JPH08313615A - Positioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prolong the driving time with one battery. CONSTITUTION: The positioning system comprises power supply ON/OFF control means 1, 3, 5 for turning at least a power supply required for main operation every preset time, and power interruption control means 1, 3, 5 for turning the power supply upon elapse of a predetermined time. Upon detection of a predetermined request signal when the power supply is turned off by the power interruption control means 1, 3, 5, the power interruption control means 1, 3, 5 are actuated to turn on the power supply.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a positioning device suitable for being carried by a battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a positioning device that receives radio waves from GPS satellites for positioning is generally not large and is not supposed to be carried.

Therefore, a portable positioning device intended for outdoor use has been proposed by the present applicant, and the positioning device is basically driven by a battery as a power source.

Generally, the positioning data is updated within 2 to 3 seconds, but in practical use, such positioning data may not be necessary.

[0005]

Therefore, by updating the positioning data to the minimum necessary and using the same battery,
It is desirable to drive the device for as long a time as possible.

An object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device that can extend the driving time with the same battery.

[0007]

According to the present invention, at least a power-on control means for turning on a power source required for a main operation at preset time intervals, and a preset time from when the power source is turned on. In a positioning device having a power shutoff control means for turning off the power in response to the passage of a predetermined time, a predetermined request signal is detected by the power shutoff control means while the power is off. Then, the power-on control means is activated to turn on the power.

In the positioning device according to the present invention, at least the power supply required for the main operation is turned on every predetermined time, and the power is turned off after a predetermined time elapses from the time when the power is turned on. When a predetermined request signal is detected in a state where is turned off, the power is turned on, so that the driving time in the same battery can be favorably extended without any trouble. .

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of a positioning device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, output signals from an external input section 3 and a timer control section 5 are respectively taken into a control section 1 which is mainly composed of a microcomputer and the like, and the control section 3 is based on these signals and the like. In addition, the operation control of the main operation unit 7 (the operation unit that is the main body of the positioning device function) of the positioning device is performed.

The external input unit 3 may be, for example, GP.
Examples include a receiver that receives radio waves from S satellites and various operation buttons.

Then, in the timer control section 5,
As shown in FIG. 2, optionally with to turn on the power supplied to the main operation unit 7 (Aueiku state) time interval T _O (e.g., 10 minutes to 90 minutes) is set, the power supply Is turned on for a time T ₁ (out wake time;
For example, 20 seconds) and an off time (sleep state) are set.

In this case, the trigger pulse is input from the timer control section 5 to the control section 1 at an interval of time T _O , and the pulse width of the trigger pulse is the time T.
It is supposed to be ₁ .

Here, the processing procedure performed by the control unit 1 which is the main part of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the power save function (intermittent operation) in which the power source is turned on at intervals of time T ₀ is selected by a predetermined operation (YES in step S ₁ ), it is currently in the awake state (step S _3). YES), on the condition that there is no request to continue the awake state, wait for the awake time T _{1 to} expire.

In this case, the continuation request for the awake state includes key input from the external input unit 3, convenience of each application program of the apparatus, and the like.

When the time is up in step S ₁₁ , the power supply to the main operating section 7 is cut off to put it in a sleep state (step S ₁₅ ), and an wake-up due to an external factor such as a key input from the external input section 3 is performed. if a request for return state (step S ₁₅ NO), the routine proceeds to step S _20,
Processing other than the power save function is performed.

Meanwhile, if there is a request Aueiku return state in step S _15, the main operation unit 7 is in Aueiku state (step S _17).

[0019] Then, if the sleep state in step S _3, the process proceeds to step S _20, the process proceeds to step S ₂₀ if there is no time up in the step S _11.

Further, if there is a continuation request at step S ₅ , as can be understood from FIG. 2, the time in the awake state is further updated from time T ₁ (step S ₇ YES) by time T ₁ (step S ₉ ), And as a result, the time in the awake state is T ₂ .

As described above, in this embodiment, since the power saving function is provided, updating of positioning data and the like can be set to the necessary minimum.

Therefore, it is possible to avoid unnecessary power consumption and prolong the driving time of the device.

In this case, the times T _O and T are
_{Since 1} is set, no inconvenience in use can occur.

Since the power save function can be realized by software, it is also preferable that the power save function is automatically canceled when an external power source can be used.

[0025]

As can be understood from the above description, in the positioning device according to the present invention, at least the power supply required for the main operation is turned on every predetermined time, and for a predetermined time after the power is turned on. After a lapse of time, the power is turned off, and when a predetermined request signal is detected while the power is off, the power is turned on, so that the drive time can be extended without unnecessary power supply. There are profits that can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a positioning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the positioning device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the positioning device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 control unit, 3 external input unit, 5 timer control unit, 7 main positioning unit operation unit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Okamura 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A power-on control means for turning on a power supply required for at least a main operation every predetermined time set in advance, and a predetermined time set in advance after the power is turned on. In a positioning device having a power-off control means for turning off the power in response, when the predetermined request signal is detected by the power-off control means while the power is off, the power-on control means The positioning device is characterized by being activated to turn on the power.