JP2010081431A - Portable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic device capable of curbing an error of the number of steps counted by a pedometer function. <P>SOLUTION: The portable telephone 1 includes an acceleration sensor 100 for detecting acceleration, a counter 111 for counting the number of steps based on a temporal change in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 100, a count controller 114 for controlling the count of the number of steps performed by the counter 111, a count decision unit 112 for determining whether the first step has been counted by the counter 111, a decision unit 113 for determining whether a new step is counted by the counter 111 within a given time frame subsequent to the count of the first step when determined by a count decision unit 112 that the first step has been counted. When the second step has been determined not to be counted within the given time frame by the decision unit 113, the count controller 114 controls the telephone so as to cancel out the count of the first step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone.

  In recent years, some mobile phones as portable electronic devices are equipped with sensors such as an acceleration sensor in order to detect the state of the mobile phone. Such a cellular phone is configured to activate a predetermined application or change the control content in accordance with each state detected by the sensor.

Here, as a mobile phone having a function using a sensor, a mobile phone having an application program for executing the function of a pedometer using acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).
JP 2005-167758 A

  However, in the mobile phone of Patent Document 1, for example, when a mobile phone is placed on a hard object such as a desk, when an operation of opening and closing a foldable mobile phone is performed, artificial acceleration is applied to the mobile phone. Even when a specific function is executed by adding the acceleration sensor, the acceleration sensor detects the acceleration.

  As described above, in the mobile phone of Patent Document 1, acceleration generated by an operation other than the walking motion is detected by the acceleration sensor, and the number of steps may be counted by the pedometer function based on the detected acceleration. For this reason, an error may occur between the number of steps counted by the pedometer function and the actual number of steps.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device that can suppress an error in the number of steps counted by the pedometer function.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a portable electronic device according to the present invention includes an acceleration detecting unit that detects acceleration, and a counting unit that counts the number of steps based on a change with time of the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting unit. A counting control means for controlling the counting of the number of steps by the counting means, a counting judgment means for judging whether a certain number of steps has been counted by the counting means, and a judgment that the certain number of steps has been counted by the counting judgment means. A determination means for determining whether or not the counting means newly counts the number of steps within a predetermined period after the certain number of steps are counted, and the counting control means includes the determination means by the determination means. When it is determined that the number of steps is not newly counted within a predetermined period, the control is performed so as to cancel the counting of the predetermined number of steps.

  In addition, the counting control unit performs control so as to count the predetermined number of steps and continuously count the number of steps when the determination unit determines that the number of steps is newly counted within the predetermined period. Is preferred.

  A first housing; a second housing; a connecting portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be openable and closable; and the opening and closing of the first housing and the second housing. Open / closed state detecting means for detecting a state, wherein the counting control means is connected to the first casing by the open / closed state detecting means within a predetermined period after the constant step is counted by the counting means. When a change in the open / close state with the second housing is detected, it is preferable to perform control so as to cancel all or a part of the predetermined number of steps.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the portable electronic device which can suppress the difference | error of the step count counted by the pedometer function can be provided.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
With reference to FIG. 1, a basic structure of a mobile phone 1 as a mobile electronic device will be described. FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of the cellular phone 1 in an opened state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 1 includes an operation unit side housing (first housing) 2 and a display unit side housing (second housing) 3 as a housing. The operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are connected so as to be openable and closable via a connecting part 4 having a hinge mechanism. Specifically, the upper end portion of the operation unit side body 2 and the lower end portion of the display unit side body 3 are connected via a connecting portion 4. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 is configured to be able to relatively move the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 connected via the hinge mechanism. That is, in the mobile phone 1, the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened (open state), and the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are folded. (Closed state). Here, the closed state is a state in which both housings are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the open state is a state in which both housings are arranged so as not to overlap each other.

  The outer surface of the operation unit side body 2 includes a front case 2a and a rear case 2b. The operation unit side body 2 has, on the front case 2a side, an operation key group 11 as input means and a voice input unit 12 as a microphone to which a voice uttered by a user of the mobile phone 1 is input. Configured to be exposed.

  The operation key group 11 includes a function setting operation key 13 for operating various functions such as various settings, a telephone book function, and a mail function, and an input operation key 14 for inputting a telephone number and characters such as mail. And a determination operation key 15 as an operation member for performing determination in various operations, scrolling in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the like. Each key constituting the operation key group 11 has a predetermined function according to the open / closed state of the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3, various modes, or the type of the activated application. Assigned (key assignment). Then, when the user presses each key, an operation corresponding to the function assigned to each key is executed.

  The voice input unit 12 is disposed on the outer end side opposite to the connection unit 4 side in the longitudinal direction of the operation unit side body 2. That is, the voice input unit 12 is arranged on one outer end side when the mobile phone 1 is in the open state.

  An interface (not shown) for communicating with an external device (for example, a host device) is disposed on one side surface of the operation unit side body 2. A side key to which a predetermined function is assigned and an interface (not shown) through which an external memory is inserted and removed are arranged on the other side surface of the operation unit side body 2. Each interface is covered with a cap when not in use.

  The outer surface of the display unit side body 3 includes a front panel 3a, a front case 3b, a rear case 3c (not shown), and a rear panel 3d (not shown). The front case 3b in the display unit side body 3 is disposed so as to expose a display unit 21 for displaying various types of information and a voice output unit 22 as a receiver for outputting the voice of the other party of the call. The Here, the display unit 21 includes a liquid crystal panel, a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal panel, and a light source unit such as a backlight that emits light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of the mobile phone 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone 1 includes a communication unit 200, a vibration generation unit 99, an acceleration sensor 100, a timer unit 101, a memory 44, a control unit 45, and an open / close sensor 46.

  The communication unit 200 includes an antenna unit 90 that communicates with an external device using a predetermined use frequency band, and a communication processing unit 201 that performs signal processing such as modulation processing or demodulation processing.

  The antenna unit 90 communicates with an external device (base station) in a predetermined use frequency band (for example, 800 MHz). In the present embodiment, the predetermined use frequency band is 800 MHz, but other frequency bands may be used. Further, the antenna unit 90 may have a so-called dual band compatible type that can support a second used frequency band (for example, 2 GHz) in addition to a predetermined used frequency band (first used frequency band). Moreover, it may be configured by a multi-band compatible type that can also correspond to the third use frequency band.

  The communication processing unit 201 demodulates the signal received by the antenna unit 90 and supplies the demodulated signal to a processing unit (not shown). The communication processing unit 201 also modulates the signal supplied from the processing unit and performs an external device (base station) via the antenna unit 90. ).

  The vibration generating unit 99 includes a motor (not shown) and an eccentric weight attached to the output unit of the motor. The vibration generating unit 99 generates a predetermined vibration in the operation unit side body 2 (the mobile phone 1) based on an instruction from the control unit 45.

  The acceleration sensor 100 (acceleration detection means) detects the acceleration given to the mobile phone 1 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 45.

  The acceleration sensor 100 is a three-axis (three-dimensional) type that detects acceleration in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction that are orthogonal to each other, and is based on force (F) and mass (m) applied from the outside. Then, the acceleration (a) is measured (acceleration (a) = force (F) / mass (m)).

  Here, when the acceleration values in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are respectively (X, Y, Z), the combined acceleration value (G) is expressed by equation (1).

  Further, the acceleration sensor 100, for example, measures a force applied to a predetermined mass by a piezoelectric element to obtain an acceleration for each axis, converts it into numerical data, and buffers it. And the control part 45 reads the acceleration data buffered periodically. The acceleration sensor 100 is not limited to a piezoelectric element (piezoelectric type), but may be a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) type such as a piezoresistive type, a capacitance type, a thermal detection type, or a feedback current by moving a movable coil. And a servo gauge type that measures strain caused by acceleration with a strain gauge, or the like.

  The timer unit 101 has a timer function. The timer unit 101 is configured to be able to output time information including the current time. The time information output from the time measuring unit 101 is configured to be output to the control unit 45.

  The memory 44 stores various application programs such as an application program for operating the pedometer function and various information.

  The control unit 45 is configured using a central processing unit (CPU) or the like, and controls the entire mobile phone 1. The control unit 45 includes a counting unit (counting unit) 111, a counting determination unit (counting determination unit) 112, a determination unit (determination unit) 113, and a counting control unit (counting control unit) 114 as functional units. Prepare.

  Here, the mobile phone 1 has a pedometer function unit for performing a pedometer function. The pedometer function unit includes an acceleration sensor 100, a timer unit 101, a counting unit 111 as a function unit included in the control unit 45, a counting determination unit 112, a determination unit 113, and a counting control unit 114. .

  The open / close sensor (open / close detection means) 46 includes a magnet 47 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the operation unit side body 2 and a hall element 48 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the display unit side body 3. Then, the open / close state of the mobile phone 1 is detected. Specifically, the open / close sensor 46 detects the strength of magnetism associated with the difference in the positional relationship between the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3, and based on the detected result, the cellular phone 1 It is determined whether the open state or the closed state.

  The counting unit 111 counts the number of steps based on the change with time of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 100 in the walking motion. Specifically, this will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a graph showing a change over time of a combined acceleration value obtained by combining the accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor 100.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the acceleration value detected by the acceleration sensor 100 is greater than or equal to a threshold value S, the counting unit 111 counts the number of steps as a walking motion. Further, during a period in which the detected acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold value S, the entire acceleration detected during this period is counted as the number of steps in one step. In this way, the mobile phone 1 can sequentially count the number of steps of the user who owns the mobile phone 1.

  In the present embodiment, the counting unit 111 counts the number of steps using the process as described above. However, the counting process of the number of steps is not limited to this, and the acceleration sensor using the counting process of other steps. The number of steps may be counted based on the acceleration value detected by 100.

  For example, the counting determination unit 112 determines whether the counting unit 111 has counted the first step number (a constant number of steps) from the state where the number of steps is not counted.

  When it is determined by the counting determination unit 112 that the number of steps in the first step has been counted, the determination unit 113 counts the number of steps in the second step within a predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps in the first step is counted. It is determined whether or not. Here, the predetermined period T [s] is measured by the timer unit 101. Moreover, it is preferable that the predetermined period is a time enough to count the number of steps for at least one step.

  The counting control unit 114 controls the counting of the number of steps by the counting unit 111. Specifically, the counting control unit 114 performs control so as to cancel counting the number of steps in the first step when the determining unit 113 determines that the number of steps in the second step is not counted within a predetermined period T [s]. .

  Specifically, this will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the change over time of the combined acceleration value obtained by combining the accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor 100 when there is no walking motion in the second step.

  As shown in FIG. 4, since the acceleration value detected by the acceleration sensor 100 is less than the threshold value S within a predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps in the first step is counted, the number of steps in the second step is counted. Not. Then, since the counting control unit 114 determines that the number of steps of the second step is not counted within the predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps of the first step is counted, the counting unit 114 determines that the number of steps of the first step. Control to cancel the count.

  As described above, the counting control unit 114 does not count the number of steps for the second step within the predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps for the first step is counted. It is judged that there is no, and the counting of the number of steps in the first step is canceled. Therefore, the mobile phone 1 can suppress an error in counting the number of steps due to acceleration generated by an operation other than the walking operation.

  In addition, the counting control unit 114 controls the counting unit 111 so as to count the number of steps of the first step and continuously measure the number of steps when the determining unit 113 determines that the number of steps of the first step has been counted. To do.

  Specifically, this will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph showing a change over time of a combined acceleration value obtained by combining accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor 100 when there is a walking motion in the second step.

  As shown in FIG. 5, since the acceleration value detected by the acceleration sensor 100 is not less than the threshold value S within a predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps in the first step is counted, the number of steps in the second step is Counted by the counting unit 111. Then, since the counting control unit 114 determines that the number of steps in the second step is counted within the predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps in the first step is counted, the counting unit 114 determines the number of steps in the first step. Is controlled to count.

  As described above, the counting control unit 114 assumes that when the number of steps in the second step is counted within a predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps in the first step is counted, any number of steps is due to the walking motion. Control is performed to count the number of steps in the first step. Therefore, the mobile phone 1 can accurately identify the walking motion and suitably count the number of steps.

In addition, after controlling the counting unit 111 to count the number of steps in the first step, the counting control unit 114 controls the counting unit 111 to continuously count the number of steps.
As described above, when counting the number of steps in the first step and the second step, the count control unit 114 continuously counts the number of steps by the pedometer function, assuming that the walking motion is continued. Control. Therefore, the mobile phone 1 can accurately identify the walking motion and suitably count the number of steps by the pedometer function.

  Here, the operation of the counting control unit 114 when the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened and closed will be described with reference to FIG.

  6 shows a case where the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened and closed, that is, the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened from the closed state or from the closed state to the open state. 6 is a graph showing a change over time of a combined acceleration value obtained by combining accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor 100.

  As shown in FIG. 6, since the acceleration generated when the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened and closed is equal to or greater than the threshold value S, the counting unit 111 counts the number of steps in the first step. . Since the acceleration generated by the walking motion within a predetermined period T [s] after counting the number of steps in the first step is equal to or greater than the threshold value S, the counting unit 111 counts the number of steps in the second step. As described above, the counting unit 111 erroneously counts the operation when the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened and closed as the number of steps of the first step.

  In order to suppress such an error in the number of steps, the count control unit 114 counts the number of steps in the first step by the counting unit 111, and then, within a certain period U [s], the opening / closing sensor 46 controls the operation unit side housing. When a change in the open / closed state between the body 2 and the display unit side body 3 is detected, that is, when the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are changed from the open state to the closed state or from the closed state to the open state. Then, control is performed so as to cancel the counting of the number of steps in the first step.

  For this reason, the mobile phone 1 can suppress an error in counting the number of steps due to acceleration generated when the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened and closed.

  Next, a processing flow of the mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the step counting process by the control unit 45.

In step S1, the control unit 45 resets the number of steps and starts counting the number of steps.
In step S <b> 2, the counting unit 111 determines whether or not the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 100 is greater than or equal to the threshold value S. If the acceleration is greater than or equal to the threshold value S (Yes), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when the acceleration is less than the threshold value S (No), the process returns to step S1.

  In step S3, the count determination unit 112 determines whether the number of steps is the first step based on the acceleration value detected in step S2. If the number of steps is the first step (Yes), the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when the number of steps is not the first step (No), the process returns to step S1.

  In step S4, the counting unit 111 counts the number of steps in the first step, and proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the count control unit 114 determines whether the open / close sensor 46 detects a change in the open / close state between the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3. If a change in the open / close state is detected (Yes), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when the change in the open / close state is not detected (No), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S6, the count control unit 114 detects a change in the open / closed state between the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 by the open / close sensor 46 in step S5, and therefore the first step count counted in step S4. The counting unit 111 is controlled so as to cancel.

  In step S <b> 7, the counting unit 111 determines whether the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 100 is greater than or equal to the threshold value S. If the acceleration is greater than or equal to the threshold value S (Yes), the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, when the acceleration is less than the threshold value S (No), the process returns to step S5.

  In step S8, the counting unit 111 counts the number of steps in the second step, and proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the determination unit 113 determines whether or not the number of steps in the second step has been counted within a predetermined period T [s] after the number of steps in the first step has been counted. When the number of steps in the second step is counted within the predetermined period T [s] (Yes), the process proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, when the number of steps of the second step is not counted within the predetermined period T [s] (No), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S10, the counting unit 111 counts the number of steps in the first step and the second step, and proceeds to step S12.

  In step S11, the counting control unit 114 cancels the counting of the number of steps in the first step counted in step S4, and counts the number of steps in the second step counted in step S8 as the number of steps in the first step.

  In step S12, the counting control unit 114 controls the counting unit 111 to continuously count the number of steps.

  In step S13, the counting unit 111 determines whether or not to finish counting the number of steps. When the counting of the number of steps is finished (Yes), the process of this flowchart is finished. On the other hand, when the step count is not finished (No), the process returns to step S1.

  As described above, according to the mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, an error occurs in the counting of the number of steps due to acceleration generated by an operation other than the walking operation such as when artificial acceleration is applied or when the mobile phone 1 is opened and closed. This can be suppressed.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described, this invention can be implemented with a various form, without being limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, in the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 is described as a mobile electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. A personal computer etc. may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the cellular phone 1 that can be folded by the connecting portion 4 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are overlapped. One of the casings is slid in one direction, or one of the casings is rotated about an axis along the direction in which the operation unit side casing 2 and the display unit side casing 3 overlap. A rotating (turn) type, or a type (straight type) in which the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are arranged in one housing and do not have a connecting portion may be used. The mobile phone 1 may be a so-called biaxial hinge type that can be opened and closed and rotated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the count determination unit 112, the determination unit 113, and the count control unit 114 have been described using the number of steps of the first step as a fixed number of steps. Steps 5 to 5) may be used as a fixed number of steps.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view in a state where the mobile phone 1 is opened. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the mobile phone 1. FIG. 3 is a graph showing a change with time of a combined acceleration value obtained by combining accelerations detected by an acceleration sensor 100. 3 is a graph showing a change with time of a combined acceleration value obtained by combining accelerations detected by an acceleration sensor 100. 3 is a graph showing a change with time of a combined acceleration value obtained by combining accelerations detected by an acceleration sensor 100. 3 is a graph showing a change with time of a combined acceleration value obtained by combining accelerations detected by an acceleration sensor 100. It is a flowchart shown about the count process of the step count by the control part 45. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 mobile phone 2 operation unit side case (first case)
3 Display unit side housing (second housing)
4 connection part 45 control part 46 open / close sensor (open / close detection means)
100 Acceleration sensor (acceleration detection means)
101 Timekeeping part 111 Counting part (counting means)
112 Count determination unit (count determination means)
113 determination unit (determination means)
114 Counting control unit (counting control means)

Claims (3)

Acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration;
Counting means for counting the number of steps based on a change with time of acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means;
Counting control means for controlling the counting of the number of steps by the counting means;
Count determination means for determining whether a certain number of steps has been counted by the counting means;
A determination unit that determines whether the step count is newly counted by the counting unit within a predetermined period after the constant step count is counted when the count determination unit determines that the constant step count has been counted; With
The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the counting control unit performs control so as to cancel the counting of the predetermined number of steps when the determination unit determines that the number of steps is not newly counted within the predetermined period.   The counting control unit performs control so as to count the predetermined number of steps and continuously count the number of steps when the determination unit determines that the number of steps is newly counted within the predetermined period. The portable electronic device according to claim 1. A first housing;
A second housing;
A connecting portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be openable and closable;
An opening / closing state detecting means for detecting an opening / closing state of the first housing and the second housing;
The counting control means detects a change in the open / closed state of the first casing and the second casing by the open / closed state detecting means within a fixed period after the constant step count is counted by the counting means. 2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to cancel all or a part of the predetermined number of steps.

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