JP2012118850A - Terminal device, execution method and program of automatic calibration - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent failure of automatic calibration caused by performing user operation during the automatic calibration.SOLUTION: A terminal device includes a first input device which detects a position or an instruction amount on the basis of user operation, a second input device which detects the presence of an object approaching the first input device, and a control section which executes automatic calibration of the first input device and, when the presence of the object approaching the first input device is detected from the second input device during the automatic calibration, stops the automatic calibration of the first input device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device, an automatic calibration execution method, and a program, and more particularly, to a terminal device including an input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation, an automatic calibration execution method, and a program.

  Recently, in mobile terminals such as mobile phones, notebook PCs (Personal Computers) and tablet PCs, and stationary desktop PCs and CDs (Cash Dispenser) machines, user interfaces (hereinafter referred to as “ In addition to mice, electrostatic pads, and keyboards that can be regarded as representative UI devices, various UIs such as a touch panel, trackball, stick pointer (registered trademark), and neuropointer (registered trademark) have evolved. A device has been devised.

  Many of these UI devices use analog sensor output, and since it is analog, the sensor output value changes due to temperature change and change with time. Therefore, in order to prevent the reference position (origin) at the time of no input from being shifted, calibration in the no input state is necessary.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pen input tablet that can detect a voltage at a reference position (origin) and perform position correction without pressing a “mark” position by a user.

JP 2001-166873 A

  The following analysis is given by the present invention.

  In a terminal device capable of executing automatic position correction processing (hereinafter referred to as “automatic calibration”) as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user who does not know this is subject to calibration during automatic calibration. If the input device is operated, there is a problem that calibration data is learned with incorrect contents based on the operation.

  To prevent this, for example, during automatic calibration, it is possible to display “Please do not touch the device because calibration is in progress” on the screen, or you may have completed calibration when not in use. Considering the convenience of the user and the application and nature of the device, this type of countermeasure cannot often be adopted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device, an automatic calibration execution method, and a program capable of preventing the automatic calibration failure. is there.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a first input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation, and a second input device that detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device. And performing automatic calibration of the first input device, and when the presence of an approaching object from the second input device to the first input device is detected during the automatic calibration, And a control unit that stops automatic calibration of the first input device.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a first input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation, and a second input device that detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device. A method of performing automatic calibration of the first input device of a terminal device comprising: starting automatic calibration of the first input device according to a predetermined start condition; and A step of stopping automatic calibration of the first input device when the presence of an approaching object from the second input device to the first input device is detected. An automatic calibration execution method is provided. This method is associated with a specific machine called a terminal device including the first and second input devices.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a first input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation, and a second input device that detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device. A program to be executed by a computer installed in a terminal device comprising: a process for starting automatic calibration of the first input device according to a predetermined start condition; and during the automatic calibration, When the presence of an approaching object from the second input device to the first input device is detected, there is provided a program for causing the computer to execute a process of stopping automatic calibration of the first input device. . This program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. That is, the present invention can be embodied as a computer program product.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to prevent the failure of automatic calibration by a user operating during automatic calibration.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  First, the outline of the present invention will be described. The present invention provides a first input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation, a second input device that detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device, and the first input. This can be realized by a terminal device including a control unit that executes automatic calibration of the device. More specifically, the control unit, during the automatic calibration of the first input device that is the target of the automatic calibration described above, the presence of an approaching object from the second input device to the first input device Is detected, the automatic calibration of the first input device is stopped.

  As described above, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which calibration data having incorrect contents is set based on a user operation or the like.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a configuration including a first input device 11, a display unit 12, a control unit 13, a second input device 14, and a storage unit 15 is shown.

  The first input device 11 is a UI device of a type that detects a position and an operation amount from a reference position or an origin, such as a touch panel, a stick pointer (registered trademark), and a neuro pointer (registered trademark).

  The display unit 12 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display.

  The control unit 13 performs automatic calibration on the reference position or the origin of the first input device 11 according to a predetermined automatic calibration start condition. Specifically, the control unit 13 performs an operation of calculating calibration data for performing the correction based on the sensor output value output from the first input device 11 and using no calibration data.

  The second input device 14 is a human sensor that detects whether or not an approaching object such as a user (human body) is present near the first input device. Such a human sensor includes an infrared sensor that detects far infrared rays emitted from the user (human body), an ultrasonic sensor that detects the reflection of ultrasonic waves, and the like. In the following embodiments, the second input device 14 outputs a value close to 0 when the user (human body) is not detected nearby, and increases as the user (human body) approaches the first input device 11. Is output.

  The storage unit 15 is a memory or the like used as a storage destination of output data from the first input device 11.

  As the terminal device 10 having the above-described configuration, mobile terminals such as mobile phone terminals, notebook PCs, and tablet PCs, stationary desktop PCs, home appliances that accept operations from various UI devices, and in-vehicle devices such as car navigation systems Various kinds of devices such as a bank CD machine and the like are conceivable, but in the following description, it will be described as a mobile phone terminal.

  Further, the control unit 13 of the terminal device 10 described above causes a computer constituting the terminal device 10 to execute the processing of the control unit 13 using the hardware (input device, storage device, display device). It can also be realized by a program.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, first, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the automatic calibration start condition is satisfied (step S001). As conditions for starting automatic calibration, various conditions such as a specific time period in which the user is less used, such as midnight, a certain period of time, a power-on operation of the terminal device, and the like depend on the type and application of the terminal device 10. Set accordingly.

  When the automatic calibration start condition is satisfied, the control unit 13 sends a control signal C2 for requesting data output to the second input device 14 (step S002).

  The second input device 14 that has received the control signal C2 outputs data indicating whether or not there is a user (human body) in the vicinity of the first input device 11 to the control unit 13.

  When the control unit 13 receives data from the second input device 14 (step S003), the control unit 13 approaches the first input device 11 depending on whether or not the output value exceeds a predetermined threshold value (Y). It is determined whether there is an object (step S004).

  As a result of the comparison with the threshold value (Y), when it is determined that there is an approaching object in the first input device 11 (Yes in step S004), the control unit 13 stops the automatic calibration (step S001). What). In this case, the execution of the automatic calibration is suppressed until the start condition for the next automatic calibration is satisfied.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no approaching object in the first input device 11 (No in Step S004), the control unit 13 causes the control unit 13 to be in the first input device 11 with respect to the first input device 11. The control signal C1 for requesting the output of the reference position or origin data before applying the calibration data (calibration value) held in is sent (step S005).

  The first input device 11 that has received the control signal C <b> 1 outputs the reference position or origin data to the control unit 13.

  When receiving data from the first input device 11 (step S006), the control unit 13 stores the data in the storage unit 15.

  The control device 13 waits for a predetermined time (T seconds) (step S007), and then repeats the above steps S002 to S007 for a specified number of times (N times) (step S008).

  When the N-th data is received, the control device 13 reads the data for N times from the storage device 15 and performs an averaging process (step S009).

  The control unit 13 sends a control signal for holding the value averaged in step S009 to the first input device 11 as calibration data (calibration value) (step S010).

  Thus, the automatic calibration process is completed. After that, when the control unit 13 requests normal data output from the first input device 11, the first input device 11 corrects the measured data as calibration data (calibration value) as output data. Output the data with.

  Note that the data output interval (T seconds), the number of times (N times), and the threshold value (Y) in the flowchart of FIG. 2 are the sensor output variation and followability of the UI device constituting the first input device 11, the second It is arbitrarily determined by the device supply manufacturer or the terminal manufacturer in consideration of the output characteristics of the human sensor constituting the input device 14.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, during automatic calibration execution, it is detected that there is a possibility that the first input device may be operated, and automatic calibration is stopped. Setting data can be prevented.

  Further, as the second input device 14 of the present invention, a human sensor mounted on a device equipped with a human sensor for power saving control such as a portable terminal or a liquid crystal television can be used. It is advantageous in terms of cost and size.

  Next, second to fourth embodiments, in which changes are made to the first embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, since the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention can be realized with the same configuration as the first embodiment, the operational differences will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Since the operations in steps S001 to S006 and steps S007 to S010 in FIG. 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, after receiving data from the first input device 11 in step S006, a comparison process with the previous data stored in the storage unit 15 is added (step S011). As a result of this comparison, when the change from the previous value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value (X) (Yes in step S011), the control unit 13 stops the automatic calibration (to step S001).

  According to this embodiment to which the above processing is added, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, erroneous calibration data due to an event that cannot be detected by the second input device 14, such as a foreign object falling on the touch panel surface, for example. Can be prevented from being set.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Since the operations in steps S001 to S006 and steps S007 to S010 in FIG. 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, after the data is received from the second input device 14 in step S003, the user (person) or the like automatically depends on whether or not the received data falls below a predetermined second threshold (Y2). A process for determining whether or not the device is near is added (step S012). As described above, the second input device 14 outputs a value close to 0 when a user (human body) is not detected nearby, and outputs a larger value as the user (human body) approaches the first input device 11. Therefore, a value smaller than the threshold value (Y) is set as the second threshold value (Y2).

  As a result of the comparison with the second threshold (Y2), when it is determined that there is no user (person) near the device (No in step S012), the control unit 13 stops the automatic calibration. (To step S001). In this case, the execution of the automatic calibration is suppressed until the start condition for the next automatic calibration is satisfied.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a user (person) or the like near the own device (Yes in step S012), the control unit 13 executes an automatic calibration process in step S004 and subsequent steps.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment in which the presence of a user (person) or the like in the vicinity of the own device is used as the automatic calibration start condition, only when there is an approaching object to the first input device 11. In addition, even when the user (person) is not nearby, since the automatic calibration process is suppressed, power saving can be improved in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the third embodiment described above, it is assumed that the automatic calibration is completed before the user (person) approaches the terminal device 10 and touches the first input device 11. However, depending on the characteristics of the UI device serving as the first input device 11, the characteristics of the human sensor used as the second input device 14, and the speed of the user's (human) operation, in step S 012 in FIG. Although it is determined that the user is near and automatic calibration is started, it may be determined that there is an approaching object to the first input device in step S004 during automatic calibration. As a result, it is conceivable that automatic calibration cannot be performed for a long time.

  Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which automatic calibration can be performed at a certain time interval while ensuring power saving performance. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Since the second half of this embodiment is almost the same as each of the above embodiments, the following description will focus on the differences.

  As the automatic calibration start condition (see step S001 in FIG. 5) of the present embodiment, it is assumed that a condition for performing automatic calibration at least at a constant time interval is set.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 13 of the terminal device 10 sends a control signal C2 for requesting data output to the second input device 14 at predetermined time intervals (step S101).

  The second input device 14 that has received the control signal C <b> 2 outputs data to the control unit 13.

  When the control unit 13 receives data from the second input device 14 (step S102), the output value of the second input device 14, the threshold value (Y) similar to that in the third embodiment, the second Is compared with the threshold value (Y2) (steps S103 and S104).

  As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that there is a user (person) or the like near the first input device 11 (Yes in step S103, No in step S104), the control unit 13 The execution interval of the automatic calibration used in step S001 is shortened (step S106).

  Further, when it is determined that there is a user (person) or the like in the vicinity of the own device and it is determined that the user touches the first input device 11 (Yes in step S103, Yes in step S104), control is performed. The unit 13 increases the execution interval of the automatic calibration used in step S001 (step S105).

  Note that when it is determined that there is no user (person) or the like in the vicinity of the own device, the execution interval of the automatic calibration is not changed.

  Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the automatic calibration start condition is satisfied, and performs the automatic calibration in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S001). ~ S010). However, when it is determined that there is a user (person) near the own device and it is determined that the user touches the first input device 11 (Yes in step S103, Yes in step S104), automatic Since the calibration execution interval is extended, it is not necessary to determine whether or not there is an approaching object in the first input device 11 in step S004.

  As described above, by adjusting the automatic calibration execution interval, as in the third embodiment, when the user is nearby, automatic calibration is performed actively, and the first input device 11 is operated. When it is about to be performed, execution of automatic calibration can be postponed by extending the execution interval of automatic calibration.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, replacements, and replacements may be made without departing from the basic technical idea of the present invention. Adjustments can be made.

  For example, the second input device 14 can cope with machines, animals, insects, and the like by tuning threshold values (Y, Y2) and device parameters, and can detect even devices other than humans. May be set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second input device 14 is described as a human sensor. However, various cameras mounted on or connected to the terminal device 10, an open / close state of a mobile terminal or a notebook PC It is also possible to use a switch or the like that detects the sliding state of the casing. In addition, for example, a motion sensor, a space sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like can be used as the second input device 14.

  Of the various sensors, as described in the first embodiment, a human sensor using infrared rays or the like can be used to distinguish a person from an object. Thus, it may be determined whether or not the approaching object affects the automatic calibration, and the automatic calibration may be stopped or postponed only when the approach of the human body or the like is recognized.

  In the above-described embodiment, an approaching object is detected on the condition that the output value from the human sensor exceeds the threshold value. However, the output value from the human sensor or the like (more precisely, That is, it may be detected whether or not the vehicle is approaching based on a change in the distance between the sensor and the object), or may be detected by predicting movement.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, it has been described that the calibration data is generated by averaging the data of N times measured by the first input device 11. It is also possible to employ values obtained by other statistical processing such as frequent values.

  In the third and fourth embodiments described above, it is assumed that the second input device 14 separately detects that the user is nearby and the presence of an approaching object to the first input device 11. As described above, a configuration in which one of them is carried by a third input device different from the second input device 14 can also be adopted. For example, a sensor that detects the presence of a very close approaching object as the second input device 14, and the fact that the user (person) is nearby, the sensor at the entrance / exit of the area where the terminal device 10 is installed, It is also possible to employ a configuration in which detection is performed using a human sensor for power control or an image of a camera.

  In addition, an icon, an LED, or the like that displays the determination result of the second input device 14 or the operation state of the calibration function so that a necessary person such as a maintenance person can know that the calibration function is working correctly. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the status display means is provided, or the operation history of the calibration function is recorded as a log.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Terminal device 11 1st input device 12 Display part 13 Control part 14 2nd input device 15 Memory | storage part

Claims (9)

A first input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation;
A second input device for detecting the presence of an approaching object to the first input device;
When the automatic calibration of the first input device is executed and the presence of an approaching object to the first input device is detected by the second input device during the automatic calibration, A control unit for canceling automatic calibration of the input device 1;
A terminal device characterized by the above.   2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a user is nearby is set as a start condition for automatic calibration of the first input device.   3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives a predetermined number of data from the first input device and performs a predetermined statistical process to create calibration data of the first input device. 4. .   The control unit stops automatic calibration of the first input device when the data received from the first input device has a difference from a previously received data equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. 3. Terminal device. The second input device can detect the presence of a user nearby and the presence of an approaching object to the first input device, respectively,
If the user starts automatic calibration when approaching the first input device, and the user tries to touch the first input device during the automatic calibration, the automatic operation of the first input device is performed. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the calibration is stopped. The second input device can detect the presence of a user nearby and the presence of an approaching object to the first input device, respectively,
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when there is no user nearby, the execution interval of automatic calibration of the first input device is increased.   The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a status display unit that indicates whether or not the automatic calibration is being performed. A first input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation;
A second input device that detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device, and a method for performing automatic calibration of the first input device of a terminal device comprising:
Starting automatic calibration of the first input device according to a predetermined start condition;
Stopping the automatic calibration of the first input device when the second input device detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device during the automatic calibration. Including,
An automatic calibration execution method characterized by the above. A first input device that detects a position or an instruction amount based on a user operation;
A second input device that detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device, and a program that is executed by a computer mounted on a terminal device comprising:
A process of starting automatic calibration of the first input device according to a predetermined start condition;
A process of canceling automatic calibration of the first input device when the second input device detects the presence of an approaching object to the first input device during the automatic calibration. A program to be executed by the computer.

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