Patent ID: 12218534

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates a battery control circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a semiconductor circuit100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes batteries BAT1to BAT3, capacitors C1to C3, selection circuits110,120and130, voltage measuring circuits112,122and132, a switching circuit200and a controller300. In this drawing, although the first selection circuit to the third selection circuit110,120and130, and the first battery BAT1to the third battery BAT3are shown, the number of the selection circuits and the number of the batteries are not limited thereto. Further, although the first selection circuit110, the second selection circuit120and the third selection circuit130are shown separately inFIG.1, they may be implemented as a single selection circuit. Moreover, although separate voltage measuring circuits112,122and132are shown, these may be incorporated into the selection circuits110,120and130or into the single selection circuit.

The first battery BAT1and the first capacitor C1are connected to the first selection circuit110. The first selection circuit110may select the first battery BAT1and/or the first capacitor C1depending on a selection signal provided from the controller300. The first selection circuit110may connect the selected first battery BAT1and/or the selected first capacitor C1to the switching circuit200.

The second battery BAT2and the second capacitor C2are connected to the second selection circuit120. The second selection circuit120may select the second battery BAT2and/or the second capacitor C2depending on the selection signal provided from the controller300. The second selection circuit120may connect the selected second battery BAT2and/or the selected second capacitor C2to the switching circuit200.

The third battery BAT1and the third capacitor C1are connected to the third selection circuit130. The third selection circuit130may select the third battery BAT3and/or the third capacitor C3depending on the selection signal provided from the controller300. The third selection circuit130may connect the selected third battery BAT1and/or the selected third capacitor C3to the switching circuit200.

Here, the first battery BAT1, the second battery BAT2and the third battery BAT3may be batteries having substantially the same structure. The first battery BAT1, the second battery BAT2, and the third battery BAT3may be non-rechargeable primary batteries, such as alkaline batteries and/or dry batteries. Also, the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2and the third capacitor C3may be capacitors having substantially the same structure.

The first voltage measuring circuit112may be connected to the first selection circuit110. The first voltage measuring circuit112may be connected to one of the first battery BAT1or the first capacitor C1selected by the first selection circuit110to measure the first voltage V1of the selected first battery BAT1or the first capacitor C1. The measured first voltage V1of the first battery BAT1or the first capacitor C1may be provided to the controller300.

The second voltage measuring circuit122may be connected to the second selection circuit120. The second voltage measuring circuit122may be connected to one of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120to measure a second voltage V2of the selected second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2. The measured second voltage V2of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2may be provided to the controller300.

The third voltage measuring circuit132may be connected to the third selection circuit130. The third voltage measuring circuit132may be connected to one of the third battery BAT3or the third capacitor C3selected by the third selection circuit130to measure a third voltage V3of the selected third battery BAT3or the third capacitor C3. The measured third voltage V3of the third battery BAT3or the third capacitor C3may be provided to the controller300.

The switching circuit200may connect the first battery BAT1and/or the first capacitor C1selected by the first selection circuit110, the second battery BAT2and/or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120, and/or the third battery BAT3and/or the third capacitor C3selected by the third selection circuit130in series or in parallel, and may generate an output voltage Vx using them. The switching circuit200is connected to an output terminal to provide an output voltage Vx. Hereinafter, the structure of the switching circuit200may be described in greater detail with reference toFIG.2.

The controller300may provide selection signals to the first to third selection circuits110,120and130. The first to third selection circuits110,120and130may select the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3and/or the first to third capacitors C1to C3depending on the selection signal. The selection signal may include, for example, information on the number of batteries to be provided to the semiconductor circuit1. For example, if the number of batteries provided to the semiconductor circuit100is 1, one selection circuit of the first to third selection circuits110,120and130may select the corresponding battery, and the remaining selection circuits may each select the corresponding capacitor. If the number of batteries provided to the semiconductor circuit100is 2, two selection circuits of the first to third selection circuits110,120and130may select the corresponding battery, and the remaining selection circuit may select the corresponding capacitor. If the number of batteries provided to the semiconductor circuit100is 3, all the first to third selection circuits110,120and130may select the corresponding battery.

The selection signal may include, for example, information on the discharged battery. For example, if the first battery BAT1is discharged in the semiconductor circuit100provided with the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3, the first selection circuit110may select the first capacitor C1, the second selection circuit120may select the second battery BAT2, and the third selection circuit130may select the third battery BAT3.

The controller300may compare the voltages measured by the first to third voltage measuring circuits112,122and132to generate a comparison result. The controller300may determine an interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3or the first to third capacitors C1to C3selected in the first to third selection circuits110,120and130, on the basis of the number of batteries to be provided to the semiconductor circuit1, the generated comparison result, and the target output voltage for the semiconductor circuit1. The target output voltage here may mean an output voltage sufficient for the electronic device including the semiconductor circuit1.

The controller300may provide a control signal including the determined interconnection relationship to the switching circuit200. The switching circuit200may connect the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3or the first to third capacitors C1to C3selected by the first to third selection circuits110,120and130according to the control signal in parallel or in series for a determined time. The interconnection relationship may be adjusted depending on the comparison result generated by the controller300. Therefore, in the semiconductor circuits according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the interconnection relationship of the batteries is not determined, and the interconnection relationship of the batteries may be adjusted depending on the number of batteries, the target output voltage, and the battery voltage.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, although the first to third selection circuits110,120and130, the first to third voltage measuring circuits112,122and132, the switching circuit200and the controller300are expressed by other blocks to conceptually explain the operations thereof, its meaning is not implemented by a separate circuit. That is, the first to third selection circuits110,120and130, the first to third voltage measuring circuits112,122and132, the switching circuit200and the controller300may be implemented by a single circuit or may be implemented by a plurality of circuits.

FIGS.2and3illustrate circuits for explaining the semiconductor circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the switching circuit200has an input terminal to which a ground voltage is connected, and an output terminal connected to an inductor L. The switching circuit200may output an output voltage Vx to the output terminal. The output terminal may be connected to a low pass filter (LPF) including an inductor L and a capacitor C. The low pass filter may filter high-frequency components of the output voltage Vx that is output to the output terminal. Therefore, the low-frequency component of the output voltage Vx may be output as a final voltage VOUT or a final current Io.

The switching circuit200may include first to sixth switches SW1to SW6. A first switch SW1may be connected to a cathode of the first battery BAT1or the first capacitor C1selected by the first selection circuit110, and a cathode of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120. A second switch SW2may be connected to an anode of the first battery BAT1or the first capacitor C1selected by the first selection circuit110, and the cathode of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120. A third switch SW3may be connected to the cathode of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120, and a cathode of the third battery BAT3or the third capacitor C3selected by the third selection circuit130. A fourth switch SW4may be connected to the anode of the first battery BAT1or the first capacitor C1selected by the first selection circuit110, and an anode of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120. A fifth switch SW5may be connected to an anode of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120, and the third battery BAT3or the third capacitor C3selected by the third selection circuit130. A sixth switch SW6may be connected to the anode of the second battery BAT2or the second capacitor C2selected by the second selection circuit120, and an anode of the third battery BAT3or the third capacitor C3selected by the third selection circuit130. The anode of the third battery BAT3may be connected to the output terminal. The switching circuit200may turn on/off the first to sixth switches SW1to SW6to connect the selected batteries BAT1to BAT3or capacitors C1to C3in series or in parallel.

Therefore, since the semiconductor circuit100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may change the interconnection relationship of the batteries, it is possible to have flexibility of the interconnection relationship of the batteries.

Referring toFIG.2, the semiconductor circuit100aaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided with three batteries BAT1to BAT3, and all the first to third selection circuits110,120and130may select the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3.

The switching circuit200may connect the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3in series in accordance with a control signal provided from the controller300. For example, the second switch SW2and the fifth switch SW5may be in an ON state, and the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4and the sixth switch SW6may be in an OFF state.

Referring toFIG.3, the switching circuit200may connect the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3in parallel in accordance with the control signal provided from the controller300. For example, the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW6may be in the ON state, and the second switch SW2and the fifth switch SW5may be in the OFF state.

Moreover, the switching circuit200may connect the first battery BAT1in series and the second to third batteries BAT2to BAT3in parallel in accordance with the control signal provided from the controller300. For example, the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, and the sixth switch SW6may be in the ON state, and the first switch SW1, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW5may be in the OFF state.

FIGS.4and5are diagrams for explaining the operation of the semiconductor circuits ofFIGS.2and3.

Referring toFIG.4, the first voltage measuring circuit112may measure the first voltage V1of the first battery, the second voltage measuring circuit122may measure the second voltage V2of the second battery, and the third voltage measuring circuit132may measure the third voltage V3of the third battery. The measured first to third voltages V1to V3may be provided to the controller300.

The controller300may compare the magnitudes of the measured first to third voltages V1to V3and may generate comparison results. The controller300may determine the interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3on the basis of the comparison result. The controller300may provide the switching circuit200with a control signal including an interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3in which the battery having the voltage of lowest magnitude among the first to third voltages V1to V3is disconnected.

For example, the third voltage V3may be greater than the second voltage V2and the first voltage V1. A difference in magnitude between the third voltage V3and the second voltage V2may be greater than an arbitrary set voltage. The arbitrary set voltage may be set differently for each semiconductor circuit1. The arbitrary set voltage may mean a value within a range in which the second voltage V2and the third voltage V3may be regarded as being the same as each other.

At this time, the controller300may control the switching circuit200so that the semiconductor circuit100ais driven, using only the third battery BAT3. The controller300disconnects the connection between the first battery BAT1and the second battery BAT2, and may provide the switching circuit200with the control signal including the interconnection relationship which connects the third battery BAT3to the output terminal.

As a result, the switching circuit200may change the first switch SW1and the third switch SW3to the ON state, and may change the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5, and the sixth switch SW6to the OFF state. The semiconductor circuit100amay generate the output voltage Vx using the third battery BAT3.

Thereafter, the controller300compares the magnitudes of the measured first to third voltages V1to V3, and if the third voltage V3becomes equal to or less than the first voltage V1or the second voltage V2, the controller300may set the interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3on the basis of the target output voltage and the first to third voltages V1to V3. The controller300may provide the switching circuit200with a control signal including the determined interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3. The switching circuit200may change the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3in accordance with the control signal.

Referring toFIG.5, the third voltage V3may be higher than the second voltage V2and the first voltage V1. The difference in magnitude between the third voltage V3and the second voltage V2may be smaller than the arbitrary set voltage. The difference in magnitude between the second voltage V2and the third voltage V3may have a value within the range in which the second voltage V2and the third voltage V3may be regarded as being the same as each other.

At this time, the controller300may control the switching circuit200so that the semiconductor circuit100ais driven, using the first battery BAT1and the second battery BAT2. The controller300may provide the switching circuit200with the control signal including the connection information which disconnects the connection of the first battery BAT1, and connects the second battery BAT2and the third battery BAT3to the output terminal.

As a result, the switching circuit200may change the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the sixth switch SW6to the ON state, and may change the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4and the fifth switch SW5to the OFF state. The semiconductor circuit100amay generate an output voltage Vx, using the second battery BAT2and the third battery BAT3.

Thereafter, the controller300compares the measured magnitudes of the first to third voltages V1to V3, and if the second voltage V2or the third voltage V3become equal to or less than the first voltage V1, the controller300may determine the interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3on the basis of the target output voltage and the first to third voltages V1to V3. The controller300may provide the switching circuit200with a control signal including the determined interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3. The switching circuit200may change the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3in accordance with the control signal.

The semiconductor circuit100aaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be operated by connecting the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3. A voltage imbalance may exist in each of the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3, due to various factors such as capacity deviations and other electrochemical characteristics. If the voltage of the specific battery among the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3is over-discharged, not only the performance of the specific battery is degraded, but also the entire battery may be deteriorated and shortened. In addition, even if only one battery is discharged, the operation of the semiconductor circuit may be disabled, and the use of an undischarged battery may also be disabled.

However, the semiconductor circuit100aaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure measures the first voltage V1of the first battery, the second voltage V2of the second battery, and the third voltage V3of the third battery, and may control the switching circuit200on the basis of the measured first to third voltages V1to V3, and cell balancing for adjusting the cell voltages of the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3may be performed. Therefore, the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3may be efficiently used, and the life expectancy of the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3may be increased. Further, since the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3may be efficiently used to provide a stable output voltage, the semiconductor device to which the semiconductor circuit is applied may be used more stably.

FIGS.6and7illustrate circuits for explaining a semiconductor circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, a semiconductor circuit100baccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided with two batteries BAT1and BAT3, the first selection circuit110may select the first battery BAT1, the second selection circuit120may select the second capacitor C2, and the third selection circuit130may select the third battery BAT3. AlthoughFIG.6shows that the first battery BAT1, the third battery BAT3, and the second capacitor C2are selected, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the selection circuits110to130may each select the corresponding battery depending on the number of batteries provided. For example, the first battery BAT1may be selected by the first selection circuit110, the second battery BAT2may be selected by the second selection circuit120, and the third capacitor C3may be selected by the third selection circuit130. Alternatively, the first capacitor C1may be selected by the first selection circuit110, the second battery BAT2may be selected by the second selection circuit120, and the third battery BAT3may be selected by the third selection circuit130.

The batteries BAT1, BAT2and/or BAT3may be electrically rechargeable. If so, the selection circuit may interconnect to them with reversed polarity and/or in a different interconnection relationship relative to the capacitors C1, C2and/or C3, respectively, for recharging purposes.

The switching circuit200may connect the first battery BAT1, the second capacitor C2, and the third battery BAT3in series in accordance with the control signal provided from the controller300. For example, the second switch SW2and the fifth switch SW5may be in ON state, and the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4and the sixth switch SW6may be in the OFF state.

Referring toFIG.7, the switching circuit200may connect the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3in parallel in accordance with the control signal provided from the controller300. For example, the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW6may be in the ON state, and the second switch SW2and the fifth switch SW5may be in the OFF state.

FIG.8is a diagram for explaining the operation of the semiconductor circuit ofFIGS.6and7.

Referring toFIG.8, the first voltage measuring circuit112may measure the first voltage V1of the first battery, the second voltage measuring circuit122may measure the second voltage V2of the second capacitor, and the third voltage measuring circuit132may measure the third voltage V3of the third battery. The measured first to third voltages V1to V3may be provided to the controller300.

The controller300may compare the magnitudes of the measured first to third voltages V1to V3. If the second capacitor C2is discharged, the controller300may compare the magnitude of the first voltage V1and the third voltage V3, and may generate a comparison result. The controller300may determine the interconnection relationship between the first battery BAT1, the second capacitor C2, and the third battery BAT3on the basis of the comparison result. The controller300may provide the switching circuit200with the control signal including an interconnection relationship between the first battery BAT1, the second capacitor C2and the third battery BAT3in which a battery having voltage of a lower magnitude between the first voltage V1and the third voltage V3is disconnected.

For example, the third voltage V3may be greater than the first voltage V1and the second voltage V2. The controller300may control the switching circuit200so that the semiconductor circuit100bis driven, using only the third battery BAT3. The controller300may provide the switching circuit200with the control signal including the interconnection relationship which disconnects the connection of the first battery BAT1and connects the second capacitor C2and the third battery BAT3in parallel.

As a result, the switching circuit200may change the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the sixth switch SW6to the ON state, and may change the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4and the fifth switch SW5to the OFF state. The semiconductor circuit100bmay charge the second capacitor C2using the third battery BAT3and generate the output voltage Vx.

Thereafter, the controller300compares the magnitudes of the measured second voltage V2and the third voltage V3, and if the second voltage V2becomes equal to the third voltage V3, the controller300may determine the interconnection relationship between the first battery BAT1, the second capacitor C2, and the third battery BAT3on the basis of the target output voltage and the first to third voltages V1to V3. The controller300may provide the switching circuit200with a control signal including the determined interconnection relationship between the first to third batteries BAT1to BAT3. The switching circuit200may change the first battery BAT1, the second capacitor C2, and the third battery BAT3in accordance with the control signal. That is, the switching circuit200may generate the output voltage Vx, using the second capacitor C2instead of the second battery BAT2.

Thereafter, if the second capacitor C2is discharged again, the second capacitor C2may be charged by being connected to the battery having the voltage of higher magnitude among the first voltage V1and the third voltage V3.

Therefore, the semiconductor circuit100baccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may generate the output voltage of the electronic device to which the semiconductor circuit100bis applied, using two batteries and the single capacitor instead of three batteries.

FIGS.9and10illustrate circuits for explaining a semiconductor circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.9, a semiconductor circuit100caccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided with a single battery BAT3, a first selection circuit110may select the first capacitor C1, the second selection circuit120may select the second capacitor C2, and the third selection circuit130may select the third battery BAT3. AlthoughFIG.9shows that the third battery BAT3, the first capacitor C1, and the second capacitor C2are selected, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the selection circuits110to130may each select the corresponding battery depending on the number of batteries provided. For example, the first battery BAT1may be selected by the first selection circuit110, the second capacitor C2may be selected by the second selection circuit120, and the third capacitor C3may be selected by the third selection circuit130. Alternatively, the first capacitor C1may be selected by the first selection circuit110, the second battery BAT2may be selected by the second selection circuit120, and the third capacitor C3may be selected by the third selection circuit130.

The first voltage measuring circuit112may measure the first voltage V1of the first capacitor, the second voltage measuring circuit122may measure the second voltage V2of the second capacitor, and the third voltage measuring circuit132may measure the third voltage V3of the third battery. The measured first to third voltages V1to V3may be provided to the controller300.

The controller300may determine the interconnection relationship among the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2, and the third battery BAT3on the basis of the measured first to third voltages V1to V3and the target output voltage. The controller300may provide a control signal including the determined interconnection relationship to the switching circuit200.

The switching circuit200may connect the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2, and the third battery BAT3in accordance with the control signal. The switching circuit200may connect the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2, and the third battery BAT3in parallel in accordance with the control signal provided from the controller300. For example, the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW6may be in the ON state, and the second switch SW2and the fifth switch SW5may be in the OFF state. The first capacitor C1and the second capacitor C2may be charged by being connected in parallel to the third battery BAT3.

Referring toFIG.10, if the first capacitor C1and the second capacitor C2are charged, the controller300may determine an interconnection relationship among the first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2and the third battery BAT3on the basis of the target output voltage, and may provide a control signal including the interconnection relationship to the switching circuit200.

The switching circuit200may connect the charged first capacitor C1and/or the charged second capacitor C2with the third battery BAT3in series in accordance with the control signal. For example, the second switch SW2and the fifth switch SW5may be in the ON state, and the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW6may be in the OFF state. The charged first capacitor C1and/or the charged second capacitor C2may be connected in series with the third battery BAT3to produce an output voltage Vx and may be discharged.

Therefore, the semiconductor circuit100caccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may generate an output voltage of an electronic device to which the present semiconductor circuit100cis applied, using a single battery and two capacitors instead of three batteries.

In general, the converter connected to a rear end of the battery may be determined depending on the number of batteries and the interconnection relationship. For example, converters, such as a buck converter which converts the input voltage to a lower voltage, a boost converter which boosts the input voltage to a higher voltage, and a buck-boost converter that boosts the input voltage to a lower voltage or a higher voltage, may be connected to the rear end of the battery. This makes the structure of the circuit including the batteries complicated, and a structure of the converter may vary depending on the number of batteries and the interconnection relationship.

However, in the semiconductor circuit100caccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the capacitor may be connected to a position at which the battery is not selected by the selection circuits110,120and130, and the interconnection relationship of the battery may be adjusted by the switching circuit200, the structure of the converter does not vary depending on the number of batteries to be input to the semiconductor circuit100cand the interconnection relationship between the batteries. Therefore, the structure is not complicated, and a desired output voltage Vx may be generated regardless of the number of batteries and the interconnection relationship thereof.

In addition, for example, if the electronic device requires three batteries but is provided with only two batteries, the semiconductor circuit100caccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may generate the output voltage Vx, using two batteries and the single capacitor.

FIG.11is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.11, an electronic device1101in a network environment1000according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may communicate with an electronic device1102through a first network1198such as, for example, a short-range wireless communication, or may communicate with an electronic device1104or a server1108through a second network1199such as, for example, a long-range wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the electronic device1101may communicate with the electronic device1104through the server1108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device1101may include a processor1120, an application1146, a middle ware1144, a memory1130in which a program1140including an operating system1142is stored, an input device1150, an audio output device1155, a display device1160such as touch screen display, an audio module1170, a sensor module1176, an interface1177, a haptic module1179, a camera module1180, a power management module1188, a battery1189, a communication module1190including a wireless communication module1192and a wired communication module1194, a subscriber identification module1196, and an antenna module1197. In an embodiment, at least one of these components may be omitted from or other components may be added to the electronic device1101. In an embodiment, some components may be integrated and implemented, such as in the case of a sensor module1176such as a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor or an illumination sensor embedded in the display device1160.

The power management module1188is a module for managing the power supplied to the electronic device1101, and may be configured, for example, as at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) such as the semiconductor circuit100ofFIG.1. The battery1189is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device1101, and may include, for example, a plurality of non-rechargeable primary batteries such as BAT1to BAT3and/or rechargeable batteries or capacitors such as C1through C3ofFIG.1. The semiconductor circuit according to an embodiment of the invention may be included in the battery1189and/or the power management module1188.

The processor1120may, for example, drive software to control at least one other component of the electronic device101connected to the processor1120, and may perform various data processing and operations. The processor1120may load and process commands or data received from other components into a volatile memory1132, and may store the result data in a non-volatile memory1134. According to an embodiment, the processor1120may include a main processor1121, for example, a central processing unit or an application processor, and a co-processor1123that is operated independently of the main processor, and additionally and/or alternatively uses electric power lower than the main processor1121or is specialized for a specified function. Here, the co-processor1123may be operated separately from the main processor1121or by being embedded in the main processor1121.

The electronic device1101may include, for example, at least one of a mobile communication device such as a smartphone, a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device or a home appliance. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be applied to an electronic device which uses a primary battery.

In concluding the detailed description, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will appreciate that many variations and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments are to be taken in a generic, descriptive or exemplary sense, and not for purposes of limitation.