Electronic apparatus and method for controlling electronic apparatus

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus that can achieve a function to detect approach of a person, while preventing an increase in the number of components.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus has: a display panel; a capacitive first sensor that is laminated on the display panel; a control circuit that controls the operation of the first sensor; and a first unit that operates according to a detection signal from the first sensor. The control circuit has a first mode for causing the first sensor to operate as a human sensor, and a second mode for causing the first sensor to operate as a touch sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, reducing the power consumption of electronic devices has become an important issue in light of efforts to reduce environmental impact. Patent Document 1, for example, proposes a printing device that includes a touch panel and a motion sensor, in which a power control unit controls the supply of power to a control unit based on the detection results of the motion sensor, and the control unit controls the printer unit to execute a specific operation to put the printer unit into a printable state based on the touch panel detecting a user operation, and the printer unit does not execute the specific operation based on the detection results of the motion sensor. In this printing device, the motion sensor and the touch panel work together to prevent unnecessary power consumption by the printer unit's preparatory operations before the printer unit's use is confirmed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-140851 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the printing device described in Patent Document 1 requires a human presence sensor in addition to the touch panel, which increases the number of parts, and so there is still room for improvement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention is A display panel; a first capacitance sensor laminated on the display panel; a control circuit for controlling the operation of the first sensor; a first unit that operates in response to a detection signal from the first sensor; and The control circuit a first mode in which the first sensor operates as a human presence sensor; a second mode in which the first sensor operates as a touch sensor; It has.

[0006] One aspect of the control method for an electronic device according to the present invention includes: A control method for an electronic device having a display panel, a first capacitance sensor stacked on the display panel, and a first unit that operates in response to a detection signal from the first sensor, comprising: a first step of setting the first sensor to a first mode in which the first sensor operates as a human presence sensor; a second step of setting the first sensor to a second mode in which the first sensor operates as a touch sensor; It has. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the electronic device of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a display panel. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a first sensor and a sensor drive circuit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a panel unit. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for operating the first sensor as a human sensor or a touch sensor. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a control method for an electronic device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the external structure of a printing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport path of a medium. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a printing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings used are for the convenience of explanation. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0009] 1.Electronic equipment 1-1.Configuration of electronic devices 1 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control circuit 10, a panel unit 20, a second sensor 30, a first unit 40, and a second unit 50.

[0010] The control circuit 10 outputs control signals CtrlP and CtrlS1 to the panel unit 20 for controlling the operation of the panel unit 20, and outputs image data PDT to the panel unit 20, indicating an image to be displayed on the panel unit 20. The control circuit 10 also outputs a control signal CtrlU1 to the first unit 40 for controlling the operation of the first unit 40. The control circuit 10 also outputs a control signal CtrlS2 to the second sensor 30 for controlling the operation of the second sensor 30. The control circuit 10 also outputs a control signal CtrlU2 to the second unit 50 for controlling the operation of the second unit 50. The first unit 40 and the second unit 50 are each any mechanism for realizing a predetermined function, and the function is not particularly limited.

[0011] The second sensor 30 detects the state of the second unit 50 in accordance with the control signal CtrlS2 and outputs second sensor data SDT2 indicating the detection result to the control circuit 10. The second unit 50 is a mechanism whose state changes in response to user operation, and the state of the second unit 50 may be its position, angle, open / closed state, etc., depending on its structure. The second sensor 30 may be any sensor capable of detecting the state of the second unit 50, such as an infrared sensor or a motion sensor.

[0012] The panel unit 20 includes a display panel 21, a panel control circuit 22, a first sensor 23, and a sensor drive circuit 24.

[0013] An image based on the image signal Vid is displayed on the display panel 21. As the display panel 21, for example, a thin flat panel such as a liquid crystal panel (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) or an EL (Electro Luminescence) panel can be used.

[0014] The panel control circuit 22 generates a control signal Ctp that defines the operation of the display panel 21 in accordance with a control signal CtrlP supplied from the control circuit 10, and generates an image signal Vid that indicates an image to be displayed on the display panel 21, based on image data PDT supplied from the control circuit 10. The image signal Vid may be an analog signal or a digital signal. The panel control circuit 22 outputs the control signal Ctp and the image signal Vid to the display panel 21, and controls the display panel 21 to display an image based on the image signal Vid. In this way, the control circuit 10 controls the operation of the display panel 21 via the panel control circuit 22.

[0015] The first sensor 23 is a capacitance type sensor laminated on the display panel 21, and outputs a detection signal Ds according to a change in capacitance due to a person approaching or an object touching the sensor, such as a finger or a pen. Although the first sensor 23 may output one detection signal Ds, the following description will be given assuming that the first sensor 23 is composed of multiple capacitance type sensors and outputs multiple detection signals Ds.

[0016] The sensor driving circuit 24 generates a control signal Cts for controlling the operation of the first sensor 23 in accordance with a control signal CtrlS1 supplied from the control circuit 10, and outputs the control signal Cts to the first sensor 23. In this way, the control circuit 10 controls the operation of the first sensor 23 via the sensor driving circuit 24. The sensor driving circuit 24 also generates first sensor data SDT1 based on multiple detection signals Ds from the first sensor 23, and outputs the generated first sensor data SDT1 to the control circuit 10. For example, the sensor driving circuit 24 compares the values ​​of the multiple detection signals Ds with a threshold Dt, and outputs the first sensor data SDT1 including multiple logical values ​​indicating the comparison results. For example, when the value of the detection signal Ds is equal to or greater than the threshold Dt, the logical value indicating the comparison result is 1, and when the value of each detection signal Ds is less than the threshold Dt, the logical value indicating the comparison result is 0.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display panel 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the display panel 21 includes a pixel section 211 in which a plurality of pixels Px are provided, and a pixel driving section 212 that drives the pixel section 211.

[0018] The pixel section 211 has M rows of scanning lines 215 extending in the horizontal direction in Fig. 2 and N columns of data lines 216 extending in the vertical direction in Fig. 2. The pixel section 211 also includes M x N pixels Px arranged in a matrix of N columns in the horizontal direction and M rows in the vertical direction, corresponding to the intersections of the M rows of scanning lines 215 and the N columns of data lines 216.

[0019] The pixel driving unit 212 includes a scanning line driving circuit 213 and a data line driving circuit 214. The scanning line driving circuit 213 generates a selection signal Gw[m] for selecting the m-th scanning line 215 based on a control signal Ctp. The scanning line driving circuit 213 outputs the selection signal Gw[m] (m is a natural number satisfying 1≦m≦M) in the m-th horizontal scanning period out of M horizontal scanning periods included in the frame period defined by the control signal Ctp. This allows the scanning line driving circuit 213 to sequentially select the 1st to M-th scanning lines 215 in the frame period.

[0020] The data line driving circuit 214 generates a gradation designation signal Vd[n] (n is a natural number satisfying 1≦n≦N) that designates a gradation to be displayed in the pixel Px based on the image signal Vid, and outputs the gradation designation signal Vd[n] to the n-th data line 216 during the m-th horizontal scanning period in which the scanning line driving circuit 213 selects the m-th scanning line 215. In this embodiment, the image signal Vid is a signal that includes the gradation designation signals Vd[1] to Vd[N].

[0021] In this way, the pixel driving unit 212 outputs a selection signal Gw[m] to select the scanning line 215 of the mth row during the mth horizontal scanning period, and outputs a gradation designation signal Vd[n] to the data line 216 of the nth column, thereby causing the pixel Px of the mth row and nth column to display the gradation designated by the gradation designation signal Vd[n].

[0022] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the first sensors 23 and the sensor drive circuit 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the first sensors 23 are arranged in Q rows in the horizontal direction in FIG. 3 and in Q columns in the vertical direction in FIG. The sensor element 230 includes Q×R sensors Ts arranged in a matrix of R rows, and Q×R detection lines 231 corresponding one-to-one to the Q×R sensors Ts.

[0023] Each sensor Ts has a capacitance element (not shown). When a person approaches or an object comes into contact with the panel unit 20, the capacitance of the person or object is added in parallel with the capacitance element provided corresponding to the sensor Ts, increasing the capacitance. The sensor Ts detects this change in capacitance as a change in the potential of the electrode of the capacitance element or a change in the charging time of the capacitance element, and outputs a detection signal Ds.

[0024] The sensor driving circuit 24 generates a control signal Cts based on the control signal CtrlS1 and outputs the generated control signal Cts to the first sensor 23. Here, the control signal Cts is a signal that instructs the sensor Ts[q][r] in the qth row and rth column to output a detection signal Ds[q][r] to the detection line 231 provided corresponding to the sensor Ts[q][r]. This allows the sensor driving circuit 24 to receive Q×R detection signals Ds from the Q×R sensors Ts. Then, for example, the sensor driving circuit 24 compares the values ​​of the Q×R detection signals Ds with a threshold Dt and outputs first sensor data SDT1 including Q×R logical values ​​indicating the comparison results. The sensor driving circuit 24 may also calculate a touch position based on the Q×R logical values ​​indicating the comparison results and output first sensor data SDT1 including the touch position.

[0025] 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the panel unit 20. In the following description of the structure of the panel unit 20, the x-, y-, and z-directions, which are orthogonal to each other, are used. When specifying the orientations along the x-, y-, and z-directions, the tip side of the arrow indicating the x-direction shown in the figure may be referred to as the +x side, and the starting side as the -x side, the tip side of the arrow indicating the y-direction may be referred to as the +y side, and the starting side as the -y side, and the tip side of the arrow indicating the z-direction may be referred to as the +z side, and the starting side as the -z side.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the panel unit 20 includes a panel circuit board 200, a display panel 21, a first sensor 23, a display circuit board 250, and a switch circuit board 260, as well as a cover glass 270 and a panel housing 280.

[0027] The first sensor 23 is a capacitance type sensor made up of a substantially rectangular plate-like member extending in a plane formed by the x and y directions. A cable 292 on which the sensor drive circuit 24 is mounted by COF (Chip On Film) is attached to the -x side of the first sensor 23.

[0028] A cover glass 270 is located on the -z side of the first sensor 23. The cover glass 270 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member that is the same size as the first sensor 23 and extends in a plane formed by the x and y directions, and is fixed to the first sensor 23 along the z direction with an adhesive or the like (not shown) so as to be stacked on top of the first sensor 23. This cover glass 270 functions as a protective member that protects the first sensor 23 from scratches and impacts.

[0029] The display panel 21 is located on the +z side of the first sensor 23 so that the display surface 217 is on the -z side. The display panel 21 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member extending in a plane formed by the x direction and the y direction, and the first sensor 23 is stacked on the display panel 21. A cable 291, which is electrically connected to the panel circuit board 200, is electrically connected to the edge of the display panel 21 on the -x side.

[0030] The panel circuit board 200 is located on the +z side of the display panel 21. Although not shown, the panel circuit board 200 is provided with the above-mentioned panel control circuit 22, which controls the operation of the display panel 21 in accordance with the control signal CtrlP and the image signal Vid. Specifically, the panel circuit board 200 is electrically connected to the display panel 21 via a cable 291, and the panel control circuit 22 controls the operation of the display panel 21 via the cable 291.

[0031] The display circuit board 250 is located on the -x side of the panel circuit board 200. Three light-emitting elements 251 are provided on the -z side surface of the display circuit board 250. The display circuit board 250 is electrically connected to the panel circuit board 200 via a cable 293, and the panel control circuit 22 controls the operation of the light-emitting elements 251. The light-emitting elements 251 turn on, off, or blink depending on the operating state of the electronic device 1. For example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element can be used as the light-emitting element 251.

[0032] The switch circuit board 260 is located on the -x side of the panel circuit board 200 and on the -y side of the display circuit board 250. A switch 261 is provided on the -z side surface of the switch circuit board 260. The switch circuit board 260 is electrically connected to the panel circuit board 200 via a cable 294, and when the switch 261 is pressed, a switch control signal is supplied to the panel control circuit 22. The panel control circuit 22 then activates or stops the operation of the electronic device 1 according to the logic level, time, etc. of the switch control signal.

[0033] The panel housing 280 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a storage space 289 with one surface on the -z side open, and is configured with a molding member molded from, for example, resin. The storage space 289 of the panel housing 280 stores a cover glass 270, the first sensor 23, the display panel 21, the panel circuit board 200, the display circuit board 250, and the switch circuit board 260. In this case, the cover glass 270 is provided so as to cover the open surface of the storage space 289.

[0034] Returning to the description of FIG. 1 , the control circuit 10 performs various processes based on the first sensor data SDT1. For example, the control circuit 10 controls the operation of the first unit 40 based on the first sensor data SDT1. Because the first sensor data SDT1 is generated based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23, the first unit 40 operates in response to the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23. The control circuit 10 may also control the operation of the second sensor 30 and the second unit 50 based on the first sensor data SDT1. Furthermore, the control circuit 10 may transition the operation mode of the electronic device 1 from a normal operation mode to a power-saving mode or from the power-saving mode back to the normal operation mode based on the first sensor data SDT1. In the power-saving mode, the first unit 40 stops operating, and in the normal operation mode, the first unit 40 is operable. Here, the first unit 40 being operable refers to a state in which the first unit 40 can operate promptly in response to the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23. Furthermore, the second sensor 30 and the second unit 50 may stop operating in the power saving mode, and may operate in the normal operation mode. The power saving mode may be a sleep mode that consumes the least power among all operation modes of the electronic device 1, or a low power mode that consumes less power than the normal operation mode.

[0035] Furthermore, the control circuit 10 recognizes the state of the second unit 50 and performs predetermined processing based on the second sensor data SDT2 output from the second sensor 30. For example, the control circuit 10 may display the state of the second unit 50 on the display panel 21.

[0036] In this embodiment, the control circuit 10 has a first mode in which the first sensor 23 operates as a human sensor, and a second mode in which the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor. The first sensor 23 is a sensor that detects that an object has come into contact with a detection target position on a detection target object. The control circuit 10 exclusively selects between the first mode and the second mode. That is, the period in which the first sensor 23 operates as a human sensor and the period in which the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor do not overlap.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for operating the first sensor 23 as a human presence sensor or a touch sensor. In the example of FIG. 5, during a period T1, a user approaches the electronic device 1, and the value of the detection signal Ds of each sensor Ts of the first sensor 23 increases from D1 to D2. During a period T2, the user stands still in front of the electronic device 1. During a period T21 included in the period T2, the user's finger or the like touches the panel unit 20. Therefore, during the period T21, the value of the detection signal Ds increases rapidly from D2 to D3. During a period T3, the user moves away from the electronic device 1, and the value of the detection signal Ds decreases from D2 to D1. Therefore, if the threshold Dt, which is compared with the value of the detection signal Ds of each sensor Ts, is set to a first threshold Dt1 between D1 and D2, the first sensor 23 operates as a human presence sensor. On the other hand, if the threshold Dt is set to a second threshold Dt2 between D2 and D3, the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor. When the first sensor 23 is operated as a human presence sensor, the first threshold Dt1 may be set for all of the Q×R sensors Ts that the first sensor 23 has, or the first threshold Dt1 may be set for some of the Q×R sensors Ts.

[0038] Returning to the description of FIG. 1 , the control circuit 10 may transition from the second mode to the first mode when the operation mode of the electronic device 1 transitions to the power saving mode. That is, the control circuit 10 may operate the first sensor 23 as a human sensor when the operation mode of the electronic device 1 transitions to the power saving mode. Furthermore, the control circuit 10 may transition from the first mode to the second mode when it detects the approach of a person based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23 in the first mode. Specifically, the control circuit 10 transitions from the first mode to the second mode when it detects the approach of a person based on the first sensor data SDT1. Furthermore, the control circuit 10 may select the second mode in the normal operation mode. That is, the control circuit 10 may operate the first sensor 23 as a touch sensor in the normal operation mode.

[0039] The control circuit 10 may stop operation of the second sensor 30 when transitioning from the second mode to the first mode, and may resume operation of the second sensor 30 when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode. That is, the second sensor 30 may stop operating during the period when the first sensor 23 operates as a human sensor, and may operate during the period when the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor. During the period when the first sensor 23 operates as a human sensor, it is assumed that no user is near the electronic device 1, and therefore the state of the second unit 50 does not change due to user operation. Therefore, power consumption is reduced by stopping operation of the second sensor 30.

[0040] 1-2. Control methods for electronic devices 6 is a flowchart showing the steps of the method for controlling the electronic device of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, first, in step S1, the power of the electronic device 1 is turned on, and in step S2, the control circuit 10 sets the first sensor 23 to the second mode in which it operates as a touch sensor.

[0041] Next, in step S3, the control circuit 10 turns on the power supply of the second sensor 30 to operate the second sensor 30. Next, in step S4, the control circuit 10 shifts the operation mode of the electronic device 1 to the normal operation mode, and in step S5, the control circuit 10 resets the elapsed time. Then, in steps S6 and S7, before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control circuit 10 detects contact of an object with the panel unit 20 based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23. If so, the control circuit 10 performs the processes from step S5 onwards again.

[0042] On the other hand, if contact of an object with the panel unit 20 is not detected before the predetermined time has elapsed in steps S6 and S7, then in step S8, the control circuit 10 transitions the operation mode of the electronic device 1 to a power-saving mode. Next, in step S9, the control circuit 10 powers off the second sensor 30, stopping its operation. Next, in step S10, the control circuit 10 sets the first sensor 23 to a first mode in which it operates as a human sensor. Thus, when the operation mode of the electronic device 1 transitions to the power-saving mode, step S10, which is the first step of setting the first sensor 23 to the first mode in which it operates as a human sensor, is performed. Furthermore, when step S10, which is the first step, is performed, step S9, which stops the operation of the second sensor 30, is performed. Note that the order of steps S9 and S10 may be reversed.

[0043] Next, in step S11, the control circuit 10 waits until it detects the approach of a person based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23. Then, when the control circuit 10 detects the approach of a person in step S11, in step S12, the control circuit 10 turns on the power of the second sensor 30 and resumes operation of the second sensor 30. Furthermore, in step S13, the control circuit 10 sets the first sensor 23 to a second mode in which the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor. In this way, when the control circuit 10 detects the approach of a person based on the detection signal Ds in the first mode, step S13, which is the second step of setting the first sensor 23 to the second mode in which the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor, is performed. Furthermore, when step S13, which is the second step, is performed, step S12, which resumes operation of the second sensor 30, is performed. Note that the order of steps S12 and S13 may be reversed.

[0044] Next, in step S14, the control circuit 10 resets the elapsed time. Then, in steps S15 and S16, if contact of an object with the panel unit 20 is detected based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23 before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control circuit 10 returns the electronic device 1 from the power saving mode in step S17. Then, in step S4, the control circuit 10 transitions the operation mode of the electronic device 1 to the normal operation mode, and performs the processes from step S5 onwards again. In this way, the second step, step S13, is performed before the operation mode of the electronic device 1 transitions to the normal operation mode in step S4.

[0045] On the other hand, if the control circuit 10 does not detect contact of an object with the panel unit 20 before the predetermined time has elapsed in steps S15 and S16, the control circuit 10 performs the processes from step S9 onwards again. As shown in Fig. 6, step S10, which is a first step for setting the first sensor 23 to the first mode in which it operates as a human sensor, and step S13, which is a second step for setting the first sensor 23 to the second mode in which it operates as a touch sensor, are performed exclusively.

[0046] 1-3.Effects As described above, in the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, in the power saving mode, the first unit 40, which operates in response to the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23, stops operating. Therefore, the first sensor 23 does not need to function as a touch sensor until it detects the approach of a person, and can function as a human sensor. Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, when the approach of a person is detected based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23 functioning as a human sensor, there is a possibility that an operation will be performed on the panel unit 20, so the first sensor 23 can be made to function as a touch sensor before that. Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, in the normal operation mode in which the first unit 40 is operable, the first sensor 23 functions as a touch sensor, so the user can perform operations on the panel unit 20 related to the operation of the first unit 40. Thus, according to the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the first sensor 23 of the panel unit 20 functions as both a human sensor and a touch sensor. Therefore, the electronic device 1 can be used for both purposes, eliminating the need for a dedicated motion sensor and reducing the number of parts required, thereby reducing the environmental impact and labor burden when disassembling the electronic device 1 for reuse or disposal.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the first mode in which the first sensor 23 operates as a human presence sensor and the second mode in which the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor are not selected simultaneously, thereby reducing the risk of malfunction in control based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the state of the second unit 50 does not change until it detects the approach of a person, so there is no need to operate the second sensor 30 that detects the state of the second unit 50. Therefore, for example, in the power saving mode, there is no need to operate the second sensor 30 intermittently to detect a user operation on the second unit 50, and power consumption is reduced by stopping the operation of the second sensor 30. Furthermore, according to the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the operation of the second sensor 30 can be resumed before the user operates the second unit 50. Therefore, compared to a case where the intermittently operating second sensor 30 detects a user operation and returns from the power saving mode, the second sensor 30 can detect the user operation more quickly, thereby improving user operability.

[0049] 2.Printing device Next, a printing device 1A will be described as an example of the electronic device 1 of the above-described embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the external structure of the printing device 1A. As shown in FIG. 7, the printing device 1A has a medium storage unit 141, a medium discharge tray 149, a housing 170, and the aforementioned panel unit 20. The medium storage unit 141 forms a storage space in which media is stored before a printing operation is performed. Specifically, the medium storage unit 141 is attached so that at least a portion of the storage space can be pulled out into the housing 170. The medium discharge tray 149 is used to discharge media after a printing process has been performed. The medium may be paper, such as sheets or roll paper, or a fiber material, such as a cloth, or a resin, such as plastic. The panel unit 20 is rotatably attached to the side of the housing 170.

[0050] In the printing device 1A, when a user operates the panel unit 20 to perform a printing operation, the medium stored in the medium storage unit 141 is transported inside the housing 170, and the printing operation is performed on the medium while the medium is being transported inside the housing 170. After the printing operation is performed, the medium is ejected to the medium ejection tray 149. A sensor 160 is provided on the side of the inside of the housing 170, near the end of the medium storage unit 141. When the medium storage unit 141 is pulled out by the user, the sensor 160 detects this, and, for example, a message indicating that the medium storage unit 141 has been pulled out is displayed on the panel unit 20.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a medium transport path provided inside the housing 170. As shown in Fig. 8, transport rollers 142, 143, and 144 are provided inside the housing 170. These transport rollers 142 to 144 are each a pair of rollers including a drive roller and a driven roller. The transport rollers 142 to 144 sandwich the medium between the drive roller and the driven roller, and the drive roller is rotated by the drive of a transport motor (not shown), thereby transporting the medium along a predetermined transport direction.

[0052] Specifically, media contained in the medium container 141 are discharged one sheet at a time by transport rollers 142. The media discharged from the medium container 141 are conveyed along the transport path to the printing area PA facing the print head 130 while being held between transport rollers 143. When the medium reaches the printing area PA, the print head 130 conveys the print data signal The ink is then ejected onto the medium at a timing based on the timing of the ejection of ink onto the medium. After that, the medium onto which the ink has landed is conveyed along the conveyance path toward the medium ejection tray 149 while being held between the conveyance rollers 144, and is ejected from inside the housing 170 onto the medium ejection tray 149.

[0053] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 A. As shown in FIG. 9, the printing apparatus 1 A includes a control unit 110, a panel unit 20, a print head 130, a transport unit 140, a medium container 141, and a sensor 160.

[0054] The control unit 110 has a control circuit 111, a power supply circuit 112, and a drive circuit 113. A commercial AC voltage VAC is input to the power supply circuit 112 from outside the printing device 1A. The power supply circuit 112 generates and outputs a voltage VH, which is a constant DC voltage of, for example, 42 V, from the input commercial AC voltage VAC.

[0055] Furthermore, the power supply circuit 112 converts the 42 V voltage VH to a voltage VDD, which is a DC voltage of, for example, 5 V or 3.3 V, and outputs the converted voltage. The voltages VH and VDD output by the power supply circuit 112 are then used as power supply voltages for the various components of the printing device 1A.

[0056] Image data is input to the control circuit 111 from an external device (not shown) provided outside the printing device 1A, such as a host computer. The control circuit 111 performs various image processing and the like on the input image data to generate various control signals for controlling each part of the printing device 1A and outputs them to each part.

[0057] Specifically, the control circuit 111 outputs a basic drive signal dA, which is a digital signal, to the drive circuit 113. The drive circuit 113 converts the input digital basic drive signal dA into an analog signal, and then generates a drive signal COM by class D amplifying the analog signal and outputs it to the print head 130.

[0058] Furthermore, the control circuit 111 generates a control signal CtrlU1 that controls the ejection of ink from the print head 130 based on the input image data, and outputs the control signal CtrlU1 to the print head 130.

[0059] The print head 130 has a drive signal selection circuit 131 and multiple ejectors 600. The drive signal selection circuit 131 receives the CtrlU1 output from the control circuit 111 and the drive signal COM output from the drive circuit 113. The drive signal selection circuit 131 generates a drive signal VDP corresponding to each of the multiple ejectors 600 by selecting or not selecting a signal waveform included in the drive signal COM based on the control signal CtrlU1. The drive signal selection circuit 131 then outputs the generated drive signal VDP to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 of the corresponding ejector 600.

[0060] At this time, a reference voltage VBS is input to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 of each of the multiple ejection units 600. The reference voltage VBS is a DC voltage with a constant voltage value, such as ground voltage, 5.5 V, or 6 V, and functions as a reference for driving the piezoelectric elements 60. The piezoelectric element 60 of each of the multiple ejection units 600 is driven in response to the potential difference between the drive signal VDP supplied to one end and the reference voltage VBS supplied to the other end. An amount of ink corresponding to the drive of the piezoelectric element 60 is then ejected from the ejection unit 600.

[0061] The control circuit 111 outputs control signals CtrlP and CtrlS1 to the panel unit 20 for controlling the operation of the panel unit 20, and outputs image data PDT representing an image to be displayed on the panel unit 20 to the panel unit 20. The control circuit 111 also generates a control signal CtrlU3 for controlling the transport of the medium, and the transport unit 140 The control circuit 111 outputs a control signal CtrlU2 to the medium storage unit 141 to control the operation of the medium storage unit 141. The control circuit 111 also outputs a control signal CtrlS2 to the sensor 160 to control the operation of the sensor 160. The sensor 160 detects the state of the medium storage unit 141, such as whether it is open or closed, according to the control signal CtrlS2, and outputs second sensor data SDT2 indicating the detection result to the control circuit 111.

[0062] Furthermore, the control circuit 111 performs various processes based on the first sensor data SDT1 output from the panel unit 20. For example, the control circuit 111 controls the operation of the print head 130 based on the first sensor data SDT1. The control circuit 111 may also control the operation of the sensor 160 and the medium container 141 based on the first sensor data SDT1. The control circuit 111 may also transition the operation mode of the printing device 1A from normal operation mode to power saving mode or from power saving mode back to normal operation mode based on the first sensor data SDT1. In power saving mode, the print head 130 stops operating, and in normal operation mode, the print head 130 is operable. In power saving mode, the sensor 160 and the medium container 141 stop operating, and in normal operation mode, the sensor 160 and the medium container 141 operate.

[0063] Furthermore, the control circuit 111 recognizes the state of the medium container 141 and performs predetermined processing based on the second sensor data SDT2 output from the sensor 160. For example, the control circuit 111 may display the state of the medium container 141 on the panel unit 20.

[0064] The control circuit 111 has a first mode in which the first sensor 23 included in the panel unit 20 operates as a human sensor, and a second mode in which the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor.

[0065] The control circuit 111 may transition from the second mode to the first mode when the operating mode of the printing device 1A transitions to the power saving mode. That is, the control circuit 111 may operate the first sensor 23 as a human sensor when the operating mode of the printing device 1A transitions to the power saving mode. Furthermore, the control circuit 111 may transition from the first mode to the second mode when it detects the approach of a person based on the detection signal Ds from the first sensor 23 in the first mode. Specifically, the control circuit 111 transitions from the first mode to the second mode when it detects the approach of a person based on the first sensor data SDT1. Furthermore, the control circuit 111 may select the second mode in the normal operating mode. That is, the control circuit 111 may operate the first sensor 23 as a touch sensor in the normal operating mode.

[0066] The control circuit 111 may stop operation of the sensor 160 when transitioning from the second mode to the first mode, and may resume operation of the sensor 160 when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode. That is, the sensor 160 may stop operating during the period when the first sensor 23 operates as a human sensor, and may operate during the period when the first sensor 23 operates as a touch sensor. During the period when the first sensor 23 operates as a human sensor, it is assumed that no user is near the printing device 1A, and therefore the state of the medium storage unit 141 does not change due to user operation, and therefore power consumption is reduced by stopping operation of the sensor 160.

[0067] According to the printing device 1A of this embodiment, the first sensor 23 of the panel unit 20 is used as both a human sensor and a touch sensor, so a dedicated human sensor is not required, and an increase in the number of parts is suppressed. Therefore, the printing device 1A can be disassembled and reused or disposed of. In doing so, environmental and labor burdens are reduced.

[0068] The control circuit 111 is an example of the control circuit 10 in FIG. 1. The print head 130 is an example of a printing unit, and is an example of the first unit 40 in FIG. 1. The medium storage unit 141 is an example of the second unit 50 in FIG. 1. The sensor 160 is an example of the second sensor 30 in FIG. 1.

[0069] The electronic device 1 is not limited to the printing device 1A. Examples of the electronic device 1 include a notebook computer, an e-book player, a mobile phone, a cordless phone handset, a fax machine, a copy machine, an LCD television, a handheld vacuum cleaner, a portable CD player, a radio, a lighting fixture, a toy, a game device, a camera, and a medical device.

[0070] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in this embodiment, for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effects. The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in this embodiment are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects or purposes as the configurations described in this embodiment. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in this embodiment.

[0071] The above-described embodiment and modifications are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0072] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment and modifications.

[0073] One aspect of the electronic device is A display panel; a first capacitance sensor laminated on the display panel; a control circuit for controlling the operation of the first sensor; a first unit that operates in response to a detection signal from the first sensor; and The control circuit a first mode in which the first sensor operates as a human presence sensor; a second mode in which the first sensor operates as a touch sensor; It has.

[0074] According to this electronic device, the first sensor used in the display panel serves as both a motion sensor and a touch sensor, eliminating the need for a dedicated motion sensor and minimizing the number of components, thereby reducing the environmental and labor burden when disassembling the electronic device for reuse or disposal.

[0075] In one aspect of the electronic device, The control circuit The first mode and the second mode may be selected exclusively.

[0076] According to this electronic device, the first mode and the second mode are not selected at the same time, which reduces the possibility of a malfunction occurring in the control based on the detection signal from the first sensor.

[0077] In one aspect of the electronic device, The control circuit When the first unit enters a power saving mode in which it stops operating, You may migrate.

[0078] According to this electronic device, in the power saving mode, the first unit that operates in response to the detection signal from the first sensor stops operating, so that the first sensor does not need to function as a touch sensor until it detects the approach of a person, and can function as a human presence sensor.

[0079] In one aspect of the electronic device, The control circuit When the approach of a person is detected based on the detection signal in the first mode, the mode may be shifted to the second mode.

[0080] According to this electronic device, when a person's approach is detected based on a detection signal from the first sensor that functions as a human presence sensor, there is a possibility that an operation will be performed on the display panel, so the first sensor can be made to function as a touch sensor before that happens.

[0081] In one aspect of the electronic device, The control circuit In a normal operation mode in which the first unit is operable, the second mode may be selected.

[0082] According to this electronic device, in the normal operation mode in which the first unit is operable, the first sensor functions as a touch sensor, so that the user can perform operations related to the operation of the first unit on the display panel.

[0083] In one aspect of the electronic device, A second unit whose state changes depending on the user's operation; a second sensor for detecting a state of the second unit; and The control circuit stopping the operation of the second sensor when transitioning from the second mode to the first mode; When the mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode, the operation of the second sensor may be resumed.

[0084] According to this electronic device, the state of the second unit does not change until it detects the approach of a person, so there is no need to operate the second sensor that detects the state of the second unit. Therefore, for example, in power-saving mode, there is no need to operate the second sensor intermittently to detect user operations on the second unit, and the operation of the second sensor can be stopped, thereby reducing power consumption. Furthermore, according to this electronic device, since the operation of the second sensor can be resumed before the user operates the second unit, the second sensor can detect the user's operation more quickly than when the intermittently operating second sensor detects the user's operation and returns from power-saving mode, thereby improving user operability.

[0085] In one aspect of the electronic device, The first unit may be a printing unit.

[0086] This electronic device makes it possible to realize a printing device in which an increase in the number of parts is suppressed.

[0087] One aspect of a control method for an electronic device includes: A control method for an electronic device having a display panel, a first capacitance sensor stacked on the display panel, and a first unit that operates in response to a detection signal from the first sensor, comprising: a first step of setting the first sensor to a first mode in which the first sensor operates as a human presence sensor; a second step of setting the first sensor to a second mode in which the first sensor operates as a touch sensor; It has.

[0088] According to this control method for an electronic device, the first sensor used in the display panel serves as both a motion sensor and a touch sensor, eliminating the need for a dedicated motion sensor and reducing the number of components, thereby reducing the environmental and labor burden when disassembling the electronic device for reuse or disposal.

[0089] In one aspect of a control method for an electronic device, The first step and the second step may be carried out exclusively.

[0090] In one aspect of a control method for an electronic device, The first step may be performed when the operation mode of the electronic device transitions to a power saving mode in which the first unit stops operating.

[0091] In one aspect of a control method for an electronic device, The second step may be performed when the approach of a person is detected based on the detection signal in the first mode.

[0092] In one aspect of a control method for an electronic device, The second step may be performed before the operation mode of the electronic device transitions to a normal operation mode in which the first unit is operable.

[0093] In one aspect of a control method for an electronic device, the electronic device has a second unit and a second sensor that detects a state of the second unit; a step of stopping operation of the second sensor when the first step is performed; restarting operation of the second sensor when the second step is performed; may have

[0094] In one aspect of a control method for an electronic device, The first unit may be a printing unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1...electronic device, 1A...printing device, 10...control circuit, 20...panel unit, 21...display panel, 22...panel control circuit, 23...first sensor, 24...sensor drive circuit, 30...second sensor, 40...first unit, 50...second unit, 60...piezoelectric element, 130...print head, 131...drive signal selection circuit, 140...transport unit, 141...media storage section, 142, 143, 144...transport rollers, 149...media discharge tray, 160...sensor Ser, 170...housing, 200...panel circuit board, 211...pixel section, 212...pixel driving section, 213...scanning line driving circuit, 214...data line driving circuit, 215...scanning line, 216...data line, 217...display surface, 231...detection line, 250...display circuit board, 251...light-emitting element, 260...switch circuit board, 261...switch, 270...cover glass, 280...panel housing, 289...storage space, 291, 292, 293, 294...cable, 600...discharge section

Claims

1. A display panel; a first capacitance sensor laminated on the display panel; a control circuit for controlling the operation of the first sensor; a first unit that operates in response to a detection signal from the first sensor; and The control circuit a first mode in which the first sensor operates as a human presence sensor; a second mode in which the first sensor operates as a touch sensor; having An electronic device characterized by:

2. The control circuit exclusively selecting the first mode and the second mode; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

3. The control circuit When the first unit transitions to a power saving mode in which it stops operating, the first mode is transitioned to.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

4. The control circuit When the approach of a person is detected based on the detection signal in the first mode, the mode is transitioned to the second mode.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

5. The control circuit In a normal operation mode in which the first unit is operable, the second mode is selected.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

6. a second unit whose state changes in response to a user's operation; a second sensor for detecting a state of the second unit; and The control circuit stopping the operation of the second sensor when transitioning from the second mode to the first mode; restarting the operation of the second sensor when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

7. the first unit is a printing unit; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

8. A control method for an electronic device having a display panel, a first capacitance sensor stacked on the display panel, and a first unit that operates in response to a detection signal from the first sensor, comprising: a first step of setting the first sensor to a first mode in which the first sensor operates as a human presence sensor; a second step of setting the first sensor to a second mode in which the first sensor operates as a touch sensor; having A method for controlling an electronic device.

9. The first step and the second step are carried out exclusively.

9. The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 8.

10. the first step is performed when the operation mode of the electronic device transitions to a power saving mode in which the first unit stops operating; 9. The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 8.

11. When the approach of a person is detected based on the detection signal in the first mode, the second step is performed.

9. The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 8.

12. the second step is performed before the operation mode of the electronic device transitions to a normal operation mode in which the first unit is operable.

9. The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 8.

13. the electronic device includes a second unit and a second sensor that detects a state of the second unit; a step of stopping operation of the second sensor when the first step is performed; When the second step is performed, restarting the operation of the second sensor; having 9. The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 8.

14. the first unit is a printing unit; 9. The method for controlling an electronic device according to claim 8.

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