Electronic device and switching method of input signal

Abstract

An electronic device of one aspect of the present disclosure is an electronic device of which a category of a power state includes an off state and a running state, in which the electronic device is provided with: an operation section that generates an operation signal for switching the category; a main controller that has a first input section and a second input section, in which the first input section functions in both the off state and the running state, and the second input section does not function in the off state and functions in the running state; a sub-controller that generates a control signal indicating a transition to the running state; and a selector that selects an input object for the first input section according to the category, the operation signal being selected as the category of the input object is the off state, and the control signal being selected as the category of the input object is a state other than the off state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for switching electronic devices and input signals.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2024-38078, filed on March 12, 2024, and invokes all the contents of the said Japanese application. Background Technology

[0003] Patent document 1 describes a set-top box having: a frame portion on the bottom surface; an information card reader located on the frame portion on the bottom surface; a heat insulation layer; a circuit board located on the heat insulation layer; a heat sink on the top plate located on the circuit board; and a top cover located on the heat sink on the top plate.

[0004] Patent document 2 describes a system that connects a portable terminal with a display or speaker to a set-top box in a communicative manner, and sends image data or voice data from the set-top box to the portable terminal in order to output images through the portable terminal's display or output voice through the speaker.

[0005] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-514732 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-130926 Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure is an electronic device whose power state categories include an off state and an operating state. The electronic device comprises: an operation unit that generates an operation signal for switching the categories; a main controller having a first input unit and a second input unit, wherein the first input unit functions in both the off state and the operating state, and the second input unit does not function in the off state but functions in the operating state; a secondary controller that generates a control signal indicating a transition to the operating state; and a selector that selects an input object for the first input unit based on the category, wherein the operation signal selects the input object if the category is the off state, and the control signal selects the input object if the category is a state other than the off state.

[0007] This disclosure can be implemented not only as a system and apparatus having the features described above, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute the features described. Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented as a partial or complete semiconductor integrated circuit for implementing a system and apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1It's a 3D image of a set-top box.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded 3D view of a set-top box.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a power management system that is configured on a circuit board.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a state transition diagram of the power management system. Detailed Implementation

[0012] <Problems this disclosure seeks to solve> Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 do not envision a scheme that would appropriately switch the power state category even without changing the technical specifications of the main controller (number of input terminals, etc.).

[0013] In view of the existing problems, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an electronic device such as a set-top box that can appropriately switch the type of power state.

[0014] <The Effects of This Disclosure> According to this disclosure, the power state category can be switched appropriately.

[0015] <Summary of Embodiments of this Disclosure> The following is a summary description of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] (1) One embodiment of the apparatus is an electronic device whose power state categories include a shutdown state and an operating state, wherein the electronic device comprises: an operation unit that generates an operation signal for switching the category; a main controller having a first input unit and a second input unit, wherein the first input unit functions in both the shutdown state and the operating state, and the second input unit does not function in the shutdown state but functions in the operating state; a sub-controller that generates a control signal indicating a transition to the operating state; and a selector that selects an input object for the first input unit according to the category, wherein the operation signal is selected for the category of the input object to be a shutdown state, and the control signal is selected for the category of the input object to be a state other than the shutdown state.

[0017] According to the electronic device of this embodiment, the operation signal is selected as the input object category as the off state, and the control signal is selected as the input object category as a state other than the off state (e.g., operating state or standby state described later). Therefore, even without changing the technical specifications of the main controller (e.g., the number of input terminals), the power state category can be switched appropriately.

[0018] (2) In the electronic device of (1) above, the main controller may have: a first module that operates in both a closed state and an operating state; and a second module that does not operate in the closed state but operates in the operating state, wherein the first input unit is connected to the first module and the second input unit is connected to the second module.

[0019] In this case, the first module operates via an operation signal when the module is off, and the second module operates via a control signal when the module is running. Therefore, the power state category can be switched appropriately even without changing the main controller's technical specifications (such as the number of input terminals).

[0020] (3) In the electronic device of (1) or (2) above, the operation signal generated by the operation unit may correspond to the pressing of the operation unit, and the operation signal may be provided to the selector and the second input unit.

[0021] In this way, not only can the first module participate in the switching action of the power state category based on the operation signal, but the second module can also participate in the switching action of the power state category based on the operation signal.

[0022] (4) In the electronic devices described in (1) to (3) above, the category may also include a standby state, in which the selector takes the control signal as the input object in the standby state, and when the first module is input with the control signal in the standby state, the category is changed to an operating state.

[0023] In this way, the power supply status can be changed from standby to running using control signals.

[0024] (5) In the electronic device described in (4) above, the control signal may also be a LAN wake-up signal.

[0025] In this way, the power status can be changed from standby to running by using the LAN wake-up signal.

[0026] (6) One method of this embodiment is an input signal switching method performed in the electronic devices described in (1) to (5) above. Therefore, the switching method of this embodiment has the same effect as the electronic devices described in (1) to (5) above.

[0027] <Details of the embodiments disclosed> Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that at least some of the embodiments described below can be combined arbitrarily.

[0028] [Example of set-top box structure] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of set-top box 1. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the set-top box 1. The set-top box 1 of this embodiment includes a power management system 50 (described later). Figure 3 An example of an "electronic device".

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the set-top box 1 includes a housing 2 and a circuit board 3 housed within the housing 2. The circuit board 3 is, for example, made of a printed circuit board.

[0030] The housing 2 is made of synthetic resin such as rigid plastic, and has an upper housing 21 and a lower housing 22 that can be separated in the vertical direction.

[0031] The front wall of the upper housing 21 is provided with: an operation section 53, consisting of a push-button switch, etc.; and a display section 54, including a full-color LED (Light-Emitting Diode), etc. Figure 1 The example shown illustrates a case where the display portion 54 is embedded in the button portion of the operation portion 53, but the display portion 54 may also be configured in a different position on the front surface wall than the operation portion 53.

[0032] The back wall of the upper housing 21 has a notch 23 for accommodating a coaxial cable connector, etc., and an opening 24 for a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable and a LAN (Local Area Network) cable connector, etc., to pass through.

[0033] Screw insertion portions 25 with threaded holes are formed at the four corners of the lower housing 22. By screwing the stop screws 26 that pass through the screw insertion portions 25 from the bottom to the upper housing 21, the upper housing 21, the circuit board 3 and the lower housing 22 are integrated in a stacked state.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, multiple components are mounted on the circuit board 3. These components include a tuner 27, a cover plate 28, an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface, "HDMI" is a registered trademark) connector 29, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 30, etc.

[0035] Although Figure 2Not depicted, but the components mounted on the circuit board 3 also include semiconductor devices such as LSI (Large Scale Integration) for image output and communication control.

[0036] The tuner 27 has a connector 31 that protrudes to the rear side. The cover plate 28 is a sheet metal component that serves both heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding. The tuner 27 is substantially entirely covered by the cover plate 28 with only the connector 31 exposed.

[0037] The carrier wave of broadcast radio waves or cable television is transmitted through the coaxial cable connected to the connector 31. The carrier wave reaches the tuner 27 via the coaxial cable and is received by the tuner 27.

[0038] [Example of a power management system configuration] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the power management system 50 configured on the circuit board 3.

[0039] Figure 3 Solid arrows in the diagram represent "power lines" where current flows towards the tip of the arrow, while dashed arrows represent "signal lines" where signal flows towards the tip of the arrow.

[0040] (Definition of power supply state) The power states managed by the power management system 50 include "operating state", "standby state", and "off state" (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0041] The operating state is a state that satisfies the following conditions.

[0042] Condition 1: The first output PO1 of the power management unit 52 is supplied to the first module 55A of the main controller 55, the sub-controller 56 and the selector 57.

[0043] Condition 2: The second output PO2 of the power management unit 52 is supplied to the second module 55B of the main controller 55, the selector 57, and all functions of the set-top box 1, including video output.

[0044] The standby state is a state that satisfies condition 1 above and condition 3 below.

[0045] Condition 3: The second output PO2 of the power management unit 52 is supplied to the second module 55B and selector 57 of the main controller 55, but not to a portion of the functions of the set-top box 1, including video output.

[0046] The closed state is a state that satisfies condition 1 above and condition 4 below.

[0047] Condition 4: The second output PO2 of the power management department 52 is not supplied.

[0048] (Components of a power management system) like Figure 3 As shown, the power management system 50 includes a circuit board 3 and various electronic components mounted on the circuit board 3.

[0049] Multiple electronic components include a main power supply 51, a power management unit 52, an operation unit 53, a display unit 54, a main controller 55, a secondary controller 56, and a signal switching circuit (hereinafter referred to as a "selector") 57.

[0050] The main power supply 51 is, for example, a DC (Direct Current) / DC converter. The main power supply 51 steps down the DC power supplied to it by a power source not shown in the figure at a specified voltage (e.g., 12V) and supplies the stepped-down DC power to the power management unit 52.

[0051] The power management unit 52 is, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The power management unit 52 outputs DC power supplied from the main power supply 51 according to various strategies. Specifically, the power management unit 52 can perform the following first output PO1 and second output PO2.

[0052] First output PO1: Continuous power supply. Second output PO2: Output where power supply stops when the device is off. The first output PO1 is supplied to the first module 55A of the main controller 55, the power supply pin 57A of the secondary controller 56 and the selector 57.

[0053] The supply destinations of the second output PO2 include the second module 55B of the main controller 55 and the switching drive unit 57B of the selector 57.

[0054] The operation unit 53 is, for example, a push-button switch. When the operation unit 53 senses a user's operation (specifically, pressing a button), it outputs an operation signal S1. The output destination of the operation signal S1 is the input terminal T2 of the main controller 55 and the selector 57.

[0055] The display unit 54 is, for example, a full-color LED (light-emitting diode). The display unit 54 is turned on or off in any of a variety of colors according to the control signal S2 input from the second module 55B of the main controller 55.

[0056] The main controller 55 is, for example, a heterogeneous multi-core CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0057] The main controller 55 has at least two modules, including a first module 55A and a second module 55B, which have different processing contents, and a memory 55C.

[0058] Module 55A: A module that performs processing other than that performed by Module 55B, and includes at least one core. Second module 55B: A module that outputs control signal S2 to display unit 54 and communicates in parallel with sub-controller 56 based on control signal S3, including at least one core. The first module 55A can operate in all states: running, standby, and off.

[0059] The second module 55B is a module that can operate in both running and standby states, but does not operate in the off state.

[0060] The memory 55C stores identification information of the power state category (operating state, standby state, or off state) at the current time.

[0061] The updating of the identification information stored in memory 55C is shared by the first module 55A and the second module 55B.

[0062] Specifically, when the first module 55A senses a specified signal (such as a short-press control signal S1 or a WOL signal S4 described later) when the identification information is in a closed or standby state, the first module 55A updates the identification information to an operating state.

[0063] Furthermore, when the second module 55B senses a specified signal (such as the long press control signal S1) when the identification information is in the operating state, the second module 55B updates the identification information to the off state.

[0064] The signal terminals of the main controller 55 include input terminal T1, input terminal T2, input / output terminal T3, output terminal T4, and output terminal T5.

[0065] The input terminal T1 is connected to the first module 55A. The input terminal T1 functions as a "first input" that receives signals (operation signal S1 or WOL signal S4 described later) input from the selector 57.

[0066] The input terminal T2 is connected to the second module 55B, and the input terminal T2 functions as a "second input unit" that receives the operation signal S1 input from the operation unit 53.

[0067] The input / output terminal T3 is connected to the second module 55B. The input / output terminal T3 is used to transmit and receive the control signal S3 relative to the sub-controller 56.

[0068] The output terminal T4 is connected to the second module 55B, and the output terminal T4 is used to send the control signal S2 to the display unit 54.

[0069] Output terminal T5 is connected to the first module 55A. This output terminal T5 is used to send control signal S5 to the power management unit 52.

[0070] The secondary controller 56 is, for example, an integrated circuit that performs signal processing for the physical layer (PHY) of Ethernet (trademark). The secondary controller 56 can output the LAN wake-on signal (hereinafter referred to as the "WOL (wake-on LAN) signal") S4 to the selector 57.

[0071] Specifically, the secondary controller 56 generates a WOL signal S4 based on an instruction from the Ethernet MAC (Media Access Control) (not shown) of the device that has received a specified magic packet, and outputs the WOL signal S4 to the selector 57.

[0072] Selector 57 is, for example, a dual-input single-output switching circuit. The input signals to selector 57 are operation signal S1 and WOL signal S4.

[0073] Selector 57 has a power supply pin 57A and a switching drive unit 57B. A first output PO1 is supplied to the power supply pin 57A. A second output PO2 is supplied to the switching drive unit 57B.

[0074] (Selector switching action) The switching action performed by selector 57 is as follows.

[0075] 1) The case of being closed When power is only supplied to the power supply pin 57A (in the off state), the selector 57 only treats the operation signal S1 as the input object to the input terminal T1 of the main controller 55, and does not assign the WOL signal S4 to the input terminal T1.

[0076] In other words, the operation signal S1 is selected to indicate that the power state of the input object input to the input terminal T1 is off.

[0077] 2) Status of operation or standby When power is supplied to both power pin 57A and switching drive unit 57B (in either operating or standby mode), selector 57 only treats the WOL signal S4 as an input to input terminal T1 of main controller 55, and does not assign operation signal S1 to input terminal T1. Thus, the switching operation of selector 57 is the same in both operating and standby modes.

[0078] In other words, the WOL signal S4 is selected as the power state of the input object input to the input terminal T1, which is a state other than the off state (in this embodiment, the operating state or the standby state).

[0079] (Power state switching action implemented by the first module) The power state switching actions performed by the first module 55A are as follows.

[0080] 1) The case of being closed When the identification information in memory 55C is in the off state, the first module 55A outputs the control signal S5 that enables the second output PO2 to the power management unit 52, and updates the identification information in memory 55C to the operating state, provided that the duration DR of the operation signal S1 is less than the specified threshold TH (e.g., 4 seconds) (so-called short press).

[0081] Therefore, the power state changes from off to on. It should be noted that the aforementioned short press operation signal S1 is equivalent to... Figure 4 Event E5.

[0082] 2) Operating status When the identification information of memory 55C indicates an operational state, the second module 55B is responsible for switching the power state, as described later. Therefore, the first module 55A does not perform power state switching.

[0083] 3) Standby mode When the identification information of memory 55C is in standby mode, the first module 55A performs processing corresponding to the WOL signal S4.

[0084] Specifically, the first module 55A, which senses the WOL signal S4, restores most of the functions of the set-top box 1, including image output, and updates the identification information in the memory 55C to the operating state.

[0085] Therefore, the power state changes from standby to operation. It should be noted that the sensing of the aforementioned WOL signal S4 is equivalent to... Figure 4 Event E2.

[0086] (Power state switching action implemented by the second module) The power state switching actions performed by the second module 55B are as follows.

[0087] 1) The case of being closed When the identification information of memory 55C is in the off state, as described above, the first module 55A is responsible for switching the power state. Therefore, the second module 55B does not perform power state switching.

[0088] 2) Operating status When the identification information of memory 55C indicates an operating state, the second module 55B performs different processes based on the duration DR of the operation signal S1.

[0089] Specifically, when the duration DR is less than the specified threshold TH, the second module 55B stops most of the functions of the set-top box 1, including image output, and updates the identification information in the memory 55C to standby state.

[0090] Therefore, the power state changes from operating state to standby state. It should be noted that the aforementioned operation signal S1 (short press operation signal S1) less than the threshold TH is equivalent to... Figure 4 Event E1.

[0091] Furthermore, when the duration DR is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold TH (the so-called long press situation), the second module 55B updates the identification information of the memory 55C to the off state. The first module 55A, sensing this update, outputs the control signal S5 to disable the second output PO2 to the power management unit 52.

[0092] Therefore, the power state changes from the running state to the off state. It should be noted that the aforementioned operation signal S1 (long press operation signal S1) which is greater than or equal to the threshold TH is equivalent to... Figure 4 Event E4.

[0093] 3) Standby mode When the identification information of memory 55C is in standby mode, the second module 55B performs different processes according to the duration DR of operation signal S1.

[0094] Specifically, if the duration DR is less than the specified threshold TH, the second module 55B restarts most of the functions of the set-top box 1, including image output, and updates the identification information of the memory 55C to the operating state.

[0095] Therefore, the power state changes from standby to operation. It should be noted that the aforementioned operation signal S1 (short press operation signal S1) less than the threshold TH is equivalent to... Figure 4Event E2.

[0096] Furthermore, if the duration DR is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold TH, the second module 55B updates the identification information of the memory 55C to a closed state. The first module 55A, sensing this update, outputs a control signal S5 to disable the second output PO2 to the power management unit 52.

[0097] Therefore, the power state changes from standby to off. It should be noted that the aforementioned operation signal S1 (long press operation signal S1) greater than or equal to the threshold TH is equivalent to... Figure 4 Event E3.

[0098] (Switching of the display section implemented by the second module) For example, power is supplied to the display unit 54 via the second output PO2. In this case, the switching operation of the display unit 54 performed by the second module 55B is as follows.

[0099] 1) Switching to green lights When the identification information in the memory 55C indicates an operating state, the second module 55B outputs a control signal S2 indicating green illumination to the display unit 54. As a result, the display unit 54 illuminates in green to indicate the operating state.

[0100] 2) Switching to red lighting When the identification information in memory 55C reaches standby mode, the second module 55B outputs a control signal S2 indicating red illumination to display unit 54. As a result, display unit 54 illuminates in red to indicate standby mode.

[0101] 3) Switching to off In the off state, since the second output PO2 is not supplied, the display unit 54 is turned off. Thus, the display unit 54 is switched to an off state indicating the off state.

[0102] (Other controls implemented by the second module) When the identification information of memory 55C is in standby mode, the second module 55B uses control signal S3 to perform the prescribed communication with the sub-controller 56.

[0103] Specifically, if the secondary controller 56 notifies the secondary controller 56 that the LAN wake-up function is disabled, the second module 55B disables the function; if the secondary controller 56 notifies the secondary controller 56 that the LAN wake-up function is enabled, the second module 55B enables the function.

[0104] [State transitions in the power management system] Figure 4 This is the state transition diagram of the power management system 50.

[0105] like Figure 4 As shown, the power state categories of the power management system 50 include "operational state ST1", "standby state ST2" and "off state ST3".

[0106] Operating state ST1 is the state in which all functions of the set-top box 1, including the first module 55A and the second module 55B, are operational. In operating state ST1, the display unit 54 is lit up in "green".

[0107] Standby state ST2 is a state in which the first module 55A and the second module 55B can work, but some functions of the set-top box 1, such as image output, cannot work. In standby state ST2, the display unit 54 is lit up in "red".

[0108] In the off state ST3, the first module 55A can work, but most of the functions of the set-top box 1, such as image output and the functions performed by the second module 55B, cannot work. In the off state ST3, the display unit 54 is off.

[0109] like Figure 4 As shown, the events that cause the power state category to change include five events E1 to E5.

[0110] Event E1 is an event that causes the operating state to switch to standby state. Event E1 is, for example, "button operation (short press)".

[0111] Event E2 is an event that transitions the device from standby to running state. Examples of events for E2 include "button operation (short press)" and the reception of the WOL signal.

[0112] Event E3 is an event that causes the device to switch from standby mode to the off state. Event E3 is, for example, "button operation (long press)".

[0113] Event E4 is an event that changes the running state to the off state. Event E4 is, for example, "button operation (long press)".

[0114] Event E5 is an event that changes the state from off to on. Event E5 is, for example, "button operation (short press)".

[0115] [Example of a variant of the main controller] In the above embodiments, the main controller 55 can also be a single-core processor. In this case, for example, the first module 55A can be composed of the core and its peripheral circuitry, and the second module 55B can be composed of the extended portion of the peripheral circuitry.

[0116] In the above embodiments, when the main controller 55 is a processor with two cores, for example, the first module 55A can be composed of the first core and its peripheral circuits, and the second module 55B can be composed of the second core and its peripheral circuits.

[0117] In the above-described embodiments, when the main controller 55 is a processor with more than two cores, these cores can be located in the first module 55A, the second module 55B, and any other part thereof.

[0118] For example, similar to the single-core case, all cores, more than two, can be configured in the first module 55A, and the second module 55B can be formed by the extension of the peripheral circuitry of the cores.

[0119] [Other variations] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes all modifications within the range equivalent to the configurations described in the claims.

[0120] In the above embodiments, the electronic device having the power management system 50 is not limited to the set-top box 1, but may be a communication terminal capable of Ethernet communication, such as a personal computer or a portable terminal.

[0121] In the above embodiments, a timer IC can also be used as the secondary controller 56. In this case, the start signal output by the timer IC at a predetermined time can be used as a substitute for the WOL signal S4 input to the selector 57.

[0122] This enables the start-up control that switches the set-top box (electronic device) 1 to an operational state when a specified time is reached.

[0123] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1: Set-top box; 2: Housing; 3: Circuit board; 21: Upper housing; 22: Lower housing; 23: Notch; 24: Opening; 25: Screw insertion part; 26: Screw; 27: Tuner; 28: Cover plate; 29: HDMI connector; 30: USB connector; 31: Connector; 50: Power management system; 51: Main power supply (DC / DC converter); 52: Power management unit (composite power IC); 53: Operation unit (push-button switch); 54: Display unit (full-color LED) ); 55: Main controller; 55A: First module; 55B: Second module; 55C: Memory; 56: Sub-controller; 57: Signal switching circuit (selector); 57A: Power supply pin; 57B: Switching drive unit; T1: First input unit (input terminal); T2: Second input unit (input terminal); S1: Operation signal; S2: Control signal; S3: Control signal; S4: Control signal (WOL signal); S5: Control signal; PO1: First output; PO2: Second output.

Claims

1. An electronic device, wherein the power supply states of the electronic device include an off state and an operating state, wherein, The electronic device includes: The operation unit generates an operation signal for switching the category; The main controller has a first input section and a second input section, wherein the first input section functions in both a closed state and an operating state, and the second input section does not function in the closed state but functions in the operating state; The secondary controller generates control signals indicating a transition to an operating state; and The selector selects the input object for the first input unit based on the category. The operation signal is selected when the category of the input object is off. The control signal is selected when the category of the input object is a state other than the off state.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The main controller has: a first module that operates in both a shutdown state and an operating state; and a second module that does not operate in the shutdown state but operates in the operating state. The first input section is connected to the first module. The second input section is connected to the second module.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The operation signal generated by the operation unit corresponds to the pressing of the operation unit. The operation signal is provided to the selector and the second input unit.

4. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The category also includes standby mode. The selector uses the control signal as the input in standby mode. When the first module is in standby mode and the control signal is input, the category is changed to operating mode.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, The control signal is a LAN wake-up signal.

6. A method for switching input signals, executed in an electronic device, said electronic device comprising: The operation unit generates operation signals to switch between categories of power states, including off state and on state; The main controller has a first input section and a second input section, wherein, The first input unit functions in both the off state and the operating state, while the second input unit does not function in the off state but functions in the operating state. as well as The secondary controller generates control signals indicating a transition to an operating state. The input signal switching method includes the following steps: When the category is in the off state, the operation signal is selected as the input object; as well as If the category is a state other than the off state, the control signal is selected as the input object.

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