Information terminals and programs

Abstract

Easily make users aware of the effect of reducing power consumption by shutting down electronic devices [Solution] An information terminal acquires power consumption reduction settings input by a user for an electronic device with which it can communicate, predicts a power consumption reduction amount based on the acquired settings, draws an image showing the predicted power consumption reduction amount and displays the image on a display means, and transmits the acquired power consumption reduction settings to the electronic device. The power consumption reduction settings are a communication function of the electronic device, and include a setting to turn off communication functions between the electronic device and the information terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information terminal and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for reducing power consumption, for example, extending the battery life, it is known to provide a power-saving mode that stops some functions. There are also devices that can be set to the power-saving mode from an external device such as a smartphone.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that a connected electrical device measures power consumption and simulates and displays the time transition of the total power consumption when the operation period of the electrical device is changed based on the time-series power consumption, or the electricity cost for that day.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, when setting to reduce power consumption for a plurality of functions, it has been difficult to know in advance how much the power consumption will be reduced. Therefore, there is a risk that, for example, functions may be stopped more than necessary, impairing the convenience of the user.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique that can easily recognize the effect of reducing power consumption by stopping functions of an electronic device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the technique according to the present invention employs the configuration described below.

[0008] (1) An information terminal comprising: setting acquisition means for acquiring settings for power consumption reduction input by a user, which are settings of a communicable electronic device; prediction means for predicting the amount of power consumption reduction based on the acquired settings; drawing means for drawing an image showing the predicted amount of power consumption reduction and displaying the image on a display means; and setting transmission means for transmitting the acquired power consumption reduction settings to the electronic device.

[0009] (2) In (1), the setting acquisition means is an information terminal that acquires the start time and end time of a low power consumption mode that reduces the power consumption of the electronic device as the setting.

[0010] (3)(2) The prediction means obtains a coefficient that corresponds to time and indicates the efficiency of reducing power consumption, and predicts the amount of power consumption reduction based on the obtained coefficient corresponding to time and the obtained start time and end time, an information terminal.

[0011] (4)(1) The setting acquisition means is an information terminal that acquires, as the setting, one or more functions from among a plurality of functions to be stopped in a low power consumption mode that reduces the power consumption of the electronic device.

[0012] (5) A program for causing a computer to function as a setting acquisition means for acquiring settings of a communicable electronic device, which are power consumption reduction settings input by a user; a prediction means for predicting the amount of power consumption reduction based on the acquired settings; a drawing means for drawing an image showing the predicted amount of power consumption reduction and displaying the image on a display means; and a setting transmission means for transmitting the acquired power consumption reduction settings to the electronic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the effect of reducing power consumption by stopping the functions of electronic devices can be easily recognized by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a clock system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functions realized by the clock system. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of a smartphone. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing another example of a setting screen. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing another example of a setting screen. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing another example of a setting screen. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing another example of a setting screen. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing another example of a setting screen. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of a wristwatch that has received a setting for power consumption reduction. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of power saving control of a wristwatch. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of a power saving setting screen according to the day of the week.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a clock system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clock system includes a smartphone 1 and a wristwatch 2. The smartphone 1 includes a processor 11, a storage 12, a display panel 14, an input device 15, a mobile communication unit 131, a wireless LAN communication unit 132, and a short-range communication unit 133. The smartphone 1 is a type of information terminal, and may be other types of terminals such as a tablet or a personal computer.

[0017] The processor 11 operates according to the execution instructions of the program stored in the storage 12. The processor 11 also controls the display panel 14, the input device 15, the mobile communication unit 131, the wireless LAN communication unit 132, and the short-range communication unit 133. Note that the execution instructions of the above program may be provided via the Internet or the like, or may be stored and provided in a computer-readable storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0018] The storage 12 is composed of memory elements such as DRAM and flash memory. The storage 12 stores the execution instructions of the above program. In addition, the storage 12 stores information and calculation results input from the processor 11, the input device 15, etc. The storage 12 may include a storage device such as a hard disk.

[0019] The display panel 14 is a type of display device that displays images, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. The display panel 14 is connected to a display controller or GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) not shown in the figure, and displays an image based on an instruction from the processor 11.

[0020] The input device 15 includes, for example, at least a part of a touch panel, a microphone, and a camera. The input device 15 may include an input / output interface such as a connector and an integrated circuit that realizes a USB interface. An external input device such as a keyboard or a mouse may be connected to the smartphone 1 via the input / output interface. Note that the smartphone 1 may include a speaker not shown in the figure.

[0021] The mobile communication unit 131, the wireless LAN communication unit 132, and the short-range communication unit 133 each include a transmitting and receiving circuit and an antenna that enables wireless communication with external devices. The mobile communication unit 131 communicates via a mobile communication network. The wireless LAN communication unit 132 communicates with external devices in accordance with wireless LAN standards. The short-range communication unit 133 communicates with external devices placed near the smartphone 1 in accordance with communication standards such as Bluetooth® or NFC (Near Field Communication). Based on the control of the processor 11, each of the mobile communication unit 131, the wireless LAN communication unit 132, and the short-range communication unit 133 inputs information received from other devices to the processor 11 and storage 12, and transmits the information to other devices.

[0022] The wristwatch 2 includes a microcontroller 21, a short-range communication unit 233, a display unit 24, a hand-moving motor 241, an operating member 25, a biosensor 26, and a battery 29. The wristwatch 2 is a so-called smartwatch and is a type of electronic device.

[0023] The microcontroller 21 includes a processor, memory, and a real-time clock 211. It executes programs stored in memory, receives information from operating members 25, and controls the hand-moving motor 241 and the short-range communication unit 233. The real-time clock 211 keeps track of the internal time. The display unit 24 is a pointer, driven by the hand-moving motor 241 via a gear train. The display unit 24 may be a display panel such as a liquid crystal. The operating members 25 include buttons. The biosensor 26 includes at least some of an acceleration sensor and a pulse sensor, and measures values ​​used, for example, to determine the wearing status of the wristwatch 2. The battery 29 can be a primary battery, a secondary battery that stores power generated when light hits a solar cell, or power supplied from an external source, and supplies power to each component, including the microcontroller 21.

[0024] In this embodiment, the wristwatch 2 has at least two operating modes: a normal mode and a power-saving mode. The normal mode is the mode in which the functions the user wishes to use are activated while the wristwatch 2 is being worn. The power-saving mode is a mode in which some of the functions of the wristwatch 2 that are operating in the normal mode are stopped in order to reduce power consumption. Below, we will mainly describe how to set the power-saving mode of the wristwatch 2 from the smartphone 1.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functions realized by the clock system. Functionally, the clock system includes an operation reception unit 51, a prediction unit 52, a setting screen control unit 53, a clock setting unit 54, a log recording unit 55, a power saving control unit 58, and a notification unit 59. The operation reception unit 51, prediction unit 52, setting screen control unit 53, clock setting unit 54, and log recording unit 55 are each realized when the processor 11 executes a program corresponding to its function, which is stored in the storage 12 of the smartphone 1, and the processor 11 controls one of the display panel 14, input device 15, or short-range communication unit 133 as needed.

[0026] The settings screen control unit 53 displays the power saving mode settings screen on the display device of the smartphone 1. The settings screen control unit 53 may transition the displayed screen to the power saving mode settings screen if another settings screen is displayed and a predetermined operation is performed.

[0027] The operation reception unit 51 corresponds to a setting acquisition means and acquires input operations from the user. User input operations are power consumption reduction settings entered by the user, and include settings for the wristwatch 2 that can communicate with the smartphone 1. Power consumption reduction settings include the start time and end time of the power saving mode, and at least one of the multiple functions that will be stopped in power saving mode.

[0028] The prediction unit 52 corresponds to a prediction means and predicts the amount of power consumption reduction based on the acquired power consumption reduction settings. The prediction unit 52 may acquire a coefficient that corresponds to time and indicates the efficiency of power consumption reduction, and predict the amount of power consumption reduction based on the acquired coefficient corresponding to time and the acquired start time and end time.

[0029] The settings screen control unit 53 corresponds to a drawing means and draws an image on the power saving mode settings screen that shows the predicted amount of power consumption reduction, and displays the image on the display means.

[0030] The clock setting unit 54 corresponds to a setting transmission means and transmits the acquired power consumption reduction settings to the wristwatch 2.

[0031] The logging unit 55 records a log of the operating status of the wristwatch 2. As part of the operating status, the logging unit 55 stores the transmission time of each notification sent from the smartphone 1 to the wristwatch 2 in the storage 12. In addition, the logging unit 55 may also record in the storage 12 either the cumulative display period of images for each time period (e.g., 1 hour) on the wristwatch 2, or the detection status of the user viewing the watch by the biosensor 26, which has a high correlation with the display period.

[0032] The power saving control unit 58 and the notification unit 59 are implemented by the processor in the microcontroller 21 executing programs corresponding to their respective functions, which are stored in the memory of the microcontroller 21 of the wristwatch 2, to control each unit.

[0033] When the power saving control unit 58 receives a power consumption reduction setting, it registers the setting in the memory of the microcontroller 21. The power saving control unit 58 also controls the watch 2 to switch to power saving mode or return to normal mode based on the registered power saving setting. In power saving mode, some of the watch 2's functions (one or more target functions included in the registered power saving setting) are disabled.

[0034] The notification unit 59 receives notification information transmitted from the smartphone 1's system and displays the information on the display unit 24 or the like based on the notification information.

[0035] Next, we will explain the processing of smartphone 1. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of smartphone 1. Figure 3 mainly shows the processing when setting the power saving mode of watch 2 on smartphone 1. When the user performs some operation that transitions to the power saving mode setting screen, the processing shown in Figure 3 begins.

[0036] First, the settings screen control unit 53 displays the power saving mode settings screen on the display device (step S111). Figure 4 shows an example of the settings screen. Figure 4 shows an example of the display when the power saving setting is enabled for the wristwatch 2.

[0037] The settings screen shown in Figure 4 displays a power saving switch 71, the start time 72 and end time 73 for power saving mode, and the power saving intensity 75. The power saving switch 71 is, for example, a toggle switch that sets whether or not to allow the watch 2 to enter power saving mode. When the power saving switch 71 is off, that setting is sent to the watch 2, and it does not enter power saving mode. The start time 72 is the time when the watch 2 transitions to power saving mode, and the end time 73 is the time when the watch 2 returns from power saving mode to normal mode. The power saving intensity 75 is an example image showing the predicted amount of power consumption reduction. The power saving intensity 75 graphically displays the predicted amount of power consumption reduction using a string of characters including the number of stars and the length of the bar. In Figure 4, the power saving intensity 75 is represented by the length of the filled bar and arrow, the number of stars, and one of the indications "strong," "medium," or "weak."

[0038] Next, the operation reception unit 51 receives user input (step S112). The operation reception unit 51 may obtain, for example, information indicating an operation on the touch panel while the settings screen is displayed (e.g., the touched coordinates or the type of UI element present in the touched area) as user input.

[0039] The operation reception unit 51 determines whether the received operation indicates the end of the power saving setting. (Step S113). An operation indicating the end of the settings corresponds, for example, to pressing the "Back" button in Figure 4. When an operation indicating the end of the settings is performed (Y in Step S113), the process shown in Figure 3 ends.

[0040] On the other hand, if the received operation is not an operation indicating the end of the power saving settings (N in step S113), the operation reception unit 51 determines whether the received operation is an operation to turn on the power saving changeover switch 71 or an operation to change the power saving operation settings (step S114). The power saving operation settings may be, for example, at least some of the settings for the start time 72, the end time 73, and the functions targeted for power saving, which will be described later.

[0041] If the received operation is neither an operation to turn on the power saving switch 71 nor an operation to change the power saving operation setting (N in step S114), the operation reception unit 51 determines that an operation to turn off the power saving switch 71 has been performed, and the clock setting unit 54 sends a setting to the wristwatch 2 indicating that the power saving mode of the wristwatch 2 will not be used (step S115). Specifically, the clock setting unit 54 causes the short-range communication unit 133 to send information to the wristwatch 2 that includes a setting to not use the power saving mode. In the example in Figure 3, since the power saving operation setting cannot be changed when the power saving switch 71 is off, step S114 indicates that an operation to turn off the power saving switch 71 has been performed when N is the case. However, the operation reception unit 51 may determine whether or not an operation to turn off the power saving switch 71 has been performed, and step S115 may be executed only if it is determined that an operation to turn off the power saving switch 71 has been performed.

[0042] On the other hand, if the received operation is to turn on the power saving switch 71 or to change the power saving operation setting (Y in step S114), the prediction unit 52 predicts the amount of power consumption reduction in the current power saving operation setting (step S116).

[0043] The prediction unit 52 may calculate the predicted reduction in power consumption as the percentage of the time the watch 2 operates in power-saving mode per day relative to the maximum period of power-saving mode (e.g., 8 hours). In this case, for example, if the period from the start time 72 to the end time 73 of power-saving mode is 6 hours, a reduction of 75% will be calculated.

[0044] Furthermore, the prediction unit 52 may obtain a coefficient for each time period (for example, one hour) that indicates the magnitude of the power consumption reduction effect, calculate the product of the length of time the device operates in power-saving mode and the coefficient for each time period, and calculate the predicted power consumption reduction by summing the products calculated for each time period. Here, the coefficient may be a value predetermined for each time period based on statistical data during development. The prediction unit 52 may also calculate the coefficient for each time period based on the log of the operating status stored in the storage 12 by the log recording unit 55.

[0045] The prediction unit 52 may also predict the amount of power consumption reduction based on the functions targeted for power saving. For example, an effect constant may be set in advance for each of the functions targeted for power saving, and the prediction unit 52 may calculate the amount of power consumption reduction corresponding to the functions that are turned off in power saving mode by multiplying the sum of the effect constants for each of the functions that are turned off in power saving mode by the amount of power consumption reduction calculated using the method described above. Alternatively, a coefficient may be set for each function for each time period, and for each function that is turned off, the product of the length of time it operates in power saving mode and the coefficient may be calculated for each time period, and the amount of power consumption reduction may be calculated by summing the products calculated for each time period. The prediction unit 52 may calculate the sum of the power consumption reductions for each function that is turned off as the total amount of power consumption reduction due to power saving mode.

[0046] The setting screen control unit 53 then displays the predicted power consumption reduction amount (for example, power saving intensity 75) on the setting screen and displays the setting screen on the display device (step S117). Meanwhile, the clock setting unit 54 transmits the power consumption reduction settings to the wristwatch 2 (step S118). The power consumption reduction settings include settings for using the power saving mode and power saving operation settings. The clock setting unit 54 then transmits the power saving settings to the wristwatch 2, for example, the short-range communication unit 133.

[0047] The image of the predicted power consumption reduction displayed by the settings screen control unit 53 may differ from that in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows another example of the settings screen. In the example in Figure 5, the settings screen control unit 53 determines the position of the indicator according to the predicted power consumption reduction amount as the power saving intensity 76, and graphically displays it by drawing an image that includes the indicator.

[0048] This section describes the operation and display for setting the functions to be saved in power-saving mode. Figure 6 shows another example of the settings screen. In this example, in the target setting area 81 included in the settings screen, the user can select the functions of the watch 2 that will be disabled in power-saving mode. In this example, the operation reception unit 51 detects when the user touches the display of a function in the target setting area 81, and the operation reception unit 51 switches whether the touched function is turned on or off in power-saving mode. The example in Figure 6 shows that in power-saving mode, the incoming call and message reception notification function and the BLE communication function are turned off, but the time display and alarm are not turned off.

[0049] The prediction unit 52 may calculate a predicted value for battery life as the amount of power consumption reduction. Figure 7 shows another example of the settings screen. In this example, the prediction unit 52 calculates the battery life when the watch 2 is not in power saving mode and the battery life when the watch 2 is in power saving mode, and the settings screen control unit 53 draws these values ​​in the battery life area 77 of the settings screen.

[0050] The amount of power consumption reduction may be displayed for each day of the week. Figure 8 shows another example of the settings screen. In this example, the operation reception unit 51 obtains the start time 72 and end time 73 of the power saving mode for each day of the week, and the prediction unit 52 calculates the amount of power consumption reduction for each day of the week. The settings screen control unit 53 may then draw an image of the power saving intensity 78, which includes the reduction amount for each day of the week, on the settings screen. Furthermore, the sum of the reduction amounts for each day of the week may also be displayed in the power saving intensity 78 image on the settings screen. Power saving settings may be set by dividing the days of the week into several groups. Figure 12 shows an example of a power saving settings screen according to the days of the week. In the example of Figure 12, the operation reception unit 51 obtains settings where the end time of the power saving mode is different for Monday to Friday (Plan 1) and Saturday and Sunday (Plan 2). Note that the start of the power saving mode is not limited to once a day; multiple periods of power saving mode may be set for a day, for example, during the late-night hours and lunch break.

[0051] The settings screen control unit 53 may also graphically display the time period during which the device operates in power-saving mode. Figure 9 shows another example of the settings screen. In the example in Figure 9, the settings screen control unit 53 graphically draws an image in the power-saving period area 79 of the settings screen, based on the start time 72 and end time 73, indicating the duration of the power-saving mode.

[0052] The operation of the watch 2 in relation to power saving settings will also be explained. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the watch 2 when it receives a power saving reduction setting. The processing shown in Figure 10 is executed when the power saving reduction setting is sent from the smartphone 1 and the watch 2 receives it.

[0053] First, the power saving control unit 58 receives the power consumption reduction setting transmitted from the smartphone 1 (step S211). Then, the power saving control unit 58 updates the power saving mode setting, including the start time 72 and end time 73, stored in the memory of the microcontroller 21, and starts the power saving control process (step S212). Although not shown in the diagram, if the power saving control unit 58 receives a setting indicating that the power saving mode will not be used, it terminates the power saving control process.

[0054] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the power saving control process for the wristwatch 2. This process is started by step S212 in Figure 10. First, the power saving control unit 58 waits until the start time 72 registered in memory (step S221). When the start time 72 arrives, the power saving control unit 58 stops the functions to be stopped, which are included in the power saving mode setting (step S222). Then the power saving control unit 58 waits until the end time 73 registered in memory (step S223), and when the end time 73 arrives, the power saving control unit 58 restarts the functions to be stopped (step S224). Note that the process in Figure 11 may be executed from step S221 immediately after the process in step S224.

[0055] As described above, the operation of smartphone 1 allows the wearer of watch 2 to easily check the extent of power consumption reduction when setting the power saving mode. This enables the wearer to adjust the power saving settings more appropriately and avoid problems caused by improper power saving mode settings, for example.

[0056] The diagrams and other representations shown in each embodiment of the present invention are not limited thereto and can be modified as desired, as long as they satisfy the essence of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Smartphone, 2 Wristwatch, 11 Processor, 12 Storage, 131 Mobile communication unit, 132 Wireless LAN communication unit, 133 Near-field communication unit, 14 Display panel, 15 Input device, 21 Microcontroller, 211 Real-time clock, 233 Near-field communication unit, 24 Display unit, 241 Hand movement motor, 25 Operating member, 26 Biosensor, 29 Battery, 51 Operation reception unit, 52 Prediction unit, 53 Setting screen control unit, 54 Clock setting unit, 55 Log recording unit, 58 Power saving control unit, 59 Notification unit, 71 Power saving toggle switch, 72 Start time, 73 End time, 75, 76, 78 Power saving intensity, 81 Target setting area, 77 Duration area, 79 Power saving period area.

Claims

1. An information terminal capable of communicating with electronic devices, A setting acquisition means that acquires settings for power consumption reduction input from the user, and the settings of the electronic device that can communicate, A prediction means for predicting the amount of power consumption reduction based on the acquired settings, A drawing means that draws an image showing the predicted reduction in power consumption and displays the image on a display means, A setting transmission means for transmitting the acquired power consumption reduction setting to the electronic device, Includes, The power consumption reduction setting includes a setting for the communication function of the electronic device, which is to turn off the communication function between the electronic device and the information terminal. Information terminal.

2. In the information terminal described in claim 1, The setting acquisition means acquires the start time and end time of the low power consumption mode that reduces the power consumption of the electronic device as the setting. Information terminal.

3. In the information terminal described in claim 2, The prediction means obtains a coefficient that corresponds to time and indicates the efficiency of power consumption reduction, and predicts the amount of power consumption reduction based on the obtained coefficient corresponding to time and the obtained start time and end time. Information terminal.

4. In the information terminal described in claim 1, The setting acquisition means acquires, as the setting, one or more functions from among a plurality of functions that are stopped in a low power consumption mode that reduces the power consumption of the electronic device. Information terminal.

5. A setting acquisition means that acquires settings for power consumption reduction input from a user, and which acquires settings for a communicable electronic device. A prediction means that predicts the amount of power consumption reduction based on the acquired settings, A drawing means for drawing an image showing the predicted reduction in power consumption and displaying the image on a display means, A setting transmission means for transmitting the acquired power consumption reduction setting to the electronic device. To make the computer function as, The power consumption reduction setting includes a setting for the communication function of the electronic device, which is to turn off the communication function between the electronic device and the computer. program.

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