Electronic apparatus, program, and mode switching method

Abstract

To more appropriately perform mode switching in an electronic apparatus capable of switching a plurality of modes.SOLUTION: The control unit of the electronic timepiece acquires a detection value of the illuminance sensor, and determines whether the surroundings of the electronic timepiece are bright or dark based on whether or not the acquired detection value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In a case where it is determined that the surroundings of the electronic timepiece are bright, the control unit determines switching between the normal mode and the power saving mode based on a bright time switching condition in which an action of the user when the surroundings are bright is assumed. In a case where it is determined that the surroundings of the electronic timepiece are dark, the control unit determines switching between the normal mode and the power saving mode on the basis of a dark-time switching condition in which an action of the user when the surroundings are dark is assumed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices have been disclosed that acquire position information or posture information of a user, determine the state of the user based on the acquired position information or posture information, and switch from normal mode to power-saving mode depending on the determination result (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-68499 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the expected behavior of users differs depending on whether it is bright or dark. Therefore, if the same conditions are used to determine whether to switch modes in both bright and dark environments, there is a problem that the device may switch to normal mode when the user is not using the electronic device, or that unnecessary determination processes may be performed, resulting in excess power consumption.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable more appropriate mode switching in an electronic device capable of switching between a plurality of modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode that operates with lower power consumption than the first mode, and includes: a brightness information acquisition unit that acquires brightness information relating to the brightness of the surroundings of the electronic device; and a control unit that determines whether to switch between the first mode and the second mode based on different switching conditions when it is determined that the acquired brightness information is equal to or greater than a threshold and when it is determined that the acquired brightness information is less than the threshold; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in an electronic device capable of switching between a plurality of modes, mode switching can be performed more appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic timepiece. [Figure 2] 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a mode switching process executed by the control unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for determining whether to switch to a power saving mode, which is executed in step S3 of FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of determining whether to switch to the normal mode, which is executed in step S4 of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for implementing the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0010] First, we will explain an example of the configuration of the electronic watch 1 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the electronic watch 1 is configured with a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a sensor unit 15, a timing unit 16, a communication unit 17, and a battery 18, and each unit is connected via a bus 19.

[0011] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and controls each component of the electronic watch 1. The CPU of the control unit 11 reads out a designated program from among the system programs and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 12, loads it into the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the loaded program. For example, the control unit 11 executes the mode switching process shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The control unit 11 also causes the display unit 14 to display the timekeeping result of the timekeeping unit 16.

[0012] The control unit 11 may have multiple CPUs. The multiple processes executed by the control unit 11 of this embodiment may be executed by the multiple CPUs. In this case, the multiple CPUs may be involved in a common process. Alternatively, the multiple CPUs may independently execute different processes in parallel.

[0013] The storage unit 12 is configured with non-volatile memory or the like, and stores programs, data, etc. The storage unit 12 is not limited to being built into the electronic watch 1, but may also include an external recording medium that is detachable from the electronic watch 1. The storage unit 12 stores, for example, the system program of the electronic watch 1, programs for executing various processes including the mode switching process described below, and the like.

[0014] The operation unit 13 detects operations by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected operation to the control unit 11. For example, the operation unit 13 includes a crown or a push button switch, and outputs a signal corresponding to these operations to the control unit 11. The operation unit 13 also includes a tilt switch, which outputs an ON signal to the control unit 11 when the user tilts the electronic timepiece 1 to a predetermined angle. In this embodiment, the tilt switch turns ON when the main body (display unit 14) of the electronic timepiece 1 is approximately horizontal, and outputs an ON signal to the control unit 11. Furthermore, the operation unit 13 may include a touch panel.

[0015] Display unit 14 is configured with a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), and displays information based on the control operation of control unit 11. Display unit 14 may also include a dial with second, minute, and hour hands, and display the time by pointing the hands at the scales on the dial.

[0016] The sensor unit 15 is configured to include at least an illuminance sensor 151 and an acceleration sensor 152, and outputs the detection values ​​of these sensors to the control unit 11. The illuminance sensor 151 outputs a detection value of the brightness around the electronic watch 1 to the control unit 11. The detection value of the brightness around the electronic watch 1 output by the illuminance sensor 151 is brightness information related to the brightness around the electronic watch 1. The illuminance sensor 151 functions as a brightness information acquisition unit. The acceleration sensor 152 outputs detection values ​​of acceleration in three axial directions to the control unit 11. The sensor unit 15 may also include other sensors such as a barometric pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, etc.

[0017] The clock unit 16 includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, a clock circuit, etc., and clocks the current date and time and outputs the clocked result to the control unit 11.

[0018] The communication unit 17 performs communication control for communicating with an external device such as a user's mobile terminal via Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0019] The battery 18 is a primary battery or a rechargeable secondary battery, and supplies power to each component of the electronic timepiece 1. The electronic timepiece 1 may also be configured with a solar panel for charging the battery 18.

[0020] Next, the operation of the electronic timepiece 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figures 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of mode switching processing executed by the control unit 11 of the electronic timepiece 1. The mode switching processing is processing for switching between normal mode (first mode) and power saving mode (second mode). The power saving mode is a mode in which the electronic timepiece 1 operates with less power consumption than normal mode, for example, by turning off the screen display of the display unit 14 or by partially halting the movement of the hands. The mode switching processing is executed by the control unit 11 in cooperation with a program stored in the memory unit 12 while the power of the electronic timepiece 1 is on.

[0021] 2, in the mode switching process, first, the control unit 11 determines whether HALT has been released (step S1). HALT is a mode in which the operation of the CPU of the control unit 11 is temporarily halted during periods when processing is not required in order to suppress unnecessary processing and reduce power consumption. HALT is released, for example, upon an interrupt or at predetermined intervals, and a program is executed while HALT is released.

[0022] If it is determined that HALT has not been released (step S1; NO), the control unit 11 returns to step S1. If it is determined that HALT has been released (step S1; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the device is operating in the power saving mode (step S2). If it is determined that the device is not operating in the power saving mode (i.e., operating in the normal mode) (step S2; NO), the control unit 11 executes a process for determining whether to switch to the power saving mode (step S3). If it is determined that the device is operating in the power saving mode (step S2; YES), the control unit 11 executes a process for determining whether to switch to the normal mode (step S4).

[0023] First, referring to Figure 3, the process of determining whether to switch to power-saving mode, which is executed during operation in normal mode, will be described. In the process of determining whether to switch to power-saving mode, the control unit 11 determines whether the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are bright or dark, and if it determines that the surroundings are bright, determines whether to switch the operating mode from normal mode to power-saving mode based on the light-time switching condition for switching from normal mode to power-saving mode. The light-time switching condition is a condition set assuming user behavior when the surroundings are bright. The light-time switching condition for switching from normal mode to power-saving mode is a user behavior or state of the electronic timepiece 1 that is expected to have no or very little impact on the user even if the surroundings are bright, and includes the following (1) and (2): (1) The electronic watch 1 is not worn by the user, and the electronic watch 1 is not connected to an external device for communication. (2) The user is wearing the electronic watch 1 and is walking or running at a predetermined speed or faster.

[0024] Furthermore, if it is determined in the process of determining whether to switch to the power saving mode that the electronic watch 1 is dark, the control unit 11 determines whether to switch the operating mode from the normal mode to the power saving mode based on the dark switching condition for switching from the normal mode to the power saving mode. The light switching condition and the dark switching condition are different from each other. The dark switching condition is a condition set based on the user's behavior when the surroundings are dark. The dark switching condition for switching from the normal mode to the power saving mode is a user behavior or state of the electronic watch 1 that is expected to have no or very little impact on the user even if the surroundings are dark, and includes the following (3): (3) The electronic clock 1 has not been operated by the user for the last specified time.

[0025] 3, in the process of determining whether to switch to power saving mode, the control unit 11 first determines whether the area around the electronic timepiece 1 is bright (step S31). For example, the control unit 11 determines that the area around the electronic timepiece 1 is bright when the detection value of the illuminance sensor 151 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and determines that the area around the electronic timepiece 1 is dark when the detection value of the illuminance sensor 151 is below the predetermined threshold. Note that if the electronic device 1 is equipped with a solar panel, for example, it may also determine whether the area around the electronic device 1 is bright based on the amount of power generated by the solar panel.

[0026] If it is determined that the area around the electronic watch 1 is bright (step S31; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the electronic watch 1 is not being worn (step S32). For example, in step S32, the control unit 11 performs a behavioral analysis to estimate the user's current behavior based on the detection values ​​of the sensor unit 15 (e.g., the acceleration sensor 152), and determines whether the electronic watch 1 is not being worn based on the results of the behavioral analysis. The behavioral analysis estimates whether the user's movement corresponds to one of the following behaviors: stopping, walking, running, cycling, not wearing the electronic watch 1, or something else. For example, if it is determined based on the detection values ​​of the acceleration sensor 152 that there has been no movement of the electronic watch 1 for a certain period of time, the control unit 11 determines that the electronic watch 1 is not being worn. Note that the behavioral analysis may be performed using any known algorithm, and the method is not particularly limited.

[0027] If it is determined that the electronic timepiece 1 is not being worn (step S32; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the communication unit 17 is connected to an external device via Bluetooth (connected for communication) (step S33). If it is determined that the electronic timepiece 1 is not connected to an external device via Bluetooth (step S33; NO), the control unit 11 determines to switch to power-saving mode, performs processing to switch to power-saving mode (step S37), and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. If the electronic timepiece 1 is not being worn and is not connected to an external device such as the user's mobile terminal via Bluetooth, it is assumed that the user is away from the electronic timepiece 1 and will not be viewing (using) the display of the electronic timepiece 1. Therefore, if the electronic timepiece 1 is not being worn and is not connected to an external device via Bluetooth, the control unit 11 determines to switch to power-saving mode. In the processing to switch to power-saving mode, the control unit 11 performs processing to reduce power consumption, such as hiding the screen of the display unit 14 or stopping the movement of the hands.

[0028] If it is determined that an external device is connected via Bluetooth (step S33; YES), the control unit 11 determines not to switch to power saving mode and returns to step S1 in Fig. 2. Even if the electronic timepiece 1 is not being worn, if it is connected via Bluetooth to an external device such as the user's mobile terminal, it is assumed that the user is near the electronic timepiece 1 and looking at (using) the display of the electronic timepiece 1. Therefore, if the electronic timepiece 1 is not being worn but is connected to an external device via Bluetooth, the control unit 11 determines not to switch to power saving mode.

[0029] If it is determined in step S32 that the electronic timepiece 1 is not in an unworn state (worn state) (step S32; NO), the control unit 11 determines through behavior analysis whether the user is walking or running (step S34). If it is determined that the user is walking or running (step S34; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the moving speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed (e.g., 15 km / h or greater) (step S35). If it is determined that the moving speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined speed (step S35; YES), the control unit 11 determines to switch to the power-saving mode, performs the switching process to the power-saving mode (step S37), and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. Even if the user is wearing the electronic timepiece 1, it is expected that the user will have difficulty viewing the display of the timepiece if they are walking or running at a predetermined moving speed or greater. Therefore, if the control unit 11 determines that the user is walking or running at a predetermined moving speed or greater while wearing the electronic timepiece 1, it determines to switch to the power-saving mode.

[0030] If it is determined in step S34 that the user is not walking or running (step S34; NO), or if it is determined in step S35 that the user's moving speed is below a predetermined speed (step S35; NO), the control unit 11 determines not to switch to power saving mode and returns to step S1 in Fig. 2. If the user is not walking or running while wearing the electronic watch 1, or is walking or running at a speed below the predetermined moving speed, it is assumed that the user may view (use) the display of the electronic watch 1. Therefore, if the control unit 11 determines that the user is not walking or running while wearing the electronic watch 1, or that the user is walking or running at a speed below the predetermined moving speed, it determines not to switch to power saving mode.

[0031] In this way, by differentiating the switching conditions based on the user's actions when the electronic timepiece 2 is worn and when it is not worn, it is possible to switch modes more appropriately.

[0032] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the electronic timepiece 1 is dark (step S31; NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not a user operation of the operation unit 13 has been detected within the most recent predetermined time (step S36). The predetermined time is, for example, about one hour. If it is determined that a user operation of the operation unit 13 has not been detected within the most recent predetermined time (step S36; NO), the control unit 11 determines to switch to the power-saving mode, performs the switching process to the power-saving mode (step S37), and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. If the electronic timepiece 1 is dark around the timepiece 1 and no user operation has been performed for a predetermined time, it is assumed that the user has not looked at (used) the electronic timepiece 1 for a long time at night. Therefore, if the electronic timepiece 1 is dark around the timepiece 1 and no user operation has been detected within the most recent predetermined time, the control unit 11 determines to switch to the power-saving mode.

[0033] In step S36, if it is determined that a user operation of the operation unit 13 has been detected within the most recent predetermined time (step S36; YES), the control unit 11 determines not to switch to the power saving mode and returns to step S1 in Fig. 2. If a user operation has been detected within the most recent predetermined time, the user is using the electronic watch 1, so the control unit 11 does not switch to the power saving mode.

[0034] Thus, in the process of determining whether to switch to the power-saving mode, which is executed while the electronic timepiece 1 is operating in the normal mode, the control unit 11 determines whether the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are bright or dark. If it is determined that the surroundings are bright, the control unit 11 determines whether to switch the operating mode from the normal mode to the power-saving mode based on the light-time switching condition for switching from the normal mode to the power-saving mode. If it is determined that the surroundings are dark, the control unit 11 determines whether to switch the operating mode from the normal mode to the power-saving mode based on the dark-time switching condition for switching from the normal mode to the power-saving mode. Therefore, whether to switch to the power-saving mode is determined using different switching conditions that anticipate user behavior when the surroundings are bright and when the surroundings are dark. This makes it possible to more appropriately determine situations in which switching to the power-saving mode will not affect the user, thereby improving the power-saving effect.

[0035] Next, the process for determining whether to switch to normal mode, which is executed while the electronic watch 1 is operating in power saving mode, will be described with reference to Figure 4. In the process for determining whether to switch to normal mode, the control unit 11 determines whether the surroundings of the electronic watch 1 are bright or dark, and if it determines that the surroundings are bright, determines whether to switch the operating mode from power saving mode to normal mode based on the light switching condition for switching from power saving mode to normal mode. As described above, the light switching condition is a condition set assuming the user's behavior when the surroundings are bright. The light switching condition for switching from power saving mode to normal mode is a user behavior or state of the electronic watch 1 that is expected to result in the user using (using) the electronic watch 1 when the surroundings are bright, and includes the following (4) and (5). (4) The user is not asleep and is not wearing the electronic watch 1, but is connected to an external device. (5) The user is not asleep, is wearing the electronic watch 1, and a user operation is detected on the electronic watch 1.

[0036] Furthermore, in the process of determining whether to switch to the normal mode, the control unit 11 determines whether the surroundings of the electronic watch 1 are bright or dark, and if it determines that the surroundings are dark, determines whether to switch the operating mode from the power saving mode to the normal mode based on the dark switching condition for switching from the power saving mode to the normal mode. As described above, the dark switching condition is a condition set in consideration of the user's behavior when the surroundings are dark. The dark switching condition for switching from the power saving mode to the normal mode is a user behavior or state of the electronic watch 1 that is expected to result in the user using (using) the electronic watch 1 when the surroundings are dark, and includes the following (6) and (7): (6) A user operation other than the tilt switch is detected on the electronic watch 1. (7) The tilt switch operation is detected in the electronic watch 1, and the user is not asleep.

[0037] 4, in the process of determining whether to switch to power saving mode, the control unit 11 first determines whether the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are bright (step S41). For example, if the value detected by the illuminance sensor 151 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 determines that the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are bright, and if the value detected by the illuminance sensor 151 is below the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 determines that the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are dark.

[0038] If it is determined that the electronic timepiece 1 is brightly lit (step S41; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the user is asleep (step S42). For example, the control unit 11 determines whether the user is asleep based on the movement of the user's arm obtained from the detection value of the acceleration sensor 152. Note that the determination of whether the user is asleep may be made using any known algorithm, and is not particularly limited. If it is determined that the user is asleep (step S42; YES), the control unit 11 determines not to switch to normal mode and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. If the user is asleep even when the surroundings are brightly lit, the user will not be looking at or using the display of the electronic timepiece 1, so the mode will not be switched to power saving mode.

[0039] If it is determined that the user is not asleep (step S42; NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the electronic watch 1 is not being worn (step S43). As described above, whether the electronic watch 1 is not being worn can be determined by behavioral analysis based on the detection value of the sensor unit 15. If it is determined that the electronic watch 1 is not being worn (is being worn) (step S43; NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S45.

[0040] If it is determined that the electronic watch 1 is not being worn (step S43; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the communication unit 17 is connected to an external device via Bluetooth (step S44). If it is determined that the electronic watch 1 is not connected to an external device via Bluetooth (step S44; NO), the control unit 11 determines not to switch to normal mode and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. If the electronic watch 1 is not being worn and is not connected to an external device such as the user's mobile terminal via Bluetooth, it is assumed that the user is away from the electronic watch 1 and will not be looking at (using) the display of the electronic watch 1. Therefore, even if the area around the electronic watch 1 is bright, the control unit 11 determines not to switch to normal mode if the electronic watch 1 is not being worn and is not connected to an external device via Bluetooth.

[0041] If it is determined in step S44 that an external device is connected via Bluetooth (step S44; YES), the control unit 11 determines to switch to normal mode, executes processing for switching to normal mode (step S48), and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. In processing for switching to normal mode, the control unit 11 performs processing such as displaying the screen of the display unit 14 and restarting the movement of the hands. Even if the electronic timepiece 1 is not being worn, if it is connected to an external device via Bluetooth, it is assumed that the user is near the electronic timepiece 1 and is looking at (using) the display of the electronic timepiece 1. Therefore, if the electronic timepiece 1 is not being worn but is connected to an external device via Bluetooth, the control unit 11 switches to normal mode.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S41 that the electronic timepiece 1 is dark (step S41; NO), or if it is determined in step S43 that the electronic timepiece 1 is being worn (step S43; NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not a user operation of the operation unit 13 has been detected within the most recent predetermined time (step S45). As described above, the predetermined time is, for example, about one hour. If it is determined that a user operation of the operation unit 13 has not been detected within the most recent predetermined time (step S45; NO), the control unit 11 determines not to switch to normal mode and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. If the electronic timepiece 1 is dark and no user operation has been performed for a predetermined time, it is assumed that the user has not looked at the display of the electronic timepiece 1 (has not used it) for a long time at night. Therefore, the control unit 11 determines not to switch to normal mode if the electronic timepiece 1 is dark and no user operation has been performed for a predetermined time.

[0043] If it is determined in step S45 that a user operation of the operation unit 13 has been detected within the most recent predetermined time (step S45; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the operation was an operation of the tilt switch (step S46). If it is determined that the operation was an operation other than the tilt switch (step S46; NO), the control unit 11 determines to switch to the normal mode and performs the switching process to the normal mode (step S48), returning to step S1 in FIG. 2. The tilt switch may be operated unintentionally by the user while asleep, but operations other than the tilt switch on the operation unit 13, such as the push button switch and crown, are intentionally performed by the user. In other words, even if the electronic timepiece 1 is surrounded by a dark environment, if an operation other than the tilt switch is detected, it is assumed that the user is attempting to view (use) the display of the electronic timepiece 1. Therefore, even if the electronic timepiece 1 is surrounded by a dark environment, the control unit 11 performs the switching process to the normal mode if an operation other than the tilt switch on the operation unit 13 is detected.

[0044] If it is determined in step S46 that the operation was a tilt switch operation (step S46; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the user is asleep or not based on the detection value of the acceleration sensor 152 (step S47). If it is determined that the user is asleep (step S47; NO), the control unit 11 determines not to switch to normal mode and returns to step S1 in FIG. 2. Even if the user operates the tilt switch when it is dark around the electronic timepiece 1, if the user is asleep, it is likely that the operation was caused by turning over in bed. Therefore, even if the user operates the tilt switch when it is dark around the electronic timepiece 1, if the user is asleep, the control unit 11 does not switch to normal mode.

[0045] If it is determined in step S47 that the user is not asleep (step S47; NO), the control unit 11 determines to switch to normal mode and performs the process of switching to normal mode (step S48), and returns to step S1 in Fig. 2. Even if the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are dark, if the tilt switch is operated and the user is not asleep, it is assumed that the user is trying to view the display of the electronic timepiece 1. Therefore, even if the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are dark, if the tilt switch is operated and the user is not asleep, the control unit 11 performs the process of switching to normal mode.

[0046] Thus, in the process of determining whether to switch to normal mode, which is executed while the electronic timepiece 1 is operating in power-saving mode, the control unit 11 determines whether the surroundings of the electronic timepiece 1 are bright or dark. If the surroundings are determined to be bright, the control unit 11 determines whether to switch the operating mode from power-saving mode to normal mode based on the light-time switching condition for switching from power-saving mode to normal mode. If the surroundings are determined to be dark, the control unit 11 determines whether to switch the operating mode from normal mode to power-saving mode based on the dark-time switching condition for switching from power-saving mode to normal mode. Therefore, whether to switch to normal mode is determined using different switching conditions that anticipate user behavior when the surroundings are bright and when they are dark, allowing for more appropriate determination of the situation in which to switch to normal mode. This prevents unnecessary switching to normal mode and improves power-saving effects.

[0047] As described above, the control unit 11 of the electronic watch 1 acquires the detection value of the illuminance sensor 151 and determines whether the acquired detection value is above or below a predetermined threshold, i.e., whether the surroundings of the electronic watch 1 are bright or dark. If it is determined that the surroundings of the electronic watch 1 are bright, the control unit 11 determines whether to switch between normal mode and power-saving mode based on light-time switching conditions that assume the user's behavior when the surroundings are bright. If it is determined that the surroundings of the electronic watch 1 are dark, the control unit 11 determines whether to switch between normal mode and power-saving mode based on dark-time switching conditions that assume the user's behavior when the surroundings are dark. Therefore, because the control unit 11 determines whether to switch modes using different switching conditions that assume the user's behavior when the surroundings are bright and dark, it is possible to switch modes more appropriately in both bright and dark environments, thereby improving power saving effects.

[0048] For example, if the control unit 11 determines that the area around the electronic watch 1 is bright, it determines whether the user is wearing the electronic watch 1, and applies different switching conditions when it determines that the user is wearing the electronic watch 1 and when it determines that the user is not wearing the electronic watch 1. Therefore, by differentiating the switching conditions based on the user's behavior when wearing the electronic watch 1 and when not wearing the electronic watch 1, it is possible to switch modes more appropriately.

[0049] For example, if the control unit 11 determines that the electronic watch 1 is in normal mode and that it is bright around the electronic watch 1, that the electronic watch 1 is not worn by the user, and that the electronic watch 1 is not connected to an external device for communication, it switches the electronic watch 1 from normal mode to power-saving mode. Therefore, if the surroundings are bright, the electronic watch 1 can be switched to power-saving mode under circumstances where it is assumed that the user is clearly not near the electronic watch 1, thereby increasing the power-saving effect without causing the user the annoyance of switching to power-saving mode while looking at (using) the display of the electronic watch 1.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, if the control unit 11 determines that the electronic watch 1 is in normal mode and the electronic watch 1 is in a bright environment, and that the electronic watch 1 is worn by a user and the user is engaged in a predetermined activity, it switches the electronic watch 1 from normal mode to power-saving mode. Therefore, even if the electronic watch 1 is in a bright environment and the user is wearing it, the electronic watch 1 can be switched to power-saving mode if the user is engaging in an activity that prevents the user from seeing the display, thereby improving power-saving effects.

[0051] Furthermore, for example, if the control unit 11 determines that the electronic watch 1 is in the power saving mode and that it is dark around the electronic watch 1, detects a user operation on the electronic watch 1, and determines that the user is not asleep, it switches the electronic watch 1 from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Therefore, if the electronic watch 1 is in the dark and the user is asleep, the mode will not switch to the normal mode even if there is a user operation, so it is possible to prevent the electronic watch 1 from returning to the normal mode due to an unintended operation by the user, such as turning over in bed, and the power saving effect can be improved.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, if the control unit 11 determines that the electronic timepiece 1 is in the power saving mode and the user is asleep, it will not switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode. This prevents the electronic timepiece 1 from returning to the normal mode while the user is asleep, when the user is clearly not looking at or using the display of the electronic timepiece 1, thereby improving the power saving effect.

[0053] Furthermore, the light-time switching conditions and dark-time switching conditions are different when switching from normal mode to power-saving mode and when switching from power-saving mode to normal mode, so that mode switching can be performed under conditions appropriate for each of switching from normal mode to power-saving mode and switching from power-saving mode to normal mode.

[0054] The contents of the above embodiment are a preferred example of an embodiment of the electronic device, the program, and the mode switching method of the present invention, and are not limited to this.

[0055] For example, in the above embodiment, if the electronic timepiece 1 is determined to be dark while operating in power-saving mode and an operation other than that of the tilt sensor of the operation unit 13 is detected, the electronic timepiece 1 switches to normal mode as a user-intentioned operation. However, some models of electronic timepieces 1 are designed with an easy-to-operate push button switch to prioritize operability. In such models, the push button switch may be turned on by turning over in bed. Therefore, the storage unit 12 may store models with easy-to-operate push button switches and models with stiff push button switches, and the dark switching condition for switching from power-saving mode to normal mode may be varied depending on the model of the electronic timepiece 1 during the switching process to normal mode. For example, if the electronic timepiece 1 is a model with a stiff push button switch, the control unit 11 determines to switch from power-saving mode to normal mode when an operation other than that of the tilt switch of the operation unit 13 is detected, or when operation of the tilt switch is detected and the user is not asleep (first condition), as shown in FIG. 4 . If the electronic watch 1 is a model with easy-to-operate button switches, the control unit 11 determines to switch from the power-saving mode to the normal mode when it detects operation of the operation unit 13 (including the push button switch and tilt switch) and determines that the user is not asleep (second condition). This prevents the mode from switching to the normal mode if the user unintentionally operates the operation by turning over in their sleep. Note that the user may be able to set, by operating the operation unit 13, whether to use the first condition or the second condition as the dark-time switching condition for switching from the power-saving mode to the normal mode.

[0056] In the above embodiment, if the control unit 11 determines that the electronic timepiece 1 is brightly lit while operating in normal mode, it performs the determination process of steps S32 to S35 in FIG. 3 , and if it determines that the light-time switching condition is met, it determines to switch from normal mode to power-saving mode. However, some users may not want to switch to power-saving mode when it is brightly lit. Therefore, a setting unit may be provided that allows the user to set, by operating the operation unit 13, whether to switch from normal mode to power-saving mode based on the light-time switching condition, or not to switch from normal mode to power-saving mode. This allows the user to determine whether to switch from normal mode to power-saving mode according to their preferences.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light switching condition for switching from normal mode to power saving mode was that the electronic watch 1 was not worn by the user and was not connected to an external device for communication, but the light switching condition could also be simply that the electronic watch 1 was not worn by the user. This allows the electronic watch 1 to switch to power saving mode when the surroundings are bright and the user is not wearing it, thereby improving power saving effects.

[0058] In the above embodiment, Bluetooth is used for communication between the electronic timepiece 1 and external devices, but other communication methods may also be used.

[0059] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention was described as an electronic watch 1, but the electronic device is not limited to the electronic watch 1 and may be, for example, another electronic device such as a smartphone.

[0060] In the above description, examples have been disclosed in which semiconductor memory, HDD, etc. are used as computer-readable media for the program according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Portable recording media such as CD-ROMs can also be used as other computer-readable media. Furthermore, carrier waves can also be used as a medium for providing data for the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0061] The above describes embodiments and modifications of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Electronic device, 11 Control unit, 12 Memory unit, 13 Operation unit, 14 Display unit, 15 Sensor unit, 16 Timekeeping unit, 17 Communication unit, 18 Battery, 19 Bus

Claims

1. An electronic device capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode that operates with lower power consumption than the first mode, a brightness information acquisition unit that acquires brightness information relating to the brightness of the surroundings of the electronic device; a control unit that determines whether to switch between the first mode and the second mode based on different switching conditions when it is determined that the acquired brightness information is equal to or greater than a threshold and when it is determined that the acquired brightness information is less than the threshold; An electronic device comprising:

2. When the control unit determines that the brightness information is equal to or greater than a threshold, the control unit determines whether the electronic device is worn by a user; the switching condition is further different depending on whether it is determined that the electronic device is worn by the user or not; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. When the control unit determines that the electronic device is not worn by the user and is not connected for communication with an external device while the electronic device is in the first mode, the control unit switches the electronic device from the first mode to the second mode. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

4. When the control unit determines that the electronic device is worn by the user and that the user is performing a predetermined action while the electronic device is in the first mode, the control unit switches the electronic device from the first mode to the second mode. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

5. The predetermined behavior is that the user is walking or running at a predetermined speed.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. When the control unit determines that the light / dark information is less than a threshold value while the electronic device is in the second mode, the control unit switches the electronic device from the second mode to the first mode when a user operation is detected in the electronic device and the user is determined not to be asleep. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

7. When the control unit determines that the light / dark information is equal to or greater than a threshold value when the electronic device is in the second mode, and determines that the user is sleeping, the control unit does not switch from the second mode to the first mode. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

8. The switching conditions are different when switching from the first mode to the second mode and when switching from the second mode to the first mode. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

9. a setting unit that allows a user to set whether to switch from the first mode to the second mode based on the switching condition when it is determined that the brightness information is equal to or greater than a threshold value, or not to switch from the first mode to the second mode based on the switching condition; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

10. A computer of an electronic device that can switch between a first mode and a second mode that operates with lower power consumption than the first mode, a determination of switching between the first mode and the second mode based on different switching conditions when it is determined that the brightness information acquired by a brightness information acquisition unit that acquires brightness information related to the brightness around the electronic device is equal to or greater than a threshold and when it is determined that the brightness information is less than the threshold; A program for executing a process.

11. A computer of an electronic device that can switch between a first mode and a second mode that operates with lower power consumption than the first mode, a determination of switching between the first mode and the second mode based on different switching conditions when it is determined that the brightness information acquired by a brightness information acquisition unit that acquires brightness information related to the brightness around the electronic device is equal to or greater than a threshold and when it is determined that the brightness information is less than the threshold; How to switch modes.

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