JP2011205196A - Portable terminal device and notification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal device which does not deeply sink into water even when dropped into the water, and can continue a notification while floating on the water surface.SOLUTION: The portable terminal device prepares a first device 3 with a case 3a and a float device 2 with a case 2a which connects with the case 3a, and can float on a water surface by buoyancy. The float device 2 is positioned higher than the water surface when floating on the water surface, and is provided with a solar panel unit 11 which converts light energy to electric power, a battery unit 12 which charges the electric power received from the solar panel unit 11 and supplies the electric power to a notification unit 20, and a notification unit 20 which is driven by an electric power received from the battery unit 12, and notifies that it is being submerged in water.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device, and more particularly to a mobile terminal device that notifies when submerged and a notification method thereof.

  A mobile terminal device having a waterproof function and a mobile terminal device such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) are not broken even when immersed in water. However, when a portable terminal device having a waterproof function is submerged deeply in the water, it is difficult for the user to find or collect the portable terminal device. Therefore, a mobile terminal device floating on the water surface has been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a portable terminal device capable of obtaining sufficient buoyancy when submerged. The portable terminal device includes a fuel cell, a gas collection unit that collects gas generated from the fuel cell and generates buoyancy, a gas discharge path that discharges gas to the outside, and a gas for supplying the gas to the gas collection unit A gas supply path; and a path switching unit that switches between the gas discharge path and the gas supply path. The path switching unit discharges the gas to the outside through the gas discharge path when not submerged, and supplies the gas to the gas collecting unit through the gas supply path when submerged. Such a portable terminal device can float up to the water surface even when submerged.

  In addition, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose techniques related to a device that issues an alarm in water.

JP 2008-193632 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-305877 JP 2004-145574 A

  The portable terminal device can avoid submergence by providing a floating function. However, the mobile terminal device floating on the water surface is easy to move to various places due to the flow of water or the like. If it moves to various places, it will take time until a user discovers a portable terminal device, As a result, there exists a possibility that a battery may run out. In particular, in the case of a mobile terminal device discovered using a communication function, if the user moves out of service area or runs out of battery, the user cannot find out.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal device that can continue to be notified while it is floating on the water surface without sinking deeply into the water even if it falls into the water.

  The portable terminal device of the present invention includes a first device having a first housing and a float device having a second housing coupled to the first housing and floating on the water surface by buoyancy. The float device is located above the water surface when it floats on the water surface, a solar panel unit that converts light energy into electric power, a power storage unit that charges electric power received from the solar panel unit, and supplies electric power to the notification unit And a notification unit that is driven by the electric power received from the power storage unit and notifies that it is immersed in water.

  The notification method of the present invention is a notification method for a mobile terminal device including a first device having a first housing and a float device having a second housing coupled to the first housing and floating on the water surface by buoyancy. Then, the method includes a step of converting light energy into electric power, a step of charging electric power, and a step of notifying that the device is driven by the charged electric power and is immersed in water. The step of notifying includes detecting a submergence in water and outputting a first detection signal; receiving a first detection signal and outputting a control signal; receiving a control signal and receiving a notification signal; Outputting.

  Even if the portable terminal device of the present invention falls into the water, the portable terminal device does not sink deeply into the water and can continue to notify while floating on the water surface.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portable terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process from when the mobile terminal device 1 according to the present invention falls to water and then rises. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a schematic diagram of an AA cross section of the mobile terminal device 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the light emitting unit 24. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example in the embodiment of the notification unit 20 and the communication function unit 40 of the mobile terminal device 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the float device 2 in the portable terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the mobile terminal device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the float device 2 in the portable terminal device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, mobile terminal devices according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The mobile terminal device of the present invention is a mobile terminal device having a waterproof function, and examples thereof include a mobile phone, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and the like.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a portable terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal device 1 includes a float device 2 and a communication device 3.

  The float device 2 floats the mobile terminal device 1 on the water surface without being submerged deeply, and keeps informing the user of the location of the mobile terminal device 1 while floating on the water surface. The float apparatus 2 has a housing 2a. The housing 2a is coupled to the housing 3a of the communication device 3 and floats on the water surface by buoyancy. The housing 2a is coupled to the housing 3a of the communication device 3 on the surface facing the front surface 2b. The casing 2a is formed using a material such as polypropylene or polyethylene so as to generate sufficient buoyancy that allows the mobile terminal device 1 to float on the water surface. That is, the mobile terminal device 1 can float on the water surface by the buoyancy of the housing 2a. In the float apparatus 2, the solar panel 11 and the speaker unit 23 are disposed on the front surface 2b. Details of each unit provided in the float apparatus 2 such as the solar panel unit 11 and the speaker unit 23 will be described later.

  The communication device 3 executes various functions as a terminal device. The communication device 3 includes a waterproof housing 3a that accommodates each device. The communication device 3 sinks without floating on the water surface when the float device 2 has no buoyancy.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process from when the mobile terminal device 1 according to the present invention falls to water and then rises. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a state where the mobile terminal device 1 falls into water and sinks. Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile terminal device 1 that has fallen into water sinks deeply into the water due to gravity. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the mobile terminal device 1 sunk in water is lifted by buoyancy. Referring to FIG. 2 (b), the mobile terminal device 1 sunk in water floats on the water surface due to the buoyancy of the float device 2. FIG.2 (c) is a figure which shows the portable terminal device 1 which surfaced on the water surface. Referring to FIG. 2 (c), the mobile terminal device 1 rises to the water surface due to the buoyancy of the float device 2. The mobile terminal device 1 that has floated on the water surface becomes the float device 2 on the upper side and the communication device 3 on the lower side due to the buoyancy of the float device 2. The float apparatus 2 and the communication apparatus 3 are combined in consideration of the weight balance when floating on the water surface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the float device 2 and the communication device 3 consider the weight balance so that the front surface 2b faces upward when the portable terminal device 1 is floated on water. Are combined. The mobile terminal device 1 of the present invention can be kept informed in order to inform the user of the location while falling on the water and then rising without being submerged deeply in the water and further floating on the water surface.

  A configuration related to notification of the mobile terminal device 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the float apparatus 2 includes a power supply unit 10 and a notification unit 20. The power supply unit 10 supplies power for driving the notification unit 20. The notification unit 20 is driven by the power supplied from the power supply unit 10 and notifies that it is immersed in water.

  The power supply unit 10 includes a solar panel unit 11 and a power storage unit 12. The solar panel unit 11 directly converts light energy into electric power and provides it to the power storage unit 12. The solar panel part 11 is arrange | positioned at the front surface 2b of the housing | casing 2a (refer FIG. 1). Since the solar panel unit 11 is disposed on the front surface 2b, the mobile terminal device 1 can be positioned above the water surface when the mobile terminal device 1 floats on the water surface. Referring to FIG. 2 (c), since the solar panel portion 11 is included in the front surface 2b, even when the mobile terminal device 1 floats on the water surface, it is located above the water surface and can receive light that is efficiently irradiated. it can. In other words, the solar panel unit 11 can always provide power to the power storage unit 12 with ambient light even when the mobile terminal device 1 is floating on the water surface.

  The power storage unit 12 charges the power received from the solar panel unit 11 and supplies the power to the notification unit 20. Since the power supply unit 10 can store power in the power storage unit 12 as long as the solar panel unit 11 receives light energy, the power supply unit 10 supplies power to the notification unit 20 permanently until the solar panel unit 11 and the power storage unit 12 fail. be able to.

  The notification unit 20 includes a water level sensor unit 21, an alarm control unit 22, a speaker unit 23, and a light emitting unit 24. The water level sensor unit 21 detects that it is immersed in water and outputs a detection signal. Specifically, the water level sensor unit 21 outputs a Hi detection signal to the alarm control unit 22 when water is detected, and outputs a Lo detection signal to the alarm control unit 22 when water is not detected.

  The alarm control unit 22 receives a detection signal received from the water level sensor unit 21 and outputs a control signal for controlling the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. In other words, the alarm control unit 22 controls ON / OFF of the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. Specifically, when receiving the Hi detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21, the alarm control unit 22 outputs a control signal for turning on the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. On the other hand, when receiving the Lo detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21, the alarm control unit 22 outputs a control signal for turning off the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24.

  The speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 receive a control signal from the alarm control unit 22 and output a notification signal. When the speaker unit 23 receives the control signal for turning on, the speaker unit 23 outputs a sound to notify the user of the location of the mobile terminal device 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the speaker unit 23 is located on the front surface 2 b that is on the upper side when it floats on the water surface so that the user can easily hear the sound. On the other hand, when the light emitting unit 24 receives the control signal for turning on, the light emitting unit 24 outputs light to notify the user of the location of the mobile terminal device 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the light emitting unit 24 is located inside the mobile terminal device 1. The speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 do not output a notification signal when receiving a control signal for turning off. That is, the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 do not notify when not immersed in water.

  The communication device 3 includes a battery unit 30 and a communication function unit 40. The battery unit 30 supplies power to the communication function unit 40. The communication function unit 40 is driven based on the power of the battery unit 30 and executes various functions such as a voice call function and a data signal transmission / reception function.

  Here, the arrangement of the functional units inside the float apparatus 2 will be described. 4 is a schematic diagram of an AA cross section of the mobile terminal device 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the inside of the communication device 3 is omitted. Referring to FIG. 4, in the float apparatus 2, the solar panel unit 11 and the speaker unit 23 are located on the front surface 2 b of the mobile terminal device 1 that is on the upper side when floating on the water surface. The water level sensor unit 21 is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside at a position below the water surface when the mobile terminal device 1 floats on water. The light emitting unit 24 is provided inside the housing 2a, and the light output from the light emitting unit 24 is output from the housing 2a so as to diffuse over a wide range. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the light emitting unit 24. Referring to FIG. 5, the housing 2 a includes a concave lens part 2 c that receives light from the light emitting part 24 in the vicinity of the light emitting part 24. The light 24a output from the light emitting unit 24 is output to the outside through the concave lens unit 2c. That is, the light 24a is diffused by the concave lens portion 2c to become diffused light 24b, and is output in a wider range than the range where the light emitting portion 24 can be irradiated alone. At this time, the casing 2a around the concave lens portion 2c also indirectly emits light.

  The alerting | reporting part 20 and the communication function part 40 of the portable terminal device 1 by embodiment of this invention are realizable using a computer. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example in the embodiment of the notification unit 20 and the communication function unit 40 of the mobile terminal device 1. Referring to FIG. 6, the notification unit 20 and the communication function unit 40 of the present invention include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, a storage device 101, an input device 102, an output device 103, a sensor 104, and each device. The computer system includes a bus 105 to be connected.

  CPU100 performs the arithmetic processing and control processing which concern on the portable terminal device 1 of this invention stored in the memory | storage device 101. FIG. The storage device 101 is a device that records information, such as a hard disk or a memory. The storage device 101 stores a program read from a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, a signal or program input from the input device 102 or the sensor 104, and a processing result of the CPU 100. The input device 102 is a device that allows a user to input commands and signals, such as buttons, a keyboard, and a microphone. The output device 103 is a device that allows a user to recognize an output result, such as a display, a speaker, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The sensor 104 is a sensor that detects a water level and light. In addition, this invention is not limited to what was shown as a hardware structural example, Each part can be implement | achieved independently or combining hardware and software.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the float device 2 in the portable terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The processing operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Step S01:
The solar panel unit 11 directly converts light energy into electric power and provides it to the power storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the solar panel unit 11 is located above the water surface when the mobile terminal device 1 floats on the water surface, and therefore can receive light that is efficiently irradiated.

Step S02:
The power storage unit 12 charges the power received from the solar panel unit 11 and supplies the power to the notification unit 20.

Step S03:
The notification unit 20 is driven by the power supplied from the power supply unit 10.

Step S04:
The water level sensor unit 21 detects whether or not it is immersed in water and outputs a detection signal. Specifically, the water level sensor unit 21 outputs a Hi detection signal to the alarm control unit 22 when water is detected, and outputs a Lo detection signal to the alarm control unit 22 when water is not detected.

Step S05:
The alarm control unit 22 determines whether or not the detection signal received from the water level sensor unit 21 is Hi.

Step S06:
In step S05, upon receiving the Lo detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21, the alarm control unit 22 outputs a control signal for turning off the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. When the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 receive the control signal for turning off, the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 do not output the sound and light that become the notification signal. That is, the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 do not notify when not immersed in water.

Step S07:
In step S05, when receiving the Hi detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21, the alarm control unit 22 outputs a control signal for turning on the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. The speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 receive a control signal from the alarm control unit 22 and output a notification signal. The speaker unit 23 outputs sound, the light emitting unit 24 outputs light, and notifies the user of the location of the mobile terminal device 1. The float apparatus 2 of the present invention can repeatedly execute this process while the power supply unit 10 can supply power.

  Even if the portable terminal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention falls into water, it can float on the water surface without sinking deeply into the water due to the buoyancy of the float device 2. In addition, in the portable terminal device 1 of the present invention, the battery does not run out because the solar panel unit 11 continues to generate power in an environment where light can be received. Therefore, the portable terminal device 1 of the present invention can continue to be notified with sound and light in an environment where light can be received even when floating on the water surface for a long time, and has an effect that is easily detected by the user. I play.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the mobile terminal device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the mobile terminal device 1 includes a float device 2 and a communication device 3. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the notification unit 20 is partially different from the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

  The alerting | reporting part 20 drives with the electric power supplied from the electric power supply part 10 similarly to 1st Embodiment, and alert | reports that it is immersed in water. The notification unit 20 includes a water level sensor unit 21, an alarm control unit 22, a speaker unit 23, a light emitting unit 24, and an optical sensor unit 28.

  The optical sensor unit 28 detects the ambient brightness and outputs a detection signal indicating the ambient brightness. Specifically, the optical sensor unit 28 compares the ambient brightness with a predetermined brightness set in advance. The optical sensor unit 28 outputs a Hi detection signal indicating that the surrounding is dark to the alarm control unit 22 when the surrounding brightness is darker than a predetermined brightness. On the other hand, when the ambient brightness is brighter than a predetermined brightness set in advance, the optical sensor unit 28 outputs a Lo detection signal indicating that the ambient brightness is bright to the alarm control unit 22.

  The alarm control unit 22 receives the detection signal of the water level sensor unit 21 and the detection signal of the optical sensor unit 28, and outputs a control signal for controlling the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. Output. Specifically, the alarm control unit 22 receives a Hi detection signal indicating that it is immersed in water from the water level sensor unit 21, and receives a Hi detection signal indicating that the surrounding is dark from the optical sensor unit 28. Then, a control signal for turning on the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 is output. The alarm control unit 22 receives a Hi detection signal indicating that the water level sensor unit 21 is immersed in water, and receives a Lo detection signal indicating that the surroundings are bright from the optical sensor unit 28. A control signal for turning on the speaker unit 23 and a control signal for turning off the light emitting unit 24 are output. Further, upon receiving the Lo detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21, the alarm control unit 22 outputs a control signal for turning off the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. In other words, the alarm control unit 22 performs control so as to be notified by two means of sound and light when the surroundings are dark when floating on the water surface, and control so that only the sound is notified when the surroundings are bright. .

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the float device 2 in the portable terminal device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The processing operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, step S11 to step S13 correspond to step S01 to step S03 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Step S14:
The water level sensor unit 21 detects whether or not it is immersed in water and outputs a detection signal. Specifically, the water level sensor unit 21 outputs a Hi detection signal to the alarm control unit 22 when water is detected, and outputs a Lo detection signal to the alarm control unit 22 when water is not detected. The optical sensor unit 28 detects ambient brightness and outputs a detection signal indicating the ambient brightness. Specifically, the optical sensor unit 28 compares the ambient brightness with a predetermined brightness set in advance. The optical sensor unit 28 outputs a Hi detection signal indicating that the surrounding is dark to the alarm control unit 22 when the surrounding brightness is darker than a predetermined brightness. On the other hand, when the ambient brightness is brighter than a predetermined brightness set in advance, the optical sensor unit 28 outputs a Lo detection signal indicating that the ambient brightness is bright to the alarm control unit 22.

Step S15:
The alarm control unit 22 determines whether or not the detection signal received from the water level sensor unit 21 is Hi.

Step S16:
In step S <b> 15, upon receiving the Lo detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21, the alarm control unit 22 outputs a control signal for turning off the speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24. The speaker unit 23 and the light emitting unit 24 do not output a notification signal when receiving a control signal for turning off.

Step S17:
In step S <b> 15, when the alarm control unit 22 receives the Hi detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21, the alarm control unit 22 determines whether or not the Hi detection signal indicating that the surrounding is dark is received from the optical sensor unit 28.

Step S18:
In step S <b> 17, the alarm control unit 22 receives a Hi detection signal indicating that it is immersed in water from the water level sensor unit 21, and receives a Lo detection signal indicating that the surroundings are bright from the optical sensor unit 28. Then, a control signal for turning on the speaker unit 23 and a control signal for turning off the light emitting unit 24 are output. The speaker unit 23 outputs sound as a notification signal. That is, the float apparatus 2 notifies only by sound because the surroundings are bright in a state of floating on the water surface.

Step S19:
In step S17, when the alarm control unit 22 receives the Hi detection signal from the water level sensor unit 21 and the Hi detection signal indicating that the surroundings are dark from the optical sensor unit 28, the alarm unit 22 and the light emitting unit 24 and a control signal to turn ON. The speaker unit 23 outputs sound, and the light emitting unit 24 outputs light to notify the user of the location of the mobile terminal device 1. That is, the float apparatus 2 notifies the user with light and sound because the surroundings are dark in a state of floating on the water surface. As in the first embodiment, the float apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can repeatedly execute this process while the power supply unit 10 can supply power.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the mobile terminal device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention floats on the water surface without being submerged deeply in the water due to the buoyancy of the float device 2 even if it falls into the water. Can do. Furthermore, the portable terminal device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the optical sensor unit 28, so that light is output from the light emitting unit 24 only when the surrounding brightness is dark, and the power consumption of the power storage unit 12 is increased. There is an effect that can be suppressed. That is, the mobile terminal device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can make a notification for a long time while suppressing the power consumption of the power storage unit 12 even when the solar panel unit 11 cannot receive light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable terminal device 2 Float device 2a Case 2b Front surface 2c Concave lens part 3 Communication device 3a Case 10 Power supply part 11 Solar panel part 12 Power storage part 20 Notification part 21 Water level sensor part 22 Alarm control part 23 Speaker part 24 Light emission part 24a Light 24b Diffuse light 28 Optical sensor unit 30 Battery unit 40 Communication function unit 100 CPU
101 Storage Device 102 Input Device 103 Output Device 104 Sensor 105 Bus

Claims (6)

A first device having a first housing;
A float device coupled to the first housing and having a second housing floating on the water surface by buoyancy;
The float device is
A solar panel that sits above the surface of the water when it floats on the surface of the water and converts light energy into electricity;
A power storage unit that charges power received from the solar panel unit and supplies power to the notification unit;
A portable terminal device comprising: a notification unit that is driven by electric power received from the power storage unit and notifies that it is immersed in water. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1,
The notification unit
A water level sensor unit that detects that it is immersed in water and outputs a first detection signal;
An alarm control unit that receives the first detection signal and outputs a control signal;
A portable terminal device comprising: an output unit that receives the control signal and outputs a notification signal. The mobile terminal device according to claim 2,
The notification unit
An optical sensor unit that detects ambient brightness and outputs a second detection signal when the ambient brightness is darker than a predetermined brightness;
The output unit is
A speaker unit for outputting sound;
A light emitting unit that outputs light,
The alarm control unit outputs sound to the speaker unit based on reception of the first detection signal, and emits light to the light emitting unit based on reception of the first detection signal and the second detection signal. A portable terminal device to output. The mobile terminal device according to claim 3,
The second housing is
A concave lens portion that receives light from the light emitting portion,
The light output from the light emitting unit is output by being diffused by the concave lens unit. A notification method for a mobile terminal device comprising: a first device having a first housing; and a float device having a second housing coupled to the first housing and floating on the water surface by buoyancy,
Converting light energy into electric power;
Charging the power;
Driving with the charged power and notifying that it is immersed in water,
The notifying step includes
Detecting that it is immersed in water and outputting a first detection signal;
Receiving the first detection signal and outputting a control signal;
Receiving the control signal and outputting a notification signal. The notification method according to claim 5,
The notifying step includes
Detecting ambient brightness and determining whether the ambient brightness is darker than a predetermined brightness; and
Outputting a second detection signal when the ambient brightness is darker than the predetermined brightness;
Outputting the control signal comprises:
Outputting a control signal for outputting sound based on reception of the first detection signal;
Outputting a control signal for outputting light based on reception of the first detection signal and the second detection signal;
The step of outputting the notification signal includes:
Receiving a control signal for outputting the sound and outputting the sound;
Receiving a control signal for outputting the light, and outputting the light;

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