JP4671149B2 - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device capable of executing various programs.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as portable game devices, personal information terminals (PDAs), and mobile phones have become widespread, and users can use game programs and various application programs regardless of location. Yes. Also, as this type of electronic apparatus, an apparatus provided with a drive unit in which a storage medium storing various programs and the like is set is becoming widespread.

  When any program is executed in the electronic apparatus as described above, an operation unrelated to the progress of the program, such as an operation of taking out a storage medium from the drive unit, may be performed due to a user's will or an error. When such an operation is performed, for example, if the execution of the program is immediately terminated, there is a possibility that the user may be disadvantaged.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus that can prevent a user from being disadvantaged even if an operation unrelated to the progress of the program is performed during execution of the program.

  An electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device capable of executing a predetermined program, a drive unit in which a storage medium is set, detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a storage medium in the drive unit, and detection means in the drive unit during execution of the program. And a control unit that executes processing for inquiring whether or not to terminate the program when the user detects that there is no storage medium.

  Another electronic device according to the present invention includes a display unit, a button for displaying a basic menu on the display unit, and a button that is operated during the execution of the program in an electronic device capable of executing a predetermined program. And control means for displaying on the display unit a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the program to the user.

  Still another electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device capable of executing a predetermined program. When an operation irrelevant to the progress of the program is performed during execution of the program, the user is allowed to terminate the program. Control means for executing a process for inquiring is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if operation unrelated to the progress of the said program is performed during execution of a program, it can prevent a user from being disadvantaged.

  In the electronic device according to the present invention, during execution of the program, for example, when the storage medium set in the drive unit is removed from the drive unit by the user, and the detection means detects that there is no storage medium in the drive unit, the control means A process for inquiring whether or not to terminate the program is executed. In other words, in this electronic device, even if a storage medium removal operation or the like unrelated to the progress of the program is performed during the execution of the program, the execution of the program is not immediately terminated and the user can execute the program. An opportunity can be given to determine whether or not to end. Thereby, according to this electronic device, it is possible to suppress a disadvantage such as a loss of unupdated data from being brought to the user. It should be noted that the “no storage medium in the drive unit” here means that the storage unit is completely removed from the drive unit, or the storage medium is detached from the drive unit but not completely removed. This includes a state in which the storage medium cannot be read, a state in which the storage medium is not detached from the drive unit, but the lid of the drive unit is open, and the storage unit is not read by the drive unit.

  In this case, the electronic apparatus may further include a display unit, and the control unit inquires of the user whether or not to end the program when the detection unit detects that there is no storage medium in the drive unit during execution of the program. It is preferable to display a screen for this on the display unit. Under such a configuration, the user is given an opportunity to visually determine whether or not to end the execution of the program, so that there is a disadvantage such as loss of unupdated data for the user. It is possible to satisfactorily suppress being brought about.

  In another electronic apparatus according to the present invention, when a button for displaying a basic menu on the display unit is operated during execution of the program, a screen for inquiring the user whether to end the program is displayed on the display unit. Is displayed. In other words, in this electronic device, even if a button operation unrelated to the progress of the program is performed during the execution of the program, the execution of the program is not immediately terminated, and the execution of the program is visually terminated by the user. Can give an opportunity to judge whether or not. As a result, this electronic device can also prevent the user from being brought with a disadvantage such as losing unupdated data.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is preferably configured to be carried by a user. Further, the program may be stored in the storage medium, and the program may be a game program.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable electronic device which is an example of the electronic device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the portable electronic device of FIG. The portable electronic device 1 shown in these drawings preferably has a plurality of functions, and the portable electronic device 1 of the present embodiment functions as a game machine that can be carried by a user and also functions as a music playback device. To do. Note that the functions of the portable electronic device 1 are not limited to these, and the portable electronic device 1 is similar to, for example, a general personal information terminal (PDA), such as an address book, a scheduler, a notepad, and an email. You may comprise as what has functions, such as communication.

  The portable electronic device 1 includes a housing 10 having a horizontally long oval shape as a whole. A liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as “LCD”) 12 serving as a display unit is fitted through a mold at approximately the center of the front surface of the housing 10. The LCD 12 displays a game screen, for example, when the portable electronic device 1 functions as a game machine. For example, when the portable electronic device 1 functions as a so-called personal information terminal (PDA), a schedule book, an address book, etc. Is displayed. In addition, a circuit board (not shown) is disposed inside the housing 10. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the circuit board has switch contacts that generate signals by various button operations, various signals processed by the signals. A central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 180 that executes arithmetic operations, an image processing unit 182 that executes image processing, an audio processing unit 184 that executes audio processing, and the like are mounted.

  Further, the portable electronic device 1 has a small disk drive 186 and a memory slot 188. The small disk drive 186 can be accessed by opening a lid (not shown) provided approximately at the center of the back surface of the housing 10. This lid portion is unfolded when an unillustrated eject switch provided on the upper side surface of the housing 10 is operated, so that a disk as a storage medium can be set in the small disk drive 186 inside. Further, when the eject switch is operated in a state where a disk is set in the small disk drive 186, the disk is detached from the small disk drive 186 at the same time as the cover is unfolded. Note that most of the mechanism such as an optical pickup (for example, a lens and a servo mechanism) of the small disk drive 186 is disposed on the back side of the right half surface of the LCD 12 in FIG.

  On the other hand, the memory slot 188 is for inserting a removable storage medium such as a memory card, and is formed at the lower left side of the housing 10. The disk set in the small disk drive mainly provides a game program or application program for the portable electronic device 1. The memory card is also used to provide a game program and an application program in addition to providing music content and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the surface of the housing 10, that is, the surface facing the user, mainly includes a left hand region 48 </ b> L gripped by the user's left hand, a right hand region 48 </ b> R gripped by the right hand, the LCD 12, and the LCD 12. The button is divided into a horizontally long button area 50 where various buttons are arranged and a decoration area 16 located above the LCD 12.

  The left-hand region 48L is provided with a cross key 20 for mainly inputting direction instructions and an analog device 22 for mainly performing analog inputs of direction instructions. The analog device 22 is located closer to the user than the cross key 20. Further, notches 84L and 87L are formed in the upper left corner portion and the lower left corner portion of the housing 10, respectively. An L button 46L is arranged in the vicinity of the upper left notch 84L. The L button 46L is operated with the left index finger or middle finger of the user, and is used when a special command that cannot be set only with the cross key 20 is given. A grip part 87L is provided in the vicinity of the lower left notch 86L, and a hole 24L for locking a strap or the like (not shown) is formed in the grip part 87L. Further, indicators 32 and 34 are arranged in the left hand region 48L. The indicator 32 indicates that the above-described memory card is being accessed, and the indicator 34 indicates that wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as “WLAN”) communication is being performed. In addition, the left hand region 48L is formed with one speaker hole 28L for providing a sound to the user so as to be located on the left side of the LCD 12.

  The right hand region 48R is provided with buttons 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “button keys 30” as appropriate) for mainly inputting a single instruction. Further, notches 84R and 86R are formed in the upper right corner portion and lower right corner portion of the housing 10, respectively. An R button 46R (hereinafter, the L button 46L and the R button 46R are collectively referred to as “LR button 46” as appropriate) is disposed in the vicinity of the upper left notch 84R. The R button 46R is operated with the user's right hand index finger or middle finger, and is used to give a special command that cannot be set only with the button key 30. Further, indicators 36, 38 and 40 are arranged in the right hand region 48R. The indicator 36 is lit when the power switch of the portable electronic device 1 is turned on, the indicator 38 is lit while the portable electronic device 1 is being charged, and the indicator 40 is almost all keys of the portable electronic device 1. Lights when the operation is in the hold state where the operation is invalid. In addition, one speaker hole 28 </ b> R for providing sound to the user is also formed in the right hand region 48 </ b> R so as to be positioned on the right side of the LCD 12.

  The button area 50 is defined on the side close to the user holding the portable electronic device 1 and is preferably configured to be visually distinct from the left hand area 48L and the right hand area 48R. In the button area 50, buttons 52 to 64 other than the cross key 20, the analog device 22, and the button key 30 are arranged. In the present embodiment, the button group arranged in the button area 50 is preferably a button that is not frequently used for the progress of the game or other major operations of the application and does not need to be frequently operated.

  More specifically, the home button 52 is a button operated to display a basic menu on the LCD 12. The volume buttons 54 and 56 are buttons for increasing / decreasing the volume of sound emitted from a speaker or headphones. The display button 58 is a button for turning on / off the backlight of the LCD 12, and the sound button 60 is a button for turning on / off the sound output. The select button 62 is a button that is operated when selecting an item displayed on the screen, and the start button 64 is a button that is operated mainly to start playing a game when a game program is being executed. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described cross key 20, buttons 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, L button 46L, R button 46R, and buttons in the button area 50 including the home button 52, as well as analog The device 22 is connected to the CPU 180 via an interface (hereinafter referred to as “I / F”) 190. Thereby, when these buttons are pressed or operated, a digital signal corresponding to the operation is given to the CPU 180 via the I / F 190. Further, the operation amount of the analog device 22 is converted into a digital signal and given to the CPU 180 via the I / F 190.

  Further, an infrared module 88, a WLAN module 90, a microphone 142, a remote controller 140, and the like are connected to the CPU 180 via an I / F 190. Input signals to the infrared module 88 and the WLAN module 90 are given to the CPU 180 via the I / F 190. The voice input to the microphone 142 is converted into a digital signal and given to the CPU 180. Further, when the remote controller 140 is operated, a digital signal corresponding to the operation is given to the CPU 180 via the I / F 190.

  Similarly, the small disk drive 186 and the memory slot 188 are also connected to the CPU 180 via the I / F 190. In the portable electronic device 1 of this embodiment, a disk detection sensor 187 is provided for the small disk drive 186. The disk detection sensor 187 detects the presence of a disk in the small disk drive 186 and is connected to the CPU 180 via the I / F 190. When the eject switch is operated in a state where the disk is set in the small disk drive 186 and the disk is detached from the small disk drive 186 simultaneously with the opening of the lid, the disk detection sensor 187 indicates that there is no disk in the small disk drive 186. That is, a signal indicating that the disk has run out is supplied from the small disk drive 186 to the CPU 180.

  Further, the above-described LCD 12 is connected to the CPU 180 through the image processing unit 182, and the speaker 28 and the headphones 144 are connected through the audio processing unit 184. The CPU 180 processes various programs stored in a disk set in the small disk drive 186, data stored in a memory card inserted in the memory slot 188, and the like, and outputs image signals, Output audio signals. The image processing unit 182 processes the image signal from the CPU 180 and displays it on the LCD 12. The audio processing unit 184 processes the audio signal from the CPU 180 and generates it from the speaker 28 or the headphones 144. In addition, in the portable electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, an external device such as a camera unit or a GPS unit can be connected to the CPU 180 via the power control unit 192, the attachment / detachment state detection unit 194, and the like.

  Now, when a disk storing a game program is set in the small disk drive 186 of the portable electronic device 1 configured as described above, the portable electronic device 1 functions as a game machine. That is, when a disk is set in the small disk drive 186 and the power switch is turned on, the game program is read from the disk and activated, and a game start screen is displayed on the LCD 12. In this state, the user selects a menu item or operates a character on the screen by appropriately operating the cross key 20, the analog device 22, the button key 30, or the LR button 46. Signals input by the user are transmitted to the CPU 180, and the CPU 180 advances the game according to these signals and the game program. When an application program is stored on a disk set in the small disk drive 186, the application software is executed in the portable electronic device 1. Furthermore, even if a memory card storing a game program or an application program is set in the memory slot 188, execution of a game or the like is started in the portable electronic device 1 in the same manner as described above.

  Further, when the portable electronic device 1 functions as a music playback device, the user may insert a memory card storing music data into the memory slot 188. Thereby, the music data stored in the memory card can be reproduced by the portable electronic device 1. In this case, the user can select desired music data from the list displayed on the LCD 12 by using the cross key 20 or the analog device 22. The selected music data is converted into analog sound by the sound processing unit 184 and output from the speaker 28 or the headphones 144. Even if a disk storing music data is set in the small disk drive 186 of the portable electronic device 1, music data can be reproduced in the same manner as described above.

  By the way, when any program is executed in the portable electronic device 1 described above, for example, an operation of an eject button for ejecting a disc from the small disc drive 186 or an operation of a home button 52 for calling a basic menu. When an operation unrelated to the progress of the user is performed by the user, it is basically assumed that the user desires to end the program. However, it is difficult for the apparatus to accurately determine whether such an operation is due to the user's will or an error. If the operation as described above is an erroneous operation by the user, if the execution of the program is immediately terminated, the data generated by the execution of the program is not saved, and the user is not May cause disadvantages. In view of such a point, in the portable electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, a routine described below by the CPU 180 during execution of a game program or the like is performed so as not to cause a disadvantage to the user. Executed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a routine executed by the CPU 180 during execution of the program. Here, a case where a game program is executed in the portable electronic device 1 will be described as an example. The routine shown in FIG. 3 includes, for example, a memory card in which a disk storing a game program is set in the small disk drive 186 and the power switch is turned on to start execution of the game program. Is executed when the power switch is turned on and the execution of the game program is started. When the CPU 180 starts the execution of the game program, a signal indicating that there is no disk in the small disk drive 186 is issued from the disk detection sensor 187 of the small disk drive 186, or a home for calling the basic menu on the LCD 12 It is determined whether or not the button 52 has been operated (S10).

  The CPU 180 repeatedly performs the determination of S10 while determining that the disk detection sensor 187 has not issued a signal indicating that there is no disk and that the home button 52 has not been operated (No in S10). On the other hand, when CPU 180 determines that there is no signal from disk detection sensor 187 or that home button 52 has been operated (Yes in S10), inquiry screen IP shown in FIG. A command signal is given to the image processing unit 182 so as to be displayed (S12).

  The inquiry screen IP is for inquiring the user whether or not to end the execution of the program (here, the game program). As shown in FIG. 4, at least “Do you want to end the game?” And “Yes” button and “No” button. If the user selects the “Yes” button on the inquiry screen IP, the task manager provided by the operation system sends an end event to the game program and requests the end of the game program that has been executed so far. Alternatively, the game program itself ends. If the user selects the “No” button, the end event is not transmitted to the game program side, and the game program that has been executed is continued without being ended.

  As described above, in the portable electronic device 1, during the execution of the game program loaded from the disk set in the small disk drive 186 or the memory card inserted into the memory slot 188, the portable electronic device 1 moves from the small disk drive 186 to the portable electronic device 1. If it is determined that there is no disk in the small disk drive 186 (Yes in S10), a process for inquiring the user whether or not to end the game program is executed (S12). Similarly, when the home button 52 for displaying the basic menu on the LCD 12 is operated during the execution of the game program (Yes in S10), a process for inquiring the user whether to end the game program is executed. (S12).

  In other words, in the portable electronic device 1, the user mistakenly performs a disk eject operation or the home button 52 operation during the execution of the game program, or the program stored in the memory card inserted in the memory slot 188. Even if the user removes the disc that has been set during execution, the execution of the program is not immediately terminated. Even if these operations unrelated to the progress of the program are performed, the user is given an opportunity to visually determine whether or not to end the execution of the program. Thereby, in the portable electronic device 1, it is possible to prevent a disadvantage that the unupdated data is lost without causing the user to save the data generated by the execution of the program so far. It becomes possible to do.

  When the inquiry screen IP is displayed on the LCD 12 in S12, the CPU 180 determines whether or not the “Yes” button has been selected by the user (S14). If the user selects the “Yes” button (Yes in S14), the game program that has been executed so far, for example, confirms whether or not to store the unupdated data, according to the end event from the task manager. 3 is executed (S16), and the routine of FIG. 3 is temporarily ended. On the other hand, when the “No” button is selected by the user (No in S14), no end event is sent from the task manager to the game program side, so that the game program that has been executed is continued, and again In S10, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that there is no disk is issued from the disk detection sensor 187 or the home button 52 is operated. Here, even if the disk is removed during the execution of the game program stored in the disk set in the small disk drive 186, the game program on the disk is already loaded on the portable electronic device 1 side. Therefore, there is no problem in continuing the game program.

  Note that when the program stored in the memory card inserted in the memory slot 188 is being executed in the portable electronic device 1, when the memory card is removed from the memory slot 188, the LCD 12 displays the above-described information. The inquiry screen IP may be displayed. On the other hand, when the program is activated from the memory card, for example, when the eject switch is operated and it is determined that there is no disk in the small disk drive 186, the inquiry screen IP is not displayed on the LCD 12. The program executed in the portable electronic device 1 is not limited to the program stored in the above-described disk or memory card, and may be a program stored in the memory of the portable electronic device 1.

  Further, when one program is stored across a plurality of storage media, for example, the display of the module for prompting the replacement of the storage medium and the inquiry screen IP on the storage medium initially set in the drive unit is prohibited. It is preferable to provide a system register that can be used by a user who provides a function for prohibiting the display of the inquiry screen IP in the program for the portable electronic device 1. In this case, since the instruction is written in the system register by the module, the display of the inquiry screen IP, that is, the inquiry as to whether or not to end the game for the user is omitted when the disk is replaced. As described above, when the game program stored across the plurality of disks is executed in the portable electronic device 1, the display of the inquiry screen IP is omitted, so that the operation is complicated for the user. Can be suppressed.

  Also, if the disk or memory card is removed from the small disk drive 186 or the memory slot 188 and then immediately returned during the game, the user clicks the “No” button, that is, the program The program may be executed regardless of whether or not continuation is selected.

It is a front view which shows an example of the electronic device by this invention. It is a control block diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a routine that is executed when a program is executed in the electronic apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which illustrates the inquiry screen displayed on the display part of the electronic device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable electronic device, 10 housing | casing, 16 decoration area | region, 20 cross key, 22 analog device, 24L hole, 28 speaker, 28L, 28R speaker hole, 30 button key, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 indicator, 46 LR button, 48L left hand area, 48R right hand area, 50 button area, 52 home button, 54 volume button, 58 display button, 60 sound button, 62 select button, 64 start button, 87L grip, 88 infrared module, 90 module, 140 remote controller, 142 microphones, 144 headphones, 180 central processing unit, 182 image processing unit, 184 sound processing unit, 186 small disk drive, 187 disk detection sensor, 188 memories Lot, 192 power supply control unit, 194 attachment / detachment state detection unit, IP inquiry screen.

Claims (6)

In an electronic device capable of executing a predetermined program,
A drive unit in which a storage medium storing the program is set;
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the storage medium in the drive unit;
A display unit;
Control means for causing the display unit to display a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the program when the detection means detects that the drive unit does not have the storage medium during execution of the program; Prepared,
When the program is stored in a plurality of storage media , the control means causes the display unit to display a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the program when prompting the user to replace the storage medium . An electronic device characterized by prohibiting this.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to be carried by a user.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the program is a game program. In an electronic device capable of executing a predetermined program,
A display unit;
When a signal indicating that an operation for removing the storage medium storing the program has been received during execution of the program, a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the program is displayed on the display unit. Control means for causing
When the program is stored in a plurality of storage media , the control means causes the display unit to display a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the program when prompting the user to replace the storage medium . An electronic device characterized by prohibiting this. A storage medium storing the predetermined program set in a drive unit of an electronic apparatus capable of executing the predetermined program,
When the electronic device detects that there is no storage medium in the drive unit during execution of the predetermined program, the electronic device displays a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the predetermined program on the display unit. Is,
This storage medium, the store part of the predetermined program, said predetermined program another program for a function for prompting the replacement of the part to another storage medium which stores a to realize the electronic apparatus Is further stored,
A storage medium characterized in that when the user is prompted to replace the storage medium with another storage medium, the display unit is prohibited from displaying a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the predetermined program. A storage medium storing the predetermined program set in a drive unit of an electronic apparatus capable of executing the predetermined program,
The electronic device, when the take-out operation of the storage medium during execution of the predetermined program has received a signal indicating that took place, displays a screen for inquiring whether or not to terminate the predetermined program to the user Is displayed on the screen,
This storage medium, the store part of the predetermined program, said predetermined program another program for a function for prompting the replacement of the part to another storage medium which stores a to realize the electronic apparatus Is further stored,
A storage medium characterized in that when the user is prompted to replace the storage medium with another storage medium, the display unit is prohibited from displaying a screen for inquiring whether or not to end the predetermined program.

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