Microcomputer system, microcomputer, power control method, and power control program product
View Patent ↗A microcomputer system according to the present invention includes multiple backup power supplies that are used instead of the main power supply in response to a voltage drop of a main power supply. The microcomputer system further includes a backup power supply monitoring circuit that monitors charge amount of the multiple backup power supplies and determines whether the charge amount is lower than a predetermined charge amount, a backup power supply charging circuit that charges the backup power supply from the main power supply, where the backup power supply is determined by the backup power supply monitoring unit that the charge amount thereof is lower than the predetermined charge amount, and a power supply switching unit that switches to the backup power supply selected according to a predetermined rule if a voltage of the main power supply is reduced.
1. A microcomputer system comprising:
a plurality of backup power supplies that are used instead of a main power supply in response to a voltage drop of the main power supply;
a backup power supply monitoring unit that monitors charge amount of the plurality of backup power supplies and determines whether the charge amount is lower than a predetermined charge amount;
a backup power supply charging unit that charges the backup power supply from the main power supply, the backup power supply being determined that the charge amount thereof is lower than the predetermined charge amount by the backup power supply monitoring unit; and
a power supply switching unit that switches to the backup power supply selected according to a predetermined rule if a voltage of the main power supply reduces.
2. The microcomputer system according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply switching unit switches to the backup power supply with a highest charge amount if a voltage of the main power supply reduces.
3. The microcomputer system according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply switching unit selects the backup power supply to switch according to a necessary voltage level for an operation of the microcomputer if the voltage of the main power supply reduces.
4. The microcomputer system according to claims 1 , wherein the backup power supply charging unit charges from a USB device.
5. The microcomputer system according to claim 4 , wherein
the power supply switching unit switches to the backup power supply if the power supply switching unit detects a voltage drop of the main power supply, the voltage drop being caused by the USB device to be in a suspend state, and
after completing the operation of the microcomputer which has used the backup power supply switched by the power supply switching unit, the microcomputer shifts to a suspend state.
6. The microcomputer system according to claim 4 , further comprising a communication unit that transmits a signal to release the suspend state of the USB device if the USB device enters a suspend state thereby causing the voltage drop of the main power supply and the charge amount of the plurality of backup supplies is lower than the predetermined charge amount.
7. The microcomputer system according to claims 4 , wherein the backup power supply charge control unit supplies the power supplied from the main power supply to the USB device, the USB device being connected to the microcomputer.
8. A microcomputer comprising:
a backup power supply monitoring unit that monitors charge amount of a plurality of backup power supplies and also determines whether the charge amount is lower than a predetermined charge amount, the plurality of backup power supplies being used instead of a main power supply in response to a voltage drop of the main power supply;
a backup power supply charge control unit that charges the backup power supply from the main power supply, the backup power supply being determined by the backup power supply monitoring unit that the charge amount thereof is lower than the predetermined charge amount; and
a power supply switching unit that switches to the backup power supply, the backup power supply being selected previously according to a predetermined rule if a voltage of the main power supply reduces.
9. A method of power supply control comprising:
monitoring a charge amount of a plurality of backup power supplies, the plurality of backup power supplies being used instead of the main power supply in response to a voltage drop of a main power supply;
determining whether the charge amount is lower than a predetermined charge amount;
charging the backup power supply from the main power supply, the backup power supply being determined that the charge amount thereof is lower than the predetermined charge amount; and
switching to the backup power supply selected according to a predetermined rule if a voltage of the main power supply reduces.
10. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a power supply control program for causing a control computer of a microcomputer to execute:
monitoring charge amount of a plurality of backup power supplies, the plurality of backup power supplies being used instead of the main power supply in response to a voltage drop of a main power supply;
determining whether the charge amount is lower than a predetermined charge amount;
directing to charge the backup power supply from the main power supply, the charge amount of the backup power supply being lower than the predetermined charge amount; and
switching to the backup power supply selected according to a predetermined rule if a voltage of the main power supply reduces.