JP2019016902A - Portable terminal and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a portable terminal capable of returning from the sleep state to the normal state without waste with a simple operation.SOLUTION: A portable terminal includes information input mode/power operation mode switching means. The information input mode/power operation mode switching means switches between two modes in which touch input signals input from a touch panel are used in different ways under the control of portable terminal control means. In the information input mode, the touch input signal is directly transmitted to input information receiving means and used as input information. In the power operation mode, the touch input signal is used as a trigger to return the power state from the sleep state to the normal state. When touch input is performed in this mode, it is possible to return the power state of the portable terminal from the sleep state to the normal state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal and a portable terminal control method.

  Currently, portable terminals equipped with a touch panel are in widespread use. Many terminals of this type have a power saving mode, and are designed to shift to a power saving mode such as a standby mode or a sleep mode when there is no input for a predetermined time.

  When the user wants to resume the operation, the user may press the power operation key to activate the mobile terminal, but it may not be easy to press the power operation key. For example, in the dark, it is difficult to find the power operation key, and it may be time-consuming to start the operation. Therefore, there is a demand for starting the operation more easily than pressing the power operation key. Various methods for meeting this demand have been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for speeding up the return from the sleep mode when a user operation is predicted on a mobile terminal. This mobile terminal includes a number of sensors such as a geomagnetic direction sensor, a GPS sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. In the sleep state, for example, power supply to sensors other than the acceleration sensor is stopped. In this state, when an acceleration of a predetermined value or more is detected, the supply of power to each sensor is resumed and the normal mode is restored. The operation prediction may be performed using a sensor with low power consumption other than the acceleration sensor. With the above operation, it is possible to return from the sleep mode to the normal mode and resume the operation faster than pressing the power operation key.

International Publication No. 2009/008411

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem that power consumption cannot be saved more than expected. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the normal mode is restored only by predicting the operation using the sensor. For this reason, even when returning to the normal mode, there is a case where the user does not actually perform an operation, that is, a false detection may result. When erroneous detection occurs, the power to return to the normal mode is wasted, so that the power consumption could not be saved as expected from the design concept.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal capable of returning from the sleep mode to the normal mode with a simple operation without waste.

  In order to solve the above problem, the portable terminal has information input mode / power operation mode switching means. The information input mode / power operation mode switching means switches between two modes in which the touch input signal input from the touch panel is different under the control of the portable terminal control means. In one information input mode, the touch input signal is transmitted to the input information receiving means as it is and used as input information. In the other power operation mode, the touch input signal is used as a trigger for returning the power state from the sleep state to the normal state. When touch input is performed in this mode, the power state of the mobile terminal can be returned from the sleep state to the normal state.

  The effect of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal that can be returned from the sleep mode to the normal mode with a simple operation without waste.

It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment. It is a table showing the kind of power supply state of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the power supply operation switch periphery of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the information input mode / power operation mode switching part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows another state of the information input mode / power operation mode switching part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the power supply operation switch control part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the sensor of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation prediction operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the operation prediction operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows an example of the portable terminal to which 3rd Embodiment is applied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the preferred embodiments described below are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the following. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component of each drawing, and description may be abbreviate | omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. The portable terminal includes a portable terminal control unit 1, a touch panel 2, an information input receiving unit 3, a power operation unit 4, a power operation key 5, and an information input mode / power operation mode switching unit 6.

  The portable terminal control means 1 includes a power source and controls the entire portable terminal.

  The touch panel 2 generates an input signal corresponding to the touch input operation.

  The information input accepting unit 3 accepts a touch input signal output from the touch panel 2 as an information input.

  The power operation unit 4 performs an operation of switching the power state controlled by the mobile terminal control unit 1 between the active state and the sleep state.

  The power operation key 5 receives an external operation for operating the power operation means 4.

  The information input mode / power supply operation mode switching unit 6 switches between two modes that are input from the touch panel and differ in how to use the touch input signal under the control of the portable terminal control unit 1. Note that switching between the two modes can be performed using, for example, a switch 61 that switches a circuit connection destination.

  In the information input mode, which is one of the two modes, the touch input signal is transmitted to the information input receiving means 3 as it is and used as input information. On the other hand, in the power operation mode, the touch input signal is used as a trigger for operating the power operation means 4. When there is a touch input in this mode, the power operation means 4 is operated, and the power state is switched between active and sleep. That is, the touch panel 2 has the same function as the power operation key 5.

  Since the touch panel 2 generally has a larger area than the power operation key 5, it can be easily searched and operated. For this reason, for example, when the power supply is in the sleep state in the dark, the user can easily activate the power supply simply by finding and touching the touch panel 2. Since this operation is intended by the user, the switching from the sleep state to the active state, which is not intended by the user as in Patent Document 1, does not occur. As a result, power consumption can be saved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the return from the sleep state to the active state can be performed with a simple operation without waste (second embodiment).
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the second embodiment. The mobile terminal includes a control unit 100, a touch panel 200, an information input receiving unit 300, a power operation switch 400, a power operation key 500, and an information input mode / power operation mode switching unit 600. Further, the battery 700 that supplies power and the LCD 800 (Liquid Crystal Display) that performs display are included.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU 110 (Central Processing Unit) and a power supply control IC 120 (Integrated Circuit), and controls the entire mobile terminal. The CPU 110 processes the input information output from the information input receiving unit 300. It also performs processing related to other portable terminals. The power control IC 120 controls power supplied to each part of the mobile terminal.

  The touch panel 200 generates an input signal corresponding to the touch operation.

  The information input receiving unit 300 receives a touch input signal output from the touch panel 2 as input information.

  The power operation switch 400 performs an operation of switching the power state controlled by the power control IC between an active state (normal state) and a sleep state.

  The power operation key 500 accepts an external operation for operating the power operation switch 400. That is, each time the power operation key 500 is pressed, the active state and the sleep state are switched.

  The information input mode / power operation mode switching unit 600 switches between two modes regarding how to use the touch input signal in the sleep state under the control of the control unit 100. In one information input mode, the touch input signal is transmitted as it is to the input information receiving means 300 and used as input information. In the other power operation mode, the touch input signal is converted into a power operation signal and used as a signal for operating the power operation switch 400.

  By performing the above operation, the portable terminal can take the power supply state shown in FIG. One is a normal state, in which the CPU 110 is active, the LCD 800 is on, the touch panel is active, and the information input mode. In the sleep state A, the CPU is suspended (paused), the LCD 800 is turned off, and the touch panel is in standby (input disabled). This state is a general sleep state, and the resume means (means for returning to the active state) is to operate (press) the power key. In the present embodiment, a sleep state B is set in addition to the sleep state A. In the sleep state B, the CPU is suspended (suspended), the LCD 800 is turned off, the touch panel is active, and the power operation mode is set. In the power operation mode, the touch input becomes the resume means. That is, the touch panel 200 has the same function as the power operation key 500. Since the touch panel 200 is generally much larger than the power operation key 500, searching and operation are easy. Furthermore, since this operation is intended by the user, the return to the active state not intended by the user as in Patent Document 1 does not occur.

  Switching between the sleep state A and the sleep state B can be performed using, for example, a switch 610 that switches a circuit connection destination. The switch 610 in FIG. 2 is conceptually drawn, but a specific configuration will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example around the power operation switch 400. The power operation switch 400 includes a power operation signal generation unit 410, a switch 411 controlled by the information input mode / power operation mode switching unit 600, and a switch 412 controlled by the power operation key 500. The information input mode / power operation mode switching unit 600 includes a power operation switch operation unit 620 for operating the switch 411.

  When the power operation key 500 is pressed, the switch 412 is turned on, and a power operation signal is transmitted from the power operation signal generator 410 to the power control IC 120. When a power operation signal is input to the power control IC 120, the power control IC switches the power state from the sleep state to the normal state, or from the normal state to the sleep state.

  In the sleep state B, the information input mode / power operation mode switching unit 600 is in the power operation mode. In this state, an input signal from the touch panel 200 serves as a trigger, and the power operation switch operation unit 620 turns on the switch 411. Then, a power operation signal is transmitted to the power control IC 120. As a result, the power supply control IC 120 changes the power supply state from the sleep state B to the normal state. As apparent from the above description, in the sleep state B, the touch panel 200 functions in the same manner as the power operation key 500 in the power operation mode.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the switch 610 of the information input mode / power supply operation mode switching unit 600. Each pixel of the touch panel, px11, px12, px13,... Is a corresponding switch, sw11, sw12. are output to sw13,... In the information input mode, each switch is connected to the information input receiving unit side, and an input signal from each pixel of the touch panel 200 is input to the information input receiving unit. Each switch that performs the above-described function can be configured using, for example, two transistors. The whole can be configured by integrating a large number of switches on a semiconductor chip. Since these techniques are well-known techniques, detailed description is omitted.

  On the other hand, in the power operation mode, as shown in FIG. 6, each switch, sw11, sw12. .. are connected to the power switch operation unit side, and the input signal is output toward the power operation switch operation unit.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the power operation switch operation unit 620. Signals from the pixels of the touch panel 200, px11, px12, px13,..., Pxmn are input to the power operation switch operation unit 610. In this configuration, the power operation switch operation unit 610 operates to turn on the switch 411 regardless of which pixel receives a signal input. That is, when the user touches an arbitrary pixel, the switch 411 is turned on, and the power state can be returned from the sleep state B to the normal state. Note that since the signal from each pixel is weak, an amplifier 621 that amplifies the input signal may be provided so that the switch 411 can be driven.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the touch panel can be used as a power operation key having a large area by creating a state in which the touch panel performs the same function as the power operation key.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the mobile terminal of the present embodiment includes a sensor group 900, and the control unit 100 includes an operation start prediction unit 130.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of sensors constituting the sensor group 900. In this example, the sensor group 900 includes a GPS 910, an acceleration sensor 920, an illuminance sensor 930, a gas sensor 940, and a wind speed sensor 950.

  The operation start prediction unit 130 predicts that the operation of the mobile terminal is started based on the outputs from these sensors. When the operation start is predicted in the sleep state A, the operation state is switched to the sleep state B. That is, the information input mode / power operation mode switching unit 600 is set to the power operation mode so that the touch panel can be used as a power operation key.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal. First, the power operation key is pressed to bring the power to the normal state (S1). When there is no operation for a predetermined time in this state (S2_Yes), the control unit sets the power supply state to the sleep state A (S3). At this time, the operation start prediction unit and the sensor used for operation start prediction are kept active. On the other hand, when there is an operation within a predetermined time (S2_No), the process returns to S1 and the normal mode is continued.

  When the operation start predicting unit predicts the operation start in the state of S3 (S4_Yes), the control unit sets the power supply state to the sleep state B (S5). As a result, the information input mode / power operation mode switching unit enters the power operation mode, and the touch panel functions as a power operation key. On the other hand, when the operation start is not predicted (S4_No), the process returns to S3.

  When the touch panel detects a touch in the sleep state B of S5 (S6_Yes), the state is the same as when the power operation key is pressed, the process returns to S1, and the power state becomes the normal state.

  On the other hand, when a touch is not detected within a predetermined time (S6_No), the process returns to the sleep state A of S4.

  The above-described operation start prediction in S4 can be performed by various methods, but two specific examples are shown here. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which a GPS and an acceleration sensor are used in combination. Here, it is assumed that the operation start predicting unit stores acceleration conditions that are highly likely to have been started by the user. This condition is set with a predetermined width based on, for example, experience values such as acceleration when the user holds the device.

  First, the operations other than the operation start predicting unit and the GPS are set in the sleep state (S101). After that, the GPS performs an intermittent operation and acquires the position information of the mobile terminal. The operation start prediction unit determines whether the position change (speed) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on the output of the GPS (S102). If the position information has a change of a predetermined value or more (S102_Yes), it is determined that the user does not start the operation of the mobile terminal because of the moving state, and the process returns to S101. On the other hand, when the position information by GPS is unchanged, it is determined that the user has stopped and there is a high possibility that the apparatus will be used, and the acceleration sensor is activated for a certain time (S103). Here, when a change in acceleration is detected, the operation start prediction unit determines whether the detected acceleration satisfies a condition for operation start prediction (S104). If it is determined that the condition is satisfied (S104_Yes), it is determined that the operation start is predicted (S105). On the other hand, when the acceleration does not satisfy the operation start prediction condition (S104_No), the process returns to S101.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which a GPS and an illuminance sensor are used in combination. Here, it is assumed that the operation start predicting unit stores an illuminance change condition that is highly likely to be started by the user. This condition is set with a predetermined width based on, for example, an experience value such as a change in illuminance when the user takes out the mobile terminal from a bag or the like.

  First, the operations other than the operation start predicting unit and the GPS are set in the sleep state (S201). After that, the GPS performs an intermittent operation and acquires the position information of the device. The operation start predicting unit determines whether the position of the mobile terminal has moved by a predetermined value or more based on the output of the GPS (S202). If the position information has a change of a predetermined value or more (S202_Yes), it is determined that the user does not start the operation of the mobile terminal because of the moving state, and the process returns to S201. On the other hand, when the position information by GPS is unchanged, it is determined that the user has stopped and the possibility of starting to use the mobile terminal is high, and the illuminance sensor is activated for a certain period of time (S203). Here, when a change in illuminance is detected, the operation start prediction unit determines whether the detected change in illuminance satisfies a condition for the operation start prediction (S204). When it is determined that the condition is satisfied (S204_Yes), it is determined that the operation start is predicted (S205). On the other hand, when the illuminance change does not satisfy the operation start prediction condition (S204_No), the process returns to S201.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating an appearance of a mobile terminal 1000 to which the present embodiment is applied. This is a so-called smartphone, and an LCD 800 is arranged on most of one surface of the housing 1100, and a touch panel 200 is provided so as to overlap therewith. The power operation key 500 is provided on the side surface of the housing 1100 so as to be easily operated with one finger.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the power supply of the mobile terminal is in the sleep state, the touch panel performs the same function as the power operation key only when the user is highly likely to start the operation. For this reason, the user can operate the power supply with a touch panel that has a large area and is easy to operate. Furthermore, since the above state is set only when the user intends to start the operation, the useless return to the normal mode is suppressed, and power consumption can be saved.

  The present invention has been described above using the above-described embodiment as an exemplary example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, the present invention can apply various modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable terminal control means 2,200 Touch panel 3 Information input reception means 4 Power supply operation means 5,500 Power supply operation key 6 Information input mode / power supply operation mode switching means 100 Control unit 110 CPU
120 Power control IC
300 Information Input Accepting Unit 400 Power Operation Switch 600 Information Input Mode / Power Operation Mode Switching Unit 700 Battery 800 LCD
900 sensor group 1000 portable terminal 1100 housing

Claims (10)

Mobile terminal control means for controlling the mobile terminal;
A touch panel for inputting information to the mobile terminal by a touch operation;
Information input accepting means for accepting a touch input signal from the touch panel as input information;
Power operation means for operating the power state of the mobile terminal;
A power operation key for causing the power operation means to execute a power operation;
An information input mode in which the touch input signal is output to the information input accepting unit under the control of the portable terminal control unit, and a power operation mode in which the power input operation unit uses the touch input signal as a trigger for performing a power operation. A portable terminal comprising: an information input mode / power operation mode switching means for switching. The information input mode / power operation mode switching means is
The portable terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: a switch that selects whether the output destination of the touch input signal is the information input reception unit or the power operation unit. A sensor for measuring a state of the mobile terminal or an external environment;
The mobile terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation start prediction unit that predicts a user's operation start of the mobile terminal based on an output of the sensor. The portable terminal control means is
When the portable terminal is not operated for a predetermined time, the portable terminal has power control means for putting the power of the portable terminal in a sleep state
4. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the information input mode / power operation mode switching unit selects the power operation mode when the power of the portable terminal is in the sleep state. 5. Terminal. An information input mode that accepts touch input signals from the touch panel as input information according to the state of the mobile terminal or the external environment,
A power operation mode using the touch input signal as a power operation trigger; and
A method for controlling a mobile terminal, characterized in that any one of the above is selected. The method for controlling a portable terminal according to claim 5, wherein switching between the information input mode and the power operation mode is performed by a switch that changes an electrical connection destination. Measure the device status or external environment with sensors,
Predicting the start of operation of the mobile terminal of the user based on the output of the sensor,
The method for controlling a portable terminal according to claim 5 or 6, wherein either the information input mode or the power operation mode is selected based on the prediction of the operation start. When the mobile terminal is not operated for a predetermined time, the mobile terminal is set to sleep,
The method for controlling a mobile terminal according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the power operation mode is selected when the power of the mobile terminal is in a sleep state. An information input mode that accepts touch input signals from the touch panel as input information according to the state of the mobile terminal or the external environment,
A power operation mode using the touch input signal as a power operation trigger; and
A control program for a portable terminal, comprising: a step of selecting any of the above. Measuring the state of the device or the external environment with sensors,
Predicting the start of operation of the mobile terminal of the user based on the output of the sensor;
The portable terminal control program according to claim 9, further comprising a step of determining which of the information input mode and the power supply operation mode is selected based on the prediction of the operation start.

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