JP2008025988A - Electronic equipment, time information acquisition method and time information acquisition processing program etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment, a time information acquisition method and a time information acquisition process program etc., which effectively acquire the time information even in the case where the time information is lost, because of no longer supplied electric source from a backup power supply. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment of the present invention provided with a clock means for taking clock action by receiving the supply of electric source comprises: a power supply restoration detection means for detecting the restoration of the power supply after the power supply from external power supply is lost; and a time information acquisition means for performing processing to acquire the time information from external equipment in the case where the restoration of power supply is detected by the restoration of power supply detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an electronic device or the like that can be detached from an audio playback device.

  In recent years, electronic devices (equipped with a system controller, a storage unit, etc.) that can be attached to and detached from both an in-vehicle audio playback device mounted on a vehicle and a home audio playback device installed at home are known. When the user gets out of the vehicle, the user can remove the electronic device from the in-vehicle audio playback device, take it home, and attach it to the home audio playback device for use. Thereby, the user can listen to the same music data stored in the electronic device both in the vehicle and at home.

  By the way, in general, such an electronic device has a built-in RTC (Real Time Clock) and a backup power source for keeping the date and time, and even if the electronic device is removed from the audio playback device, The current date (calendar) and current time can be held.

Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle electronic device having a backup power source.
JP-A-10-011688

  However, if the removed time is long, the power supply from the backup power supply is no longer performed, and the current time and the like are lost. In such a case, there is a problem (complexity) that the user has to set the current time again by operating the input unit, for example, after mounting the electronic device on the audio playback device.

  On the other hand, in some functions that depend on the current date and time of the electronic device, for example, a music hit chart play function, unauthorized access to music hit chart information (for example, a user) By deliberately setting the past date, the user cannot set the date and current time in order to prevent the unauthorized acquisition of past music hit chart information). . In such a case, as described above, there is a problem that when the electronic device is removed for a long time and the current time or the like is lost, the user cannot use the music hit chart play function, for example.

  Therefore, an electronic device capable of more efficiently acquiring time information even when time information is lost due to the power supply from the backup power supply not being made, with solving such a problem as one issue, It is an object to provide a time information acquisition method, a time information acquisition processing program, and the like. Also, to provide an electronic device or the like that can appropriately operate a function that operates depending on time information even when the time information is lost due to power supply from the backup power supply being stopped. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an electronic device provided with a clocking means for receiving a power supply from an external power supply and performing a clocking operation, and the power supply from the external power supply is lost. Thereafter, power supply recovery detection means for detecting the recovery of the power supply, and time information acquisition for performing acquisition processing for acquiring time information from an external device when the power supply recovery detection means detects the power supply recovery And means.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a time information acquisition method in a time measuring operation performed by receiving power supply from an external power supply, and detects recovery of the power supply after the power supply from the external power supply is lost. And a step of performing an acquisition process for acquiring time information from an external device when recovery of the power supply is detected.

  The time information acquisition processing program according to claim 10 is a time information income processing program for causing a computer to execute a time information acquisition method in a timing operation performed by receiving power supply from an external power supply, wherein the power supply from the external power supply is performed. Causing the computer to execute a step of detecting restoration of the power supply after the loss of power and a step of performing acquisition processing for obtaining time information from an external device when the restoration of power supply is detected It is characterized by that.

    A recording medium according to an eleventh aspect is characterized in that the time information acquisition processing program according to the tenth aspect is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an embodiment when the present application is applied to an audio reproduction device.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration and function of an audio playback apparatus as an information playback apparatus in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a schematic block example of an in-vehicle audio playback device, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a schematic block example of a home audio playback device. The in-vehicle audio reproduction device SA is installed (mounted) in a vehicle, for example, while the home audio reproduction device SB is installed in a room in a building such as a house. That is, the in-vehicle audio reproduction device SA and the home audio reproduction device SB are installed in different places.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the in-vehicle audio reproduction device SA includes an electronic device 1, an audio processing unit 2a, a speaker 3a, a GPS receiver 4a, and the like. The electronic device 1 can be attached to and detached from the in-vehicle audio playback device SA. When the electronic device 1 is mounted in the in-vehicle audio playback device SA, a battery power source as an external power source mounted in the vehicle. The power supply is received from 5a via the ACC switch 6.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1B, the home audio reproduction device SB includes an electronic device 1, an audio processing unit 2b, a speaker 3b, a GPS receiver 4b, and the like. The electronic device 1 is detachable from the home audio playback device SB (that is, the user removes the electronic device 1 from the in-vehicle audio playback device SA, brings it to the home, for example, and attaches it to the home audio playback device SB). When the electronic device 1 is mounted on the home audio playback device SB, power is supplied from a home AC power source 5b as an external power source.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the electronic device 1 includes an RTC (Real Time Clock) 11 as a time measuring means, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 12 as a volatile memory, A backup power source (internal battery) 13 having a limited power source capacity, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) unit 14, an operation / display unit 15, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface (I / F) 16, and a computer And a system controller 17.

  The RTC unit 11 receives a power supply from the battery power source 5a or the household AC power source 5b, performs a timekeeping operation, and records the date and time (a clock function that provides the current date and time). Further, even when the electronic device 1 is not attached to either the in-vehicle audio playback device SA or the home audio playback device SB and no power is supplied from an external power source, the RTC unit 11 can supply power from the backup power source 13. It operates for a limited time depending on the power supply capacity.

  The SDRAM 12 is supplied with power from the battery power source 5a or the home AC power source 5b, and stores the date and time measured by the RTC unit 11 as time information. Even if the electronic device 1 is not attached to either the vehicle audio playback device SA or the home audio playback device SB and no power is supplied from an external power source, the SDRAM 12 supplies power from the backup power source 13. The time information is stored for a limited time according to the power receiving capacity. Note that time information is lost (erased) from the SDRAM 12 when power is not supplied from the backup power supply 13.

  The HDD unit 14 includes a hard disk, a hard disk drive, and the like. Under the control of the system controller 17, for example, audio data or the like is stored in or read from the hard disk by the hard disk drive.

  The operation / display unit 15 includes a plurality of operation buttons for inputting various operation instructions from the user, and a display panel (for example, a liquid crystal panel or the like) for displaying various information. When an operation button is pressed by the user, an instruction signal corresponding to the operation button is output to the system controller 17.

  The LAN interface 16 includes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) / Ethernet conversion adapter and the like, and connects the electronic device 1 and the LAN 7. As a result, the electronic device 1 sends the time information (current date and time (current time)) to the time server 9 via a hub (for example, a switching hub or repeater hub), a router, and the Internet 8 (not shown). Connection is possible. As a result, the system controller 17 can acquire time information from the time server 9.

  Each of the audio processing units 2a and 2b performs a predetermined digital signal processing (including decompression of compressed data) on, for example, audio data read from the HDD unit 14 to generate a digital audio signal. Processor), a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) that converts the generated digital audio signal into an analog audio signal, and an AMP (Amplifier) that amplifies and outputs the converted analog audio signal. . The analog audio signal output from the AMP is output as a sound wave from the speaker 3a or 3b. Note that the audio processing unit and the speaker may be provided in the electronic device 1.

  GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers 4a and 4b receive radio waves output from GPS satellites arranged in the satellite orbit and orbiting the earth, and time information (current date and time) included therein Are extracted and output to the system controller 17.

  The system controller 17 includes a CPU, a working RAM, and a ROM that stores various data and computer programs (including the time information acquisition processing program of the present application), and the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM. Thus, the electronic device 1 as a whole is controlled overall, and functions as a power recovery detection means, a time information acquisition means, a use availability setting means, and the like of the present application.

  Specifically, the system controller 17 loses power supply from the battery power source 5a or the home AC power source 5b when the electronic device 1 is removed from the in-vehicle audio playback device SA or the home audio playback device SB. After that, by being mounted again on the in-vehicle audio reproduction device SA or the home audio reproduction device SB, the restoration of the power supply from the battery power source 5a or the home AC power source 5b is detected as the power restoration detection means. Yes.

  When the system controller 17 detects the restoration of the power supply (power supply from the battery power supply 5a or the household AC power supply 5b), the system controller 17 uses time information (current date and time) from the SDRAM 12 as the availability setting means. It is determined whether or not (time) is lost (erased), and if it is lost, time information is automatically acquired from the GPS receiver 4a or 4b or time server 9 as an external device. Acquisition processing (for example, processing for setting time information when trying to acquire time information and acquiring the time information) is performed (when recovery of the power supply is detected, An acquisition process for automatically acquiring time information from the GPS receiver 4a or 4b or the time server 9 may be performed). At this time, if the electronic device 1 is not connected to the external device, the system controller 17 presents information that prompts connection to the external device, for example, displays it on the display panel of the operation / display unit 15. It has become.

  Furthermore, the system controller 17 sets the availability of a function that operates depending on the time information, based on the availability of the time information (current date and time).

  Here, the function that operates depending on time information is, for example, a function based on a computer program or the like that operates for a limited time (for example, two years from December 14, 2003 to December 14, 2005) It means a function based on a computer program or the like that acquires information (for example, music hit chart information) for a certain period (for example, the period of the past two months from the present) from a predetermined server on the Internet 8, for example. For example, in the case of a function based on a computer program or the like that operates for a limited time, the availability of the function is determined by (depending on) the current date and time related to the time information, and information for a certain period is acquired. In the case of a function based on a computer program or the like, the acquired information is determined by (depending on) the current date and time related to the time information (that is, the system controller 17 side determines the current time related to the time information). The period is specified by the date and time). In the present embodiment, the function that operates depending on such time information cannot be set or changed by the user (that is, the time information cannot be set by the user on the program related to the function). )

  Such a function that operates depending on time information is set to disabled (locked) when the time information cannot be acquired from an external device (set to disable operation), in other words, external When the time information from the device can be acquired, by setting it to be usable (set to operate), it is possible to appropriately operate a function that operates depending on the time information.

  The time information acquisition processing program may be downloaded from a predetermined server on the Internet, for example, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and read via a drive of the recording medium. It may be.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the audio playback apparatus in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the availability setting processing (including time information acquisition processing) in the system controller 17.

  For example, the user removes the electronic device 1 mounted on the in-vehicle audio playback device SA mounted on the vehicle, mounts it on the home audio playback device SB installed in one room at home, and uses a home AC power source. When power is supplied to the electrical device 1 from 5b, the system controller 17 detects the restoration of the power supply and starts the processing shown in FIG.

  In the process shown in FIG. 2, the system controller 17 first determines whether or not time information (current date and time) is lost from the SDRAM 12 (step S1), and the time information is lost. In this case (that is, when the power supply from the backup power supply 13 is lost) (step S1: Y), information indicating that the time information is lost is displayed on the display panel of the operation / display unit 15. (Step S2). On the other hand, when the time information is not lost (that is, when the time information is held in memory by the backup power supply 13) (step S1: N), the process proceeds to step S7.

  Next, the system controller 17 determines whether it is connected to the GPS receiver 4b as an external device or connected to the LAN 7 (step S3). If not connected (step S3: N), GPS reception is performed. Information prompting connection to the machine 4b or connection to the LAN 7 is displayed on the display panel of the operation / display unit 15 (step S4).

  On the other hand, when connected to the GPS receiver 4b or connected to the LAN 7 (step S3: Y), the system controller 17 acquires time information (current date and time) from the GPS receiver 4b. Alternatively, the time information (current date and time) is acquired from the time server 9 via the LAN 7 and the Internet 8 (step S5).

  Next, the system controller 17 determines whether or not the time information (the current date and time) has been acquired (step S6), and if it has been acquired (step S6: Y), the acquired time information. Is set in the SDRAM 12 or the like (in this way, the date and time are recorded from the time, that is, the RTC unit 11 performs a time measuring operation from the time of the acquired time information). A function that operates in dependence, for example, a hit chart play function for music is set to be usable (step S7), and the process ends. Thereby, for example, the electric device 1 receives, for example, hit chart information of music for a predetermined period (for example, within the past two months from the present) from a predetermined server on the Internet 8 in response to an operation instruction by the user. The music can be downloaded and music (audio data) can be reproduced based on the hit chart information.

  On the other hand, when the time information (current date and time) cannot be acquired (step S6: N), the system controller 17 functions to operate depending on the time information, for example, hit chart play of music The function is set to be unusable (step S8), and the process ends. As a result, for example, it is possible to reliably disable (lock) a function that has an expiration date. Further, for example, when the electronic device 1 is a rental product with an expiration date, if the time information (current date and time) cannot be acquired, all functions of the electronic device 1 (audio data reproduction) (Including functions and the like) can be disabled (locked).

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, even when the time information is lost because the electronic device 1 is removed for a long time and power is not supplied from the backup power source 13, the time information is Acquisition process for detecting time information automatically from the GPS receiver 4a or 4b or the time server 9 as an external device (for example, acquisition of time information could be obtained) In this case, the time information can be acquired and set more efficiently. Therefore, the complexity of setting time information by the user can be eliminated. In addition, since it is not necessary to mount a large-capacity backup power source in the electronic device 1, it is possible to suppress the cost generation.

  Furthermore, when the time information can be acquired by the acquisition process for automatically acquiring the time information, a function that operates depending on the time information is set to be usable, and when the time information cannot be acquired Since the function is set to be unusable, the function that operates depending on the time information can be appropriately operated. Therefore, a function that operates depending on the time information in the electronic device 1 and a function of attaching / detaching the electronic device 1 can be compatible.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic device 1 is applied to an audio playback device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an on-vehicle navigation device or audio and video information is played back. The present invention can also be applied to an AV (audio visual) playback device.

(A) is a figure which shows the example of a general | schematic block of a vehicle-mounted audio reproducing device, (B) is a figure which shows the example of a general | schematic block of a home audio reproducing device. 4 is a flowchart showing use / non-use setting processing in a system controller 17;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 2a, 2b Audio | voice processing part 3a, 3b Speaker 4a, 4b GPS receiver 5a Battery power supply 5b Household AC power supply 6 ACC switch 7 LAN
8 Internet 9 Time server 11 RTC
12 SDRAM
13 Backup Power Supply 14 HDD Unit 15 Operation / Display Unit 16 LAN Interface 17 System Controller SA On-vehicle Audio Playback Device SB Home Audio Playback Device

Claims (11)

An electronic device provided with a time measuring means for receiving a power supply from an external power source and performing a time measuring operation,
After power supply from the external power supply is lost, power recovery detection means for detecting recovery of the power supply,
Time information acquisition means for performing acquisition processing for acquiring time information from an external device when recovery of power supply is detected by the power recovery detection means;
An electronic device comprising: The electronic device according to claim 1,
A backup power source having a predetermined limited power capacity;
The time measuring means performs a time measuring operation by receiving power supply from the backup power source after power supply from the external power source is lost,
The time information income means performs the acquisition process when it is determined that the power supply from the backup power supply has already been lost when the power supply recovery detection means detects the restoration of the power supply from the external power supply. An electronic device characterized by that. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The electronic device characterized in that the timekeeping means performs a timekeeping operation from the time of the time information acquired by the time information acquisition means. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A volatile memory for storing time information timed by the time measuring means;
The electronic device characterized in that the time information acquisition means determines whether or not the time information is lost from the volatile memory, and acquires the time information from the external device according to the determination result. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An electronic apparatus, further comprising: an availability setting unit that sets availability of a function that operates depending on time information based on whether the time information acquisition unit can acquire time information. The electronic device according to claim 4 or 5,
The time information acquisition means determines whether or not the time information is lost from the volatile memory, and presents information that prompts connection to the external device if it is lost. Electronic equipment. The electronic device according to claim 5 or 6,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the availability setting unit is configured to disable the use of the function when the time information acquisition unit cannot acquire the time information. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The electronic device can be attached to and detached from at least two information reproducing devices installed at different locations.
An electronic apparatus characterized by receiving power supply from the external power supply when mounted on any one of the information reproducing apparatuses. A method for obtaining time information in a timekeeping operation performed by receiving power supply from an external power source
Detecting the restoration of the power supply after the power supply from the external power source is lost;
A step of performing an acquisition process for acquiring time information from an external device when recovery of the power supply is detected;
A time information acquisition method comprising: A time information income processing program for causing a computer to execute a time information acquisition method in a timing operation performed by receiving power supply from an external power source,
Detecting the restoration of the power supply after the power supply from the external power source is lost;
A time information acquisition processing program causing a computer to execute a step of performing acquisition processing for acquiring time information from an external device when recovery of the power supply is detected.   A recording medium in which the time information acquisition processing program according to claim 10 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

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