Folding equipment

Abstract

This reduces the power consumption of folding devices equipped with touch panel displays. [Solution] The folding device comprises a housing having a lower housing and an upper housing, a touch panel display 12 having a lower touch panel 71 housed in the lower housing and an upper touch panel 72 housed in the upper housing, a hinge connecting the upper housing to the lower housing so that the housing can be folded, an opening angle detection unit 41 detecting the opening angle of the housing, and a control unit 47 reducing the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 when the opening angle becomes smaller than a specific angle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a folding device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device. In this electronic device, a second area is located within a first area of ​​a touch panel. After scanning the first area and before scanning the first area again, the second area is scanned at least once. This improves the accuracy of detecting touch coordinates in the second area. It also reduces the power consumption of the entire device (paragraphs 0013, 0017, 0021, and 0027). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 008492 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The electronic device disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot sufficiently reduce the power consumption of the electronic device when the electronic device is a foldable device.

[0005] In view of this problem, an aspect of the present disclosure aims to reduce power consumption in a foldable device that includes a touch panel display, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A folding device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a lower housing and an upper housing, a touch panel display having a lower touch panel housed in the lower housing and an upper touch panel housed in the upper housing, a hinge connecting the upper housing to the lower housing so that the housing is foldable, an opening angle detection unit detecting an opening angle of the housing, and a control unit reducing the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel when the opening angle becomes smaller than a specific angle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the folding device of the first embodiment in a fully opened state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the folding device of the first embodiment in a half-open state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the folding device of the first embodiment in a closed state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating the folding device of the first embodiment in a half-open state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the folding device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6A] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the folding device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the folding device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6C] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the folding device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6D] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the folding device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6E] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the folding device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7]5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of time-dependent changes in a touch panel on which scanning is performed in the folding device of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the folding device of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0009] 1. First embodiment 1.1 Appearance Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a folding device of the first embodiment in a fully open state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a folding device of the first embodiment in a half-open state. Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a folding device of the first embodiment in a closed state. Fig. 4 is a side view schematically illustrating a folding device of the first embodiment in a half-open state.

[0010] The folding device 1 of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 is a foldable smartphone. The folding device 1 may be a foldable device other than a foldable smartphone. For example, the folding device 1 may be a foldable feature phone, tablet, personal computer, game console, etc. A folding device is also called a flip terminal, etc.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the foldable device 1 includes a housing 11, a touch panel display 12, and a hinge 13.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the housing 11 includes a lower housing 21 and an upper housing 22.

[0013] The lower housing 21 and the upper housing 22 have a rectangular plate-like outer shape. The lower housing 21 and the upper housing 22 have roughly the same shape. The lower end of the upper housing 22 is disposed along the upper end of the lower housing 21.

[0014] Touch panel display 12 has a display surface 12a. Touch panel display 12 displays a screen on display surface 12a and detects a touch position on display surface 12a where a touch operation has been performed.

[0015] 1 to 4, touch panel display 12 includes a lower touch panel display 31 and an upper touch panel display 32. Lower touch panel display 31 is housed in lower housing 21 and has a lower display surface 31a included in display surface 12a. Upper touch panel display 32 is housed in upper housing 22 and has an upper display surface 32a included in display surface 12a. Lower touch panel display 31 and upper touch panel display 32 may be two parts of a single touch panel display, or may be two separate touch panel displays.

[0016] The hinge 13 connects the upper housing 22 to the lower housing 21. The hinge 13 connects the upper housing 22 to the lower housing 21 so that the upper housing 22 can rotate relative to the lower housing 21 around a rotation axis that is located near the upper end and the lower end of the lower housing 21 and extends in the left-right direction of the housing 11. This allows the hinge 13 to change from the fully open state shown in FIG. 1 to the half-open state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and then to the closed state shown in FIG. 3. The hinge 13 also allows the change from the closed state shown in FIG. 3 to the half-open state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and then to the fully open state shown in FIG. 1. This allows the hinge 13 to connect the upper housing 22 to the lower housing 21 so that the housing 11 is foldable.

[0017] Folding device 1 is a top-bottom opening terminal that can be folded vertically, also known as a flip terminal. When folding device 1 is a top-bottom opening terminal, folding device 1 includes a first housing that is arranged on the bottom in normal use and a second housing that is arranged on the top in normal use.

[0018] When the folding device 1 is a top-bottom folding terminal, in normal use, the first housing becomes the lower housing 21 and the second housing becomes the upper housing 22. However, when the folding device 1 is turned upside down from the normal use state, the screen displayed on the display surface 12a of the touch panel display 12 is rotated 180°, and the second housing becomes the lower housing 21 and the first housing becomes the upper housing 22.

[0019] The folding device 1 may be a left-right opening terminal that can be folded in the left-right direction, also called a foldable terminal. When the folding device 1 is a left-right opening terminal, the folding device 1 includes a first housing that is arranged on the left side in normal use and a second housing that is arranged on the right side in normal use.

[0020] When the folding device 1 is a left-right opening terminal, in a landscape orientation rotated 90° leftward or rightward from the normal usage state, one of the first housing and the second housing becomes the lower housing 21, and the other of the first housing and the second housing becomes the upper housing 22.

[0021] 1, direction D2 in which upper display surface 32a of upper touch panel display 32 faces is the same as direction D1 in which lower display surface 31a of lower touch panel display 31 faces. In the half-open state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, direction D2 intersects with direction D1.

[0022] 1, the housing 11 is straight, and the upper display surface 32a of the upper touch panel display 32 and the lower display surface 31a of the lower touch panel display 31 form the same plane. In the closed state shown in FIG. 3, the upper display surface 32a faces the lower display surface 31a.

[0023] 1.2 Control System FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the folding device of the first embodiment.

[0024] 5, the folding device 1 includes a touch panel display 12, an opening angle detection unit 41, an attitude detection unit 42, an imaging unit 43, a communication unit 44, an audio input unit 45, an audio output unit 46, and a control unit 47. The touch panel display 12 includes a display 51 and a touch panel 52.

[0025] The display 51 displays a screen on the display surface 12a. The display 51 is configured by a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, etc. The display 51 is configured by a display panel, a gate driver, a source driver, a timing controller, etc.

[0026] 5, the display 51 includes a lower display 61 and an upper display 62. The lower display 61 is housed in the lower housing 21. The upper display 62 is housed in the upper housing 22. The lower display 61 and the upper display 62 may be two parts of a single display, or may be two separate displays.

[0027] The touch panel 52 detects a touch position on the display surface 12a. The touch panel 52 is configured as a capacitive touch panel, a resistive touch panel, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave touch panel, an infrared touch panel, etc. The touch panel 52 is configured as a touch panel main body, a touch panel controller, etc.

[0028] 5, the touch panel 52 includes a lower touch panel 71 and an upper touch panel 72. The lower touch panel 71 is housed in the lower housing 21. The upper touch panel 72 is housed in the upper housing 22. The lower touch panel 71 and the upper touch panel 72 may be two parts of an integrated touch panel, or may be two separate touch panels.

[0029] The opening angle detection unit 41 detects the opening angle θ of the housing 11 and outputs an opening angle signal indicating the detected opening angle θ. The detected opening angle θ is the angle between the upper display surface 32a of the upper touch panel display 32 and the lower display surface 31a of the lower touch panel display 31, and is the angle obtained by subtracting the angle between the direction D2 and the direction D1 from 180°. The opening angle θ is 180° in the fully open state shown in FIG. 1, is an angle greater than 0° and less than 180° in the half-open state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and is 0° in the closed state shown in FIG. 3. The opening angle detection unit 41 is composed of an angle sensor, a signal processing circuit, etc.

[0030] The attitude detection unit 42 detects the attitude of the folding device 1 and outputs an attitude signal indicating the detected attitude. The attitude detection unit 42 is configured with an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a signal processing circuit, and the like.

[0031] The attitude signal includes information on the orientation of the folding device 1 and whether it is stationary or not. This information makes it possible to determine whether the folding device 1 is placed on a desk or the like.

[0032] The imaging unit 43 captures an image and outputs image data. The imaging unit 43 is arranged on the side of the upper housing 22 where the upper touch panel display 32 is located, and captures an image in a direction D2 in which the upper display surface 32a of the upper touch panel display 32 is facing. The imaging unit 43 is composed of a lens, an image sensor, an actuator, a signal processing circuit, etc. The imaging unit 43 is a sub-camera of a smartphone, a selfie camera, etc. The imaging unit 43 may be arranged on the side of the lower housing 21 where the lower touch panel display 31 is located, and captures an image in a direction D1 in which the lower display surface 31a of the lower touch panel display 31 is facing.

[0033] The communication unit 44 performs communication. The communication performed is cellular communication, communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, etc. The communication unit 44 is configured with a transmission / reception circuit, an antenna, etc.

[0034] The audio input unit 45 outputs an audio signal corresponding to the input audio. The audio input unit 45 is composed of a microphone, a signal processing circuit, and the like.

[0035] The audio output unit 46 outputs audio corresponding to the input audio signal. The audio output unit 46 is composed of a speaker, a signal processing circuit, and the like.

[0036] The control unit 47 receives an opening angle signal, an attitude signal, and image data. The control unit 47 executes an application. The control unit 47 controls the lower display 61, the upper display 62, the lower touch panel 71, and the upper touch panel 72 based on the received opening angle signal, attitude signal, image data, and the application being executed. The attitude signal includes information about the orientation of the foldable device 1. Therefore, the control unit 47 can determine, based on the opening angle signal and the attitude signal, which of the first housing and the second housing is the lower housing 21 and which of the first housing and the second housing is the upper housing 22. The control unit 47 is composed of a system-on-chip (SoC), peripheral circuits, etc. The SoC includes a processor, memory, etc. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to operate the SoC, peripheral circuits, etc. as the control unit 47.

[0037] The executable applications include a video phone application (hereinafter referred to as a "TV phone application"). When executing the TV phone application, the control unit 47 controls the imaging unit 43, the audio input unit 45, the audio output unit 46, and the communication unit 44 to cause the imaging unit 43, the audio input unit 45, the audio output unit 46, and the communication unit 44 to exchange video and audio with the other party.

[0038] The control unit 47 can independently control the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the screen brightness of the upper display 62. The control unit 47 can independently control the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72. Scanning the lower touch panel 71 is a process of detecting a touch position on the lower display surface 31a. Scanning the upper touch panel 72 is a process of detecting a touch position on the upper display surface 32a. If the touch panel 52 is a capacitive touch panel, scanning the lower touch panel 71 involves sequentially driving a plurality of drive electrodes for detecting a touch position on the lower display surface 31a, and acquiring signals detected by a plurality of detection electrodes for detecting a touch position on the lower display surface 31a. Scanning the upper touch panel 72 involves sequentially driving a plurality of drive electrodes for detecting a touch position on the upper display surface 32a, and acquiring signals detected by a plurality of detection electrodes for detecting a touch position on the upper display surface 32a. The scanning frequency is expressed by a frequency or the like.

[0039] When the opening angle θ is smaller than a specific angle, the control unit 47 reduces the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72. This makes it possible to reduce the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 when the opening angle θ is small and the frequency of touch operations on the upper touch panel 72 decreases. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the folding device 1 without significantly affecting the detection of touch operations on the upper touch panel 72. The specific angle compared with the opening angle θ is not limited to, but may be, for example, 180°, 150°, 120°, 90°, or 30°.

[0040] When lowering the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72, the control unit 47 may lower the ratio of the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 without changing the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71, or may lower both the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 and the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71. When the ratio is lowered without changing the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71, it is possible to suppress an effect on the detection of touch operations performed on the lower touch panel 71 when the frequency of touch operations performed on the upper touch panel 72 decreases but the frequency of touch operations performed on the lower touch panel 71 does not decrease.

[0041] 1.3 Processing flow 6A to 6E are flowcharts showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit provided in the folding device of the first embodiment.

[0042] The control unit 47 executes steps S101 to S136 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6E.

[0043] In step S101, the control unit 47 determines whether an on operation has been performed to power on the folding device 1. If the control unit 47 determines that an on operation has been performed, it executes step S102. If the control unit 47 determines that an on operation has not been performed, it executes step S101.

[0044] In step S102, the control unit 47 causes the display 51 to start displaying a screen.

[0045] In step S103 following step S102, the control unit 47 obtains the opening angle θ indicated by the input opening angle signal.

[0046] In step S104 following step S103, the control unit 47 determines whether the acquired opening angle θ is the specific angle of 180°. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is the specific angle of 180°, it executes step S105. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is not the specific angle of 180°, it executes step S111.

[0047] In step S105, the control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to the normal scanning frequency. As a result, the control unit 47 controls the touch panel 52 so that the upper touch panel 72 is scanned once for each scanning of the lower touch panel 71. The control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the upper display 62 to the normal screen brightness.

[0048] In step S106 following step S105, control unit 47 starts scanning on touch panel 52. Scanning is started at the set scan frequency.

[0049] In step S107 following step S106, the control unit 47 acquires the opening angle θ indicated by the input opening angle signal and determines whether the acquired opening angle θ has changed from the opening angle θ acquired in step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has changed, it executes step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has not changed, it executes step S108.

[0050] In step S108, the control unit 47 causes the touch panel 52 to continue scanning at the set scanning frequency.

[0051] In step S109 following step S108, the control unit 47 determines whether or not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51. If the control unit 47 determines to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S110. If the control unit 47 determines not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S107.

[0052] In step S110, the control unit 47 causes the display 51 to end displaying the screen.

[0053] In steps S104 to S109, when the opening angle θ is the specific angle 180°, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 are maintained at the normal scanning frequency unless the opening angle θ changes or the display of the screen on the display 51 is terminated.

[0054] In step S111, the control unit 47 determines whether the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 150°. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 150°, it executes step S112. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is less than the specific angle of 150°, it executes step S117. The specific angle compared with the opening angle θ in step S111 may be an angle other than 150°.

[0055] In step S112, the control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 to the normal scanning frequency, and sets the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to one-third of the normal scanning frequency. As a result, the control unit 47 controls the touch panel 52 so that the upper touch panel 72 is scanned once for every three scans of the lower touch panel 71. The control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the upper display 62 to the normal screen brightness.

[0056] In step S113 following step S112, the control unit 47 starts scanning on the touch panel 52. The scanning starts at the set scanning frequency.

[0057] In step S114 following step S113, the control unit 47 acquires the opening angle θ indicated by the input opening angle signal and determines whether the acquired opening angle θ has changed from the opening angle θ acquired in step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has changed, it executes step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has not changed, it executes step S115.

[0058] In step S115, the control unit 47 causes the touch panel 52 to continue scanning at the set scanning frequency.

[0059] In step S116 following step S115, the control unit 47 determines whether or not to end the display of the screen on the display 51. If the control unit 47 determines to end the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S110. If the control unit 47 determines not to end the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S114.

[0060] As a result of steps S111 to S116, when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 150° or more and less than 180°, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is maintained at the normal scanning frequency, and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is maintained at 1 / 3 of the normal scanning frequency, unless the opening angle θ changes or the display of the screen on the display 51 is terminated.

[0061] Furthermore, when the opening angle θ becomes smaller than a specific angle of 180° as a result of steps S111 to S116, the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is reduced from the normal scanning frequency to one-third of the normal scanning frequency. In this case, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 does not change, and the ratio of the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is reduced from 1 to one-third.

[0062] In step S117, the control unit 47 determines whether the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 120°. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 120°, it executes step S118. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is less than the specific angle of 120°, it executes step S123. The specific angle compared with the opening angle θ in step S117 may be an angle other than 120°.

[0063] In step S118, the control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 to the normal scanning frequency, and sets the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to one-fifth the normal scanning frequency. As a result, the control unit 47 controls the touch panel 52 so that the upper touch panel 72 is scanned once for every five scans of the lower touch panel 71. The control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the upper display 62 to the normal screen brightness.

[0064] In step S119 following step S118, control unit 47 starts scanning on touch panel 52. Scanning is started at the set scan frequency.

[0065] In step S120 following step S119, the control unit 47 acquires the opening angle θ indicated by the input opening angle signal and determines whether the acquired opening angle θ has changed from the opening angle θ acquired in step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has changed, it executes step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has not changed, it executes step S121.

[0066] In step S121, the control unit 47 causes the touch panel 52 to continue scanning at the set scanning frequency.

[0067] In step S122 following step S121, the control unit 47 determines whether or not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51. If the control unit 47 determines to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S110. If the control unit 47 determines not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S120.

[0068] As a result of steps S117 to S122, when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 120° or more and less than 150°, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is maintained at the normal scanning frequency, and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is maintained at 1 / 5 of the normal scanning frequency, unless the opening angle θ changes or the display of the screen on the display 51 is terminated.

[0069] Furthermore, when steps S117 to S122 cause the opening angle θ to become smaller than the specific angle 150°, the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is reduced from 1 / 3 the normal scanning frequency to 1 / 5 the normal scanning frequency. In this case, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 does not change, and the ratio of the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is reduced from 1 / 3 to 1 / 5.

[0070] In step S123, the control unit 47 determines whether the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 90°. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 90°, it executes step S124. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is less than the specific angle of 90°, it executes step S131. The specific angle compared with the opening angle θ in step S123 may be an angle other than 90°.

[0071] In step S124, the control unit 47 determines whether or not the TV phone application is being executed. If the control unit 47 determines that the TV phone application is being executed, it executes step S125. If the control unit 47 determines that the TV phone application is not being executed, it executes step S126.

[0072] In step S125, the control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 to 1 / 5 of the normal scanning frequency, and sets the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to 1 / 10 of the normal scanning frequency. The control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the upper display 62 to the normal screen brightness.

[0073] In step S126, the control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 to the normal scanning frequency, and sets the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to 1 / 10 of the normal scanning frequency. As a result, the control unit 47 controls the touch panel 52 so that the upper touch panel 72 is scanned once for every 10 scans of the lower touch panel 71. The control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the upper display 62 to the normal screen brightness.

[0074] In step S127 following step S125 or S126, the control unit 47 starts scanning on the touch panel 52. The scanning starts at the set scanning frequency.

[0075] In step S128 following step S127, the control unit 47 acquires the opening angle θ indicated by the input opening angle signal and determines whether the acquired opening angle θ has changed from the opening angle θ acquired in step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has changed, it executes step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has not changed, it executes step S129.

[0076] In step S129, the control unit 47 causes the touch panel 52 to continue scanning at the set scanning frequency.

[0077] In step S130 following step S129, the control unit 47 determines whether or not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51. If the control unit 47 determines to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S110. If the control unit 47 determines not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S128.

[0078] As a result of steps S123 to S130, when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120° and the video phone app is running, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is maintained at 1 / 5 of the normal scanning frequency, and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is maintained at 1 / 10 of the normal scanning frequency, unless the opening angle θ changes or the display of the screen on the display 51 is terminated.

[0079] Furthermore, when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120° and the video phone app is not running, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is maintained at the normal scanning frequency, and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is maintained at 1 / 10 of the normal scanning frequency, unless the opening angle θ changes or the display of the screen on the display 51 is terminated.

[0080] Furthermore, when steps S123 to S130 cause the opening angle θ to become smaller than the specific angle 120°, the scan frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is reduced from 1 / 5 the normal scan frequency to 1 / 10 the normal scan frequency. When the videophone app is not running, the scan frequency of the upper touch panel 72 does not change, and the ratio of the scan frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to the scan frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is reduced from 1 / 5 to 1 / 10.

[0081] Furthermore, steps S123 to S130 result in a change in the state where the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120° and a specific application, a TV phone app, is being executed, and not only is the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 reduced, but the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is also reduced.

[0082] When a video call app is running, there is a tendency for touch operations to be performed less frequently on the lower touch panel 71. For this reason, by reducing the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 when the video call app is running, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the foldable device 1 without significantly affecting the detection of touch operations performed on the lower touch panel 71.

[0083] The specific application for which the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is reduced may be, in addition to the video phone application, a video playback application, a still image display application, an email application, a social networking service application, or any other application that displays content such as still images or videos or text on the upper display surface 32a when the foldable device 1 is executed in a half-open state. Even when such an application is executed, the user tends to perform touch operations on the lower touch panel 71 less frequently. For this reason, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 may be reduced when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120° and there is a change in the state in which a specific application other than the video phone application is executed.

[0084] Furthermore, the processes of steps S124 and S125 may be omitted. That is, even when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120°, it may be possible to perform control to reduce the scanning frequency of only the upper touch panel 72 based solely on the opening angle θ without determining whether a specific application is running.

[0085] In step S131, the control unit 47 determines whether the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 30°. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is equal to or greater than the specific angle of 30°, it executes step S132. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ is less than the specific angle of 30°, it executes step S110. The specific angle compared with the opening angle θ in step S131 may be an angle other than 30°.

[0086] In step S132, control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of lower touch panel 71 to 1 / 5 the normal scanning frequency, and sets the scanning frequency of upper touch panel 72 to 1 / 20 the normal scanning frequency. Control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of lower display 61 to normal screen brightness, and sets the screen brightness of upper display 62 to a screen brightness lower than the normal screen brightness.

[0087] In step S133 following step S132, control unit 47 starts scanning on touch panel 52. Scanning is started at the set scan frequency.

[0088] In step S134 following step S133, the control unit 47 acquires the opening angle θ indicated by the input opening angle signal and determines whether the acquired opening angle θ has changed from the opening angle θ acquired in step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has changed, it executes step S103. If the control unit 47 determines that the opening angle θ has not changed, it executes step S135.

[0089] In step S135, the control unit 47 causes the touch panel 52 to continue scanning at the set scanning frequency.

[0090] In step S136 following step S135, the control unit 47 determines whether or not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51. If the control unit 47 determines to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S110. If the control unit 47 determines not to terminate the display of the screen on the display 51, it executes step S134.

[0091] In steps S131 to S136, when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 30° or more and less than 90°, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is maintained at 1 / 5 of the normal scanning frequency, and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is maintained at 1 / 20 of the normal scanning frequency, unless the opening angle θ changes or the display of the screen on the display 51 is terminated.

[0092] When the opening angle θ is less than the specific angle of 90°, the frequency with which touch operations are performed on the lower touch panel 71 decreases. Therefore, by reducing the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 when the opening angle θ is less than the specific angle of 90°, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the folding device 1 without significantly affecting the detection of touch operations performed on the lower touch panel 71.

[0093] Furthermore, when the opening angle θ becomes smaller than the specific angle 90° through steps S131 to S136, the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is reduced to 1 / 10 to 1 / 20 of the normal scanning frequency.

[0094] Furthermore, if the opening angle θ becomes smaller than the set angle of 90° through steps S131 to S136, the screen brightness of the upper display 62 changes from the normal screen brightness to a screen brightness lower than the normal screen brightness.

[0095] When the opening angle θ is less than the set angle of 90°, the upper display 62 is less likely to be visible. Therefore, when the opening angle θ is less than the specific angle of 90°, the screen brightness of the upper display is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the foldable device 1 without significantly affecting the visibility of the screen displayed on the upper display 62.

[0096] 1.4 Example of time change of touch panel during scanning FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of time-dependent changes in the touch panel on which scanning is performed in the folding device of the first embodiment.

[0097] In FIG. 7, the touch panel on which scanning is performed is hatched.

[0098] When the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 is set to the normal scanning frequency and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 is set to 1 / 4 of the normal scanning frequency, the upper touch panel 72 is scanned once for every four scannings of the lower touch panel 71.

[0099] 7, the lower touch panel 71 is scanned at each of the times T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, and the upper touch panel 72 is scanned at each of the times T1 and T5. As a result, the entire touch panel 52 is scanned at each of the times T1 and T5, and only the lower touch panel 71 is scanned at each of the times T1 and T5.

[0100] 2. Second embodiment The following describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. For points that are not described, the second embodiment also employs the same configuration as that employed in the first embodiment.

[0101] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit provided in the folding device of the second embodiment.

[0102] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 47 executes steps S224 to S226 instead of steps S124 to S126 shown in FIG. 6D.

[0103] In step S224, control unit 47 determines whether folding device 1 is placed based on the attitude indicated by the input attitude signal, and determines from the input image data whether a person is present in front of folding device 1. If control unit 47 determines that folding device 1 is placed but no person is present in front of folding device 1, it executes step S225. If control unit 47 determines that folding device 1 is not placed or that a person is present in front of folding device 1, it executes step S226.

[0104] In step S225, the control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to 1 / 10 of the normal scanning frequency. The control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the upper display 62 to the normal screen brightness.

[0105] In step S226, the control unit 47 sets the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 to the normal scanning frequency, and sets the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 to 1 / 10 of the normal scanning frequency. The control unit 47 also sets the screen brightness of the lower display 61 and the upper display 62 to the normal screen brightness.

[0106] In the second embodiment, when the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120°, the folding device 1 is placed, and no one is in front of the folding device 1, the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 are maintained at 1 / 10 of the normal scanning frequency unless the opening angle θ changes or the display of the screen on the display 51 is terminated. Therefore, when the opening angle θ is within the specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120°, and there is a change to a state in which the folding device 1 is placed and no one is in front of the folding device 1, the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 and the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 are uniformly reduced.

[0107] A case where the opening angle θ is within a specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120°, the folding device 1 is placed, and no person is in front of the folding device 1 means that the folding device 1 is left on a desk or the like, and there is a low possibility that a touch operation will be performed on the lower touch panel 71 and the upper touch panel 72. Therefore, by uniformly lowering the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel 71 and the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel 72 when the opening angle θ is within the specific angle range of 90° or more and less than 120°, the folding device 1 is placed, and no person is in front of the folding device 1, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the folding device 1 without significantly affecting the detection of touch operations performed on the lower touch panel 71 and the upper touch panel 72.

[0108] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that has the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Folding equipment 11. Housing 12 Touch panel display 12a Display surface 13 Hinge 21 Lower housing 22 Upper housing 31 Lower touch panel display 31a Lower display surface 32 Upper touch panel display 32a Upper display surface 41 Opening angle detection unit 42 Attitude detection unit 43 Imaging unit 44 Communications Department 45 Audio input section 46 Audio output section 47 Control Unit 51 Display 52 Touch Panel 61 Lower Display 62 Upper display 71 Lower touch panel 72 Upper touch panel

Claims

1. a housing having a lower housing and an upper housing; a touch panel display including a lower touch panel housed in the lower housing and an upper touch panel housed in the upper housing; a hinge that couples the upper housing to the lower housing so that the housings are foldable; an opening angle detection unit that detects an opening angle of the housing; a control unit that reduces a scanning frequency of the upper touch panel when the opening angle is smaller than a specific angle; A folding device comprising:

2. The control unit gradually reduces the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel according to the opening angle. The folding device according to claim 1 .

3. Reducing the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel includes reducing the ratio of the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel to the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel without changing the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel. The folding device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the touch panel display includes a lower display housed in the lower housing and an upper display housed in the upper housing, The control unit reduces the screen brightness of the upper display when the opening angle becomes smaller than a set angle. The folding device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control unit reduces the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel when the opening angle is within a specific angle range and a change occurs to a state in which a specific application is being executed. The folding device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The control unit reduces the scanning frequency of the upper touch panel and the scanning frequency of the lower touch panel when the opening angle is within a specific angle range and the folding device is placed and there is a change to a state where no person is in front of the folding device. The folding device according to claim 1 or 2.

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