measuring circuit <b>20</b>.

P-0105[0105] In such a remaining charge predicting system, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> equipped in the portable device <b>11</b> performs prediction of the remaining charge. As this system eliminates the need for a data processing unit, such as a microcomputer, in the battery pack <b>12</b> to execute prediction of the remaining charge, therefore, the manufacturing cost for the battery pack <b>12</b> is reduced and the remaining charge is predicted accurately.

P-0106[0106] The charge control system will be discussed below in detail.

P-0107[0107] When the portable device <b>11</b> is connected to the power supply via the AC adapter <b>13</b> and charging of the battery <b>14</b> starts, the charger <b>22</b> controls the output switch <b>23</b> in such a way that the charge current I_cand the charge voltage V_csupplied from the AC adapter <b>13</b> become constant, while monitoring the charge current I_cand the charge voltage V_c. That is, the charger <b>22</b> performs constant voltage and current charging on the battery <b>14</b>.

P-0108[0108] At the time the battery <b>14</b> is charged, the measuring circuit <b>20</b> in the battery pack <b>12</b> detects the charge current that flows across the first sense resistor <b>18</b>. Based on the current measured value received from the measuring circuit <b>20</b>, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> sets the first reference voltage V_ref1to be applied to the error amplification circuit <b>32</b>. Accordingly, the charge current value and the charge voltage value are compensated for based on the measured value of the charge current from the measuring circuit <b>20</b> and the battery <b>14</b> is charged with the compensated charge current I_cand charge voltage V_c.

P-0109[0109] This charge control system can perform charging with constant voltage and constant current accurately and can shorten the charging time by feeding back the result of measuring the current in the battery pack <b>12</b>.

P-0110[0110] The first embodiment has the following advantages.

P-0111[0111] (1) The battery pack <b>12</b> has the measuring circuit <b>20</b> that measures the charge current or discharge current, the voltages of the individual rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>and the temperature of the battery <b>14</b>. The measuring circuit <b>20</b> notifies the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> of the portable device <b>11</b> of the current measured value, the voltage measured value and the temperature measured value. The power management microcomputer <b>21</b> predicts the remaining charge of the battery <b>14</b> based on those measured values. Therefore, the manufacturing cost for the battery pack <b>12</b> becomes lower and the prediction of the remaining charge is carried out accurately.

P-0112[0112] (2) Each time prediction of the remaining charge is performed, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> stores the calculated remaining charge predicted value and data pertaining to the present states of usage of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>in the memory <b>28</b> of the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. As the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> executes subsequent prediction of the remaining charge using the data stored in the memory <b>28</b>, it is possible to carry out the prediction of the remaining charge more accurately.

P-0113[0113] (3) The AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> outputs the digital value D_mof the reference voltage A_mand the digital value D_nof the analog input signal A_n. The power management microcomputer <b>21</b> computes the measured input value (the current value, the voltage value or the temperature) of the analog input signal A_nby using the digital values D_mand D_nand the reference voltage A_mwithout using the analog voltage AV_ref. As a high-precision analog power supply (analog voltage AV_ref) need not be provided in the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b>, the AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> has a simple structure and is manufactured at a low cost. The AD conversion circuit <b>27</b> can accurately detect the current value, the voltage value and the temperature without requiring the high-precision analog voltage AV_ref.

P-0114[0114] (4) The charger <b>22</b> charges the battery <b>14</b> with the current value that reflects the current measuring result from the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. Accordingly, the battery <b>14</b> is charged with a highly precise constant voltage and constant current and the charging time is shortened.

P-0115[0115] A modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 12 will be discussed next. In a charger <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the portable device <b>11</b>, a control voltage signal from the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the error amplification circuit <b>32</b>. As the control voltage signal generated by the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> based on the current measuring result from the measuring circuit <b>20</b> is directly input to the error amplification circuit <b>32</b> to feed back the current measuring result in the battery pack <b>12</b> at the time of constant current control, the current sense resistor (the second sense resistor <b>25</b> in FIG. 8) of the charger <b>22</b><i>a </i>is omitted.

P-0116[0116] The second embodiment of the present invention will be discussed below centering on the differences from the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a battery pack <b>61</b> has a voltage control terminal t3 as the second terminal.

P-0117[0117] The voltage control terminal t3 is connected to an input terminal t33 provided on a portable device <b>62</b>. The input terminal t33 is connected to the inverting input terminals of a current detection circuit <b>64</b> and a voltage detection circuit <b>65</b> of a charger <b>63</b>.

P-0118[0118] The non-inverting input terminal of the current detection circuit <b>64</b> is connected to the low-voltage terminal of the coil <b>24</b>. The portable device <b>62</b> does not have the second sense resistor <b>25</b> in FIG. 8. Therefore, a signal which has approximately the same voltage as the voltage of the positive terminal t1 (first terminal) of the battery pack <b>61</b> is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the current detection circuit <b>64</b>. The second reference voltage V_ref2is applied to the non-inverting input terminal of the voltage detection circuit <b>65</b> as per the first embodiment.

P-0119[0119] In the battery pack <b>61</b>, a protection circuit <b>66</b> detects a battery voltage V_bof the battery <b>14</b>, i.e., the positive battery voltage of the rechargeable battery <b>14</b><i>a</i>, and supplies the battery voltage V_bto the voltage control terminal t3. Therefore, the battery voltage V_bis applied to the inverting input terminals of the current detection circuit <b>64</b> and the voltage detection circuit <b>65</b> of the charger <b>63</b>. The current detection circuit <b>64</b> provided in the charger <b>63</b> detects the charge current that flows in the battery pack <b>61</b> and supplies the current detection signal A4 having a voltage corresponding to that charge current to the error amplification circuit <b>32</b>. The voltage detection circuit <b>65</b> compares the battery voltage V_bwith the second reference voltage V_ref2and supplies the PWM comparator <b>34</b> with the voltage detection signal A6 which is the amplified difference between both voltages.

P-0120[0120] The charge control system for the battery pack <b>61</b> according to the second embodiment will be discussed below.

P-0121[0121] As the AC adapter <b>13</b> is connected to the portable device <b>62</b> and charging of the battery <b>14</b> starts, the charger <b>63</b> monitors the charge current flowing in the battery pack <b>61</b> and the battery voltage V_band performs constant voltage and constant current charging by controlling the output switch <b>23</b> in such a way that the current value and voltage value become constant.

P-0122[0122] At the time the battery <b>14</b> is charged, the measuring circuit <b>20</b> measures the charge current that flows across the first sense resistor <b>18</b> and notifies the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> of the measured value. Based on the current measured value, the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> sets the first reference voltage V_ref1to be supplied to the error amplification circuit <b>32</b>. Accordingly, the charger <b>63</b> performs charging with the charge current value and charge voltage value which reflect the measured value of the charge current from the measuring circuit <b>20</b>. In such a charge control system, the charger <b>63</b> performs constant current and constant voltage charging based on the charge current in the battery pack <b>61</b> and the battery voltage V_band feeds back the current measuring result in the battery pack <b>61</b>, so that the charger <b>63</b> can carry out constant current and constant voltage charging more accurately than the one in the first embodiment. The charging time can therefore be made shorter.

P-0123[0123]FIG. 14A shows the charge characteristic of the battery <b>14</b> according to the charge control system of the second embodiment. A set voltage at the time of charging the battery <b>14</b> with the constant voltage is 12.6 V (volts), and the rated voltage of the cell voltage of each of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>is 4.2 V.

P-0124[0124] As shown in FIG. 14A, the charge voltage reaches near 12.6 V immediately after charging started. After that, the battery <b>14</b> is charged toward 12.6 V by the constant voltage and constant current charging. This charging ends when the charge current becomes equal to or lower than about {fraction (1/20)} of the battery capacity of the battery <b>14</b>. The charger <b>63</b> charges the battery <b>14</b> with the voltage of about 12.6 V (not higher than 12.6 V) which is the set voltage value of the constant voltage charging at the beginning of charging, therefore, the charging time is shortened.

P-0125[0125]FIG. 14B shows the charge characteristic of the battery <b>14</b> that is not provided with the voltage control terminal t3. Comparing FIG. 14A with FIG. 14B, it is apparent that the charging time of the battery <b>14</b> in FIG. 14A provided with the voltage control terminal t3 is made shorter than the charging time in FIG. 14B.

P-0126[0126] In the second embodiment, the charger <b>63</b> is notified of the battery voltage V_band sets the charge voltage with respect to the battery <b>14</b> highly accurately in consideration of the voltage drop in the battery pack <b>61</b> and the impedance of the protection circuit <b>66</b>. This can ensure accurate control of the amount of charging of the battery <b>14</b>.

P-0127[0127] A description will now be given of the relationship between the charge voltage and discharge capacity by referring to FIG. 15A. FIG. 15A shows a graph of the rechargeable battery whose rated voltage is set to 4.2 V.

P-0128[0128] As shown in FIG. 15A, in a case where the rechargeable battery is charged with the rated voltage of 4.2 V, the discharge capacity is about 1900 mAH. When the rechargeable battery is charged with the voltage of 4.3 V higher than the rated voltage of 4.2 V, the discharge capacity increases to about 2060 mAH. When the rechargeable battery is charged with the voltage of 4.1 V lower than the rated voltage of 4.2 V, on the other hand, the discharge capacity drops to about 1640 mAH. FIG. 15B shows a discharge capacity ratio with respect to the charge voltage with “1” being the discharge capacity of about 1900 mAH that is stored when charging the battery <b>14</b> with the rated voltage of 4.2 V.

P-0129[0129] The higher the charge voltage becomes, the greater the capacity stored in the rechargeable battery becomes. In a case where charging is performed with a voltage value higher than the rated voltage of 4.2 V, however, the rechargeable battery is degraded and the cycle life becomes shorter. If the charge voltage is lower than the rated voltage of 4.2 V, on the other hand, the capacity stored in the rechargeable battery becomes smaller. It is therefore desirable that the charge voltage for the rechargeable battery should have a voltage value not exceeding the rated voltage of 4.2 V and as close to 4.2 V as possible.

P-0130[0130] In the second embodiment, the charger <b>63</b> detects the battery voltage V_b. As the charge voltage for the battery <b>14</b> is controlled with high precision, the charge capacity stored in the battery <b>14</b> can be made as large as possible within the specified range.

P-0131[0131] The second embodiment has the following advantages.

P-0132[0132] (1) The battery pack <b>61</b> is provided with the voltage control terminal t3 as the second terminal. This allows the current detection circuit <b>64</b> in the charger <b>63</b> to substantially detect the charge current that flows in the battery pack <b>61</b> and allows the voltage detection circuit <b>65</b> to detect the battery voltage V_bof the battery <b>14</b> in consideration of the voltage drop in the battery pack <b>61</b> and the impedance of the protection circuit <b>66</b>. Further, the current measuring result from the measuring circuit <b>20</b> in the battery pack <b>61</b> is reflected by the constant current control as per the first embodiment. This can ensure accurate control of the charge voltage with respect to the battery <b>14</b>, so that the charging amount can be controlled accurately and the charging time can be made shorter.

P-0133[0133] (2) As the charger <b>63</b> monitors the charge current and the charge voltage in the battery pack <b>61</b> notified via the voltage control terminal t<b>3</b>, the second sense resistor <b>25</b> in the portable device <b>11</b> is unnecessary. This can ensure reduction in the manufacturing cost for the portable device <b>11</b> and downsizing of the portable device <b>11</b>.

P-0134[0134] The following description of the third embodiment of the present invention will be given with respect to the differences from the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a block circuit diagram of a battery pack <b>71</b> and a portable device <b>72</b> according to the third embodiment.

P-0135[0135] The battery pack <b>71</b> has the voltage control terminal t3 as the second terminal. The voltage control terminal t3 is connected to the inverting input terminals of the current detection circuit <b>64</b> and the voltage detection circuit <b>65</b> in the charger <b>63</b> via the input terminal t33 of the portable device <b>72</b> (see FIG. 13). The positive terminal t1 (first terminal) of the battery pack <b>71</b> is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the current detection circuit <b>64</b> via the positive terminal t11 of the portable device <b>72</b> (see FIG. 13).

P-0136[0136] The power management microcomputer <b>21</b> provided in the portable device <b>72</b> is connected to a standby power supply <b>73</b> for supplying power when the portable device <b>72</b> is in standby mode. The standby power supply <b>73</b> is connected to the voltage control terminal t<b>3</b> of the battery pack <b>71</b> via a diode <b>74</b> and the input terminal t<b>33</b> of the portable device <b>72</b>.

P-0137[0137] A protection circuit <b>75</b> detects the cell voltages of the individual rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>and supplies the power management microcomputer <b>21</b> with voltage measured values of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>which are generated based on the detection results. The power management microcomputer <b>21</b> supplies a switch control signal SWC to the protection circuit <b>75</b> based on the individual voltage measured values. The protection circuit <b>75</b> performs the ON/OFF control on the discharge control switch <b>15</b> and the charge control switch <b>16</b> in accordance with the switch control signal SWC.

P-0138[0138] The protection circuit <b>75</b> includes a standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b> for switching the positive terminal of the battery <b>14</b> and the voltage control terminal t3 between a connected state and a non-connected state. The protection circuit <b>75</b> controls the standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b> in accordance with the switch control signal SWC from the power management microcomputer <b>21</b>. For example, the protection circuit <b>75</b> turns on the standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b> in response to the switch control signal SWC that switches off the discharge control switch <b>15</b>. In response to the switch control signal SWC that switches on the discharge control switch <b>15</b>, on the other hand, the protection circuit <b>75</b> turns off the standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b>.

P-0139[0139] In the third embodiment, therefore, the protection circuit <b>75</b> serves as a standby control circuit when the portable device <b>72</b> is in standby mode. When the overdischarged state of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>is detected, the protection circuit <b>75</b> turns off both the discharge control switch <b>15</b> and standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b>.

P-0140[0140] With the portable device <b>72</b> in standby mode, the discharge control switch <b>15</b> is turned off and the standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b> is turned on. In standby mode, therefore, power supply to a DC-DC converter <b>77</b> from the battery <b>14</b> is blocked, thereby preventing wasteful power consumption in the portable device <b>72</b>. At this time, the battery <b>14</b> supplies only the operational power enough to drive the standby power supply <b>73</b>.

P-0141[0141] When the battery <b>14</b> reaches an overdischarged state, both the discharge control switch <b>15</b> and the standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b> are turned off in the third embodiment. This reliably prevents the battery <b>14</b> from being overdischarged.

P-0142[0142]FIG. 17 shows a comparative example with respect to what is shown in FIG. 16. The charger of a portable device <b>81</b> is not shown in FIG. 17.

P-0143[0143] The portable device <b>81</b> has a built-in battery pack <b>82</b>. The battery pack <b>82</b> has a battery <b>83</b>, a first discharge control switch <b>84</b>, a charge control switch <b>85</b>, a protection circuit <b>86</b>, a sense resistor <b>87</b> and an ammeter <b>88</b>. The portable device <b>81</b> includes a second discharge control switch <b>89</b>, a power management microcomputer <b>90</b>, a standby power supply <b>91</b> and DC-DC converters <b>92</b><i>a </i>and <b>92</b><i>b. </i>

P-0144[0144] In the portable device <b>81</b>, the power management microcomputer <b>90</b> is connected to the second discharge control switch <b>89</b>. The discharge control switch <b>89</b> is connected to the DC-DC converters <b>92</b><i>a </i>and <b>92</b><i>b. </i>The power management microcomputer <b>90</b> is connected to the output terminal of the standby power supply <b>91</b>. The input terminal of the standby power supply <b>91</b> is connected to the positive terminal t1 of the battery pack <b>82</b> via a diode <b>93</b>.

P-0145[0145] The power management microcomputer <b>90</b> supplies the switch control signal SWC to the protection circuit <b>86</b> based on the current detection result supplied from the ammeter <b>88</b>. The protection circuit <b>86</b> controls the ON/OFF actions of the first discharge control switch <b>84</b> and the charge control switch <b>85</b> in accordance with the switch control signal SWC. The power management microcomputer <b>90</b> controls the ON/OFF action of the second discharge control switch <b>89</b> in accordance with the control signal that has been supplied from the standby power supply <b>91</b>.

P-0146[0146] With the portable device <b>81</b> in standby mode, operational power is supplied to the standby power supply <b>91</b> from the battery <b>83</b> via the first discharge control switch <b>84</b> and the charge control switch <b>85</b>. In the comparison example in FIG. 17, therefore, the battery <b>83</b> supplies power even to those circuits which are not associated with the operation of the portable device <b>81</b> in standby mode, resulting in wasteful power consumption.

P-0147[0147] The third embodiment has the following advantages.

P-0148[0148] (1) The protection circuit <b>75</b> has the standby-power-supply control switch <b>76</b> which is controlled in standby mode in accordance with the switch control signal SWC supplied from the power management microcomputer <b>21</b>. This structure requires no special control circuit or the like to control driving of the standby power supply <b>73</b> and can reliably prevent wasteful power consumption in the portable device <b>72</b> in standby mode while reducing the manufacturing cost by preventing an increase in the number of components required.

P-0149[0149] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms.

P-0150[0150] The number of the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>that form the battery <b>14</b> is not limited to three.

P-0151[0151] Although the rechargeable batteries <b>14</b><i>a </i>to <b>14</b><i>c </i>are connected in series to one another, they may be connected in parallel or may be connected by a combination of series connection and parallel connections.

P-0152[0152] The battery pack <b>12</b>, <b>61</b> or <b>71</b> may be installed or accommodated in the portable device <b>11</b>, <b>62</b> or <b>72</b>.

P-0153[0153] The battery pack <b>12</b>, <b>61</b> or <b>71</b> may be designed to be detachable from the portable device <b>11</b>, <b>62</b> or <b>72</b>.

P-0154[0154] The battery pack <b>12</b>, <b>61</b> or <b>71</b> may be incorporated in the portable device <b>11</b>, <b>62</b> or <b>72</b>. In this case, the data processing unit (<b>21</b>) is not provided in the battery pack <b>12</b>, <b>61</b> or <b>71</b> but provided on, for example, the body of the portable device <b>11</b>, which is connected to the battery pack <b>12</b>, <b>61</b> or <b>71</b>.

P-0155[0155] The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.