Electronic apparatus, battery residual energy amount displaying method and program

Abstract

To effectively display residual energy amount of each battery used for each usage (functions) when a plurality of batteries is used for various usages (functions) without increasing the number of icons exclusive for displaying battery residual energy amount.SOLUTION: A method of a desk calculator 10 includes: turning on battery residual energy amount icon "LB" when battery residual energy amount of a desk calculator battery power supply DB1 is lowered below a prescribed value; notifying a user of reduced battery residual energy amount of the desk calculator battery to urge battery replacement; displaying, when battery residual energy amount of a communication part battery power supply DB2 is lowered below a prescribed value, both in normal desk calculator mode and in ten-key mode, "0." in grey by numerical segment at first digit of a display part 12, the numerical segment to be initially displayed in a state where displaying according to execution of functions on each operation mode is not performed; and displaying in grey a prescribed segment not required for displaying according to the execution of functions in the operation mode even in an external cooperation mode. The method thus notifies the user of the battery residual energy amount of the communication part battery without inhibiting display according to the function being executed and urges battery replacement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic device, a battery remaining capacity display method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In electronic devices that run on batteries, prior art is known that indicates the remaining battery charge by displaying the presence or absence and type (shape) of an icon (mark, symbol) dedicated to displaying the remaining battery charge (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-102342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional electronic devices, when multiple batteries are used for different purposes (functions), it was necessary to increase the number of icons dedicated to displaying battery remaining capacity in order to display the remaining battery capacity for each purpose (function).

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an electronic device, a battery remaining capacity display method, and a program that, when multiple batteries are used for different purposes (functions), can display the remaining capacity of each battery used for each purpose (function) without providing multiple icons dedicated to displaying the remaining battery capacity for each purpose (function). [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic device according to the present invention comprises: An electronic device that supplies power for executing a first function from at least a first battery and supplies power for executing a second function from at least a second battery, The remaining battery level of the first battery is displayed identifiably by a first identification method using a battery remaining icon, which is a dedicated display for indicating the remaining battery level, displayed on a display unit or a battery remaining icon having a different shape displayed on the display unit; The control unit displays the remaining battery capacity of the second battery in a identifiable manner using a second identification method based on the shading of the display displayed on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when multiple batteries are used for different purposes (functions), it is possible to display the remaining capacity of each battery used for each purpose (function) without providing multiple icons dedicated to displaying the remaining battery capacity for each purpose (function). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a calculator (electronic device) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of a calculator (electronic device) 10. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a display unit 12 of a calculator (electronic device) 10. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the remaining battery capacity is displayed when the calculator 10 is powered on. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the calculator 10. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process of the calculator 10. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining battery capacity display update process (SD) that is executed when the calculator 10 is powered on and when a timer interrupt process is started. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Configuration of the embodiment) FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a calculator (electronic device) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the calculator (electronic device) 10. The electronic device is not limited to calculator 10, but also includes other electronic devices having at least a display unit 12, a control unit (CPU) 13 (first control unit) that controls the operation of the entire circuit, a memory unit 14 that stores a small amount of data, a short-range wireless communication unit 16 (second control unit) such as Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) that can communicate (BT) with external communication electronic devices such as a PC (personal computer) 20, a battery power source DB1 (here for the calculator) (first battery) and a solar power source SB (here for the calculator) (solar cell) that supply power (electricity) to the entire circuit except for the short-range wireless communication unit 16, and a communication unit battery power source DB2 (second battery) that supplies power (electricity) to the short-range wireless communication unit 16. The control unit 13 (first control unit) includes at least one processor. The calculator power supply DB1 and the communication unit power supply DB2 may be cylindrical, coin, or button type dry batteries. The communication electronic device is not limited to the PC 20, but may be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a game console, or the like.

[0010] Due to the need for portability, the calculator 10 is small enough to be held and operated by a user in one hand, and a key input section 11 and a display section 12 are provided on the front of the main body of the calculator 10. The key input unit 11 is provided with various keys including a ten-key pad for inputting numerical values ​​and mathematical expressions and for issuing instructions to execute calculations. The key input unit 11 is also provided with a mode switching key 11M for switching between a plurality of operating modes: a normal calculator mode M1 for performing various calculations using the numeric keypad on the calculator 10 alone; a numeric keypad mode M2 ​​for operating the key input unit 11 as the numeric keypad of an external communication electronic device (such as the PC 20) with which the key input unit 11 is connected via a short-range wireless communication unit 16; and an external linkage mode M3, which is an operating mode different from the numeric keypad mode M2 ​​and for operating the calculator 10 in conjunction with an external communication electronic device (such as the PC 20) with which the calculator 10 is connected via a short-range wireless communication unit 16.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the display unit 12 of the calculator (electronic device) 10. As shown in FIG. The display unit 12 is made up of a segment-type liquid crystal display unit and includes segments G1 to G12 that display, for example, 12-digit numbers (figures of eight (including a decimal point ".")) that form the basis for displaying numerical values, a communication in progress icon (segment) CM that indicates that the short-range wireless communication unit 16 is operating (establishing a communication connection BT with the external communication electronic device 20), icons (segments) such as "tax included," "tax excluded," "%, "÷," "x," "-," and "+" that indicate the modes required for various calculations, and a battery remaining icon (segment) LB that is a dedicated display that indicates the remaining battery level of the calculator battery power supply DB1 (first battery), with segments of predetermined shapes arranged at predetermined positions. The display unit 12 has a four-gradation display function that expresses colors in four gradations (here, white / black / gray / dark gray) by driving the pixels (segments) to be displayed by time-division voltage control without providing a special drive circuit. However, the number of gradations and the colors are not limited to this. As described above, the display unit 12 of the calculator 10 does not have sufficient space due to the necessity for the calculator 10 itself to be small in size, and there are limitations on adding segments with new functions or increasing the number of signal lines.

[0012] In the normal calculator mode M1, the communication operation in progress icon CM on the display unit 12 is turned off (white gradation), and all display segments except the communication operation in progress icon CM are controlled to be turned on (black / gray / dark gray gradation) or turned off (white gradation) depending on the operation of the key input unit 11, thereby displaying the operating status according to, for example, the calculation processing. In addition, in the ten-key mode M2, the communication operation icon CM on the display unit 12 is lit (in black gradation), and as in the normal calculator mode M1, the operation status is displayed by controlling the lighting or extinguishing of all display segments in response to the operation of the key input unit 11. In the ten-key mode M2, the operation status in response to the key operation of the key input unit 11 (for example, the display of a numerical value in response to an input of a numerical key) is displayed on the display screen of the PC 20 during communication connection, so the numerical segments G1 to G12 on the display unit 12 of the calculator 10 do not need to be used. In addition, in the external linkage mode M3, the communication operation icon CM on the display unit 12 is lit, and the display segments used in the external linkage mode M3 are controlled to be lit or extinguished to display the operation status.

[0013] <Calculator 10 battery level display function> The calculator 10 has a remaining battery capacity display function that includes at least the following functions (10a) to (10d). (10a) A function to monitor (detect) the remaining battery power of the calculator battery power supply DB1. (10b) A function to monitor (detect) the remaining battery power of the communication unit battery power supply DB2. (10c) A function that identifiably displays whether the remaining battery charge of the calculator battery power supply DB1 is above or below a specified level by displaying or not displaying a dedicated battery charge icon LB or by changing its shape (first identification method). (10d) A function (second identification method) for controlling the gradation (shading) (density) of the numeric segments Gn that are not dedicated display objects in the normal calculator mode M1 and the 10-key mode M2 ​​to distinguish whether the remaining battery charge of the battery power supply DB2 for the communication unit is above or below a specified level, and for controlling the gradation (shading) (density) of the specified segments that are not used in the external linkage mode M3 to distinguish whether the remaining battery charge is above or below a specified level. In the calculator 10 of this embodiment, the rated voltage required for the calculator battery power supply DB1 and the communication unit battery power supply DB2 is, for example, 3 V, and the predetermined voltage that serves as the threshold for determining whether the remaining battery charge is above or below a predetermined level is, for example, 2.3 V. The predetermined voltage of 2.3 V is the lower limit voltage at which a dry cell battery with a rated voltage of 3 V will begin to have a risk of, for example, physical adverse effects due to its performance deteriorating and falling below 2.3 V. In addition, in the calculator 10 of the embodiment, the power consumption of the short-range wireless communication unit (BLE) 16, which is supplied with power (electricity) from the battery power supply DB2 for the communication unit, is greater than the power consumption of the control unit (CPU) 13, which is supplied with power (electricity) from the battery power supply DB1 for the calculator.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining battery capacity display state when the calculator 10 is powered on. When the remaining battery charge of the calculator battery power supply DB1 falls below a predetermined level, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the first digit numeric segment G1 displays "0." in black gradation, and the battery charge icon LB lights up (in black gradation), warning the user that the calculator battery is running low and urging them to replace the calculator battery. When the remaining battery power supply DB2 for the communication unit falls below a predetermined level, as shown in Figure 4(B), in normal calculator mode M1 and 10-key mode M2, the first digit numeric segment G1 displays "0." in gray tones, warning the user that the remaining battery power supply DB2 for the communication unit is low and urging them to replace the battery for the communication unit.

[0015] Each display segment on the display unit 12, including the numeric segments G1 to G12 and icons indicating operators, excluding the battery level icon LB and the communication in progress icon CM, is defined as a first display object, the calculator function in the normal calculator mode M1 that needs to be displayed on the first display object is defined as a first function, and the normal calculator mode M1 that executes the first function is defined as a first operating mode. In addition, the numeric keypad function in the 10-key mode M2, which uses the short-range wireless communication unit 16 and does not require display on the first display object, and the external linkage function in the external linkage mode M3 are both defined as second functions, and the 10-key mode M2 ​​and the external linkage mode M3, which execute the second function, are both defined as second operating modes.

[0016] <10 Electronic Circuits for Calculators (Electronic Devices)> 2, the electronic circuit of calculator (electronic device) 10 includes key input unit 11, display unit 12, calculator battery power supply DB1, calculator solar power supply SB, and communication unit battery power supply DB2, as well as control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 13, which is a computer, memory unit 14, recording medium reading unit 15, short-range wireless communication unit (BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy) 16, and voltage monitoring unit 17. Control unit (CPU) 13 has at least one processor. The voltages of the calculator battery power supply DB1 and the calculator solar power supply SB are monitored (detected) by the voltage monitoring (detection) function (battery level detection function) of the control unit 13 and are supplied as power (electricity) to each part of the circuit except for the short-range wireless communication unit (BLE) 16. The voltage of the communication unit battery power supply DB2 is monitored (detected) by the voltage monitoring unit 17 (battery level detection unit) and is supplied as power (electricity) to the short-range wireless communication unit (BLE) 16. Voltage monitoring unit 17 for communication unit battery power supply DB2 is configured by, for example, a voltage monitoring IC, but voltage monitoring unit 17 may not be provided and the voltage of communication unit battery power supply DB2 may also be monitored (detected) by control unit 13. Note that by providing voltage monitoring unit 17 as shown in Fig. 2 instead of monitoring (detecting) the voltage of communication unit battery power supply DB2 by control unit 13, control unit (CPU) 13 of calculator (electronic device) 10 of the embodiment can reuse existing CPU hardware without changing it.

[0017] The control unit (CPU) 13 controls the operation of each circuit unit in accordance with the calculator control program 14a and the battery remaining capacity display program 14b stored in the memory unit 14, and executes various processes according to the key input signal from the key input unit 11, the received signal received from an external communication electronic device (e.g., PC 20) via the short-range wireless communication unit 16, and the remaining battery capacity of each of the calculator battery power supply DB1 and the communication unit battery power supply DB2. The calculator control program 14a includes a program for executing various calculation processes in response to key input signals from the key input unit 11, and a program for executing processes in cooperation with an external communication electronic device (20) via the short-range wireless communication unit 16. The remaining battery capacity display program 14b functions in cooperation with the calculator control program 14a and includes a program for executing the remaining battery capacity display function including at least the above-mentioned functions (10a) to (10d). Calculator control program 14a and battery remaining capacity display program 14b may be stored in memory unit 14 in advance, or may be read from an external recording medium M such as a memory card via recording medium reading unit 15 and stored in memory unit 14. Calculator control program 14a and battery remaining capacity display program 14b cannot be rewritten by the user by operating key input unit 11.

[0018] The storage unit 14 further has various data storage areas secured therein, such as a mode data storage area 14c, a calculation data storage area 14d, and a work data storage area 14e. The mode data storage area 14c stores data indicating one of the operation modes, which can be switched by the mode switching key 11M, among the normal calculator mode M1, the ten-key mode M2, and the external linkage mode M3. The calculation data storage area 14d stores data of calculation formulas inputted in response to the operation of the key input unit 11, data of calculation results, and the like. The working data storage area 14e temporarily stores various data generated or acquired in response to the control of the operation of each part by the control unit 13, as needed.

[0019] In calculator 10 as an electronic device configured in this manner, control unit 13 controls the operation of each circuit component in accordance with instructions written in calculator control program 14a and battery remaining capacity display program 14b, and the software and hardware operate in cooperation to realize various functions as described in the operation explanation below.

[0020] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the calculator (electronic device) 10 of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the calculator 10. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process of the calculator 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the remaining battery capacity display update process (SD) that is executed when the calculator 10 is powered on and when the timer interrupt process is started.

[0021] For example, when the power is turned on in response to the operation of the [AC] (ON) key on the key input unit 11, the control unit 13 determines whether the operation mode is set to a normal calculator mode M1, a 10-key mode M2, or an external collaboration mode M3 (another BLE mode that uses the near-field wireless communication unit 16) based on the data indicating the operation mode stored in the mode data memory area 14c (step S1). When it is determined that the mode is normal calculator mode M1 (step S1 <normal calculator mode>), the control unit 13 displays (lights up) "0." in black gradation in the first digit numeric segment G1 of the display unit 12 as an initial operation in normal calculator mode M1 (step S2). The control unit 13 proceeds to the remaining battery power display update process, and executes a process for displaying the remaining battery power of the calculator battery power DB1 and a process for displaying the remaining battery power of the communication unit battery power DB2 (step SD). Thereafter, the control unit 13 operates in accordance with the normal calculator mode M1, and executes various calculations in response to the key input operations of the key input unit 11 (step S3). Here, for example, when the [AC] key is operated to end any one calculation (step S4 (Yes)), the control unit 13 executes the remaining battery power display update process again (step SD).

[0022] When the mode switching key 11M is operated (step S5 (Yes)), the control unit 13 switches to an operation mode corresponding to the operation of the mode switching key 11M, and stores (sets) data indicating the switched operation mode in the mode data memory area 14c (step S6).

[0023] In step S1, when it is determined that the operating mode is the 10-key mode M2 ​​(step S1<10-key operating mode>), the control unit 13 displays (lights up) "0." in black gradation in the first digit numeric segment G1 of the display unit 12 as an initial operation in the 10-key mode M2, similar to the normal calculator mode (step S7). The control unit 13 proceeds to the remaining battery power display update process, and executes a process for displaying the remaining battery power of the calculator battery power DB1 and a process for displaying the remaining battery power of the communication unit battery power DB2 (step SD). Thereafter, the control unit 13 establishes a communication connection with the external communication electronic device (here, PC 20) to be connected via the short-range wireless communication unit 16 (step S8), and causes the calculator 10 to operate as a numeric keypad of the PC 20 (step S9). The operation as a numeric keypad for the PC 20 during the communication connection means transmitting numeric data (1 to 9) input in response to the operation of the key input unit 11 to the PC 20, and processing the transmitted data in accordance with the operation mode of the PC 20. At this time, the numeric segment G1 of the display unit 12, which displays the remaining battery power in the numeric keypad operation mode, continues to display "0.", but the input numeric value may also be displayed in the numeric segment G1 of the display unit 12. In addition, data specifying operators other than numerical values, etc., may also be transmitted to PC 20 in response to the operation of key input unit 11, and operations such as displaying a calculation formula entered in response to the operation of key input unit 11 on the display screen of PC 20 and displaying the calculation result, or displaying numerical values ​​entered in response to the operation of key input unit 11 in a numerical value input area displayed on the display screen of PC 20 may be included. The control unit 13 enables the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 6 (step S10), and repeatedly transitions to the remaining battery capacity display update process at preset timer interrupt time intervals (for example, every minute) (step SD).

[0024] In step S1, when it is determined that the operating mode is external collaboration mode M3 (another BLE mode that uses the short-range wireless communication unit 16) (step S1 <other BLE mode>), the control unit 13 displays (lights up) predetermined segments that are not used in the external collaboration mode M3 (step S11). The external linkage mode M3 (other BLE modes) may be, for example, an operation of receiving a formula that has been input and displayed on the display screen of the communication-connected PC 20 in response to an operation of the PC 20, executing a calculation using the received formula, and displaying the calculation result in the numeric segments G1 to G12 of the display unit 12. In this case, the predetermined segments not used in the external linkage mode M3 are display segments other than the numeric segments G1 to G12, and may be, for example, icons indicating operators ("÷", "x", "-", "+"). The control unit 13 proceeds to the remaining battery power display update process, and executes a process for displaying the remaining battery power of the calculator battery power DB1 and a process for displaying the remaining battery power of the communication unit battery power DB2 (step SD). After this, the control unit 13 establishes a communication connection with the external communication electronic device (here, PC 20) that is the target of the communication connection via the short-range wireless communication unit 16 (step S12), and operates the calculator 10 according to the external collaboration mode M3 (other BLE mode) (step S13). In the external collaboration mode M3 (other BLE modes), the control unit 13 enables the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 6 (step S14), as in the numeric keypad mode M2, and repeatedly transitions to the battery remaining capacity display update processing every preset timer interrupt time (for example, 1 minute) (step SD).

[0025] When the mode switching key 11M is not operated (step S5 (No)) and the power is not turned off (step S15 (No)), the control unit 13 executes processing according to the set operation mode (normal calculator mode M1 / 10-key mode M2 / external linkage mode M3) based on the data indicating the operation mode stored (set) in the mode data memory area 14c, as described above, while performing the battery remaining capacity display update processing (SD) (steps S1 to S14).

[0026] <Battery remaining capacity display update process (SD)> When the process proceeds to the battery remaining capacity display update process (FIG. 7), the control unit 13 determines whether the remaining battery capacity of the calculator battery power supply (CPU battery) DB1, whose voltage is being monitored (detected), is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (whether it is less than the predetermined value) (step D1). If the remaining battery power of the calculator battery power supply (CPU battery) DB1 is above a predetermined level (step D1 (Yes)), the control unit 13 turns off the battery level icon (low battery segment) LB on the display unit 12 and notifies the user that the remaining battery power of the calculator battery power supply (CPU battery) DB1 is above a predetermined level and there is no problem (step D2). When the remaining battery level of the calculator battery power source (CPU battery) DB1 is less than a predetermined level (step D1 (No)), the control unit 13 causes the battery remaining amount icon (low battery segment) LB of the display unit 12 to light up, as shown in (A) of FIG. 4 for example, to warn the user of the decrease in the remaining battery level of the calculator battery power source (CPU battery) DB1 and prompt the replacement of the calculator battery (step D8).

[0027] Further, the control unit 13 determines whether the remaining battery level of the communication unit battery power source (BLE battery) DB2 being monitored (detected) by the voltage monitoring unit 17 is greater than or equal to a predetermined level (less than the predetermined level) (step D3). When the remaining battery level of the communication unit battery power source (BLE battery) DB2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined level (step D3 (Yes)), in the state where the operation mode is the normal calculator mode M1 (step D4 <normal calculator mode>), the control unit 13 sets the gradation at the time of lighting for the numerical segments G1 to G12 of the display unit 12 to black, and lights up "0." in black in the first-digit numerical segment G1 (step D5). The user can know that the remaining battery level of the communication unit battery power source BD2 has not decreased and does not require replacement by the fact that "0." is lit and displayed in normal black in the numerical segment G1.

[0028] Also, when the remaining battery level of the communication unit battery power source (BLE battery) DB2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined level (step D3 (Yes)), in the state where the operation mode is the 10-key mode M2 (step D4 <10-key operation mode using BLE communication>), the control unit 13 sets the gradation at the time of lighting for the numerical segments G1 to G12 of the display unit 12 to black, as in the state of the normal calculator mode M1, and lights up "0." in black in the first-digit numerical segment G1 (step D6). Similar to the state of the normal calculator mode M1, the user can know that the remaining battery level of the communication unit battery power source BD2 has not decreased and does not require replacement by the fact that "0." is lit and displayed in normal black in the numerical segment G1.

[0029] Furthermore, when the remaining battery charge of the battery power source for the communication unit (battery for BLE) DB2 is above a predetermined level (step D3 (Yes)), and the operation mode is in external linkage mode M3 (step D4 <other BLE operation mode>), the control unit 13 sets the gradation of lighting for certain segments not used in the external linkage mode M3 (for example, icons indicating operators "÷", "×", "-", "+") to black, and lights up the icons indicating operators "÷", "×", "-", "+" in black regardless of the operation in the external linkage mode M3 (step D7). The user can tell that the battery power supply BD2 for the communication unit has not run low and does not need to be replaced because the icons indicating operators not used in external connection mode M3, ``÷,'' ``×,'' ``-,'' and ``+,'' are lit in their normal black color.

[0030] On the other hand, if the remaining battery power of the communication unit battery power supply (BLE battery) DB2 is less than a predetermined level (step D3 (No)), when the operating mode is normal calculator mode M1 (step D9 <normal calculator mode>), the control unit 13 sets the gradation of the lighting for the numeric segments G1 to G12 of the display unit 12 to gray, as shown in (B) of Figure 4, for example, and lights up the "0." in gray in the first digit numeric segment G1 (step D10). The user can know that the remaining battery power of the communication unit battery power supply BD2 is low and needs to be replaced by seeing the gray "0." displayed in the numeric segment G1. In this case, since the power for the display unit 12 is supplied from the calculator battery power supply DB1, the display of the numeric segment G1 does not turn light gray due to the low battery power of the communication unit battery power supply BD2, and the low battery power of the communication unit battery power supply BD2 can be clearly indicated.

[0031] After the control unit 13 sets the gradation at the time of lighting for the numerical segments G1 to G12 to gray in step D10 and a certain amount of time has elapsed (waiting for a certain amount of time), or when a predetermined key (for example, the "=" key) for ending the notification of the decrease in the battery level of the battery power supply BD2 for the communication unit by lighting "0." in gray in the numerical segment G1 is operated (step D11 (Yes)), the control unit 13 sets the gradation at the time of lighting for the numerical segments G1 to G12 of the display unit 12 back to the original black (step D5). In this way, during the operation of the calculation process according to the key operation in the normal calculator mode M1 (during the execution of the calculator function), the notification of the decrease in the battery level of the battery power supply BD2 for the communication unit is terminated, and the numerical segment Gn of the display unit 12 is lit and displayed in normal black.

[0032] Also, when the remaining battery level of the battery power supply (BLE battery) DB2 for the communication unit is less than a predetermined level (step D3 (No)) and the operation mode is in the 10-key mode M2 state (step D9 <10-key operation mode using BLE communication>), the control unit 13 sets the gradation at the time of lighting for the numerical segments G1 to G12 of the display unit 12 to gray, and lights "0." in gray in the first-digit numerical segment G1 (step D12), as shown in (B) of FIG. 4 for example. Similar to the state of the normal calculator mode M`1`, the user can know that the remaining battery level of the battery power supply BD2 for the communication unit has decreased and needs to be replaced by the fact that "0." is lit and displayed in gray in the numerical segment G`1`.

[0033] Also, when the remaining battery level of the battery power supply (BLE battery) DB2 for the communication unit is less than a predetermined level (step D3 (No)) and the operation mode is in the external cooperation mode M3 state (step D9 <other BLE operation modes>), the control unit 13 sets the gradation at the time of lighting for a predetermined segment (for example, icons "÷", "×", "-", "+", indicating operators) not used in the external cooperation mode M3 to gray, and lights the icons "÷", "×", "-", "+", indicating operators, in gray regardless of the operation in the external cooperation mode M3 (step D13). The user can know that the battery power supply BD2 for the communication unit is low and needs to be replaced because the icons indicating operators that are not used in external connection mode M3, ``÷,'' ``×,'' ``-,'' and ``+,'' are lit in gray.

[0034] (Summary of the embodiment) According to the embodiment of the calculator (electronic device) 10, when the remaining battery charge of the calculator battery power supply DB1, which supplies power (electricity) to the entire circuit including the control unit (CPU) 13 and the display unit 12 except for the short-range wireless communication unit (BLE) 16, is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the remaining battery charge icon LB of the display unit 12 is turned off, and when the remaining battery charge of the calculator battery power supply DB1 falls below a predetermined level, the remaining battery charge icon LB is turned on to notify the user that the remaining battery charge of the calculator battery is low and to urge them to replace the calculator battery. In normal calculator mode M1 and 10-key mode M2, when the remaining battery charge of the communication unit battery power supply DB2 that supplies power (electricity) to the short-range wireless communication unit (BLE) 16 is above a specified level, the first digit numerical segment G1 of the display unit 12, which is initially displayed when no display is being made in response to the execution of a function in each operation mode (no display is necessary), displays "0." in normal black, and in external linkage mode M3, certain segments that are not necessary for display in response to the execution of a function in that operation mode are also displayed in normal black. When the remaining battery power supply DB2 for the communication unit falls below a predetermined level, in both normal calculator mode M1 and 10-key mode M2, a "0." is displayed in gray in the first-digit numeric segment G1 of the display unit 12, which is initially displayed when no display is being made in response to the execution of a function in each operation mode (no display is necessary), and in external linkage mode M3, certain segments that are not necessary for display in response to the execution of a function in that operation mode are also displayed in gray, thereby notifying the user of the low battery level of the communication unit battery and urging them to replace the communication unit battery without interfering with the display in response to the function being executed. Therefore, when multiple batteries are used for different purposes (functions), the remaining capacity of each battery used for each purpose (function) can be effectively displayed without increasing the number of icons dedicated to displaying the remaining battery capacity and the number of their signal lines.

[0035] In the calculator (electronic device) 10 of the above-described embodiment, in order to clearly display whether the remaining battery charge of the communication unit battery power supply DB2 is above or below a predetermined level, display segments that do not need to be displayed depending on the function being executed (the first-digit numeric segment G1 that is initially displayed when calculation has not been started (executed) by the calculator function in normal calculator mode M1, the first-digit numeric segment G1 that is initially displayed when operation as a numeric keypad has not been started (executed) by the numeric keypad function in numeric keypad mode M2, and a specific segment that is not used due to execution of the external linkage function in external linkage mode M3) are displayed in normal black gradation when the remaining battery charge is above the predetermined level, and in gray gradation when the remaining battery charge is below the predetermined level in any of the operating modes M1, M2, and M3. This allows notification (warning) that the remaining battery charge of the communication unit battery power supply DB2 has fallen below the predetermined level using display segments that do not affect the display corresponding to the function being executed. In contrast to this, it is possible to deliberately target display segments that need to be displayed due to the function currently being executed and display the gradation of those display segments in gray when the remaining battery charge is less than a predetermined level, thereby making it difficult for the user to continue using calculator 10 and strongly urging the user to replace the battery for the communication unit.

[0036] Furthermore, although the embodiment has been described as an example of application to a calculator, it may also be applied to electronic devices with a display unit of limited size, such as a smartwatch, or electronic devices with a segment-type liquid crystal display unit.

[0037] The processing techniques performed by calculator (electronic device) 10 described in each of the above embodiments, i.e., the processing corresponding to the overall operation of calculator 10 shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, the battery remaining capacity display update processing shown in the flowchart of Fig. 6, and the timer interrupt processing shown in the flowchart of Fig. 6, can all be stored and distributed as programs executable by a computer on an external storage device such as a memory card (e.g., a ROM card or a RAM card), a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk or a hard disk), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM or a DVD), or a semiconductor memory. The control unit (CPU) of the electronic device then loads the program stored on the external storage device into a storage device, and the loaded program controls the operation, thereby realizing the battery remaining capacity display function described in each of the above embodiments and executing similar processing using the above-mentioned techniques.

[0038] In addition, the program data for realizing each method can be transmitted over a communication network (N) in the form of program code, and the program data can be imported into an electronic device from a computer device (program server) connected to this communication network (N) and stored in a memory device, thereby realizing the above-mentioned battery remaining capacity display function.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10...Calculator (electronic device) DB1...Calculator battery power supply (first battery) DB2: Battery power supply for communication unit (second battery) SB...Solar power supply for calculator (solar battery) 11...Key input section 12...Display unit (segment type LCD display unit) G1~G12...Numeric segments LB...Battery level icon CM...Communication in progress icon 13...Control unit (CPU) (first control unit) 14...Storage section 14a...Calculator control program 14b...Battery level display program 14c...Mode data storage area 14d...Calculation data storage area 16... Short-range wireless communication unit (BLE) (second control unit) 17...Voltage monitoring unit (battery level detection unit) 20…PC (communication electronic equipment) 30...Web server N...Communication network

Claims

1. An electronic device that supplies power for executing a first function from at least a first battery and supplies power for executing a second function from at least a second battery, The remaining battery level of the first battery is identifiably displayed by a first identification method based on whether or not a battery remaining icon, which is a dedicated display for indicating the remaining battery level, is displayed on a display unit, or by a difference in the shape of the battery remaining icon displayed on the display unit; the remaining battery charge of the second battery is displayed identifiably by a second identification method based on the shading of an object displayed on the display unit; An electronic device equipped with a control unit.

2. The control unit is a first operation mode for executing the first function that requires the display of a first display object and a second operation mode for executing the second function that does not require the display of the first display object; In the second operation mode, the first indicator is used as an indicator for indicating a remaining battery level of the second battery by the second identification method.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit is while the first function is being executed in the first operation mode, the first indicator is not used as an indicator for indicating the remaining battery level of the second battery by the second identification method.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit is when indicating the remaining battery level of the second battery by the second identification method, the first indicator is displayed in a first density when the remaining battery level of the second battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, and the first indicator is displayed in a second density that is lighter than the first density when the remaining battery level of the second battery is less than the predetermined level.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The control unit is when the remaining battery charge of the second battery is less than a predetermined level, the first display object is displayed at the second density when execution of the first function in the first operation mode is started, and the first display object is displayed at the first density after waiting for a certain period of time or after a certain operation is performed by a user.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit is when the remaining battery charge of the second battery is less than a predetermined level, the first display object is displayed at the second density at the start of execution of the second function in the second operation mode and during the execution of the second function.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit is Multiple operation modes can be switched, When the remaining battery level of the first battery is indicated by the first identification method, the remaining battery level icon is used in common in the plurality of operation modes; when indicating the remaining battery level of the second battery by the second identification method, a different display is used for each of the plurality of operation modes.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

8. the display unit is a segment-type liquid crystal display unit in which segments of a predetermined shape are arranged at predetermined positions, The battery level icon and the first display object are different segments.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

9. the first function includes a function of controlling a display on the display unit, the second function includes a function for controlling communication; power for the display unit and power for a first control unit that controls execution of the first function are supplied from the first battery; A second control unit that controls execution of the second function is supplied with power from the second battery.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8.

10. the first function is a calculator function, The second function is a key function that operates as an operation key for an external device connected for communication.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

11. the first function includes a computation function; The first display object is an object showing a numerical value related to a calculation by the calculation function.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

12. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the second control unit has a larger power consumption than the first control unit.

13. The remaining battery capacity of the first battery is detected by a battery level detection function of the first control unit, The remaining battery capacity of the second battery is detected by a battery level detection unit provided separately from the first control unit and the second control unit.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9.

14. A control unit of an electronic device that supplies power for executing a first function from at least a first battery and supplies power for executing a second function from at least a second battery, The remaining battery level of the first battery is identifiably displayed by a first identification method based on whether or not a battery remaining icon, which is a dedicated display for indicating the remaining battery level, is displayed on a display unit, or by a difference in the shape of the battery remaining icon displayed on the display unit; the remaining battery charge of the second battery is displayed identifiably by a second identification method based on the shading of an object displayed on the display unit; How to display remaining battery power.

15. A control unit of an electronic device that supplies power for executing a first function from at least a first battery and supplies power for executing a second function from at least a second battery, The remaining battery level of the first battery is identifiably displayed by a first identification method based on whether or not a battery remaining icon, which is a dedicated display for indicating the remaining battery level, is displayed on a display unit, or by a difference in the shape of the battery remaining icon displayed on the display unit; the remaining battery charge of the second battery is displayed identifiably by a second identification method based on the shading of an object displayed on the display unit; A program that makes it work like this.

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