Patent ID: 12204390

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1Ais a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1A, according to an embodiment, an electronic device101may include at least one of an interface103, a wireless charging module104, a battery105, a processor120, a power management circuit130, or a plurality of loads140a,140b, and140cto140n. For example, a number of loads may be N.

According to an embodiment, the interface103is connected by a wire with an external power source to transfer power from the external power source to the power management circuit130. The interface103may be implemented as, e.g., a connector for providing power or as a cable for providing power and a connector for connecting the cable to the external power source. For example, the interface103may be implemented as various universal serial bus (USB) types of connectors which are not limited to a specific type. When direct current (DC) power is received from the external power source, the interface103may transfer the received DC power to the power management circuit130or convert the magnitude of voltage of the power and transfer the converted power. When alternating current (AC) power is received from the external power source, the interface103may convert the AC power into DC power and/or convert the magnitude of voltage of the power and transfer the converted power to the power management circuit130.

According to an embodiment, the wireless charging module104may be implemented in a scheme defined in wireless power consortium (WPC) standards (or Qi standards) or alliance for wireless power (A4WP) standards (or air fuel alliance (AFA) standards). The wireless charging module104may include a coil that produces an induced electromotive force by the magnetic field generated around and varying in magnitude over time. The process of producing an induced electromotive force through the coil may be represented as the wireless charging module104wirelessly receiving power. The wireless charging module104may include at least one of a reception coil, at least one capacitor, an impedance matching circuit, a rectifier, a DC-DC converter, or communication circuit. The communication circuit may be implemented as an on/off keying modulation/demodulation in-band communication circuit or as an out-of-band communication circuit (e.g., a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module). According to an embodiment, the wireless charging module104may receive beamformed radio frequency (RF) waves based on an RF scheme. According to an implementation, the wireless charging module104may be excluded from the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, the battery105may be implemented as a rechargeable secondary battery. The battery105may be charged with power received via the interface103and/or power received via the wireless charging module104. Although not shown, according to an embodiment, the interface103and/or the wireless charging module104may be connected to a charger (or a converter) (not shown), and the battery105may be charged with power adjusted by the charger. The charger and/or converter may be implemented as an independent element from the power management circuit130or as at least part of the power management circuit130. The battery105may transfer stored power to the power management circuit130. The power from the interface103and/or the power from the wireless charging module104may be transferred to the battery105and/or to the power management circuit130.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may execute, e.g., software to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device101connected with the processor120and may process or compute various data. For example, the processor120may control other components, e.g., loads (e.g., the loads140a,140b, and140cto140nand/or an MCU131), and the processor120may receive and process data from the loads (e.g., the loads140a,140b, and140cto140n) and/or the MCU131. The processor120may load and process an instruction or data received from another component (e.g., an input device, sensor module and/or communication module) onto a volatile memory (e.g., a random access memory (RAM)), and the processor120may store resultant data in a non-volatile memory (e.g., a NAND). According to an embodiment, the processor120may include a main processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor), and additionally or alternatively, an auxiliary processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that is operated independently from the main processor and that consumes less power than the main processor or is specified for a designated function. Here, the auxiliary processor may be operated separately from or embedded in the main processor. In other words, a plurality of chips or circuits capable of computation may be included in the electronic device101. The auxiliary processor may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one load (e.g., an output device, sensor module, or communication module) of the electronic device101, instead of the main processor while the main processor is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state or along with the main processor while the main processor is an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another load (e.g., a camera or a communication module) functionally related to the auxiliary processor. The memory may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor120or a sensor module) of the electronic device101, e.g., software and input data or output data for an instruction related to the software. The memory may include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. According to an embodiment, the memory may store information for task performing conditions corresponding to various tasks. The electronic device101may store the task performing conditions, with each piece of user identification information corresponding to a respective one of the task performing conditions. The memory may store load control information for various operations of the electronic device101. The processor120may output computed information or control a driving circuit for moving to another point based on information obtained based on a load (e.g., a sensor module or communication circuit). According to an embodiment, at least some programs for operation of the electronic device101may be stored in an external device (e.g., a server). In this case, the electronic device101may send a query to the external device, and the external device may generate a response using data contained in the query and send the response to the electronic device101.

In this disclosure, the phrase “electronic device101performs a particular operation” may mean that various loads, e.g., the processor120and/or an MCU131, or other control circuits, or another load included in the electronic device101performs the particular operation. As the control circuit or another load performs a specific operation, power may be consumed. The phrase “electronic device101performs a particular operation” may also mean that the processor120and/or MCU131controls another load to perform the particular operation. The phrase “electronic device101performs a particular operation” may also mean that as an instruction for performing the particular operation stored in a storage circuit (e.g., a memory) of the electronic device101is executed, the processor120and/or MCU131or another load is triggered to perform the particular operation or the instruction is stored in the storage circuit.

According to an embodiment, the power management circuit130may include a plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m. The number M of the regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be identical to, or larger or smaller than the number N of a plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n. Each of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay regulate and output received power. For example, each of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay adjust at least one of the magnitude of current and/or magnitude of voltage of the received power and output the adjusted power. Each of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay suppress (or remove) noise (or ripples). Each of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be, e.g., a linear dropout (LDO) regulator (e.g., RT9011 model or AP7343 model) or a step-down regulator (e.g., LM3655 model or TPS54331 model) but it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the regulators are not limited to a specific kind or model.

According to an embodiment, at least some of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be of the same type. For example, all of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be of the same type or at least some of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be of a different type. The plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be connected to a switching circuit133.

According to an embodiment, the switching circuit133may selectively connect each of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mto at least some of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n. For example, one (e.g., the first regulator132a) of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be connected to one or more of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134nvia the switching circuit133. The switching circuit133may include a plurality of switches that connect each of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mto at least one of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n. Each of the plurality of switches included in the switching circuit133may be controlled to be turned on or turned off based on a control signal from, e.g., the MCU131. Each of the plurality of switches may be implemented as, e.g., various types of MOSFETs, and the state of each switch may be controlled as the voltage applied to the gate is adjusted. In this disclosure, the operation of applying a specific voltage to the gate so that the switch is controlled to turn on may be performed by the electronic device101(e.g., the MCU131). When no specific voltage is applied to the gate, the switching circuit133may also be represented as being controlled by the electronic device101(e.g., the MCU131).

According to an embodiment, the MCU131may output a control signal of the switching circuit133based on information received from the processor120. The MCU131may receive data from the processor120or transfer data to the processor120based on various inter-chip interfaces, e.g., SPI, I2C, GPIO, UART, or ADC, and the interface is not limited to a specific type or kind. The MCU131may be implemented as a chip capable of processing received information and outputting a switch control signal and is not limited to a specific type or kind. When the processor120is implemented as an application processor (AP), the MCU131may be implemented as a chip which has lower computation capability than the AP but is not limited thereto. The MCU131may select a regulator to be operated based on information received from the processor120(e.g., state information for the electronic device101and/or information associated with driving (or power consumption) of at least one load. When the MCU131receives the state information for the electronic device101, the MCU131may identify information associated with driving (or power consumption) of the load corresponding to the state information. For example, the MCU131may identify information (e.g., Table 1 described below) indicating the relationships between state information identifiers and current and/or voltage magnitudes corresponding to respective load or information (e.g., Table 2 described below) indicating the relationships between state information identifiers, regulators, regulator control information, and switch on/off information. The above-described information is described below. The MCU131may provide a control signal of the switching circuit based on the information associated with driving (or power consumption) of load. The MCU131may directly provide a control signal of the switching circuit based on the state information for the electronic device101. The MCU131may transfer switch on/off control information capable of controlling the on/off states of the switches to the switching circuit133. The state of each switch in the switching circuit133may be controlled to be turned on or turned off based on the received switch on/off control information. The switch on/off control information may be transferred directly to the switches. The switching circuit133may include an element for generating control signals in which case the element for generating control signals may generate control signals for controlling the state of at least one of the switches using the switch on/off control information and transfer the generated control signals.

The processor120may select at least one load to be driven from among the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140cto140n. As described above, the processor12may determine an operation to be performed based on data received via an input device or data received via communication and/or sensing data and may select at least one load based on the operation to be performed. For example, when the processor120determines to perform the operation of moving the electronic device101from the current position to another position, the processor120may transfer state information for the electronic device101, which corresponds to the operation, and/or information for an operation condition for the driving device to the MCU131. The MCU131may select a load (e.g., a motor) to be driven among the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140cto140nbased on the received information. When the processor120determines to perform the operation of outputting a voice, the processor120may select a speaker from among the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140cto140n. According to an embodiment, the processor120may determine to simultaneously perform a plurality of operations and may select a plurality of loads for the plurality of operations. In other embodiment, even performing one operation, the processor120may select a plurality of loads.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may transfer information associated with the at least one selected load to the MCU131. The processor may transfer information for the selected load and operation condition of the selected load (e.g., the magnitude of voltage and/or the magnitude of current) to the MCU131or transfer state information for the electronic device101to the MCU131. The MCU131may select at least one regulator to be driven based on the received information. For example, the MCU131may select at least one regulator to be driven based on the magnitude of current required by the at least one selected load. As described below in greater detail, the efficiency of a regulator may be varied depending on the magnitude of current output from the regulator. For example, when the current output from a specific regulator has a first magnitude, the specific regulator may have a first efficiency and, when the current output from the regulator has a second magnitude, the specific regulator may have a second efficiency, wherein the first efficiency may be relatively high, meaning that the specific regulator operates in a relatively high efficiency when the first magnitude of current is output from the specific regulator. The MCU131may select a regulator based on at least one selected load so that the efficiency of the driven regulator has maximum efficiency. The phrase “driven regulator has maximum efficiency” may mean that the overall efficiency of the selected regulator is high as compared with the efficiency of other combination of regulators other than the selected regulator. If a first load140ais determined to be operated, the first load140amay require a second magnitude of current. Rather than driving one regulator to output the second magnitude of current, the MCU131may perform control so that each of two regulators outputs the first magnitude of current. In this case, the overall efficiency of the two regulators may be higher than the efficiency of one regulator and various examples related thereto are described below in greater detail. The MCU131may control the switching circuit133so that at least one selected regulator connects to a load.

As described above, at least some of the regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be connected to at least some of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n, and the connections may be varied based on a control signal from the MCU131. The MCU131may determine a connection for the optimal efficiency based on the operating load and load operation condition. Each of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134nmay be connected to the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140cto140n. The plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134nmay be a component to connect the power management circuit130to the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140cto140nbut, according to an implementation, the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134nmay be omitted. As set forth above, the MCU131may perform computation associated with providing power, and the processor120may perform computation for actual operations. As such, computation may be performed in a two-track manner.

According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140cto140nmay be a component, or a set of components, of the electronic device101, which consumes power. For example, when the electronic device101is implemented as a robot, the loads may include a processor, a memory, a communication circuit, a display for displaying screen, a speaker for outputting voice, a microphone for obtaining voice, a sensor, and an actuator, but are not limited thereto. The term “load” may also be referred to as hardware, client, peripheral device, power consuming element, or element. The term “load” may mean one component or may also mean a set of a plurality of components. For example, when the electronic device101is implemented as a human robot, the first load140amay be a display or may be a head unit including a display, an actuator for driving the head unit, or a speaker.

FIG.1Bis a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1B, the power management circuit130of the electronic device101might omit MCU131. According to an embodiment, the processor120outside the power management circuit130may determine on/off control information for the switches included in the switching circuit133. As set forth above, the processor120may determine the operation of the electronic device101and determine at least one load corresponding thereto and its operation condition. The processor120may determine at least one regulator to be connected to at least one load based on at least one load and its operation condition. The processor120may determine the on/off state of the switches in the switching circuit133to enable the determined regulator to connect to at least one load. The processor120may transfer switch on/off control information for controlling the on/off state of the switches to the power management circuit130. The state of each switch in the power management circuit130may be controlled to be turned on or turned off based on the received switch on/off control information. The switch on/off control information may be transferred directly to the switches. The switching circuit133may include an element for generating control signals in which case the element for generating control signals may generate control signals for controlling the state of at least one of the switches using the switch on/off control information and transfer the generated control signals.

FIG.1Cis a block diagram illustrating a power management circuit according to an embodiment.FIG.1Dis a view illustrating connections of ports to loads according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134nof the power management circuit130each may include a plurality of sub ports161a,162a,163a,164a,161b,162b,163b,164b,161c,162c,163c,164c,161n,162n,163n, and164n. The plurality of sub ports161a,162a,163a, and164aare configured to output different voltages, but are not limited thereto. For example, as shown inFIG.1D, the first sub port161a, the second sub port162a, and the third sub port163aof the first port134amay be configured to output 12V, 5V, and 3.3V, respectively. According to an embodiment, the first load140amay require two or more voltages (e.g., 12V, 5V, and 3.3V). In this case, the first load140amay connect to the first sub port161a, the second sub port162a, and the third sub port163ato receive power processed by the first regulator132a, the second regulator132b, and the third regulator132c. The second load140bmay require power of a single voltage, e.g., 12V. The second load140bmay connect to, e.g., the first sub port161aand the fifth sub port161bto receive power from the first regulator132aand the fourth regulator132d. The third load140cmay require power of a single voltage, e.g., 12V. The third load140cmay connect to, e.g., the ninth sub port161cto receive power from the fifth regulator132e. According to an embodiment, the MCU131may control the switching circuit133to form the regulator-load connection as shown inFIG.1D. According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of sub ports may be represented as an individual port.

FIG.2Ais a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. As set forth above, the operations ofFIG.2Amay be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120, e.g., an external processor. The order of performing the operations ofFIG.2Ais not limited to that shown inFIG.2A, and the order of performing some operations may be changed. More operations may be added between two consecutive operations, and some of the operations ofFIG.2may be omitted. What has been described above may apply likewise to other flowcharts of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may obtain power consumption-associated information in operation201. The power consumption-associated information may include information for operations to be performed in the electronic device101and/or information for the state to be transitioned. As set forth above, the electronic device101may determine a corresponding operation based on various triggers, such as sensed information, user input, or information received via communication. The information indicating the operation to be performed may be referred to as operation information which may include at least one of, e.g., information for the load to be driven, load operation condition (e.g., the magnitude of power and/or voltage required by the load), or information for controlling the operation of the load. The electronic device101may manage the operations to be performed in units of state information. For example, first state information may be of a state of allowing the electronic device101to move, and second state information may be of a state of allowing a screen to be output via a display. According to an embodiment, a plurality of operations may be defined in one state. The electronic device101may identify corresponding state information based on various triggers, such as sensed information, user input, or information received via communication. Tables 1 and 2 show examples of state information managed by the electronic device101according to an embodiment. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the power consumption-associated information may be any piece of information by which power consumption may be identified when the electronic device101determines to consume power, as well as the above-described operation information and state information.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify the load corresponding to the power consumption-associated information in operation203. For example, the electronic device101may identify the load from the operation information or may identify the load corresponding to the state information. The electronic device101may identify one or more loads. For example, the processor120outside the power management circuit130may transfer the operation information to the MCU131, and the MCU131may identify the load based on the received operation information. For example, the processor120outside the power management circuit130may transfer the state information to the MCU131, and the MCU131may identify the load based on the received state information. The MCU131may load a table by which the received information may be referenced. The MCU131may identify the load corresponding to the received state information by referring to a pre-stored table but is not limited to a specific identification scheme.

According to an embodiment, in operation205, the electronic device101may select at least one from among a plurality of regulators connectable to the identified load. The electronic device101may determine to connect at least one regulator to the selected load while allowing no regulator to connect to the non-selected load. The electronic device101may configure connections between the plurality of regulators and the plurality of loads depending on the power consumption-associated information. When the power consumption-associated information is varied, the electronic device101may reconfigure the connections between the plurality of regulators and the plurality of loads. For example, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator so that the efficiency (e.g., the sum of efficiencies or mean efficiency) of at least one selected regulator meets a designated condition. For example, the electronic device101may identify the magnitude of current required by the identified load and select at least one regulator so that the magnitude of current may be provided in an efficiency not less than a designated threshold efficiency. The operation of selecting at least one regulator so that the efficiency meets the designated condition is described below in greater detail. In operation207, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect at least one selected regulator to the identified load. The electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect any one regulator to a plurality of loads or may control the switching circuit to connect a plurality of regulators to any one load.

In operation209, the electronic device101may transfer power to the identified load via at least one regulator. As set forth above, any one regulator may transfer power to one or more loads, or one or more regulators may transfer power to any one load. Regulating may be performed in the efficiency meeting the designated condition and, the use time of the battery may thus be increased.

FIG.2Bis a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.2Bmay be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, in operation211, the electronic device101may identify at least one load to which power is to be supplied. As set forth above, the electronic device101may identify at least one load corresponding to state information for the electronic device101.

According to an embodiment, in operation213, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator which is to connect to each of at least one load. The electronic device101may be configured to identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by each of at least one load and select at least one regulator to connect to the at least one load among a plurality of regulators based on at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by each of the at least one load. The electronic device101may select the at least one regulator with a value of power conversion efficiency that is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value of power conversion efficiency based on at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by each of at least one load. In operation215, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect at least one selected regulator to each of at least one load.

FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The embodiment ofFIG.3is described below in detail with reference toFIGS.4A and4B.FIG.4Ais a view illustrating connections between regulators and loads according to an embodiment.FIG.4Bis a graph illustrating the efficiency per magnitude of current output from a regulator according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.3may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, in operation301, the electronic device101may obtain power consumption-associated information. In operation303, the electronic device101may select a load based on the power consumption-associated information. In operation305, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load selected based on the power consumption-associated information. The electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load included in the operation information. Alternatively, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load based on the state information. The electronic device101may identify the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load in such a way as to compare pre-store data with received data or, according to an implementation, the electronic device101may directly calculate at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load.

According to an embodiment, in operation307, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator corresponding to the identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage. For example, as shown inFIG.4A, the electronic device101may select the second load140bas a load to be operated. Further, the electronic device101may identify that the second load140brequires a current of 3 A and a voltage of 5V for a selected operation. The second load140bmay require a fixed current of 3 A or may also require various magnitudes of currents based on the kind of operation, performing mode, and/or performing speed. The electronic device101may select the first regulator132aand the second regulator132bto be able to provide a current of 3 A to the second load140b. The electronic device101may determine a regulator and the connection between the regulator and the load based on the efficiency of the at least one selected regulator. For example, as shown inFIG.4B, one regulator may have a different power conversion efficiency per output current. For example, when the output current is an A, the power conversion efficiency may be the maximum value EMAX. When the output current is within a first range b, the power conversion efficiency may be a threshold E1or more.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may store in advance information for efficiency of each of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mincluded in the electronic device101per output current. The electronic device101may identify a current to be provided per regulator so that the power conversion efficiency is maximum. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.4A, the first regulator132aand the second regulator132bare assumed to have the maximum efficiency when their output currents are 1.5 A. The electronic device101may identify that the maximum power conversion efficiency is shown when 1.5 A and 1.5 A of the 3 A current are provided to the first regulator132aand the second regulator132b, respectively. In this case, the first regulator132aand the second regulator132beach may perform regulating in the maximum power conversion efficiency. The electronic device101may determine the number of regulators and connections to loads for the maximum efficiency using information for efficiencies per output current. The electronic device101may store in advance information for the first range b in which the power conversion efficiency of each of the regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mis a threshold E1or more. The electronic device101may select regulators so that the number of regulators to output a current of a magnitude within the first range is maximum. Or, the electronic device101may select regulators so that the power conversion average (or sum) of regulators is the maximum. As set forth above, the electronic device101may select regulators and connections between regulators and loads so that the maximum power conversion efficiency as possible is shown or a power conversion efficiency which is the threshold or more is shown. In operation309, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit133so that the first regulator132aselected is connected to the selected load via the first path401, and the second regulator132bis connected to the selected load via the second path402.FIG.4Cis a view illustrating connections between regulators and loads according to an embodiment.FIG.4Cmay illustrate an example of selecting at least one regulator and controlling the switching circuit in, e.g., operations305,307, and309ofFIG.3.

In the embodiment ofFIG.4C, the electronic device101may select, e.g., the first load140aand the second load140bas loads to be driven. The electronic device101may identify that the first load140arequires a current of 0.75 A and a voltage of 5V, and the second load140brequires a current of 0.75 A and a voltage of 5V. The electronic device101may allow the first regulator132ato provide a current of 1.5 A, thereby enabling the regulation to be performed with a relatively high power conversion efficiency. The electronic device101may control the switching circuit133to allow the first regulator132ato connect to the first port134aand the second port134bvia the first path411and the second path412. For example, the same magnitude of current may flow through the first path411and the second path412.

FIG.4Dis a view illustrating connections between regulators and loads according to an embodiment.FIG.4Dmay illustrate an example of selecting at least one regulator and controlling the switching circuit in, e.g., operations305,307, and309ofFIG.3.

In the embodiment ofFIG.4D, the electronic device101may select, e.g., the first load140aand the second load140bas loads to be driven. The electronic device101may identify that the first load140arequires a current of 0.5 A and a voltage of 5V, and the second load140brequires a current of 2.5 A and a voltage of 5V. The electronic device101may allow the first regulator132aand the second regulator132beach to provide a current of 1.5 A, thereby enabling the regulation to be performed with a relatively high power conversion efficiency. The electronic device101may control the switching circuit133to allow the first regulator132ato connect to the first port134aand the second port134bvia the first path421and the second path422. The electronic device101may perform control to allow a current of 0.5 A to flow through the first path421and a current of 1.0 A to flow through the second path422. The electronic device101may control the switching circuit133to allow the second regulator132bto connect to the second port134bvia the third path423.

FIG.5Ais a view illustrating switches in a switching circuit according to an embodiment.FIG.5may illustrate, e.g., the switching circuit133ofFIG.1A.

According to an embodiment, the switching circuit133may include a plurality of switches501a,501b, and501cto501nfor selectively connecting the first regulator132ato connect to each of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n. Although not shown for ease of description, the switching circuit133may include a plurality of switches for selectively connecting at least one remaining regulator to each of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n. For example, the switching circuit133may include M*N switches. For example, as shown inFIG.4C, the electronic device101may determine to connect the first regulator132ato the first port134aand the second port134b. In this case, the electronic device101may control the switch501aand the switch501bto turn on and control the other switches501cto501nto turn off. The electronic device101may control the switches corresponding to the other regulators to turn off.

In an example, the switching circuit133may include a first port switch511aconnected to the first port134a, a second port switch511bconnected to the second port134b, a third port switch511cconnected to the third port134c, and a nth port switch511nconnected to the nth port134n. The switching circuit133may include a first switch512afor selectively connecting between the path from the first regulator132aand the path from the second regulator132b, a second switch512bfor selectively connecting between the path from the second regulator132band the path from the third regulator132c, a third switch512cfor selectively connecting between the path from the third regulator132cand the path from the fourth regulator (not shown), and an (n-1)th switch512(n-1) for selectively connecting between the path from the (n-1)th regulator and the path from the Mth regulator132m. For example, when the first regulator132aand the second regulator132bare determined to connect to the second port134bas shown inFIG.4A, the electronic device101may control the first switch512aand the second port switch511bto turn on and control the remaining switches to turn off. For example, when the first regulator132ais determined to connect to the first port134aand the second port134b, and the second regulator132bis determined to connect to the second port134bas shown inFIG.4D, the electronic device101may control the first switch512a, the first port switch511a, and the second port switch511bto turn on and control the remaining switches to turn off.

FIG.5Cillustrates a switching circuit according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the switching circuit133may include a plurality of switches501a,501b, and501cfor selectively connecting the first regulator132ato connect to each of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134c. In contrast toFIG.5A, three switches501a,501b, and501care connected to the first regulator132aand, thus, the first regulator132ais connectable to up to three ports134a,134b, and134c. In other words, in the embodiment ofFIG.5C, the switching circuit133may be configured so that one regulator is connected to some of the plurality of ports, rather than all of the plurality of ports. Although not shown for ease of description, the switching circuit133may include a plurality of switches for selectively connecting at least one remaining regulator to some of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n. Thus, the switching circuit133may include switches fewer than M*N.

The switch configuration ofFIG.5A,5B, or5C is merely an example, and it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in that art that any other various switch configurations may be adopted which may selectively connect each regulator included to at least one of a plurality of ports.

FIG.6Ais a block diagram illustrating a power management circuit according to an embodiment. The power management circuit130ofFIG.6Amay be exchanged or replaced with the power management circuit130ofFIG.1A or1B. When the power management circuit130ofFIG.6Ais replaced with the power management circuit130ofFIG.1B, the MCU131ofFIG.6Amay be omitted.

Referring toFIG.6A, according to an embodiment, the power management circuit130may further include a plurality of resistance circuits135a,135b, and135cto135m. The first resistance circuit135amay connect to the first regulator132a.FIG.6Bis a circuit diagram of the first resistance circuit135awhich is illustrated as an example of a resistance circuit according to an embodiment. Referring toFIG.6B, the first resistance circuit135amay include resistors601b,602b, and603bconnected to ground terminals601c,602c, and603c. The resistors601b,602b, and603bmay be connected to the switches601a,602a, and603a, respectively. The number and resistance of the resistors601b,602b, and603bare not limited to specific values. The resistors601d,602d, and603dmay be connected between the switches601a,602a, and603aand the output terminal of the first regulator132a. The switches601a,602a, and603amay be connected to the output terminal of the first regulator132a. The switches601a,602a, and603abeing connected to the output terminal of the first regulator132ais merely an example. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that where each of the switches601a,602a, and603ais connected is not limited to the output terminal of the first regulator132aas long as the voltage at the output terminal of the first regulator132ais variable depending on the on/off state of each of the switches601a,602a, and603a.

According to an embodiment, the voltage of power transferred to the switching circuit133may be determined depending on the connections of the switches601a,602a, and603a. For example, there may be 8 different connections depending on the on/off state of the switches601a,602a, and603aand, in each state, the voltage at the output terminal of the first regulator132amay differ. For example, when the first load140arequires a first magnitude of voltage, the connections of the switches601a,602a, and603amay be controlled in a first state and, when the first load140arequires a second magnitude of voltage, the connections of the switches601a,602a, and603amay be controlled in a second state. The MCU131may identify the magnitude of voltage to be provided by the regulator and control at least some of the plurality of resistance circuits135a,135b, and135cto135mso that the magnitude of voltage may be provided.

According to an embodiment, the output voltage of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay be controlled by software, firmware, or the like. The plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mmay adjust the magnitude of output voltage based on a control signal from the outside. For example, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may transfer a control signal for adjusting the magnitude of voltage output from at least one of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m, and the regulator receiving the control signal may adjust the magnitude of output voltage based on the control signal. In this case, the power management circuit130may be implemented not to include a feedback resistance circuit (e.g., the plurality of resistance circuits135a,135b, and135cto135m).

FIG.7is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The operations ofFIG.7may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, in operation701, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may obtain power consumption-associated information. In operation703, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may select a load based on the power consumption-associated information. In operation705, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load selected based on the power consumption-associated information. In operation707, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may select at least one regulator corresponding to at least one identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage. In operation709, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may control the resistance circuit corresponding to the selected regulator so that the magnitude of voltage required by the selected load is applied to the output terminal of the selected regulator. For example, when the first load140arequires a voltage of 5V, and the first regulator132ais determined to connect to the first load140a, the first resistance circuit135amay be controlled so that the voltage at the output terminal of the first regulator132ais 5V. In operation711, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the selected regulator connects to the selected load.

FIG.8Ais a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.8Amay be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may obtain state information for the electronic device101in operation801. For example, the MCU131of the power management circuit130may receive the state information from the processor120which is positioned outside the power management circuit130. For example, the processor120may determine an operation to be performed and identify state information corresponding thereto. Or, the processor120may directly identify the state information. A relatively small magnitude of state information is transmitted from the processor120to the MCU131so that low-latency power management may be possible. In operation803, the electronic device101, e.g., the MCU131, may select the load corresponding to the state information. For example, when the state information indicates a moving state, the electronic device101may select a load, e.g., a driving circuit, corresponding to the moving state. With the need for performing communication, computation, and sensing even while on the move, the electronic device101may also select a communication circuit, processor, or sensor. The electronic device101may store a load corresponding to each piece of state information. The electronic device101may also store information for power required by the load for each piece of state information. For example, the current required by the driving circuit in a high-speed moving mode may differ from the current required by the driving circuit in a low-speed moving mode. Table 1 shows examples of state information managed by the electronic device101according to an embodiment.

TABLE 1StateMagnitudeMagnitudeinformationofofidentifierDescriptionLoadcurrentvoltage1low-speeddriving circuit10 A15 Vmovingcommunication1.5 A5 Vstatecircuitprocessor3.0 A5 Vproximity sensor0.5 A5 V2high-speeddriving circuit25 A15 Vmovingcommunication1.5 A5 Vstatecircuitprocessor3.0 A5 Vproximity sensor0.5 A5 V3voice outputmicrophone3.0 A5 Vstatecommunication1.5 A5 Vcircuitprocessor3.0 A5 Vcamera0.5 A5 V4idle statecommunication1.0 A5 Vcircuitprocessor1.0 A5 V

According to an embodiment, the MCU131may receive state information indicating the low-speed moving state from the processor120. For example, the MCU131may receive a state information identifier of “1” from the processor120, e.g., external processor. The MCU131may identify the low-speed moving state which corresponds to the state information identifier of “1” by referring to Table 1. The MCU131may determine that a load to be driven is the driving circuit, communication circuit, processor, or proximity sensor by referring to Table 1 and may identify the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by each load. According to an embodiment, the MCU131may receive a state information identifier (e.g., a number such as 1, 2, 3, or 4) and identify information corresponding to the state information identifier. The MCU131may directly receive information corresponding to the state information identifier. The MCU131may receive at least one or more of the pieces of information (e.g., state information identifier, description, load, magnitude of current, or magnitude of voltage) set forth in Table 1 and, based on the received information, the MCU131may identify a load to be driven and the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load.

According to an embodiment, the MCU131may receive one or more state information identifiers. For example, the MCU131may receive the identifier “1” which corresponds to the low-speed moving state. The MCU131may receive the identifier “1” which corresponds to the low-speed moving state and the identifier “3” which corresponds to the voice output state. For example, the electronic device101(e.g., the processor120) may be operated to output a voice while moving at low speed in which case the processor120may transfer a plurality of identifiers (e.g., “1” and “3”) to the MCU131. Upon receiving the plurality of identifiers, the MCU131may identify the loads corresponding to the plurality of identifiers and the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per load.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may determine connections between the regulators and the plurality of loads, e.g., the driving circuit, communication circuit, processor, and proximity sensor, so that the selected regulator meets a designated efficiency condition. The MCU131may control the switching circuit133to connect the selected regulator to a plurality of loads. The MCU131may drive and control the regulator to transfer power to the load. The processor120may transfer control information to each load, and the load may be operated according to the received control information. Although the same load is used in both the high-speed moving state and low-speed moving state as shown in Table 1, the magnitude of current and/or magnitude of voltage required by at least some (e.g., the driving circuit) among the loads may differ. In the voice output state, different loads may be used from those in the high-speed moving state as shown in Table 1. As shown in Table 1, at least some loads (e.g., the processor or communication circuit) may be operated in the idle state, and the other loads may be turned off.

As set forth above, in operation805, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per load corresponding to the state information. In operation807, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator corresponding to at least one identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage. In operation809, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the selected regulator connects to the selected load. Meanwhile, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the load per piece of state information, magnitude of current, and magnitude of voltage of Table 1 are merely an example.

As set forth above, the electronic device101may operate an idle mode for each load. Further, the electronic device101may operate various modes (e.g., an off mode, sleep mode (or inactive mode), or active mode), as well as the idle mode per load. By operating the modes, power consumption may be reduced as compared with when no mode operation is performed. Further, the electronic device101may additionally select a regulator and make a regulator connection. Thus, power consumption may further be reduced.

FIG.8Bis a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.8Bmay be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, in operation811, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may obtain state information. For example, the MCU131of the power management circuit130may obtain state information from the processor120. In operation813, the electronic device101, e.g., the MCU131, may select switching connection information and at least one regulator corresponding to the state information. In operation815, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the selected regulator connects to the selected load.

For example, the MCU131may refer to reference information as shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2regulatorregulatorStatecurrentvoltageinformationcontrolcontrolswitch on/offidentifierDescriptionregulatorinformationinformationinformation1low-speedfirst5 A15 Vfirst switch: ON,movingregulatorsecond switch: ON,statesecond5 A15 Vthird switch: OFF,regulatorfourth switch: ON,third5 A5 Vfifth switch: OFF,regulatorsixth switch: ON,seventh switch: OFF,eighth switch: OFF,ninth switch: OFF,tenth switch: OFF,eleventh switch: OFF,twelfth switch: OFF2high-speedfirst5 A15 Vfirst switch: ON,movingregulatorsecond switch: ON,statesecond5 A15 Vthird switch: OFF,regulatorfourth switch: ON,third5 A15 Vfifth switch: OFF,regulatorsixth switch: ON,fourth5 A15 Vseventh switch: OFF,regulatoreighth switch: OFF,fifth5 A15 Vninth switch: ON,regulatortenth switch: ON,sixth5 A5 Veleventh switch: ON,regulatortwelfth switch: OFF

According to an embodiment, the MCU131may receive state information indicating the low-speed moving state from the processor120. For example, the MCU131may receive a state information identifier of “1” from the processor120. The MCU131may identify the low-speed moving state which corresponds to the state information identifier of “1” by referring to Table 2. Further, the MCU131may control the first regulator and the second regulator to output a power of 5 A and 15V and the third regulator to output a power of 5 A and 5V by referring to Table 2. The MCU131may control the on/off state of the switches in the switching circuit133based on the identified switch on/off state, so that the first regulator to the third regulator may provide a current of 10 A to the driving circuit, a current of 1.5 A to the communication circuit, a current of 3.0 A to the processor120, and a current of 0.5 A to the proximity sensor. Upon receiving the state information indicating, e.g., the high-speed moving speed, the MCU131may control the first regulator, the second regulator, the third regulator, the fourth regulator, and the fifth regulator each to output a power of 5 A and 15V and control the sixth regulator to output a power of 5 A and 5V. The MCU131may control the on/off state of the switches in the switching circuit133based on the identified switch on/off state, so that the first regulator to the sixth regulator may provide a current of 25 A to the driving circuit, a current of 1.5 A to the communication circuit, a current of 3.0 A to the processor120, and a current of 0.5 A to the proximity sensor. Although the low-speed moving state and the high-speed moving state are described with reference to Table 2 for ease of description, the electronic device101may store and reference information corresponding to various states.

According to an embodiment, the MCU131may receive a state information identifier (e.g., a number such as 1 or 2) and identify information corresponding to the state information identifier. The MCU131may directly receive information corresponding to the state information identifier. The MCU131may receive at least one or more of the pieces of information (e.g., state information identifier, description, regulator, regulator current control information, regulator voltage control information, or switch on/off information) set forth in Table 2 and, based on the received information, the MCU131may identify a load to be driven and the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load. According to an embodiment, the MCU131may receive a state information identifier (e.g., the number “3”) corresponding to a plurality of pieces of state information (e.g., low-speed moving state and voice output state) and may identify the regulator, regulator current control information, regulator voltage control information, and switch on/off information corresponding to the state information identifier.

FIG.9is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.9may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120. An embodiment is described in detail with reference toFIG.9along withFIG.10.FIG.10is a graph illustrating the magnitude of current required by any load per time interval according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, in operation901, the electronic device101, e.g., the MCU131of the power management circuit130, may obtain state information in which the operation is varied over time. For example, the state information may indicate the high-speed moving state. Referring toFIG.10, in the high-speed moving state, the driving circuit (e.g., a motor) may require that the power be increased to a magnitude of A1during time T1. This is attributed to the fact that moving at the initial stop time requires more force since the coefficient of static friction when the electronic device101is stationary is larger than the coefficient of kinetic friction when the electronic device101is moving. After starting to move, the driving circuit may require a current of A1′ and the magnitude of current required to stop may be reduced from A1′ to 0, as shown by a graph1011. On the other hand, as shown by a graph1010, in the low-speed moving state, the driving circuit (e.g., a motor) may require that the power be increased to a magnitude of A2during time T1. As shown by a graph1012, if high-speed moving is required when the electronic device101is relatively heavy, the driving circuit (e.g., a motor) may require that the power be increased to a magnitude of A3during time T1. The electronic device101may identify the magnitude of current required by the load based on the speed and/or the weight of the present load.

In operation903, the electronic device101may select the load corresponding to the per-time interval state information. In operation905, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per load corresponding to the per-time interval state information. In operation907, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator corresponding to the identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per time interval. For example, the electronic device101may determine the regulator and the connection between the regulator and the driving circuit so that the driving circuit may receive a power of A1during period T1ofFIG.10. The electronic device101may determine the regulator and the connection between the regulator and the driving circuit so that the driving circuit may receive a current of A1′ during period T2ofFIG.10. In operation909, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the regulator selected per time interval connects to the selected load during corresponding time interval. The electronic device101may drive the regulator. Thus, the driving circuit of the electronic device101may receive a current of A1during period T1and receive a current of A1′ during period T2. Since the magnitude of current required by the driving circuit may be varied per time interval, the selected regulator and/or connection of the regulator to the load may also be varied per time interval. According to an implementation, the MCU131may determine the regulator and connection of regulator so that the current whose magnitude increases as shown inFIG.10, rather than a fixed current, during period T1is applied to the driving circuit. In operation909, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the selected regulator per time interval connects to the selected load. The electronic device101may drive the regulator.

Determining the current based on the weight of the electronic device101is merely an example. The electronic device101may determine the magnitude of current and/or magnitude of voltage required by each load further using various pieces of additional information. The electronic device101may further split the state information according to the additional information and manage the same.

FIG.11is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.11may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may identify a schedule to perform a first operation in operation1101. In operation1103, the electronic device101may identify the load required to perform the first operation. In operation1105, the electronic device101may simulate at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage of the load per time interval. The electronic device101may determine an operation to be performed and simulate at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage of the load per time interval based on information obtained by sensing the ambient context. For example, the electronic device101may determine to move 3 m forward. The electronic device101may identify the slope for the forward direction and identify the magnitude of current required by the driving circuit based on the slope. For example, a different magnitude of current may be required depending on the slope, and the electronic device101may identify the magnitude of current required. The electronic device101may identify the magnitude of current required further using the present weight of the electronic device101. Further, the electronic device101may determine a path according to a result of external sensing and identify the magnitude of current required based on the feature of the path. As set forth above, the electronic device101may perform simulation based on various pieces of information. In operation1107, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator corresponding to the identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per time interval. In operation1109, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the selected regulator per time interval connects to the selected load.

FIG.12is a block diagram illustrating a power management circuit according to an embodiment. The power management circuit130ofFIG.12may be exchanged or replaced with the power management circuit130ofFIG.1A or1B. When the power management circuit130ofFIG.12is replaced with the power management circuit130ofFIG.1B, the MCU131ofFIG.6Amay be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the power management circuit130may further include a plurality of (e.g., M) input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136m, e.g., first sensors, respectively connected to the respective input terminals of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m, and a plurality of (e.g., M) output sensors137a,137b, and137cto137m, i.e., second sensors, as for example, (M+1) sensor, (M+2) sensor, and (M+3) to 2Mth sensor, respectively connected to the respective output terminals of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m. The plurality of input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136m, respectively, may sense at least one of the magnitude of current and/or magnitude of voltage at the respective input terminals of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m. The plurality of output sensors137a,137b, and137cto137m, respectively, may sense at least one of the magnitude of current and/or magnitude of voltage at the respective output terminals of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m. The plurality of input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136mand the plurality of output sensors137a,137b, and137cto137mmay transfer the sensed information to the MCU131. AlthoughFIG.12illustrates that the MCU131receives sensing information from the Mth sensor136mand the 2Mth sensor137mand outputs control information to the Mth regulator132mand the switching circuit133, this is solely for illustration purposes. It will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the MCU131may receive sensing information from other input sensors136a,136b, and136c, and other output sensors137a,137b, and137c, and output the control information to other regulators132a,132b, and132c. When the power management circuit130does not include the MCU131, the plurality of input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136mand the plurality of output sensors137a,137b, and137cto137mmay transfer the sensing information to the processor120. The MCU131(or the processor120) may identify the power conversion efficiency of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mbased on the received information. The power conversion efficiency may be identified based on the magnitude of current at the output terminal relative to the magnitude of current at the input terminal, but identifying the power conversion efficiency is not limited to a specific scheme or way.

FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The operations ofFIG.13may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, in operation1301, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may obtain power consumption-associated information. In operation1303, the electronic device101may select a load based on the power consumption-associated information. In operation1305, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage required by the load selected based on the power consumption-associated information. In operation1307, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator corresponding to the identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage. In operation1309, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the selected regulator connects to the selected load. In operation1311, the electronic device101may control the selected regulator to transfer power.

According to an embodiment, in operation1313, the electronic device101may sense the input/output current/voltage of the selected regulator. As set forth above, the MCU131(or the processor120) may receive sensing information from the plurality of input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136mand the plurality of output sensors137a,137b, and137cto137m. In operation1315, the electronic device101may identify whether the efficiency of the regulator is within a designated range. The electronic device101may identify the power conversion efficiency of the regulator based on the voltage and/or current at the input terminal of each regulator and the voltage and/or current at the output terminal of each regulator. The electronic device101may identify whether the power conversion efficiency of the regulator identified based on the sensing information falls within the designated range. When the power conversion efficiency falls within the designated range (yes in operation1315), the electronic device101may keep on transferring power based on the existing control parameter. Unless the power conversion efficiency falls within the designated range (no in operation1315), the electronic device101may reselect and reconnect a regulator in operation1317. The electronic device101may determine a connection of the reselected regulator to the load. The electronic device101may change the connection of the regulator to the load. The electronic device101may change regulators until the power conversion efficiency falls within the designated range. Upon failing to allow the power conversion efficiency to fall within the designated range even after changing regulators and regulator-load connections a designated number of times or more, the electronic device101may select the regulator and connection corresponding to the maximum power conversion efficiency among power conversion efficiencies identified.

FIG.14is a block diagram illustrating a power management circuit according to an embodiment. The power management circuit130ofFIG.14may be exchanged or replaced with the power management circuit130ofFIG.1A or1B. When the power management circuit130ofFIG.14is replaced with the power management circuit130ofFIG.1B, the MCU131ofFIG.6Amay be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the power management circuit130may include a plurality of input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136mand a plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mrespectively connected with the plurality of input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136m. A plurality of resistance circuits135a,135b, and135cto135mmay be connected to the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m, respectively, and a plurality of output sensors137a,137b, and137cto137mmay be connected to the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m, and a switching circuit133may be connected to the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m. The switching circuit133may selectively connect at least some of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mto at least some of a plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n. The MCU131may select at least some of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mbased on at least some of pieces of sensing information from the plurality of input sensors136a,136b, and136cto136mor sensing information from the plurality of output sensors137a,137b, and137cto137m. The MCU131may control the switching circuit133to connect at least some of the plurality of regulators132a,132b, and132cto132mto at least some of the plurality of ports134a,134b, and134cto134n, determine the operation condition of the selected regulator, and control the selected regulator to operate under the operation condition. Further, the MCU131may control the resistance circuit connected with the selected regulator so that the output voltage of the selected regulator meets a corresponding voltage. Alternatively, at least some of the above-described operations of the MCU131may be performed by the processor120positioned outside the power management circuit130.

FIG.15is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The operations ofFIG.15may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131in the power management circuit130) may obtain state information in operation1501. In operation1503, the electronic device101may select the mode of load corresponding to the state information. For example, the mode of the load may be any one of an idle mode, an off mode, a sleep mode (or inactive mode), or an active mode. The electronic device101may define and manage the mode of load per piece of state information. For example, in the state of obtaining a voice, the electronic device101may determine that the microphone is in the active mode and that the speaker is in the idle mode. Although the speaker is not used in the voice obtaining state, the speaker may be determined, in advance, to be in the idle state so as to output a voice response corresponding to an obtained voice. In operation1505, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per mode of load. In operation1507, the electronic device101may identify the connection of the regulator corresponding to at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per mode. In operation1509, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit133based on the identified connection.

FIG.16is a view illustrating an example of selecting a regulator depending on the mode of a load and determining a connection according to an embodiment.FIG.16may illustrate an example of selecting at least one regulator and controlling the switching circuit in, e.g., operations203,205, and207ofFIG.2.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may identify first state information. For example, in the first state information, the electronic device101may identify that the first load140arequires a current of P1A and a voltage of P1V as a first mode (e.g., active mode), the second load140brequires a current of P2A and a voltage of P2V as a second mode (e.g., idle mode), the third load140crequires a current of P3A and a voltage of P3V as the first mode (e.g., active mode), and the fourth load140drequires a current of 0 A and a voltage of 0V as a third mode (e.g., off mode). The electronic device101may select at least one regulator132a,132b,132c, and132dso that the current and voltage required per mode may be provided to each of the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140crequiring power. Further, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit133to connect the first regulator132aand the second regulator132bto the first load140a, the third regulator132cto connect to the second load140b, and the fourth regulator132dto connect to the third load140cso that the current and voltage may be provided to the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140crequiring power.

FIG.17is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The operations ofFIG.17may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120. Among the operations ofFIG.17, those described above are briefly mentioned below.

According to an embodiment, in operation1701, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may obtain state information. In operation1703, the electronic device101may select the mode of load corresponding to the state information. In operation1705, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per mode of load. In operation1707, the electronic device101may identify the connection of the regulator corresponding to at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per mode. In operation1709, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit based on the identified connection.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may obtain information for a change in the mode of load in operation1711. For example, the electronic device101may identify that the mode of the second load140binFIG.16changes from the second mode (e.g., idle mode) to the first mode (e.g., active mode). The electronic device101may identify that in the first mode, the second load140brequires, e.g., a current of P4A and a voltage of P4V. The electronic device101may reselect a regulator to provide the current and voltage to the second load140band determine connections between the reselected regulator and the plurality of loads140a,140b, and140c. In operation1713, the electronic device101may identify the connection of the regulator corresponding to at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per mode. In operation1715, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit133based on the identified connection.

FIG.18is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.18may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120. The embodiment shown inFIG.18is described in greater detail with reference toFIG.19.FIG.19is a view illustrating an example of merging regulators according to an embodiment.FIG.19may illustrate an example of selecting at least one regulator and controlling the switching circuit in, e.g., operations203,205, and207ofFIG.2.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120or the MCU131) may obtain state information in operation1801. In operation1803, the electronic device101may select the mode of load corresponding to the state information. In operation1805, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per mode of load. In operation1807, the electronic device101may determine whether to merge and/or share the regulators. In operation1809, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit based on the result of determination. For example, as shown inFIG.19, the electronic device101may include a first load1911, a second load1912, and a third load1913to an nth load1914. For example, a first load1911may be a radar, a second load1912may be a camera, and a third load1913may be a sensor; however, this is only a non-limiting example. The electronic device101may include a first regulator1901, a second regulator1902, a third regulator1903, and a fourth regulator1904to an mth regulator1905. At least some of the first regulator1901, the second regulator1902, the third regulator1903, and the fourth regulator1904to the mth regulator1905may be at least some of the above-described regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m, but are not limited thereto. At least some of the plurality of loads1911,1912,1913, and1914may be at least some of the above-described loads140a,140b, and140cto140nofFIG.1but are not limited thereto. During a first period, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect the first regulator1901to the first load1911and the second regulator1902to connect to the third load1913. For example, the first load1911and the third load1913each may be in the idle mode. During a second period, the electronic device101may determine to operate the first load1911and the third load1913in the active mode. Thus, the electronic device101may determine to merge the regulators to operate under an operation condition meeting a designated condition. Merging regulators may mean that a plurality of regulators is connected to any one load. Thus, during the second period, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect the first regulator1901and the second regulator1902to the first load1911and the third regulator1903and the fourth regulator1904to connect to the third load1913. The electronic device101may identify per-regulator power conversion efficiency by measuring the current and/or voltage at the input terminal and output terminal of the regulator and perform adjustment of the control parameter of the regulator and/or reselection of a regulator depending on the power conversion efficiency.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may perform regulator reselection and reconnection of a reselected regulator before or after the mode of load is changed. Even when the operating load is changed, the electronic device101may perform regulator reselection and reconnection of the reselected regulator before the changed load operates, but is not limited to a specific time in doing so.

FIG.20is a view illustrating an example of splitting regulators according to an embodiment.FIG.20may illustrate an example of selecting at least one regulator and controlling the switching circuit in, e.g., operations203,205, and207ofFIG.2.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device101may include a first regulator2001, a second regulator2002, a third regulator2003, a fourth regulator2004, a fifth regulator2005, and a sixth regulator2006, and a first load2011, a second load2012, a third load2013, a fourth load2014, a fifth load2015, and a sixth load2016. At least some of the first regulator2001, the second regulator2002, the third regulator2003, the fourth regulator2004, the fifth regulator2005, and the sixth regulator2006may be at least some of the above-described regulators132a,132b, and132cto132m, but are not limited thereto. At least some of the first load2011, the second load2012, the third load2013, the fourth load2014, the fifth load2015, and the sixth load2016may be at least some of the above-described loads140a,140b, and140cto140n, but are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, during a first period, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect the first regulator2001and the second regulator2002to the first load2011, the third regulator2003to connect to the second load2012, and the fourth regulator2004and the fifth regulator2005to connect to the fourth load2014. The sixth regulator2006may be turned off, and the second load2012, the fifth load2015, and the sixth load2016may be turned off. During a second period, the electronic device101may determine to change the mode of the first load2011, the third load2013, and the fourth load2014. According to the changed mode, the electronic device101may determine to split the first regulator2001and the second regulator2002and split the fourth regulator2004and the fifth regulator2005during the second period. The electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect the first regulator2001to the first load2011, the third regulator2003to connect to the third load2013, and the fourth load2004to connect to the fourth load2014during the second period. The electronic device101may turn off the second regulator2002and the fifth regulator2005which used to be in connection.

FIG.21is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.21may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120and/or the MCU131) may obtain state information in operation2101. In operation2103, the electronic device101may select the load corresponding to the state information. In operation2105, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per load corresponding to the state information. In operation2107, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator corresponding to the identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage. In operation2109, the electronic device101may control the switching circuit so that the selected regulator connects to the selected load.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may obtain next state information predicted in operation2111. The electronic device101may obtain the next state information before actually performing an operation and, in operation2113, the electronic device101may select the load corresponding to the state information. In operation2115, the electronic device101may identify at least one of the magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage per load corresponding to the state information. In operation2117, the electronic device101may select at least one regulator corresponding to the identified magnitude of current or magnitude of voltage. The electronic device101may keep on controlling the switching circuit corresponding to the current state information until the next state information is executed. The electronic device101may control the switching circuit to connect the selected regulator to the selected load in operation2119at the time corresponding to execution of the next state information.

FIG.22is a plan view illustrating a moving path of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

The plan view ofFIG.22may be one for, e.g., a restaurant environment. The electronic device101may store information for the plan view and store information for at least one point on the plan view. For example, the electronic device101may store information for the position of a home station2201and information for a charging station2204. The electronic device101may identify the positions of one or more service stations2202which are points where a service is to be executed based on the obtained information and identify a moving path2203corresponding thereto. The electronic device101may select a regulator corresponding to the moving state while moving along the moving path2203. The electronic device101may select a regulator based on the state information corresponding to the service which is to be performed by each service station2202.

FIG.23is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The operations ofFIG.23may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120and/or the MCU131) may perform tracking and detection via a lidar in operation2301. The electronic device101may select a regulator for providing power to the lidar which meets a designated power conversion efficiency condition. The electronic device101may control the selected regulator to provide power to the lidar. In operation2303, the electronic device101may identify whether there is an object according to the detection operation. When no object is identified to be present (no in operation2303), the electronic device101may perform tracking and detection. When an object is identified to be present (yes in operation2303), the electronic device101may perform detection via a camera in operation2305. The electronic device101may select a regulator for providing power to the camera which meets a designated power conversion efficiency condition. The electronic device101may control the selected regulator to provide power to the camera. In operation2307, the electronic device101may identify whether a human being is recognized based on the result of detection. When no human being is recognized (no in operation2307), the electronic device101may perform tracking and detection via a lidar. When a human being is recognized (yes in operation2307), the electronic device101may drive the head motor, display, microphone, and speaker and select the regulator corresponding thereto in operation2309. In operation2311, the electronic device101may output a requirement inquiry message. In operation2313, the electronic device101may identify the operation corresponding to an input. For example, the electronic device101may output various kinds of greeting messages (e.g., Thank you for visiting, Could I introduce our restaurant, good-day, see you again). The electronic device101may receive the user's response corresponding thereto, e.g., a food order. The electronic device101may perform an operation corresponding thereto, e.g., transmission of the received food order via communication and output of a response voice (e.g., a voice output for waiting time). In operation2315, the electronic device101may perform load driving and regulator selection according to the identified operation.

FIG.24is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.24may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120and/or the MCU131) may turn on the microphone in operation2401. The electronic device101may select a regulator for providing power to the microphone which meets a designated power conversion efficiency condition. The electronic device101may control the selected regulator to provide power to the microphone. In operation2403, the electronic device101may identify whether a calling voice is detected. When no calling voice is detected (no in operation2403), the electronic device101may continuously monitor whether a calling voice is detected. When a calling voice is detected (yes in operation2403), the electronic device101may identify calling persons and control the head motor in operation2405. For example, the electronic device101may identify the direction in which the calling voice is detected and control the head motor to be oriented in the detected direction. In operation2407, the electronic device101may output a requirement inquiry message. In operation2409, the electronic device101may identify the operation corresponding to an input. In operation2411, the electronic device101may perform load driving and regulator selection according to the identified operation.

FIG.25is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The operations ofFIG.25may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120and/or the MCU131) may obtain destination-associated information in operation2501. For example, upon detecting an event (e.g., table clearing) to be performed at a specific point, the electronic device101may identify the destination-associated information (e.g., position-associated information). In operation2503, the electronic device101may identify the moving path and the moving speed. For example, the electronic device101may identify the moving speed in an m/s unit or select any one of a plurality of ranges. In an environment with many obstacles, the electronic device101may be configured to move relatively at low speed. In operation2505, the electronic device101may drive the load and select a regulator based on the identified moving path and moving speed. The electronic device101may operate the load by connecting the selected regulator to the load and driving the regulator. For example, the electronic device101may be moved by operating the driving circuit. In operation2507, the electronic device101may identify whether an obstacle is detected while moving. The electronic device101may identify whether an obstacle is detected based on at least one of an image obtained by the camera or sensing data obtained by the proximity sensor. When an obstacle is detected (yes in operation2507), the electronic device101may identify whether the obstacle is avoidable in operation2509. The electronic device101may identify whether the obstacle is avoidable depending on whether there is another moving path. When the obstacle is identified to be unavoidable (no in operation2509), the electronic device101may stop moving in operation2511. For example, the electronic device101may control the brake circuit to stop moving and control the regulator to provide power to the load. For directly controlling the brake circuit, the electronic device101may control the brake circuit to be in the idle mode. When the obstacle is identified to be avoidable (yes in operation2509), the electronic device101may drive the load and select a regulator based on the avoidable moving path and moving speed in operation2513.

FIG.26is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. The operations ofFIG.26may be performed by the processor120alone, which is positioned outside the power management circuit130, or the MCU131alone, which is positioned in the power management circuit130or may be performed by the MCU131in the power management circuit130and the processor120.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101(e.g., at least one of the processor120and/or the MCU131) may detect a return to the docking station in operation2601. For example, the electronic device101may detect the return by detecting the docking station. For example, the electronic device101may detect the return by detecting sensing data that indicates entrance to the docking station. For example, the electronic device101may detect the docking station by detecting the wireless charging module included in the docking station. Upon detecting the return to the docking station, the electronic device101may start wireless charging in operation2603. In operation2605, the electronic device101may display the wireless charging rate. Upon wireless charging, the electronic device101may operate the display for displaying the wireless charging rate and select and operation the regulator corresponding thereto. Or, upon detecting the return to the docking station, the electronic device101may receive power in a wired manner.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory or external memory) that is readable by a machine (e.g., a master device or a device performing tasks). For example, a processor of the machine (e.g., a master device or a device performing tasks) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program products may be traded as commodities between sellers and buyers. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., Play Store™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

As apparent from the foregoing description, according to embodiments, there may be provided an electronic device with a switching circuit capable of selectively connecting at least one of a plurality of regulators to at least one of a plurality of loads. The electronic device and method of operating the electronic device may selectively connect each regulator and each load so that the regulator driven may be operated under the optimal operation condition. Thus, the regulator may operate in its optimal efficiency.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the drawings, the embodiments are provided for the purposes of illustration and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments may be made from the disclosure. Accordingly, the true technical scope of the disclosure is defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.