Equipment, control methods, and programs

Abstract

To improve user operability regarding device's power ON / OFF and battery charging.SOLUTION: A robot 200 includes a battery 253 for supplying power, a power key 241 for receiving power ON / OFF operation, and a sub-microcomputer 251 for detecting the charging state of the battery 253 and controlling power ON / OFF and startup processing. When a power OFF operation is performed, the sub-microcomputer 251, if an inspection mode flag, which holds the inspection mode setting, is ON, sets the auto-start flag, which holds the auto-start setting, to ON, then turns the power OFF, and if the inspection mode flag is OFF, sets the auto-start flag to OFF, then turns the power OFF. When the sub-microcomputer 251 detects that charging of the battery 253 is completed while the power is OFF, if the auto-start flag is ON, the sub-microcomputer turns the power ON and starts the robot 200, and if the auto-start flag is OFF, the sub-microcomputer does not start the robot 200 and maintains the power OFF state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to equipment , regulation control methods and programs.

Background Art

[0002] Equipment powered by a battery needs to turn off the power and charge the battery when the remaining battery level decreases for stable operation. The information device supplied with power from the portable power source of Patent Document 1 includes an operation unit SW that switches between external power reception / supply and power supply / cut-off from a non-portable power source, and a determination unit that determines whether the activation is the first activation after the information device is shipped from the factory when the information device is activated by power supply. When the activation is determined to be the first activation after the information device is shipped from the factory, a connection detection unit that detects whether the external power reception / supply unit is connected to the non-portable power source, and when the activation is determined to be the first activation after the information device is shipped from the factory and it is detected that the external power reception / supply unit and the non-portable power source are not connected, a notification unit that prompts the user to connect the external power reception / supply unit and the non-portable power source.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Equipment driven by a battery cannot avoid a decrease in the remaining battery level and battery charging, but with regard to power on / off and battery charging, there is a need for a device that does not impair the user's operability.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the user's operability with regard to power on / off and battery charging of equipment driven by a battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the apparatus according to the present invention is The device comprises an operation switch for switching the power from ON to OFF, and a control unit, wherein the control unit sets the automatic start flag to ON when the power is switched from ON to OFF by operation of the operation switch while the inspection mode flag is ON, sets the automatic start flag to OFF when the power is switched from ON to OFF by operation of the operation switch while the inspection mode flag is OFF, starts the device by switching the power from OFF to ON when it is detected that the remaining charge value has increased to a predetermined first value due to charging of the battery and the power is OFF and the automatic start flag is ON, and does not start the device by keeping the power OFF when it is detected that the remaining charge value has increased to the predetermined first value due to charging of the battery and the power is OFF and the automatic start flag is OFF. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve user operability regarding the power ON / OFF and battery charging of battery-powered devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the external appearance of a robot according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the robot according to the embodiment, seen from the side. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a robot according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power control unit of the robot according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the power-off process according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the power-on process according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The robot 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a small, animal-like pet robot powered by a rechargeable battery. As shown in Figure 1, the robot 200 is covered by an exterior 201 equipped with decorative parts 202 that resemble eyes and fur 203. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 207 of the robot 200 is housed inside the exterior 201. The housing 207 of the robot 200 consists of a head 204, a connecting part 205, and a body part 206, with the head 204 and the body part 206 being connected by the connecting part 205.

[0010] In the following explanation, assuming that the robot 200 is placed normally on a horizontal floor, the direction of the part corresponding to the face of the robot 200 (the part of the head 204 opposite to the body 206) will be defined as the front, and the direction of the part corresponding to the tail (the part of the body 206 opposite to the head 204) will be defined as the back. Also, the direction of the part of the robot 200 that contacts the floor surface when placed on a horizontal floor surface will be defined as the bottom, and the opposite direction will be defined as the top. Furthermore, the direction that is perpendicular to the straight line extending in the front-to-back direction of the robot 200 and also perpendicular to the straight line extending in the up-to-down direction will be defined as the width direction.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the torso 206 extends in the front-to-back direction. The torso 206 contacts the surface on which the robot 200 is placed, such as a floor or table, via the outer casing 201. The robot 200 is equipped with a twist motor 221 at the front end of the torso 206, and the head 204 is connected to the front end of the torso 206 via a connecting part 205. The connecting part 205 is equipped with an up-and-down motor 222. In Figure 2, the twist motor 221 is equipped on the torso 206, but it may also be equipped on the connecting part 205 or on the head 204.

[0012] The robot 200 is equipped with a twist motor 221 and an up-and-down motor 222 that allow it to move its head 204 relative to its body 206. The robot 200 can perform various gestures by moving its head 204. As shown in Figure 2, the robot 200 is equipped with a touch sensor 211 on its head 204, which can detect when a user strokes or taps the head 204. The body 206 is also equipped with a touch sensor 211, which can detect when a user strokes or taps the body 206.

[0013] Robot 200 is equipped with an acceleration sensor 212 on its torso 206, which can detect the robot's own posture and whether it is being lifted, turned, or thrown by the user. Robot 200 is also equipped with a microphone 213 on its torso 206, which can detect external sounds. Furthermore, Robot 200 is equipped with a speaker 231 on its torso 206, which can be used to emit sounds or sing songs.

[0014] The robot 200 is equipped with an illuminance sensor 214 on its torso 206, which allows it to detect ambient brightness. Since the outer casing 201 is made of a light-transmitting material, the robot 200 can still detect ambient brightness with the illuminance sensor 214 even when covered by the outer casing 201.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, the robot 200 comprises a device control unit 100, a sensor unit 210, a drive unit 220, an output unit 230, an operation unit 240, and a power control unit 250. The device control unit 100 comprises a processing unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130. In Figure 3, the device control unit 100, the sensor unit 210, the drive unit 220, the output unit 230, the operation unit 240, and the power control unit 250 are connected via a bus line BL, but this is just one example. The device control unit 100, the sensor unit 210, the drive unit 220, the output unit 230, the operation unit 240, and the power control unit 250 may be connected via a wired interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a wireless interface such as Bluetooth®. Also, the processing unit 110 may be connected to the storage unit 120 and the communication unit 130 via a bus line BL, etc.

[0016] The device control unit 100 controls the operation of the robot 200 using a processing unit 110 and a storage unit 120. The processing unit 110 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executes various processes using programs stored in the storage unit 120. The processing unit 110 supports multithreading functionality, which allows multiple processes to be executed in parallel, thus enabling various processes to be executed concurrently. The processing unit 110 also has a clock function and a timer function, which allows it to measure the date and time, etc.

[0017] The storage unit 120 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. In the ROM, programs executed by the CPU of the processing unit 110 and data necessary in advance for executing the programs are stored. The flash memory is a writable non-volatile memory, and stores data that needs to be saved even after the power is turned off. In the RAM, data created or changed during program execution is stored. The communication unit 130 includes a communication module compatible with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., and performs data communication with an external device such as a smartphone.

[0018] Also, the above-described illuminance sensor 214 includes a light-receiving element such as a photodiode and detects the ambient brightness (illuminance). For example, when the processing unit 110 detects that the surroundings are dark with the illuminance sensor 214, it can perform control to make the robot 200 sleep pseudo (put it in the sleep control mode).

[0019] The memory unit 120 stores emotion data 121, emotion change data 122, growth table 123, operation content table 124, motion table 125, and growth days data 126. The emotion data 121 is data for giving the robot 200 pseudo-emotions and is data indicating coordinates on an emotion map. The emotion map is represented, for example, by a two-dimensional coordinate system having an axis of security level (insecurity level) and an axis of excitement level (languor level). The emotion change data 122 is data for setting the amount of change for increasing or decreasing the value of each dimension of the emotion data 121. The emotion change data 122 changes by learning of the emotion data 121 based on external stimulus data. Since the degree of change of the emotion change data 122, that is, the degree of change of emotions, changes by the learning process of the emotion data 121, the robot 200 will have various personalities according to the way the user touches the robot 200. For the robot 200, growth degree data (growth value) indicating a pseudo-growth degree is set according to the change in personality. The processing unit 110 controls so that variations occur in the operation content of the robot 200 as the robot 200 pseudo-grows (as the growth value increases). The data used by the processing unit 110 for this purpose is the growth table 123. The operation content table 124 is a table in which the specific operation content of each operation type defined in the growth table 123 is recorded. The motion table 125 is a table recording how the processing unit 110 controls the twist motor 221 and the vertical motor 222 for each operation type defined in the growth table 123. The growth days data 126 has an initial value of 1 and is incremented by 1 each time one day elapses. The growth days data 126 represents the pseudo-growth days (days since pseudo-birth) of the robot 200.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the power control unit 250 includes a sub-microcomputer 251 and the like, and performs power control such as charging of the battery 253 of the robot 200 and ON / OFF control of the power supply of the main function unit 290 that realizes the main functions of the robot 200. The main function unit 290 is the part of the functional units constituting the robot 200 excluding the power control unit 250, and includes the processing unit 110, the drive unit 220, and the like.

[0021] In robot 200, to give it a lifelike appearance, the battery 253 is charged wirelessly without connecting charging cables or other devices. For example, electromagnetic induction is used for wireless charging. When robot 200 is placed on the wireless charging device 256, an induced magnetic flux is generated between the wireless power receiving circuit 255 located on the bottom surface of the body 206 and the external wireless charging device 256, and charging takes place. As shown in Figure 4, the power control unit 250 includes a sub-microcontroller 251, a charging IC (Integrated Circuit) 252, a battery 253, a power control IC 254, and a wireless power receiving circuit 255.

[0022] The sub-microcontroller 251 is a microcontroller with a built-in low-power processor and includes an AD (Analog-to-Digital) converter 2511 that monitors the output voltage of the battery 253, an input port 2512 that monitors a charging signal indicating whether or not the battery 253 is being charged by the charging IC 252, a power terminal 2513 for the sub-microcontroller 251 itself, an input port 2514 that monitors the status of pressing the power key 241 of the robot 200, an output port 2515 that outputs an operation limiting signal to the processing unit 110, and an output port 2516 that outputs a power control signal to the power control IC 254 that controls the ON / OFF of the power supplied to the main function unit 290. The sub-microcontroller 251 constitutes a detection unit that detects the charging state of the battery 253, and a control unit that controls the ON / OFF and startup of the robot 200.

[0023] The wireless power receiving circuit 255 receives power from an external wireless charging device 256 by electromagnetic induction and supplies the received power to the charging IC 252. The charging IC 252 is an IC that receives power from the wireless power receiving circuit 255 and controls the charging of the battery 253. The battery 253 is a rechargeable secondary battery that supplies the power necessary for the operation of the robot 200. The charging IC 252 outputs a charging signal to the sub-microcontroller 251 indicating whether or not the battery 253 is being charged. The power control IC 254 is an IC that controls whether or not to supply power from the battery 253 to the main function unit 290 of the robot 200. The power control IC 254 has an input port 2541 that receives a power control signal from the sub-microcontroller 251 and supplies or stops power to the main function unit 290 according to the ON / OFF status of the power control signal.

[0024] The power key 241 is a switch that accepts the operation of turning the robot 200 on and off. Even when the robot 200 is turned off, power is supplied to the power control unit 250 in order to charge the battery 253 and to automatically turn the robot 200 on after charging is complete. For this reason, the robot 200 consists of two parts from the perspective of power supply: the power control unit 250, which is always supplied with power, and the main function unit 290, whose power ON / OFF is controlled by the power control unit 250. The main function unit 290 consists of the parts of the robot 200 other than the power control unit 250. In Figure 4, to show the relationship between the power control unit 250 and the main function unit 290, the power terminal 2901 to which power is supplied from the power control unit 250 and the input port 1101 of the processing unit 110 that receives operation restriction signals transmitted from the sub-microcontroller 251 are shown.

[0025] Next, the power-off control performed by the sub-microcontroller 251 of the power control unit 250 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. This process is performed when the power is ON. Power control uses an inspection mode flag that holds the ON / OFF setting for inspection mode and an automatic startup flag that holds the ON / OFF setting for automatic startup. The inspection mode flag and the automatic startup flag are stored in non-volatile memory. The inspection mode flag is set to ON in the initial stage when the program for the power control unit 250 is installed and set up.

[0026] First, the sub-microcontroller 251 monitors the output voltage of the battery 253 with the AD converter 2511 and also monitors the status of the power key 241 being pressed with the input port 2514 (step S10). The sub-microcontroller 251 determines whether the battery level has decreased because the voltage of the battery 253 has fallen below a predetermined voltage (operating reference voltage) (step S11). If it is determined that the battery level has not decreased below the reference (step S11;N), the sub-microcontroller 251 determines whether the power has been turned off by checking whether the power key 241 has been pressed and held down (step 12). If it is determined that the power key 241 has not been pressed and the power has not been turned off (step S12;N), the sub-microcontroller 251 returns to step S10 in the power off control process and continues monitoring the battery voltage and power key.

[0027] If it is determined in step S11 that the battery level has fallen below a certain level (step S11; Y), the sub-microcontroller 251 turns on the automatic start flag (step S15), shuts down the main function unit 290, and turns off the power supply (step S17). On the other hand, if it is determined that the battery level has not fallen (step S11; N), and it is determined that the power key 241 has been pressed and held down to turn off the power (step S12; Y), the sub-microcontroller 251 determines whether the test mode flag is ON or OFF (step S13). If the test mode flag is ON (step S13; ON), the sub-microcontroller 251 turns off the test mode flag (step S14), turns on the automatic start flag (step S15), shuts down the main function unit 290, and turns off the power supply (step S17).

[0028] If the inspection mode flag is OFF in step S13 (step S13; OFF), the sub-microcontroller 251 turns OFF the automatic startup flag (step S16), shuts down the main function unit 290, and turns off the power supply (step S17).

[0029] As mentioned above, the inspection mode flag is set to ON in the initial stage when the program for the power control unit 250 is installed. Therefore, during the pre-shipment inspection, the inspection mode flag is ON, and when the power is turned OFF after the pre-shipment inspection is completed, the automatic startup flag is set to ON. When the power is turned OFF during the pre-shipment inspection, the inspection mode flag is set to OFF, so when the user turns off the power after shipment, the automatic startup flag is set to OFF.

[0030] When the power supply to the main function unit 290 is turned OFF, the power control unit 250 terminates the power OFF control and executes the power ON / start control shown in Figure 6. The power ON / start control is initiated when the power supply to the main function unit 290 is OFF.

[0031] First, the power control unit 250 determines whether a charging device is connected to the device based on a charging signal indicating whether or not the input port 2512 is charging (step S20). If it is determined that a charging device is connected (step S20; Y), the power control unit 250 monitors the charging state of the battery 253 based on its voltage and the pressed state of the power key 241 (step S21). If it is determined in step S20 that a charging device is not connected (step S20; N), the power control unit 250 monitors the pressed state of the power key 241 (step S24). If a charging device is connected (step S20; Y) and the charging state of the battery 253 is being monitored (step S21), the power control unit 250 determines whether or not charging is complete because the voltage of the battery 253 has reached or exceeded the operating reference voltage (step S22). The operating reference voltage is the minimum voltage considered necessary for the robot 200 to operate normally, and is, for example, 75% of the voltage of the battery 253 when fully charged.

[0032] If the voltage of the battery 253 reaches or exceeds the operating reference voltage and it is determined that charging is complete (step S22; Y), the power control unit 250 determines whether the automatic start flag is ON or OFF (step S23). If the automatic start flag is ON (step S23; ON), the power control unit 250 turns on the power supply to the main function unit 290 and starts the main function unit 290, i.e., the robot 200 which is the device itself (step S26). If it is determined that charging is complete (step S22; Y) and the automatic start flag is OFF (step S23; OFF), the power control unit 250 determines whether the power key 241 has been pressed and held to perform the power ON operation (step S25). If it is determined that the power ON operation has not been performed (step S25; N), the power control unit 250 returns to step S20 in the power ON / start control process and repeats from the determination of whether the charging device is connected to the device itself. When it is determined that a power operation has been performed (step S25; Y), the power control unit 250 turns on the power supply to the main function unit 290 and starts the main function unit 290, i.e., the robot 200 which is the device itself (step S26).

[0033] Even if a charging device is connected (step S20;Y) and it is determined in step S22 that the battery 253 is not fully charged (step S22;N), the power control unit 250 determines whether or not a power-on operation has been performed (step S25). If it is determined that a power-on operation has not been performed (step S25;N), the power control unit 250 returns to step S20 and repeats the process from determining whether or not a charging device is connected to its own device. Even if it is determined that the battery 253 is not fully charged (step S22;N), if it is determined that a power operation has been performed (step S25;Y), the power control unit 250 turns on the power supply to the main function unit 290 and starts the main function unit 290, i.e., the robot 200 which is its own device (step S26).

[0034] On the other hand, if the charging device is not connected (step S20;N), the power control unit 250 monitors the pressing status of the power key 241 (step S24) and determines whether or not a power-on operation has been performed (step S25). If it is determined that no power-on operation has been performed (step S25;N), the power control unit 250 returns to step S20 in the power-on / start-up control process and repeats the process starting from determining whether or not the charging device is connected to the device. Even if the charging device is not connected (step S20;N), if it is determined that a power-on operation has been performed (step S25;Y), the power control unit 250 turns on the power supply to the main function unit 290 and starts the main function unit 290, i.e., the robot 200 which is the device itself (step S26).

[0035] The power control unit 250 may also turn on the automatic start flag in step S26, when it turns on the power supply and starts the robot 200. When the power control unit 250 turns on the power supply and starts the robot 200 (step S26), it terminates the power ON / start control. During the factory pre-shipment inspection of the robot 200, the inspection mode flag is ON, so when the inspection is completed and the power is turned OFF, the automatic start flag is set to ON (step S15 in Figure 5). Therefore, when the user first charges the battery 253 after shipment, the automatic start flag is ON, so when the battery 253 is fully charged (step S22;Y in Figure 6), the power supply is turned ON and the robot 200 is started (step S23;ON, step S26 in Figure 6).

[0036] If the user turns off the power (step S12; Y in Figure 5), the inspection mode flag is OFF (step S13; OFF in Figure 5), and therefore the automatic start flag is set to OFF (step S16 in Figure 5). Consequently, if the user turns off the power, the automatic start flag is OFF (step S23; OFF in Figure 6), and the power supply remains OFF until the user turns on the power, even after the battery has finished charging (step S25; N in Figure 6). If the robot 200 is left connected to the charging device, the battery power will not be consumed, and the time to full charge will be shorter compared to when the robot is started after charging is complete.

[0037] On the other hand, if the battery level drops (step S11;Y in Figure 5), the power control unit 250 sets the automatic start flag to ON (step S15 in Figure 5) and turns off the power supply (step S17 in Figure 5). In that case, once the battery 253 is fully charged (step S22;Y in Figure 6), the automatic start flag is ON (step S23;ON in Figure 6), so the power supply is turned ON and the robot 200 is started (step S26). In this case, the user does not need to operate the power key 241, which enhances the lifelike feel of the robot 200.

[0038] As described above, in the robot 200 according to this embodiment, if the user turns off the power, it does not start automatically, but if the user turns off the power in inspection mode, it starts automatically when charging is complete. This allows the user's power-off operation to be prioritized, and also enhances the robot's lifelike feel.

[0039] The inspection mode flag may be set using an inspection mode switch provided on the robot 200, rather than using non-volatile memory. The inspection mode switch may also be located in a hidden position. In that case, the inspection mode switch should be turned OFF after the pre-shipment inspection is completed and the power is turned OFF. In addition to being set to ON in the initial stage after the sub-microcontroller 251 program is installed and the power control unit 250 is set up, or by the inspection mode switch provided on the robot 200, the inspection mode flag may also be set when the battery voltage 253 is lower than the operating reference voltage.

[0040] In this embodiment, the system is configured to automatically start the robot when the automatic start flag is ON after the battery has finished charging. However, the power ON and automatic start may be combined with other conditions. For example, the system may be configured to automatically start the robot when the battery has finished charging, the automatic start flag is ON, and the area around the robot 200 is bright. The brightness around the robot 200 can be detected by the illuminance sensor 214. Alternatively, instead of ambient brightness, the system may be configured to automatically start the robot within a defined time range by referring to the time. For example, the system may be configured to automatically start the robot when the battery has finished charging, the automatic start flag is ON, and the time is between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM.

[0041] Furthermore, the means for receiving power ON and power OFF operations is not limited to the power key 241; it may also be a method of receiving power ON and power OFF operations via a computer, tablet, smartphone, or remote control connected to the robot 200. The connection between the robot 200 and the computer, tablet, smartphone, or remote control may be wired or wireless.

[0042] The power control unit and control method of this embodiment are not limited to the robot 200, but may also be applied to any battery-powered device. Even with devices other than the robot 200, the configuration of this embodiment can improve user operability regarding power ON / OFF and battery charging.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the operation programs executed by the CPU of the processing unit 110 and the sub-microcontroller 251 were pre-stored in the ROM of the storage unit 120. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the operation programs for executing the above-described various processes may be implemented in an existing general-purpose computer or the like, thereby enabling it to function as a device equivalent to the control devices 100 and 101 of the device according to the embodiment.

[0044] The method of providing such programs is optional. For example, they may be distributed by storing them on a computer-readable storage medium (flexible disk, CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), memory card, USB memory, etc.), or they may be stored on network storage such as the internet and provided for download.

[0045] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned processing is performed through a division of labor between the OS (Operating System) and the application program, or through collaboration between the OS and the application program, only the application program may be stored on a recording medium or storage. It is also possible to superimpose the program onto the carrier wave and distribute it over a network. For example, the above program may be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on a network and distributed over the network. This program may then be launched and executed under the control of the OS, just like other application programs, to perform the above-mentioned processing.

[0046] Furthermore, the processing unit 110 may consist of any single processor, such as a single processor, multi-processor, or multi-core processor, or it may be configured by combining any of these processors with processing circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0047] This invention allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention. In other words, the scope of the invention is indicated not by the embodiments, but by the claims. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope of the meaning of the invention are considered to be within the scope of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 200...Robot, 241...Power key, 251...Sub-microcontroller (detection unit, control unit), 253...Battery

Claims

1. An operating switch for switching the power ON to OFF, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit, When the inspection mode flag is ON and the power supply is switched from ON to OFF by operating the operation switch, the automatic start flag is set to ON. When the inspection mode flag is OFF and the power is switched from ON to OFF by an operation of the operation switch, the automatic start flag is set to OFF. When it is detected that the remaining charge value of the battery has increased to a predetermined first value due to charging, and the power supply is OFF and the automatic start flag is ON, the device is started by switching the power supply from OFF to ON. When it is detected that the remaining charge value of the battery has increased to the predetermined first value due to charging, if the power is OFF and the automatic start flag is OFF, the device will not start by keeping the power OFF. device.

2. The control unit sets the automatic start flag to ON and the inspection mode flag to OFF when the power supply is switched from ON to OFF by an operation of the operation switch while the inspection mode flag is ON. The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, when the power supply is ON and the remaining charge value of the battery decreases to a predetermined second value, switches the power supply from ON to OFF and sets the automatic startup flag to ON. The apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned operating switch is an operating switch for switching the power supply between ON and OFF. The control unit starts the device when the power is switched from OFF to ON by an operation of the operation switch. The apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The inspection mode flag is set to ON in the initial stage when the inspection mode flag is set up. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first value is set to a value less than the remaining charge value when the battery is fully charged. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. When the control unit detects that the remaining charge value of the battery has increased to the predetermined first value due to charging, even if the power is OFF and the automatic start flag is ON, if the ambient brightness is detected to be below a predetermined brightness, or if the current time is a predetermined time, the control unit will keep the power OFF and will not start the device. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The aforementioned device is a pet-type robot comprising a head and a torso. A power receiving circuit for wirelessly charging the aforementioned battery is provided in the body. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. A battery that supplies power to the device, A detection unit that detects the charge state of the battery, which is charged by an external power supply connected to the device, A receiving means for receiving the operation to turn the power ON and power OFF of the device, The control unit controls the ON / OFF power and startup process of the aforementioned device, Equipped with, The control unit, When the reception means receives a power OFF operation, When the inspection mode flag, which retains the ON / OFF setting of the inspection mode, is ON, the automatic startup flag, which retains the ON / OFF setting of automatic startup, is turned ON, and the power is turned OFF. When the aforementioned inspection mode flag is OFF, the aforementioned automatic startup flag is turned OFF, and the power is turned OFF. When the detection unit detects that the battery has finished charging while the power is OFF, When the aforementioned automatic startup flag is ON, the power is turned ON and the device is started. When the automatic startup flag is OFF, the device will not start and will remain powered OFF. device.

10. A control method performed by a device equipped with an operating switch for switching the power from ON to OFF, When the inspection mode flag is ON and the power supply is switched from ON to OFF by operating the operation switch, the automatic start flag is set to ON. When the inspection mode flag is OFF and the power is switched from ON to OFF by an operation of the operation switch, the automatic start flag is set to OFF. When it is detected that the remaining charge value of the battery has increased to a predetermined first value due to charging, and the power supply is OFF and the automatic start flag is ON, the device is started by switching the power supply from OFF to ON. When it is detected that the remaining charge value of the battery has increased to the predetermined first value due to charging, if the power is OFF and the automatic start flag is OFF, the device will not start by keeping the power OFF. Control method.

11. A control method performed by a device comprising: a battery that supplies power to the device; a detection unit that detects the charge state of the battery, which is charged by an external power supply connected to the device; and a receiving means that receives power ON and power OFF operations for the device, This includes control processing that controls the ON / OFF of the device's power supply and the startup process, The aforementioned control process is When the reception means receives a power OFF operation, When the inspection mode flag, which retains the ON / OFF setting of the inspection mode, is ON, the automatic startup flag, which retains the ON / OFF setting of automatic startup, is turned ON, and the power is turned OFF. When the aforementioned inspection mode flag is OFF, the aforementioned automatic startup flag is turned OFF, and the power is turned OFF. When the detection unit detects that the battery has finished charging while the power is OFF, When the aforementioned automatic startup flag is ON, the power is turned ON and the device is started. When the automatic startup flag is OFF, the device will not start and will remain powered OFF. Control method.

12. A computer is used as a control means for a device equipped with an operating switch for switching the power ON to OFF. The control means is When the inspection mode flag is ON and the power supply is switched from ON to OFF by operating the operation switch, the automatic start flag is set to ON. When the inspection mode flag is OFF and the power is switched from ON to OFF by an operation of the operation switch, the automatic start flag is set to OFF. When it is detected that the remaining charge value of the battery has increased to a predetermined first value due to charging, and the power supply is OFF and the automatic start flag is ON, the device is started by switching the power supply from OFF to ON. When it is detected that the remaining charge value of the battery has increased to the predetermined first value due to charging, if the power is OFF and the automatic start flag is OFF, the device will not start by keeping the power OFF. program.

13. A computer for a device comprising: a battery that supplies power to the device; a detection unit that detects the charge state of the battery, which is charged by an external power supply connected to the device; and a receiving means that receives power ON and power OFF operations for the device, The aforementioned device is configured to function as a control means for controlling the ON / OFF power supply and startup process of the device. The control means is When the reception means receives a power OFF operation, When the inspection mode flag, which retains the ON / OFF setting of the inspection mode, is ON, the automatic startup flag, which retains the ON / OFF setting of automatic startup, is turned ON, and the power is turned OFF. When the aforementioned inspection mode flag is OFF, the aforementioned automatic startup flag is turned OFF, and the power is turned OFF. When the detection unit detects that the battery has finished charging while the power is OFF, When the aforementioned automatic startup flag is ON, the power is turned ON and the device is started. When the automatic startup flag is OFF, the device will not start and will remain powered OFF. program.

Images