JP2012002767A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic apparatuses which can be shifted to a power-saving state under suitable conditions in response to a status of use of every user, respectively.SOLUTION: In the electronic apparatus shifted to the power-saving state in which operation of a prescribed function is prohibited when light equal to or less than a reference level is continued to be detected by a light detection means to detect external light for a prescribed time, there are provided with an operation part in which operation input from the outside can be put, and setting means (S53, S55) which set the reference level on the basis of light intensity detected by the light detection means when the operation input is put in this operation part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that shifts to a power saving state based on a detection state of light.

  Counting the time that it can be determined that the electronic timepiece has not been used based on the detection of light, etc., and if this is continued for a certain period of time, a specific function (for example, standard radio wave reception processing for time correction) There is a technique for shifting to a prohibited power saving state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 07-159555 A

  However, for example, in an electronic device that shifts to a power saving state when a dark state continues for a certain period of time at midnight, it is in use when the user is using the electronic device in the dark at midnight. In spite of this, there may be a problem that the electronic device shifts to the power saving state.

  In addition, a user who goes to sleep with dim light has a problem in that the electronic device is not put into the power saving state even if the electronic device is not used for a long time by placing the electronic device in the dim light at midnight. Sometimes.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can be shifted to a power-saving state under appropriate conditions adapted to each user's usage situation.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1
In an electronic device that shifts to a power-saving state in which operation of a predetermined function is prohibited when detection of light below a reference level is continued for a predetermined time by a light detection unit that detects external light,
An operation unit that allows external operation input,
Setting means for setting the reference level based on the intensity of light detected by the light detection means at the time of operation input of the operation unit;
It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 2 is the electronic device according to claim 1,
The light detection means includes
The present invention is characterized in that the intensity of the external light is detected by measuring the output of the solar battery that generates power upon incidence of external light.

The invention according to claim 3 is the electronic device according to claim 1,
Comparing means for comparing the light intensity detected by the light detecting means with a plurality of predetermined reference levels;
The setting means includes
One reference level selected according to the comparison result of the comparison means from among the plurality of types of reference levels is set as the reference level.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect,
Monitoring means for periodically monitoring the intensity of light detected by the light detection means;
Timing means for starting timing based on the fact that the intensity of light monitored by the monitoring means is below a reference level;
First control means for shifting to a first power-saving state in which the first functional operation is prohibited when the timing means exceeds a first threshold while the intensity of light monitored by the monitoring means is below the reference level;
If the light intensity monitored by the monitoring means is below the reference level and the time measuring means exceeds a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the time measuring means stops timing and the first functional operation In addition to the second control means for shifting to the second power saving state in which the second functional operation is prohibited,
It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 5 is the electronic device according to claim 1,
It has time display means for displaying the time on the front part of the equipment housing,
The operation unit has a configuration in which an operation input is performed by an operation button provided on an outer peripheral portion of the device casing.

  According to the present invention, the user can reset the reference level of the detection light used for determining the condition for shifting to the power saving state as needed by operating the operation unit. Thereby, the transition process to the power saving state adapted to the usage situation for each user can be realized.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the main control process performed by CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the various processes performed by step S4 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the key process started by the interruption of key input. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the reference value setting process performed by step S54 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data table in which the A / D conversion value of the light level corresponding to the variable value of light level SUN_LV was respectively registered.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic timepiece 1 as an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic timepiece 1 has, as time display means, for example, an analog display unit for displaying time by rotating hands (second hand 2, minute hand 3, hour hand 4), and liquid crystal display for displaying time and mode information by characters and symbols. And a wristwatch.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic timepiece 1 includes a second hand 2, a motor 9 that rotates and drives, a gear train mechanism 7 that transmits this rotational movement to the second hand 2, a minute hand 3 and an hour hand 4, and a motor that drives and rotates. 10, a train wheel mechanism 8 that transmits this rotational movement to the minute hand 3 and the hour hand 4, a motor control circuit 12 that controls the drive of the motors 9 and 10, a liquid crystal display device 13 that displays characters and symbols, and a liquid crystal A display control circuit 14 that performs drive control of the display device 13, an antenna 15 and a radio wave reception control circuit 16 that receive standard radio waves and extract a time code, a sound reporting device 17 and an alarm control circuit 18 that perform alarm output, A microcomputer 20 that performs overall control of the electronic timepiece 1 is provided.

  Further, the electronic timepiece 1 includes an operation means (operation unit) 26 for inputting an operation command from the outside, an oscillation circuit 21 and a frequency dividing circuit 22 for generating a signal with a predetermined period (for example, 1 Hz), A solar battery 31 that generates power by entering external light; a secondary battery 33 that supplies an operating voltage of each part; a solar charging circuit 32 that charges the secondary battery 33 using the power of the solar battery 31; An A / D conversion circuit 24 that converts the output magnitude into a digital value and supplies it to the microcomputer 20 is provided.

  The panel of the solar battery 31 is disposed on a dial plate on which hands (second hand 2, minute hand 3, hour hand 4) rotate. The dial is disposed on the front surface of the casing of the electronic timepiece 1 so as to be covered with a windshield glass so that external light is incident thereon. Therefore, it is possible to measure the intensity of the external light by taking the output (for example, output voltage) of the solar battery 31 as a digital value by the A / D conversion circuit 24. The solar battery 31 and the A / D conversion circuit 24 constitute a light detection means.

  The operation means 26 includes a plurality of operation buttons provided on the outer peripheral portion of the casing (equipment housing) of the electronic timepiece 1. When the user presses the operation button, a switch signal is input, and various operations are performed on the microcomputer 20. Operation commands can be sent.

  The microcomputer 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a control program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the control program and control data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that supplies a working memory space to the CPU. ).

  The ROM of the microcomputer 20 stores a main control processing program that is periodically executed based on a signal from the frequency dividing circuit 22, a key processing program that is started based on an operation input of the operating means 26, and the like. Has been.

  In the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, a mode transition process for periodically measuring the external light and shifting to the power saving mode under a predetermined condition is performed by the main control process.

  In detail, although not particularly limited, first, in the normal mode in which normal function operation is executed, the time during which the intensity of the external light falls below the reference level continues at night from 22:00 to 6:00. When one hour (first threshold value) is exceeded, the mode shifts to the first power saving mode as the first power saving state in which some functional operations are prohibited. In addition, after the transition to the first power saving mode, when the period in which the intensity of the external light is below the reference level continuously reaches 7 days (second threshold), many functional operations are prohibited. Transition to the second power saving mode as the power saving state. The cancellation of the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode is performed when the intensity of external light exceeds a reference level or when any operation button of the operation means 26 is pressed.

  In the normal mode, although not particularly limited, a hand movement process that displays the time by moving all the hands (second hand 2, minute hand 3, hour hand 4), a radio wave reception process that receives a standard radio wave at a predetermined time and corrects the time, a user An alarm process for outputting an alarm sound at a time set by, and a display process for displaying the time and operation mode on the liquid crystal display device 13 are performed.

  On the other hand, in the first power saving mode, as the first function operation, the second hand 2 in the hand movement process is prohibited and only the minute hand 3 and hour hand 4 are moved. Further, “SLEEP” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 to indicate that it is in the power saving mode.

  In the second power saving mode, as the second function operation, radio wave reception processing for receiving a standard radio wave at a predetermined time, alarm processing for outputting an alarm sound at a set time, and hand movement processing for all pointers are prohibited. Then, “SLEEP” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 to indicate that it is in the power saving mode.

  In the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, the user can appropriately change the setting of the reference level of the light intensity that is referred to when switching to the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode in the above key processing. Yes. Specifically, a predetermined operation input is performed by the operation means 26 of the electronic timepiece 1 in a state where the surroundings are in a dark state where the light intensity is desired to be a reference level. By such an operation, a brightness level close to darkness at the time of this operation input is newly set as the reference level of the light intensity.

  Next, the main control process and the key process will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of main control processing executed by the CPU of the microcomputer 20.

  This main control process is started each time a 1 Hz periodic signal is input to the frequency dividing circuit 22. When the main control process is started, first, the CPU of the microcomputer 20 advances the time counter in the RAM by one second (step S1). This time counter counts the current time.

  Subsequently, the value of the flag “F” indicating whether or not the power saving transition counter (time measuring means) in the RAM is counting is checked (step S2). If the value is “1” indicating that counting is in progress, A power saving shift determination counter is added (step S3), and the process proceeds to the next. On the other hand, if the value is “0” indicating that the counting is not in progress, the process proceeds as it is. The power saving transition determination counter is for counting the elapsed time in a dark state.

  Next, the CPU performs various processes (detailed later) for executing various functional operations of the electronic timepiece 1 (step S4), and then operates the A / D conversion circuit 24 to external light. A digital value representing the intensity of the image is captured (step S5: monitoring means).

  Next, the CPU performs a branch process based on the mode flag in the RAM (step S6). This mode flag is a flag representing a currently selected mode among the normal mode, the first power saving mode, and the second power saving mode.

  As a result, if the mode flag is a value indicating the normal mode, the process branches to step S7. First, the digital value representing the intensity of the external light captured in step S5 is compared with the reference level for light / dark determination (step S7). As a result, when the external light is darker than the reference level, the value of the time counter is checked to determine whether the current time is between 22:00 and 6 o'clock (step S8).

  At this time, it is determined whether the flag “F” indicating the counting state of the power saving transition determination counter is zero (step S9). If it is zero, the counter is cleared to start counting. (Step S10), the flag “F” is updated to a value “1” indicating that counting is in progress (Step S11). Then, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the flag “F” is already counted “1”, the process jumps to step S12.

  After proceeding to step S12, the CPU determines whether or not the count value of the power saving transition determination counter has exceeded one hour (step S12), and if so, sets the mode flag to shift to the first power saving mode. The power saving mode value is updated (step S13: first control means). Then, one process of the main control process is terminated. On the other hand, if it does not exceed one hour, the main control process is terminated as it is. Also, if the current time is not between 22:00 and 6 o'clock in the determination in step S8, the main control process is terminated as it is.

  That is, in the normal mode, the main control process is repeatedly executed periodically, so that the intensity of external light is periodically measured and darker or brighter than the reference level by the processes in steps S5 and S7. Is determined. When the dark state continues in a predetermined time zone by the processing of steps S8 to S11, S2, and S3, the elapsed time in the dark state is counted by the power saving transition determination counter. . Furthermore, the process of steps S12 and S13 controls to shift to the first power saving mode when the elapsed time exceeds 1 hour.

  In the mode branch process of step S6, if the mode flag is a value indicating the first power saving mode, the process branches to step S14. First, the CPU compares the digital value representing the intensity of the external light captured in step S5 with the reference level for light / dark determination (step S14). If the external light is darker than the reference level, it is determined whether or not the count value of the power saving transition determination counter exceeds 7 days (step S15). If not, the main control process is terminated. . If exceeded, the mode flag is updated to the value of the second power saving mode in order to shift to the second power saving mode (step S16: second control means), and the flag “F” is set to stop counting of the counter. It is updated to zero (step S17), and this main control process is terminated.

  That is, in the first power saving mode, the main control process is periodically executed repeatedly, so that the intensity of external light is periodically measured and darker than the reference level by the processes of steps S5 and S14. Whether it is bright or not is determined, and the counting of the power saving transition determination counter is continued by the processing of steps S2 and S3. Then, by the processing of steps S15 to S17, when the elapsed time in the dark state has passed 7 days, control for stopping the counting of the power saving transition determination counter and shifting to the second power saving mode is performed. .

  In the mode branch process of step S6, if the mode flag is a value indicating the second power saving mode, the process branches to step S18. First, the CPU compares the digital value representing the intensity of the external light captured in step S5 with a reference level for light / dark determination (step S18). When the external light is darker than the reference level, the main control process is terminated as it is.

  That is, in the second power saving mode, the main control process is periodically repeated, so that the intensity of the external light is periodically measured and darker than the reference level by the processes of steps S5 and S14. As a result, the counter of the power saving transition determination counter is stopped.

  Further, in each of the normal mode, the first power saving mode, and the second power saving mode, if it is determined that the external light is brighter than the reference level in the light / dark determination process in steps S7, S14, and S18, the process proceeds to step S19. Transition. First, in order to stop the power saving transition determination counter if counting is in progress, it is determined whether the flag “F” is a value “1” indicating that counting is in progress (step S19). Update to zero (step S20).

  Subsequently, the mode flag is checked to determine whether the current mode is the normal mode (step S21). If not, the mode flag is updated to the value of the normal mode (step S22). In order to return, each pointer is driven to a position that matches the value of the time counter (step S23). Then, the main control process ends. On the other hand, in the normal mode, the main control process is terminated as it is.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of various processes executed in step S4 of the main control process (FIG. 2).

  When the main control process proceeds to various processes in step S4, the CPU of the microcomputer 20 first checks the mode flag in the RAM and performs a branch process according to the value (step S31).

  If the current mode is the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S32 to sequentially perform radio wave reception processing (step S32), alarm processing (step S33), hand movement processing for all hands (step S34), and display on the liquid crystal display device 13. Processing (step S35) is performed. Then, the various processes are terminated, and the process proceeds to the next step of the main control process (FIG. 2).

  In the radio wave reception process in step S32, the reception of the standard radio wave is monitored, and the radio wave reception control circuit 16 is actuated to receive the standard radio wave at this time. This is a process of acquiring information and correcting the value of the time counter in the RAM. The alarm process in step S33 is a process for monitoring the time set by the user and sending a command to the alarm control circuit 18 to cause the alarm device 17 to output an alarm when this time comes. In step S34, for example, for the second hand 2, the motor 9 is driven by one step every second, and for the minute hand 3 and hour hand 4, the motor 10 is driven by one step every ten seconds and moved. It is processing. The display process in step S35 is a process for displaying the time and various information on the liquid crystal display device 13. The processing of each of the above steps is repeatedly executed every second to realize the processing described above.

  On the other hand, if it is 1st power saving mode, it will transfer to step S36 by the branch process of step S31. Then, the CPU sequentially performs radio wave reception processing (step S36), alarm processing (step S37), hand movement processing for only the minute hand 3 and hour hand 4 (step S38), and display processing of the liquid crystal display device 13 (step S39). . Then, the various processes are terminated, and the process proceeds to the next step of the main control process (FIG. 2).

  The radio wave reception process and the alarm process in steps S36 and S37 are the same processes as steps S32 and S33 in the normal mode. In step S38, the second hand 2 is driven one step every second until the second hand 2 reaches a predetermined position (for example, zero second position), and after reaching the predetermined position, the driving of the motor 9 is stopped. It is processing. For the minute hand 3 and hour hand 4, the motor 10 is driven step by step every 10 seconds as usual. The display process of step S39 is a process of displaying the character “SLEEP” indicating that the power saving mode is being performed on the liquid crystal display device 13.

  If the current mode is the second power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S40 in the branch process of step S31, and the character “SLEEP” indicating the power saving mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 (step S40). . Then, the various processes are terminated, and the process proceeds to the next step of the main control process (FIG. 2).

  By such various processes, the second hand 2 is prohibited when the first power saving mode is set, and the radio wave reception process, the alarm process, and all the pointer movement processes are prohibited when the second power saving mode is set. . In the first and second power saving modes, the liquid crystal display device 13 does not perform normal display, but displays the power saving mode.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of key processing executed by the CPU of the microcomputer 20.

  The key process is a process started when the user operates the operation button of the operation unit 26 and an interrupt based on a key input occurs in the CPU. When the key processing is started, first, the CPU of the microcomputer 20 checks the value of the flag “F” indicating whether or not the power saving shift determination counter is counting (step S51), and indicates the value indicating counting. If it is “1”, it is updated to zero to stop counting (step S52).

  Next, the contents of the key input are confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the input is a sleep operation for changing the setting of the reference level for light / dark determination (step S53). If the input is a sleep operation, the reference value setting process (step S55: setting means) is executed, and if it is another operation input, another switch process (step S54) that performs a process corresponding to each operation input is performed. Execute. And it shifts to the next.

  When the next transition is made, the CPU of the microcomputer 20 checks the mode flag in the RAM and determines whether the value is the normal mode value (step S56). If the value is in the normal mode, the key processing is terminated as it is, while if the value is in the first or second power saving mode, the mode flag is updated to the value in the normal mode (step S57). A process of driving the pointer stopped in the power saving mode to return to the current time of the time counter (step S58) is performed, and this key process is terminated.

  By such key processing, when the user operates the operation button of the operation means 26, processing according to the operation content is executed, and if the power saving shift determination counter is counting, this counting is stopped. In addition, in the first or second power saving mode, the normal mode is restored.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the reference value setting process executed in step S55 of the key process (FIG. 4), and FIG. 6 shows the A / D conversion value of the light level used in the reference value setting process. Shows the data table.

  After shifting to the reference value setting process, the CPU of the microcomputer 20 first sets the initial value “1” to the variable value of the working light level SUN_LV (step S61).

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the ROM of the microcomputer 20, variable values “1 to 15” of the light level SUN_LV and A / D conversion values respectively representing the light reference levels corresponding to these values are registered. The data table 41 is stored as control data.

  The A / D conversion values in the data table 41 can be compared with the measured values of the external light by the solar battery 31 and the A / D conversion circuit 24, that is, the A / D conversion values of the output of the solar battery 31 by the external light. In addition, the light intensity is converted to an A / D conversion value of the A / D conversion circuit.

  The A / D conversion values in the data table 41 are set to be darker when the variable value of the light level SUN_LV is smaller and brighter as the variable value of the light level SUN_LV is larger. These values are registered at fine intervals, for example, in a brightness range where a fine setting is required (for example, a low light range), and a brightness range where a fine setting is not required (for example, under illumination) In the range above the brightness, values are registered at rough intervals.

  After the initial value is set as the variable value of the light level SUN_LV in step S61 in FIG. 5, the CPU of the microcomputer 20 then operates the A / D conversion circuit 24 to capture a digital value representing the brightness of the external light. (Step S62).

  Note that the brightness of the external light in step S62 is not included in the loop processing in steps S62 to S65, and returns to step S63 only once when it is determined “NO” in the determination processing in step S65. It may be executed.

  Then, the A / D conversion value of the data table 41 corresponding to the variable value of the light level SUN_LV is compared with the digital value acquired in step S62 to determine whether or not the external light is brighter (step S63). : Comparison means). As a result, if the digital value captured in step S62 is larger and the external light is brighter, the variable value of the light level SUN_LV is incremented by “1” (step S64), and the variable value of the light level SUN_LV reaches the maximum value. It is determined whether or not the excess value is “0xF (decimal 16)” (step S65). If the maximum value has not been exceeded, the process returns to step S62.

  By repeating the loop processing of steps S62 to S65 described above, the light level SUN_LV is shifted from the darker to the brighter based on the registered data in the data table 41, and the intensity comparison with the external light is sequentially performed. Go. If the variable value of the light level SUN_LV exceeds the maximum value while the external light is brighter, the process proceeds to “Yes” in the determination process in step S65, and the reference level for the light / dark determination cannot be set. Therefore, error processing is performed (step S68). Then, the reference value setting process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S63 that the external light is darker before the variable value of the light level SUN_LV exceeds the maximum value, the light level SUN_LV one step before is set as a reference level for light / dark determination. Therefore, “1” is subtracted from the variable value of the current light level SUN_LV (step S66). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the variable value has become a value “0” that is less than the minimum value “1” (step S67). This is set as JUDGE_LV (step S69). Then, the reference value setting process ends.

  On the other hand, if the variable value of the light level SUN_LV is “0” below the minimum value in the confirmation processing in step S67, the reference level for the light / dark determination cannot be set, and error processing is performed (step S70). ), The reference value setting process is terminated.

  That is, by the reference value setting process described above, the user places the electronic timepiece 1 at a level where brightness that is not desired to be shifted to the power saving mode and performs a sleep operation to start the setting process, whereby the data of FIG. A level lower than the current external light intensity and closest to the current external light is extracted from a plurality of light levels SUN_LV registered in the table 41, and the A / D conversion value is a reference level for light / dark determination. As a new setting.

  As described above, according to the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, the reference level of the light / dark determination used for the condition determination for shifting to the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode is set by the operation of the operation means 26 by the user. Can be changed. Therefore, when the user makes an appropriate setting, it is possible to realize a transition process to the power saving mode that is adapted to the usage situation for each user.

  In addition, since the reference level for the light / dark determination is determined based on the measured value of the external light when the operation means 26 is operated, the user can bring the external light close to the brightness that is desired to be the reference level for the light / dark determination. By operating the operating means 26 in the state, the reference level for light / dark judgment can be easily set to an appropriate value.

  In addition, according to the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, the output of the solar battery 31 is A / D converted and captured to detect the intensity of the external light. Therefore, the element is used for power generation and for detecting the external light intensity. Thus, it is possible to omit the mounting of an element dedicated to the detection of external light intensity.

  Further, according to the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of light levels SUN_LV registered in advance in the data table 41 are compared with the intensity of external light, and registered in the data table 41 according to the comparison result. A reference level for light / dark determination is selectively set from a plurality of light levels SUN_LV. Therefore, by registering the light level SUN_LV in the data table 41 at an appropriate interval, the reference level for light / dark determination can be set and changed with an appropriate step width.

  In addition, according to the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of external light is periodically captured, and if it falls below the reference level in a predetermined time zone, the power saving transition determination counter is operated to exceed the reference level. If one hour elapses, the operation shifts to the first power saving mode in which the second hand 2 is prohibited from moving. Further, after 7 days have passed, the mode shifts to the second power saving mode in which the reception of the standard radio wave, the alarm function, and the movement of all the hands are prohibited, and the power saving shift determination counter is also stopped. Therefore, the transition process to the effective power saving mode is realized by the reference level for light / dark determination set by the user.

  Further, when setting the reference level for the light / dark determination, the user can easily shift to the reference value setting process by operating an operation button provided on the outer peripheral portion of the casing of the electronic timepiece 1. The reference level setting can be changed. In order to prevent the reference level from being changed by mistake, the operation pattern for starting the reference value setting process requires the input of a plurality of operation buttons or the long press of the operation buttons. It is good also as a special operation pattern.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic watch as an electronic device has been shown. However, the present invention is applied to various electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, and a portable music player. The same can be applied. Functional operations that are prohibited in the power saving mode are not limited to radio wave reception processing, alarm processing, and hand movement processing in an electronic watch, and various functional operations such as backlight emission of the display device, display output of the display device, and music playback are possible. Applicable.

  In the above embodiment, a configuration using a solar battery is shown as the light detection means for detecting external light. However, a dedicated light sensor may be provided.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the condition for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode includes the condition of detecting light above the reference level, but the reference level used for light / dark judgment when shifting to the power saving mode The light level used for the light / dark judgment when returning to the normal mode may be set to a different level. In addition, the conditions for returning to the normal mode are not particularly limited, and various conditions may be applied such as detecting vibrations of the apparatus, changes in posture, etc. to return to the normal mode.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the reference level used for the light / dark judgment at the time of shifting to power saving mode is made into one type, it may be made to use several types of reference levels according to time zones, such as day and night, for example. In this case, a plurality of types of reference levels may be configured to be similarly changed by user operation input.

  In the above embodiment, the reference level is set based on the measured intensity of the external light at the time of operation of the operation means 26. However, in the present invention, for example, 10 seconds after the operation time of the operation means 26, for example. For example, the reference level may be set based on the measured intensity of external light after a predetermined number of seconds. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to set the reference level based on the intensity of the external light that is closed in the drawer.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the measured intensity of external light is compared with a plurality of light levels registered in the data table 41 (FIG. 6), and a plurality of registered in the data table according to the comparison result. The reference level is set from among the light levels, but the measurement intensity of external light is set to the reference level as it is, or a value obtained by increasing or decreasing a predetermined amount from the measurement intensity is set as the reference level. Also good.

  In addition, the details shown in the embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic clock 2 Second hand 3 Minute hand 4 Hour hand 9,10 Motor 13 Liquid crystal display device 16 Radio wave reception control circuit 17 Sound reporting device 18 Alarm control circuit 20 Microcomputer 24 A / D conversion circuit 26 Operation means 31 Solar battery 41 Data table

Claims (5)

In an electronic device that shifts to a power-saving state in which operation of a predetermined function is prohibited when detection of light below a reference level is continued for a predetermined time by a light detection unit that detects external light,
An operation unit that allows external operation input,
Setting means for setting the reference level based on the intensity of light detected by the light detection means at the time of operation input of the operation unit;
An electronic device characterized by comprising: The light detection means includes
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the external light is detected by measuring the output of a solar battery that generates power upon incidence of external light. Comparing means for comparing the light intensity detected by the light detecting means with a plurality of predetermined reference levels;
The setting means includes
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one reference level selected from the plurality of types of reference levels according to a comparison result of the comparison unit is set as the reference level. Monitoring means for periodically monitoring the intensity of light detected by the light detection means;
Timing means for starting timing based on the fact that the intensity of light monitored by the monitoring means is below a reference level;
First control means for shifting to a first power-saving state in which the first functional operation is prohibited when the timing means exceeds a first threshold while the intensity of light monitored by the monitoring means is below the reference level;
If the light intensity monitored by the monitoring means is below the reference level and the time measuring means exceeds a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the time measuring means stops timing and the first functional operation In addition to the second control means for shifting to the second power saving state in which the second functional operation is prohibited,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: It has time display means for displaying the time on the front part of the equipment housing,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has a configuration in which an operation input is performed by an operation button provided on an outer peripheral portion of the device housing.

Images