JPH10228410A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic equipment capable of displaying the usable remaining capacity of a recording medium and a battery without increasing the cost and space. SOLUTION: The electronic equipment is provided with a digital signal processing part 10 for recording inputted information in a recording medium 9 a voltage detection means 17 for detecting the voltage of a battery 16 to be a power supply for equipment, a light emitting diode(LED) 12 allowed to be turned on when a recording mode is set up by a recording button 13 and used also as a means for displaying the usable remaining capacity of the medium 9 and the battery 16, and a system control part 11 for measuring the capacity of the medium 9 at the time of the recording mode, flashing the LED 12 in accordance with a duty ratio corresponding to the rate of used capacity to usable remaining capacity, and when a stop button 15 is depressed for one second at the time of stopping, similarly flashing the LED 12 by a duty ratio corresponding to the capacity of the battery 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to an electronic device for displaying a usable remaining capacity of a consumed resource.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a recording medium used in a recording apparatus as an example of electronic equipment, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like has been conventionally used. By checking the winding amount from one shaft to the other shaft, the remaining available capacity can be directly visually confirmed.

However, when a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk is used as a recording medium, unlike the above-described magnetic tape, usually, it is possible to directly visually check how much remaining available capacity is available. Since this is not the case, it is necessary to display the available remaining capacity to the user by some means.

When the electronic device is a portable device, for example, a battery is often used as a power source, and it is necessary to indicate to the user how much remaining capacity is currently available.

[0005] Therefore, in general, in a device for recording and reproducing audio and video, when the remaining available capacity of the recording medium and the battery is reduced, for example, three minutes before the predicted end time. In this case, a warning alarm is sounded, or a light emitting element (LED) or liquid crystal display element (LC
The warning is given to the user by blinking D).

Further, as another example, a dedicated display means for indicating a usable remaining capacity of a recording medium or a battery, for example, a plurality of LEDs arranged in one line or a plurality of segments on an LCD is provided. By providing, the amount of the remaining capacity with respect to the total capacity can be determined at all times during the recording operation, or
Devices that display when a button for checking the remaining amount is pressed have also been proposed.

[0007]

However, in the above-described means for issuing a warning before the specified end time of the predicted end time, the user can use the remaining resources such as recording media and batteries until the warning is issued. Since the capacity cannot be known, it is inconvenient, and a measure must be taken to end the operation in a short time after the warning is issued.

Further, in the conventional apparatus provided with a dedicated display means for indicating the remaining usable capacity as described above, a plurality of LEDs are required or a plurality of dedicated segments must be formed on the LCD. Larger LCDs for
A multi-function LCD driver is required, and a button or the like for checking the remaining amount is required.
As a result, the space and cost are increased, and this is disadvantageous particularly for use in portable devices and the like that require miniaturization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electronic device capable of displaying the remaining available capacity of a consumed resource without increasing cost or space. .

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a measuring unit for measuring a remaining available capacity of resources consumed by operating the electronic device, A single light-emitting means for displaying the remaining usable capacity, and a control means for controlling blinking of the light-emitting means, wherein the control means is configured such that the light-emitting means is provided in a predetermined manner according to the remaining usable capacity. It is controlled to blink.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus that records input information on a recording medium, a measuring unit that measures an available remaining capacity of the recording medium, and displays the available remaining capacity. A single light emitting means, and a control means for controlling blinking of the light emitting means, wherein the control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the usable remaining capacity. is there.

Further, the electronic device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a measuring device for measuring a usable remaining capacity of a battery as a power supply, a single light emitting device for displaying the usable remaining capacity, and a blinking of the light emitting device. Controlling means for controlling the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the available remaining capacity.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the first aspect,
In the electronic device according to the second or third aspect, the control unit may be configured to determine whether the usable remaining capacity decreases.
The ratio of the time during which the light emitting means emits light during blinking is controlled so as to be reduced with respect to the ratio of time during which light does not emit light during blinking.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to the first aspect.
In the electronic device according to the second, third, or fourth aspect of the present invention, the control unit changes a blinking cycle of the light emitting unit when the available remaining capacity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Is controlled.

Therefore, in the electronic device according to the first aspect of the invention, the measuring means measures the available remaining capacity of the resources consumed by operating the electronic device, and the single light emitting means displays the available remaining capacity. The control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the usable remaining capacity.

Also, in the electronic device according to the second invention, the information inputted by the recording means is recorded on the recording medium, the measuring means measures the usable remaining capacity of the recording medium, and the single light emitting means is used by the single light emitting means. The remaining capacity is displayed, and the control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the usable remaining capacity.

Further, in the electronic device according to the third invention, the measuring means measures the remaining usable capacity of the battery as a power supply, and the single light emitting means displays the usable remaining capacity.
The control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the usable remaining capacity.

In the electronic device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the usable remaining capacity is reduced, the control means emits the light while the light emitting means emits light while blinking. Control to decrease for no time percentage.

In the electronic device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the flashing cycle of the light emitting means to be changed when the available remaining capacity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the recording apparatus. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus as an example of an electronic apparatus, and a recording medium is used as an example of a consumed resource.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus includes a microphone 1 for inputting audio and converting it into an electric signal, and an amplifier (AMP) 2 for amplifying the audio signal from the microphone 1 to an appropriate level. A low-pass filter (LPF) 3 for removing unnecessary high-frequency components from the audio signal amplified by the amplifier 2, and an analog audio signal output from the low-pass filter 3 for converting the audio signal into digital data. The A / D converter 4 and a digital signal processing unit (DSP) 10 as a recording means for compressing / expanding an audio signal converted into digital data in order to more effectively use a recording medium 9 described later, and record information. For example, the digital audio signal output from the recording medium 9 such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic tape and the digital signal processing unit 10 is converted into an analog signal. A D / A converter 5 in order, low-pass filters (L for smoothing the audio signal converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 5
PF) 6 and an amplifier (AMP) for amplifying the output of the low-pass filter 6 to drive a speaker 8 described below.
7, a speaker 8 driven by the amplifier 7 to emit sound, and control means for controlling the whole of the recording apparatus including the above-mentioned respective circuits. The capacity of the recording medium 9 and the capacity of a battery 16 described later , A recording button 13 for inputting the start of recording, and a play button 14 for inputting the start of reproduction.
And a stop button 15 for inputting the end of the recording or reproduction, and a light emitting means for lighting during recording to indicate that recording is being performed and for displaying the remaining available capacity as described later. It comprises a light emitting element (LED) 12, a battery 16 as a power supply of the recording apparatus, and voltage detecting means 17 for detecting the voltage of the battery 16 and outputting it to the system control unit 11.

In this recording apparatus, the recording button 13, the reproduction button 14, and the stop button 15 are at a high level when no operation is performed, and at a low level when pressed by a user. It is changing.

Next, the operation of such a recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the switching of the operation mode of the printing apparatus.

When this operation starts, it is first determined whether or not the recording button 13 has changed (step S).
1) If the level has changed to the low level, the operation mode of the recording apparatus is set to the recording mode (step S).
2) Return to step S1.

If the recording button 13 remains at the high level in step S1, it is determined whether or not the reproduction button 14 has changed (step S1).
3) If the level has changed to the low level, the operation mode of the recording apparatus is set to the reproduction mode (step S).
4) Return to step S1.

Further, if the reproduction button 14 remains at the high level in the step S3, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the recording apparatus is the recording mode (step S5). If there is, the operation in the recording mode is performed (step S6), and
Return to 1.

In step S5, if the operation mode of the recording apparatus is not the recording mode, it is determined whether or not the operation mode is the reproduction mode (step S7). The operation in the reproduction mode is performed (step S8), and the process returns to step S1.
On the other hand, if the reproduction mode is not set in step S7, the process returns to step S1.

Next, the operation in the recording mode in step S6 will be described.

When entering the recording mode, the sound is transmitted to the microphone 1
When it enters, it is converted into an analog electric signal and output.

After the analog signal is amplified by the amplifier 2, unnecessary high-frequency components are removed by a low-pass filter 3, converted to a digital signal by an A / D converter 4, and input to a digital signal processing unit 10. You.

In the digital signal processing unit 10,
The input digital signal is subjected to compression processing, and the compressed digital signal is recorded on the recording medium 9 under the control of the system control unit 11. At this time, the LED 12 is turned on to indicate that the current operation mode of the recording apparatus is the recording mode.

Next, the operation in the reproduction mode in step S8 will be described.

In the reproduction mode, the digital data compressed and recorded on the recording medium 9 is read out, decompressed by the digital signal processor 10, and converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 5, After the waveform is smoothed by the low-pass filter 6, the waveform is amplified by the amplifier 7 and output as sound from the speaker 8.

Next, the operation of displaying the remaining usable capacity of the recording medium 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying the remaining usable capacity by the LED, and FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a driving signal of the LED according to the remaining usable capacity.

Here, as an example, a recording apparatus capable of recording sound for 10 minutes, that is, a recording apparatus having a total recording capacity of 10 minutes in terms of time will be described.

When the recording device is in the recording mode as shown in step S6, the system controller 11
Calculates the remaining capacity from the total recording capacity and the current used capacity by constantly monitoring the used capacity of the recording medium 9.

Then, whether or not the remaining capacity is 90% or more of the whole, that is, in the above example in which the total recording capacity is 10 minutes, whether or not the current used capacity t converted to time is less than 1 minute It is determined whether or not it is not (step S11). If the time is less than one minute, the process is terminated without changing the lighting state of the LED 12 indicating that the recording device is in the recording mode (see the top row of FIG. 4). .

If the remaining capacity is less than 90% of the total, that is, the current used capacity t is one minute or more, then it is determined whether the remaining capacity is 80% or more of the whole, that is, It is determined whether the used capacity t is less than 2 minutes (step S12).

Here, when the used capacity t is 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes, the LED 12 is turned on and off so that the on / off duty ratio becomes 9: 1. For example, L
The ED 12 is turned on for 4.5 seconds and then turned off for 0.5 seconds, so that it blinks (see the second row from the top in FIG. 4) (step S13). Then, this operation ends.

In step S12, if the remaining capacity is less than 80% of the total, that is, if the current used capacity t is 2 minutes or more, then it is determined whether the remaining capacity is 70% or more of the whole. That is, it is determined whether or not the current used capacity t is less than 3 minutes (step S14).

If the used capacity t is 2 minutes or more and less than 3 minutes, the LED 12 is turned on and off so that the on / off duty ratio becomes 8: 2. For example, L
The ED 12 is turned on for 4 seconds and then turned off for 1 second to blink (see the third row from the top in FIG. 4).
(Step S15). Then, this operation ends.

In step S14, if the remaining capacity is less than 70% of the total capacity, the remaining capacity is determined in the same manner, and thereafter, every time the remaining capacity decreases by 10%, the duty ratio is changed from 7: 3 to 6: 4 → 5: 5 → 4: 6 → 3: 7 → 2:
8, the remaining capacity is displayed so that the remaining capacity can be visually recognized based on the ratio of the time during which the LED 12 is turned on to the time when the LED 12 is turned off.

The description will be further continued from the stage when the remaining capacity is less than 10% of the whole.

If the remaining capacity is less than 10% of the total, that is, the current used capacity t is 9 minutes or more, then it is determined whether the remaining capacity is, for example, 1.7% or more of the whole, that is, It is determined whether the current used capacity t is less than 9 minutes and 50 seconds (9.83 minutes) (step S16).

Here, the used capacity t is 9 minutes or more and 9 minutes 50
If it is less than seconds, the LED 12 is turned on and off so that the on / off duty ratio is 1: 9. For example, the LED 12 is turned on and off by repeating the operation of turning it on for 0.5 seconds and turning it off for 4.5 seconds (see the second row from the bottom in FIG. 4) (step S17). Then, this operation ends. Up to this point, the blinking cycle of the LED 12 is 5 seconds.

In step S16, the remaining capacity is less than 1.7% of the whole, that is, the current used capacity t is 9
If it is longer than 50 minutes, it is next determined whether or not the remaining capacity has reached 0% of the entire capacity (step S18).

If the remaining capacity has not reached 0%,
In other words, when the remaining capacity is greater than 0 seconds and less than 10 seconds, the operation of turning on the LED 12 for 0.5 seconds and off for 0.5 seconds is repeated, so that the cycle is much shorter than 5 seconds. It blinks at a certain one-second cycle (see the bottom row of FIG. 4) to notify the user that the available remaining capacity has become 0 (step S19). Then, this operation ends.

If the remaining capacity has reached 0% of the total capacity in step S18, the recording mode is stopped (step S20), and the process ends.

In this embodiment, an example of a device for converting an audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal for recording has been described. However, an apparatus for recording or reproducing an analog signal without converting it into a digital signal. The same can be applied to.

The recording medium 9 may be built in the recording apparatus or may be detachable.

According to the first embodiment, the remaining available capacity is displayed by using the LED already provided in the recording apparatus without newly adding a dedicated button, a display member, or the like. It is possible to do. Thus, the available remaining capacity of the recording medium can be displayed without increasing cost and space.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus as an example of an electronic apparatus, and a battery is used as an example of a consumed resource.

The recording apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1, and the switching of the operation mode is the same as that shown in FIG.

Here, the available remaining capacity of the battery 16 is determined by measuring the voltage of the battery 16 by the voltage detecting means 17 and estimating the system controller 11 based on the measurement result.

Further, the voltage detecting means 17 is constituted by a plurality of voltage detecting ICs to monitor a change in the voltage, and the system controller 11 estimates the remaining usable capacity of the battery 16 from the change. Is also good.

The battery 16 may be built in the recording device, or may be detachable.

Next, the operation of displaying the remaining usable capacity of the battery 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in the first embodiment.

Here, in order to conform to the description of FIGS. 3 and 4, a case where the total battery capacity is 10 minutes in terms of time will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Of course.

The system control unit 11 constantly monitors the used capacity of the battery 16 via the voltage detecting means 17, and calculates the remaining capacity from the total battery capacity and the current used capacity.

When the recording apparatus is in the stop mode, for example, when the stop button 15 is continuously pressed for one second or more, the apparatus enters a mode for displaying the remaining capacity of the battery 16.

In this mode, whether the remaining capacity is 90% or more of the whole, that is, in the above example in which the total battery capacity is 10 minutes, the current used capacity t converted to time is 1 minute. It is determined whether it is less than (Step S1)
If the time is less than one minute, the LED 12 is turned on continuously for a predetermined time, and the process is terminated (see the top row of FIG. 4).

If the remaining capacity is less than 90% of the total, that is, if the current used capacity t is one minute or more, it is determined whether the remaining capacity is 80% or more of the whole, that is, the current capacity t is equal to or more than the current capacity t. It is determined whether the used capacity t is less than 2 minutes (see step S12).

Here, when the used capacity t is 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes, the LED 12 is blinked for a predetermined time so that the on / off duty ratio becomes 9: 1. For example, the LED 12 is turned on and off for 4.5 seconds, and then turned off for 0.5 seconds, thereby causing the LED 12 to blink (FIG. 4).
(Refer to the second row from the top) (see step S13). Then, this operation ends.

In step S12 referred to above,
If the remaining capacity is less than 80% of the whole, that is, the current used capacity t is 2 minutes or more, it is determined whether the remaining capacity is 70% or more of the whole, that is, the current used capacity t. Is less than 3 minutes (step S14).
reference).

If the used capacity t is 2 minutes or more and less than 3 minutes, the LED 12 is turned on and off for a predetermined time so that the on / off duty ratio is 8: 2. For example, the LED 12 is turned on for 4 seconds and then turned off for 1 second to blink (see the third row from the top in FIG. 4) (see step S15). Then, this operation ends.

In step S14 referred to above,
When the remaining capacity is less than 70% of the whole, the remaining capacity is determined in the same manner, and thereafter, every time the remaining capacity decreases by 10%, the duty ratio is changed from 7: 3 → 6: 4 → 5: 5 → 4: 6 →
By changing the ratio from 3: 7 to 2: 8, the remaining capacity is displayed so that the remaining capacity can be visually recognized based on the ratio of the time during which the LED 12 is turned on and the time during which the LED 12 is turned off.

The description will be further continued from the stage when the remaining capacity is less than 10% of the whole.

If the remaining capacity is less than 10% of the total, that is, the current used capacity t is 9 minutes or more, then it is determined whether the remaining capacity is, for example, 1.7% or more of the whole, that is, It is determined whether the current used capacity t is less than 9 minutes and 50 seconds (9.83 minutes) (see step S16).

Here, the used capacity t is 9 minutes or more and 9 minutes 50
If it is shorter than a second, the LED 12 is blinked for a predetermined time so that the ON / OFF duty ratio is 1: 9. For example, the LED 12 is turned on for 0.5 seconds,
It blinks by repeating the operation of turning off for 5 seconds (see the second row from the bottom in FIG. 4) (see step S17).
Then, this operation ends. Until here, LE
The blinking cycle of D12 is 5 seconds.

In step S16 referred to above,
If the remaining capacity is less than 1.7% of the whole, that is, if the current used capacity t is 9 minutes and 50 seconds or more, it is next determined whether or not the remaining capacity has reached 0% of the whole ( Step S
18).

If the remaining capacity has not reached 0%,
In other words, when the remaining capacity is greater than 0 seconds and less than 10 seconds, the operation of turning on the LED 12 for 0.5 seconds and off for 0.5 seconds is repeated, so that the cycle is much shorter than 5 seconds. It flashes for a predetermined time at a certain one-second cycle (see the bottom row of FIG. 4), and the available remaining capacity becomes zero.
Is notified to the user (see step S19). Then, after performing necessary control such as saving data, the operation is terminated.

If the remaining capacity has reached 0% of the total capacity in step S18 referred to above, the operation of the recording apparatus is stopped (see step S20), and the processing is terminated.

According to the second embodiment, the LED and the stop button which are already provided in the recording apparatus can be used without newly adding a dedicated button, a display member, and the like. The capacity can be displayed. Thus,
The remaining usable capacity of the battery can be displayed without increasing cost and space.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the operation of displaying the remaining usable capacity by using LEDs. In the third embodiment, a description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different points will be mainly described.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus as an example of an electronic apparatus, and a recording medium is used as an example of a consumed resource.

The recording apparatus according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1, and the switching of the operation mode is the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, an operation for displaying the remaining usable capacity of the recording medium 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, as an example, a recording device capable of recording a sound for 10 minutes,
That is, a case where the total recording capacity is 10 minutes in terms of time will be described.

When the recording apparatus is in the recording mode as shown in step S6 of FIG. 2, the system control section 11 constantly monitors the used capacity of the recording medium 9 and
The remaining capacity is calculated from the total recording capacity and the current used capacity.

Then, whether or not the remaining capacity is 50% or more of the whole, that is, in the above example in which the total recording capacity is 10 minutes, is the current used capacity t converted to time less than 5 minutes? It is determined whether or not it is not (step S21). If the time is less than 5 minutes, the process ends without changing the lighting state of the LED 12 indicating that the recording apparatus is in the recording mode.

If the remaining capacity is less than 50% of the total, that is, the current used capacity t is 5 minutes or more, it is determined whether the remaining capacity is 25% or more of the total, It is determined whether or not the used capacity t is less than 7 minutes 30 seconds (7.5 minutes) (step S22).

Here, the used capacity t is 5 minutes or more and 7 minutes 30
If it is less than seconds, the LED 12 is turned on and off so that the on / off duty ratio becomes 1: 1. For example, the LED 12 is turned on and off for 2.5 seconds, and then turned off for 2.5 seconds to blink (step S2).
3). Then, this operation ends.

In step S22, if the remaining capacity is less than 25% of the total, that is, if the current used capacity t is 7 minutes and 30 seconds or more, then the remaining capacity is 1.7% or more of the whole. It is determined whether or not there is, that is, whether or not the current used capacity t is less than 9 minutes and 50 seconds (9.83 minutes) (step S24).

Here, the used capacity t is 7 minutes 30 seconds or more and 9
If the time is less than 50 minutes, the LED 12 is turned on.
It blinks so that the OFF duty ratio becomes 1: 3. For example, the LED 12 is turned on for 1.25 seconds, and
It blinks by repeating the operation of turning off for 5 seconds (step S25). Then, this operation ends. Up to this point, the blinking cycle of the LED 12 is 5 seconds.

In step S24, the remaining capacity is less than 1.7% of the whole, that is, the current used capacity t is 9
If it is longer than 50 minutes, it is next determined whether or not the remaining capacity has reached 0% of the whole (step S26).

If the remaining capacity has not reached 0%,
In other words, when the remaining capacity is greater than 0 seconds and less than 10 seconds, the operation of turning on the LED 12 for 0.5 seconds and off for 0.5 seconds is repeated, so that the cycle is much shorter than 5 seconds. It blinks at a certain one-second cycle to notify the user that the available remaining capacity has become zero (step S27). Then, this operation ends.

If the remaining capacity reaches 0% of the total capacity in step S26, the recording mode is stopped (step S28), and the process ends.

In this embodiment, an example of a device for converting an audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal for recording has been described. However, an apparatus for recording or reproducing an analog signal without converting it into a digital signal. The same can be applied to.

The recording medium 9 may be built in the recording apparatus, or may be removable.

According to the third embodiment, substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and
Recognition of the remaining available capacity is not so problematic when the remaining capacity is large, and it is necessary to know in detail when the remaining capacity is low. Therefore, it is effective from this viewpoint.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus as an example of an electronic apparatus, and a battery is used as an example of a consumed resource.

The recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1, and the switching of the operation mode is the same as that shown in FIG.

Here, the available remaining capacity of the battery 16 is determined by measuring the voltage of the battery 16 by the voltage detecting means 17 and estimating the system controller 11 based on the measurement result.

Further, the voltage detecting means 17 is constituted by a plurality of voltage detecting ICs to monitor a change in the voltage, and the system controller 11 estimates the remaining available capacity of the battery 16 from the change. Is also good.

The battery 16 may be built in the recording apparatus or may be detachable, as in the second embodiment.

Next, an operation for displaying the remaining usable capacity of the battery 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 in the third embodiment.

Here, in order to conform to the description in FIG. 5, for example, the total battery capacity is converted to time by 10
A description will be given of what is minute, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this.

The system control unit 11 constantly monitors the used capacity of the battery 16 via the voltage detecting means 17, and calculates the remaining capacity from the total battery capacity and the current used capacity.

When the recording apparatus is in the stop mode, for example, when the stop button 15 is continuously pressed for one second or more, the apparatus enters a mode for displaying the remaining capacity of the battery 16.

In this mode, whether the remaining capacity is equal to or more than 50% of the total capacity, that is, in the above example where the total battery capacity is 10 minutes, the current used capacity t converted to time is 5 minutes. Is determined (step S2).
If the time is less than 5 minutes, the LED 12 is continuously turned on for a predetermined time, and the process ends.

If the remaining capacity is less than 50% of the total, that is, the current used capacity t is 5 minutes or more, it is next determined whether the remaining capacity is 25% or more of the whole, It is determined whether or not the used capacity t is less than 7 minutes 30 seconds (7.5 minutes) (see step S22).

Here, the used capacity t is 5 minutes or more and 7 minutes 30
If it is less than seconds, the LED 12 is blinked for a predetermined time so that the ON / OFF duty ratio becomes 1: 1. For example, the LED 12 is turned on for 2.5 seconds,
It blinks by repeating the operation of turning off for 5 seconds (see step S23). Then, this operation ends.

In step S22 referred to above,
If the remaining capacity is less than 25% of the total, that is, the current used capacity t is 7 minutes and 30 seconds or more, then it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity is 1.7% or more of the whole, that is, the current capacity is not less than 1.7%. It is determined whether the used capacity t is less than 9 minutes and 50 seconds (9.83 minutes) (see step S24).

Here, the used capacity t is 7 minutes 30 seconds or more and 9
If the time is less than 50 minutes, the LED 12 is turned on.
It blinks for a predetermined time so that the off duty ratio becomes 1: 3. For example, the LED 12 is turned on for 1.25 seconds and then turned off for 3.75 seconds to blink (see step S25). Then, this operation ends. Up to this point, the blinking cycle of the LED 12 is 5 seconds.

In step S24 referred to above,
If the remaining capacity is less than 1.7% of the whole, that is, if the current used capacity t is 9 minutes and 50 seconds or more, it is next determined whether or not the remaining capacity has reached 0% of the whole ( Step S
26).

If the remaining capacity has not reached 0%,
In other words, when the remaining capacity is greater than 0 seconds and less than 10 seconds, the operation of turning on the LED 12 for 0.5 seconds and off for 0.5 seconds is repeated, so that the cycle is much shorter than 5 seconds. It blinks for a predetermined time at a certain one-second cycle to notify the user that the available remaining capacity has become zero (see step S27). Then, after performing necessary control such as saving data, the operation is terminated.

If the remaining capacity reaches 0% of the total capacity in step S26 referred to above, the operation of the recording apparatus is stopped (see step S28), and the processing is terminated.

According to the fourth embodiment, substantially the same effects as those of the above-described second embodiment can be obtained.
Recognition of the remaining available capacity is not so problematic when the remaining capacity is large, and it is necessary to know in detail when the remaining capacity is low. Therefore, it is effective from this viewpoint.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) By operating the electronic device, measuring means for measuring the remaining available capacity of the consumed resources, a single light emitting means for displaying the remaining available capacity, and blinking of the light emitting means. Control means for controlling, wherein the control means controls the light-emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the available remaining capacity.

(2) Recording means for recording the input information on a recording medium, measuring means for measuring the remaining usable capacity of the recording medium, independent light emitting means for displaying the remaining usable capacity, and light emitting means Control means for controlling blinking of the means, wherein the control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the available remaining capacity.

(3) Measuring means for measuring the remaining usable capacity of the battery as a power source, a single light emitting means for displaying the remaining usable capacity, and control means for controlling blinking of the light emitting means. The electronic device is characterized in that the control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the available remaining capacity.

(4) When the usable remaining capacity decreases, the control means sets the ratio of the time during which the light emitting means emits light during blinking to the ratio of the time during which the light emitting means does not emit light during blinking. The electronic device according to supplementary note (1), supplementary note (2), or supplementary note (3), characterized in that the electronic device is controlled so as to reduce the temperature.

(5) The control means controls the flashing cycle of the light emitting means to be changed when the usable remaining capacity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The electronic device according to (1), (2), (3), or (4).

(6) The control means determines that the ratio of the available remaining capacity to the total available capacity minus the available remaining capacity is the time during which the light emitting means is flashing and the time during which the light emitting means is flashing. The flashing of the light emitting means is controlled so as to be substantially equal to the ratio of the time during which no light is emitted, the additional note (1), the additional note (2), the additional note (3), the additional note (4), or the additional note. The electronic device according to (5).

(7) The control means controls the light emitting means to be turned on when the available remaining capacity is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, and otherwise, according to the available remaining capacity. (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6), wherein the light emitting means is controlled to blink in a predetermined manner. An electronic device according to claim 1.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in the appendix (1), it is possible to display the remaining available capacity of the consumed resources without increasing the cost and the space.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in the appendix (2), the remaining usable capacity of the recording medium can be displayed without increasing the cost and the space.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in the supplementary note (3), the remaining usable capacity of the battery can be displayed without increasing cost and space.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in the supplementary note (4), the same effect as that of the invention described in the supplementary note (1), (2) or (3) can be obtained, and the emission time of the blinking can be reduced. The remaining available capacity can be recognized from the ratio.

According to the electronic apparatus of the invention described in the supplementary note (5), the same effects as those of the invention described in the supplementary note (1), the supplementary note (2), the supplementary note (3), or the supplementary note (4) can be obtained. It is possible to recognize that the available remaining capacity has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount by the change of the blinking cycle.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in the supplementary note (6), the same as the invention described in the supplementary note (1), the supplementary note (2), the supplementary note (3), the supplementary note (4), or the supplementary note (5) is provided. In addition to the effect, the ratio of the remaining available capacity and the total available capacity minus the available remaining capacity can be recognized based on the ratio of the time during which light is emitted and the time during which light is not emitted during blinking.

According to the electronic device of the invention described in the supplementary note (7), the electronic device described in the supplementary note (1), the supplementary note (2), the supplementary note (3), the supplementary note (4), the supplementary note (5), or the supplementary note (6) is provided. In addition to the same effect as the invention, when the light emitting means is turned on, it is possible to recognize that the available remaining capacity is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. The remaining available capacity can be recognized.

[0125]

As described above, according to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to display the available remaining capacity of the consumed resources without increasing the cost and the space.

Further, according to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the usable remaining capacity of the recording medium can be displayed without increasing cost and space.

Further, according to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the usable remaining capacity of the battery can be displayed without increasing cost and space.

According to the electronic device of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first, second, or third invention can be obtained, and the electronic device can be used depending on the ratio of the light emission time in blinking. The remaining capacity can be recognized.

According to the electronic device of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first, second, third, or fourth invention can be obtained, and the change of the blinking cycle can be achieved. , It can be recognized that the remaining usable capacity has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating switching of an operation mode of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
9 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying the remaining usable capacity by D.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing LED drive signals according to the remaining available capacity in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying the remaining usable capacity by an LED.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Recording medium (consumed resources) 10 Digital signal processing unit (recording unit) 11 System control unit (control unit, measuring unit) 12 LED (light emitting unit) 13 Recording button 15 Stop button 16 Battery (Consumed resources) 17 Voltage detecting means

Claims (5)

[Claims] An electronic device is operated to measure available remaining capacity of consumed resources, a single light emitting means for displaying the available remaining capacity, and a flashing control of the light emitting means. An electronic device, comprising: a control unit that controls the light emitting unit to blink in a predetermined manner according to the available remaining capacity. 2. Recording means for recording input information on a recording medium; measuring means for measuring the remaining usable capacity of the recording medium; single light emitting means for displaying the remaining usable capacity; and the light emitting means Control means for controlling blinking of the electronic device, wherein the control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the available remaining capacity. 3. A measuring means for measuring a remaining usable capacity of a battery as a power supply, a single light emitting means for displaying the remaining usable capacity, and a control means for controlling blinking of the light emitting means. An electronic device, wherein the control means controls the light emitting means to blink in a predetermined manner according to the available remaining capacity. 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the usable remaining capacity decreases, a ratio of a time during which the light-emitting unit emits light during blinking to a ratio of a time during which the light-emitting unit does not emit light during blinking. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is controlled to decrease the electronic device. 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the available remaining capacity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the control unit controls to change a blinking cycle of the light emitting unit. 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4
An electronic device according to claim 1.