Electronic device, control method of electronic device, and program

Abstract

To secure auxiliary start-up means while preventing start-up due to an operation error from being increased.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes a control unit which starts processing for causing the device to enter a power-on state when a detection unit for detecting sounds detects a sound of a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time. A control method of the electronic device to be executed by a computer starts processing to cause the device to enter the power-on state when the detection unit for detecting sounds detects a sound of a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, portable electronic devices such as handy terminals are provided with a power button for turning on the power of the electronic device (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5993502 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem with electronic devices with this configuration is that if the power button is damaged, the device will not start up. One possible solution to this problem is to provide a spare power button. However, providing multiple power buttons increases the risk of accidentally starting up the electronic device due to an incorrect power button operation.

[0005] The present invention aims to ensure a backup starting means while preventing an increase in start-up due to erroneous operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device according to the present invention comprises: The device includes a control unit that switches the device to a power-on state when a sound of a predetermined frequency is detected by a sound detection unit for a predetermined period of time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an increase in activation due to erroneous operation while ensuring a backup activation means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a handheld terminal according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the handheld terminal. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a pre-startup process by a start-up control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of a handheld terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the handheld terminal at a position passing through an opening and a microphone activation button. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of startup frequency data according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] A handheld terminal 1 (electronic device) according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is operated by a user while being held in the user's hand. The user may be, for example, a store clerk at a supermarket, a mass retailer, or a warehouse worker. The handheld terminal 1 includes a scanner 50 that scans and reads symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. When a user causes the scanner 50 of the handheld terminal 1 to read a symbol attached to a product or the like in a store or warehouse, the handheld terminal 1 decodes the read symbol and acquires information such as identification information of the product or the like. In this way, the handheld terminal 1 can be used to easily acquire and manage information related to the product or the like, and therefore the handheld terminal 1 can be suitably used for tasks such as inventory management and inventory of the product or the like.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the handheld terminal 1 has a housing 90 that is approximately rectangular parallelepiped. Each component of the handheld terminal 1 is housed inside the housing 90 or is incorporated into the housing 90 with some components exposed to the outside. The surface of the housing 90 that a user faces when using the handheld terminal is referred to as the main surface 90a. An operation lamp 91 is provided near the upper end of the main surface 90a. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the main surface 90a and to the right as seen from a user facing the main surface 90a is referred to as the X direction, the direction parallel to the main surface 90a and upward as seen from the user is referred to as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions and from the main surface 90a toward the user is referred to as the Z direction. Furthermore, of the side surfaces of the housing 90 adjacent to the main surface 90a, the surface facing the +X direction is referred to as the right side, the surface facing the -X direction is referred to as the left side, and the surface facing the +Y direction is referred to as the upper side.

[0012] 2, the handheld terminal 1 includes a main control unit 10, a start-up control unit 20 (control unit, control means), an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, a scanner 50, a communication unit 60, a microphone 70 (detection unit), and a power supply unit 80. These units are connected via a data transmission path such as a bus.

[0013] The main control unit 10 includes a first central processing unit (CPU) 11 and a first memory 12. The main control unit 10 is a processor that controls the operation of the handheld terminal 1 by having the first CPU 11 read and execute a main program 121 stored in the first memory 12 and performing various arithmetic operations. For example, the main control unit 10 executes a startup process that executes a predetermined startup sequence to transition the handheld terminal 1 from a power-off state to a power-on state, a reading process that causes the scanner 50 to read and decode a symbol in response to a user's operation, and a termination process that executes a predetermined termination sequence to transition the handheld terminal 1 from a power-on state to a power-off state. The main control unit 10 may include multiple CPUs. In this case, the multiple CPUs may be involved in a common process, or the multiple CPUs may independently execute different processes in parallel. The first memory 12 includes a random access memory (RAM) that provides a working memory space for the first CPU 11 and a nonvolatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) that stores the main program 121, various setting data, and the like. The main control unit 10 may be a microcomputer in which the first CPU 11, the first memory 12, etc. are integrated, or these components may be separately mounted on a circuit board. The main control unit 10 may also have a configuration not shown in Fig. 2, such as a reset circuit that starts up the first CPU 11 in response to a reset signal.

[0014] The activation control unit 20 includes a second CPU 21 and a second memory 22. The activation control unit 20 is a processor that executes a preliminary activation process (described below) by having the second CPU 21 read and execute a activation control program 221 stored in the second memory 22 and performing various arithmetic operations. For example, in the preliminary activation process, the activation control unit 20 performs a Fourier transform on audio data input from the microphone 70 to acquire a frequency distribution (frequency spectrum) of the sound contained in the input audio data. The activation control unit 20 may include multiple CPUs. In this case, the multiple CPUs may be involved in a common process, or the multiple CPUs may independently execute different processes in parallel. The second memory 22 includes a RAM that provides a working memory space for the second CPU 21 and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM that stores data such as the activation control program 221 and the activation frequency data 222. The activation frequency data 222 is referenced in the preliminary activation process. The start-up control unit 20 may be a microcomputer in which the second CPU 21, the second memory 22, etc. are integrated, or these components may be separately mounted on a circuit board. The start-up control unit 20 may also have a configuration not shown in Fig. 2, such as a reset circuit that starts up the second CPU 21 in response to a reset signal.

[0015] The operation unit 30 has operation means such as a power button 31 (second operation button), a trigger button 32, function buttons 331 to 334, and a touch panel 34, and converts user input operations on these operation means into operation signals and outputs them to the main control unit 10. The power button 31 is provided on the right side of the housing 90. When the handheld terminal 1 is in a power-off state, pressing and holding the power button 31 can transition (switch) the handheld terminal 1 from the power-off state to the power-on state. When the handheld terminal 1 is in a power-on state, pressing and holding the power button 31 can transition the handheld terminal 1 from the power-on state to the power-off state. Hereinafter, transitioning the handheld terminal 1 from the power-off state to the power-on state is also referred to as "activating the handheld terminal 1."

[0016] The trigger buttons 32 are provided on the right and left sides of the housing 90. When any of the trigger buttons 32 is pressed, the main control unit 10 causes the scanner 50 to read a symbol. The function buttons 331 to 334 are buttons for executing functions previously assigned to each button. The function buttons 331 to 334 are provided below the display unit 40 on the main surface 90a of the housing 90. One of the function buttons 331 to 334 (function button 331 in this embodiment) is assigned the function of activating the microphone 70 for voice input in the preliminary activation process described below. For this reason, hereinafter, the function button 331 will be referred to as the "microphone activation button 331 (first operation button)."

[0017] The touch panel 34 is disposed over the display panel of the display unit 40. The touch panel 34 detects the position where the user taps on the display panel of the display unit 40 and outputs the detection result to the main control unit 10. The display unit 40 is provided on the main surface 90a of the housing 90. The display unit 40 has a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel and a display drive circuit that drives the display panel, and displays images on the display panel based on control signals and image data sent from the main control unit 10 to the display drive circuit. In this way, the display unit 40 displays information such as the results of various processes and the status of the handheld terminal 1.

[0018] The scanner 50 reads symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes, and outputs the data of the read result to the main control unit 10. The scanner 50 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 90. The scanner 50 has an imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, an optical system that focuses light incident from the subject (symbol) on the imaging element, and the like, and generates image data of the captured subject and outputs it to the main control unit 10. The main control unit 10 decodes the symbol included in the image data to obtain information related to the symbol. The scanner 50 may also be a laser scanner that irradiates the subject with laser light, receives the reflected light, and reads the symbol based on the intensity distribution of the detected reflected light.

[0019] The communication unit 60 is a wireless communication module including an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc., and transmits and receives data to and from external devices according to a predetermined communication standard. The microphone 70 is disposed inside an opening provided at the bottom end of the main surface 90a and detects sound input to the opening. The microphone 70 also converts the detected sound into audio data and outputs it to the activation control unit 20.

[0020] The power supply unit 80 includes a battery 81 and a power supply control circuit 82. The battery 81 is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged. However, a primary battery may also be used as the battery 81. Each unit of the handheld terminal 1 operates using power supplied from the battery 81. The power supply control circuit 82 controls the charging operation of the battery 81 when the handheld terminal 1 is connected to an external power supply via a charging terminal (not shown). The power supply control circuit 82 also switches between supplying power from the battery 81 to the operation unit 30, the display unit 40, the scanner 50, the communication unit 60, and the microphone 70 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "operation unit 100") under the control of the main control unit 10. The power supply control circuit 82 also switches between supplying power from the battery 81 to the microphone 70 under the control of the startup control unit 20 during a preliminary startup operation (described later).

[0021] Next, the operation of the handheld terminal 1 will be described. As described above, by pressing and holding the power button 31, the state of the handheld terminal 1 transitions from the power-off state to the power-on state, or from the power-on state to the power-off state. When transitioning from the power-on state to the power-off state, under the control of the main control unit 10, the supply of power from the battery 81 to each unit of the operating unit 100 is stopped, and the operation of the operating unit 100 is stopped. The main control unit 10 also transitions to a predetermined standby mode. The standby mode is a state in which major functions such as the operation of the first CPU 11 and the data retention function of the RAM of the first memory 12 are stopped, and the device waits for a reset signal that instructs it to return from the standby mode.

[0022] When the handheld terminal 1 transitions from a power-off state to a power-on state, i.e., when the handheld terminal 1 is started up, a reset signal is input to the main control unit 10 in response to a long press of the power button 31, and the main control unit 10 performs a predetermined startup process. For example, in the startup process, the main control unit 10 initializes various registers, flags, etc., and starts up the first CPU 11. In addition, in accordance with the main program 121, the main control unit 10 starts supplying power to each unit of the operating unit 100 via the power control circuit 82, and sends control signals to each unit of the operating unit 100 to place them under its control. Thereafter, the main control unit 10 operates each unit of the operating unit 100 in response to user operations on the operating unit 30, and executes various processes such as decoding the symbol reading results. Note that while the power button 31 is being used to transition between the power-off state and the power-on state, the startup control unit 20 is in standby mode.

[0023] Incidentally, because the power button 31 is exposed on the right side of the housing 90, it may be damaged if the handheld terminal 1 is subjected to an impact, such as when dropped. For example, the power button 31 may sink into the housing 90 and become impossible to press, or the power button 31 may become detached from the housing 90 and become impossible to operate. If the power button 31 is damaged in this way, the operation of pressing the power button 31 will no longer be accepted, and the handheld terminal 1 will not be able to start up. While it may be possible to provide multiple power buttons 31 to prepare for such an event, providing multiple power buttons 31 increases the risk of accidentally operating the power button 31 and unintentionally starting up the handheld terminal 1.

[0024] Therefore, the handheld terminal 1 of this embodiment is capable of a pre-startup operation that transitions the handheld terminal 1 from a power-off state to a power-on state by a method other than pressing the power button 31. The outline of the pre-startup operation is as follows.

[0025] In the preliminary startup operation, when the microphone startup button 331 is pressed, power is supplied from the battery 81 to the microphone 70, activating the microphone 70 for a certain period of time and enabling voice input. In this state, if the microphone 70 detects a sound of a predetermined frequency (hereinafter referred to as the "startup frequency") for a predetermined period of time, a command to transition to the power-on state is accepted and the microphone 70 transitions to the power-on state. In other words, when the microphone 70 detects the sound, the handheld terminal 1 starts up in the same way as when the power button 31 is pressed. Hereinafter, a sound of the activation frequency that continues for more than the predetermined period of time will be referred to as the "startup sound." Note that in this embodiment, the microphone 70 is activated by a single microphone startup button 331. However, instead, the microphone 70 may be activated when two or more of the function buttons 331 to 334 are simultaneously pressed.

[0026] The activation frequency of the activation sound is set within the range of 1000 Hz to 5000 Hz. The first reason for this range is to avoid misidentifying a human voice as the activation sound by excluding the frequency range of the human voice, which is 100 Hz to 1000 Hz. The second reason is that by setting the frequency within the human audible frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, the user can recognize whether the activation sound is actually being played from the calling terminal. The third reason is that by setting the frequency below 5000 Hz, which is easy for elderly people to hear, the activation sound can be recognized regardless of the user's age. In this embodiment, the activation frequency is set to 3000 Hz. An activation sound with a 3000 Hz activation frequency has a peak at 3000 Hz in the sound frequency distribution (frequency spectrum). The activation sound can be output from any device with a speaker, such as a PC, smartphone, or wearable device.

[0027] The preliminary startup operation is realized by the startup control unit 20 executing the preliminary startup process shown in FIG. 3. The preliminary startup process is executed when the handheld terminal 1 is in a power-off state. At the start of the preliminary startup process, the startup control unit 20 is in standby mode. When the preliminary startup process starts, the startup control unit 20 repeatedly determines whether the microphone startup button 331 has been pressed (step S101). For example, by configuring the startup control unit 20 to input a reset signal in response to pressing of the microphone startup button 331, the startup control unit 20 can determine that the microphone startup button 331 has been pressed when the reset signal is input. When it is determined that the microphone startup button 331 has been pressed ("YES" in step S101), the startup control unit 20 returns from standby mode to normal mode (step S102). Here, the startup control unit 20 initializes various registers, flags, etc., and starts up the second CPU 21. Next, the activation control unit 20 transmits a control signal to the power supply control circuit 82 to start supplying power from the battery 81 to the microphone 70, thereby activating the microphone 70 (step S103). In addition to activating the microphone 70, the activation control unit 20 may also light up the operation lamp 91 in FIG. 1, which indicates that the microphone 70 has been activated.

[0028] The activation control unit 20 determines whether or not audio data has been input from the microphone 70 (step S104). If it determines that audio data has not been input ("NO" in step S104), the activation control unit 20 determines whether or not a predetermined standby time has elapsed since the microphone 70 was activated (step S105). The standby time may be, for example, about 10 seconds to 1 minute. If it determines that the standby time has not elapsed ("NO" in step S105), the activation control unit 20 returns the process to step S104.

[0029] If it is determined that audio data has been input from the microphone 70 ("YES" in step S104), the activation control unit 20 performs a Fourier transform process on the input audio data to acquire a frequency distribution (frequency spectrum) of the sound included in the audio data (step S106). The activation control unit 20 determines whether or not the acquired frequency distribution has a peak at a predetermined activation frequency (3000 Hz in this embodiment) (step S107). If it is determined that a peak exists at the activation frequency ("YES" in step S107), the activation control unit 20 determines whether or not a state in which the amplitude of the activation frequency is equal to or greater than a reference value has continued for a predetermined time or longer (step S108). The reference value is used to determine whether or not an activation sound of a certain volume or greater has been input, and is predetermined and stored in the second memory 22. If the process branches to "NO" in step S107 or S108, the activation control unit 20 returns the process to step S104. If it is determined that the amplitude of the activation frequency is equal to or greater than the reference value for a predetermined time or longer ("YES" in step S108), the activation control unit 20 determines that the activation sound has been input (step S109) and outputs a reset signal to the main control unit 10 to start the above-mentioned activation process, thereby transitioning the device to a power-on state (step S110). If step S110 is completed, or if it is determined in step S105 that the standby time has elapsed ("YES" in step S105), the activation control unit 20 transmits a control signal to the power supply control circuit 82 to stop the supply of power from the battery 81 to the microphone 70, and transitions to standby mode (step S111). If step S111 is completed, the activation control unit 20 terminates the preliminary activation process.

[0030] 3, instead of activating the microphone 70 until a predetermined standby time has elapsed since the microphone activation button 331 was pressed, the microphone 70 may be activated only while the microphone activation button 331 is pressed. That is, the input of the activation sound may be accepted only while the microphone activation button 331 is pressed, and when the microphone activation button 331 is released, the supply of power to the microphone 70 may be stopped to terminate acceptance of the input of the activation sound. In this case, a switch on a circuit connecting the battery 81 and the microphone 70 may be configured to be conductive in response to the pressing of the microphone activation button 331, so that power is supplied to the microphone 70 only while the microphone activation button 331 is pressed.

[0031] As described above, the handheld terminal 1 according to the first embodiment includes a startup control unit 20 that initiates a startup process to transition the device to a power-on state when a sound of a predetermined startup frequency is detected by the sound-detecting microphone 70 for a predetermined period of time. This allows the handheld terminal 1 to be started by inputting a startup sound even if the power button 31 becomes unusable due to damage or other reasons. By enabling the handheld terminal 1 to be started, the problem of the internal data of the handheld terminal 1 becoming unusable can be avoided. Furthermore, even if the power button 31 becomes unrecognizable due to a failed OS (Operating System) update or other reasons, the handheld terminal 1 can be started and measures such as re-updating the OS can be taken. Furthermore, by making the input of the startup sound a startup condition, it is possible to prevent an increase in startups due to erroneous operation and ensure a backup startup method.

[0032] The handheld terminal 1 also includes a microphone activation button 331, and the activation control unit 20 detects sound by the microphone 70 when the microphone activation button 331 is pressed, and determines whether or not the sound of the activation frequency has been detected by the microphone 70 for a predetermined period of time. This allows the microphone 70 to be activated using a button originally provided on the handheld terminal 1, making it possible to input the activation sound. Furthermore, the handheld terminal 1 will not be activated simply by pressing the microphone activation button 331, so it is possible to prevent an increase in activations due to erroneous operation.

[0033] The activation frequency is set to a range of 1000 Hz to 5000 Hz. By excluding the human voice frequency range (100 Hz to 1000 Hz), it is possible to prevent a human voice from being mistakenly recognized as the activation sound. Furthermore, by setting the activation frequency within the human audible frequency range (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz), it is possible to enable the user to recognize whether or not the activation sound is actually being played from the calling terminal. Furthermore, by setting the activation frequency below 5000 Hz, which is easy for even the elderly to hear, it is possible to ensure that the activation sound can be heard regardless of the user's age.

[0034] Furthermore, the control method for the handheld terminal 1 according to this embodiment starts a startup process for transitioning the device to a power-on state when a sound of a predetermined startup frequency is detected for a predetermined period of time by the sound-detecting microphone 70. The startup control program 221 according to this embodiment causes the startup control unit 20 to function as a control means for starting a startup process for transitioning the device to a power-on state when a sound of a predetermined startup frequency is detected for a predetermined period of time by the sound-detecting microphone 70. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in startups due to erroneous operation while ensuring a backup startup means.

[0035] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and components common to the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, a housing 90 of the handheld terminal 1 of the second embodiment has a circular opening 92 near the bottom end of a main surface 90a, and a microphone activation button 35 (first operation button) is provided within the opening 92. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the microphone activation button 35 is provided closer to the interior of the housing 90 (the -Z direction side) than an opening surface 921 of the opening 92 and overlaps with the opening 92 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the opening surface 921 (the +Z direction). The end of the microphone activation button 35 on the -Z direction side is attached to a fixed member 93 of the housing 90 via an elastic member 353 such as a spring. The diameter of the opening 92 is approximately 3 mm, preventing a user from pressing the microphone activation button 35 with a finger. The microphone activation button 35 can be pressed in the -Z direction by inserting a rod-shaped member with a thin tip into the opening 92. When microphone activation button 35 is pressed in the -Z direction, two first terminals 351 provided on the surface of microphone activation button 35 facing the -Z direction come into contact with two second terminals 352 fixed in positions opposite the two first terminals 351, establishing electrical contact. Activation control unit 20 detects that microphone activation button 35 has been pressed based on a change in the electrical connection between first terminals 351 and second terminals 352.

[0037] The microphone activation button 35 is assigned the same function as the microphone activation button 331 in the first embodiment. That is, by pressing the microphone activation button 35 in the power-off state, the microphone 70 can be activated, and in this state the handheld terminal 1 can be activated by inputting an activation sound into the microphone 70. In addition, in the second embodiment, a different function from that of the microphone activation button 35 is assigned to the function button 331, and the microphone 70 will not be activated even if the function button 331 is pressed.

[0038] 4, the opening 92 and the microphone activation button 35 are located near the lower left edge as seen by a user facing the main surface 90a. Therefore, the opening 92 and the microphone activation button 35 are located on approximately the opposite side of the center C of the main surface 90a from the power button 31, which is located near the upper right edge. From another perspective, the opening 92 and the microphone activation button 35 are located in the first region R1 of the first to fourth regions R1 to R4, which are defined by two orthogonal imaginary lines L1 and L2 passing through the center C of the main surface 90a as seen from the +Z direction. Here, the imaginary line L1 is parallel to the X direction, and the imaginary line L2 is parallel to the Y direction. The first region R1 is an area on the −X and −Y sides of the center C, the second region R2 is an area on the +X and +Y sides of the center C, the third region R3 is an area on the −X and +Y sides of the center C, and the fourth region R4 is an area on the +X and +Y sides of the center C. The power button 31 is provided in the second region R2, which is located on the opposite side of the center C from the first region R1. The power button 31 is provided on the right side, which is different from the main surface 90a on which the opening 92 is provided.

[0039] As described above, the handheld terminal 1 according to the second embodiment includes a housing 90 having an opening 92, and the microphone activation button 331 is provided inside the housing 90 relative to the opening surface 921 of the opening 92, at a position overlapping the opening 92 when viewed from the +Z direction perpendicular to the opening surface 921. By providing the microphone activation button 35 at the back of the opening 92 in this way, it is possible to make the microphone activation button 35 more difficult to press, making it less likely that the handheld terminal 1 will be unintentionally activated. Furthermore, even if the handheld terminal 1 receives an impact that would damage the power button 31, it is possible to make the microphone activation button 35 less likely to be damaged.

[0040] Furthermore, the opening 92 and the microphone activation button 331 are provided in a first region R1 of first regions R1 to fourth regions R4, which are formed by dividing the housing 90 by two orthogonal imaginary lines L1 and L2 passing through the center C of the main surface 90a of the housing 90, when viewed from the +Z direction perpendicular to the main surface 90a of the housing 90. The handheld terminal 1 also includes a power button 31 for switching the handheld terminal 1 to a power-on state, in a second region R2 located on the opposite side of the center C from the first region R1 when viewed from the +Z direction. Arranging the microphone activation button 35 and the power button 31 in this manner makes it less likely that the microphone activation button 35 and the power button 31 will be damaged at the same time.

[0041] Furthermore, the power button 31 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 90, which is different from the main surface 90a on which the opening 92 is provided. This also makes it less likely that the microphone start button 35 and the power button 31 will be damaged at the same time.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The following modifications may be applied to both the first and second embodiments.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the activation control unit 20 activates the handheld terminal 1 when a sound of a certain activation frequency is detected for a predetermined period of time during the preliminary activation operation. However, instead, the activation control unit 20 may initiate a process to activate the handheld terminal 1 when sounds of multiple different activation frequencies are detected for each predetermined period of time. This reduces the likelihood of the handheld terminal 1 being unintentionally activated. More specifically, the handheld terminal 1 may be activated when sounds of multiple activation frequencies are exclusively switched in a predetermined order. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6 , the activation frequency data 222 pre-registers the order of the multiple activation frequencies and the required duration of the sound of each activation frequency. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , when sounds of 3000 Hz, 1500 Hz, and 2000 Hz are switched in this order and each sound of the activation frequency continues for three seconds or more, it is determined that the activation sound has been input. Alternatively, the handheld terminal 1 may be activated when sounds of multiple specified activation frequencies are simultaneously input for a predetermined period of time or more.

[0044] Furthermore, the handy terminal 1 may be started in different startup modes depending on the startup frequency of the startup sound input during the preliminary startup operation. For example, when a startup sound of 3000 Hz is input, the handy terminal 1 may be started up by the normal startup operation as in the above embodiment, and when a startup sound of 3500 Hz is input, the handy terminal 1 may be started up to operate in an administrator mode for administrators or a developer mode for developers.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the startup frequency of the startup sound is set to a range of 1000 Hz to 5000 Hz, but this is not limited thereto and the startup frequency may be set outside this range as necessary. For example, if the startup sound is bothersome, the startup sound may be set to a high-frequency sound that is difficult for humans to hear. The division of functions between the main control unit 10 and the startup control unit 20 is not limited to that exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, the startup control unit 20 may execute at least a portion of the startup process previously executed by the main control unit 10. Furthermore, the functions of the startup control unit 20 may be integrated into the main control unit 10, and the startup control unit 20 may be omitted. In this case, the main control unit 10 corresponds to the control unit and the control means. The electronic device is not limited to the handheld terminal 1, but may be any device having a power button.

[0046] In the above description, an example has been disclosed in which the ROMs of the first memory 12 and the second memory 22 are used as computer-readable media for the program according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Other computer-readable media may include information recording media such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), and CD-ROMs. Furthermore, carrier waves may also be used as a medium for providing data for the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0047] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the handy terminal 1 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0048] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 handy terminal (electronic device), 20 start control section (control section, control means), 70 microphone (detection section)

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising a control unit that starts processing to transition the device to a power-on state when a detection unit that detects sound detects a sound of a predetermined frequency for a predetermined period of time.

2. A first operation button is provided, the control unit detects the sound using the detection unit when the first operation button is pressed, and determines whether the sound of the predetermined frequency has been detected by the detection unit for the predetermined period of time. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. A housing having an opening, the first operation button is provided at a position closer to the interior of the housing than an opening surface of the opening and overlapping the opening when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface; The electronic device according to claim 2 .

4. the opening and the first operation button are provided in a first region of four regions obtained by dividing the housing into four regions by two orthogonal imaginary lines passing through a center of a predetermined main surface of the housing, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the housing; the electronic device includes a second operation button for switching the electronic device to the power-on state, the second operation button being located in a second area of ​​the four areas of the housing that is located on the opposite side of the center from the first area when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface; The electronic device according to claim 3 .

5. a second operation button for switching the electronic device to the power-on state, the second operation button being provided on a surface of the housing different from the surface on which the opening is provided; The electronic device according to claim 3 .

6. The predetermined frequency is set within a range of 1000 Hz to 5000 Hz. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

7. the control unit starts the process for transitioning the electronic device to the power-on state when the plurality of sounds of the predetermined frequencies different from each other are detected for predetermined periods of time, The electronic device according to claim 1 .

8. A control method for an electronic device executed by a computer, which starts processing to transition the device to a power-on state when a sound of a predetermined frequency is detected by a sound detection unit for a predetermined period of time.

9. A program that causes a computer to function as a control means that starts processing to transition the computer to a power-on state when a sound of a predetermined frequency is detected by a sound detection unit for a predetermined period of time.

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