JPH08263179A - Power source control method and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the power source key of a terminal device from being misoperated extremely effectively by performing a power-OFF process when the power source key is operated at a predetermined frequency. CONSTITUTION: When the power source operation key is operated successively within a predetermined time after a power-OFF key is operated, the power-OFF process is performed. When the operation of the power-OFF key is detected and a 1st-time power-OFF flag is ON, a CPU 11 judges that the power-OFF key is operated for the 1st time, sets the 1st-time power-OFF flag ON, and starts clocking the time from the power-OFF key operation by a timer. When the power-OFF key is operated for the 2nd time successively to the 1st-time power-OFF key operation, the CPU 11 compares the current clocking result of the timer with a previously set monitor time. Consequently, it is judged that the 2nd power-OFF key operation is done within the monitor time and after the 1st power-OFF flag is set OFF, the power OFF process is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply control method and an electronic device for an electronic device such as a portable small terminal device. In recent years, portable small-sized terminal devices called handheld terminals, handy terminals, etc. have been mainly used for business involving various data inputs. In such a terminal device, there is a demand for downsizing of the device, and the actual device tends to be downsized.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A portable small terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a handy terminal) is supplied with electric power mainly by a battery so that it can be carried. The power supply is controlled by operating a power key provided on the apparatus, and the power key is operated to switch on / off the power.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a conventional power control procedure. After the power is turned on, the CPU of the terminal device determines whether or not there is a key operation for turning off the power in step 1
We are monitoring at 01. If the operation of the power key is not detected in step 101, the process currently in operation is continued in step 102, and the monitoring of the presence or absence of the power key operation in step 101 is continued again.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step 101 that the power key is pressed, the CPU starts the process for cutting off the power in step 103 in response to the pressing of the power key, and in response to this, the device is operated in step 104. Is turned off. The power supply to the apparatus is stopped until the operation for turning on the power is performed again in step 105, and the apparatus is in a standby state until the operation for turning on the power is performed in step 105. When the power-on operation is performed in step 105, the power-on of the device is restarted, and accordingly, the CPU restarts the monitoring of the power-key operation in step 101.

[0005]

When the power of the device is turned off, the operator of the device operates the power key with the intention of turning off the power. However, the operation of the power key is not always intended to turn off the power. Since handy terminals are designed to be smaller and lighter, there are restrictions on the arrangement of keys, and of course, restrictions on the arrangement of power keys. In this case, the problem is not so great when the power key is arranged in a place where it is difficult to operate. However, if the power key is placed at a position that is easy for the operator to touch, the operator touches the power key even if the power is not intended to be turned off, and careless power-off processing is executed. It is possible that it will end up.

Further, when the user wears gloves or thick gloves and is using the terminal device, his / her fingertips are not so free. The possibility of accidentally operating the power key together increases. In such a case, the power is cut off during the numerical value input operation. If the power of the device is turned off during data input to the handy terminal or during data transmission to an external device, there is a high risk that the data being input or being transmitted will be destroyed. Therefore, it is particularly desired to prevent the power supply from being cut off by an erroneous operation of the power key.

Conventionally, as a means for that purpose, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, a structure is provided in which a protective wall having a height higher than that of the power key is provided around the power key to prevent the power key from being inadvertently pressed. Is being considered. However, with such a configuration, it is difficult to press the power key itself, and the operability of the power key is reduced, which is not very preferable. Even if the protective wall is provided, the possibility that the power key is pressed for some reason cannot be excluded, and it is difficult to completely prevent erroneous operation of the power key. In addition to the provision of the protective wall, a method of providing the power key at a position where it is difficult to operate can be considered, but this is also not desirable because it significantly deteriorates the operability of normal power key operation.

Another method for preventing erroneous operation of the power key is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-51926. In this method, when the power key is continuously pressed for a certain period of time, the input by the power key is validated and the power is turned off. However, the mistaken operation of the power key is
In many cases, the operator is not aware that he is operating the power key. If the operator is not aware that he / she is pressing the power key, there is a high possibility that the power key will continue to be pressed for a predetermined period of time, and the power off process will be started independently of the operator's intention. There is a possibility that it will end up. Therefore, even if this method is adopted, the effect of preventing erroneous operation of the power key is not so great.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to realize a power supply control method capable of extremely effectively preventing an erroneous operation of a power supply key of a terminal device.

[0010]

The above object can be solved by the following constitution of the present invention. Firstly, the present invention is characterized in that the number of times the power key is operated is counted, and when the power key is operated a predetermined number of times, power-off processing is performed. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the time from the time when the power key is operated is timed and the number of times the power key is operated is counted when the power key is operated within a predetermined time.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that when the power key is continuously operated a predetermined number of times, the power supply is cut off. Further, an object of the present invention is to supply at least a power supply key for instructing stop of power supply to the device by a power supply, a counting means for counting the number of times the power supply key is operated when the power supply key is operated, and a power supply by the counting means. It is realized by an electronic device having a control means for stopping the power supply to the device from the power source when the number of times the key is operated is counted a predetermined number of times.

In particular, the electronic device is provided with a timing means for starting timing from the time when the power key is operated, and when the power key is operated within a predetermined time based on the timing result by the timing means. The counting means can count the number of times the power key is operated.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the power-off processing is started when the key operation for power-off is performed a predetermined number of times. Thus, when there is a high possibility that the user intends to turn off the power, the power-off process is performed. The present invention also performs the power-off processing only when the power-off operation is performed a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.

[0014]

1 is a view showing the appearance of a portable small terminal device (handy terminal, handheld terminal) to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a key, which is provided with a numerical key for inputting a numerical value, an input key for confirming the numerical input, and the like.

Reference numeral 2 is a display, for which a liquid crystal display plate or the like is used. A touch panel is provided on the display, and various inputs can be made by touching the items displayed on the display. 3 is a battery cover in which a battery such as a lithium battery is stored,
The battery supplies power to the device.

Reference numeral 4 is a power key, 4 (a) is a power-on key, and 4 (b) is a power-off key. When the power-on key is operated, power supply to the device is started, and when the power-off key is operated, power is cut off and power supply to the device is stopped. In the handy terminal in the figure, the power-on key and power-off key are provided separately,
The present invention can be applied even to a device having a single key for turning on / off the power.

In the handy terminal according to the present embodiment, when the power supply operation key is operated continuously within a predetermined time after the power supply disconnection key is operated, the power supply disconnection process is performed. . The above power-off operation will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the inside of the handy terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a CPU, which controls the operation of the entire apparatus. A mask ROM 12 stores a system program for controlling the device and a program for realizing the self-test function of the handy terminal. A dynamic RAM (DRAM) 13 stores various programs and user data. Reference numeral 14 denotes a main battery, which is for supplying electric power to the device when the device is in operation, and is housed inside the battery cover 3 in FIG. Reference numeral 15 is a sub battery, which is used as a backup power supply for supplying a backup current for protecting data stored in a built-in memory (DRAM or the like) when power cannot be supplied from the main battery.

Reference numeral 16 is a liquid crystal display, and 17 is a keyboard. The keyboard also includes a power key. Reference numeral 18 denotes a communication interface, which is used when communicating stored data when connected to an external device. Reference numeral 19 is a connector for connecting a memory card, and 20 is a memory card. The memory card is used for saving user data and for transferring data with the outside. FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power supply control according to the present embodiment. The power supply control method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

After the power is turned on, the CPU starts monitoring whether or not the power-off key is operated, and determines whether the power-off processing is necessary (step 1). When the operation of the power-off key is detected in step 1, the CPU performs the power-off processing, and therefore executes the processing from step 2 onward in FIG. Here, the handy terminal according to the present embodiment can also use a conventional power-off method, that is, a method of starting the power-off processing immediately when the power key is operated. This is because it is necessary to consider even when the user of the handy terminal does not want to repeatedly operate the power key to turn off the power.

Whether the conventional power-off method or the power-off method according to this embodiment is used can be set in the device in advance by the user. The CPU turns on / off the power control flag according to the power-off method set by the user. When performing the power-off processing, check whether this power control flag is on or off,
The CPU determines which power-off method is used (step 2).

When it is confirmed in step 2 that the power supply control flag is on, the CPU determines that the power supply control according to this embodiment is selected. Next, in step 3, the CPU determines whether or not this power-off key operation is the first power-off key operation. The first power-off key operation means, for example, a power-off key operation after a key other than the power-off key has been operated. In the CPU, when the power key operation is performed after the other keys are operated, the first power off flag is turned on. By turning on / off the first power-off flag, it is possible to determine whether or not the operation of the power-off key is the first operation. Therefore, in step 3, the CPU operates the first power-off key after the power-off key is operated. Off flag on /
The off state is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not this power-off key operation is the first one.

If the first power-off flag is off, it means that the power-off key has not been operated immediately before that, so the CPU determines in step 3 that this power-off key operation is the first operation. Judgment is made, and then in step 4, the first power-off flag is turned on.
Next, at step 5, time counting from the power-off key operation by the timer is started. A predetermined monitoring time is set in advance in the CPU, and whether or not the power-off key operation has been performed again within this monitoring time is determined based on the result of the timer measurement. The monitoring time is, for example, 1 to
Several seconds are set. For details of the monitoring operation,
It will be described later.

After the timer monitoring is started in step 5,
Continue the process in operation (step 6), then step 1 again
Then, the CPU resumes monitoring whether or not the power-off key is operated. If the second power-off key operation is performed subsequently to the first power-off key operation, the power-off flag has already been turned on. Therefore, in step 3, the CPU can determine that this power-off key is the second power-off key operation.

Subsequently, in step 7, it is determined whether or not the second power-off key operation has been performed within the monitoring time. More specifically, the monitoring time preset by the CPU is compared with the time measurement result of the timer at that time. As a result, when it is determined that the second power-off key operation has been performed within the monitoring time, the CPU turns off the first power-off flag (step 8) and then executes the power-off processing in step 9. Start. Then, in step 10, the power supply of the handy terminal is turned off.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 7 that the second power-off key operation is not performed within the preset monitoring time, the user intends to turn off the power-off key operation. It is thought that it was not done. Therefore, disable the first power key operation,
Treat the second power key operation as the first power key operation. Therefore, the first power-off flag remains on (step 4). Then step 5
Then, the monitoring by the timer is ended, the processing currently in operation is continued in step 6, and the monitoring of the presence or absence of the power-off key operation in step 1 is started again. If it is determined in step 1 that the key input has been made but this is not the operation of the power-off key, it is determined whether or not the first power-off flag is on. If the first power-off flag is off, the process in operation is continued in step 6 and the process returns to step 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the first power-off flag is on, the first power-off key has already been performed. However, since the keys other than the power-off key are operated, the first power-off key operation is an erroneous operation, and there is a high possibility that the user does not intend to turn off the power. Therefore, in such a case, the CPU determines that the first power-off key operation is an erroneous operation, invalidates the first power-off key operation, and disables the second power-off key operation for the first power-off key operation. Is treated as an operation. The first power off flag remains on. continue,
The CPU stops the time counting by the timer in step 8, continues the process currently in operation in step 9, and starts monitoring the presence or absence of the power-off key operation in step 1 again. Here, if it is determined in step 2 that the power supply control flag is off, the CPU determines that the conventional power-off processing is selected. So CP
When the U starts the power-off process in step 9, the power of the handy terminal is turned off (step 10).

Thereafter, when the power is turned on again in step 11, the CPU restarts the monitoring of the presence or absence of the power-off key operation in step 1. By such processing,
Even if a user of the handy terminal accidentally touches the power-off key, careless power-off processing will not be performed, and the user intends to turn off the power and continues to turn it twice within a predetermined time. Power off processing is executed only when the power off key is operated.

Further, since the conventional power-off method can be selected, it is possible to meet the demand of users who refrain from increasing the time and effort for power-off. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a power supply control procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the timer interrupts generated at regular intervals are added by the counter, and the time difference between the first power-off key operation and the second power-off key is calculated based on the added value, Based on this, it is determined whether or not the second power-off key operation has been performed within the monitoring time. In FIG. 4, when the pressing of the power-off key is notified in step 21, the power control mode is determined in step 22. This is similar to the case of step 2 in FIG. 3, whether the selected power control mode is based on the ON / OFF of the power control flag according to the present embodiment, or the conventional power control is used. To determine if.

The power control mode can be appropriately set by the user of the apparatus. For example, by operating a specific switch, the device is set in a state in which the power control mode registration can be performed. In this case, for example, a display for power control mode registration may be displayed on the display. Here, when the power supply control mode that the user intends to use is set, the power supply control flag is turned on or off according to the set power supply control mode.

In step 22, if the power control flag is on, it is determined that the power control according to the present invention is selected, and the CPU determines in step 23 whether the first power off flag is on. To judge. If it is determined in step 23 that the first power-off flag is on, the first power-off key operation has been performed, so the first power-off flag is turned on in step 24. Next, in step 25, the additional value T _COUNT of the timer interrupt at that time is added.
After setting T1 to T1, the processing is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 23 that the first power-off flag is on, it means that the second power-off key operation has been performed. In this case, in step 26, the addition value T _COUNT of the timer interruption at that time is set to T2, and in step 27, T2
And the difference between T1 and T1. Since the count value T _MAX of the timer interruption counted within the monitoring time by the timer is known in advance, T2-T1 is T _MAX in step 27.
It is determined whether or not the following.

In step 27, T2-T1 is T _MAX.
If it is determined that it is the following, it means that the second power-off key operation was performed within the monitoring time, so the first power-off flag is turned off in step 28, and the power-off preparation is performed in step 29. Then, in step 20, an instruction to turn off the power is issued from the power control I / O port.

In order to prepare for turning off the power, the following processing is executed. First, the information stored in each register is saved, and the continuation address of the processing that continues when the power is turned on is saved. In addition, if a process that should not be powered is being executed at the present time, the power-off is delayed until the process is completed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 27 that T2-T1 exceeds T _MAX ,
This means that the second power-off key operation was not performed within the monitoring time. Therefore, the second power-off key operation is treated as the first power-off key operation, and step 24
To turn on the power-off flag for the first time.
After setting _COUNT to T1, the process is continued. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for registering a vector of the timer interrupt routine when the power is turned on.

In FIG. 5, in the case of the mode in which the power is turned off by one operation of the power-off key as in the conventional case, the addition of the timer interrupt is not necessary and the power-off control in this embodiment is executed. If so, it is necessary to add the timer interrupt. Therefore, one of the two types of timer interrupt vectors is registered in the CPU. The timer interrupt vector 1 is registered in the CPU when performing the conventional power-off control, and indicates the registered address (vector) of the timer interrupt routine during the conventional power-off control. The timer interrupt vector 2 is registered in the CPU when executing the power-off control according to the present embodiment, and indicates the registered address of the timer interrupt routine during the power-off control according to the present embodiment.

When the power of the apparatus is turned on (step 4)
0), the CPU determines the power supply control mode set in step 41 of FIG. As described above, since the power supply control mode flag is set according to the power supply control mode used, the CPU can determine the current power supply control mode based on this. When the conventional power-off control mode is set in step 41, the timer interrupt vector 1 is registered in the timer interrupt vector registration area (not shown) of the CPU in step 42,
The process proceeds to the monitoring of the power-off key in step 21 of FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 41 that the power-off control mode according to the present embodiment, that is, the mode in which the power-off is performed by operating the power-off key a plurality of times, is set, the timer interrupt of the CPU is performed in step 43. The timer interrupt vector 2 is registered in the vector registration area, and then the normal operation of the device is started. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a timer interrupt addition operation according to a registered timer interrupt vector. When a timer interrupt occurs in step 51 of FIG. 6, the timer interrupt routine is selected according to the type of timer interrupt vector registered in the CPU. When the timer interrupt vector 2 is registered, 1 is added to T _COUNT in step 52, and the process related to the timer is executed in step 53. On the other hand, when the timer interrupt vector 1 is registered, the addition process to T _COUNT is not performed, and the process related to the timer is executed only in step 53.

In step 53, "the processing relating to the timer, for example, the following processing is executed. First, the cause of the interrupt is canceled and the information of the registered timer is judged. Registers the timer type, the timer count value, the address of the processing routine executed when a timeout occurs, etc. The timer count value is the initial value of the timer and is subtracted every time a timer interrupt occurs When the count value becomes 0, the time-out occurs, and when the time-out occurs, the process routine executed according to the address of the registered process routine is read out and the process is executed.

Thus, each time a timer interrupt occurs,
The control is executed by a timer interrupt routine suitable for the set power control mode. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the process of determining the power supply control mode type that is set each time a timer interrupt occurs. Further, this processing can be skipped when the addition of the timer interrupt is unnecessary as in the case where the conventional power-off control mode is selected. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the processing can be made simpler and the reduction in processing speed can be minimized.
In this embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the power-off process is started when the power-off key is operated twice consecutively. However, the number of continuous operations of the power-off key is not limited to this, and may be three or more.

Although the power-off key is continuously operated within the monitoring time as a condition for starting the power-off processing in this embodiment, the monitoring time is not set, and the power-off key is operated continuously. May be the condition for starting the power-off processing. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the condition that the power-off key is continuously operated is the condition for starting the power-off process. If the disconnection key is operated, the power-off process can be started even if another key operation is detected between the first power-off key operation and the second power-off key operation. . In this case, the object of the present invention can be achieved if the power-off key is operated more than twice.

These various methods can be appropriately selected according to the environment in which the handy terminal is used and the user.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the user accidentally touches the power-off key, the power-off process is started regardless of the user's intention. It is possible to eliminate inconveniences such as data destruction and data disappearance.

Further, when the user does not intend to turn off the power, the possibility that the power off key is repeatedly operated a plurality of times within a short time is very low. Therefore, within a predetermined time,
By configuring the power-off processing only when the power-off key operation is detected a predetermined number of times or more, it is apparent that the user intentionally turned off the power and the user accidentally turned off the power accidentally. It is possible to more effectively distinguish the case where the power-off key is operated a plurality of times.

Further, when the user does not intend to turn off the power, it is unlikely that the power off key is operated repeatedly a plurality of times. Therefore, by starting the power-off processing only when the power-off key is continuously operated, it is possible to more effectively distinguish whether or not the user intentionally operated the power-off key. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the careless power-off processing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a handy terminal to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a handy terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power-off control according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of power-off control according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt vector registration procedure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt routine according to a timer interrupt vector.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a conventional power-off processing procedure.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a power key provided with a protective wall.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A power control method in an electronic device, wherein at least power-off processing is performed based on an operation of a power key, the number of times the power key is operated is counted, and the power key has a predetermined number of times. Power control method, characterized in that the power-off process is carried out when 2. The power control method, wherein a time from a time when the power key is operated is timed, and the power key is operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time based on the time measurement result. The power control method according to claim 1, wherein the number of times the power key is operated is counted. 3. The power supply control method according to claim 1, wherein when the power supply key is continuously operated a predetermined number of times, the power supply control method performs a power-off process. 4. A power supply, at least a power supply key for instructing stop of power supply to the device by the power supply, counting means for counting the number of times the power supply key has been operated, and the counting means An electronic device, comprising: a control unit that stops the power supply to the device by the power source when the number of times of operation is counted a predetermined number of times. 5. The electronic device further comprises a timekeeping means for starting timekeeping of a time from a time when the power key is operated, and the power key is predetermined based on a timekeeping result by the timekeeping means. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the counting unit counts the number of times the power key is operated when operated within a predetermined time. 6. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the control means starts a power-off process when the power key is operated a predetermined number of times in succession.