JP2010008219A - Electronic device with alarm function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device with an alarm function, capable of alarming depending on the user status. <P>SOLUTION: If a walk signal corresponding to walking detected by an acceleration sensor 101 is input to a CPU 105 via a filtering section 102, an amplifying section 103, and a binary coding section 104, the CPU 105 stores the user status, such as, walking determined from the walk signal in a storage section 110. If alarm requirements are satisfied, such as the arrival of a set time, the CPU 105 issues alarms from an alarm sound section 108, at an alarm sound level which corresponds to the user status stored in the storage section 110. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a notification function such as a pedometer.

There is generally an alarm clock that reports an alarm sound when the alarm time is set and the alarm time is reached. Regardless of the time alarm, there is generally an alarm that can be carried by the user to inform the user that a predetermined condition has been met.
However, when such alarms reach a predetermined condition, it is common to notify the user of the alarm by a predetermined uniform method, and the user may notify the alarm depending on the situation at that time. Often had discomfort.

For example, when an alarm is used as an alarm clock, if the user wakes up before the alarm time and has a normal life, an alarm sound is generated at an unexpected time and the user often feels uncomfortable.
In addition, if you set the alarm for the time with the intention to do a predetermined thing every day (weekly) (intention to schedule) or the intention to know every hour (intention at the time of reporting) When the device was not carried around, an alarm was generated where there was no person who set the alarm time, and the surroundings were often uncomfortable.

  Also, in a device that has the function of detecting the number of steps / distance during running (walking), an alarm notifying that the target distance or number of steps has been achieved cannot be heard depending on the speed. There are many situations (you can't hear the sound when you run fast, and the sound is loud when you run slowly).

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, as a function to prevent forgetting to wear the pedometer, the timer measures a predetermined time, and when walking is not detected within the predetermined time, it is determined that the user has forgotten to wear the alarm (buzzer). ) A technique for reporting a sound and stopping an alarm (buzzer) sound with walking detection is disclosed.

For example, if this technology is applied to solve the problem of alarm time alarm, if the life time varies daily and the wake-up time is determined almost every day, the timer counts It is necessary to change the time every day, and the operation becomes complicated.
Furthermore, since the alarm (report sound) is turned on / off depending on whether the user has walked or not, if the device is carried but not yet walked, depending on the judgment criterion that the user has walked, an alarm that is not optimal You may end up doing it.

JP 2000-321092 A

  It is an object of the present invention to perform notification according to a user's situation.

According to the present invention, the body movement detecting means for detecting the user's body movement, the notification condition setting means for setting the notification condition, the control means, and the notification means for notifying in a mode controlled by the control means. And the control means controls the notification means so as to notify in a manner according to a user's situation detected by the body movement detection means when the notification condition is satisfied. Is provided.
When the notification condition is satisfied, the control unit controls the notification unit to notify the user in a manner corresponding to the user's situation detected by the body motion detection unit.

Here, the control unit may be configured to control the level of the notification sound of the notification unit according to the user's situation detected by the body movement detection unit.
Further, the control means may be configured to control a period of a notification sound of the notification means according to a user's situation detected by the body movement detection means.
In addition, the control unit may be configured to control so that the notification sound of the notification unit increases as the activity state of the user detected by the body movement detection unit increases.

In addition, the control unit may be configured to control the notification sound of the notification unit to increase as the user's activity state detected by the body movement detection unit decreases.
Further, the control means may be configured to perform control so as to change a notification mode of the notification means according to a walking speed of the user detected by the body movement detection means.
Further, the control means may be configured to perform control so as to change a notification mode of the notification means in accordance with the presence or absence of walking of the user detected by the body movement detection means.

In addition, it has an input means for setting whether to notify and whether to notify regardless of the situation of the user, the control means, referring to the content set by the input means, You may comprise so that an alerting | reporting aspect may be controlled.
The body motion detecting means may be configured to include a counting means for detecting the user's walking and outputting a corresponding walking signal and counting the number of steps based on the walking signal.

  Further, it has a time measuring means for measuring time, and a notification time setting means for setting a notification time, the notification condition is the arrival of the set time, and the control means, when the notification condition is satisfied, You may comprise so that the said alerting | reporting means may be controlled so that it alert | reports in the aspect according to the user's condition which the body movement detection means detected.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the electronic device which has an alerting | reporting function, it becomes possible to alert | report according to a user's condition.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of a pedometer that is a portable electronic device.
In FIG. 1, the pedometer removes noise in the signal output from the acceleration sensor 101 and the acceleration sensor 101 as a walking sensor that outputs a corresponding walking signal each time a user's walking (including running) is detected. The filter unit 102 that outputs the walking signal, the amplification unit 103 that amplifies and outputs the walking signal from the filter unit 102, and converts the walking signal in the analog signal format from the amplification unit 103 into the walking signal in the digital signal format. A binarization unit 104 for output is provided.

  The pedometer includes a central processing unit (CPU) 105, an operation switch, and the like. The input unit 106 performs various operations such as a step count start operation. The display gives notification and displays the measured step count or the current time. Display unit 107, sound report unit 108 that provides notification by sound, reference clock signal for CPU 105, oscillation unit 109 that generates a signal that becomes the source of the time signal at the time of clocking, program executed by CPU 105, number of steps, etc. A storage unit 110 that stores data, a vibration unit 111 that performs notification by vibration, and a light emitting unit 112 that performs notification by light emission are provided.

The CPU 105 counts the current time by performing a timing operation based on the signal from the oscillation unit 109.
The notification means used by operating the input unit 106 is selected from the sound report unit 108, the vibration unit 111, and the light emitting unit 112. Also, an alarm condition (notification condition) is set by operating the input unit 106. The notification condition includes, for example, the arrival of a predetermined time, and the notification condition is satisfied when the time arrives.

In addition, the input unit 106 sets whether to notify and whether to notify regardless of the situation of the user. In this case, the CPU 105 refers to the content set by the input unit 106 and controls the notification mode of the notification means.
Instead of the acceleration sensor 101, various walking sensors such as a mechanical walking sensor can be used, and the present invention is not limited to an acceleration sensor such as a piezo element.

  The CPU 105 constitutes counting means, and performs a step count counting process based on the walking signal in the digital signal format input from the binarization unit 104. Further, the CPU 105 constitutes a time measuring means, and performs a time measuring operation based on a signal from the oscillation unit 109. The CPU 105 constitutes control means for controlling the notification means and each component.

  The acceleration sensor 101, the filter unit 102, the amplification unit 103, and the binarization unit 104 constitute a walking detection unit. The acceleration sensor 101, the filter unit 102, the amplification unit 103, the binarization unit 104, and the CPU 105 constitute a body motion detection unit. The input unit 106 constitutes notification condition setting means for setting a notification condition. In addition, the display unit 107, the sound report unit 108, the vibration unit 111, and the light emitting unit 112 constitute notification means.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing of the pedometer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, when the user starts walking while carrying a pedometer on his body or housed in a portable bag or the like, the acceleration sensor 101 detects walking and outputs a walking signal corresponding to each walking. The walking signal is input to the CPU 105 as a walking signal in the form of a digital signal through the filter unit 102, the amplification unit 103, and the binarization unit 104.

  When the CPU 105 measures a predetermined time and determines that a walking signal (a signal from the acceleration sensor 101) is input from the binarization unit 104 (step S201), whether or not the walking signal can be detected continuously for a predetermined time. Is confirmed (step S202). In process step S201, it can be judged whether the user is carrying the pedometer.

  When the CPU 105 confirms that the walking signal can be detected continuously for a predetermined time, the CPU 105 determines that the walking signal is a signal due to walking (step S203), and measures the interval (walking cycle) of the walking signals. (Step S204). In processing step S203, it can be determined whether the user is walking or not walking (running, sitting on a chair, etc.).

  Next, the CPU 105 calculates a walking pitch from the measured walking cycle (step S205), and associates the pitch with the user's situation and stores it in the storage unit 110 (step S206). The user situation is classified into, for example, three types. Here, it is classified into running (fast walking) (for example, the pitch exceeds 130 steps / minute), normal walking (for example, the pitch is 130 to 100 steps / minute), and slow walking (for example, the pitch is less than 100 steps / minute). A table in which the relationship between the walking speed and the pitch is associated is stored in the storage unit 110.

If the CPU 105 determines in step S203 that the signal is not a signal due to walking, the user is carrying a pedometer but is not walking and is in a low activity state (such as sitting). Is stored in the storage unit 110 (step S208).
If CPU 105 determines in step S201 that a walking signal is not input from binarization section 104, CPU 105 stores in memory section 110 that the user is not carrying a pedometer as the current situation of the user. (Step S207).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the notification process of the pedometer according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the reporting level of the reporting unit 108 is changed according to the situation of the user determined by the process of FIG. It is an example.
In the example of FIG. 3, the notification sound of the notification unit is controlled to increase as the user's activity state increases. Here, it is assumed that the sound reporting unit 108 is selected as the notification unit by the input unit 106. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the notification sound output from the sound reporting unit 108 is configured such that the sound becomes louder as the level numerical value becomes larger.

  In FIG. 3, the CPU 105 determines whether or not an alarm condition (notification condition) is satisfied (step S301). As the notification condition, arrival of a predetermined time is set by the input unit 106. In addition, it is good also considering not having walked the predetermined number of steps, or having walked for the predetermined distance as a notification condition, and various conditions can be selected as a notification condition.

  When the CPU 105 determines in the process step S301 that the set time has arrived and the notification condition is satisfied, the CPU 105 reads the current situation of the user stored in the storage unit 110 by the process of FIG. 2 (step S302). When it is determined that the user does not carry the pedometer (step S303), notification is performed from the sound report unit 108 at level 1 with the lowest sound (step S309).

If the CPU 105 determines that the user's activity status is low after determining that the user is carrying the pedometer in the processing step S303 (step S304), the CPU 105 determines that the level is higher than the level 1 from the sound report unit 108. Notification is performed at level 2 (step S310).
If the CPU 105 determines that the user's activity status is not low in the processing step S304 and then determines that the user is walking slowly (step S305), the CPU 105 determines that the level 3 higher than the level 2 from the sound report unit 108. In this manner, notification is performed (step S311).

If the CPU 105 determines in step S305 that the user is not walking slowly, and then determines that the user is walking at a normal speed (step S306), the CPU 105 determines from the sound report unit 108 that the level 3 is higher than the level 3. Notification is performed at a large level 4 (step S312).
If the CPU 105 determines in step S306 that the user is not walking at a normal speed, the CPU 105 determines that the user is running (step S307), and is greater than the level 4 from the sound report unit 108. Notification is performed at the maximum level 5 (step S308).

  It should be noted that the user's activity status may be displayed on the display unit 107 during the level 1 to level 5 reporting. Further, at level 1, the reporting unit 108 does not perform the reporting sound, but the display unit 107 displays the notification condition (for example, the current time measured by the CPU) or the user's activity status. In level 2 to level 5, various changes are possible, such as a configuration in which sound notification and display are performed. In addition to the notification operation, a notification operation by the vibration unit 111 and the light emitting unit 112 may be performed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the notification process of the pedometer according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 4, control is performed so that the reporting level of the reporting unit 108 increases as the user's activity state decreases. Here, it is assumed that the sound report unit 108 is selected as the notification means by the input unit 106. As shown in FIG. 4, the level of the notification sound output from the sound report unit 108 is configured such that the report sound level increases from level E to level A.

  In FIG. 4, the CPU 105 determines whether or not an alarm condition (notification condition) is satisfied (step S401). As the notification condition, arrival of a predetermined time is set by the input unit 106. In addition, it is good also considering not having walked the predetermined number of steps, or having walked for the predetermined distance as a notification condition, and various conditions can be selected as a notification condition.

  When the CPU 105 determines in the process step S401 that the set time has arrived and the notification condition is satisfied, the CPU 105 reads the current situation of the user stored in the storage unit 110 by the process of FIG. 2 (step S402). When it is determined that the user is running (step S403), notification is performed from the sound report unit 108 at the level E where the sound is the lowest (step S409).

After determining that the user is not running in processing step S403, the CPU 105 determines that the user is walking at a normal speed (step S404). Notification is performed at D (step S410).
If the CPU 105 determines in step S404 that the user is not walking at a normal speed and then determines that the user is walking slowly (step S405), the CPU 105 determines that the level D is greater than the level D. Notification is performed at level C (step S411).

  After determining that the user is not walking slowly in processing step S405, the CPU 105 determines that the user is carrying the pedometer but the activity status is low (step S406). Notification is performed at a level B greater than the level C (step S412).

  If the CPU 105 does not determine that the user is carrying but the activity status is low in processing step S406, the CPU 105 determines that the user does not carry the pedometer (step S407), and the sound reporting unit. From 108, notification is performed at the maximum level A that is greater than the level B (step S408).

  It should be noted that the user's activity status and current time may be displayed on the display unit 107 during level E to level A reporting. Further, at level E, the reporting unit 107 does not perform reporting, but the display unit 107 displays the user's activity status and current time, and level D to level A perform reporting and display. Various changes are possible, such as. In addition to the notification operation, a notification operation by the vibration unit 111 and the light emitting unit 112 may be performed.

  As described above, according to the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the walking signal corresponding to the walking detected by the acceleration sensor 101 is transmitted to the CPU 105 via the filter unit 102, the amplification unit 103, and the binarization unit 104. The CPU 105 stores in the storage unit 110 a situation such as a user's walking determined based on the walking signal. When the notification condition such as the arrival of the set time is satisfied, the CPU 105 notifies from the sound reporting unit 108 at a sound level corresponding to the user's situation stored in the storage unit 110.

Therefore, it is possible to perform notification according to the user's situation. Further, it is possible to improve the point that the alarm is difficult to understand depending on the user's situation, and not to perform the alarm in an unnecessary situation where the user does not carry the alarm.
In addition, when used for an application such as an alarm clock, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of the alarm itself when the user is awake and does not need an alarm.

  In the above embodiment, the reporting sound level is changed. However, the convenience of the user can be further improved by changing the frequency of reporting. For example, assuming an alarming application, notification is made once every 30 seconds when not carrying, only once every minute while walking (not walking), once during walking, and not notified afterwards. For example, the notification cycle may be changed.

In addition, when the CPU 105 determines that no sound is reported, a display indicating that the set time (alarm time) has been reached may be displayed on the display unit 107 although no sound is reported from the sound reporting unit 108. Moreover, you may add the function which can change setting time for every day of the week.
Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated by the example of several meters, it can utilize for the various electronic devices which have alerting | reporting functions, such as a timepiece, a mobile telephone, and PHS.

  It can be used for various electronic devices such as pedometers, watches, mobile phones, and PHS.

It is a block diagram of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 ... acceleration sensor 102 ... filter unit 103 ... amplifying unit 104 ... binarization unit 105 ... CPU
106 ... input unit 107 ... display unit 108 ... reporting unit 109 ... oscillating unit 110 ... storage unit 111 ... vibrating unit 112 ... light emitting unit

Claims (10)

A body motion detecting means for detecting a user's body motion, a notification condition setting means for setting a notification condition, a control means, and a notification means for reporting in a mode controlled by the control means,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the notification unit so as to notify in a manner according to a user's situation detected by the body movement detection unit when the notification condition is satisfied.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a level of a notification sound of the notification unit according to a user's situation detected by the body movement detection unit.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a period of a notification sound of the notification unit according to a user's situation detected by the body movement detection unit.   4. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the notification sound of the notification means increases as the user's activity state detected by the body movement detection means increases. 5. The electronic device as described in.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the notification sound of the notification unit to increase as the user's activity state detected by the body movement detection unit decreases. The electronic device as described in.   The said control means controls to change the alerting | reporting aspect of the said alerting | reporting means according to the user's walking speed which the said body motion detection means detected. Electronic equipment.   The said control means controls to change the alerting | reporting aspect of the said alerting | reporting means according to the presence or absence of the user's walk which the said body motion detection means detected. The electronic device described.   It has an input means for setting whether or not to notify and whether or not to notify regardless of the situation of the user, the control means refers to the contents set by the input means, the notification mode of the notification means The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is controlled.   9. The body motion detecting means comprises a counting means for detecting the user's walking and outputting a corresponding walking signal and counting the number of steps based on the walking signal. The electronic device as described in any one of. Having time measuring means for measuring time and notification time setting means for setting notification time,
The notification condition is the arrival of the set time, and when the notification condition is satisfied, the control unit is configured to notify the notification unit in a manner according to a user's situation detected by the body movement detection unit. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is controlled.

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