JP6261930B2 - Mobile terminal, control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that is held and used by a user.

  In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as mobile terminals have become more multifunctional and have improved convenience. As information processing apparatuses become more multifunctional, touch sensors that enable various types of inputs through intuitive operations are widely used.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a detection signal that is arranged in a plurality of sensor areas on a surface of a casing that is touched by a finger of the hand when the casing is gripped by hand, and indicates that the finger touches when the finger touches the casing. Is disclosed for each sensor region, and a mobile terminal including a determination unit that determines the number of fingers touching the touch sensor based on the number of detection signals output from the touch sensor.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a display unit that performs display, a sensor unit that detects the movement of the terminal, a handle determination unit that determines a handle based on the movement of the terminal detected by the sensor unit, A mobile terminal is disclosed that includes a control unit that switches the display of the display unit to a display corresponding to the hand based on the determination result of the unit.

JP 2011-119959 A (released on June 16, 2011) JP 2012-23554 A (published February 2, 2012)

  However, although the above-described prior art discloses a method for determining the state of being gripped by the user, it is difficult to correctly detect that the mobile terminal is gripped by the user. It is not disclosed how to quickly and correctly detect gripping and eliminate this malfunction.

  A contact sensor is mentioned as a sensor which detects that the portable terminal was hold | gripped by the user. In general, the contact sensor outputs a detection signal value that changes due to contact with the contact sensor. Specifically, a mobile terminal equipped with a contact sensor has a reference signal value that is a detection signal value when the user is not in contact with the contact sensor, and a detection signal value when the user is in contact with the contact sensor. The presence or absence of contact is determined based on the difference.

  It is known that the reference signal value may fluctuate unintentionally by the user. If the reference signal value fluctuates, the reactivity of the contact sensor when detecting a contact is known to change. For example, when a change occurs in the environment (temperature, etc.) outside the contact sensor, the reference signal value can vary according to the change in the environment. Moreover, in a portable terminal having a function of forcibly changing the reference signal value automatically or in accordance with an operation by the user, there is a possibility that the function operates at an incorrect timing. For example, when a mobile terminal having a function of automatically changing the reference signal value is activated while the user is gripping, the reference signal value is changed based on the detection signal value from the contact sensor in the gripped state. There is a possibility of being broken. In such a case, although the portable terminal is gripped by the user, the difference between the reference signal value and the detection signal value is small, and thus a malfunction occurs in which the grip cannot be detected correctly. In order to eliminate such a malfunction, the user needs to initialize the hand holding the portable terminal away from the contact sensor. However, requesting initialization each time a malfunction occurs impairs the convenience of the portable terminal.

  By the way, as a function of changing the reference signal value while the portable terminal is activated, there is a control function for periodically checking and automatically correcting the fluctuation of the reference signal value caused in accordance with the above-described environmental change. Are known. However, the correction of the reference signal value by this function is not intended to promptly cope with a malfunction that has occurred, and therefore, it cannot be quickly and correctly detected that the user has re-gripped. In addition, since the change in the reference signal value according to the environmental change usually occurs with a gradual time change, it is not assumed that a large change occurs in the reference signal value in a short time. Therefore, when a large fluctuation occurs in the reference signal value in a short period of time, in order to completely eliminate the malfunction, it is necessary to repeatedly perform the correction that is periodically performed a plurality of times. It is not possible to correctly detect the next gripping due to an accident.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to hold a user's grip even when a reference signal value of the contact sensor greatly fluctuates in a portable terminal including the contact sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal capable of correctly detecting the next gripping performed in response to an operation to be redone, and a method for controlling the portable terminal.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the mobile terminal comes into contact, and periodically checks whether there is contact or not. A mobile terminal including a contact sensor that outputs a signal value, and calculates a difference by subtracting an absolute value of a reference signal value, which is a detection signal value indicating that contact is not detected, from the absolute value of the detection signal value. Calculating means for detecting, a change amount detecting means for detecting a change amount of the detection signal value detected when the user's hand moves away from the contact sensor, and a change amount detecting means for detecting the change amount of the detection signal value. When the difference at the time of detection is positive and the amount of change in the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection means is greater than a predetermined value, the absolute value of the reference signal value is converted into the detection signal. Follow the amount of change in absolute value And a reference signal value change means for changing.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a mobile terminal control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the mobile terminal comes into contact, and periodically checks for contact. A method for controlling a portable terminal including a contact sensor that outputs a detection signal value, wherein an absolute value of a reference signal value that is a detection signal value indicating that contact is not detected is determined from the absolute value of the detection signal value. The calculation step for subtracting and calculating the difference, the change amount detection step for detecting the change amount of the detection signal value detected when the user's hand leaves the contact sensor, and the change amount detection step The reference signal when the difference when the change amount of the detection signal value is detected is positive and the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected at the change amount detection step is larger than a predetermined value. The absolute value of the value Serial including a reference signal value changing step to follow the variation of the absolute value is changed in the detection signal value.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to correctly detect the next gripping performed in response to an operation of the user performing gripping again.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structural example of the portable terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the portable terminal of FIG. It is a figure explaining the example of the operation | movement which detects holding | grip with the contact sensor provided in the portable terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a contact sensor. It is a figure which shows the detection signal value which the contact sensor of FIG. 1 outputs, a reference signal value, and a contact threshold value, (a) shows the case where control of the contact sensor which concerns on this embodiment is not introduced, (b ) Shows a case where the control of the contact sensor of FIG. 1 is introduced.

Embodiment 1
The mobile terminal 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, an example in which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a mobile terminal 1 such as a smartphone or a mobile phone having a display screen will be described.

(Configuration of mobile terminal 1)
First, a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of a mobile terminal 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of the mobile terminal 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, a contact sensor 31, a timer 32, and a display unit 33. The mobile terminal 1 may include devices necessary for functioning as the mobile terminal 1, such as an operation input unit that inputs a user operation, a communication device, a microphone, a speaker, and a digital camera. For convenience, illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

  The control unit 10 controls each function provided in the mobile terminal 1 in an integrated manner. The control unit 10 includes a contact determination unit (calculation unit) 11, a change amount detection unit (change amount detection unit) 12, and a reference signal value correction unit (reference signal value change unit) 13.

  The storage unit 20 includes a reference signal value memory 21. The storage unit 20 includes (1) a control program executed by the control unit 10 of the mobile terminal 1, (2) an OS program, and (3) an application program executed by the control unit 10 to execute various functions of the mobile terminal 1. (4) Non-temporarily storing various data read when the application program is executed. The data stored in the storage unit 20 is nonvolatile storage such as ROM (read only memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically EPROM), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), etc. Stored in the device. The mobile terminal 1 may include a temporary storage unit (not shown). The temporary storage unit is a so-called working memory that temporarily stores data used for calculation, calculation results, and the like in the course of various processes executed by the mobile terminal 1, and is a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Composed. Which data is stored in which storage device is appropriately determined from the purpose of use, convenience, cost, or physical restrictions of the mobile terminal 1.

  The contact determination unit 11 acquires a detection signal value periodically output from the contact sensor 31, and an absolute value of a reference signal value that is a detection signal value indicating that contact is not detected from the absolute value of the detection signal value. Is subtracted to calculate the difference. The reference signal value used in the calculation of the difference is a value stored in the reference signal value memory 21. Note that the reference signal value stored in the reference signal value memory 21 can fluctuate depending on the external situation in which the mobile terminal 1 is used and the surroundings of the contact sensor 31, and therefore the value for each predetermined period. It is desirable to update. For example, the contact determination unit 11 may acquire the detection signal value periodically output from the contact sensor 31 and store the detection signal value in the reference signal value memory as needed.

  Further, the contact determination unit 11 sets an appropriate absolute value of the contact threshold value that is smaller than the absolute value of the reference signal value, and the absolute value of the detection signal value that exceeds the absolute value of the contact threshold value is output from the contact sensor 31. In such a case, the contact may be determined. By setting the absolute value of the contact threshold as a value smaller than the absolute value of the reference signal value, the mobile terminal 1 is gripped by the user without erroneously determining other touches that are not gripped by the user as grips. Can be determined accurately. Note that the reference signal value is basically a raw value output from the sensor, and the detection signal value output from the sensor that has detected contact by the user is smaller than the reference signal value.

  The contact determination unit 11 outputs the calculated difference to the change amount detection unit 12. The contact determination unit 11 outputs information indicating that the position and number of contacts to the contact sensor 31 are continuously detected at the same position for a predetermined time or longer to the change amount detection unit 12. When the contact sensor 31 detects contact, the contact determination unit 11 detects which contact sensor 31 detects contact, at which position on the contact sensor 31 the contact is detected, and the detected contact. You may make some judgments about the number.

  The change amount detection unit 12 detects the change amount of the detection signal value detected when the user's hand moves away from the contact sensor 31. Specifically, the change amount detection unit 12 confirms a change in the absolute value of the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31, and the detection signal value indicates that the user's hand is in contact with the contact sensor 31. A change amount of the detection signal value is detected when the detection signal value is changed to a detection signal value indicating non-contact. Then, it is determined whether the amount of change is greater than a predetermined value or less than a predetermined value, and the determination result is notified to the reference signal value correction unit 13. The change amount detection unit 12 associates the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31 with the time at which the detection signal value acquired from the timer 32 is output, and the change amount of the detection signal value during a predetermined time. May be detected. In this case, the change amount detection unit 12 determines whether the change rate of the absolute amount of the detection signal value is greater than a predetermined rate or less than a predetermined rate, and the determination result is used as a reference signal value correction unit. 13 is notified. Here, the predetermined value and the predetermined speed are values and speeds set so as to detect an operation of releasing the hand that has been in contact with the contact sensor 31 when the user grips the mobile terminal 1 again. There is no particular limitation.

The reference signal value correction unit 13 has a positive difference when the change amount detection unit 12 detects the change amount of the detection signal value, and the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 Is greater than a predetermined value, the absolute value of the reference signal value is changed to follow the amount of change in the absolute value of the detection signal value.

Specifically, the reference signal value correction unit 13 changes the absolute value of the reference signal value to follow the change in the detection signal value when both of the following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied.
Condition (1): The result of the contact determination unit 11 calculating the detection signal value when the change amount of the detection signal value or the change rate of the absolute value of the detection signal value is detected by the change amount detection unit 12 The difference with respect to the reference signal value is positive.
Condition (2): The change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is greater than a predetermined value, or the change rate of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is predetermined. Greater than speed.

When either one of the following conditions (3) and (4) is satisfied, the absolute value of the reference signal value is corrected according to the environmental change.
Condition (3): Result of calculation by the contact determination unit 11 for the detection signal value when the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value or the change rate of the absolute value of the detection signal value is detected by the change amount detection unit 12 The difference with respect to the reference signal value is 0 or less.
Condition (4): The change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, or the change rate of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is a predetermined speed. It is as follows.

  Then, the reference signal value changed or corrected by the reference signal value correction unit 13 is stored in the reference signal value memory 21.

  The contact sensor 31 is provided at a position where the user's hand comes into contact with the casing when the casing of the portable terminal 1 is gripped by the user, and periodically detects the presence or absence of contact by the user. Is a sensor that outputs. As the contact sensor 31, a capacitance sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like can be used. An example of the position and number of the contact sensor 31 will be described later with reference to FIG. An example of the operation of periodically checking the presence or absence of contact by the user and outputting the detection signal value will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  The timer 32 is a so-called clock having a time measurement function, and outputs the time displayed on the display unit 33. In addition, a time interval for confirming the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31 and time information for obtaining a change amount of the detection signal value during a certain time are provided.

  The display unit 33 is a thin flat panel display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or an organic EL (Organic LED). Yes (see FIG. 2). As will be described later, a touch panel can be superimposed on the display unit 33 to function as an operation input unit.

(External configuration example of mobile terminal 1 and arrangement of contact sensor 31)
Next, the position and number of the contact sensors 31 included in the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG. 2, when the display part 33 of the portable terminal 1 is seen in the front, the left and right side surfaces are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment has a display unit 33 configured by a thin liquid crystal display or the like on at least one surface of the housing. The mobile terminal 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes one display unit 33, but the number of display units 33 is not particularly limited. In addition, the touch panel may be superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 33, and in this case, the display unit 33 in the display state also has a function as an operation input unit capable of performing an operation input by a user operation. In addition, the operation input by the user is not limited to that by touching the display screen of the display unit 33, and other methods may be used. For example, the mobile terminal 1 may be provided with a voice analysis function and perform an operation input by voice.

  A contact sensor 31 is provided at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the mobile terminal 1 contacts the mobile terminal 1. For example, FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which one contact sensor 31 </ b> R or 31 </ b> L is provided on each surface facing the surface including the display unit 33 of the mobile terminal 1 and facing each other. When the contact sensors 31R and 31L are provided at such positions, the palm of the user holding the mobile terminal 1 and the finger come into contact with the contact sensors 31R and 31L. Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which two contact sensors 31R and 31L are provided, these contact sensors 31R and 31L have the same function. The contact sensors 31 </ b> R and 31 </ b> L have, for example, a band-shaped detection region that can detect contact with a plurality of fingers of the user, and detect the position and number of contact. That is, the contact sensors 31R and 31L detect contact with a user's finger or the like arranged on the band-shaped detection region.

  The contact sensor 31 may be provided anywhere as long as the user's hand holding the casing of the mobile terminal 1 is in contact with the contact sensor 31. For example, the contact sensor 31 may be provided on the entire side surface of the mobile terminal 1, or may be provided on the back surface that is the surface facing the surface including the display unit 33 of the mobile terminal 1. That is, the contact sensor 31 is suitable for a case where the touch sensor provided on the display unit 33 of the mobile terminal 1 is operated with a thumb or a user who has a small hand and does not easily reach both the contact sensors 31R and 31L. It is desirable to provide it at a position. In addition, the shape of the contact sensor may be a linear shape or a belt shape that is one-dimensionally extended, or may be a curved shape or a curved shape. Moreover, the number of contact sensors can be changed according to the installation position, and may be one or plural. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which detects the contact with a user's finger | toe etc. as a one-dimensional contact position.

(Confirmation of periodic contact by the contact sensor 31)
Next, detection of contact by the contact sensor 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of detecting gripping by the contact sensor 31 provided in the mobile terminal of FIG. That is, although the example in the portable terminal 1 provided with the two contact sensors 31 here is shown, as above-mentioned, it is not restrict | limited to the number of contact sensors.

  The portable terminal 1 is provided at a position where the user's hand contacts the casing when the casing is gripped by the user. For example, when the user holds the mobile terminal 1 for use, the user's hand contacts the contact sensors 31L and 31R. As an example, the contact determination unit 11 determines gripping with a set of detection signal values to both the contact sensors 31R and 31L. And the contact determination part 11 determines the holding | grip by a user, and notifies the determination result to the control part 10 of the portable terminal 1. FIG. Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 10 can start various functions when the mobile terminal 1 is gripped, such as starting the display unit 33 and starting screen display. In this case, the contact sensor 31 functions as a user interface (UI) of the mobile terminal 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the contact sensors 31 </ b> R and 31 </ b> L periodically check the output of the detection signal value detected by the contact sensor 31. Thereby, it is possible not only to detect the detected change of each contact position, but also to detect whether or not each contact continues. In FIG. 3, the flow of time is indicated by arrows from left to right, and the operation timing for confirming contact with the contact sensors 31L and 31R is schematically indicated by a rectangle. Therefore, the height and width of these rectangles have no meaning such as the magnitude of the output detection signal value or the length of time for checking the detection signal value. In FIG. 3, the output signal confirmation from the contact sensor 31R and the output signal confirmation from the contact sensor 31L are shown as a pair, but this is confirmation of the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31R. This indicates that the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31L is being confirmed. However, this is merely an example, and the detection signal values output from the contact sensor 31R and the contact sensor 31L may be confirmed at the same time, and the detection signal value from which contact sensor 31 is the first. You may check.

  In FIG. 3, a period represented as “normal scan period” is a period until contact with the contact sensor 31 is detected. In this normal scanning period, the period for confirming contact is defined by an arbitrary time interval d1. However, it is desirable to set the time interval d1 as short as possible, for example, so that the user feels high sensitivity until the mobile terminal 1 responds according to the gripping of the user.

  When the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31 is tracked a plurality of times and the contact is continuously detected for a certain period of time, the contact determination unit 11 determines that it is gripping. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the contact determination unit 11 temporarily detects gripping based on a detection signal value that can be determined to be gripping that is first output from the contact sensor 31 after gripping by the user is started. Then, it is confirmed whether or not a detection signal value indicating gripping is continuously output from the contact sensor 31 during a period indicated as “determination period” in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31 is output three times in succession. When the output of the detection signal value for the three times is confirmed, it is determined that the gripping is performed and the mobile phone is carried. Notify the control unit 10 of the terminal 1. As described above, the contact determination unit 11 sets a predetermined time as the determination period after provisional detection of gripping in order to prevent erroneous detection based on the detection signal value unrelated to gripping by the user. Then, when the detection signal value indicating the grip output from the contact sensor 31 during the determination period is maintained, the grip is determined to be grip.

  By the way, this determination period affects the length of time from when the user holds the mobile terminal 1 to when the mobile terminal 1 executes a function. Therefore, it is desirable that the determination period be as short as possible while achieving the purpose of preventing erroneous detection. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the period for confirming contact in the determination period is defined by a time interval d2 shorter than the normal scan period (time interval d1> time interval d2). Thereby, in the determination period, the detection signal value from the contact sensor 31 is confirmed in a shorter cycle than the normal scan period, so the length of the determination period in which the output of the detection signal value needs to be confirmed a plurality of times is shortened. can do. It should be noted that a determination period is provided as a period for determining that contact with the contact sensor 31 has started and that contact has ended, and only in these determination periods, detection signals at time intervals shorter than the time interval d1. It is desirable to check the output of the value. Thereby, the electric power consumption required when checking the output from the contact sensor 31 periodically can be suppressed small.

(Control of portable terminal 1)
Next, the flow of processing in which the mobile terminal 1 changes the reference signal value will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the contact sensor 31.

  In S <b> 1, when detection by the contact sensor 31 is started, the contact sensor 31 periodically outputs a detection signal value to the contact determination unit 11.

  Next, the contact determination unit 11 calculates the difference between the absolute value of the detection signal value and the absolute value of the reference signal value (S2). The calculated difference is output to the reference signal value correction unit 13.

  When the difference calculated by the contact determination unit 11 is positive (YES in S3) with respect to the detection signal value when the change amount of the detection signal value is detected by the change amount detection unit 12, the next S4 ( In the change amount detection step), the change amount detection unit 12 changes the detection signal value when the detection signal value indicating that the user's hand is in contact with the contact sensor 31 to the detection signal value indicating non-contact. The amount of change is detected. When the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is larger than the predetermined value (YES in S4), in S6 (reference signal value changing step), the reference signal value correction unit 13 The signal value is changed to follow the detection signal value.

  On the other hand, when the difference calculated by the contact determination unit 11 is 0 or less for the detection signal value when the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value is detected by the change amount detection unit 12 (NO in S3). At this time, the continuation detection signal value is monitored until this condition is satisfied without doing anything. Even if the above is positive, if the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is equal to or less than the predetermined value (NO in S4), nothing is done at this time and this condition is satisfied. Monitor the continuous detection signal value until it is satisfied. Further, when the above two conditions are not satisfied, that is, when one of S3 and S4 is NO, the process proceeds to S5, and the reference signal value correction unit 13 changes the reference signal value according to the environmental change. It is controlled to correct.

  The reference signal value changed or corrected by the reference signal value correction unit 13 is stored in the reference signal value memory 21 (S7). As a result, the reference signal value stored in the reference signal value memory 21 is updated. Then, returning to S2, the newly stored reference signal value is applied to the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31 next time.

  Here, the case where the change amount detection unit 12 detects the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value in S4 has been described as an example. However, as described above, the change amount detection unit 12 detects the change amount of the detection signal value. The rate of change of the absolute value of may be detected. The order of S3 and S4 is only an example, and S3 and S4 may be processed simultaneously, or S4 may be processed first. However, basically, the order of S3 and S4 is such that if S3 is processed when S3 is YES, it is possible to control so as not to perform useless processing, so that power consumption can be reduced.

(Example when the reference signal value is changed while gripped)
Next, an example of eliminating a specific malfunction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the detection signal value output from the contact sensor of FIG. 1, the reference signal value, and the contact threshold value. FIG. 5A shows a case where the control of the contact sensor according to the present embodiment is not introduced. (B) shows the case where the control of the contact sensor of FIG. 1 is introduced. The horizontal axes in FIGS. 5A and 5B indicate the flow of time with arrows from left to right. The vertical axis indicates the magnitude of the signal value including the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31. In FIG. 5, the detection signal value in a state in which contact is not detected in the contact sensor 31 is indicated by a large value (a high value on the vertical axis), and the detection signal value in a state in which the user is holding is small. It is shown as (low value on the vertical axis). However, this is merely an example of an expression for illustrating the relative relationship between the detection signal value and the reference signal value, and vice versa. In FIG. 5, the reference signal value is represented by a solid line, the detection signal value is represented by a broken line, and the contact threshold value is represented by a one-dot chain line. The contact threshold is a value that is set to be lower than the reference signal value by a certain value, and the contact determination unit 11 determines that the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31 is smaller than the contact threshold. When it becomes a value, it determines with a contact.

  In FIG. 5B, the detection signal value and the reference signal value substantially coincide before the time A2. This means that contact with the contact sensor 31 due to gripping by the user is not detected during this period. When the portable terminal 1 is gripped by the user at time A2, the detection signal value becomes a value smaller than the contact threshold value. Thereby, the contact determination part 11 determines with the contact by holding | grip based on the variation | change_quantity of this detection signal value.

  Next, if the reference signal value correction function is erroneously executed while the portable terminal 1 is held by the user at time B2, as shown in FIG. Decreases to the detection signal value at time B2. At this time, the contact threshold value also decreases by the same amount according to the variation of the reference signal value.

  Between time B2 and time C2, the portable terminal 1 is held by the user, but the detection signal value output from the contact sensor 31 is larger than the contact threshold value. Therefore, the malfunction that the contact determination part 11 cannot determine this detection signal value as a contact by holding | grip has arisen.

  Next, when the user starts the operation of re-holding the mobile terminal 1 at time C <b> 2, the hand is released from the contact sensor 31, and thus the detection signal value is increased. Then, the reference signal value correction unit 13 changes the absolute value of the reference signal value to follow the change in the detection signal value when both of the following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied. Condition (1): The result of the contact determination unit 11 calculating the detection signal value when the change amount of the detection signal value or the change rate of the absolute value of the detection signal value is detected by the change amount detection unit 12 The difference with respect to the reference signal value is positive. Condition (2): The change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is greater than a predetermined value, or the change rate of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection unit 12 is predetermined. Greater than speed. While (1) is satisfied while the re-gripping operation is being performed, since (2) is satisfied, the reference signal value correction unit 13 converts the reference signal value to the detection signal value. Change according to the amount of change. In addition, when (1) and (2) are satisfied, the control function for periodically checking and automatically correcting the fluctuation of the reference signal value caused in accordance with the environmental change is temporarily turned off. Is desirable. Accordingly, it is possible to preferentially change the reference signal value necessary for correctly and quickly detecting the next gripping due to the gripping again by the user. 5B illustrates an example in which the reference signal value is changed in two stages in changing the reference signal value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reference signal value may be continuously changed in accordance with the change speed of the detection signal value, or may be changed in one stage, two stages, and multiple stages including three or more stages. Further, the control function for automatically correcting may be resumed when either one of the conditions (1) and (2) is not satisfied.

  By changing the reference signal value in this manner, when the next gripping by the user is performed at time E2 and the re-gripping operation is completed, the contact determination unit 11 performs the same as the detection of contact at time A2. Based on the amount of change in the detection signal value at time E2, it can be determined that the contact is due to gripping. Therefore, the malfunction that occurred at time C2 is quickly eliminated.

  On the other hand, the case of a portable terminal having only a control function that periodically checks and corrects fluctuations in the reference signal value that occur in response to environmental changes will be described with reference to FIG. . Note that the times A1, B1, C1, and E1 in FIG. 5A are the same as the times A2, B2, C2, and E2 in FIG. 5B, and are described here to avoid duplication. Omitted.

  When the user starts to grip the portable terminal again at time C1, the hand is released from the contact sensor 31, and thus the detection signal value is increased. However, since the reference signal value cannot be changed following the change in the detection signal value, the reference signal value remains small. Then, at time D1, a control function for periodically checking and correcting the fluctuation of the reference signal value caused in accordance with the environmental change is started, but there is a limit to the width of the reference signal value to be corrected at one time. There is. Therefore, even if the user performs a gripping operation again at time E1, the reference signal value is still insufficiently corrected to detect the next gripping, so that the contact by gripping cannot be correctly determined. Therefore, further correction of the reference signal value needs to be performed in order to eliminate the malfunction occurring at time C1.

[Embodiment 2]
The control blocks (particularly the contact determination unit 11, the change amount detection unit 12, and the reference signal value correction unit 13) of the mobile terminal 1 are realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the mobile terminal 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU), or A storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
The portable terminal 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the portable terminal comes into contact, and periodically detects the presence or absence of contact and outputs a detection signal value. Computation means for calculating a difference by subtracting the absolute value of a reference signal value, which is a detection signal value indicating that contact is not detected, from the absolute value of the detection signal value (contact determination unit) 11), a change amount detection means (change amount detection unit 12) for detecting a change amount of the detection signal value detected when the user's hand moves away from the contact sensor, and the change amount detection means When the difference when the change amount of the signal value is detected is positive and the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection means is larger than a predetermined value, the reference signal value The absolute value is the absolute value of the detection signal value. A reference signal value changing unit that changes to follow the reduction amount (reference signal value correction section 13), and a.

  The contact sensor detects the contact based on the difference obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the reference signal value, which is a detection signal value indicating that the contact is not detected, from the absolute value of the detection signal value. A contact sensor with a too high absolute value cannot detect contact with good reactivity. Furthermore, when the user's hand leaves the contact sensor, if the difference obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the reference signal value from the absolute value of the detection signal value is positive, the absolute value of the reference signal value is too large. It is necessary to change the reference signal value quickly so that contact can be detected.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, when the change amount detection unit detects the change amount of the detection signal value when the user's hand moves away from the contact sensor, the absolute value of the reference signal value is calculated from the absolute value of the detection signal value. When the difference obtained by subtraction is positive and the change amount of the detection signal value is larger than a predetermined value, the absolute value of the reference signal value is changed to follow the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value. . As a result, the reference signal value can be corrected easily and quickly in response to the user's hand leaving the casing of the portable terminal. Therefore, according to the operation of re-holding the user who has held the mobile terminal, it is possible to quickly correct the reference signal value to a correct value so that the next detected grip can be detected with good reactivity.

  In the mobile terminal according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, the change amount detecting means may detect the change amount of the detection signal value during a predetermined time.

  In general, when the amount of change in the detection signal value during a certain period of time is compared, the amount of change in the detection signal value of the contact sensor due to the change in the environment is compared to the amount of change due to the change from contact to non-contact by the user. Few. According to the above configuration, the change amount detection means detects the change amount of the detection signal value during a certain time. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether the detected change amount of the detection signal value is caused by a change in the environment or a change in contact by the user and appropriately change the reference signal value.

  In the mobile terminal according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the aspect 1 or 2, the reference signal value changing unit is configured such that the difference when the change amount detecting unit detects the change amount of the detection signal value is 0 or less, Alternatively, when the change amount of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the absolute value of the reference signal value is corrected according to the environmental change. Also good.

  According to the above configuration, the reference signal value changing means has a difference of 0 or less when the change amount detecting means detects the change amount of the detection signal value, or the change amount of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection means. Is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the reference signal value is corrected according to the environmental change. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether the detected change amount of the detection signal value is caused by a change in the environment or a change in contact by the user and appropriately change the reference signal value.

  A method for controlling a mobile terminal according to aspect 4 of the present invention is a contact that is provided at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the mobile terminal comes into contact, and periodically outputs a detection signal value by checking the presence or absence of the contact. A method for controlling a portable terminal including a sensor, wherein a calculation step is performed to calculate a difference by subtracting an absolute value of a reference signal value, which is a detection signal value indicating that contact is not detected, from an absolute value of the detection signal value. (S2), a change amount detection step (S3) for detecting a change amount of the detection signal value detected when the user's hand moves away from the contact sensor, and the detection signal value in the change amount detection step. When the change amount is detected, the difference is positive and the change amount detection step detects that the change amount of the detection signal value is larger than a predetermined value. Absolute value of the detection signal value A reference signal value changing step of changing it to follow the amount of change (S6), contains.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the portable terminal which concerns on aspect 1 of this invention.

  The mobile terminal according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the mobile terminal is realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit included in the mobile terminal. A control program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

  The present invention can be applied to electronic devices such as smartphones, mobile phones, and portable personal computers.

1 mobile terminal 11 contact determination unit (calculation means)
12 Change amount detection unit (change amount detection means)
13 Reference signal value correction unit (reference signal value changing means)
31 Contact sensor

Claims (4)

A portable terminal provided with a contact sensor that is provided at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the portable terminal comes into contact, periodically checks the presence or absence of contact and outputs a detection signal value,
An arithmetic means for calculating a difference by subtracting an absolute value of a reference signal value, which is a detection signal value indicating that contact is not detected, from the absolute value of the detection signal value;
A change amount detecting means for detecting a change amount of the detection signal value detected when the user's hand leaves the contact sensor;
The difference when the change amount detection means detects the change amount of the detection signal value is positive, and the change amount of the absolute value of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection means is greater than a predetermined value. A reference signal value changing means for changing the absolute value of the reference signal value so as to follow the amount of change in the absolute value of the detection signal value;
A portable terminal comprising: The change amount detection means detects a change amount of the detection signal value during a certain time period.
The mobile terminal according to claim 1.   The reference signal value changing means has a difference of 0 or less when the change amount detecting means detects the change amount of the detection signal value, or a change amount of the detection signal value detected by the change amount detection means. 3. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein, when the value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the reference signal value is corrected in accordance with a change in environment with respect to an absolute value of the reference signal value. 4. A method for controlling a portable terminal provided with a contact sensor that is provided at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the portable terminal comes into contact, and that periodically checks and outputs a detection signal value.
An operation step of calculating a difference by subtracting the absolute value of the reference signal value, which is a detection signal value indicating that contact is not detected, from the absolute value of the detection signal value;
A change amount detecting step for detecting a change amount of the detection signal value detected when the user's hand leaves the contact sensor;
When the change amount of the detection signal value is detected in the change amount detection step, it is detected that the difference is positive and the change amount of the detection signal value is larger than a predetermined value in the change amount detection step. A reference signal value changing step for changing the absolute value of the reference signal value to follow the amount of change in the absolute value of the detection signal value.
A method for controlling a portable terminal.

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