JP2013205986A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more suppress an erroneous operation for a specific operation input than for a normal operation input.SOLUTION: An electronic device 1 comprises a contact detection unit 40, a pressure detection unit 60, and a control unit 10. The contact detection unit 40 detects contact. The pressure detection unit 60 detects pressure on the contact detection unit 40. The control unit 10 unlocks an application in accordance with data based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic device that performs predetermined processing such as executing application software based on an input to a contact detection unit such as a touch sensor.

  In recent years, electronic devices including a touch sensor such as a touch panel or a touch switch as a member for detecting an operation by an operator in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone are increasing. In addition to portable terminals, electronic devices including touch sensors, such as devices such as calculators and ticket machines, household appliances such as microwave ovens, televisions, and lighting devices, and industrial devices (FA devices) are widely used.

  Such touch sensors are used as input devices such as bank ATMs and mobile phone terminals. There are functions that should be restricted to the registered person for execution on specific data, such as a cash withdrawal function in a bank ATM and various functions related to an address book in a mobile phone terminal.

  It is known that such a function is locked, and the lock is released when the entered password number matches the registered password number (see Patent Document 1). In the case of using the touch panel described above, a personal identification number or the like can be input by operating the displayed numeric buttons and character keys.

JP-A-5-20525

  However, if the operation position and / or numbers on the numeric buttons displayed on the screen are viewed by a third party, the personal identification number may be leaked.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such circumstances is to provide an electronic apparatus having an input function that is difficult for a third party to perceive.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic device according to the present invention provides:
A contact detector for detecting contact;
A pressure detection unit for detecting pressure on the contact detection unit;
And a control unit that unlocks the application according to data based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit.

  In addition, it is preferable that the data based on a press is a voltage according to the acceleration of the press to a contact detection part.

  In addition to the data based on the pressure, the control unit preferably unlocks the application according to at least one of the contact position detected by the contact detection unit, the number of contacts, and the order of contact.

Further, in addition to the data based on the pressure, the control unit is configured in accordance with the degree of coincidence between at least one of the contact position detected by the contact detection unit, the number of times of contact, and the order of contact with the release information registered in advance. It is preferable to unlock the application with the functions restricted.

Moreover, the unlocking method according to the present invention includes:
A detection step for detecting contact;
A pressure detection step for detecting pressure;
A release step of unlocking the application according to data based on the pressure detected in the pressure detection step.

  The electronic device according to the present invention configured as described above can have an input function that is difficult for a third party to perceive.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the mounting structure of an electronic device. It is a figure which shows the state in which the electronic device is displaying the registration request image. It is a flowchart explaining the pre-registration process which a control part performs. It is a flowchart explaining the lock release process with respect to the specific function which a control part performs. It is a flowchart explaining the lock release process with respect to the specific data which a control part performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a mobile phone terminal, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, a control unit 10, a display unit 30, a contact detection unit 40, a vibration unit 50, a press detection unit 60, And a storage unit 80.

  The control unit 10 controls and manages the entire electronic device 1 by controlling each functional unit constituting the electronic device 1. Of the processing of the control unit 10, those unique to the present embodiment will be described later.

  The display unit 30 can display various images including photographs. In addition, the display unit 30 superimposes these images and displays an object such as a push button switch (push button switch) as an image. This object is an image that suggests to the operator a region to be touched on the touch surface of the contact detection unit 40. The push button switch is a button, key, or the like (hereinafter, simply referred to as “key, etc.”) used by an operator for input operation. The display unit 30 is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic EL display panel, or the like.

  The contact detection unit 40 is normally disposed on the front surface of the display unit 30 and contacts the object displayed on the display unit 30 with an operator's finger, stylus pen, or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as “contact object”). Detection is performed on the touch surface of the corresponding contact detection unit 40. Further, the contact detection unit 40 detects the contact position of the contact object with respect to the touch surface, and notifies the control unit 10 of the detected contact position. As the contact detection unit 40, for example, a touch sensor configured by a resistance film method, a capacitance method, an optical method, or the like can be used.

  The vibration unit 50 is configured using, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator, and vibrates the contact detection unit 40. The vibration unit 50 presents a tactile sensation to a contact object that is in contact with the touch surface by generating vibration according to a predetermined vibration pattern. In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 50 generates vibration based on a drive signal supplied from the control unit 10.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the vibration unit 50 to vibrate. At this time, the control unit 10 can also control the drive signal for driving the vibration unit 50 to be different according to the contact position of the contact object detected by the contact detection unit 40. That is, the control unit 10 can also perform control so as to generate different types of vibrations according to the object displayed on the display unit 30 corresponding to the position where the contact detection unit 40 has detected contact.

  The pressure detection unit 60 detects pressure on the touch surface of the contact detection unit 40. For example, a strain gauge sensor or a piezoelectric device whose physical or electrical characteristics (distortion, resistance, voltage, etc.) change according to the pressure. An element such as an element is used. When the press detection unit 60 is configured using, for example, a piezoelectric element or the like, the piezoelectric element of the press detection unit 60 is the magnitude (or load) of the load (force) related to the press on the touch surface of the contact detection unit 40. In accordance with the speed (acceleration) at which the magnitude of (force) changes, the voltage magnitude (voltage value (hereinafter referred to as data based on pressing)), which is an electrical characteristic, changes. The control unit 10 is based on the pressure when the pressure detection unit 60 notifies the control unit 10 of data based on the pressure, or the control unit 10 detects data based on the pressure of the pressure detection unit 60. Get the data. That is, the control unit 10 acquires data based on the pressure on the touch surface of the contact detection unit 40 from the pressure detection unit 60. Note that the data based on the pressure may be the magnitude of the load applied to the pressure, the power value, the resistance value, or the like instead of the voltage value. In addition, the vibration part 50 and the press detection part 60 may be comprised integrally.

  The storage unit 80 is configured by, for example, a flash memory, and can store various types of information as well as various types of application software (hereinafter simply referred to as “applications”) executed in the electronic device 1.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting structure centered on the display unit 30, the contact detection unit 40, the vibration unit 50, and the press detection unit 60 in the electronic device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a main part, and FIG. 2B is a plan view of the main part. As shown in FIG. 2A, in the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, the display unit 30 is housed and held in a housing 71. In addition, the contact detection unit 40 is held on the display unit 30 via an insulator 72 made of an elastic member. Further, in the electronic device 2, the contact detection unit 40 is held on the display unit 30 via insulators 72 arranged at four corners outside the display area A of the display unit 30 indicated by phantom lines in FIG. Is done. In FIG. 2, in electronic device 2 according to the present embodiment, display unit 30 and contact detection unit 40 are rectangular in plan view. However, these shapes can be shapes according to various conditions such as the configuration of the contact detection unit 40 or the display unit 30 included in the electronic device 2.

  Further, the casing 71 is provided with an upper cover 73 so as to cover the surface area of the contact detection unit 40 deviated from the display area of the display unit 30, and the elasticity is provided between the upper cover 73 and the contact detection unit 40. An insulator 74 made of a member is provided. In the contact detection unit 40 shown in FIG. 2, the front surface member having the touch surface 40a is made of, for example, a transparent film or glass, and the back surface member is made of glass or acrylic. The contact detection unit 40 has a structure in which, when the touch surface 40a is pressed, the pressed portion is slightly bent (distorted) according to the pressing force, or the structure itself is bent slightly.

  On the surface of the contact detection unit 40, a strain gauge sensor 62 for detecting a pressure applied to the contact detection unit 40 is provided in the vicinity of each side covered with the upper cover 73 by adhesion or the like. Furthermore, on the back surface of the contact detection unit 40, piezoelectric vibrators 52 for vibrating the contact detection unit 40 are provided in the vicinity of two opposing sides by bonding or the like. That is, in the electronic device 2 illustrated in FIG. 2, the press detection unit 60 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured using four strain gauge sensors 62, and the vibration unit 50 is configured using two piezoelectric vibrators 52. ing. And the touch surface 40a is vibrated by vibrating the contact detection part 40 with the vibration part 50. FIG. In FIG. 2B, the casing 71, the upper cover 73, and the insulator 74 shown in FIG. 2A are not shown.

  The electronic device 1 having the above-described configuration can detect an input in response to a touch and a press on a corresponding area (hereinafter referred to as an object area) on a touch surface with respect to an object display area such as a key. It is. For example, the electronic device 1 can detect simple contact with the object region, weak press, stronger press, and stronger press. Therefore, the electronic apparatus 1 can perform various inputs with respect to a single object.

  In addition, the electronic device 1 causes the vibration unit 50 to generate vibration in response to an input to an object such as a key by the operator. With such a configuration, the electronic apparatus 1 can cause the operator to present a mechanical key pressing feeling. Furthermore, in the electronic device 1, the vibration pattern of the vibration unit 50 changes according to data based on the pressure. For example, when the data based on the pressure is small, the electronic device 1 causes the vibration unit 50 to generate a vibration that perceives a first-stage pressing feeling in a mechanical multi-stage button. In addition, the electronic device 1 causes the vibration unit 50 to generate vibration that perceives a multi-stage pressing feeling as the data based on the pressure is larger. Therefore, the operator can perceive the number of steps of pressing by the vibration pattern.

  The electronic device 1 executes a function selected by an operation instructing execution by the operator. For example, the electronic device 1 executes a specific function on the application. In addition, the electronic device 1 can limit execution of an arbitrary function on the application.

  When an input requesting execution of a locked application is detected, the electronic device 1 requests the operator to perform an unlock operation for the application. The unlocking operation is a series of operations that combine various contact times with the display unit 30, various contact positions, various contact orders, and various pressing strengths. Hereinafter, the number of contacts, the contact position, the order of contact, and the strength of pressing are used as determination parameters.

  The operator can register in advance the value of each determination parameter for unlocking as unlock information. The control unit 10 compares each determination parameter detected in the unlock operation with detection information as lock information. The control unit 10 determines whether or not to release the lock based on the comparison result. For example, when the detection information and the unlock information all match, the control unit 10 unlocks the application.

  Pre-registration of unlock information will be described in detail. When the electronic device 1 locks the application, the registration request image is displayed on the display unit 30, as shown in FIG. The registration request image includes, for example, grid images GI arranged in 5 rows and 4 columns for registration support. In the description of the present application, the grids are 1, 2, 3, 4 columns from left to right and a, b, c, d, e rows from top to bottom. The grid image GI is for input support for allowing the operator to recognize the contact position, and may not be displayed. Further, when the electronic device 1 determines the position where the operator has touched, the same as the grid image GI, 1, 2, 3, 4 rows from the left to the right of the grid, and a, b, c from the top to the bottom. , D, e, based on the area divided into rows. For example, when the electronic device 1 detects that the operator has touched the area of the a row and the first row by the contact detection unit 40, the contact position is set to (a, 1).

  During the display of the registration request image, the operator can register the unlock information by touching a single key or a plurality of keys and / or pressing with various strengths. For example, the data A based on the pressure is output to the grid area corresponding to “(e, 4)”, “(a, 3)”, “(a, 1)”, and “(c, 2)”. When pressed in this way, the control unit 10 recognizes that the number of times of contact is four. Further, the control unit 10 recognizes that the contact position and the contact order are “(e, 4)”, “(a, 3)”, “(a, 1)”, and “(c, 2)”. . Further, the control unit 10 recognizes data based on the pressure as A. The storage unit 80 stores the recognized values of these determination parameters as unlock information. Note that the data based on the pressure may be recognized as A even when the data based on the pressure actually outputs a value near A.

  The unlock information can be registered separately for each function. For example, as shown in Table 1, lock release information can be registered with the second function once (c, 3), with the two-step pressing being the number of times of contact, the position of contact, and the data based on the pressure. is there.

  Next, unlocking will be described in detail. In the case where the above-described unlock information is registered in the first function, the display unit 30 displays a release request image at the time of an operation input that requests execution of the first function. The cancellation request image is the same image as the registration request image, and includes square images arranged in 5 rows and 4 columns. Similar to the registration request image, the grid image may not be displayed. By displaying the release request image, the electronic device 1 requests the operator to perform a lock release operation.

  When the operator performs an unlock operation for recognizing the same discrimination parameter value as the unlock information, the control unit 10 releases the lock. For example, for the first application, the number of contacts is 4, and the contact position and the contact order are “(e, 4)”, “(a, 3)”, “(a, 1)”, “ When (c, 2) "and the unlocking operation is detected such that the data based on the pressure is A, the control unit 10 releases the lock.

  In the electronic device 1, it is possible to limit an arbitrary function in the application. For example, the application is an address book such as a telephone number. For example, functions such as new address creation, change, deletion, and browsing can be executed on the address book application. In this way, any of various functions can be locked.

  In unlocking an arbitrary function in an application, the operator is required to perform the same unlocking operation as the above-described unlocking of the application lock. However, unlike the unlocking of the application, the function to unlock is changed based on the comparison between the detection information and the unlocking information.

  For example, when the detection information and the unlock information completely match, the control unit 10 unlocks all functions in the application. In addition, when some parameters including at least data based on pressure in the detection information and the unlock information match, the control unit 10 unlocks some functions and does not unlock the remaining functions. Moreover, when the data based on the press in detection information and lock release information do not correspond, the control part 10 maintains the locked state with respect to all the functions.

  Further, when some of the parameters match, the control unit 10 places a limit on the functions that can be executed according to the matching degree of the determination parameters other than the data based on the press. The degree of coincidence is an index indicating the coincidence between the detection information related to the discrimination parameter other than the data based on the press and the unlock information. For example, in each discrimination parameter, the control unit 10 calculates the average value as the degree of coincidence with 1 being completely coincident, 0.5 being partially coincident, and 0 being completely inconsistent.

  In this embodiment, when the degree of coincidence is greater than 0 and less than 1, that is, when at least a part of the discrimination parameter is coincident other than the data based on the press, the control unit 10 performs browsing and newly creating an address. Release the lock. On the other hand, the control unit 10 maintains the address change and deletion locks.

  When the degree of coincidence is 0, that is, when only the strength of pressing is the same, the control unit 10 unlocks the address browsing. On the other hand, the control unit 10 maintains a lock for address change, deletion, and new creation.

  Next, the discrimination parameter pre-registration process executed by the control unit 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 10 starts a pre-registration process when detecting an input to lock a specific application.

  In step S <b> 100, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display a registration request image. After displaying the registration request image, the process proceeds to step S101.

  In step S <b> 101, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the contact detection unit 40 and the press detection unit 60 have detected contact and press on the display unit 30. If contact and pressure are not detected, the process returns to step S101. If contact and pressure are detected, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S <b> 102, the control unit 10 acquires data based on the contact and the pressure detected by the contact detection unit 40 and the pressure detection unit 60 and stores the data in a buffer included in the control unit 10. Once stored in the buffer, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, the control unit 10 determines whether an input for ending pre-registration has been detected. The registration request image includes an end key for ending pre-registration, and detects contact with the end key as an input for ending pre-registration. If no pre-registration end input is detected, the process returns to step S101. If the end of pre-registration is detected, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the control unit 10 analyzes the discrimination parameter using data based on the contact and the pressure stored in the buffer. That is, the number of times of contact and the order of contact are analyzed using data based on the contact and pressure stored in the buffer in step S102. Further, data based on the contact position and the pressure is recognized as a discrimination parameter. When the analysis of the discrimination parameter is finished, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the control unit 10 causes the storage unit 80 to store the discrimination parameter analyzed and certified in step S104 as unlock information. When the unlock information is stored, the pre-registration process is terminated.

  Next, lock release processing of a specific application executed by the control unit 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 10 starts the unlocking process when detecting an input for executing a specific locked application.

  In step S200, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display a release request image. After displaying the release request image, the process proceeds to step S201.

  In step S <b> 201, the control unit 10 determines whether or not an input for unlocking operation, that is, whether the contact detection unit 40 and the press detection unit 60 detect contact and press on the display unit 30. If contact and press have not been detected, the process returns to step S201. If contact and pressure are detected, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the control unit 10 detects a determination parameter in the unlocking operation according to data based on the contact and the pressure determined to be detected in step S201. If the discrimination parameter is detected, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S <b> 203, the control unit 10 reads the lock release method for the function stored in the storage unit 80. After reading the unlock information, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, the control unit 10 compares the discrimination parameter detected in step S202, that is, the detection information with the unlock information read in step S203. If at least some of the determination parameters of the detection information and the unlock information are different, the control unit 10 determines that the authentication has failed, and the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if they completely match, it is determined that the authentication is successful, and the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S205, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the number of authentication failures has reached x times. If the authentication failure is less than x times, the process proceeds to step S206. If the authentication failure has reached x times, the lock release processing is terminated.

  In step S206, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display a message notifying that authentication has failed. After displaying the message, the process returns to step S201.

  In step S207, the control unit 10 unlocks the application. When the lock is released, the lock release process is terminated.

  Next, the unlocking process of an arbitrary function on the application executed by the control unit 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 10 starts the unlocking process when detecting an input for executing an application that can be partially unlocked.

  In steps S300 to S303, the control unit 10 executes the same control as that in steps S200 to S203 in the unlocking process for the function.

  In step S304, the control unit 10 compares the determination parameter detected in step S302, that is, the detection information with the unlock information read in step S303. If the determination parameters of the detection information and the unlock information completely match, it is determined that the authentication is successful, and the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if at least some of the determination parameters are different, the control unit 10 determines that the authentication has failed, and the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S305, the control unit 10 unlocks the function. When the lock is released, the lock release process is terminated.

  In step S306, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the number of authentication failures has reached x times. If the authentication failure is less than x times, the process proceeds to step S307. If the authentication failure has reached x times, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S307, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 30 to display a message notifying that authentication has failed. After displaying the message, the process returns to step S301.

  In step S308, the control unit 10 determines whether the data based on the pressure in the detection information and the unlock information matches. If the data based on the press matches, the process proceeds to step S309. If the data based on the press does not match, the unlocking process is terminated.

  In step S309, the control unit 10 calculates the degree of coincidence using a determination parameter other than the data based on the press in the detection information and the unlock information. When the degree of coincidence is calculated, the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, the control unit 10 unlocks a specific function according to the degree of coincidence calculated in step S309. When unlocking some functions, the unlocking process is terminated.

  According to the electronic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the lock can be released according to the data based on the pressure. Therefore, even if the operation at the time of unlocking is looked into by a third party, it is difficult for the third party to recognize the pressing strength, and it is possible to prevent the unlocking operation from leaking.

  In addition, according to the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine whether to release the lock by combining the strength of pressing and at least one of the contact position, the number of times of contact, and the order of contact. Therefore, it is possible to register a more complicated unlocking operation.

  Further, according to the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, different unlocking operations can be registered for each function to be locked. Therefore, the unlocking operation can be complicated or simplified according to the importance of the function to be executed.

  Further, according to the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to lock an arbitrary function on the application, and even if the authentication by the unlocking operation of the application fails, the function is set according to the matching degree. It is possible to unlock the function of the part.

  In particular, since the electronic device 1 is configured to calculate the degree of coincidence only when the data based on the pressure in the detection information and the unlock information matches, the minimum number of persons can be determined only by the determination parameter that is difficult to leak to a third party. Authentication can be performed. While the execution of functions with relatively low importance is unlocked by the minimum successful authentication, it is possible to require matching of different discrimination parameters for functions with relatively high importance. . With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the convenience for the operator.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various changes and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in this embodiment, the lock release information is registered for each function. However, it is also possible to register all the applications that can be executed by the electronic device 1 or a plurality of selected applications in a lump. Registration of the individual unlock information is complicated and may not be desired by the operator. Therefore, convenience can be improved by enabling collective registration.

  In this embodiment, data based on a single press is included in the unlock information, but data based on a plurality of presses may be included as the unlock information. If data based on a plurality of presses is included as unlock information, it is possible to use each of the data based on different presses on different areas of the touch surface as discrimination parameters when registering and releasing the unlock information.

  In this embodiment, the number of contacts, the contact position, the order of contact, and the data based on the pressure are used as the determination parameters. However, other variables that can be detected by the unlocking operation may be used as the determination parameters. . For example, a plurality of numerical objects may be displayed on the display unit 30, and the numbers input by the operations, the order of the operations input, and the like may be used as the determination parameters.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic device 1 is a mobile phone terminal, but can be applied to various devices that perform predetermined processing based on an input to a contact detection unit such as a touch panel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 10 Control part 30 Display part 40 Contact detection part 40a Touch surface 50 Vibration part 52 Piezoelectric vibrator 60 Press detection part 62 Strain gauge sensor 71 Housing | casing 72 Insulator 73 Up cover 74 Insulator 80 Memory | storage part GI grid image

Claims (5)

A contact detector for detecting contact;
A pressure detection unit that detects pressure on the contact detection unit;
An electronic device comprising: a control unit that unlocks the application according to data based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the data based on the pressure is a voltage corresponding to an acceleration of the pressure applied to the contact detection unit. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit unlocks the application according to at least one of the contact position, the number of times of contact, and the order of contact detected by the contact detection unit in addition to the data based on the pressure. Electronics. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In addition to the data based on the pressure, the control unit determines whether or not the contact position detected by the contact detection unit, the number of times of contact, and the degree of coincidence between the release information registered in advance and the order of contact. An electronic device characterized in that the application is unlocked with some functions restricted. A detection step for detecting contact;
A pressure detection step for detecting pressure;
A release step of releasing the lock of the application according to data based on the press detected in the press detection step.

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