JP2007219173A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of an electronic device using electronic paper. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic device is equipped with a means (50) which memorizes the data displaying the device connected to the electronic device, a means (42) which displays display data in accordance with a second touch panel section (20a), supplies electric power to the electronic device according to the touch detection of a first touch panel section (30), and supplies the electric power to the device connected to the electronic device according to the touch detection of a second touch panel section (20a), and a means (49) which supplies the electric power. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having an information display function, and more particularly to an electronic device provided with information display means (electronic paper) capable of displaying information even in a non-powered state.

  In general, an electronic device such as a notebook type mobile PC (personal computer) is provided with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and various electronic images and data can be displayed on the LCD. The user can view and read various information through the LCD. Information displayed on the LCD includes information that was once distributed as a paper medium, such as newspapers and magazines. Since the information distributed on these paper media has a limited amount of information that can be carried, it is very convenient to be able to view the digitized information on a mobile PC.

  However, in order to display such information on the LCD, power must always be supplied, and the power cannot be turned off while browsing the information. Conversely, if you turn off the power, you will not be able to browse the information you want to see.

Therefore, in recent years, a display device called electronic paper that can maintain information once displayed even in a non-powered state has attracted attention. For example, a device has been proposed in which this electronic paper is used as a display device for a digital camera, and when the power is turned off, the remaining battery level immediately before the power is turned off, the number of shootable images, etc. are continuously displayed on the display device. Yes. (See Patent Document 1)
JP 2003-209718 A

  Since electronic paper can maintain and display information even in a non-powered state as described above, when electronic paper is used, information can be continuously displayed even when the power of the electronic device body is turned off. However, in order for the user to obtain further information using the electronic device, it is necessary to first turn on the power, and after the power is turned on, a predetermined operation must be performed, which is troublesome for the user. It was.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use electronic device using electronic paper.

  The electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes information display means capable of displaying information in a non-powered state, and includes first and second touch panel units provided in the information display means for detecting contact from the outside, Storage means for storing display data for displaying a device connected to the electronic apparatus, and storage in the storage means corresponding to a position where the second touch panel portion of the information display means is displayed Displayed display data, controlled power supply to the electronic device according to contact detection of the first touch panel unit, and connected to the electronic device according to contact detection of the second touch panel unit A touch panel control unit that controls power supply to the device and a touch panel power supply unit that supplies power to the touch panel control unit are provided.

  By configuring as described above, there is an effect that a power saving system can be configured. In addition, even when the main power supply of the electronic device is off, information on the usable device is displayed on the information display unit, and an area linked to the information is selected, so that the device can be accessed. effective. In addition, there is an effect that a region linked to information can be changed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information display unit of the electronic apparatus according to this embodiment. The electronic device is, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a TV set.

  FIG. 1A is an external view showing an information display unit of an electronic device. Reference numeral 10 denotes an information display unit configured in an electronic device, and the information display unit is configured of, for example, electronic paper. Reference numeral 20a indicates a device electrically connected to the electronic device, which is a DVD device in this case. Reference numeral 20b also indicates a device electrically connected to the electronic device, which is a TV set here. Reference numeral 20c also indicates a device electrically connected to the electronic device, which is a CD player here. Reference numeral 20d also indicates a device electrically connected to the electronic device, which is a mobile phone here. Reference numeral 30 denotes a display (main power button display) for controlling power supply to the electronic device. Here, even when the power of the electronic device is OFF, the DVD device 20a, the TV set 20b, the CD player 20c, the mobile phone 20d, and the main power button display unit (main power button display) 30 are the information display unit, that is, the electronic device. Displayed on paper.

  These displays are displayed using display data stored in the storage means described later corresponding to the position where each touch panel unit described below is displayed.

  FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a plurality of touch panel units provided in the information display unit of the electronic device. The plurality of touch panel units include a first touch panel unit for controlling power supply to the electronic device according to at least a touch of the touch panel unit, and a first control unit for controlling power supply to the device connected to the electronic device. 2 touch panel units.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a touch panel portion of the main power button display portion. The main power button display 30 is displayed corresponding to the position where the touch panel 31 of the main power button display is displayed. Here, the touch panel unit 31 of the main power button display unit is a first touch panel unit.

  Reference numeral 21a denotes a touch panel unit of a DVD device, 21b denotes a touch panel unit of a TV set, 21c denotes a touch panel unit of a CD player, and 21d denotes a touch panel unit of a mobile phone. The DVD device 20a, the TV set 20b, and the CD player respectively correspond to the positions where the touch panel unit 21a of the DVD device, the touch panel unit 21b of the TV set, the touch panel unit 21c of the CD player, and the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone are displayed. Each display of 20c and mobile phone 20d is performed. Here, these touch panel units are referred to as second touch panel units.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which another device is connected to the electronic device and the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 41 is a touch panel section, reference numeral 42 is a touch panel control section, reference numeral 43 is a power supply control section, reference numeral 44 is a CPU, reference numeral 45 is RAM, reference numeral 46 is an HDD, reference numeral 47 is electronic paper, reference numeral 49 is a power supply for touch panels, reference numeral 50. Is display data storage means.

    The touch panel unit 41 is connected to the touch panel control unit 42. The touch panel control unit 42 is connected to a touch panel power supply 49. The touch panel power supply (touch panel power supply unit) 49 is desirably provided corresponding to the main power supply of the electronic device. Further, it is desirable that the power supplied from the touch panel power supply (touch panel power supply unit) 49 is supplied exclusively to the touch panel control unit 42. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the operation of the touch panel control unit 42 from being turned off even when the power supply of the electronic device is turned off.

  The touch panel controller 42 is connected to display data storage means (for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM) 50. In the display data storage means 50, as described above, data relating to the main power button display 30, the DVD device display 20a, the TV set set 20b, the CD player display 20c, and the mobile phone display 20d are stored in, for example, a table format described later. It is remembered.

  The touch panel control unit 42 is connected to the power supply control unit 43. The power control unit 43 is connected to the CPU 44, RAM 45, HDD 46, and electronic paper 47 (information display unit 10) built in the electronic device. Further, it is connected to DEVICE1 (DVD device display), DEVICE2 (TV set), DEVICE3 (CD player), and DEVICE4 (mobile phone) connected to the electronic device.

  The touch panel unit 41 is a general term for the touch panel unit 21a of the DVD device, the touch panel unit 21b of the TV set, the touch panel unit 21c of the CD player, the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone, and the touch panel unit 31 of the main power button display unit.

  And the touch panel control part 42 controls the power supply control part 43 according to the contact detection of the 1st touch panel part (touch panel part 31 of a main power button display part), and uses the power supply 49 for touch panels, and the said electronic device Control the power supply to. At this time, power is supplied to the CPU 44, RAM 45, HDD 46, and electronic paper 47 (information display unit 10) built in the electronic device.

  In addition, the touch panel control unit 42 supplies power according to contact detection of the second touch panel unit (the touch panel unit 21a of the DVD device, the touch panel unit 21b of the TV set, the touch panel unit 21c of the CD player, and the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone). The control unit 43 is controlled. At this time, using an external power supply (not shown) different from the touch panel power supply 49, devices connected to the electronic device (DEVICE1 (DVD device display), DEVICE2 (TV set), DEVICE3 (CD player), DEVICE4) (Cell phone)) is controlled.

  That is, the touch panel 41 (one of the touch panel unit 21a of the DVD device, the touch panel unit 21b of the TV set, the touch panel unit 21c of the CD player, the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone, or the touch panel unit 31 of the main power button display unit) is touched by the user. Then, each touch panel 41 (one of the touch panel unit 21a of the DVD device, the touch panel unit 21b of the TV set, the touch panel unit 21c of the CD player, the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone, and the touch panel unit 31 of the main power button display unit). A signal indicating a contact (contact signal) is output from the touch panel to the touch panel control unit 42.

  The touch panel control unit 42 receives those contact signals and controls the power supply control unit 43 as described above.

  As described above, the DVD 20a, the TV set 20b, the CD player 20c, the mobile phone 20d, and the main power button display unit (main power button display) 30 are the information display unit when the power of the electronic device is OFF. (Electronic paper) 10 is displayed.

  The main power button display 30 is operated by the user, thereby starting and ending the system related to the electronic device. When the main power button display 30 is operated by the user in a state where the electronic device is turned off, the electronic device is turned on, that is, the system related to the electronic device is activated.

  Further, when the main power button display 30 is operated by the user in a state where the system related to the electronic device is activated, the system related to the electronic device ends. At this time, data is acquired from the display data storage device 50 provided in the electronic device, and the information display unit (electronic paper) 10 has the DVD device 20a, the TV set 20b, the CD player 20c, the mobile phone 20d, as described above. A main power button display unit (main power button display) 30 is displayed.

  The information display unit 10 is desirably a device capable of displaying information in a non-powered state, such as electronic paper. As a result, display can be continued even in a no-power state (a state in which a power source that supplies power is not connected).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the display surface of the information display unit (electronic paper) 10 is made of a soft material.

  As described above, the information display unit (electronic paper) 10 includes a plurality of touch panels, and a preset power activation area (here, the touch panel unit 21a of the DVD device and the touch panel unit 21b of the TV set). , A CD player touch panel unit 21c, a mobile phone touch panel unit 21d, and a main power button display unit touch panel unit 31) are provided. When the user touches these touch panel units, the electronic device or a device connected to the electronic device can be activated.

  The display (DVD device touch panel unit 21a, TV set touch panel unit 21b, and CD player touch panel) displayed on the information display unit (electronic paper) 10 by the user when the electric device system is powered off (OFF) When the unit 21c, the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone, or the touch panel unit 31 of the main power button display unit) is pressed, the touch panel control unit 42 detects that it is a pre-registered area, and the system displays it after starting. Corresponding devices (DEVICE 1 (DVD device display), DEVICE 2 (TV set), DEVICE 3 (CD player), DEVICE 4 (mobile phone)) can be accessed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a power activation area registration table stored in the display data storage unit configured in the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 (a) is a diagram showing a display using the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone as an example. Here, the display area is defined by Position, Width, and Height.

  FIG. 3B is a table showing an example of data for displaying the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone. This table is stored in display data storage means (memory) 50.

  Here, PointNo (so-called ID, identifier), Position (X coordinate, Y coordinate), Width (width), Height (height), and Action (information defining the action) are used.

  This table is realized by the RAM 45. Note that “Action” here is a bit pattern of a control signal or a pointer value for executing a power activation sequence for various devices.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a power activation area registration table stored in a display data storage unit configured in an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 (a) is a diagram showing a display using the touch panel unit 121d of a mobile phone according to another embodiment as an example. Here, a circular region is illustrated.

  FIG. 4B is a table showing an example of data for displaying the touch panel unit 21d of the mobile phone. Compared with the example shown in FIG. 3, the area is specified by information of Position (position) and Round (radius). When the shape of the activation area is a circle, the table size can be reduced. This table is also stored in the display data storage means (memory) 50.

  In addition to the above example, if a specific pattern (symbol or character) is recognized instead of a shape with a fixed area, it is possible to provide a variation of action.

  As another table modification, the number of clicks can be set to prevent operation.

  As another table modification example, only the Width (only the square shape) can be used to reduce the table area.

  Further, the exchange (communication) between the touch panel control unit 42 and the power supply control unit 43 may be a network such as the Internet, infrared rays, or wireless.

  Further, power supply to the touch panel can be further reduced by periodically turning on / off the sampling period.

  Furthermore, the touch panel control unit 42 includes a time measuring unit (not shown) for measuring time, and can be configured to be periodically activated using a power source of the touch panel power supply unit 49. At this time, a plurality of replaceable data is stored in the storage means 50, and the display content is periodically changed using the plurality of stored display data in conjunction with the measurement of the time. Is possible.

  In addition, the power supplied from the touch panel power supply unit 49 to the touch panel control unit 42 can be periodically ON / OFF linked with the measurement of the time.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device includes information display means that can display information in a non-powered state. The information display means is provided with first and second touch panel portions for detecting external contact. The storage means stores display data for displaying a device connected to the electronic device. And the display data memorize | stored in the memory | storage means corresponding to the position where the 2nd touch panel part of an information display means is displayed is comprised. The touch panel control unit controls power supply to the electronic device according to contact detection of the first touch panel unit, and supplies power to a device connected to the electronic device according to contact detection of the second touch panel unit. To control. Moreover, it is comprised so that the touchscreen electric power supply part which supplies electric power to a touchscreen control part may be provided.

  In addition, the touch panel control unit can be periodically activated using the power source of the touch panel power supply unit, and can change the display content using the display data stored in the storage unit.

  The power supplied from the touch panel power supply unit to the touch panel control unit can be periodically ON / OFF controlled.

  By configuring as described above, there is an effect that a power saving system can be configured. In addition, even when the main power supply of the electronic device is off, information on the usable device is displayed on the information display unit, and an area linked to the information is selected, so that the device can be accessed. effective. In addition, there is an effect that a region linked to information can be changed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by variously modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements according to different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The figure which shows the information display part of the electronic device which concerns on this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure by which the other apparatus was connected to the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and an electronic device. The figure explaining the table for power supply starting area | region registration memorize | stored in the display data memory | storage part comprised by the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the table for power activation area | region registration memorize | stored in the display data memory | storage part comprised by the electronic device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information display part (information display means), 20a ... DVD apparatus, 20b ... TV set, 20c ... CD player, 20d ... Cell phone, 21a ... Touch panel part of DVD apparatus, 20b ... Touch panel part of TV set, 20c ... CD Touch panel section of player, 20d ... Touch panel section of mobile phone, 30 ... Main power button display section (main power button display), 31 ... Touch panel section of main power button display section, 41 ... Touch panel section, 42 ... Touch panel control section, 43 ... Power supply control unit 44... CPU, 45... RAM, 46... HDD, 47.

Claims (5)

In an electronic device equipped with information display means capable of displaying information in a no-power state,
First and second touch panel units provided in the information display means for detecting external contact;
Storage means for storing display data for displaying a device connected to the electronic device;
The display data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the position where the second touch panel unit of the information display unit is displayed is displayed, and the electronic device is displayed in response to the contact detection of the first touch panel unit. A touch panel control unit that controls power supply and controls power supply to a device connected to the electronic device according to contact detection of the second touch panel unit;
An electronic apparatus comprising a touch panel power supply unit that supplies power to the touch panel control unit.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel power supply unit is provided corresponding to a main power source of the electronic device.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power supplied from the touch panel power supply unit is exclusively supplied to the touch panel control unit.   The said touch panel control part starts regularly using the power supply of the said touch panel electric power supply part, and changes the display content using the display data memorize | stored in the said memory | storage means. Electronic equipment.   5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein power supplied from the touch panel power supply unit to the touch panel control unit is periodically ON / OFF-controlled.

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