JP3588241B2 - Display control device for electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display control device for an electric device having a clock function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in various electric appliances, those having a clock function have been put to practical use in order to realize various timer functions, but such electric appliances display a current time, a timer set time, and the like. And a display for displaying various information required by the electric device, for example, information such as a room temperature and a setting mode, in many cases. The display unit of such an electric device displays information such as the current time and room temperature in a standby state, that is, a non-operation state in which the electric device is not used for its intended purpose, or displays nothing at all. There are known ones that do not have a display or that a user can select the presence or absence of a display by a changeover switch.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described electric devices, first, when the user does not need the information in the standby state, some power is wasted on the display unit. If a relatively bright display element such as a fluorescent display tube or a light emitting diode is used in the display unit, unpleasant brightness may be brought about when the user goes to bed. Next, in the case where no display is performed in the standby state, it is impossible to determine whether the electric device is powered on and in a non-operating state, or whether the power is not turned on. In addition, there is an inconvenience in that the user cannot obtain the information such as the current time and the room temperature in the standby state even if the user thinks the information is necessary. Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, an electric device that can select whether to perform display in a standby state by using a changeover switch or the like has been put to practical use. However, even with such an electric device, it is thought that the user needs information such as current time and room temperature even in a standby state while saving as much power as possible for the display unit, eliminating unpleasant brightness when sleeping, and the like. In such a case, the changeover switch and the like must be frequently operated in order to display the information, and there is a problem that the usability is extremely low.
[0004]
The present invention solves the above-described problems, and saves power consumed by the display unit in a standby state without frequent switch operation by a user, and causes unpleasant brightness when sleeping. It is another object of the present invention to provide a display control device of an electric device capable of performing display when it is considered that a user needs information such as a current time and a room temperature even in a standby state.
[0005]
In addition, the operation time of the electric device is stored in the electric device, and the tendency of the operation time for each day or the day is calculated, and the time period during which the user uses the electric device, Provided is an electric device that infers a user's life pattern, such as a time zone requiring a time display, a temperature display, or the like, and performs display according to the life pattern.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a display control device for an electric device according to the present invention has the following configuration. First, in the present invention, in an electric device having a clock function and provided with a display unit, a time detecting means for detecting a time at which a user operates a switch or the like, and the user's time based on the plurality of detected times. There are provided analogy means for deriving a life pattern using the electric device, and display control means for controlling a display state of the electric device in a standby state by receiving an analogous output of the analogous means. The display control means, if a valid driving operation is not performed during the time period during which the display is performed in the standby state, stores and stores the data not used in this time period, and this state is longer than a predetermined number of days. When the display is continued, the display in the standby state in this time zone is not performed.
[0007]
In addition, this electric device automatically turns on and off the display in the standby state, judging from the detection time, that is, displays even in the standby state during the time period when the user is likely to need the display in the standby state And display control means for controlling not to perform display in a standby state during a time period other than the above.
[0008]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric device having a unit for turning on and off a display in a standby state, wherein a user intentionally turns on and off a display in a standby state, that is, operates a display on / off switch or the like. The display control device of the electric device is configured to detect the detected time as the time detecting means. In another invention, at a plurality of stored detection times, those that are separated from a predetermined time are regarded as separate, and those that are not are regarded as the same, and a time period for performing display in a standby state is set. It is characterized in that it is calculated.
[0009]
In another aspect of the invention, the display control means limits the current flowing through the display unit instead of not performing the display at all during a time period in which the user is not likely to need the display in the standby state. Control to suppress the brightness. In another invention, a non-volatile storage unit such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, or a storage unit backed up by a battery or the like is used as the storage unit.
[0010]
According to these inventions, various displays, for example, displays in a standby state, are automatically turned on and off in accordance with a life pattern, for example, a time zone, calculated based on time data or the like at which a user operates an electric device. Necessary display on the display unit in the standby state can be performed without performing a complicated switch operation or the like. Thereby, for example, at the same time as saving power consumption and eliminating unpleasant brightness at the time of going to bed, at the time when the user is likely to need the information such as the current time and the room temperature even in the standby state, these are used. Can be displayed. Also, when the user wants to use electrical equipment, it is highly likely that information such as the current time and room temperature is needed, and it is calculated based on the time data when the user actually used the electrical equipment. The display in the standby state is automatically turned on and off in accordance with the time period set.
[0011]
In addition, when an electric device is not actually used, such as when it is canceled immediately after a driving operation or when an operation is mistakenly performed, the operation time data is invalidated and the usage time zone of the user is determined. It is not to be used as a judgment material for making a decision. Also, when the user goes out for a long period of time or intentionally stops using electrical equipment that is used only during a specific season, the data that has not been used is also displayed during standby. Is used as a judgment material for controlling the display of.
[0012]
Furthermore, the time when the user intentionally turned on and off the display in the standby state is based on the time zone calculated based on these time data, assuming that the user's intention is faithfully reflected. Is automatically turned on and off. However, in this case, the means for turning on / off the display in the standby state must not physically hold the state, and even if the display in the standby state is automatically turned on / off, The display can be turned on and off according to the user's intention, and the time data at this time is added to the determination information for the subsequent display control.
[0013]
Further, when the user uses the electric device twice a day in the morning and in the night, a plurality of detected operation times can be distinguished by their intervals, so that a detailed use time zone can be determined. It is like that. If the user wants to use the electrical equipment at a different time than usual, or does not want to use it but only wants to obtain information such as the current time and room temperature, the display is displayed in the standby state as described above. Turning off the display causes inconvenience, so even in a time period when the user is not likely to need display in the standby state, the display is not performed at all, but by limiting the current flowing to the display unit to increase the brightness. By suppressing the power consumption, information such as the current time and the room temperature is always displayed while saving power consumption as much as possible. However, the display element in this case is limited to a fluorescent display tube, a light emitting diode, or the like, whose brightness can be changed by a flowing current.
[0014]
Furthermore, even in the case of an electric device that is used by moving a room or an electric device that is used only during a limited season, the data of the detection time stored up to that time is used, and the electric device in the standby state is used. The display can be controlled appropriately.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
One embodiment of a display control device for electric equipment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display control device of an electric device, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an operation display unit of the electric device, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the display control device of the electric device.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a "microcomputer") for performing various controls, in which a switch input determining unit 2 for determining various switch operations and a clock counting unit 3 for counting a current time. An operation time detection unit 4 for detecting the times at which various switch operations are performed; an operation time storage unit 5 for storing the operation times; and a display in a standby state from one or a plurality of stored operation times. A standby display calculating unit (corresponding to an analogy estimating unit for deriving a user's life pattern) 6 for calculating a time zone, performing a display during standby according to the calculated time zone, and controlling the display according to other states A display control unit 7, a load control unit 8 for controlling various loads for performing a driving operation, an on-timer control unit 9 for controlling an on-timer operation, and detecting a room temperature by a thermistor. And a room temperature detection unit 10.
[0017]
Reference numeral 11 denotes an operation switch, 12 denotes an operation changeover switch, 13 denotes an on-timer switch, 14 denotes a time setting switch, 15 denotes a time setting switch, and 16 denotes a minute setting switch, all of which are connected to the switch input determination unit 2. Have been. Reference numeral 17 denotes a four-digit digital display for displaying the current time and the set time of the on-timer, and reference numeral 18 denotes a two-digit digital display for displaying the temperature, all of which are connected to the display control unit 7. A load 19 for performing a driving operation is connected to the load control unit 8. A thermistor 20 for detecting the room temperature is connected to the room temperature detecting unit 10. In FIG. 2, the switches 11 to 16 and the display units 17 and 18 are as described in the description of FIG.
[0018]
Next, a normal operation will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the power plug is inserted into the outlet, the electric device enters a standby state, and “18:88” blinks on the four-digit digital display unit 17, and the room temperature detected by the room temperature thermistor 20 is displayed on the two-digit digital display unit 18. indicate. When the time setting switch 14 is pressed, the initial value of the current time is displayed on the four-digit digital display section 17. By operating the time setting switch 15 and the minute setting switch 16, the current time is adjusted, and the time setting switch is again set. When 14 is pressed, the clock starts counting, and the 4-digit digital display unit 17 displays the current time.
[0019]
In this standby state, when the operation switch 11 is pressed, the load 19 is operated by the load control unit 8 to start the operation. By operating the operation changeover switch 12 during this operation, the state of the load 19 can be switched. When the on-timer switch 13 is pressed, the initial value of the on-timer set time is displayed on the 4-digit digital display section 17, and the on-timer set time is changed by operating the time setting switch 15 and the minute setting switch 16. can do. When the setting is completed after a while, the operation stops and the timer starts counting, and the four-digit digital display unit 17 displays the current time. If the operation switch 11 is pressed during the operation or during the counting of the on-timer, the operation is immediately stopped. In addition, the display of the current time and the room temperature is always performed during the operation and during the counting of the on-timer, because there is no standby state.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the display control device for electric equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, as described in the normal operation, the power plug is inserted into the outlet, the electric device is set in the standby state, the clock is adjusted, and the current time is displayed on the four-digit digital display unit 18 and the current time is displayed on the two-digit digital display unit 18. Indicates room temperature. In this standby state, when the operation switch 11 is pressed, the load 19 operates by the load control unit 8 to start the operation, and the operation time is detected by the operation time detection unit 4 and the operation time is set as the operation time. The information is stored in the storage unit 5. The operation time stored here is not limited to the operation switch operation, but may be any switch operation that realizes the function of the electric device.
[0021]
Next, from the stored operation time, a time zone normally used by the user is estimated, a standby display calculating section 6 calculates a time zone for performing display during standby, and the display control section 7 actually performs display. Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the driving operation when the driving operation is continued for one hour or more or the driving operation when the on-timer driving is performed is determined to be a valid driving operation (hereinafter, referred to as a valid driving operation). Such a driving operation is referred to as an “effective driving operation”), the operation time is stored in the operation time storage unit 5, and if such an operation is performed five or more times, the standby display automatic control mode is set. The normal use time zone of the user is estimated from the last five operation times, and the current time display of the four-digit digital display unit 17 and the two-digit digital display in the standby state from 30 minutes before the start time of the time zone. The room temperature display (hereinafter, these two displays are referred to as “standby display”) on the display unit 18 is turned on.
[0022]
Thereafter, when an effective driving operation is actually performed, the time is stored and accumulated as a new driving operation time, and the oldest data is deleted. In this case, when 30 minutes have passed since the end of the operation, it is considered that the use has been completed, and the standby display is turned off. In addition, after the standby display is turned on, if the driving operation is not performed even after the determined use time period, it is determined that the day is not used when 30 minutes have passed from the end time of the use time period. The standby display is turned off, and the unused data is stored. If this non-use state continues for five days, it is considered that the use period has ended or is interrupted, and no standby display is performed thereafter. Of course, if a valid driving operation is performed after a period of non-use for a period other than the determined use time period or for 5 days or more, the standby display is turned on and the time is stored and stored as a new driving operation time. Then, it is used as a judgment material for calculating a new use time zone.
[0023]
In addition, as a method of determining the user's use time zone from the past operation times, for example, an operation time separated by 4 hours or more is determined to have a different use for the user, and the use time zone is distinguished and used. Set and less than 4 hours are considered the same. That is, a plurality of use time zones may be set in one day.
[0024]
In the above, for example, a life pattern (for example, a bedtime zone, an out-of-home time zone, etc.) of a user who needs to display a time at the time of standby based on the operation of the operation switch is analogized. Even in the state, whether the time is day or night may be used as a judgment material. As the switches, not only the operation switch but also the operation of the brightness change switch (not shown) of the display unit which is operated in the standby state, the operation for checking the remaining time during the on-timer, and the like, are used to change the life pattern. May be analogized.
[0025]
One feature of the present invention is that the electric device itself predicts the operation start time from the operation on the electric device, and performs an operation corresponding to a change in the start time in accordance with daily life. Thereby, an easy-to-use electric device can be obtained. For example, in an oil fan heater or the like, even if the timer is forgotten to be set, preheating is started, for example, 30 minutes before the estimated operation start time, and operation can be performed as soon as the operation switch is operated. . If the operation switch is not operated at the predicted time, the preheating may be stopped to return to a mere standby state.
[0026]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 is a block diagram of a display control device of the electric device according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an operation display unit of the electric device, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the display control device of the electric device. It is.
[0027]
4 and 5, reference numerals 1 to 20 denote the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2, a reference numeral 21 denotes a display on / off determining unit for a user to turn on / off a display in a standby state, and a reference numeral 22 denotes a display on / off switch. There is a tact switch that does not physically maintain the state of the switch. The normal operation is as described above.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the display control device for electric equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, as described in the normal operation, the power plug is inserted into the outlet, the electric device is set in the standby state, the clock is adjusted, and the current time is displayed on the four-digit digital display unit 18 and the current time is displayed on the two-digit digital display unit 18. Indicates room temperature. In this standby state, when the display on / off switch 22 is pressed, the standby display, that is, the display of the current time and the room temperature disappears, and the operation time is detected by the operation time detecting unit 4 and stored as the display off time. When the display on / off switch 22 is pressed again in the display off state, the standby display is turned on again, and the operation time is detected by the operation time detection unit 4 and stored as the display on time.
[0029]
Next, from the stored one or more operation times, a time period during which the user needs to display in the standby state and a time period during which the user does not need to do so are estimated. The time period to be performed is calculated, and the display is actually displayed by the display control unit 7. Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the display-off time and the display-on time are both stored five or more times, the standby display automatic control mode is set, and the standby display automatic control mode is set to the standby display automatic control mode. Is calculated. However, even during the standby display automatic control mode, the display ON / OFF switch is effective, and the operation time data is used as a material for determining the subsequent standby display time zone. Incidentally, as means for turning the display on and off when the user is in the standby state, other than pressing the display on / off switch as described above, other than pressing the same switch for a predetermined time, a time setting switch, etc. And the like, for example, by continuously pressing a switch that performs the function described above for a predetermined time.
[0030]
Subsequently, another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a display control device of an electric device. In FIG. 7, 1 to 20 are exactly the same as those in FIG. 1, and 23 is a non-volatile storage device such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, or a storage device backed up by a battery or the like, and is connected to a microcomputer as an external storage device. Some are built in the microcomputer. The normal operation is as described above.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the display control device for electric equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As described above, when the operation time detected by the operation time detection unit 4 and the display time zone in the standby state calculated based on the operation times stored up to that time are stored in the operation time storage unit 5, At the same time, by storing the same data in the storage device 23 which is non-volatile or backed up by a battery or the like, even if the power plug is unplugged from the outlet or a power failure occurs, the stored operation time data and Data in the calculated display time zone in the standby state will not be lost. Therefore, when the power of the electric device is turned on again, the microcomputer reads the data from the storage device 23 and can automatically control the display in the standby state immediately after the power is turned on. However, if the microcomputer itself is not backed up by a battery or the like, it is premised that the clock is set correctly.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
Since the display control device for an electric device of the present invention has the above-described configuration, according to the present invention, the user does not need to perform frequent switch operations, etc. Since the display in the display state, for example, the display in the standby state, is automatically controlled, it is possible to save the power consumed by the display unit, to eliminate unpleasant brightness at bedtime, etc. In a time zone where there is a high possibility that information such as time and room temperature is required, these can be displayed to prevent usability from being deteriorated.
[0033]
Further, according to the present invention, there is no need for a means for turning on and off the display during standby such as a display on / off switch, and the user does not have to be conscious of the display during standby at all, and performs a normal driving operation. Just by operating the timer or the timer, the use time zone of the electric device based on the life pattern of the user can be recognized, and the display during standby can be automatically controlled.
[0034]
Further, according to the present invention, when the user performs a normal driving operation or a timer driving operation, the operation is immediately canceled, or the operation is mistakenly performed, such as when the electric device is not actually used. By disabling the operation time data and not using it as a judgment material for judging the use time period of the electric device based on the life pattern of the user, the display at the time of standby can be controlled with more accurate accuracy. can do.
[0035]
Further, according to the present invention, the data not used in the time period during which the standby display is performed is also used as a judgment pattern for controlling the display during the standby as one of the life patterns of the user. If you go out for a long period of time or intentionally stop using electric equipment that is used only during a specific season, even if the user is absent or has no intention to use the electric equipment at all, It is possible to prevent a wasteful power from being consumed by performing the display during standby.
[0036]
Further, according to the present invention, by automatically turning on and off the standby display in accordance with a time zone calculated based on the time data when the user intentionally turned on and off the display in the standby state, Can be obtained in a standby display control pattern more faithfully reflecting the intention of the user. Even when the standby display is automatically controlled, the standby display on / off means such as the display on / off switch is effective, and the user can obtain information such as the current time and the room temperature in a time zone different from normal. Even when you want to, you can turn the display on and off freely.
[0037]
Further, according to the present invention, even when the user uses the electric device twice a day, in the morning and at night, the plurality of detected operation times are distinguished by their intervals, so that the use time can be finely adjusted. The band can be determined.
[0038]
Further, according to the present invention, even during a time period in which the user is not likely to need display in the standby state, display is not performed at all, but the current flowing to the display unit is limited to reduce brightness. By suppressing it, it is possible to always display information such as current time and room temperature while saving power consumption as much as possible, and users want to use electrical equipment at unusual time zones, Even when the user does not use the information but wants to obtain only information such as the current time and the room temperature, it is possible to prevent inconvenience.
[0039]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, even if the power plug is unplugged from the outlet, or even if a power failure occurs, the stored operation time data and the data in the calculated display time zone in the standby state are not lost. When the power is turned on again, the display in the standby state can be automatically and appropriately controlled immediately after the power is turned on. The above-described effects can be obtained without inconvenience even with an electric device used only for the electric device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display control device of an electric device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an operation display unit of the display control device of the electric device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the display control device of the electric device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a display control device for an electric device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an operation display unit of a display control device for an electric device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a display control device for an electric device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a display control device of an electric device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Microcomputer (microcomputer)
4 Operation time detection unit 5 Operation time storage unit 6 Standby display calculation unit 11 Operation switch 13 ON timer switch 14 Time adjustment switch 17 4-digit digital display unit 18 2-digit digital display unit 22 Display ON / OFF switch 23 Non-volatile, battery, etc. Storage device backed up by

Claims (3)

In an electric device having a clock function and a display unit, an operation switch for instructing operation control of the device, time detecting means for detecting a time at which the operation switch is operated, and use based on the plurality of detection times Analogy means for deriving a person's life pattern using the electrical device, and display control means for receiving an analogous output of the analogous means and controlling a display state of the electrical device in a standby state ,
The display control means, if a valid driving operation is not performed during a time period in which the display is performed in the standby state, stores and stores the data not used in this time period, and this state is displayed for a predetermined number of days. A display control device for an electric device, characterized in that a display in a standby state in this time zone is not performed when the above is continued . Means for turning on and off the display in the standby state, the display control device of an electric apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user to have the said time detection means for detecting the intentionally time that Nyusetsu display in the standby state . The analogy means calculates a time period during which the display on the display unit is required in the standby state of the electric device, and the display control displays the time period during which the display is required in the standby state of the electric device. the display control device of an electric apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol placement you characterized.

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