JP2002272003A - Small information equipment, charging method for small information equipment, charge control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A small information device such as a wristwatch is charged without providing a dedicated charging terminal. SOLUTION: A button 10A provided as an operation button for operating a predetermined function of the wristwatch 100 , 1
OB is used as a charging terminal. Conductive button 1
OA is electrically connected to the positive terminal portion of the secondary battery 55 inside the wristwatch 100. In the conductive button 10B,
The switch unit 51 is connected, and is electrically connected to the positive terminal portion of the secondary battery 55 during non-charging, and is electrically connected to the negative terminal portion of the secondary battery 55 during charging. The switch unit 51 is provided with a switching unit 510 that can perform switching control depending on the magnitude of the external magnetic force, for example.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small information device, for example, a wristwatch, and more particularly to a method for charging the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A battery as a power supply, a coil, and an AC / AC for converting an AC voltage induced in the coil into a DC voltage.
There is a wristwatch-type small information device including a DC conversion circuit and a charging circuit for charging a battery with a DC voltage obtained from the AC / DC conversion circuit. In the case of this type of small information device, a battery can be charged by arranging a coil facing the coil inside the device outside and applying an AC voltage to the coil. However, in the case of this type of small information equipment, the battery is charged via two coils, an AC / DC conversion circuit, and a charging circuit, so that a large charging current cannot be supplied to the battery, which is required for charging. There is a disadvantage that the time becomes longer. On the other hand, there is a small information device having a dedicated terminal for charging electrically connected to a battery inside the device as a small information device having another configuration. In the case of this type of small information equipment, a large charging current can flow to a battery inside the equipment via a dedicated terminal, so that the battery can be charged in a relatively short time.

[0003]

However, providing a dedicated terminal for charging the battery is not preferable in reducing the size and weight of a small information device such as a wristwatch. In addition, there is a problem that the appearance design of the wristwatch is impaired.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a small information device such as a wristwatch which can perform a charging operation in a short time without providing a dedicated terminal for charging. The purpose is to:

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a small information device according to the present invention, two small information devices having an exposed conductive portion and operated for inputting a command to the small information device are provided. And a battery, and when the switching operation is performed, switching to form a charging path from one conductive portion of the two operation buttons to the other conductive portion of the two operation buttons via the battery. And a part. Therefore, according to the small information device according to the present invention, without providing a dedicated terminal for charging in the small information device,
The charging operation can be performed using the two operation buttons.

Further, in the small information device according to the present invention, the switching section has a movable body, a switch for opening and closing the charging path, and a magnet for pulling the movable body to open the switch. When a switching operation magnet having a magnetic force stronger than the magnetic force of the magnet is arranged at a predetermined position outside the small information device, the movable body is attracted by the magnetic force of the switching operation magnet to close the switch. , The charging path may be formed.
In this case, it is preferable that the movable body is made of a conductive material.

In the method for charging a small information device according to the present invention, two operation buttons having an exposed conductive portion and operated for inputting a command to the small information device, a battery, and a switching operation are performed. A switching section for forming a charging path from one conductive section of the two operation buttons to the other conductive section of the two operation buttons via the battery. A charging path from one conductive part of the two operation buttons to the other conductive part of the two operation buttons via the battery, and the battery via each conductive part. Charging. Therefore, if the method for charging a small information device according to the present invention is used, the charging operation can be performed using the two operation buttons without providing a dedicated terminal for the small information device.

In the charging control program for a small information device according to the present invention, two operation buttons having an exposed conductive portion and operated for inputting a command to the small information device, a battery, and a switching operation are provided. And a switching unit that, when performed, forms a charging path from one conductive portion of the two operation buttons to the other conductive portion of the two operation buttons via the battery. A charge control program for a device, comprising: forming a charging path from one conductive portion of the two operation buttons to the other conductive portion of the two operation buttons via the battery; The function of charging the battery is realized using a computer.

In a recording medium in which a charge control program for a small information device according to the present invention is recorded, two operation buttons having an exposed conductive portion and operated for inputting a command to the small information device, A switching unit that forms a charging path from one conductive portion of the two operation buttons to the other conductive portion of the two operation buttons via the battery when the switching operation is performed; A recording medium on which a charge control program for a small information device is recorded, wherein the charge control program extends from one conductive portion of the two operation buttons to the other conductive portion of the two operation buttons via the battery. A charge control program for a small information device, wherein a function of forming a charge path and charging the battery via each conductive portion is realized using a computer. Beam is characterized in that it is a recorded recording medium.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A: Configuration of Embodiment Hereinafter, the respective configurations of a wristwatch-type small information device according to the present embodiment and a charging device for charging the small information device will be described.

A1: Configuration of Wristwatch 100 FIG. 1 is an external view of a wristwatch-type small information device (hereinafter simply referred to as a wristwatch) 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the wristwatch 100 includes a wristwatch main body 50,
Belt 6 for attaching wristwatch body 50 to the user's arm
0 and a belt stopper 70.

The wristwatch main body 50 is provided with a display section 20 for displaying various information and conductive buttons 10A and 10B. The user can press the buttons 10A and 10B to input a desired command to the wristwatch 100. In the present embodiment, the watch main body 5
The description is made on the assumption that the case portion 0 is made of a non-conductive material.

FIG. 2 shows a part of the internal structure of the wristwatch main body 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the wristwatch main body 50 includes a detecting unit 52 for detecting a pressing operation of the button 10A, a detecting unit 53 for detecting a pressing operation of the button 10B, and a circuit board 59. .

The detecting section 52 has a first contact section 520 and a second contact section 521. Both the first contact portion 520 and the second contact portion 521 are made of a conductive material. The first contact portion 520 includes a fixed portion 520P and a movable portion 520.
F. Here, the movable portion 520F is a conductive spring member, is formed in a curved shape so as to conform to the shape of the button 10A, and has one end fixed to the fixed portion 520P. Thus, for example, button 1
When 0A is pressed, the movable part 520F is
It is pushed by 0A and bends from the fixed part 520P,
It moves to the second contact portion 521 side. And the movable part 520
F is pressed against the second contact portion 521 by the button 10A, and the first contact portion 520 and the second contact portion 521 are electrically connected (the dotted line portion shown in FIG. 2). When the user's finger separates from the button 10A, the movable part 520F
Returns to the position before the pressing operation together with the button 10A due to its elasticity, and the first contact portion 520 and the second contact portion 521 are electrically disconnected. Unless otherwise specified, the term “terminal” in the following description refers to a conductive terminal.

The detecting section 53 has a first contact section 530 and a second contact section 531 similar to the first contact section 520 and the second contact section 521 in the detecting section 52. The first contact portion 530 includes a fixed portion 530P and a movable portion 530F. The configuration and the relationship among the button 10B, the first contact portion 530, and the second contact portion 531 are the same as those of the above-described detection unit 52, and thus the description is omitted.

The circuit board 59 is an electronic circuit board on which electronic circuits (not shown) for operating various functions of the wristwatch main body 50 are arranged. The circuit board 59 includes the secondary battery 5
5, a switch unit 51, and a CPU 57.

The secondary battery 55 is a rechargeable battery. The secondary battery 55 has a positive terminal 55A and a negative terminal 55B. The positive terminal 55A of the secondary battery 55 is grounded, and the output voltage of the negative terminal 55B is supplied to the circuit board 59 as a negative power supply voltage VEE.

The CPU 57 controls various operations of the circuit mounted on the circuit board 59. The CPU 57 has input terminals 57A and 57B as input terminals. These two terminals are connected to the second contact portion 521 of the detection section 520 and the detection section 53.
0, and are connected to a negative power supply VEE via pull-down resistors R1 and R2, respectively. The switch unit 51 includes two contacts 515
And 516, and a common terminal 517 electrically connected to any of these contacts. Here, the contact 515 is grounded, and the contact 516 is connected to the negative terminal 55 </ b> B of the secondary battery 55. The common terminal 517 of the switch 51 is connected to the first contact 530 of the detector 53.
Is electrically connected to

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the switch section 51. As shown in FIG. 3, the switch unit 51 includes a switching unit 510, a magnet 512, contacts 515 and 516, a common 5
17. The contact 515 is electrically connected to a ground line of the circuit board 59. Further, the contact 516 is electrically connected to the power supply line of the negative power supply VEE of the circuit board 59.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the switching unit 510. As shown in FIG. 4, the switching unit 510 includes the circuit board 5
9, four conductive columns 51a, 51b, 5
1c and 51d, a spherical switch ball 51w surrounded by these cylinders, and a switch ball 51w.
It is composed of a circuit board and a ceiling plate (not shown) opposed to the circuit board w. As shown in FIG. 3, of the four cylinders, the cylinder 51a has a contact 515, and the cylinder 51b has a contact 516.
Is electrically connected to Also, the columns 51c and 5
1d is electrically connected to the common terminal 517. The switch ball 51w is a magnetic ball having conductivity. The diameter of the switch ball 51w is a column 51a,
It is longer than each gap between 51b, 51c and 51d. Therefore, the switch ball 51w is confined by the four columns so as not to escape from each gap. There is a slight play between the switch ball 51w and the four cylinders. Therefore, the switch ball 51w is
When in contact with the cylinders 51a and 51c, the cylinder 5
1b and 51d, separated from the cylinders 51b and 51d
When they are in contact with each other, they are separated from the columns 51a and 51c.

As shown in FIG. 3, a magnet 512 is fixed to the switch 51 so as to face the switch ball 51w across the gap between the columns 51a and 51c. For this reason, the switch ball 51w in the normal state
Is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 512 and is pressed against the cylinders 51a and 51c. Therefore,
Normally, the columns 51a and 51c are short-circuited by the switch ball 51w, and the common terminal 517 is electrically connected to the contact 515.

A2: Configuration of Charging Device 200 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the charging device 200 for charging the secondary battery 55 of the wristwatch 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 210 of the wristwatch 100 is
A guide groove 201 for mounting the zero portion is formed. FIG. 6 shows the wristwatch 100 along the guide groove 201.
It is a figure which illustrates the state which attached.

The charging device 200 has charging terminals 202, 2
03 is provided. The charging terminal 202 is provided with the button 10 when the wristwatch 100 is mounted in the guide groove 201.
A is electrically connected to the conductive material portion A. At this time, the charging terminal 203 is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the button 10B. In FIG. 6, the charging terminal 202 and the button 10A and the charging terminal 203 and the button 10B are not connected to prevent the drawing from being complicated. Becomes

The power outlet 204 is an input terminal for inputting an AC voltage from the outside, and is connected to a household commercial power supply or the like. Further, inside charging device 200, an AC / DC conversion circuit (not shown) for converting an external AC voltage into a DC voltage, and a charging terminal 202 and a charging terminal 202 based on the DC voltage obtained from the AC / DC conversion circuit. A charging circuit for charging the secondary battery 55 inside the wristwatch via the 203 is provided.

The magnet 255 is connected to the main body 21 of the charging device 200.
0 is installed inside. More specifically, the magnet 25
Reference numeral 5 denotes a magnet 5 with the switch ball 51w inside the wristwatch when the wristwatch is mounted in the guide groove 201.
12 is provided at a position opposite to the game. This magnet 25
The magnetic force of No. 5 is sufficiently larger than the magnetic force of the magnet 512 in the wristwatch 100.

B: Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In a normal state where charging is not performed at first, as shown in FIG.
The magnet 5 is attracted and the column 5 in the switching unit 510 is moved.
1a and 51c. For this reason, the button 10B and the first contact 5
30 is grounded via a switch unit 51. In this state, for example, when the button 10A is pressed by the user's finger, the first contact portion 520 and the second contact portion 521 of the detection unit 52 are electrically connected by the pressing operation. Therefore, the CPU 5 pulled down to the negative power supply
7, a ground potential is applied to the terminal 57A.

When detecting such a change in the voltage value of the terminal 57A, the CPU 57 determines that the user has pressed the button 10A, and executes a process corresponding to the operation. For example, if the pressing operation of the button 10A corresponds to the stopwatch function, the CPU 57 starts a time measurement operation as the stopwatch function when detecting a change in the voltage value of the terminal 57A. Button 1
When the pressing operation of 0A corresponds to the LCD backlight function, the CPU 57 starts the lighting operation of the LCD backlight (not shown) of the wristwatch main body 50 when detecting the change in the voltage value of the terminal 57A. .

When the user's finger leaves the button 10A, the pressing operation of the button 10A ends. Therefore, the first contact portion 520 and the second contact portion 521 of the detection unit 52 are electrically disconnected from each other, and the voltage value of the terminal 57A of the CPU 57 returns to the voltage value of the negative power supply VEE. The CPU 57
When such a change in the voltage value of the terminal 57A is detected, it is determined that the user has finished pressing down the button 10A, and processing corresponding to the operation is executed. For example, button 10
If the pressing operation of A corresponds to the LCD backlight function, the CPU 57 detects a change in the voltage value of the terminal 57A (changes from the voltage value of the VDD section to the voltage value of the VEE section) and detects the change of the LCD backlight. Turn off the lights.

The same applies when the button 10B is pressed by the user. With this operation, the reference terminal 530 and the detection terminal 531 of the detection unit 53 are switched from the electrically disconnected state to the connected state. Therefore, the ground potential is applied to the terminal 57B of the CPU 57 that has been pulled down to the negative power supply VEE. The CPU 57 has such a terminal 57B
Is detected, it is determined that the user has pressed down the button 10B, and a process corresponding to the operation of the button 10B is executed. For example, when the pressing operation of the button 10B corresponds to the one that stops the stopwatch function,
Upon detecting a change in the voltage value of the terminal 57B (change from the voltage value of the VEE section to the voltage value of the VDD section), the CPU 57 ends the time measurement operation as the stopwatch function, and displays the time measurement result on the display section 20 of the wristwatch 100. Is performed.

As described above, the watch 10 is normally used.
When the 0 button 10A or the button 10B is pressed, the original function of the wristwatch 100 is executed.
When the button 10A or the button 10B is pressed by the user, a process corresponding to the operation is executed by the CPU 57.

When charging the secondary battery 55 of the wristwatch 100, the user attaches the wristwatch 100 to the charging device 200. FIG. 7 corresponds to a diagram illustrating a state of each terminal of the switch unit 51 and the switch ball 51w during charging.
In FIG. 7, magnet 25 built in charging device 200
5 is also shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, during charging, the switch ball 51w is connected to the magnet 25 having a stronger magnetic force than the magnet 512.
Due to the influence of 5, the magnet 255 is attracted in the direction where it is located. Therefore, during charging, the columns 51a and 51c are electrically disconnected, and the columns 51b and 51d are electrically short-circuited. Therefore, button 10
B and the first contact section 530 of the detection section 53 are connected to the negative terminal 55B of the secondary battery 55 via the switch section 51. Here, the button 10A and the detection unit 52
The first contact portion 520 is connected to the positive terminal 55A of the secondary battery 55 via the ground wire of the circuit board 59 as in the normal case.

Therefore, in this case, the buttons 10A, 10B
Terminals 202 and 2 of the charging device 200 connected to the
When a voltage is applied to the battery 03, the secondary battery 55 of the wristwatch 100 can be charged. When the user removes wristwatch 100 from charging device 200 after charging is completed, switch unit 51 returns to the above-described normal state (FIG. 3).

C: Modifications The above description is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention. Modifications can be made arbitrarily within the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) Modification 1 In the embodiment described above, the button 1
Although the case where 0A and 10B are electrically connected to the ground line of the circuit board 59 has been described, the buttons 10A and 10B may be electrically connected to the power line of the circuit board 59. In any case, the button 10
If the potentials of A and 10B are the same, even when the buttons 10A and 10B are short-circuited, the circuit board 59 does not have an adverse effect such as a current leak, and similarly to a conventional wristwatch. , Buttons 10A, 10B
Can be used as operation buttons for operating a predetermined function.

(2) Modification 2 In the above embodiment, the buttons 10A and 10B are described as being made of a conductive material.
Does not need to be conductive. FIG.
This is an example in which a part of the buttons 10A and 10B is made of a conductive material. In short, in order to apply the present invention, at the time of charging, the charging terminals 202 and 203 of the charging device 200 and the secondary battery 5 in the wristwatch 100 are required.
5 may be in an electrically connected state.

(3) Modification 3 In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the casing of the wristwatch body 50 is made of a non-conductive material. A metal or a metal-plated material is often used. This is largely due to countermeasures when static electricity is generated in the wristwatch main body 50 and to the external design of the wristwatch 100.

The present invention can be applied to a case where a conductive material is used for the housing of the wristwatch body 50.
In this case, in a normal state, for example, one of the ground line and the power supply line of the circuit board 59 is electrically connected so that the housing portion of the wristwatch main body 50 and the conductive portions of the buttons 10A and 10B all have the same potential. Circuit board 59 to be connected
May be configured. When charging, button 1
Since the potential of the conductive portion 0B changes, the button 10B is not electrically connected to the housing of the wristwatch body 50, for example, the button material structure shown in FIG. It is desirable to take measures. By taking such measures, the present invention can be applied, and at the same time, measures against the static electricity of the wristwatch 100 and external design can be performed.

(4) Modification 4 The configuration of the switching unit 510 can be arbitrarily modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the column 51 shown in FIG.
a, 51b, 51c, 51d instead of spherical, prismatic,
The switch ball 51w may be surrounded by a conductive member having a conical shape, a triangular pyramid shape, or a combination thereof.
The shape of the switch ball 51w is not limited to a spherical shape, but may be a rugby ball shape or a polyhedral shape. The switch ball 51w is not limited to one. For example, a plurality of small balls may be provided, and the switching of the switching unit 510 may be controlled by controlling the positions of the plurality of small balls.

(5) Modification 5 The buttons 10A and 10B can be arbitrarily modified. Press-type buttons 10A, 1 according to the above-described embodiment.
Instead of 0B, a switch such as a crown or a rotary switch may be used. Further, a non-contact type switch using infrared rays, static electricity or the like may be used as the buttons 10A and 10B.

(6) Modification 6 In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a wristwatch as a small information device. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a small information device wound around the user's waist. Of course, it is also possible to apply the present invention. Further, it may be a small information device to be worn on glasses, or may be a form such as a necklace type or a pendant type.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For example, in a wristwatch-type rechargeable small information device, the device can be quickly charged without providing a dedicated terminal for the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a wristwatch 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a part of the interior of the wristwatch 100.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a switch unit 51 of the wristwatch 100.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a switching unit 510 of the wristwatch 100.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a charging device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a wristwatch 100 is attached to the charging device 200.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a switching unit 510 of the wristwatch 100.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... watch, 10A, 10B ... button, 50 ...
... Watch body, 51 ... Switch part, 55 ... Secondary battery, 200 ... Charging device, 201 ... Guide groove, 20
2, 203: charging terminal, 204: power outlet,
210: body of the charging device, 255: magnet.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F002 AA04 AA05 AB04 AB06 AC02 AC03 AC04 AD07 AE01 AE02 BA04 BA13 EA01 ED01 EH04 GA04 GA05 2F084 AA05 CC03 GG04 JJ07 JJ09 LL03 LL04 5B011 DA06 DA13 EA10 5G003 A01 FA03

Claims (6)

[Claims] An operation button for operating a command input to a small information device having an exposed conductive portion, a battery, and one of the two operation buttons when a switching operation is performed. And a switching unit that forms a charging path from the conductive unit of (1) to the other conductive unit of the two operation buttons via the battery. 2. The small information device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit includes a movable body, a switch that opens and closes the charging path, and a magnet that pulls the movable body to open the switch. When a switching operation magnet having a magnetic force stronger than the magnetic force of the magnet is disposed at a predetermined position outside the small information device, the movable body is attracted by the magnetic force of the switching operation magnet to close the switch. A small information device, wherein the device is in a state and the charging path is formed. 3. The small information device according to claim 2, wherein the movable body is made of a conductive material. 4. An operation button for operating a command input to a small information device having an exposed conductive portion, a battery, and one of the two operation buttons when a switching operation is performed. And a switching unit that forms a charging path from the conductive part of the two operation buttons to the other conductive part of the two operation buttons via the battery. Forming a charging path from one conductive part of the operation button to the other conductive part of the two operation buttons via the battery, and charging the battery via each conductive part; How to charge the device. 5. An operation button having an exposed conductive portion and operated for inputting a command to a small information device; a battery; and one of the two operation buttons when a switching operation is performed. And a switching unit that forms a charging path from the conductive part of the two operation buttons to the other conductive part of the two operation buttons through the battery. A computer has a function of forming a charging path from one conductive portion of the operation button to the other conductive portion of the two operation buttons via the battery, and charging the battery via each conductive portion. A charge control program for a small information device characterized by being realized by: 6. An operation button having an exposed conductive part and operated for inputting a command to a small information device; a battery; and one of the two operation buttons when a switching operation is performed. And a switching unit for forming a charging path from the conductive part of the two operation buttons to the other conductive part of the two operation buttons via the battery. Forming a charging path from one conductive part of the two operation buttons to the other conductive part of the two operation buttons via the battery, and charging the battery via each conductive part; A recording medium in which a charge control program for a small information device is recorded, wherein the function of causing the computer to perform the function of causing the computer to perform the function of causing the computer to perform the function is performed.