JP2007042191A - Electronic apparatus, and starting method of electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by eliminating a standby time in initialization in association with the history of a use time of a user, and also eliminating the setting of a timer start time or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In this electronic apparatus, a system control microcomputer controlling means 12 stores the history of input operation 20 for an operation input part 17 about operation of a drive part for a HDD 34, a disk drive 36 or the like, and calculates a time zone in which use frequency is high from the stored history. And the drive part is timer-started using a timer earlier by a start margin time of the drive part than the calculated time zone in which use frequency is high. Thereby operability can be improved where waiting time in the initialization time is eliminated, and setup of the timer start time is eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that starts a timer according to, for example, a user's usage time, and a method for starting the electronic device.

  In recent years, various video and music playback devices equipped with DVD (digital versatile disk), HDD (hard disk drive), and the like have become widespread. In these devices, when the user turns on the power button, the power is supplied to the control unit and each drive unit, OS (operating system) activation in the control unit, disk rotation drive in the disk drive unit and disk TOC ( table of contents) Initialization processing such as information reading was performed.

  In addition, an acoustic device with a programming function that automatically learns a patterned source selection by storing a source selection time and switching information by a user in a learning mode has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, if the operation stop state continues for a predetermined time, the user can set the predetermined time by turning off the power switch, making it easier to press the start switch when resuming operation after power off, There is also proposed a power supply circuit that reduces the above (see Patent Document 2).

In addition, when the current time reaches the set time, the sound source unit is activated and sound emission is started, and the operation to stop the sound emission is prevented from being performed unintentionally by the user, and the sound source unit is activated. There is also known a playback device with a timer-on function that can reliably notify the user that sound emission has started (see Patent Document 3).
JP-A-6-284023 JP 2000-92699 A JP 2001-35140 A

  However, the input operation by the user cannot be accepted during the period of the initialization process by the drive unit described above. In this case, there is a time lag corresponding to the period of the initialization process from when the user manually turns on the power button until the playback operation for outputting video and music data can be performed. In the meantime, the user waits and the operability is lowered and the user feels stress.

  Further, the technique described in Patent Document 1 only learns the source selection by the user based on the time and switching information, and does not mention any technique for eliminating the waiting time at the time of initialization.

  As a method for eliminating the waiting time at the time of initialization, it is conceivable to always supply power, but this case is not preferable because power consumption is always large even when not used. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the power switch is simply turned off when the stop state continues during standby, and no consideration is given to reducing power at the start of power supply.

  On the other hand, there are devices that have a timer playback function as described in Patent Document 3, but these devices automatically supply power, set a volume, and perform playback at a time set by the user, such as an alarm timer. And so on.

In this case, it is troublesome for the user to set the timer activation time from the setting menu. In addition, since the playback is performed at the time set by the user, if the time that the user wants to use is changed, it is necessary to manually set the start time again, resulting in poor operability.
In many cases, the reproduction is intended to be performed without the user's operation, so that the reproduction is automatically started even when the user is not present.

  Therefore, the present invention eliminates the waiting time at the time of initialization so as to correspond to the history of the usage time of the user, and does not require setting of the timer activation time and the like, and the operability can be improved. It is intended to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object of the present invention, in the electronic device of the present invention, the control means stores a storage means for storing a history of input operations related to the operation of the drive means, and a history stored in the storage means. Calculating means for calculating a time zone with high use frequency from the start time, and starting the timer with the timer means using the timer means before the drive means allowance time before the time period with high use frequency calculated by the calculation means Means.

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the storage means stores a history of times when the user has input operation to the electronic apparatus, and the calculation means calculates a time zone that the user uses most frequently based on the history. Then, the starting means starts the timer before that time in advance. For this reason, the waiting time for initialization processing when the power is turned on is eliminated, and according to the default setting, the user does not need to set the timer at all, so the operability can be improved and the stress can be reduced. No user operation can be realized.

  Further, in the electronic device activation method of the present invention, the control process includes a storage step for storing a history of input operations related to the operation of the drive process, and a time zone of high use frequency is calculated from the history stored in the storage step. And a start step for starting the drive process by a timer before the drive process start allowance time before the frequently used time zone calculated in the calculation step.

  According to this activation method, the storage step stores a history of times when the user has input an operation to the electronic device, and the calculation step calculates a time zone most frequently used by the user based on the history. In the starting step, a timer is started before that time in advance. This eliminates the waiting time for initialization processing when the power is turned on, and according to the default setting, the user does not need to set the timer at all. No user operation processing is realized.

  According to the present invention, by starting the timer by the time required for initialization before the time zone of high usage frequency calculated in advance so as to correspond to the history of usage time of the user, the waiting time at initialization is reduced. This eliminates the need for setting the timer activation time and improves the operability.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a DVD-HDD playback apparatus.
In FIG. 1, a DVD-HDD playback device 1 is equipped with a DVD drive unit 11, an HDD drive unit 10, and the like, reads music and video data recorded on a DVD disk and HDD drive, and is connected to an audio / video output cable 9 ', etc. The reproduction signal can be output to an external monitor or speaker via the.

In addition, the DVD-HDD playback device 1 is equipped with a communication unit 8 and is configured to be able to communicate with other devices connected to the network via the LAN cable 9.
Further, the DVD-HDD playback apparatus 1 is equipped with a power supply unit 2, and the DVD drive unit 11, the HDD drive unit 10, the communication unit 8, etc. in advance based on the commercial power input by the power supply unit 2 through the power cable 3. The power supply voltage supplied to is generated.

  In addition, the DVD-HDD playback device 1 has a DVD drive unit that is operated by transmitting an operation to the remote control light receiving unit 6 by operating the power button 4 installed on the front surface of the main unit or by operating the power button disposed on the remote controller (remote commander) 5. 11 and the HDD drive unit 10 can be turned on / off from the power supply unit 2 from the power supply unit 2.

In addition, the DVD-HDD playback device 1 has a configuration in which operation inputs such as playback and stop can be performed by operating buttons (not shown) installed on the main body 1 and the remote controller 5 in the same manner as the power button.
In addition, the DVD-HDD playback device 1 displays the driving state of the main body on a display tube 7 composed of a liquid crystal, a fluorescent tube or the like installed at the front center of the main body. That is, function switching (DVD, HDD, LAN, display tube, etc.) indicating which unit portion of the DVD-HDD playback apparatus 1 has been selected is displayed, and the current time, elapsed time, and the like are displayed.

  Further, the main body system of the DVD-HDD playback device 1 has a clock function that can always operate with a standby power source, and during the period when commercial power is input to the power unit 2 via the power cable 3, the power button 4 The current time is counted by the standby power supply even when the operation state is off and the power supply from the power supply unit 2 to each unit is stopped.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration diagram of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, and particularly shows a block configuration of a control unit and a drive unit.
In FIG. 2, the system control microcomputer (microcomputer) 12 is always in an active state when commercial power is input to the power control unit 15 of the power supply unit 2. Commercial power is supplied to the power control unit 15 via the power cable 3.

  Further, the system control microcomputer 12 always counts the current time when commercial power is input to the power supply control unit 15 of the power supply unit 2 and holds the count value in an internal RAM (random access memory). The current time is displayed on the display tube 22 via the display tube control unit 21.

  Further, the system control microcomputer 12 supplies or stops power supply from the power supply control unit 15 to each unit by a user operation input 20 to the main body operation button 18 connected to the operation input unit 17 or a user's operation input 20 or a timer function held inside. The on / off state is determined.

  Further, the system control microcomputer 12 supplies power to each unit such as a CPU (central possessing unit) 13 and a peripheral device such as a memory 14 as indicated by power control units 15 to 16 of the power supply unit 2 by turning on the power button 4. Do. At this time, the system control microcomputer 12 activates the CPU 13, and the audio control unit 24 and the audio output unit 25, the video control unit 27 and the video output unit 28, the communication control unit 30, the HDD control unit 33 and the HDD 34, and the disk control unit 35. Power is supplied to various drive units such as the disk drive 36 and other peripheral devices. The CPU 13 controls each control unit based on the control data and control program stored in the memory 14.

At this time, the system control microcomputer 12 displays the state 23 of the main body on the display tube 22 via the display tube control unit 21. That is, function switching (DVD, HDD, LAN (local area network), display tube, etc.) indicating which drive unit of the main system has been selected is displayed, and the current time, elapsed time, and the like are displayed.
Further, the system control microcomputer 12 connects a communication line to the Internet 32 through the communication control unit 30 and the Ethernet (registered trademark) terminal 31 so as to be communicable.

  Here, the HDD control unit 33 and the HDD 34 correspond to the HDD drive unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, the disk control unit 35 and the disk drive 36 correspond to the DVD drive unit 11 shown in FIG. 1, and the communication control unit 30 This corresponds to the communication unit 8 shown in FIG.

  Further, the system control microcomputer 12 stops the power supply from the power control unit 15 to each unit by the operation input 20 by the user to the main body operation button 18 connected to the operation input unit 17 or the timer function held in the inside. When power is supplied, power supply to the various drives and peripheral devices described above is shut off, and the control operation of the CPU 13 is stopped.

  The system control microcomputer 12 detects the user operation input 20 by the main body operation button 18 or the remote controller 19 via the operation input unit 17, sends operation input information to the CPU 13, receives information on the current state of the system from the CPU 13, and displays the display tube. 22 is displayed. That is, function switching (DVD, HDD, LAN, display tube, etc.) indicating which drive unit of the electronic device system has been selected, current time, elapsed time, and the like are displayed on the display tube 22.

  Based on the operation input information obtained via the system control microcomputer 12, the CPU 13 reproduces the DVD disc by the control of the disc control unit 35 and the disc drive 36, the reproduction operation of the HDD 34 by the control of the HDD control unit 33, Based on the reproduction operation, processing such as audio signal output control via the audio control unit 24 and audio output unit 25 and video signal output control via the video control unit 27 and video output unit 28 are performed in an integrated manner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of data used by the system control microcomputer 12, FIG. 3A is a learning timer setting, FIG. 3B is the next activation time corresponding to the activation time history, and FIG. 3C is an example of a calculation formula.
The system control microcomputer 12 displays a learning timer setting menu shown in FIG. 3A on the display tube 22 and can be set by a user operation input 20 (see FIG. 2) to the operation buttons 18 and the remote controller 19. The learning timer setting obtained through an operation input to the learning timer setting menu is stored in the internal RAM.

The learning timer setting shown in FIG. 3A includes the following items.
ON / OFF of the learning timer function 41 indicates a function setting for setting whether to enable this function.
The start-up allowance time (T) 42 indicates a start-up time setting for setting how many minutes before the start-up average time the timer is started. This time is set to a time corresponding to the time required for the initialization operation of the apparatus, for example, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc. This time may be measured and stored in advance in the operating state.

  The automatic calculation during the start-up allowance time (T) 42 is selected when the start-up allowance time (T) is automatically set based on the standard deviation (σ) of the start-up time history so far. This time is a time for calculating a frequently used time zone within a range that covers variations in the history when the startup time history described later varies.

The history storage number (N) 43 sets the maximum number of startup time histories to be described later, for example, 10 cases, 20 cases, 30 cases, and the like. In general, the greater the number of cases, the higher the possibility that the timer works effectively, but the follow-up performance when the time often used changes is poor.
The automatic OFF setting 44 sets whether or not to automatically cut off the power supply to each unit when there is no operation by the user for a certain time (here 2T) when the automatic timer is activated by the learning timer.
The system control microcomputer 12 holds the data shown in FIG. 3B in the internal RAM.

  The activation time history 45 stores the time when the power button is turned on by the user or when the user performs the operation button input operation for the first time after activation by the learning timer. For example, history 1 is saved at 22:10, history 2 is at 22:30, history 3 is at 21:30, history 4 is at 22:00, history 5 is at 21:50, and so on. Save up to N records, and overwrite the oldest data when N records are exceeded.

The average activation time 46 stores a time obtained by averaging effective times in the activation time history 45, for example, 22:00.
The activation time standard deviation (σ) 48 stores a standard deviation value of a valid time in the activation time history 45, for example, 20 minutes.

  As shown in 51 of FIG. 3C, the next activation time 47 is the average activation time 46, for example, a value obtained by subtracting an activation margin time (T) 49, for example, 1 hour, from the next activation time 46 For example, it is held as 21:00. As shown in 53 of FIG. 3C, when the start-up allowance time (T) 42 is set to automatic calculation, as shown by 49, T = 3σ = 60 minutes. This is because the time for the user to operate stochastically is considered to be sufficiently within the average value ± 3σ.

  When the automatic OFF setting 44 is valid, the automatic OFF time 50 is the time until the power supply to each part is cut off when there is no user operation even after the start-up allowance time (T) 49 or more after the timer is started. Set the time. As shown in the example of the calculation formula at 52 in FIG. 3C, here, the automatic OFF time from the start of the timer until the power supply is cut off is set to 2T = 120 minutes as indicated by 50. This is because the time for the user to operate is considered to fall within the mean value ± 2T.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the start time control of the system control microcomputer 12, FIG. 4A is a start time calculation process flowchart, FIG. 4B is a power off process flowchart, and FIG. 4C is a power start process flowchart.

In the activation time calculation process flowchart shown in FIG. 4A, the following processes are looped.
First, it is determined whether or not the ON / OFF setting of the learning timer setting function is ON (step S1). If the ON / OFF setting of the learning timer setting function is OFF, the process returns to the top of the loop. Specifically, the determination is made based on the ON / OFF setting of the learning timer function 41 in the learning timer setting shown in FIG. 3A.

  If the ON / OFF setting of the learning timer setting function is ON in step S1, it is next detected whether or not there has been an input operation of the power button ON by the power button (or remote control) (step S2). If there is no power button ON input operation in step S2, it is detected whether the timer ON flag is ON and the operation input presence / absence flag is ON (step S3). Specifically, the timer ON flag is a flag that is turned on when the power is turned on by the learning timer function. The operation input presence / absence flag is a flag that is turned ON when there is an operation input by the user.

  If it is not detected in step S3 that the timer ON flag is ON and the operation input presence / absence flag is ON, the process returns to the top of the loop. If it is detected in step S3 that the timer ON flag is ON and the operation input presence / absence flag is ON, the timer ON flag and the operation input presence / absence flag are turned OFF (step S41), and the process proceeds to step S4 to continue the processing. .

  Next, the current time is stored in the activation time history (step S4). Specifically, when the power button is turned on by the user as in the activation time history 45 in the learning timer setting shown in FIG. 3A, or when the user performs an operation button input operation for the first time after activation by the learning timer. Save the time in When the maximum number of saved items exceeds N, the oldest data is overwritten.

  Next, the activation average time is calculated from the activation time history (step S5). Specifically, a time obtained by averaging effective times in the activation time history 45 like the activation average time 46 in the learning timer setting shown in FIG. 3A is calculated.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the startup allowance time setting (T) is automatically calculated (step S6). If the startup allowance time setting (T) is automatically calculated, the startup time standard is determined from the startup time history. The deviation (σ) is calculated, and the start-up margin time (T) is calculated (step S7). Specifically, when the activation allowance time (T) 42 in the learning timer setting shown in FIG. 3A is automatically calculated, the activation allowance time (T) 42 = constant ××, as shown in FIG. Calculated as the start time standard deviation (σ).

  Next, after calculating the start-up allowance time (T) in step S7 and if the start-up allowance time setting (T) is not automatically calculated in step S6, the next time is calculated from the start-up average time and start-up allowance time (T). The activation time is calculated (step S8). Specifically, as shown in 51 of FIG. 3C as an example of the calculation formula, the next activation time 47 is calculated by subtracting the activation margin time (T) 49 from the activation average time 46 as the next activation time.

  When the calculation of the average activation time in step S5, the margin for activation (T) in step S7, and the calculation result of the next activation time in step S8 are stored in the RAM, the process returns to the top of the loop, and the determination and processing from step S1 to step S8 repeat.

In the power supply start process flowchart by the timer start process shown in FIG. 4C, the following processes are looped.
It is determined whether or not the power supply is currently stopped (step S21). If the power supply is not stopped in step S21, the process returns to the top of the loop.

  Next, if the power supply is stopped in step S21, it is determined whether or not the current time coincides with the next activation time (step S22). Specifically, determination is made based on the next activation time calculated in step S8 in the activation time calculation processing flowchart shown in FIG. 4A (step S31).

  If the current time does not coincide with the next activation time in step S22, the process returns to the top of the loop. If the current time coincides with the next activation time in step S22, the system power is turned on and power is supplied to the various control units and drive units (step S23).

  Furthermore, a start command is issued to the CPU, and the entire system is initialized (step S24). Then, the automatic OFF time is set to 2T from the timer activation time, the timer ON flag is turned ON, and the operation input presence / absence flag is turned OFF (step S41).

In the power-off process flowchart by the timer OFF process shown in FIG. 4B, the following processes are looped.
First, it is determined whether or not there is no operation input at present due to the timer activation (step S11). Specifically, it is determined whether the timer ON flag is ON (step S41). If the timer ON flag is not ON, the process returns to the top of the loop. Next, it is determined whether the operation input presence / absence flag is ON (step S41). If the operation input presence / absence flag is ON, the process returns to the top of the loop.

  In step S11, when the timer is activated and the power is supplied and there is no operation input, the automatic OFF time is counted down (step S12), and it is determined whether or not the automatic OFF time has become 0 (step S13). If the automatic OFF time is not 0 in step S13, the process returns to the beginning of the loop, and the determination and processing from step S11 to step S13 are repeated. If the automatic OFF time is 0 in step S13, a power supply stop command is issued to the CPU to cut off the power.

Next, an application example of this embodiment will be described.
For example, in the above example, a specific example is shown in which one timer setting is held for 24 hours a day, but by dividing the bank into two every 12 hours and taking the average value among them. It can be activated twice a day. In addition, by giving the clock the concept of day of the week and date, for example, you can have a bank for each day of the week (Example 1: Every Friday starts at 0:00), or bank every day of the month. (Example 2: Starts at 12:00 on the first day of every month).

  In the above example, an electronic device equipped with a DVD or HDD is targeted, but a device equipped with a CD, MD, FDD, memory media, etc., a personal computer (personal computer), etc. are also targeted. Further, not only playback but also devices capable of recording and recording are also targeted. Furthermore, a device that can be connected to the Internet or the like via a communication unit or a LAN cable and reproduce content on the network is also targeted.

  In the above example, only the power activation time is obtained by learning, but the function setting indicating which drive unit has been selected, the output volume value, etc. are stored in conjunction with each other, so that the activation setting is stored. It can also be reflected in

  For example, as the start time history, history 1 is “ON: 12:10 DVD volume 10”, history 2 is “ON: 12:15 DVD volume 10”, history 3 is “ON: 12:10 HDD volume 0”, history When 4 is “ON: 12: 12 DVD volume 10” and history 5 is “ON: 12: 30 DVD volume 10”, the next startup setting may be “ON: 11: 45 DVD volume 8”. .

  In the above-described example, T = 3σ is used as the calculation formula for obtaining the startup allowance time by automatic calculation. However, the constant may not be 3, and may be a variable value of the user in addition to the setting menu. In general, the larger the constant value, the higher the probability that the learning timer works effectively, but the power supply time becomes longer, so that the power consumption increases.

According to the present embodiment described above, the probability that the user is activated in advance in the time zone frequently used by the user is increased, so there is no need to wait for the activation time, and the operability is improved and the stress caused by the operation is reduced.
In addition, since power is supplied only during a frequently used time, power is saved compared to the case where power is always supplied.

Further, since it can be dealt with only by improving the software of the system control microcomputer 12, there is no cost increase factor such as addition of sensors.
Further, since the time obtained by subtracting the start-up allowance time from the start-up time history is automatically obtained as the next start-up time based on the start-up time history, a troublesome setting operation by the user is unnecessary.

Further, even when there is a change in the time zone frequently used by the user, the next activation time is obtained based on the average activation time, so that the change can be followed without setting work.
In addition, even when the user does not use the timer after starting, the power is automatically turned off after the automatic OFF time has elapsed, thus saving power.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a DVD-HDD reproducing | regenerating apparatus. It is a figure which shows a system configuration. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a data structure, FIG. 3A is a learning timer setting, FIG. 3B is a next activation time corresponding to the activation time history, and FIG. 3C is an example of a calculation formula. FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating a start time calculation process, FIG. 4B is a power supply off process flowchart, and FIG. 3C is a power supply start process flowchart.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... DVD-HDD reproducing | regenerating apparatus, 2 ... Power supply unit, 3 ... Power supply cable, 4 ... Power button, 5 ... Remote control, 6 ... Remote control light-receiving part, 7 ... Display tube, 8 ... Communication unit, 9 ... LAN cable, 10 ... HDD drive unit, 11 ... DVD drive unit, 9 '... audio / video output cable, 12 ... system control microcomputer, 13 ... CPU, 14 ... memory, 15 ... power supply control unit, 16 ... power supply to each part such as peripheral devices, 17 ... Operation input unit, 18 ... main body operation button, 19 ... remote control, 20 ... user operation, 21 ... display tube control unit, 22 ... display tube, 23 ... status display, 24 ... audio control unit, 25 ... audio output unit, 26 ... Sound, 27 ... Video control unit, 28 ... Video output unit, 29 ... Text, video, 30 ... Communication control unit, 31 ... Ethernet (registered trademark) terminal, 32 ... Internet 33 ... HDD control unit, 34 ... HDD, 35 ... disk control unit, 36 ... disk drive, 37 ... DVD, 41 ... learning timer function, 42 ... allowance start time (T), 43 ... history saving number (N), 44 ... automatic OFF setting, 45 ... start-up time history, 46 ... start-up average time, 47, 51 ... next start-up time, 49,53 ... start-up margin time (T), 50,52 ... automatic OFF time

Claims (6)

In an electronic device that controls start using a timer means by a control means for a drive means that inputs and outputs data,
The control means includes
Storage means for storing a history of input operations related to the operation of the drive means;
A calculation means for calculating a time zone with high use frequency from the history stored in the storage means;
And a starting means for starting the driving means with a timer using the timer means prior to the start-up allowance time of the driving means before the time period of high use frequency calculated by the calculating means. Electronics.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history of input operations related to the operation of the driving unit includes power-on and post-power-on operations for the driving unit.   The start-up allowance time includes the time required for the initial start of the drive means, and the time required for the initial start-up of the drive means includes the initialization operation of the drive means after the power is turned on and the preparatory operation before starting the main operation. The electronic device according to claim 1.   2. The time zone having a high usage frequency is calculated by the calculation means from the history stored in the storage means within a range that covers variation in the history fluctuation when the history is changed. The electronic device described.   After the timer is activated by the activation means using the timer means and the time period in which the frequency of use is high has elapsed, when there is no input operation to the driving means, the timer means is used to turn off the power. The electronic device according to claim 1. In the starting method of the electronic device that controls the start of the timer by the control process with respect to the driving process for inputting and outputting data,
The above control process
A storage step for storing a history of input operations related to the operation of the driving process;
A calculation step for calculating a time zone with high use frequency from the history stored in the storage step;
An activation step of activating the drive process by a timer before the drive process activation allowance time before the frequently used time zone calculated in the calculation step;
A method for starting an electronic device comprising the steps of:

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