Electronic apparatus and power source supply state presentation method and program

Abstract

To enhance the convenience for a user when operating electronic apparatus powered by a solar battery power source and a chemical cell power source for various applications.SOLUTION: In the solar priority mode without using additional functions, Solar Priority Pi is displayed. If a solar voltage Vs is at or above an electronic calculator reference value for the minimum operation voltage, a solar power source ES is supplied and Solar Supply On SiH is displayed, and if it is below the electronic calculator reference value, a battery power source EB is supplied and Solar Supply Off SiL is displayed along with a remaining battery voltage Bi. In the additional function mode using the additional function, the Solar Priority Pi is hidden. If a battery voltage Vb is at or above the second reference value, which is the additional function minimum operation voltage, the battery power source EB is supplied, displaying Additional Function Operation Possible CiD and the remaining battery voltage (High) BiH or (Medium) BiM. If the battery voltage Vb is below the second reference value, "Additional function operation not possible" (CiE) and either the remaining battery voltage (low) BiL or (none) BiE are displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic device, a power supply status display method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in calculators that run on solar power and button (coin) battery power, when operating in solar priority mode, which prioritizes the use of solar power to reduce consumption of the button battery, a technology has been considered that temporarily switches from solar power to button battery power when using a function such as a buzzer that cannot be operated on solar power (see, for example, Patent Document 1).Also, for conventional calculators, a technology has been considered that allows the selection of a voltage priority mode, which uses either solar power or button battery power, whichever has the higher power supply voltage, as an alternative to the solar priority mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-153271 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional calculators described above, only the functions that cannot be operated on solar power are operated on chemical battery power such as a button cell battery, which makes it possible to reduce the consumption of chemical batteries. However, in various usage situations, such as when a user wants to use a calculator function in a dark place but does not want to consume a chemical battery, or when using a function other than the calculator that cannot be operated on solar power, it is difficult for the user to determine whether or not the desired function can be used in the desired state, which can be inconvenient.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a power supply status display method, and a program that enable users to increase convenience when using electronic devices that operate on solar cell power sources and chemical battery power sources for various purposes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic device of the present invention is equipped with a control unit that controls selective power supply from a solar cell power source and a chemical battery power source in accordance with the execution state of multiple functions that require different power or power supply voltages to be executed, and controls a display unit to display information indicating the status of the power supply from each of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of electronic devices that operate on solar cell power sources and chemical battery power sources when used for various purposes by users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of an electronic calculator 10 according to an embodiment of the electronic device, power supply status display method, and program of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an electronic calculator 10. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of the power supply status on the display device 22 of the calculator 10. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating the storage state of an operation mode flag, a solar voltage detection flag, and a battery voltage detection flag [H / M / L / E] in a flag storage area 13c of the calculator 10. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the power supply status display patterns of the calculator 10 in the solar priority mode and the additional function mode. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation mode setting process performed by the calculator 10. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a power supply switching process performed by the calculator 10. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a power supply status display process performed by the calculator 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An electronic calculator (calculator) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device, a power supply status display method, and a program will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, calculator 10 is configured by connecting a key input device (key input unit) 21, a display device (display unit) 22, and a short-range wireless communication device (BLE: Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) 23, which is an additional function, to a system LSI 11 equipped with the main functions. Short-range wireless communication device 23 is connected to electronic devices such as an external terminal device or a numeric keypad, and is used, for example, to transmit and receive data input in connection with calculation processing on calculator 10, data resulting from calculations, and the like, as needed.

[0010] The electronic circuits of calculator 10 are powered by a dual power supply system: a solar cell (physical battery) power supply ES and a battery (chemical battery) power supply EB. Chemical battery power supplies include cylindrical, button, and rectangular primary and secondary batteries. In the following description, the solar cell power supply / voltage will be referred to as the solar power supply / solar voltage, and the chemical battery power supply / voltage will be simply referred to as the battery power supply / battery voltage. In this embodiment, solar power supply ES is located on the upper front of the main body, where key input device 21 and display device 22 are installed, and outputs a rated voltage of 1.5 V. In this embodiment, battery power supply EB uses a button-type dry cell battery (primary battery) stored in a battery compartment on the back of the calculator and outputs a rated voltage of 3 V. It is assumed that the minimum operating voltage of the calculator function, which is the primary function of calculator 10, is equal to or greater than a predetermined calculator reference value (e.g., 1.0 V), and that the minimum operating voltage of the short-range wireless communication device (BLE) 23, which is an additional function, is equal to or greater than a second reference value (e.g., 2.6 V). The additional function is not limited to the short-range wireless communication device (BLE) 23, but may be a different type of device such as a temperature detection device (temperature sensor) or a humidity detection device (humidity sensor).

[0011] The key input device 21 has numeric input keys for performing numerical calculations, operator keys, an [AC] (all clear / power on) key, a [C] (clear) key, etc., as well as a [tax included] key, a [tax excluded] key, and a [%] key. The key input device 21 also has a BLE switch 21C that switches a short-range wireless communication device (BLE) 23, which is an additional function, between "ON" and "OFF."

[0012] The display device 22 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel with, for example, 12 digits of eight-segment display elements arranged in an array, and in addition to displays for decimal points and digit separators, it also has displays (information indicating the status of the power supply) for a solar power supply icon Si, a solar priority icon Pi, an additional function (BLE) icon Ci, and a remaining battery voltage icon Bi that are selectively displayed depending on the execution status of the calculator function and additional functions, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5.

[0013] The solar supply icon Si indicates the supply status of the solar power source ES. When the solar voltage Vs is at the Hi level, i.e., above the calculator reference value (1.0 V), the solar supply (power generation) present icon SiH is displayed. When the solar voltage Vs is at the Low level, i.e., below the calculator reference value, the solar supply (power generation) absent icon SiL is displayed. The solar priority icon Pi indicates a state in which the solar priority mode is set, which prioritizes the supply of solar power source ES and suppresses the decrease (consumption) of the remaining battery power source EB. When the BLE switch 21C is in the "OFF" position, the calculator 10 operates in the calculator function mode, in which only the calculator function is available and the additional functions are not, and in the solar priority mode, in which the solar power source ES is used with priority. When the BLE switch 21C is in the "ON" position, the calculator operates in the additional function (BLE) mode, in which the additional function (BLE) is available in addition to the calculator function, and in the high-voltage power source selection mode, in which the higher voltage of the solar power source ES or the battery power source EB is used. That is, in this embodiment, the operation mode for specifying the available functions and the operation mode for specifying the power source selection method (switching method) are switched simultaneously in a linked manner, so that when the solar priority mode is set, the calculator function mode is automatically set, and when the additional function (BLE) mode is set, the high-voltage power source selection mode is automatically set. By linking and setting related modes in this way, it becomes possible to easily and appropriately set a highly convenient combination of operation modes, but the operation mode for specifying the available functions and the operation mode for specifying the power source selection method (switching method) may also be set separately.

[0014] The remaining battery voltage icon Bi indicates the remaining battery voltage of the battery power source EB. When the battery voltage Vb is at a Hi level, i.e., equal to or greater than a first reference value (e.g., 2.8V), a remaining battery voltage (high) icon BiH is displayed. When the battery voltage Vb is at a Mid level, i.e., equal to or greater than a second reference value (2.6V) but less than the first reference value (2.8V), a remaining battery voltage (medium) icon BiM is displayed. When the battery voltage Vb is at a Low level, i.e., equal to or greater than a third reference value (e.g., 2.2V) but less than the second reference value (2.6V), a remaining battery voltage (low) icon BiL is displayed. When the battery voltage Vb is below the third reference value (2.2V), i.e., there is no remaining battery voltage (equivalent to a completely discharged battery), a remaining battery voltage (no) icon BiE is displayed.

[0015] The additional function (BLE) icon Ci represents the operating status of the short-range wireless communication device (BLE) 23, which is an additional function. When the battery voltage Vb is at a Mid level to a Hi level that is equal to or higher than the second reference value (2.6V), the additional function (BLE) operation enabled icon CiD is displayed, and when the battery voltage Vb is at a Low level to a 0 (none) level that is lower than the second reference value, the additional function (BLE) operation disabled icon CiE is displayed.

[0016] Calculator 10 shown in Figure 2 is set to solar priority mode with BLE switch 21C in the "OFF" position, and the solar powered icon SiH, solar priority icon Pi, and remaining battery voltage (high) icon BiH are displayed on display device 22. The user can recognize that calculator 10 is set to solar priority mode, that the calculator functions can be fully used with power supplied by solar power source ES alone, and that there is sufficient remaining battery voltage in battery power source EB. Note that in solar priority mode, the additional function icon Ci (CiD or CiE) is not actually displayed, but the presence of the additional function operable icon Ci is indicated here by a dotted line.

[0017] 3A shows the display device 22 of calculator 10 in solar priority mode, with the no solar power icon SiL and high battery voltage icon BiH displayed. The user can recognize that although calculator 10 is in solar priority mode, power supply (power generation) from solar power source ES is not occurring because the user is in a dark place, for example, but that the remaining battery voltage of battery power source EB is sufficient and the user can continue to use the calculator functions without any problems.

[0018] 3(B) shows the display device 22 of the calculator 10 in a state where the BLE switch 21C is set to "ON" and the calculator is set to the additional function mode, and the solar power supply icon SiH, the additional function operation possible icon CiD, and the remaining battery voltage (high) icon BiH are displayed. The user can recognize that the calculator 10 is set to the additional function mode, that there is sufficient power being supplied by the solar power source ES, and that there is sufficient remaining battery voltage in the battery power source EB, so that the user can continue to use the additional function (BLE) without any problems.

[0019] 3(C) shows that calculator 10 is in the additional function mode, with the no solar power icon SiL, the additional function enabled icon CiD, and the remaining battery voltage (medium) icon BiM displayed. The user can recognize that calculator 10 is in the additional function mode, that power is not being supplied by solar power source ES, and that the remaining battery voltage of battery power source EB is insufficient and will soon become unavailable for use with the additional function (BLE).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, LSI 11 is configured with CPU (controller) 12, Flash-ROM (storage unit) 13, RAM (storage unit) 14, key control circuit 15, display control circuit 16, communication control circuit 17, power supply switching circuit 18, voltage detection circuit 19, and constant voltage circuit 20. Key input device 21 is connected to key control circuit 15, display device 22 is connected to display control circuit 16, and near-field wireless communication device (BLE) 23 is connected to communication control circuit 17. CPU (controller) 12 controls the operation of each circuit component using RAM 14 as working memory in accordance with calculator control program 13a stored in Flash-ROM (storage unit) 13, and executes various functions including the calculator function and additional functions. Calculator control program 13a is started when the power is turned on in response to operation of the [AC] key.

[0021] Flash-ROM (storage unit) 13 has a calculation data storage area 13b and a flag storage area 13c. Calculation data storage area 13b stores data on calculation formulas entered in response to key operations on key input device 21, as well as data on calculation results calculated based on the calculation formulas. Flag storage area 13c stores an operation mode flag, a solar voltage detection flag, and a battery voltage detection flag [H / M / L / E], as shown in FIG. 4. The operation mode flag is set to "1" when the operation mode of calculator 10 is set to solar priority mode, and to "0" when it is set to additional function mode. The solar voltage detection flag is set to "1" when the solar voltage Vs detected by voltage detection circuit 19 is at a high level, i.e., equal to or greater than the calculator reference value, and to a low level, i.e., below the calculator reference value. The battery voltage detection flag [H] is set to "1" when the battery voltage Vb is at Hi level (above the first reference value), the flag [M] is set to "1" when the battery voltage Vb is at Mid level (above the second reference value and below the first reference value), the flag [L] is set to "1" when the battery voltage Vb is at Low level (above the third reference value and below the second reference value), and the flag [E] is set to "1" when the battery voltage Vb is empty (below the third reference value). A working data storage area 14a is secured in the RAM 14. Various data generated or acquired in response to control of the operation of each part by the CPU 12 is temporarily stored in the working data storage area 14a as needed.

[0022] The solar voltage Vs of the solar (photovoltaic) power supply ES and the battery voltage Vb of the battery (chemical battery) power supply EB are detected by a voltage detection circuit 19 built into the power supply switching circuit 18, and the detected voltage value is input to the CPU 12. Either the solar power supply ES or the battery power supply EB is selectively switched to one of them under the control of the power supply switching circuit 18 by the CPU 12 in accordance with the calculator control program 13a, and the power is supplied to each part of the circuit. Each part of the circuit of the calculator 10 is driven by a voltage (internal logic power supply) stabilized from the power supply switching circuit 18 via a constant voltage circuit 20, and the short-range wireless communication device 23, which is an additional function, is driven by the voltage of the battery power supply EB (additional logic power supply) selectively supplied from the power supply switching circuit 18.

[0023] In the calculator 10 configured as described above, the CPU 12 mounted on the LSI 11 controls the operation of each circuit component in accordance with the instructions written in the calculator control program 13a, and the software and hardware work together to realize the various functions described in the following operational explanation. The electronic device of the present invention is not limited to the electronic calculator 10, but may also be an electronic device such as a watch or camera that has multiple functions, including a main function that operates only on a solar power source (solar battery power source) ES and an additional function that requires a battery power source (chemical battery power source) EB.

[0024] Next, the operation of the electronic calculator 10 according to the embodiment will be described. In the operation mode setting process shown in FIG. 6, when the BLE switch 21C, which is an additional function switch of the calculator 10, is in the "OFF" state (when the near field communication device is not used) (step S1 <off>), the CPU 12 sets the operation mode to the solar priority mode and sets the operation mode flag to "1" (step S2). Also, when the BLE switch 21C is in the "ON" state (a state in which the short-range wireless communication device is used) (step S1 <on>), the CPU 12 sets the operation mode to the additional function (BLE) mode and resets the operation mode flag to "0" (step S3).

[0025] In the power supply switching process shown in FIG. 7, when the power is turned on by operating the [AC] key (step S11 (Yes)), the CPU 12 reads the voltage values ​​of the solar voltage Vs and the battery voltage Vb detected by the voltage detection circuit 19 (step S12). If the solar priority mode, which is the operating mode flag "1" (step S13 <solar priority mode>), is set, the CPU 12 determines whether the solar voltage Vs is equal to or greater than the calculator reference value, which is the minimum operating voltage for the calculator function (step S14). If it is determined that the solar voltage Vs is equal to or greater than the calculator reference value (step S14 (Yes)), the CPU 12 switches the power supply switching circuit 18 to the solar power supply ES (the main power supply in the solar priority mode) and supplies the solar voltage Vs as the internal logic power supply (step S15). If it is determined that the solar voltage Vs is less than the calculator reference value (step S14 (No)), the CPU 12 switches the power supply switching circuit 18 to the battery power supply EB and supplies the battery voltage Vb as the internal logic power supply (step S16).

[0026] On the other hand, if the additional function mode, in which the operation mode flag is "0" (step S13 <additional function mode>), is set, the CPU 12 determines whether the battery voltage Vb is equal to or greater than the solar voltage Vs (step S17). If it is determined that the battery voltage Vb is equal to or greater than the solar voltage Vs (step S17 (Yes)), the CPU 12 switches the power supply switching circuit 18 to the battery power supply EB (main power supply in the additional function mode) and supplies the battery voltage Vb as the internal logic power supply and the additional logic power supply (step S16). If it is determined that the battery voltage Vb is less than the solar voltage Vs (step S17 (No)), the CPU 12 switches the power supply switching circuit 18 to the solar power supply ES and supplies the solar voltage Vs as the internal logic power supply (step S15).

[0027] Every time a preset time period (e.g., 3 minutes) elapses (step S18 (Yes)), the CPU 12 reads the voltage values ​​of the solar voltage Vs and the battery voltage Vb (step S12), and repeats the selective switching process between the solar power supply ES and the battery power supply EB according to the read voltage values ​​of the solar voltage Vs and the battery voltage Vb and the setting state of the operation mode (steps S13 to S17). For example, when the power is turned off by the APO (Auto Power Off) function, the CPU 12 ends the series of power supply switching processes (step S19 (Yes)).

[0028] That is, in the power supply switching process, in solar priority mode, the calculator function is operated using only solar power supply ES as much as possible to reduce consumption of battery power supply EB (extending battery life), and only when the calculator function cannot be operated using solar power supply ES (when there is no power generation) is the power supply switched so that the calculator function can continue to be used using battery power supply EB. Also, in additional function mode, the calculator function and additional function can both be used as much as possible depending on the remaining charge of battery power supply EB, and the power supply is switched so that the calculator function can continue to be used even if the battery voltage Vb falls below the minimum operating voltage for the additional function.

[0029] In the power supply status display process shown in FIG. 8, when the solar priority mode, in which the operation mode flag is "1," is set (step S21 <solar priority mode>), the CPU 12 reads the voltage values ​​of the solar voltage Vs and the battery voltage Vb detected by the voltage detection circuit 19 (step S22) and determines whether the solar voltage Vs is equal to or greater than the calculator reference value, which is the minimum operating voltage for the calculator function (step S23). If it is determined that the solar voltage Vs is equal to or greater than the calculator reference value (step S23 (Yes)), the CPU 12 causes the display device 22 to display a solar power supply icon SiH shown in FIG. 5 and a solar priority icon Pi, as shown in FIG. 2, for example (step S24). The CPU 12 also displays a battery voltage remaining (high) icon BiH, a remaining (medium) icon BiM, a remaining (low) icon BiL, or a remaining (no) icon BiE, depending on the voltage value of the battery voltage Vb (step S26). In addition, when the solar power supply icon SiH and the solar priority icon Pi are displayed, indicating that the calculator function can be used only with the solar power source ES, the battery power source EB is not in use, so the remaining battery voltage icon Bi does not need to be displayed.

[0030] If it is determined that the solar voltage Vs is less than the calculator reference value (step S23 (No)), the CPU 12 causes the display device 22 to display the no solar power icon SiL and the solar priority icon Pi shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(A) (step S25). The CPU 12 also causes the display device 22 to display the remaining battery voltage (high) icon BiH, the remaining battery voltage (medium) icon BiM, the remaining battery voltage (low) icon BiL, or the remaining battery voltage (no) icon BiE, depending on the voltage value of the battery voltage Vb (step S26). By displaying the no solar power icon SiL and the solar priority icon Pi, even when the user is in a dark place in solar priority mode and solar power ES is not being supplied, the user can recognize the extent to which the calculator function can still be used with the battery power EB from the display of the remaining battery voltage (high), (medium), (low), or (no) icons BiH, BiM, BiL, and BiE.

[0031] In solar-priority mode, in order not to affect calculation operations using the calculator function, the CPU 12 reads the voltage values ​​of the solar voltage Vs and the battery voltage Vb (step S22) each time the user operates the [AC] (all clear) key to start a calculation operation (step S27 (Yes)), and repeats the display process of the solar-supply icon SiH or the solar-supply-not-supply icon SiL and the remaining battery voltage icon Bi (H, M, L, E) according to the read solar voltage Vs and battery voltage Vb (steps S23 to S26). When the BLE switch 21C is turned "ON" and the operation mode is switched from the solar-priority mode to the additional function mode (step S28 (Yes)), the CPU 12 returns to the process from step S21.

[0032] When the additional function mode is set with the operation mode flag set to "0" (step S21 <additional function mode>), the CPU 12 reads the solar voltage Vs and the battery voltage Vb detected by the voltage detection circuit 19 (step S29) and determines whether the battery voltage Vb is equal to or greater than a second reference value, which is the minimum operating voltage for the additional function (here, BLE) (step S30). If it is determined that the battery voltage Vb is equal to or greater than the second reference value (step S30 (Yes)), the CPU 12 displays the additional function operation enable icon CiD shown in FIG. 5 and a remaining battery voltage (high) icon BiH or a remaining battery voltage (medium) icon BiM corresponding to the battery voltage Vb being equal to or greater than the second reference value on the display device 22, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(B) or 3(C) (steps S31, S33). On the other hand, if it is determined that the battery voltage Vb is less than the second reference value (step S30 (No)), the CPU 12 causes the display device 22 to display the additional function inoperable icon CiE shown in FIG. 5 and the battery voltage remaining amount (low) icon BiL or remaining amount (no) icon BiE corresponding to the battery voltage Vb being less than the second reference value (steps S32, S33).

[0033] The CPU 12 also determines whether the solar voltage Vs is equal to or greater than the calculator reference value, which is the minimum operating voltage for the calculator function (step S34). If it is determined that the solar voltage Vs is equal to or greater than the calculator reference value (step S34 (Yes)), the CPU 12 causes the display device 22 to display the solar power supply icon SiH shown in Fig. 5, for example, as shown in Fig. 3(B) (step S35). On the other hand, if it is determined that the solar voltage Vs is less than the calculator reference value (step S34 (No)), the CPU 12 causes the display device 22 to display the solar power supply absence icon SiL shown in Fig. 5, for example, as shown in Fig. 3(C) (step S36).

[0034] That is, in the additional function mode, as shown in FIG. 3(B) or 3(C), if the additional function available icon CiD and the battery voltage remaining (high) icon BiH or the battery voltage remaining (medium) icon BiM are displayed, but the solar priority icon Pi is not displayed (steps S31 and S33), the user can recognize that the battery power EB is providing sufficient remaining battery voltage (BiH) to continue using both the calculator function and the additional function (BLE), or that the additional function will soon become unavailable due to a low remaining battery voltage (BiM). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(B), if the solar power supply available icon SiH is displayed (step S35), the user can recognize that even if the additional function becomes unavailable due to a future decrease in the remaining battery power EB, the calculator function will continue to be available thanks to the solar power supply ES. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3(C), if the solar power supply unavailable icon SiL is displayed (step S36), the user can recognize that after the additional function becomes unavailable, the calculator function will also become unavailable.

[0035] 5 are displayed, and the solar priority icon Pi is not displayed (steps S32 and S33), the user can recognize that the additional functions cannot be used due to a low battery power supply EB and that the battery power supply EB must be replaced. If the solar power supply icon SiH is displayed (step S35), the user can recognize that the calculator function can continue to be used with the solar power supply ES. On the other hand, if the solar power supply icon SiL is displayed (step S36), the user can recognize that the calculator function cannot be used either.

[0036] To reduce the impact on the battery power supply EB, the CPU 12 reads the voltage values ​​of the solar voltage Vs and the battery voltage Vb (step S29) not continuously but every time a preset time period (e.g., 3 minutes) elapses (step S37 (Yes)), and repeats the process of displaying an additional function operation enabled icon CiD or an operation disabled icon CiE and a remaining battery voltage icon Bi (H, M, L, E) according to the read battery voltage Vb, and the process of displaying a solar power supply enabled icon SiH or a solar power supply disabled icon SiL according to the read solar voltage Vs (steps S30 to S36). When the BLE switch 21C is turned "OFF" and the operation mode is switched from the additional function mode to the solar priority mode (step S38 (Yes)), the CPU 12 returns to the process from step S21.

[0037] According to the electronic calculator 10 of this embodiment, in solar priority mode (BLE switch 21C "OFF") in which the additional function (BLE) is not used (specified), the solar priority icon Pi is displayed, and if the solar voltage Vs is equal to or higher than the calculator reference value, which is the minimum operating voltage of the calculator function, power is supplied from the solar (photovoltaic) power source ES and the solar power supply present icon SiH is displayed. If the solar voltage Vs is lower than the calculator reference value, power is supplied by switching to the battery (chemical battery) power source EB and the no solar power supply icon SiL and the remaining battery voltage icon (high) BiH / (medium) BiM / (low) BiL / (none) BiE corresponding to the battery voltage Vb are displayed. Therefore, the user can easily know, for example, whether the calculator function is being used with power supplied from the solar power source ES, or with how much remaining battery voltage the calculator function is being used with with power supplied from the battery power source EB without any power generation from the solar power source ES.

[0038] In the additional function mode (BLE switch 21C "ON") in which the additional function (BLE) is used (specified), the solar priority icon Pi is hidden. If the battery voltage Vb is equal to or higher than a second reference value, which is the minimum operating voltage of the additional function, power is supplied from the battery (chemical battery) power source EB, and the additional function operation enabled icon CiD and the remaining battery voltage icon (high) BiH or (medium) BiM corresponding to the battery voltage Vb are displayed, and the solar supply enabled icon SiH or the solar supply disabled icon SiL is displayed according to the solar voltage Vs. If the battery voltage Vb is lower than the second reference value, the additional function operation disabled icon CiE and the remaining battery voltage icon (low) BiL or (none) BiE corresponding to the battery voltage Vb are displayed, and the solar supply enabled icon SiH or the solar supply disabled icon SiL is displayed according to the solar voltage Vs. If the battery voltage Vb drops below the solar voltage Vs, power is switched to the solar power source ES. Therefore, the user can easily know, for example, with power supplied from the battery power source EB, how much battery voltage is remaining before the additional function can be used, how much the battery voltage Vb has dropped to the point where the additional function cannot be used, and whether the calculator function can continue to be used even if the additional function cannot be used due to the remaining battery voltage Vb or the solar voltage Vs being generated.

[0039] The user can take appropriate action depending on the power supply status, such as restoring power generation from the solar power source ES or replacing the battery power source EB as needed. This makes it possible to improve the convenience of electronic devices that operate on solar power and chemical battery power for various purposes.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the power generation status (power generation / no power generation) of the solar power source ES, the solar voltage Vs, the battery voltage Vb of the battery power source EB, and the remaining battery voltage correspond to the power supply capacity. Also, the switching status of the power supply between the solar power source ES and the battery power source EB (in solar priority mode, the combination of the solar power supply icon SiH or no supply icon SiL and the remaining battery voltage icon Bi; in additional function mode, the combination of the additional function operation enabled icon CiD or the operation disabled icon CiE and the remaining battery voltage icon Bi), and the battery voltage Vb corresponding to the switching criterion (remaining battery voltage icon (medium) BiM (above the second reference value) or (low) BiL (below the second reference value)) correspond to the presence or absence of power supply. Also, whether or not the solar priority mode is active (solar priority icon Pi) corresponds to the power supply priority state. The power supply capacity, the presence or absence of power supply, and the power supply priority state are all included in the power supply status (power supply state).

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of types of icons with different designs corresponding to the various power supply states are used to represent the various power supply states in the solar priority mode and additional function mode, in which power is supplied from the selectively switchable solar (photovoltaic) power source ES or battery (chemical battery) power source EB. However, this is not limited to this, and the various power supply states may be represented, for example, by using the figure-eight segments of the display device 22 to display letters or symbols corresponding to the various power supply states when the [AC] key is operated, or by changing the gradation of the display body of the display device 22 according to the remaining battery voltage.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the additional logic power supply for supplying power to the additional function (here, short-range wireless communication device 23) is obtained from battery power supply EB switched via power supply switching circuit 18 in LSI 11. However, this is not limiting, and for example, for an additional function device requiring higher power (current), the power supply as the additional logic power supply may be branched off before the input terminal of battery power supply EB to LSI 11 (power supply switching circuit 18). In the above-described embodiment, a battery (chemical battery) power supply EB having a rated voltage of 3 V is used in consideration of the operating voltage of the additional function. However, if a battery power supply EB having a rated voltage of 1.5 V, which is lower than the operating voltage of the additional function, is used, the battery voltage Vb boosted from the output terminal of battery power supply EB via a boost circuit may be used as the additional logic power supply.

[0043] The processing methods performed by the electronic calculator 10 described in the above embodiments, i.e., the operation mode setting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the power supply switching process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, and the power supply status display process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, can all be stored as computer-executable programs on an external storage medium such as a memory card (e.g., a ROM card or a RAM card), a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk or a hard disk), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM or a DVD), or a semiconductor memory, and distributed. A control unit (CPU) of an electronic device capable of executing multiple functions and powered by a dual power supply system using a solar (solar cell) power source ES and a battery (chemical battery) power source EB can load the programs stored on the external storage medium into a storage device, and the loaded programs control the operation of the electronic device, thereby realizing the various functions described in the embodiments and executing similar processing using the above-mentioned methods.

[0044] In addition, the program data for realizing each method can be transmitted over a communication network in the form of program code, and the program data can be imported into an electronic device from a computer device (program server) connected to this communication network and stored in a storage device, thereby realizing the various functions described above.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10...electronic calculator (electronic device), 12...CPU (control unit), 13a...calculator control program, 18...power supply switching circuit, 19...voltage detection circuit, 21...key input device (input unit), 22...display device (display unit), 23...near-field wireless communication device (additional function), ES...solar (solar battery) power supply, EB...battery (chemical battery) power supply, Si, Pi, Ci, Bi...icon (power supply status display information).< / on> < / off>

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: a control unit that controls selective power supply from a solar cell power source and a chemical battery power source in accordance with the execution status of a plurality of functions that require different power or power supply voltages to be executed, and controls a display unit to display information indicating the status of the power supply from each of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source.

2. Further provided is a power supply unit that selectively supplies power from the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the selective power supply by the power supply unit in accordance with the execution status of the plurality of functions, and causes the display unit to display information indicating a plurality of states related to the power supply, including a switching state or a setting state of a switching method between the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source.

3. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating at least one of the following states regarding the power supply from each of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source: a power supply capacity determined by the state of the power source regardless of the execution state of a function; presence or absence of power supply determined by the execution state of a function and the state of the power source; and a power source switching method.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating, as the plurality of states related to the power supply, the power supply capacity of the solar cell power source or the chemical battery power source, whether or not power is being supplied from the solar cell power source or the chemical battery power source, and a setting state of a switching method for the solar cell power source or the chemical battery power source.

5. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a type of state to be displayed on the display unit from among a plurality of states related to the power supply in accordance with setting states of a plurality of operation modes for selecting execution states of the plurality of functions and setting states of a plurality of operation modes for selecting a method of switching between the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit sets a plurality of operation modes for selecting the execution state and a plurality of operation modes for selecting the switching method in association with each other.

7. the control unit executes a designated function from among a plurality of functions including a calculator function that operates on the solar cell power source and an additional function other than the calculator function that operates on the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source; Detecting the voltage of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein which of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source is to be primarily supplied as a power source is controlled according to a function being executed and a detected voltage of each power source.

8. the control unit, when executing the calculator function, detects voltages of the solar battery power source and the chemical battery power source each time a specific key is input, and selects a type of status to be displayed on the display unit from among a plurality of types of statuses related to the power supply, according to the calculator function and the detected voltages of each power source; 8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, when an additional function other than the calculator function is being executed, the voltages of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source are detected at regular time intervals, and a type of status to be displayed on the display unit from among a plurality of types of statuses related to the power supply is selected in accordance with the additional function and the detected voltages of each power source.

9. a solar cell priority mode in which power is supplied from the solar cell power source regardless of the voltage of the chemical battery power source if the voltage of the solar cell power source is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a high voltage power source selection mode in which power is supplied from the solar cell power source or the chemical battery power source, whichever has a higher voltage; The electronic device according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit selects a display of the state related to the power supply in accordance with the switched operation mode.

10. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit switches to the solar cell priority mode when the calculator function is being executed, and switches to the high-voltage power supply selection mode when an additional function other than the calculator function is being executed.

11. The control unit of the electronic device A power supply status display method that controls selective power supply from a solar cell power source and a chemical battery power source in accordance with the execution status of a plurality of functions that require different power or power supply voltages to be executed, and controls a display unit to display information indicating the status of the power supply from each of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source.

12. The control unit of the electronic device, A program that controls the selective power supply from a solar cell power source and a chemical battery power source according to the execution status of multiple functions that require different power or power supply voltages to execute, and displays information indicating the status of the power supply from each of the solar cell power source and the chemical battery power source on a display unit.

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