Information processing device, battery remaining amount notification method, and program

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus which improves the user experience of battery remaining amount notification in a pen-type input device without a Bluetooth (registered trademark). The information processing apparatus includes: a usage level setting unit (22) that sets a usage level indicating a usage state of a pen-type input device using a plurality of pieces of usage state information in which a battery voltage level notified from the pen-type input device is associated with time information; a remaining time acquisition unit (23) for acquiring the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level by using conversion information corresponding to the set use level in conversion information in which the battery voltage level and the remaining time are associated for each use level; and a notification unit (24) that notifies the acquired remaining time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a battery remaining amount notification method, and a program. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a pen-type input device is sometimes used as an input device in information processing apparatuses such as notebook PCs, tablet terminals, and smartphones.

[0003] For example, when the pen-type input device and the information processing apparatus are connected via Bluetooth (registered trademark), relatively detailed remaining battery information (e.g., remaining battery information of 100 levels) can be obtained from the pen-type input device. Therefore, by displaying the remaining battery information obtained from the pen-type input device on the display unit, the user can be informed of the approximately accurate remaining battery of the pen-type input device.

[0004] When a pen-type input device is equipped with a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication function, the size of the device increases and the cost increases, and therefore there are many pen-type input devices that do not have such a communication function.

[0005] In such a case, the battery remaining information notified from the pen-type input device is extremely rough compared to the case of Bluetooth (registered trademark) (for example, battery remaining information of levels 3 to 5, etc.), so it is difficult to notify the user of the detailed battery remaining. In addition, the frequency of use and usage time of the pen-type input device vary greatly depending on the user. Therefore, even when the same battery remaining notification is made (for example, battery remaining level "3", etc.), the remaining time such as how long the pen-type input device can be used varies greatly depending on the usage status of the pen-type input device. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide an information processing device, a remaining battery notification method, and a program that can improve user experience of remaining battery notification in a pen-type input device that is not equipped with Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0007] One method of the present disclosure is an information processing device, comprising: a usage level setting unit, which uses a plurality of usage status information that associates a battery voltage level and time information notified from a pen-type input device to set a usage level representing the usage status of the above-mentioned pen-type input device; a remaining time acquisition unit, which acquires the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level by using conversion information corresponding to the set usage level in conversion information that associates the battery voltage level and the remaining time according to each of the above-mentioned usage levels; and a notification unit, which notifies the acquired remaining time.

[0008] One method of the present disclosure is an information processing device, comprising: a processor; and a memory, storing a program that causes the processor to perform functions when executed by the processor, the functions including: using a plurality of usage status information that associates a battery voltage level and time information notified from a pen-type input device to set a usage level representing the usage status of the pen-type input device, using conversion information that associates a battery voltage level and a remaining time according to each of the usage levels, using the conversion information corresponding to the set usage level to obtain the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level, and notifying the obtained remaining time.

[0009] One method disclosed herein is a battery remaining notification method, which is executed by a computer: a usage level setting process, using multiple usage status information that associates the battery voltage level and time information notified from the pen-type input device to set the usage level representing the usage status of the above-mentioned pen-type input device; a remaining time acquisition process, in which the conversion information that associates the battery voltage level and the remaining time according to each of the above-mentioned usage levels is used to acquire the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level; and a notification process, notifying the acquired remaining time.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned information processing device.

[0011] It is possible to improve the user experience of battery remaining amount notification in a pen-type input device that is not equipped with Bluetooth (registered trademark). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic external view of an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of functions included in an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining a battery voltage level and a reference elapsed time according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of usage level determination information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 6This is a diagram showing an example of conversion information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a remaining battery level notification process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Description of Reference Numerals

[0020] 1…information processing device; 2…first housing; 3…second housing; 4…input device; 5…touch panel display; 5a…display; 5b…touch panel; 6…connecting component; 11…CPU; 12…primary storage device; 13…secondary storage device; 14…external interface; 15…communication interface; 18…bus; 20…battery remaining notification system; 21…storage unit; 22…usage level setting unit; 23…time acquisition unit; 24…notification unit; 30…pen-type input device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an information processing device, a battery remaining notification method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a laptop PC will be described as an example of the information processing device 1, but the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the information processing device 1 may also be a tablet terminal, a smart phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), etc., and can be widely used in information processing devices corresponding to pen-type input devices.

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, the information processing device 1 includes a first housing 2 and a second housing 3. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected to each other by a connecting member 6 so as to be relatively openable and closable. An example of the connecting member 6 is a hinge.

[0023] The first housing 2 is substantially rectangular and includes a touch panel display 5 provided on a surface facing the second housing 3. The touch panel display 5 is, for example, a display 5a (see Figure 2 ) is overlapped with a touch panel 5b (see Figure 2 The touch panel 5b detects the use of a finger or a pen-type input device 30 (see Figure 2 ) to perform various operations. As an example of the pen-type input device 30, a stylus pen (touch pen) is listed. In addition, regarding the structure of the touch panel display 5, a known technology can be appropriately adopted, and a detailed description here is omitted.

[0024] The second housing 3 is substantially rectangular, and an input device 4 is provided on the first surface of the second housing 3. The input device 4 is a user interface for a user to perform input operations. Examples of the input device 4 include a keyboard, a touch pad, a small red dot, and the like.

[0025] Next, refer to Figure 2 The hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of the information processing device 1 involved in this embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, the information processing device 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 11, a main memory device (Main Memory) 12, a secondary storage device (Secondary storage: memory) 13, an external interface 14, a communication interface 15, etc., in addition to the above-mentioned input device 4 and touch panel display 5. These components are directly or indirectly connected to each other via a bus 18 and cooperate with each other to perform various processes.

[0026] The CPU 11 controls the entire information processing device 1 by, for example, using an OS (Operating System) stored in a secondary storage device 13 connected via a bus 18, and performs various processes by executing various programs stored in the secondary storage device 13. One or more CPUs 11 may be provided to realize processes in cooperation with each other.

[0027] The main storage device 12 is composed of a writable memory such as a cache memory or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area for reading execution programs of the CPU 11 and writing processing data based on the execution programs.

[0028] The secondary storage device 13 is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The secondary storage device 13 is, for example, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. As an example of the secondary storage device 13, ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive) flash memory, etc. are listed. The secondary storage device 13 stores, for example, an OS for controlling the entire information processing device such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), various device drivers for hardware operations of peripheral devices, various application software, and various data and files. In addition, the secondary storage device 13 stores programs for implementing various processes and various data required for implementing various processes. A plurality of secondary storage devices 13 may be provided, and the above-mentioned programs and data may be divided and stored in each secondary storage device 13.

[0029] The external interface 14 is an interface for connecting to an external device. Examples of external devices include an external monitor, a USB memory, an external HDD, an external camera, and the like. Figure 2 In the example shown, only one external interface is illustrated, but a plurality of external interfaces may be provided.

[0030] The communication interface 15 functions as an interface for connecting to a network and communicating with other devices and transmitting and receiving information. For example, the communication interface 15 communicates with other devices via wired or wireless communication. Examples of wireless communication include communication via lines such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, mobile communication systems (3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, LTE, etc.), and wireless LAN. Examples of wired communication include communication via lines such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network).

[0031] In the present embodiment, the pen-type input device 30 is connected via the communication interface 15. The details will be described later.

[0032] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of functions provided by the information processing device 1. Figure 3As shown, the information processing device 1 includes a remaining battery notification system 20. The remaining battery notification system 20 includes, for example, a storage unit 21, a use level setting unit 22, a remaining time acquisition unit 23, and a notification unit 24.

[0033] The functions implemented by these components are realized by, for example, the CPU (processor) 11 reading the program (battery remaining amount notification program) stored in the secondary storage device 13 to the main storage device 12 and performing information processing and calculation processing. In addition, the program may be applied in a manner of being pre-installed in the secondary storage device 13, provided in a state of being stored in a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via a wired or wireless communication unit. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, optical magnetic disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, and the like.

[0034] The storage unit 21 stores, for example, a plurality of usage status information that associates the battery voltage level and time information notified from the pen-type input device 30 with which communication has been established. For example, when there is a pen-type input device 30 with which communication has been established, when an event such as a touch on the touch panel 5b occurs, the battery voltage level is notified from the pen-type input device 30 to the information processing device 1 (specifically, the touch IC that controls the touch panel 5b). This notification is performed using, for example, the HID (Human Interface Device) protocol.

[0035] Here, for example, Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the battery voltage level is information that divides the battery voltage of the pen-type input device 30 into a plurality of levels. Figure 4 As shown, the case where the battery voltage level is represented by five levels (Lv1 to Lv5) is described as an example.

[0036] The use level setting unit 22 sets a use level indicating the use status of the pen-shaped input device 30 using the plurality of use status information stored in the storage unit 21 .

[0037] The usage level is to classify the user's usage of the pen-type input device 30 into multiple levels. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the three levels of LIGHT, NORMAL, and HEAVY are used as an example for explanation, but the number of levels is not particularly limited. For example, the level can be 2 or 3 or more.

[0038] For example, when the battery voltage level is notified from the pen-type input device 30, the usage level setting unit 22 determines whether the battery voltage level (the latest battery voltage level) is different from the battery voltage level notified last time, and sets the usage level if it is determined to be different. Specifically, when the battery voltage level is changed, the usage level setting unit 22 calculates the elapsed time until the battery voltage level is changed based on the plurality of usage status information stored in the storage unit 21, and sets the usage level using the calculated elapsed time.

[0039] For example, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the usage level setting unit 22 has usage level determination information (usage level determination condition) that associates the battery voltage level with the reference elapsed time. The usage level is set by comparing the reference elapsed time with the elapsed time calculated based on the usage status information. Here, for example, Figure 4 As shown, the reference elapsed time is information preset based on the elapsed time until the battery voltage level changes in the reference battery voltage curve (in this embodiment, the battery voltage curve of the level "NORMAL" is used). Figure 4 In the figure, the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is battery voltage.

[0040] For example, consider a case where the battery voltage level changes from "5" to "4". In this case, the usage level setting unit 22 calculates the period during which the battery voltage level is recorded as "5" as the elapsed time T based on the usage status information stored in the storage unit 21. For example, the more proficient the user is, the longer the elapsed time T is. Next, the usage level setting unit 22 calculates the period during which the battery voltage level is recorded as "5" based on the usage status information stored in the storage unit 21. Figure 4 ) obtains a reference elapsed time Tref_5 corresponding to the battery voltage level "5", and compares the obtained reference elapsed time Tref_5 with the elapsed time T.

[0041] As a result, when the elapsed time T is shorter than the reference elapsed time Tref_5, the usage level is set to "HEAVY", when the elapsed time T is longer than the reference elapsed time Tref_5, the usage level is set to "LIGHT", and when the elapsed time T and the reference elapsed time Tref_5 are equal, the usage level is set to "NORMAL". In addition, the reference elapsed time may not be a single value but may be set as a range having upper and lower limits.

[0042] Furthermore, when the latest battery voltage level is changed in the direction of charging relative to the battery voltage level acquired last time, the use level setting unit 22 sets the use level to the default, for example, to “NORMAL”.

[0043] The remaining time acquisition unit 23 has a plurality of conversion information associating the battery voltage level with the remaining time for each usage level, and uses the conversion information corresponding to the usage level set by the usage level setting unit 22 among the conversion information to acquire the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level.

[0044] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of conversion information. Figure 6 As shown, in the conversion information, the remaining time for the battery voltage level is registered for each usage level "LIGHT", "NORMAL", and "HEAVY". Here, the remaining time of LIGHT is set to be longer than the remaining time of NORMAL, and the remaining time of NORMAL is set to be longer than the remaining time of HEAVY.

[0045] The notification unit 24 notifies the remaining time acquired by the remaining time acquisition unit 23. For example, the notification unit 24 displays an icon of the battery of the pen-type input device 30 on the display 5a, and displays the remaining time in the icon. In addition, the notification method of the remaining time is not limited to this, and there is no particular limitation as long as it is a method for notifying the user of the remaining time.

[0046] Next, refer to Figure 7 A description will be given of a remaining battery level notification process (remaining battery level notification method) executed by the remaining battery level notification system 20 of the information processing device 1 . Figure 7 The following series of processes are implemented by, for example, the CPU 11 reading the input control program stored in the secondary storage device 13 to the main storage device 12 and executing information processing and calculation processing.

[0047] For example, when communication with the pen-shaped input device 30 is established, the input control process is started, and the input control process is repeatedly executed until the communication with the pen-shaped input device 30 is completed.

[0048] First, the battery remaining level notification system 20 determines whether the battery voltage level has been notified from the pen-type input device 30 (SA1). If not notified (SA1: No), it enters a standby state until the notification. On the other hand, if the battery voltage level has been notified (SA1: Yes), it refers to the past usage status information stored in the storage unit 21 to determine whether the battery voltage level has changed (SA2).

[0049] As a result, if there is no change (SA2: No), the process returns to step SA1. On the other hand, if the battery voltage level has changed (SA2: Yes), it is determined whether the battery voltage level has decreased, in other words, whether the remaining battery level has changed in a decreasing direction (SA3). As a result, if the battery voltage level has decreased (SA3: Yes), the past usage status information stored in the storage unit 21 is used to calculate the elapsed time until the battery voltage level is changed (SA4).

[0050] Next, from the usage level determination information (refer to Figure 5 ) obtains the reference elapsed time corresponding to the last battery voltage level, and compares the obtained reference elapsed time with the elapsed time calculated in step SA4, thereby setting the usage level (SA5), and moving to step SA7. For example, when the elapsed time is longer than the reference elapsed time, "LIGHT" is set, when the elapsed time is shorter than the reference elapsed time, "HEAVY" is set, and when the elapsed time and the reference elapsed time are the same, "NORMAL" is set. In addition, in this case, the value obtained by adding a specified margin (±α) to the reference elapsed time may be used as a reference, and when the elapsed time is shorter than the lower limit value (reference elapsed time - α), "HEAVY" is set, when the elapsed time is longer than the upper limit value (reference elapsed time + α), "LIGHT" is set, and in other cases, "NORMAL" is set.

[0051] On the other hand, in step SA3 , when the battery voltage level has increased ( SA3 : No), a default (for example, “NORMAL”) is set in the usage level ( SA6 ), and the process proceeds to step SA7 .

[0052] In step SA7, the conversion information corresponding to the set usage level (see Figure 6 ) obtains the remaining time corresponding to the battery voltage level (SA7). For example, when the usage level is set to "HEAVY" and the battery voltage level received this time is "3", based on Figure 6 The remaining time "Tc3" is obtained by using the conversion information shown.

[0053] Next, the acquired remaining time is notified to the user (SA8), and the process returns to step SA1.

[0054] As described above, the information processing device 1 involved in this embodiment includes: a usage level setting unit 22, which uses a plurality of usage status information that associates the battery voltage level and time information of the pen-type input device 30 to set the usage level representing the usage status of the pen-type input device 30; a remaining time acquisition unit 23, which uses the conversion information corresponding to the set usage level in the conversion information that associates the battery voltage level and the remaining time according to each usage level to obtain the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level; and a notification unit 24, which notifies the acquired remaining time.

[0055] In this way, the battery remaining level is converted into the remaining time using the conversion information that takes the user's usage status into consideration, and the converted remaining time is prompted to the user, so that the user can be notified of a more accurate remaining time. As a result, the user experience of the battery remaining notification can be improved. In addition, the battery remaining notification method involved in this embodiment can also be widely and generally applied to a pen-type input device 30 that is not equipped with Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0056] The present disclosure is described above using the embodiments, but the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and the methods to which the changes or improvements are made are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Furthermore, the processing flow described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0058] For example, even if the battery voltage level is the same, the remaining time may vary depending on the structure or characteristics of the pen-type input device 30, the battery used in the pen-type input device 30, etc. Therefore, for example, Figure 5 The usage level determination information (usage level determination condition) shown is held in association with the device ID of the pen-shaped input device 30 , and the usage level is set using the usage level determination information corresponding to the device ID of the pen-shaped input device 30 .

[0059] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the case where the usage level is classified into three levels of "LIGHT", "NORMAL" and "HEAVY" is described, but the usage level is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to classify into four or more levels. In this case, by presetting more detailed determination conditions for classification (for example, multiple reference elapsed times, etc.), detailed classification can be performed.

[0060] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, the usage level is set using the reference elapsed time, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the usage level may be set by processing past usage status information statistically or using machine learning, etc., instead of the elapsed time until the battery voltage level is changed.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the battery remaining notification system 20 is described as having the storage unit 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the storage unit 21 may be stored in a predetermined memory area in the information processing device 1 or in an external storage device accessible to the information processing device 1.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: A usage level setting unit that sets a usage level indicating a usage status of the pen-type input device using a plurality of usage status information associated with a battery voltage level and time information notified from the pen-type input device; a remaining time acquisition unit that acquires the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level using the conversion information corresponding to the set usage level in the conversion information that associates the battery voltage level with the remaining time according to each usage level; and The notification unit notifies the obtained remaining time.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the battery voltage level is notified from the pen-type input device, the usage level setting unit determines whether the latest battery voltage level is different from the battery voltage level notified last time, and sets the usage level if it is determined that they are different.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The usage level setting unit calculates an elapsed time until the battery voltage level is changed based on the usage status information, and sets the usage level using the calculated elapsed time.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein: The usage level setting unit sets the usage level by comparing a reference elapsed time associated with a battery voltage level with an elapsed time until the battery voltage level is changed.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The use level setting unit sets the use level to a default when the latest battery voltage level is changed toward charging relative to the last reported battery voltage level.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The usage level setting unit has a usage level determination condition for determining a usage level, and sets the usage level using the plurality of usage status information and the usage level determination condition.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein: The usage level determination condition is associated with the device ID of the pen-type input device. The usage level setting unit sets the usage level using the usage level determination condition corresponding to the device ID of the pen-type input device.

8. An information processing device comprising: Processor; and a memory storing a program that causes the processor to perform a function when executed by the processor, These features include: using a plurality of usage status information associated with the battery voltage level and time information notified from the pen-type input device, to set a usage level indicating the usage status of the pen-type input device, The remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level is obtained using the conversion information corresponding to the set usage level in which the battery voltage level and the remaining time are associated for each usage level. Notify the remaining time obtained.

9. A method for notifying remaining battery level, Executed by computer: A usage level setting step of setting a usage level indicating a usage status of the pen-type input device using a plurality of usage status information associated with a battery voltage level and time information notified from the pen-type input device; a remaining time acquisition step of acquiring the remaining time corresponding to the current battery voltage level using the conversion information corresponding to the set usage level in the conversion information that associates the battery voltage level with the remaining time according to each usage level; and Notify the process and notify the remaining time obtained. 10 . A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to claim 1 .

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