JP2019109721A - Electronic apparatus, and method and program for controlling electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device which realizes low power consumption without impairing the touch operability of a touch panel. SOLUTION: In an electronic device, a touch panel for detecting a touch operation, a first detection mode M1 for detecting a touch operation on the touch panel, and a second detection having a lower power consumption W2 than the first detection mode M1. The detection mode setting means 52 for switching and setting the mode M2 is provided, and in the second detection mode M2, the detection sensitivity G2 of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity G1 in the first detection mode M1. .. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method of the electronic device, and a program.

  BACKGROUND In recent years, electronic devices such as tablet computers, smartphones, watches, portable game machines and the like are provided with a touch panel as an input device for detecting a touch operation of a user. By providing the touch panel, the user can perform various operations intuitively.

  By the way, since it is necessary to always receive an input of a touch operation, the touch panel leads to an increase in power consumption of the electronic device provided with the touch panel. Therefore, in order to suppress an increase in power consumption, Patent Document 1 describes setting to a low power mode in which the detection frequency of the pressure sensor is reduced when a touch operation on the touch panel is not detected. .

JP, 2013-257642, A

  However, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, since the detection frequency of the pressure sensor is lowered, the detection failure of the touch operation may occur on the contrary, and the user lacks operability.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an electronic device, a control method of the electronic device, and a control program for realizing low power consumption without impairing the touch operability with respect to the touch panel. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is grasped by the following constitution.
The electronic device according to the present invention includes a touch panel that detects a touch operation, a first detection mode that detects the touch operation on the touch panel, and a second detection mode that consumes less power than the first detection mode. Detection mode setting means for switching and setting, wherein the detection sensitivity of the touch panel in the second detection mode is higher than that in the first detection mode.

  A control method of an electronic device according to the present invention is a control method of an electronic device including a touch panel, wherein a detection step of detecting a touch operation on the touch panel, a first detection mode, and consumption than the first detection mode And a detection mode setting step of switching to and setting a second detection mode having low power, and in the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection mode. It is expensive.

  A program for controlling an electronic device according to the present invention is a program for controlling an electronic device including a touch panel, and a computer has a function of detecting a touch operation on the touch panel, a first detection mode, and the first detection mode. A detection mode setting function of switching and setting a second detection mode having lower power consumption than the detection mode is realized, and in the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is the first detection mode. Higher than the detection sensitivity of

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic device, a control method of the electronic device, and a control program for realizing low power consumption without impairing the touch operability with respect to the touch panel.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device of embodiment. It is a comparison table which shows the setting of the touch panel in the 1st detection mode and the 2nd detection mode. It is a flow chart which shows control operation of a touch panel.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments of the present specification, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements throughout.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device 1 of the embodiment.

  The electronic device 1 includes the touch panel 10, and is configured as a watch (smart watch). However, the electronic device 1 may be a general information terminal device provided with the touch panel 10 such as a smartphone, a tablet or a personal computer.

  In addition, the electronic device 1 is formed in a substantially disk shape in the case, and includes the touch panel 10 on the surface and the display unit 20 on the back side of the touch panel 10. In addition, the electronic device 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 30, a storage unit 40, a controller 50, a power supply 60, and the like in a housing.

  The touch panel 10 responds to a user's finger or a stylus pen (touch pen) and outputs position information according to a touch operation. For example, the touch panel 10 is a capacitance type having pattern electrodes 11 in the X direction and Y direction. And transmissive types are used. However, as long as the detection sensitivity G to be described later can be adjusted, a capacitance sensor may be used in combination with a pressure sensor.

  The pattern electrodes 11 are wired in a grid in the X direction and the Y direction, and when a voltage is applied from the power source 60, the change in capacitance between the touch panel 10 and the finger can be detected in the X direction and the Y direction. , And outputs an analog signal according to each position.

  The display unit 20 is configured of a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like so as to perform display according to various functions as a smart watch such as a clock function and a position display (GPS) function.

  The CPU 30 operates by power supply from the power supply 60 and controls the overall operation of the electronic device 1 according to various programs such as a control program in the storage unit 40. Further, the CPU 30 configures the electronic device 1 (computer) so as to realize the function executed by various means in the control operation of the touch panel 10 described later.

  The storage unit 40 includes, for example, a ROM, a flash memory, and the like, and stores programs, applications, data, and the like for realizing various functions and the like. The storage unit 40 may include, for example, a removable portable memory (recording medium) such as an SD card or a USB memory, or is configured to be stored in a storage area of an external information processing apparatus (not shown). It may be one.

  The touch panel control unit (controller) 50 controls the touch panel 10, and functions as a detection mode setting unit 52, a detection sensitivity changing unit 53, a detection interval changing unit 54, a clocking unit (timer) 55, and the like. The CPU 30 may function as the controller 50.

  The touch operation amplification means (amplifier) 51 is disposed between the pattern electrode 11 and the controller 50, amplifies an analog signal from the pattern electrode 11, and outputs the analog signal to the controller 50.

  The detection mode setting means 52 switches and sets the detection mode of the touch panel 10 to the first detection mode M1 and the second detection mode M2. In the present embodiment, the detection mode setting unit 52 switches the detection sensitivity G of the amplifier 51 to switch the detection mode of the touch panel 10.

  The detection sensitivity changing means 53 changes (adjusts) the detection sensitivity (gain) G of the amplifier 51, and the detection sensitivity G1 of the first detection mode M1 and the detection sensitivity G2 of the second detection mode M2 are different from each other. Adjust to the value.

  When the detection sensitivity G is increased, the signal is amplified even if the distance between the touch panel 10 and the finger is long, so that the controller 50 can detect the touch operation (the operation in which the finger approaches). Therefore, there is a high possibility of detecting noise instead of the touch operation, but since the touch operation is determined by the threshold value F0 of the capacitance, there is no particular problem even if the noise is detected. However, even if the detection sensitivity G is increased, the power consumption of the touch panel 10 remains substantially constant.

  The detection interval changing means 54 changes (adjusts) the detection interval D of the touch panel 10, that is, the application interval of the voltage to the pattern electrode 11. The detection interval D1 of the first detection mode M1 and the second detection mode The detection intervals D2 of M2 are adjusted to different values.

  When the detection interval D is shortened, the response to the touch operation is quickened, but the power consumption of the touch panel 10 is increased.

  The timer 55 counts an elapsed time Tx from the input of the start signal to the input of the reset (stop) signal.

  Here, the first detection mode M1 and the second detection mode M2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a comparison table showing settings of the touch panel 10 in the first detection mode M1 and the second detection mode M2.

  The first detection mode M1 is called an active mode, the detection sensitivity G1 of the touch panel 10 is normal, and the detection interval D1 of the touch panel 10 is relatively short, for example, about 10 ms. Furthermore, in the first detection mode M1, the power consumption W1 of the touch panel 10 is relatively high at about 1.26 mW.

  The second detection mode M2 is referred to as a low power mode, and the detection sensitivity G2 of the touch panel 10 is higher than the detection sensitivity G1 in the first detection mode M1 (G2> G1), and The detection interval D2 of the touch panel 10 is, for example, about 30 ms to 100 ms, which is longer than the detection interval D1 in the first detection mode M1 (D2> D1). Furthermore, in the second detection mode M2, the power consumption W2 of the touch panel 10 is about 0.562 mW (when the detection interval D2 is 30 ms), which is higher than the power consumption W1 of the touch panel 10 in the first detection mode M1. Low (W2 <W1). At this time, the power consumption W2 may be lowered by thinning the grid-like pattern electrodes 11 to, for example, a half and applying a voltage.

  At the detection sensitivity G1, the power consumption W of the touch panel 10 is 1.26 mW (when the detection interval D is 10 ms), 0.56 mW (when the detection interval D is 30 ms), 0.32 mW (detection interval D) Is 100 ms)). Further, even if the detection sensitivity G2 is the same as the detection sensitivity G1 when the detection interval D2 is 30 ms, the power consumption W2 of the touch panel 10 is about 0.56 mW. It can be said that the detection sensitivity D largely depends on the detection interval D (voltage application interval) and is substantially independent of the detection sensitivity G.

  Subsequently, the control operation of the touch panel 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the touch panel 10.

  First, at start, the power supply 60 of the electronic device 1 is turned on to activate the touch panel 10 and the controller 50, and the process proceeds to step S1.

  In step S1, in accordance with an instruction from the controller 50, the detection mode setting unit 52 sets the amplifier 51 to the first detection mode M1, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the controller 50 starts the timer 55 and starts measuring an elapsed time Tx until the touch operation is detected. The order of steps S1 and S2 may be the same or not.

  After step S2, when the user's finger touches or approaches the touch panel 10, the amplifier 51 outputs the change in capacitance as the detection value Fx. Then, in step S3, the controller 50 determines whether or not the amplifier 51 outputs the detected value Fx equal to or greater than the threshold F0. If the detected value Fx equal to or greater than the threshold F0 is not detected (in the case of NO), step S4. If the detection value Fx equal to or greater than the threshold value F0 is detected (in the case of YES), the process jumps to step S8.

  In the case of NO at step S3, it is determined at step S4 whether the time when the amplifier 51 outputs the detection value Fx, that is, the elapsed time Tx measured by the timer 55 has reached a predetermined time T0 or more. If the elapsed time Tx has reached the predetermined time T0 (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S5, and if the elapsed time Tx has not reached the predetermined time T0 (in the case of NO), the process returns to step S3. The detection value Fx for the touch operation is measured.

  In the case of YES at step S4, in step S5, the detection mode setting means 52 switches the amplifier 51 to the second detection mode M2 and sets it, and proceeds to step S6.

  When the amplifier 51 is set to the second detection mode M2 in step S5, in order to confirm again whether the user's finger touches or approaches the touch panel 10, the controller 50 determines the threshold F0 of the amplifier 51 in step S6. It is determined whether the above new detected value Fx has been output. If the detected value Fx equal to or higher than the threshold F0 is not detected (in the case of NO), the process returns to step S6 again (repeated until a new detected value Fx is output), or if the detected value Fx equal to or higher than the threshold F0 is detected (YES (In the case of), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In the case of YES in step S6, in step S7, the detection mode setting means 52 switches the amplifier 51 to the first detection mode M1 and sets it, and the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the controller 50 resets the elapsed time Tx of the timer 55 to "0", and the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the controller 50 outputs the position information of the touch operation and makes it available to the CPU 30. When step S9 is completed, the process returns to step S2, and it is detected whether the user's finger newly touches or approaches the touch panel 10, and the same control operation is repeated. The order from step S7 to step S9 may be reversed or all may be at the same timing. Further, in the case of YES at step S3, the process may jump to step S8 and may be reset instead of maintaining the first detection mode M1.

  In this manner, the detection mode of the touch panel 10 can be switched to the first detection mode M1 and the second detection mode M2 according to the state of the touch operation on the touch panel 10.

  As described above, the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment consumes more than the touch panel 10 that detects a touch operation, the first detection mode M1 that detects a touch operation on the touch panel 10, and the first detection mode M1. And a detection mode setting unit 52 configured to switch and set a second detection mode M2 having a low power W2 and in the second detection mode M2, the detection sensitivity G2 of the touch panel 10 is in the first detection mode M1. It is higher than the detection sensitivity G1. Thus, even in the second detection mode M2 with low power consumption W2, the detection sensitivity G2 of the touch panel 10 is high sensitivity, so that it is possible to detect that the user's finger touches or approaches the touch panel 10. Power consumption can be reduced without impairing the touch operability with respect to the touch panel 10. In addition, when the detection sensitivity G is increased, it is also possible to detect a touch operation (glove touch) in a state where the user wears a glove.

  In the embodiment, the detection mode setting unit 52 sets the touch panel 10 to the second detection mode M2 when the touch operation is not detected for the predetermined time T0. As a result, the touch panel 10 can be automatically switched to the second detection mode M2 with low power consumption and set according to the state of the touch operation.

  In the embodiment, the detection mode setting unit 52 sets the touch panel 10 to the first detection mode M1 when the touch operation is detected in the second detection mode M2. As a result, the touch panel 10 can be automatically switched and set to the active first detection mode M1 in which the response of the touch operation is fast.

  In the embodiment, when the touch operation is detected in the first detection mode M1, the detection mode setting unit 52 maintains or sets the first detection mode M1. As a result, when the touch operation continues, the touch panel 10 is not switched to the second detection mode M2 and set.

  In the embodiment, the detection mode setting unit 52 sets the second detection mode M2 when the touch operation is not detected for the predetermined time T0 in the first detection mode M1. As a result, the touch panel 10 can be switched from the first detection mode M1 to the second detection mode M2, which has low power consumption, automatically. If the electronic device 1 is a smart watch, the touch panel 10 is set to the second detection mode M2 for most of the time of one day.

  In the embodiment, in the second detection mode M2, the detection interval D2 of the touch panel 10 is longer than the detection interval D1 in the first detection mode M1. Thereby, the total application time (number of times) of the voltage to the pattern electrode 11 can be shortened (reduced), and power consumption can be reduced.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, but the electronic device, the control method of the electronic device, and the program according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and are described in the claims. Various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the first detection mode M1 and the second detection mode M2 are automatically switched according to the touch operation situation on the touch panel 10. However, the detection mode setting unit 52 is configured by a push button or the like. Alternatively, the detection mode setting means 52 may be displayed on the display means 20 and manually switched by touch operation.

  In the above embodiment, the setting of the detection sensitivity G is performed by adjusting the gain of the amplifier 51. However, the detection sensitivity G may be enhanced by reducing the threshold F0 of the detection value Fx of the capacitance. . Such adjustment of the threshold value F0 does not affect the power consumption because it is merely setting of parameters. In addition, a plurality of pattern electrodes 11 having different detection sensitivities G may be provided and switched. Such switching of the pattern electrode 11 also does not affect the power consumption.

In addition, the invention described in the scope of the claims attached first to the request of this application is appended below. The item numbers of the claims described in the appendices are as in the scope of the claims attached first to the application for this application.
<Claim 1>
Touch panel to detect touch operation,
A detection mode setting unit configured to switch and set a first detection mode for detecting the touch operation on the touch panel and a second detection mode having lower power consumption than the first detection mode;
In the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection mode.
An electronic device characterized by
<Claim 2>
The detection mode setting means
If the touch operation is not detected for a predetermined time, the second detection mode is set.
The electronic device according to claim 1,
<Claim 3>
The detection mode setting means
In the second detection mode, when the touch operation is detected, the first detection mode is set.
The electronic device according to claim 2,
<Claim 4>
The detection mode setting means
In the first detection mode, when the touch operation is detected, the first detection mode is maintained or set.
The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that:
<Claim 5>
The detection mode setting means
In the first detection mode, when the touch operation is not detected for the predetermined time, the second detection mode is set.
The electronic device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that:
<Claim 6>
In the second detection mode, the detection interval of the touch panel is longer than the detection interval in the first detection mode.
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.
<Claim 7>
A control method of an electronic device provided with a touch panel, comprising:
A detection step of detecting a touch operation on the touch panel;
A detection mode setting step of switching and setting a first detection mode and a second detection mode having lower power consumption than the first detection mode;
In the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection mode.
And controlling the electronic device.
<Claim 8>
A program for controlling an electronic device provided with a touch panel, the program comprising:
On the computer
A function of detecting a touch operation on the touch panel;
A detection mode setting function is realized which switches and sets a first detection mode and a second detection mode which consumes less power than the first detection mode,
In the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection mode.
A program characterized by

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 electronic device 10 touch panel, 11 pattern electrodes 20 display means 30 CPU (central processing means)
40 storage means 50 controller (touch panel control means)
51 amplifier (touch operation amplification means)
52 detection mode setting means 53 detection sensitivity changing means 54 detection interval changing means 55 timer (clocking means)
60 Power supply M1 first detection mode, M2 second detection mode Fn detection value, Tn elapsed time Gn detection sensitivity, Dn detection interval Wn power consumption

Claims (8)

Touch panel to detect touch operation,
A detection mode setting unit configured to switch and set a first detection mode for detecting the touch operation on the touch panel and a second detection mode having lower power consumption than the first detection mode;
In the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection mode.
An electronic device characterized by The detection mode setting means
If the touch operation is not detected for a predetermined time, the second detection mode is set.
The electronic device according to claim 1, The detection mode setting means
In the second detection mode, when the touch operation is detected, the first detection mode is set.
The electronic device according to claim 2, The detection mode setting means
In the first detection mode, when the touch operation is detected, the first detection mode is maintained or set.
The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The detection mode setting means
In the first detection mode, when the touch operation is not detected for the predetermined time, the second detection mode is set.
The electronic device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: In the second detection mode, the detection interval of the touch panel is longer than the detection interval in the first detection mode.
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that. A control method of an electronic device provided with a touch panel, comprising:
A detection step of detecting a touch operation on the touch panel;
A detection mode setting step of switching and setting a first detection mode and a second detection mode having lower power consumption than the first detection mode;
In the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection mode.
And controlling the electronic device. A program for controlling an electronic device provided with a touch panel, the program comprising:
On the computer
A function of detecting a touch operation on the touch panel;
A detection mode setting function is realized which switches and sets a first detection mode and a second detection mode which consumes less power than the first detection mode,
In the second detection mode, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel is higher than the detection sensitivity in the first detection mode.
A program characterized by

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