Control device of power switch, control method thereof and electronic display system

Abstract

The invention provides a control device of a power switch, a control method thereof and an electronic display system. The control device comprises a sound wave sensor and a switch. The switch is coupled between a power supply and an external electronic device. The sound wave sensor senses a sound wave signal. In the standby mode, the sound wave sensor generates a switch control signal according to the frequency of the sound wave signal. The switch connects or disconnects a power supply receiving path of the external electronic device according to the switch control signal. In the standby mode, the sound wave sensor periodically and actively executes the generation action of the switch control signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch control technology, and in particular to a control device and a control method of a power switch capable of saving power, and an electronic display system. Background Art

[0002] The switch control device of the existing electronic device (such as: electronic tag) is mostly a wireless network (Wi-Fi) device or a Bluetooth (Bluetooth) device. In the standby mode, the wireless network device or the Bluetooth device has a high standby power consumption, resulting in energy waste. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to a control device of a power switch, a control method thereof and an electronic display system, which can effectively reduce the standby current.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a control device for a power switch includes a sonic sensor and a switch. The switch is coupled between a power source and an external electronic device. The sonic sensor senses a sonic signal. In standby mode, the sonic sensor generates a switch control signal according to the frequency of the sonic signal. The switch turns on or off a path for the external electronic device to receive power according to the switch control signal. In standby mode, the sonic sensor periodically and actively performs the generation of the switch control signal.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, a control method for a power switch includes: sensing a sound wave signal through a sound wave sensor; in a standby mode, generating a switch control signal through the sound wave sensor according to the frequency of the sound wave signal; turning on or off a path for an external electronic device to receive power according to the switch control signal through a switch; and in the standby mode, periodically and actively executing the generation of the switch control signal through the sound wave sensor.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic display system includes an electronic paper, a power source, a wireless network / Bluetooth device, and a control device as described above. The wireless network / Bluetooth device is used to update the state of the electronic paper. The control device is used to control the on or off state of the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device to receive power.

[0007] According to the above, the power switch control device and control method thereof and the electronic display system provided by the present invention can control the power switch of an external electronic device by periodically and actively executing the generation action of a switch control signal in the standby state, using a simple switch, and can replace a wireless network device or a Bluetooth device to reduce the standby current of the control device.

[0008] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a control device for a power switch, a power source, an external electronic device and a sound wave generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a control device for a power switch, a power source, an external electronic device and a sound wave generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing an electronic display system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4 A flow chart showing a method for controlling a power switch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0013] Description of Reference Numerals

[0014] 100, 200, 300: Control device

[0015] 110, 210, 310: Sonic sensor

[0016] 120, 220, 320: switch

[0017] 130, 230, 330: Power supply

[0018] 140, 240: External electronic devices

[0019] 150, 250: Sound wave generator

[0020] 260: Clock signal generator

[0021] 270: Power supply / sleep controller

[0022] 280: Input and output interface

[0023] 340: E-paper

[0024] 350: Wireless network / Bluetooth device

[0025] CLK: Clock signal

[0026] CON: switch control signal

[0027] S410, S420, S430, S440: Steps

[0028] SIG-A: sonic signal

[0029] SIG-L: Low power notification signal

[0030] VDD: operating voltage DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a power switch control device, a power source, an external electronic device and a sound wave generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 . The control device 100 of the power switch includes a sound wave sensor 110 and a switch 120. The switch 120 is coupled between a power supply 130 and an external electronic device 140. The sound wave sensor 110 senses the sound wave signal SIG-A generated by the sound wave generator 150. The sound wave sensor 110 is, for example, a microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) microphone or an electret condenser microphone (ECM), which is not limited by the present invention. The sound wave generator 140 is, for example, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or other special amplification equipment that can emit high-frequency signals, which is not limited by the present invention.

[0033] In the standby mode, the sound wave sensor 110 periodically and actively performs the generation action of the switch control signal CON. Specifically, the sound wave sensor 110 can turn on or off the path for the external electronic device 140 to receive the power 130 according to the switch control signal CON. Further explanation, the sound wave sensor 110 can determine whether the sound wave signal SIG-A has a single first frequency, a single second frequency, or a composite frequency composed of multiple frequencies to generate the switch control signal CON. For example, if the user wants to update the status of the external electronic device 140, the user can use the sound wave generator 150 to transmit the sound wave signal SIG-A with the first frequency for a period of time; conversely, if the user wants to turn off the external electronic device 140, the user can use the sound wave generator 150 to transmit the sound wave signal SIG-A with the second frequency for a period of time. The first frequency is, for example, 20k Hz, which is used to indicate that the external electronic device 140 is to be turned on. The second frequency is, for example, 21k Hz, which is used to indicate that the external electronic device 140 is to be turned off. Accordingly, the sound wave sensor 110 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A is the first frequency and generates a switch control signal CON for conducting the path for the external electronic device 140 to receive the power 130. On the other hand, the sound wave sensor 110 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A is the second frequency and generates a switch control signal CON for disconnecting the path for the external electronic device 140 to receive the power 130. In this embodiment, the switch control signal CON is a wireless signal. The switch 120 can conduct or disconnect the path for the external electronic device to receive the power 130 according to the switch control signal CON received from the sound wave sensor 110. In other words, the switch 120 can control the power switch of the external electronic device 140 according to the switch control signal CON.

[0034] In addition, the composite frequency may be composed of more than two different frequencies. For example, the composite frequency is composed of 20k Hz and 21k Hz. In one embodiment, if the user wants to update the status of the external electronic device 140, the user may transmit the sound wave signal SIG-A with the composite frequency through the sound wave generator 150 for a period of time; conversely, if the user wants to turn off the external electronic device 140, the user may transmit the sound wave signal SIG-A with another composite frequency through the sound wave generator 150 for a period of time. Specifically, the sound wave sensor 110 may receive the sound wave signal SIG-A within a period of time (for example, within 2 seconds). If the sound wave sensor 110 receives a composite frequency composed of 0.5 seconds of 20k Hz, 0.5 seconds of 21k Hz, 0.5 seconds of 20k Hz, and 0.5 seconds of 21k Hz during this period of time, the sound wave sensor 110 may generate a switch control signal CON for conducting the path for the external electronic device 140 to receive the power supply 130. On the other hand, if the sound wave sensor 110 receives a composite frequency consisting of 20 kHz for 1 second and 21 kHz for 1 second during this period, the sound wave sensor 110 may generate a switch control signal CON for disconnecting the path of the external electronic device 140 receiving the power source 130. Accordingly, the control device 100 may reduce the probability of generating a false action (i.e., generating an erroneous switch control signal CON) by the complexity of the composite frequency.

[0035] Incidentally, the composite frequency may also be composed of more than two frequencies without any specific limitation.

[0036] In this embodiment, the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A may be above 15 kHz. The settings of the first frequency, the second frequency and the composite frequency may be designed according to actual needs, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0037] Thus, in the standby state, the sound wave sensor 110 can periodically and actively perform the generation of the switch control signal CON, which can effectively reduce the standby current of the control device 100. In addition, the sound wave sensor 110 can determine the sound wave signal SIG-A with a single frequency or a composite frequency within a period of time to generate the switch control signal CON, which can reduce the probability of false operation.

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a power switch control device, a power source, an external electronic device and a sound wave generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2The power switch control device 200 includes a sound wave sensor 210, a switch 220, a clock signal generator 260, a power supply / sleep controller 270, and an input / output interface 280. The clock signal generator 260 is coupled to the sound wave sensor 210. The sound wave sensor 210 is coupled to the clock signal generator 260, the power supply / sleep controller 270, and the input / output interface 280.

[0039] In the standby mode, the clock signal generator 260 and the power supply / sleep controller 270 are normally turned on. Specifically, the clock signal generator 260 and the power supply / sleep controller 270 can receive the operating voltage VDD from the power supply 230 to be normally turned on. The power supply / sleep controller 270 can periodically start the sound wave sensor 210. The clock signal generator 260 can transmit the clock signal CLK to the sound wave sensor 210. The sound wave sensor 210 can receive the sound wave signal SIG-A from the sound wave generator 250 within a period of time according to the clock signal CLK, and actively perform the generation action of the switch control signal CON.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the switch 220 may be, for example, an NMOS transistor. The sound wave sensor 210 may determine whether the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A within a period of time (for example, within 2 seconds) has a single first frequency, a single second frequency, or a composite frequency composed of multiple frequencies to generate the switch control signal CON. For example, when the sound wave sensor 210 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A within a period of time is the first frequency (for example, 20k Hz), the sound wave sensor 210 may generate the switch control signal CON for turning on the switch 220; conversely, when the sound wave sensor 210 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A within a period of time is the second frequency (for example, 21k Hz), the sound wave sensor 210 may generate the switch control signal CON for turning off the switch 220.

[0041] In addition, when the sound wave sensor 210 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A within a period of time is a composite frequency (for example, composed of 20k Hz for 0.5 seconds, 21k Hz for 0.5 seconds, 20k Hz for 0.5 seconds, and 21k Hz for 0.5 seconds), the sound wave sensor 210 can generate a switch control signal CON for turning on the switch 220. When the sound wave sensor 210 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A within a period of time is another composite frequency (for example, composed of 20k Hz for 1 second and 21k Hz for 1 second), the sound wave sensor 210 can generate a switch control signal CON for turning off the switch 220.

[0042] Thus, in the standby state, the sound wave sensor 210 can periodically and actively perform the generation of the switch control signal CON, which can effectively reduce the standby current of the control device 200. In addition, the sound wave sensor 210 can determine the sound wave signal SIG-A with a single frequency or a composite frequency within a period of time to generate the switch control signal CON, which can reduce the probability of false operation.

[0043] On the other hand, when the control device 200 is in a low power state, the sound wave sensor 210 may send a low power notification signal SIG-L to the external electronic device 240 through the input / output interface 280. Specifically, the sound wave sensor 210 may be periodically turned on to detect the battery power of the control device 200. When the battery power of the control device 200 is insufficient (for example, when the battery power is less than 10%), the sound wave sensor 210 may send a switch control signal CON to the switch 220 for conducting a path for the external electronic device 240 to receive the power 230, and the sound wave sensor 210 may send a low power notification signal SIG-L to the external electronic device 240 through the input / output interface 280. Accordingly, the external electronic device 240 may receive the power 230 (that is, the power switch of the external electronic device 240 may be turned on) and display the control device 200 in a low power state through text, images, or colors according to the low power notification signal SIG-L. For example, the external electronic device 240 is, for example, an electronic paper. When the control device 200 is in a low power state, the electronic paper (i.e., the external electronic device 240) may display a red light to remind the user that the control device 200 is in a low power state. In this way, the user can replace the battery of the control device 200 in a low power state or charge the control device 200 in a low power state in real time.

[0044] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an electronic display system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 The electronic display system 30 includes a control device 300, an electronic paper 340, a power supply 330, and a wireless network / Bluetooth device 350. The control device 300 and Figure 1 The control device 300 is similar to the control device 100 of FIG. 1 , and includes a sound wave sensor 310 and a switch 320. The control device 300 is coupled to a power source 330 and a wireless network / Bluetooth device 350. The control device 300 is used to control the on or off state of the power switch of the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350.

[0045] Specifically, the sound wave sensor 310 can generate a switch control signal CON for connecting or disconnecting the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330 according to the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A. The sound wave sensor 310 can determine whether the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A has a single first frequency, a single second frequency, or a composite frequency composed of multiple frequencies to generate the switch control signal CON. For example, when the sound wave sensor 310 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A is the first frequency, the sound wave sensor 310 can generate the switch control signal CON for connecting the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330; conversely, when the sound wave sensor 310 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A is the second frequency, the sound wave sensor 310 can generate the switch control signal CON for disconnecting the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330.

[0046] In addition, when the sound wave sensor 310 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A is a complex frequency, the sound wave sensor 310 may generate a switch control signal CON for conducting a path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330. In another embodiment, when the sound wave sensor 310 determines that the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A is a complex frequency, the sound wave sensor 310 may generate a switch control signal CON for disconnecting a path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330.

[0047] In this embodiment, the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 can be used to control the state of the electronic paper 340. For example, when the user wants to update the state of the electronic paper 340, the switch 320 receives a switch control signal CON for conducting the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330. Accordingly, the power switch of the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 can be turned on to update the state of the electronic paper 340. Conversely, when the user does not need to update the state of the electronic paper 340, the switch 320 receives a switch control signal CON for disconnecting the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330. Accordingly, the power switch of the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 can be turned off.

[0048] In another embodiment, the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 can be used to control a smart door lock (not shown). For example, if the user wants to open or close the smart door lock, the control device 300 can turn on the power switch of the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to control the smart door lock by connecting the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330; conversely, if the user does not need to open or close the smart door lock, the control device 300 can disconnect the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device 350 to receive the power 330.

[0049] Thus, in the standby state, the sound wave sensor 310 periodically and actively performs the generation of the switch control signal CON, which can effectively reduce the standby current of the control device 300. In addition, the sound wave sensor 310 can generate the switch control signal CON by determining the sound wave signal SIG-A with a composite frequency, which can reduce the probability of malfunction.

[0050] Figure 4 A flow chart showing a method for controlling a power switch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The control method of this embodiment can be performed by Figure 1 Please refer to the control device 100. Figure 1 and Figure 4 . In step S410, the sound wave signal SIG-A is sensed by the sound wave sensor 110. In step S420, in standby mode, the sound wave sensor 110 generates a switch control signal CON according to the frequency of the sound wave signal SIG-A. Next, in step S430, the switch 120 is used to turn on or off the path for the external electronic device 140 to receive the power supply 130 according to the switch control signal CON. Finally, in step S440, in standby mode, the sound wave sensor 110 periodically and actively performs the generation action of the switch control signal CON. The implementation details of steps S410 to S440 have been described in detail in the aforementioned embodiments, so they will not be repeated here.

[0051] In summary, the power switch control device and control method thereof and the electronic display system of the present invention can generate a switch control signal by periodically turning on the sound wave sensor in the standby state, and use a simple switch to turn on or off the path for the external electronic device to receive power, which can replace the wireless network device or Bluetooth device to reduce the standby current of the control device. In addition, the sound wave sensor can generate a switch control signal based on a sound wave signal with a composite frequency to reduce the probability of false operation. On the other hand, when the control device is in a low power state, an external electronic device can be used to remind the user that the control device is in a low power state, so that the user can promptly replace the battery of the control device in the low power state or charge the control device in the low power state.

[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control device for a power switch, comprising: A sonic sensor, used to sense a sonic signal and generate a switch control signal according to the frequency of the sonic signal in a standby mode; as well as A switch is coupled between the power source and the external electronic device, and is used to open or close a path for the external electronic device to receive the power source according to the switch control signal. Wherein, in the standby mode, the sound wave sensor periodically and actively performs the action of generating the switch control signal. 2 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the sound wave sensor determines that the sound wave signal has a single first frequency, a single second frequency, or a composite frequency composed of multiple frequencies to generate the switch control signal.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the sound wave signal is above 15 kHz.

4. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a clock signal generator, coupled to the acoustic wave sensor; a power supply / sleep controller, coupled to the sound wave sensor; as well as An input-output interface coupled to the sound wave sensor, Wherein, in the standby mode, the clock signal generator transmits a clock signal to the sound wave sensor, and the sound wave sensor receives the sound wave signal according to the clock signal. 5 . The control device according to claim 4 , wherein in the standby mode, the clock signal generator and the power supply / sleep controller are normally turned on. 6 . The control device according to claim 4 , wherein the sound wave sensor sends a low power notification signal to the external electronic device through the input / output interface when the control device is in a low power state. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the external electronic device is an electronic paper. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the switch control signal is a wireless signal.

9. A method for controlling a power switch, comprising: Sense the sound wave signal by using a sound wave sensor; In standby mode, the sound wave sensor generates a switch control signal according to the frequency of the sound wave signal; The switch is used to open or close a path for the external electronic device to receive power according to the switch control signal; as well as In the standby mode, the sound wave sensor periodically and actively generates the switch control signal.

10. The control method according to claim 9, further comprising: The switch control signal is generated by determining through the sound wave sensor whether the sound wave signal has a single first frequency, a single second frequency, or a composite frequency composed of multiple frequencies.

11. The control method according to claim 9, further comprising: In the standby mode, a clock signal is transmitted to the sound wave sensor through a clock signal generator; as well as In the standby mode, the sound wave signal is received by the sound wave sensor according to the clock signal.

12. The control method according to claim 11, further comprising: In the standby mode, the clock signal generator and the power supply / sleep controller are normally turned on.

13. The control method according to claim 11, further comprising: When the control device is in a low power state, the sound wave sensor sends a low power notification signal to the external electronic device through the input and output interface.

14. An electronic display system comprising: Electronic paper; power supply; A wireless network / Bluetooth device for updating the status of the electronic paper; as well as The control device as claimed in claim 1 is used to control the on or off state of the path for the wireless network / Bluetooth device to receive the power supply.

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