JP4039075B2 - Mobile information terminal with front obstacle detection function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a portable information terminal capable of detecting a front obstacle and notifying a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a portable information terminal that can detect and notify an obstacle is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-116564. This conventional technique is carried by a communication system having a GPS mounted on a vehicle and a pedestrian. Mutual communication is required between mobile information terminals. For this reason, when there is no vehicle mounting system, the position of the pedestrian cannot be confirmed from the vehicle, and the pedestrian carrying the portable information terminal cannot receive the position information of the vehicle.
[0003]
Moreover, the object which can alert | report attention as an obstruction is restricted to the vehicle mounted with a communication system.
[0004]
Obstacles that can be dangerous when performing mail operations and browsing operations are widespread besides vehicles such as telephone poles, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. It seems to be inadequate as a means of prompting.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-described prior art has a problem that all obstacles appearing in front cannot be recognized when a pedestrian is operating a mail unless the obstacle is a special vehicle having a vehicle-mounted system. The first object of the present invention is a portable information terminal that solves this problem.
[0006]
Further, simply attaching an obstacle detection sensor detects a pocket as an obstacle when not in use, for example, when it is in a pocket. Even during use, for example, when standing still while waiting for a signal, there remains a problem of detecting a person standing in front as an obstacle. Including this, the second object of the present invention is a portable information terminal that solves this problem. The obstacle sensor should not be activated when it is not in use or when no movement is seen even if it is in use, and it will not operate when it is judged that it is stationary or no obstacle detection is required. It is to provide a portable information terminal.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the invention for achieving the first object described above, an obstacle detection sensor is provided on the terminal so that an obstacle from the front can be detected when the user is gazing at the portable information terminal. When it detects, it also has an alerting means for alerting the user.
[0008]
Examples of the notification means include a vibrator, a sounder, and a display. Depending on the approaching state of the obstacle, the sounder, vibrator, etc. adjust the ringing interval, and the display of the alarm message on the display changes the content and text, so there are several things from alerting to danger advice It is desirable to have a means for sufficiently prompting the user to divide the level. There is also means for simply displaying the approaching direction of the obstacle on the display.
[0009]
The obstacle detection sensor for performing the above-described obstacle detection operation uses an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic wave, a camera, or the like, and the sensor detection area is set in advance to about 1 to 2 m and a width of about 45 degrees. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent detection of an object other than the target object that is an obstacle to the user.
[0010]
In order to achieve the second object of the present invention, the terminal device includes a sensing means for detecting walking / running state or moving, and a monitoring timer for power saving measures for the sensing means. It has a system that activates the sensing means each time the timer expires.
[0011]
In addition, the above obstacle detection sensor and sensing means are not always turned on, but are turned on every fixed timer cycle, and the obstacle sensor detection operation is performed only when a walking or running state is detected. Do. The timer is activated only when the mobile information device is in an open state, or when the user starts using the device, such as when an e-mail or browse operation is performed. It is possible to suppress battery consumption and reduce the influence on the original function of the mobile phone device.
[0012]
In the present invention, vibration detection processing in the terminal device is performed by the activated sensing means. If no vibration is detected, it is determined that the terminal user is in a stationary state, and the monitoring timer is restarted. Conversely, if vibration is detected, it is determined that the vehicle is moving, such as walking, the obstacle sensor is activated, and then the timer is not counted until the user is determined to be stationary by the sensing means. Continues to operate.
[0013]
Therefore, the obstacle sensor is activated only while the user is moving and continues to detect, but the obstacle sensor is not activated while stationary, so the battery consumption of the mobile phone device is suppressed and the effect on the original function of the mobile phone device is affected. Can be reduced. Also, it is possible to avoid malfunction of the notification system when it is unnecessary, such as when a person stands as an obstacle ahead when the user is stationary.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a usage state of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit system of the portable information terminal of the present invention.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal is a foldable portable information terminal in which an upper casing and a lower casing 2 are connected by a hinge portion 3. The upper housing 1 has a speaker 7, an antenna 9, a display 4, and an obstacle detection sensor 6, which is a feature of the present invention, and the lower housing 2 has an operation unit 5, a vibration sensor 17 and a microphone 8. Have.
[0017]
The obstacle detection sensor 6 is an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor attached to the top of the display unit 4 in the upper housing 1, that is, the top of the portable information terminal, and the user walks while performing mail operation and browsing operation. When an obstacle comes out from the front when it is inside, the obstacle can be detected. This sensor can also prevent detection of objects other than the target object that is an obstacle to the user by setting the sensor detection area to 1 to 2 m ahead and about 45 degrees in width. .
[0018]
In order to notify the user of the detected obstacle, attention is urged on the display 4 by using a caution display, sounder, light or vibrator.
[0019]
As shown in Fig. 5, according to the approaching state of the obstacles, the sounder, vibrator, etc. adjust the ringing interval, and the alarm message display on the display changes the display content and text, so that the alert It is desirable to have a means for sufficiently informing the user at several levels up to the risk advisory.
[0020]
Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when the obstacle is in the right direction, there may be a means for notifying the user by displaying an abstract mark on the upper right of the display. The vibration sensor 17 detects a user's movement, that is, a walking / running state.
[0021]
In FIG. 2, the operation unit 13 controls an operation interface such as input of a user's telephone number and mail creation operation. When the user inputs a telephone number from the operation unit 4, a signal for calling is transmitted from the control unit 13 to the transmission circuit 15, and this signal is transmitted to the base station via the antenna. Further, a signal from the other party is received from the antenna 9 (signal from the base station) and processed by the control unit 13 via the receiving circuit 14 to perform incoming call display, mail display voice output, and the like. When the user uses a mobile phone, the timer 12 in the control unit 13 is activated and starts counting. When the timer expires, the control unit 13 sends a signal to activate the vibration sensor 17. By this signal, the vibration sensor 17 is activated and detects the presence or absence of vibration of the terminal. The detection result obtained here is sent to the control unit, and when there is no vibration, the timer is restarted. If it is seen, the control unit activates the obstacle detection sensor 6 and obtains a detection result therefrom. From the result, when an obstacle is detected, the control unit 13 issues a command for notifying the display unit 4, the sounder 11, and the vibrator radar 10 of caution.
[0022]
In the mobile phone according to the present invention, when an obstacle comes out from the front while the user is walking while performing mail operation and browsing operation, the obstacle detection sensor 6 located above the display 4 of the portable information terminal device. Detects obstacles.
[0023]
In order to notify the user of the detected obstacle, a system of notifying means for alerting the user by using a caution display, sounder, light or vibrator on the display 4 is raised.
[0024]
Accordingly, the user can temporarily stop the mail operation and pay attention to the front, thereby reducing the risk associated with using the mobile phone.
[0025]
Next, the operation of the obstacle detection by the control unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG.
[0026]
When the power is turned on (step S1), the control unit 13 starts the monitoring timer 12 for starting the vibration sensor 17 (step S2), and when the power is turned off (step S3), the timer is stopped (step S4). )I do. The control unit 13 performs the activation process of the monitoring timer 12 only when the permission of the obstacle detection operation is set by the user setting by the operation unit 5 in advance by e-mail creation or browse operation, When it is not necessary to detect an obstacle, such as when the browsing operation is terminated or when the telephone call is prohibited, the obstacle detection sensor 6 is not activated without performing the activation process. Further, as in the embodiment of the present invention, in the case of the folding type, when the open state of the terminal is detected by the open / close detection sensor or the switch, the control unit starts the timer 12 and detects the closed state Stop the timer.
[0027]
When the monitoring timer 12 starts counting, the control unit 13 activates the vibration sensor 17 (step S6) every time the set fixed period expires (step S5), and performs a vibration detection process. Immediately after obtaining the detection result (step S7), the power source of the vibration sensor 17 is turned off (step S8).
[0028]
From this detection result (step S9), when the detection by the vibration sensor 17 is seen, the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG. When vibration is not detected, the control unit 13 determines that the state is not walking or running, performs only the restart processing (step S10) of the monitoring timer 12, and ends the series of processing (step S11).
[0029]
Only when vibration is detected, the obstacle detection sensor 6 is activated (step S12), and a forward obstacle detection process is performed. After the obstacle detection sensor 6 obtains the detection result (step S13), the obstacle detection sensor 6 is immediately turned off by the control of the control unit 13 as in the case of the vibration sensor 17 (step S14). If no obstacle is detected based on the detection result at step 13 (step S15), the control unit 13 performs a restart process (step S10) of the monitoring timer 12 in the same manner as when vibration is not detected. If the obstacle detection sensor 6 detects an obstacle ahead, an alarm process is performed (step S16). As an example of alarm processing, a preset alarm message is displayed on the display 4 (FIG. 4), the sounder 11 and the vibrator 10 are simultaneously sounded, or a combination thereof, and further attention is given to the user by a stepwise warning notification. It is also possible to arouse.
[0030]
The alarm operation is stopped by a lapse of a certain time or by a user operation from the operation unit 14 (step S17), restarting the monitoring timer 12 (step S10), and ending a series of processing (step S11). To do.
[0031]
As described above, by displaying information on the display 4 of the portable information terminal device, it becomes possible for the user to recognize the presence of an obstacle ahead and take measures to avoid it. Accidents can be avoided.
[0032]
By operating the obstacle sensor 6 only when vibration is detected by the vibration sensor 17, it is possible to avoid unnecessary operation of the sensor when stopping in a crowded state such as waiting for an intersection.
[0033]
In addition, the power of the sensor unit is not always turned on, but is turned on every fixed timer cycle, and only when the walking / running state is detected, the obstacle sensor 6 is detected to carry the mobile phone. The battery consumption of the telephone device can be suppressed, and the influence on the original function of the mobile phone device can be reduced.
[0034]
A case where the GPS unit 18 is used instead of the vibration sensor 16 is shown in the configuration of the apparatus (FIG. 5). The GPS 18 detects the user's walking / running state by vibrations instead of vibration. The GPS 18 performs an operation of periodically acquiring position information, and recognizes that it is “moving” when a change is detected from the previous position information. The operations of the other parts are the same as described above.
[0035]
The obstacle detection sensor 6 may be activated and stopped by a specific operation of the operation unit 5. Further, the monitoring timer 12 may not be provided. In this case, the obstacle detection sensor 6 is activated by the control means when the moving means is sensed by a sensing means such as a vibration sensor. Furthermore, when it is determined that there is no need to detect an obstacle, such as when an e-mail is not being created, when a browser operation is not performed, or when it is determined that a call is in progress, the obstacle detection sensor may be stopped. .
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the portable information terminal with the forward obstacle detection function of the present invention, the obstacle in the front which is difficult to notice when the user is performing the mail operation and the browse operation while walking / moving is detected. Since the user is notified, there is an effect that danger can be avoided.
[0037]
Further, by providing a vibration sensor, GPS, and a monitoring timer for this sensing means as sensing means, it is possible to control so as not to detect an obstacle when there is no need for obstacle detection. Further, this can also provide power saving measures.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a usage state of an embodiment of an attachment position of an obstacle detection sensor of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit system of the obstacle detection sensor, vibration sensor, and timer.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operations of an obstacle detection sensor, a vibration sensor, and a timer until an obstacle is detected.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations of an obstacle detection sensor, a vibration sensor, and a timer after an obstacle is detected.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are images of obstacle notification contents divided into two stages in a display when an obstacle is detected.
FIG. 6 is an image of notification contents showing an obstacle approach from the right direction.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a device configuration when GPS is used instead of the vibration sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper housing | casing 2 Lower housing | casing 3 Hinge part 4 Display part 5 Operation part 6 Obstacle detection sensor 7 Speaker 8 Microphone 9 Antenna 10 Vibrator 11 Sounder 12 Timer 13 Control part 14 Operation part 15 Transmission circuit 16 Reception circuit 17 Vibration sensor 18 Obstacle presence mark 19 GPS

Claims (7)

A portable information terminal having detection means for detecting an obstacle in the traveling direction, and notification means for notifying a mobile terminal user of the detection result,
The notification means includes a display display for displaying and outputting information for obstacle warning,
The position of the display content notified to a display display is changed according to the direction of the obstruction detected by the detection means. The content displayed on the display display is changed according to the approaching state of the obstacle detected by the detection means, and the notification means is divided into several levels from alerting to danger recommendation. 1. A portable information terminal according to 1. In addition to the sensing means and the informing means, the claim includes a sensing means for sensing that the user is moving, and control means for controlling the activation of the detection means according to the sense in said mobile 1 2. The portable information terminal according to any one of 2 above. The portable information terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the sensing means is a vibration sensor. The portable information terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the sensing means is a GPS. 4. The portable information terminal according to claim 3, wherein the control means does not perform an activation process of the obstacle detection sensor when it is not necessary to detect the obstacle. The portable information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the obstacle detection sensor can be stopped by pressing a specific button on the operation unit.

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