JPH07210273A - Handy terminal with automatic power-off function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the fault of an internal electronic circuit and the burning of an LCD screen which are caused by a strict thermal environment. CONSTITUTION:A temperature detector circuit 9 detects the temperature of a CPU 6 or its peripheral circuit and produces a detected temperature signal. The CPU 6 fetches the detected temperature signal from the circuit 9 and compares this detected temperature with a reference temperature set previously. When the detected temperature exceeds the reference level, the CPU 6 urgently and temporarily saves the data collected in a data processing mode in a register area of a RAM 8 and transmits an automatic power-off signal to a power circuit 5. Receiving this signal, the circuit 5 turns off an electronic switch to forcibly cut the supply of power to a device. Thus it is possible to prevent the fault of an internal electronic circuit, the burning of a screen, etc., due to a thermal environment even if a handy terminal of such a constitution is used under a strict thermal environment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a handy terminal with an auto power-off function, which is safe even when used in a severe thermal environment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a handy terminal (mobile data processing terminal device) is automatically operated when a key input from a keyboard is interrupted for a predetermined time in order to prevent useless consumption of a battery which is an internal power source. Function to shut off the power to
Many have a so-called auto power-off function (see, for example, JP-A-1-260516, JP-A-63-62014, etc.). By the way, the places where handy terminals are used are now expanding to places with severe thermal environments. In addition, handy terminals have been brought in and used for collecting and analyzing various data such as product data.

[0003]

However, in such a harsh thermal environment, there is a possibility that problems such as failure of internal electronic circuits and burning of the liquid crystal display screen may occur as the environmental temperature rises. The above-mentioned conventional auto power off function cannot be monitored.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a handy terminal with an auto power-off function capable of preventing troubles such as a failure of an internal electronic circuit and burning of a liquid crystal display screen due to a severe thermal environment. It is intended to be provided.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, a handy terminal according to the invention of claim 1 is
Basically, a key input unit for keying in data, a display unit for displaying data, and a control unit for controlling each unit of the device and for processing data are further provided. When the temperature of a predetermined portion reaches a preset reference temperature, at least an automatic power-off means for automatically turning off the power supply to the main part of the apparatus is provided.

In the handy terminal according to the second aspect of the present invention, a key input section for key-inputting data,
It basically has a display unit for displaying data and a control unit for controlling each unit of the device and for processing the data, and further, a temperature of a predetermined part of the device is a preset reference temperature. Is reached, after the key input data is temporarily stored in the rewritable nonvolatile memory,
It is provided with an auto power off means for automatically turning off the power supply to the main part of the apparatus.

In the handy terminal according to the third aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the predetermined portion is detected based on a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the predetermined portion, and an output signal from the temperature detecting means. Is configured to determine whether or not the temperature exceeds the reference temperature, and based on the determination result of the determination means, at least power supply control means for automatically turning off the power supply to the main part of the apparatus. Equipped with power-off means.

[0008]

According to the structure of the present invention, when the temperature of the main part of the apparatus reaches a preset reference temperature, the automatic power-off means operates to force the supply of electric power to all or the main part of the apparatus. Shut off automatically. Here, the main part of the device includes at least a control part including an internal electronic circuit such as an LSI and a display part including a liquid crystal display device. The reference temperature is set slightly lower than the guaranteed temperature of the main part of the device. Therefore, even if the handy terminal having the above-mentioned configuration is brought into a severe thermal environment, it is possible to prevent a failure of the internal electronic circuit or a screen burn due to the thermal environment.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the automatic power-off means, before forcibly cutting off the power supply,
Save the keyed data in the non-volatile memory.
Therefore, valuable data is protected from loss. The data saved in the non-volatile memory can be read at any time by turning the power on again.

Further, in the structure of the third aspect, the temperature detecting means detects the temperature of a predetermined portion of the main part of the apparatus and sends it to the judging means. Upon receiving the supply of the detected temperature data from the temperature detecting means, the determining means determines whether or not the detected temperature exceeds the preset reference temperature.
At this time, if it is determined that “the detected temperature has exceeded the reference temperature”, the power supply control means forcibly turns off the power supply to all or main parts of the device. The automatic power-off means described in claim 1, 2 or 3 may have a software configuration or a hardware configuration.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an external configuration of a handy terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the handy terminal. First, the mechanical structure will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the handy terminal of this example is a portable data processing for performing process management, warehousing management (distribution management), warehouse management (product management), etc. at indoor and outdoor work sites such as factories. It is composed of a handy terminal body 1 that is used as a device and wirelessly exchanges data with a host computer, and a touch scanner 2 that reads a barcode attached to a product or the like and sends it to the handy terminal body 1. There is. A plate-shaped keyboard 3a is integrally provided on the front surface of the main body case 1a, and various keys for manually operating the handy terminal, specifically, "0" to "" are provided on the keyboard 3a. A numeric keypad for inputting each number "9", function keys for setting various functions, and the like are arranged. Keyboard 3
At the upper part of a, a touch scanner (bar code reader) 2 for reading the product information displayed on the bar code corresponding to the product.
A panel-shaped liquid crystal display 4 for displaying various data including data input from various keys of the keyboard 3a is attached. A power switch 5a is provided on the right side surface of the body case 1a in the figure, and a transmitting / receiving antenna 6a is provided above the power switch 5a.

Next, the electrical configuration of the handy terminal of this example will be described with reference to FIG. The handy terminal main body 1 includes an operation unit 3 for an operator to manually input data, a CPU (central processing unit) 6 that processes data input from the operation unit 3 and controls each unit of the device. ROM 7 which is an internal storage device of CPU 6
A RAM 8; a temperature detection circuit 9 provided in the vicinity of the CPU 6; a large-screen liquid crystal display 4 for displaying dot-matrix characters and numbers by a backlight system;
A display controller 10 for controlling the liquid crystal display 4, a touch scanner interface 11 connected to the touch scanner 2, a transmission / reception circuit 12 for wirelessly exchanging data with a host computer (not shown), and a power supply for each part of the device. A power supply circuit 5 for turning on and shutting off the turned-on power is roughly configured.

The operation section 3 comprises a keyboard 3a (FIG. 1) for key input and a key data generating circuit (not shown) for generating key data corresponding to the operated (depressed) key of the keyboard 3a. It is configured.

The temperature detection circuit 9 includes a temperature detection element such as a thermistor, detects a temperature in the vicinity of the CPU 6 and generates an analog detection temperature signal, and a temperature detection sensor from the temperature detection sensor. An amplifier circuit (not shown) that amplifies the output signal (detection temperature signal), and a CPU that converts the output signal of this amplification circuit into a digital detection temperature signal
6 and an A / D converter (not shown) for sending the data to the digital camera 6.

The ROM 7 includes various processing programs executed by the CPU 6, character and numeral patterns, and the CPU.
6 and the reference temperature set in advance below the destruction temperature of the electronic element in the vicinity thereof are stored. The RAM 8 is composed of a volatile RAM and a non-volatile data RAM backed up by a battery.
A working area for the CPU 6 to perform various arithmetic processes and a data register area for temporarily storing code data such as product information input from the keyboard 3a or the touch scanner 2 are set. On the other hand, in the non-volatile data RAM, the code power input from the keyboard 3a or the touch scanner 2 and the data processed by the CPU 6 and not yet uploaded to the host computer are automatically powered off. Prior to, a temporary registration area for emergency evacuation is set.

The CPU 6 controls various parts of the apparatus by executing various processing programs stored in the ROM 7 using the working area and the data register area of the RAM 8. For example, the CPU 6 sequentially stores in the data register area of the RAM 8 the code data corresponding to each character and numeral input from the touch scanner 2 or the keyboard 3a, then transfers these code data to the transmission / reception circuit 12, and at the same time, the above-mentioned code. The alphanumeric pattern data corresponding to the data is read from the ROM 7 and supplied to the display controller 10. Further, the CPU 6 performs integrated arithmetic processing and the like on the operands corresponding to a large number of input code data using the working area, reads out the character / numeric pattern data corresponding to the processing result from the ROM 7, and causes the transmission / reception circuit 12 to perform the processing. The data is transferred and supplied to the display controller 10. Furthermore, CPU
When the detected temperature signal supplied from the temperature detection circuit 9 exceeds the reference temperature set and stored in the ROM 6, the collected data is urgently stored in the temporary registration area of the RAM 8 and then the power supply circuit 5 is turned on. Control to execute auto power off.

The display controller 10 is provided with a display buffer memory (not shown) having a size (capacity) corresponding to the maximum number of display characters that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 at one time, and the character and number pattern data sent from the CPU 6 is stored in the display controller 10. Based on this, the liquid crystal display 4 is made to display the letters and numbers.

The power supply circuit 5 includes a battery which is an internal power supply of the apparatus, a power switch 5a (FIG. 1), an electronic switch (not shown), and the like, and is supplied with an auto power off signal from the CPU 6 (not shown). The electronic switch is turned off to forcibly cut off the power supply to the device. The power supply circuit 5 is also provided with an external power supply terminal, a rectifying circuit, a smoothing circuit, etc., and can also receive power from an external power supply. As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception circuit 12 includes a transmission / reception antenna 6a, and wirelessly uploads and downloads with a host computer (not shown) by a specific low-power wireless system having a frequency band of about 400 MHz.

Further, the touch scanner 2 illuminates a bar code in a state of being in contact with a product, and a bar code reading section for reading the bar code by the reflected light, and a handy scanner main body 1 for the read bar code. CPU
6 is composed of a decoder for converting into code data that can be understood by 6 and a data transfer section for sending the code data output from this decoder to the CPU 6.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the automatic power-off operation of the handy terminal having the above construction will be described. When the operator turns on the power switch 5a at indoor and outdoor work sites, the power of the handy terminal of this example is turned on, and the CPU 6 first initializes each part of the device. This initialization includes clearing various registers, resetting various flags, and initializing various variables that are initial settings of peripheral circuits. Upon completion of initialization, the CPU 6 displays various product information
Every time an input is made from the touch scanner 2 or the keyboard 3a, various integrated arithmetic processes are executed in accordance with a processing program for process management, physical distribution management, product management, or the like.

On the other hand, in the temperature detecting circuit 9, the temperature detecting sensor detects the temperature in the vicinity of the CPU 6 and outputs an analog detected temperature signal. The detected temperature signal is amplified by the amplification circuit with a predetermined amplification degree and then input to the A / D converter.

When the CPU 6 waits for the above arithmetic processing, the CPU 6 shown in FIG.
The auto power off routine shown in is executed. In the auto power-off routine, the detected temperature signal is fetched from the temperature detection circuit 9 in step S1. Next, in step S2, the preset reference temperature is read from the ROM 7 and compared with the detected temperature detected by the temperature detection circuit 9 to determine whether the detected temperature exceeds the reference temperature. . When the result of this determination is "NO", that is, when the detected temperature does not exceed the reference temperature,
The processing of steps S1 and S2 is repeated. In addition,
If there is an interrupt request during the processing from step S1 to step S2, the processing of this routine is interrupted, and various data processing for which the interrupt request is made is executed.

On the other hand, in step S2, "YES"
If it is determined that the detected temperature exceeds the reference temperature because the work site is in a severe thermal environment, the process proceeds to step S3, and the data collected in the process of the above data processing. Then, after the data that has not been uploaded to the host computer is urgently saved in the temporary registration area of the RAM 8, the process proceeds to step S4, and the auto power off signal is sent to the power supply circuit 5. Upon receiving the supply of the auto power-off signal from the CPU 6, the power supply circuit 5 turns off an electronic switch (not shown) to forcibly cut off the power supply to the device. This allows
CPU6, liquid crystal display 4, ROM7, RAM8,
The power supply to the display controller 10, the transmission / reception circuit 12, and the touch scanner 2 is forcibly stopped.
Even after executing the auto power off, the non-volatile data RAM in which the temporary registration area is set is backed up by a battery different from the battery of the power supply circuit 5, so the data is collected by that time in the process of data processing. The data will not be lost. After the auto power off is executed, the handy terminal is transferred to a place where the temperature is relatively low and cooled. The cancellation of the auto power off is achieved by performing the operation of returning the power switch 5a to the normal "off" state and then operating it again to the "on" state. When the power is turned on again, the CPU 6 The data saved in the temporary registration area can be read and the interrupted data processing can be continued.

According to the above construction, even if the handy terminal is brought into a severe thermal environment, it is possible to prevent a failure of the internal electronic circuit or a screen burn due to the thermal environment. Further, the data collected in the process of data processing is urgently saved in the temporary registration area prior to the execution of the auto power off, so that the data accumulated up to that point can be avoided from being lost.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to this embodiment, and there are design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Also included in the present invention. For example, the touch scanner or the temporary registration area may be omitted as appropriate. Further, the keyboard is not limited to the ten keys and the function keys, but may be provided with data keys for inputting characters such as alphabets and kana. A comparison circuit may be used to compare the detected temperature with the reference temperature. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the temperature detection sensor of the temperature detection circuit is arranged near the CPU 6 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the temperature detection sensor may be arranged near the liquid crystal display. Also, not only inside the handy terminal body,
It may be exposed on the surface of the main body. Here, when it is arranged in the vicinity of the liquid crystal display, it is of course effective to set the reference temperature in advance to a temperature below the destruction temperature of the liquid crystal display.

In the above embodiment, the handy terminal is wirelessly connected to the host computer. However, the handy terminal need not be connected to the host computer, and the handy terminal of the present invention can be used, for example, as a portable terminal. It may be applied to a personal computer or an electronic notebook. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the automatic power-off means is constituted by software, but it may be constituted by hardware such as incorporating a thermostat or a shape memory alloy in the power switch.

[0027]

As described above, in the handy terminal according to the present invention, when the temperature of the main part of the device reaches the preset reference temperature, the automatic power-off means is activated to operate all or the main part of the device. Since the power supply to the power supply is forcibly cut off, even if the battery is brought into a severe thermal environment, it is possible to prevent a failure of the internal electronic circuit or a screen burn due to the thermal environment.

If the key input data is saved in the non-volatile memory before the power supply is forcibly cut off as in the second aspect of the present invention, the data has been accumulated by then. Save valuable data from loss.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a handy terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the handy terminal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an auto power off operation of the handy terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Handy Terminal Main Unit (Handy Terminal) 3 Operation Unit (Key Input Unit) 4 Liquid Crystal Display (Display Unit, Main Unit of Device) 5 Power Supply Circuit (Power Supply, Part of Power Supply Control Means, Part of Auto Power Off Means) 6 CPU (Control unit, determination unit, part of power supply control unit, part of auto power-off unit, main part of device) 8 RAM (rewritable nonvolatile memory) 9 temperature detection circuit (temperature detection unit)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A handy terminal having a key input section for keying in data, a display section for displaying data, and a control section for controlling each section of the apparatus and processing the data, When the temperature of a predetermined portion of the device reaches a preset reference temperature, at least an auto power off means for automatically turning off the power supply to the main part of the device is provided. Handy terminal with off function. 2. A handy terminal having a key input section for keying in data, a display section for displaying data, and a control section for controlling each section of the apparatus and processing the data. When the temperature of a predetermined part of the device reaches a preset reference temperature, key input data is temporarily stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and then at least the main part of the device is automatically turned off. A handy terminal with an auto power-off function, which is equipped with an auto power-off means for changing the state. 3. The automatic power-off means detects the temperature of the predetermined portion, and the temperature of the predetermined portion exceeds the reference temperature based on an output signal from the temperature detection means. 7. A determination means for determining whether or not there is a power supply, and a power supply control means for automatically turning on / off a power supply to a main part of the apparatus based on a determination result of the determination means. Handy terminal with auto power off function described in 1 or 2.