JPH11238039A - Portable information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the life of a battery long enough for practical use in equipment of such a size that the equipment is put on an arm by reducing the current consumption by disconnecting an LCD from a power source for LCD with the signal from a timer and putting it back to the screen before the halt after displaying a timepiece, etc., after the display is restarted. SOLUTION: This equipment is equipped with a central processing unit(CPU) 11, an interface(I/F) 16 connected between the outside and CPU 11 so as to make a communication with the outside, and a timer 17 which operates under conditions inputted and set by an input device and is connected to the CPU 11. The liquid crystal display device(LCD) 15 has its display power source disconnected on receiving a signal from the timer 17 and enters a display halt state. After the display is restarted, the device is put back to the screen before the halt after information which was updated during the halt is displayed. Further, even when a communication is made between this portable information equipment main body and a personal computer, the display power source is disconnected or the display is blinked.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a portable information device incorporating PIM (Personal Information Manager) software such as an electronic address book and a schedule.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, pocket-sized portable information devices of this type have been introduced in many cases, but they cannot be downsized to a size which can be carried on an arm and used as a watch. Was.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned portable information device of the watch size, a large battery having a high capacity cannot be used, and a small battery has a short life and is not suitable for practical use. In addition, due to the nature of information devices, the display must be a full dot type capable of displaying various characters, and the battery life has been a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to turn off the display or blink the display when the information device is not used for a certain period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information device with low current consumption that can turn off the display power during communication with the outside and return to the original screen after resuming.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a portable information device according to the present invention comprises a central processing unit (CP).
U) and the CP for communicating with the outside.
An interface (I / F) connected to the U;
Operate according to the conditions set by the input device, C
And a timer connected to the PU. Upon receiving a signal from the timer, the LCD is disconnected from the display power supply and enters a display pause state. After the display is resumed, the updated information is displayed during the pause, and then the LCD is paused. It is characterized by returning to the previous screen.
Also, when communication is performed between the portable information device main body and the personal computer, the display power supply is cut off or the display blinks.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a storage device 12 and operation keys 13 are connected to a CPU (central processing unit) 11, and the CPU 11 performs predetermined arithmetic processing while exchanging signals with the storage device 12 by input from the operation keys 13. In order to display the result of this processing, a full-dot LCD 15 is connected through the LCD driver 14 and displayed on the LCD. A timer 17 is connected to the CPU 11 so as to output a signal when there is no input from the operation keys 13 for a certain period of time. The setting of this time is made with the operation key 1.
3 can be freely set. CPU1
An I / F (interface) 16 is connected to 1 and used when communicating with the outside. The LCD driver 14, the LCD 15, and the I / F 16 are independently provided with power supplies, and switches 18 and 19 are respectively connected between the power supplies. These switches 18 and 19 receive signals from the timer 17 and
It is opened and closed by 11.

The operation of opening and closing the switch 19 of the switches will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. Hereinafter, the numbers in parentheses are symbols corresponding to the respective steps in the figure. The operation of this device is performed by inputting from the operation keys (201). When it is determined that there is an input operation (202), the timer is initialized (202) and the timer is started. Even if there is no input operation, it is determined whether the processing is completed inside the device (204), and if not completed, the timer is initialized (202), and if it is completed, the timer count is completed ( 205) Wait. During this time, the same operation is repeated if input is made from the operation keys, but if the timer count is completed without input, the display power is turned off (206). When the power is turned off and the operation key is pressed again, the timer is initialized, the power of the display is connected, and the display is restarted.

The operation when the display is restarted will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 3 is a flowchart when the suspended display is resumed. When there is an interruption (300) from the operation key, the associated CPU is started (301), and first, a clock is displayed (302). This indicates that the device has been restarted normally, and it is presumed that the information the carrier of the device wants to know will be the time, so the carrier can select beforehand from various information to be updated. Needless to say. In some cases, the updated information may not be displayed. After displaying this clock for a certain period of time, the software before display suspension is determined (303), and the software before suspension is selected from the address book (304), schedule (305), memo pad (306) and the like. Display that screen.

Next, a case where communication is performed between the portable information device main body and a personal computer will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram in the case of communicating with the personal computer of the present invention. The portable information device main body 41 is set so as to be fixed to the I / F station 42 and is electrically connected. The I / F station 42 is connected to a personal computer 43 via a serial connector or the like. A standby power supply 44 is provided in the I / F station 42 and supplies power to the portable information device main body 41 when it is connected. In such a configuration, the portable information device main body 41 can communicate with the personal computer 43 through the I / F station 42 and can take in information of the personal computer. Further, it is needless to say that this personal computer can communicate with the outside and can also take in the information.

Next, a description will be given of an operation flow for turning off the display power supply in this configuration. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps of the operation of the present invention. First, it is determined whether or not the portable information device is communicating with the personal computer (501). If the portable information device is communicating, the timer is initialized (502). If communication is not being performed, it is determined whether or not timer counting is completed (503). If communication is completed, LCD power is turned off. Of course, in some cases, the power supply of the I / F can be cut off. If the timer count has not been completed, the flow returns to the determination (501) of whether communication is in progress and repeats this flow.

A timer is used in each of the above-described two embodiments, that is, when the display is paused when no input is made for a predetermined time from the operation keys, and when the display is paused during communication with the outside. The condition of this timer can be freely set by the user. The operation of setting the timer will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 are views showing display screens of the portable information device of the present invention.

First, by resetting the device, the time is displayed on the first screen as shown in FIG. 6, and then the filer screen as shown in FIG. 7 is automatically displayed. If you select "Power Management" here, It is possible to set the on / off time of the blinking as shown in FIG. 8, or to set whether to turn off the power during a pause or the waiting time before starting the operation by inputting from the operation keys as shown in FIG. I can do it.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which the LCD is turned on and off when an I / F for communicating with the outside is connected. When the I / F is connected, if the display is stopped even if the above-described communication is not performed, it is useful for reducing the current consumption which is the object of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows that when the I / F is connected, L
It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which makes a CD blink. When the main body of the portable information device is fixed to the I / F station, an I / F connection state is input (1001), and it is determined whether or not the I / F is electrically connected (1002). If the connection state is established, the LCD is turned on and off without a delay time such as a timer (1003), indicating that the connection state has been entered, and at the same time, the state of low current consumption is achieved. If not, set the portable information device again so that it is in the connected state, and fix it securely until the LCD blinks.

Next, an embodiment for reducing current consumption for clock display will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of the clock display operation of the present invention. In the display of the clock, when a time signal is sent, it is determined whether or not the second digit has changed (1101). If it has changed, the display of the second digit is updated (1102) and displayed. It is determined whether or not the digit has changed (1103).
The display of the second digit is updated (1104). Hereinafter, it is determined whether the digit at 10 o'clock has changed in this way (1.
105) If it has changed, the display of the 10:00 digit is updated. If the digit does not change in any of the determination steps, the display is kept as it is.
As a result, less current is consumed for displaying a non-moving digit.

As described above, according to the present invention, in order to reduce current consumption, if no operation is performed for a certain time, the display is in a pause state,
When resuming, if any operation key is pressed, a screen such as a clock is displayed and then the screen returns to the screen before the pause. Therefore, a display such as a clock is not displayed when the mobile phone is not normally used as an information device. However, the user often wants to see the time when carrying the mobile phone. In this case, instead of starting up the information device from the beginning, a time display button is provided and the time can be displayed by pressing the button. Also, various methods are conceivable, such as displaying the time by shaking the device using a vibration sensor attached to the device instead of using the button.

[0016]

As described above, the present invention is provided with a timer which operates according to the conditions set by the input device. Upon receiving a signal from the timer, the LCD is disconnected from the display power supply and enters a display pause state. After the display is resumed, the clock and the like are displayed and then the screen returns to the screen before the pause, so that the following effects are obtained.

Since current consumption during display pause is reduced,
Even batteries built into devices that are sized to be attached to the wrist have a practically usable battery life. Also,
Even if the configuration in which the pause state of the display is provided as described above is adopted, there is no practical problem because the screen is automatically switched or paused. Therefore, the effect of the present invention, which is more convenient to carry by attaching to the wrist and can make full use of the function as an information device, is very large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the steps of the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps of the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps of the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing contents displayed on a display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing contents displayed on a display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing contents displayed on the display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing contents displayed on the display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the steps of the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 CPU 12 Storage device 13 Operation key 14 LCD driver 15 LCD 16 I / F 17 Timer 18, 19 Switch 41 Portable information equipment main body 42 I / F station 43 Personal computer 44 Backup power supply

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 2, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

10. The portable information device according to claim 1, 3, 3, 5 or 7, selectively prohibiting display of updated information during display suspension after display restart. A portable information device characterized by the above-mentioned.

11. Any of the preceding claims, characterized in that information the update is the time information to Claim 10
Portable information device according to one paragraph or.

12. The display of the time information, the portable information apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the send only the signal updated digits.

14. The portable information device according to claim 13, wherein said power supply has a charging function.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI G06F 1/26 G09G 3/20 611A 3/14 3/36 G09G 3/20 611 G06F 1/00 332Z 3/36 332B 334S (72 Inventor Tamio Yamada 1-8 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba Seiko Instruments Inc. (72) Inventor Masahiro Noguchi 1-8-8 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba Seiko Instruments Inc. (72) Invention Person Noboru Kawai 1-8-8 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Seiko Instruments Inc. (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Koyama 1-8-8 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture Seiko Instruments Inc.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A portable information device comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, and a liquid crystal display device (LCD), wherein the portable information device operates according to conditions set by the input device.
A timer connected to the CPU; receiving a signal from the timer, the LCD is disconnected from a display power supply, enters a display pause state, and displays information updated during the display pause after the display is resumed. The portable information device returns to the screen before the display was stopped after the display. 2. A portable information device including a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, and a liquid crystal display device (LCD), wherein the portable information device operates according to conditions set by the input device.
A portable information device comprising a timer connected to the CPU, wherein the LCD enters a display pause state in response to a signal from the timer, and updated information blinks during the display pause. . 3. A portable information device comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, and a liquid crystal display device (LCD). Operates according to an interface (I / F) connected to the input device and conditions set by the input device;
And a timer connected to the CPU. Upon receiving a signal from the timer, the LCD is disconnected from a display power supply, and the I / F is disconnected from the I / F power supply to enter a display pause state. After the display is resumed, after the updated information is displayed during the display pause, the portable information device main body returns to the screen before the display pause, a connection terminal for connecting to the I / F, and the portable information. A portable information device, comprising: an I / F station having a power supply for supplying power to the device body. 4. A portable information device including a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, and a liquid crystal display device (LCD). Operates according to an interface (I / F) connected to the input device and conditions set by the input device;
A timer connected to the CPU; receiving a signal from the timer, the LCD is in a display pause state, and the I / F is disconnected from an I / F power supply and is in a display pause state; While the display is paused, the portable information device main body displays updated information in a blinking manner, a connection terminal for connecting to the I / F, and an I / O including a power supply for supplying power to the portable information device main body. A portable information device comprising an F station. 5. A portable information device comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, and a liquid crystal display device (LCD), wherein communication between the CPU and the outside is performed between the outside and the CPU. An interface (I / F) connected to the input device; and a timer connected to the CPU that operates according to conditions set by the input device. Upon receiving a signal from the timer, the LCD switches a display power supply. The portable information device main body is separated from the display to be in the display pause state, and after the display is resumed, the updated information is displayed during the display pause, and then the screen returns to the screen before the display pause, and the connection for connecting to the I / F A terminal, an I / F station provided with a power supply for supplying power to the portable information device main body, and a computer connected to the I / F station. When communication between a computer and the main body of the portable information device is started, the timer sends a signal to the LCD, and the LCD is cut off from a display power supply to enter a display pause state. . 6. A portable information device including a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, and a liquid crystal display device (LCD). An interface (I / F) connected to the input device; and a timer connected to the CPU that operates according to conditions set by the input device. Upon receiving a signal from the timer, the LCD enters a display pause state. The portable information device includes a portable information device main body in which updated information blinks during display suspension, a connection terminal for connecting to the I / F, and a power supply for supplying power to the portable information device main body. And a computer connected to the I / F station. When communication between the computer and the main body of the portable information device is started, The portable information device, wherein the timer sends a signal to the LCD, and the LCD goes into a display pause state. 7. A central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, a liquid crystal display device (LCD), and an interface (I / F) connected between the outside and the CPU for communicating with the outside. ), A connection terminal for connecting to the I / F, an I / F station including a power supply for supplying power to the portable information device main body, and the I / F. When the connection between the computer and the main body of the portable information device is completed, the LCD is disconnected from the power supply for display and enters a display pause state, and after the display is resumed, the display is suspended. A portable information device that returns to a screen before display suspension after displaying updated information. 8. A central processing unit (CPU), a storage device, an input device, a liquid crystal display device (LCD), and an interface (I / F) connected between the outside and the CPU for communication with the outside. ), A connection terminal for connecting to the I / F, an I / F station including a power supply for supplying power to the portable information device main body, and the I / F. A computer connected to a station, wherein when the connection between the computer and the portable information device main body is completed, the LCD is in a display pause state, and the updated information blinks during the display pause. And portable information equipment. 9. The portable information device according to claim 1, 3, 5, or 7, wherein display of information updated during display suspension after display restart is selectively prohibited. A portable information device characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the updated information is time information. 11. The portable information device according to claim 10, wherein the display of the time information sends a signal only to an updated digit. 12. The portable information device according to claim 3, wherein the power supply has a charging function.