JP4784006B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic device suitable for use in a device that is detachably attached to an external device and performs an arbitrary function, for example . Specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic device that has a shape equivalent to, for example, a memory card device or a similar semiconductor memory device, and is connected to a connection portion of these devices to execute an arbitrary function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, it has the same shape as a memory card device that is detachably attached to an external device or a semiconductor memory device similar to it, and is connected to a connection portion of these memory devices of the external device to execute an arbitrary function Electronic devices have been proposed. That is, in such an electronic device, for example, by providing a function of connecting to a computer network and a function of communication with the outside, the operation and application of the external device can be easily expanded.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when using such an electronic device connected to an external device, the current consumption of the external device inevitably increases, and the internal battery is consumed in a short time due to the increase in the current consumption. It will be difficult to use for a long time. In particular, such an increase in current consumption is significant when an electronic device is provided with a plurality of functions. For this reason, conventionally, a method has been adopted in which only one function is provided in an electronic device, but work such as changing the electronic device for each function becomes complicated.
[0004]
In contrast to this, electronic devices are provided with a plurality of functions, and means for controlling the supply of power to these functions from external devices is provided so that power is supplied only to necessary functions. It is also considered to do. However, in such a method, complicated procedures are required for control on the external device side, such as control of power supply every time a function is selected from the external device side, and the processing load on the external device side increases. It is not easy to implement.
[0005]
This application has been made in view of the above points, and the problem to be solved is that, in the conventional device, when an electronic device having a plurality of functions is mounted on an external device and used, The increase in current consumption due to a plurality of functions consumes the internal battery in a short time, making it difficult to use the battery for a long time. Further, if it is attempted to control the power supply for each selection of a function from the external device side, the processing load on the external device side increases, which cannot be easily implemented.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this reason, in the present invention, an electronic device that is detachably attached to an external device, exchanges arbitrary data with the external device, and executes an arbitrary function, and includes a plurality of functional blocks. A control unit that controls power supply to a plurality of functional blocks, a write register that performs setting of each of the plurality of functional blocks by writing from an external device, and reading in which information inside the electronic device is read by the external device Having a register, the control unit reduces the current consumption of the functional block when the power is turned on and when the functional block is not used, and the control unit determines the functional block used by the external device by writing to the write register. a current consumption when using functional blocks, and the current consumption of the functional blocks in the standby state, the current consumption is the sum of current consumption of the control unit The amount was controller is written into the read register, in response to the write current consumption of the read register, if there is a write enable function blocks to be used for writing the register, the control unit, the corresponding function blocks It is what is started. According to this, it is possible to minimize the current consumption in the electronic device with a simple configuration, to suppress the increase in the current consumption, and to extend the usage time by the built-in battery. It is possible to prevent the processing load from increasing.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In other words, an embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device that is detachably attached to an external device, exchanges arbitrary data with the external device, and executes an arbitrary function. And a setting register for setting each of a plurality of functional blocks, providing means for reducing the current consumption of the functional block when the power is turned on and when the functional block is not used, and corresponding to the functional block to be used The function is executed according to the setting register setting.
[0008]
In another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device is detachably provided, and an external device using an electronic device that exchanges arbitrary data with the electronic device and executes an arbitrary function of the electronic device. In addition, a means for writing information on presence / absence of use in a function register common to a plurality of function blocks provided in an electronic device, and an arbitrary setting register corresponding to a function block that has been used by writing to the function register Means for writing the function setting information.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment to which the present invention is applied and an external device using the electronic device according to another embodiment. FIG.
[0010]
In FIG. 1, the left side of the drawing shows a main part of an external device 100 composed of, for example, a personal computer as an external device using an electronic device. The external device 100 is provided with a media controller 12 connected to the system bus 11. The media controller 12 is connected to, for example, a camera control protocol circuit 13, a GPS control protocol circuit 14, and an electronic device. An interface 15 is provided.
[0011]
On the other hand, the right side of the drawing shows the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 has a shape equivalent to a so-called memory card device or a similar semiconductor memory device as shown in FIG. The electronic device 200 is detachably attached to the memory card slot of the external device 100, and is connected to the interface 15 of the media controller 12 of the external device 100 via a contact group 201 formed at the end thereof. It is electrically connected.
[0012]
The electronic device 200 is provided with a plurality of functions. In this embodiment, a GPS (Global Positioning System) function block 21 is provided as the function A, for example, and a camera photographing function block 22 and a memory function block 23 are provided as the function B, for example. These functional blocks 21 to 23 are connected to the interface 24 connected to the above-described contact group 201 via the register 300, thereby exchanging data with the external device 100.
[0013]
Furthermore, the function blocks 21 and 22 are provided with power control units 21a and 22a, respectively. A power control signal from the system control circuit 25 connected to the register 300 is supplied to the power control units 21a and 22a. By thus providing the electronic device 200 so as to be detachable from the external device 100, power is supplied between the media controller 12 of the external device 100 and the register 300 of the electronic device 200, and data is transmitted through the data buffer 26. Is exchanged.
[0014]
Further, in the system of the external device 100 and the electronic device 200, a register 300 as shown in FIG. The register 300 is configured with addresses of “00” to “FF” (“−” indicates a hexadecimal value), for example, and each address is provided with a 2-byte read register and a write register. Here, the internal information of the electronic device 200 is read to the read register, and the information from the external device 100 is written to the write register.
[0015]
The register 300 includes a function setting register, a memory function register, a camera function register, and a GPS function register. In this embodiment, addresses “00” to “0F” of the register 300 are assigned to the function setting register. Addresses “10” to “1F” are assigned to memory function registers, addresses “20” to “2F” are assigned to GPS function registers, and addresses “30” to “3F” are assigned to camera function registers. . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the function setting register, the memory function register, the camera function register, and the GPS function register are configured separately, and the system control unit switches access. It does not matter.
[0016]
Further, the read register and the write register of the address “06” are category number registers indicating functions executed in the electronic device 200. The read register at the address “07” is a class number register. Note that the write register at the address “07” is not used. Further, the read register at the address “08” is a current request register, and the write register is a function validation register.
[0017]
In addition, the read registers of the addresses “09” and “0A” are registers having the attribute information length. The attribute information is stored in the attribute ROM 27 of the electronic device 200. When there is a memory function writable in the electronic device, the attribute information is read from the attribute ROM 27 at the time of shipment from the factory and stored in the memory function. For this reason, in normal communications other than those at the time of factory shipment, the attribute information stored in the memory function is read, and access to the attribute ROM 27 is prohibited. However, if the electronic device does not have a memory function, the attribute information stored in the attribute ROM 27 is read out to the host even during normal access.
[0018]
Further, the write register at the address “10” is a system parameter register, and the write registers at the addresses “11” to “13” are block address registers. Further, the write register at the address “14” is a command parameter register. Note that the read registers of the addresses “10” to “14” are not used. The read register and the write register at the address “15” are used as page address registers.
[0019]
The read register and write register at address “16” are used as block flag data registers. Further, the read register and the write register of the address “17” are used as block information registers. Further, the read register and the write register of the addresses “18” and “19” are logical address registers. Further, formats of addresses “1A” to “1F” are being formulated. The memory function is set at the addresses “10” to “1F”.
[0020]
Furthermore, registers for GPS functions are assigned to addresses “20” to “2F”. The GPS function block includes a GPS antenna that receives position information and a GPS function controller. The GPS controller has a UART, a FIFO, a power supply control unit, and the like.
[0021]
Also, the read register at address “24” is a register indicating the amount of data remaining in the receive-side first-in first-out memory (FIFO) that buffers the difference in data transmission speed, and the read register at address “25” is a register in the send-in first-in first-out memory. A register indicating the amount of free buffer. Further, the write register at the address “24” is a register for the data length received from the external device 100, and the write register at the address “25” is a register for the data length to be transmitted to the external device 100.
[0022]
Further, the write register at the address “26” is a register for generating an interrupt when the amount of data stored in the reception-side first-in first-out memory reaches a specified number of bytes, and the write register at the address “27” is stored in the first-in first-out first-out memory. When the amount of data falls below the set value, this register is used to generate an interrupt. In both cases, the value “0” is invalid. Further, the read registers of the addresses “26” and “27” are not used.
[0023]
The read registers at addresses “28” and “29” are registers indicating the UART clock value. Note that the write registers at the addresses “28” and “29” are not used. Further, the read register and the write register of the address “2A” are registers for controlling / monitoring general-purpose digital I / O terminals provided in the electronic device 200, respectively. Addresses “2B” to “2F” are being formulated. For example, the GPS function is set at the addresses “20” to “2F”.
[0024]
Furthermore, camera function registers are assigned to addresses “30” to “3F”. The camera function block includes an image pickup unit including a lens that receives photographing light from a subject, a CCD, and the like, and a camera function controller. The camera function controller includes a power control unit, an imaging signal processing unit, and the like.
[0025]
Each of the camera function controller, GPU function controller, and memory function controller has a power control function, and is controlled by the power control unit of the system control circuit. When the function is not used, the sleep mode (controller clock stopped state) This reduces power consumption.
[0026]
Further, arbitrary functions are set for the addresses “40” to “FF”. These functions include any information device, a connection device (Ethernet) such as a specific range network (LAN), an arbitrary modem device, a communication device (Bluetooth) defined in common by manufacturers in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Arbitrary serial communication functions are considered.
[0027]
For example, when the function executed by the electronic device 200 is switched by the external device 100, a code (category number) of a desired function is first written in the write register at the address “06”. Accordingly, the function code (category number) written in the write register at the address “06” is read by the system control circuit 25 of the electronic device 200, so that the function requested from the external device 100 is discriminated by the electronic device 200. The
[0028]
Further, for example, a control signal for driving the function block 21 or the function block 22 is formed by the system control circuit 25 so that the determined function is executed by the electronic device 200. The control signal generated by the system control circuit 25 is supplied to the power control units 21 a and 22 a of the function block 21 or 22, so that the function requested from the external device 100 can be obtained by the electronic device 200. Executed.
[0029]
In addition, the code (category number) of the function executed by the electronic device 200 is read out to the read register at the address “06”, and the class number such as the version associated with the function executed by the electronic device 200 is also displayed. Read to the read register at address “07”. Then, the category number and the class number are discriminated by the external device 100, whereby the function executed by the electronic device 200 is recognized, and the external device 100 drives a driver or the like corresponding thereto.
[0030]
In this manner, for example, the function executed by the electronic device 200 is switched by writing a code (category number) of a desired function from the external device 100 into the write register of the address “06”. The function code (category number) executed by the electronic device 200 is read into the read register at the address “06”, whereby the function executed by the electronic device 200 is recognized by the external device 100, and the function is switched. Can be performed smoothly.
[0031]
That is, for example, when the function written in the write register with the address “06” from the external device 100 is not installed in the electronic device 200, the code (category number) of the function is read into the read register with the address “06”. Therefore, the external device 100 recognizes that the electronic device 200 is not equipped with a desired function. Thus, processing such as canceling the execution of the function by the external device 100 can be performed smoothly.
[0032]
Therefore, for the system of the external device 100 and the electronic device 200, for example, the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is performed. That is, in FIG. 4, when the power is turned on in step [11] on the external device 100 side, the electronic device 200 side is changed to step [21]. In this step [21], only the system control circuit 25 is activated, and the function block 21 of the function A and the function block 22 of the function B are set in a standby state.
[0033]
On the other hand, when a command to use the function A is issued in step [12] on the external device 100 side, the electronic device 200 side goes to step [22], the function block 21 is activated, and the function A is operated. . When an instruction to use the function B is issued in step [13] on the external device 100 side, the electronic device 200 side is changed to step [23]. In step [23], the function block 21 of the function A is set in a standby state, and the function block 22 is activated to operate the function B.
[0034]
Further, when an instruction to use the function A is issued again in step [14] on the external device 100 side, the electronic device 200 side is changed to step [24]. In step [24], the function block 22 of the function B is set in a standby state, and the function block 21 is activated to operate the function A. In this way, the operation of the desired function A or B is performed on the electronic device 200 side in accordance with the issuance of a command for using the function A or B on the external device 100 side.
[0035]
In these operations, for example, in step [21] described above, assuming that the current consumption of the functional blocks 21 and 22 in the standby state is 10 mA and the current consumption of the controller unit 23 is 30 mA, for example, the electronic device 200 side The current consumption at
10 + 10 + 30 = 50 mA
It becomes.
[0036]
On the other hand, in steps [22] and [24], for example, if the current consumption in the operating state of the functional block 21 is 100 mA, the current consumption on the electronic device 200 side is:
100 + 10 + 30 = 140 mA
It becomes. Further, in step [23], for example, assuming that the current consumption in the operating state of the functional block 22 is 60 mA, the current consumption on the electronic device 200 side is:
10 + 60 + 30 = 100mA
It becomes.
[0037]
That is, in the system of the external device 100 and the electronic device 200 described above, the current consumption on the electronic device 200 side is 50 mA in step [21], 140 mA in steps [22] and [24], and 100 mA in step [23], respectively. ing. For example, when both the functional blocks 21 and 22 are in an operating state,
100 + 60 + 30 = 190mA
The current consumption is smaller than that.
[0038]
In this case, the external device 100 can control the power sources of the functional blocks 21 and 22 simply by writing data to the register 300 of the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 can control the power supply of the function blocks 21 and 22 by looking at the data in the register 300, and can easily control the power supply with a very simple configuration.
[0039]
Also, these current consumption values are presented as current requests from the electronic device 200 side, for example, in the read register at the address “08”. Therefore, the external device 100 reads the read register at the address “08”, determines whether the requested current value is within the allowable range, and activates the function in the write register at the same address “08”. Set a flag. As a result, only functions that can be driven by the electronic device 200 can be executed. The least significant bit of the write register is a power save bit. Writing 1 to this bit sets the power saving mode, and writing 0 cancels the power saving mode.
[0040]
Further, the register 300 is conventionally provided for setting the function blocks 21 and 22 from the external device 100. In the present invention, an address “06” used as a function register in a part of the register 300 is provided. ”, Addresses“ 10 ”to“ 1F ”used as memory function setting registers, addresses“ 20 ”to“ 2F ”used as function A setting registers, and addresses“ 30 ”to“ 30 ”used as function B setting registers It can be implemented by providing “3F”.
[0041]
Therefore, in these embodiments, when a functional block is not used, a means for reducing the current consumption of the block is provided on the electronic device side, thereby minimizing the current consumption in the electronic device with a simple configuration and reducing the current consumption. The increase in consumption can be suppressed, the use time by the built-in battery can be extended, and the processing load on the external device can be prevented from increasing.
[0042]
Thus, in the conventional apparatus, when an electronic device having a plurality of functions is attached to an external device and used, the built-in battery is consumed in a short time due to an increase in the amount of current consumption due to the plurality of functions, and the long time due to the battery It becomes difficult to use. In addition, if it is attempted to control the power supply for each function selection from the external device side, the processing load on the external device side is increased and cannot be easily implemented. The problem can be easily solved.
[0043]
In the above-described embodiment, the function is selected from two functions A and B, but may be selected from three or more functions. In that case, a plurality of functions may be selected. Alternatively, if the use of a function block is limited to only one and is exclusive, a function selected from an external device is performed by reducing the current consumption of a function block other than the selected function. Setting can be facilitated simply by specifying.
[0044]
Moreover, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, since the electric current sent between the external device 100 and the electronic device 200 is suppressed, an inexpensive thing is used about basic performance, durability, etc. of a connector for connection, a terminal, etc. it can.
[0045]
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
Therefore, according to the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic device is detachably provided to the external device, exchanges arbitrary data with the external device, and executes an arbitrary function. By providing means to reduce the current consumption of the functional block when the power is turned on and when the functional block is not used, the current consumption in the electronic device is minimized and the current is reduced. The increase in consumption can be suppressed and the use time by the built-in battery can be extended.
[0049]
Further, those which can also be so do not want to increase the processing load on the external device.
[0051]
Thus, in the conventional apparatus, when an electronic device having a plurality of functions is attached to an external device and used, the built-in battery is consumed in a short time due to an increase in the amount of current consumption due to the plurality of functions, and the long time due to the battery It becomes difficult to use. In addition, if it is attempted to control the power supply for each function selection from the external device side, the processing load on the external device side is increased and cannot be easily implemented. The problem can be easily solved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an electronic device and an external device to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an external view of an embodiment of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explanation thereof;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment for explaining its operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... External device, 11 ... System bus, 12 ... Media controller, 13 ... Protocol circuit for camera control, 14 ... Protocol circuit for GPS control, 15 ... Interface, 200 ... Electronic device, 21 ... Functional block of GPS, 22 ... Camera Functional blocks, 21a, 22a ... power control unit, 23 ... memory functional block, 24 ... interface, 25 ... system control circuit, 26 ... data buffer (FIFO), 27 ... attribute ROM

Claims (1)

An electronic device that is detachably attached to an external device, exchanges arbitrary data with the external device, and executes an arbitrary function,
Multiple functional blocks;
A control unit for controlling power supply of the plurality of functional blocks;
A write register for setting each of the plurality of functional blocks by writing from the external device;
The internal information of the electronic device has a read register that is read by the external device,
The control unit reduces the current consumption of the functional block when power is turned on and when the functional block is not used.
In writing of the write register, wherein the external device is used the function block and the control unit determines a current consumption when using the determination functional blocks, and the current consumption of the functional blocks of the stand-by state, the Causing the control unit to write the current consumption totaling the current consumption of the control unit to the read register;
In response to writing of the current consumption amount of the read register, when there is an activation write of the functional block used in the write register, the control unit activates the corresponding functional block.

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