JP6643952B2 - Electronic device, power control method for electronic device, and power control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a sensor that detects a state of being held by a user, a state of approaching an object, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a portable electronic device is provided with a plurality of sensors for detecting in what state a user places the electronic device. The sensor detects a state where the electronic device is placed, such as whether the user is holding the electronic device or whether the user has put the electronic device in a clothes pocket or a bag. The detected state of the electronic device is used as information for controlling the operation of the electronic device.

  For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a proximity sensor that detects that an object is in proximity to a portable information terminal, a touch sensor that detects that a hand is in contact with the portable information terminal, and a portable information terminal. A portable information terminal provided with a direction detection sensor for detecting the direction of the mobile phone is disclosed.

JP-A-2015-61299 (released on March 30, 2015) JP 2012-093897 A (published May 17, 2012) JP-A-2015-61296 (released on March 30, 2015)

  However, in the above-described conventional electronic device, there is a sensor that is always on in order to detect what state the user has put the electronic device, and such a sensor consumes power. There is a problem.

  Further, when a user holds an electronic device by holding it with his / her hand, the manner of holding the electronic device, the position of the grip, and the like vary from user to user or from time to time even for the same user. For this reason, in order to accurately detect the state in which the user places the electronic device regardless of the user or the time, a large number of sensors are provided at different portions of the electronic device.

  Then, the power consumption of the electronic device increases as the number of sensors in the detectable operation state increases. This is a problem to be solved, especially in the case of portable electronic devices, because the remaining charge of the built-in battery is quickly reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of suppressing power consumption by a sensor that detects a state of a user's electronic device. Is to do.

In order to solve the above problem, the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes (1) at least detecting a state in which an object is close to the electronic device or a state in which a user is holding the electronic device. One sensor, (2) a stillness detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is in a stationary state, and (3) a sensor power supply control unit that controls the power supply of the at least one sensor, (4) In response to the stationary state detection unit detecting the stationary state of the electronic device, the sensor power control unit is configured to suppress the power supply regardless of the number of the sensors. .

  In order to solve the above problem, a power supply control method for an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention detects a state in which an object is close to the electronic device or a state in which a user is holding the electronic device. When the electronic device detects that the electronic device including at least one sensor and a power supply that supplies power to the sensor is in a stationary state, the electronic device determines the number of the sensors. Regardless, power supply from the power supply to the sensor is suppressed.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect that an electronic device that suppresses power consumption by a sensor that detects a state in which the user places the electronic device can be realized.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the electronic device according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a detection state of a proximity sensor provided in the electronic device, a power supply state of the proximity sensor, and a stationary / non-stationary state of the electronic device. It is a figure showing an example of arrangement of a sensor for accommodation judgment and a sensor for grasp judgment in the above-mentioned electronic equipment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process for controlling a power supply of a sensor according to whether or not the electronic device according to the first embodiment is in a stationary state. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process of determining whether the electronic device according to the second embodiment is in a stationary state. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process of determining whether or not the electronic device according to the third embodiment has transitioned from a stationary state to a non-stationary state. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing numerical values of the probability that the user's finger touches each of the back and side surfaces of the housing of the electronic device when the user holds the electronic device with one hand. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process of controlling the power of a sensor according to a detection state of the proximity sensor when the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment is in a non-stationary state.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, for convenience of explanation, members having the same function in each embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

≫Appearance of electronic devices≫
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 is a device that a user can hold with one hand or both hands. For example, the electronic device 1 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. As illustrated, the electronic device 1 includes proximity sensors 141a and 141b, proximity sensors 142a and 142b, and a display unit 17. Assuming that the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 of the electronic device 1 is the up-down direction, the proximity sensor 141a is provided on any surface (for example, a display surface) of the upper half of the housing 2, and the proximity sensor 141b is provided below the housing 2. It is provided on one of the half surfaces (for example, the back surface opposite to the display surface). The proximity sensors 142a and 142b are provided on two surfaces (for example, left and right side surfaces) of the housing 2 facing each other. The electronic device 1 may include members generally provided in the smartphone or the tablet terminal, in addition to the members described below.

  The proximity sensors 141a and 141b function as a later-described accommodation determination sensor 141, and the proximity sensors 142a and 142b function as a later-described grip determination sensor 142. The electronic device 1 determines a state where the electronic device 1 is placed based on a detection signal from at least one of the accommodation determination sensor 141 and the grip determination sensor 142, and based on the determination result. Controls various members of own machine.

[Embodiment 1]
(1. Configuration example of electronic device)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the electronic device 1 includes a control unit 10, a power supply circuit 11, a switching element 12, a proximity sensor group 14, a display unit 17, a storage unit 18, and a stillness detection unit 24.

  The control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the electronic device 1 and controls the electronic device 1 overall. The control unit 10 includes an accommodation determination unit 20 as a functional block, a sensor control unit 21, a grip determination unit 22, and a stillness determination unit 24b, and may further include a mode control unit 23 as necessary. . Operations of the accommodation determination unit 20 and the grip determination unit 22 will be described in a fourth embodiment described later.

  The sensor control unit 21 functions as a sensor power supply control unit that controls the supply of power from the power supply circuit 11 to the proximity sensor group 14 to be turned on, off, or suppressed according to the state in which the electronic device 1 is placed. I do.

  The stillness determination unit 24b constitutes the stillness detection unit 24 together with the acceleration sensor 24a as one mode of the three-axis motion detector. It is preferable that the acceleration sensor 24a can detect whether or not the electronic device 1 has moved in a total of three directions, that is, a vertical direction and two directions orthogonal to the vertical direction and also orthogonal to each other. Preferably, there is. Note that an angular velocity sensor may be used instead of the acceleration sensor 24a. The stillness determination unit 24b determines whether the electronic device 1 is in a stillness state based on the output of the acceleration sensor 24a. The result of the determination is transmitted from the stillness determination unit 24b to the sensor control unit 21.

  The power supply circuit 11 generates power suitable for each part of the electronic device 1 that requires power. In the present embodiment, the power supply circuit 11 supplies power necessary for the proximity sensor group 14 to perform a detection operation to the proximity sensor group 14 via the switching element 12. As the switching element 12, a thin film transistor, a field effect transistor, or the like can be employed. The sensor control unit 21 controls the voltage applied to the gate electrode of the thin-film transistor or the field-effect transistor according to the determination result of the stillness determination unit 24b, so that the power supply circuit 11 supplies the magnitude of the power supplied to the proximity sensor group 14. Can be controlled.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which one switching element 12 is provided for the proximity sensor group 14 so as to control the power supply collectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and a switching element may be provided in each of the plurality of proximity sensors constituting the proximity sensor group 14 so that the power sources of the plurality of proximity sensors can be individually suppressed.

  A specific configuration of the proximity sensor group 14 will be described in a fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the proximity sensor group 14 includes at least one sensor that detects a state in which an object is approaching the electronic device 1 or a state in which a user is holding the electronic device 1.

  The display unit 17 displays an image under the control of the control unit 10. The display unit 17 may be configured integrally with a touch panel (not shown). The storage unit 18 is a memory that stores programs and data necessary for the control unit 10 to control the operation of the electronic device 1 and perform various data processing.

(2. Sensor power control)
(2.1 Outline of power supply control)
Next, control of the power supply circuit 11 that supplies power to the proximity sensor group 14 in the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a detection state of the proximity sensor group 14, a state of a power supply that supplies power to the proximity sensor group 14, and a stationary / non-stationary state of the electronic device 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process of controlling the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 according to whether the electronic device 1 is in a stationary state.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the content of the control of the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 largely depends on whether the electronic device 1 is in a stationary state or in a non-stationary state. That is, when the electronic device 1 is in a stationary state, all the power states of the proximity sensor group 14 are controlled to be off regardless of the detection state of the proximity sensor group 14. When the proximity sensor group 14 includes a plurality of proximity sensors, power saving can be achieved by turning off the power of at least one proximity sensor.

  More specifically, the operation of the electronic device 1 will be described. In response to the stationary state detecting unit 24 detecting the stationary state of the electronic device 1, the sensor control unit 21 switches the switching element 12 regardless of the number of sensors in the proximity sensor group 14. Is opened, and the power supply from the power supply circuit 11 to the proximity sensor group 14 is cut off. The sensor control unit 21 controls the open state of the switching element 12 by controlling the voltage applied to the switching element 12 to an intermediate value between the normal value and 0, so that the power supply circuit 11 Supply can also be suppressed.

  In various everyday scenes in which the user uses the electronic device 1, for example, the user plays and listens to music or the like while holding the electronic device 1 on a desk without holding the electronic device 1, or in a bag or pocket of clothes. It is common to leave it in a closet or the like after putting it inside. In such a case, the state where the electronic device 1 is placed can be regarded as a stationary state. In such a stationary state, there is no need to detect whether the user is holding the electronic device 1 or to detect whether an object is approaching the electronic device 1.

  Therefore, according to the above-described power supply control, when the electronic device 1 is in a stationary state, the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 is suppressed, and conversely, when the electronic device 1 is in a non-stationary state in which there is movement. Does not throttle the power. As a result, the normal power for turning on the proximity sensor group 14 is not always supplied to the proximity sensor group 14, so that the power consumption of the electronic device 1 can be suppressed.

(2.2 Details of power supply control)
Next, the procedure of the above-described power control will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the power of the electronic device 1 is turned on, the power control process starts, and the stillness determination unit 24b acquires a signal output from the acceleration sensor 24a (Step 1; hereinafter, described as S1). Subsequently, the stillness determination unit 24b determines whether the electronic device 1 is placed in a stationary state or a non-stationary state based on a detection value obtained based on the acquired signal (S2). When the detection value is less than the threshold, the stationary state determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 is in a stationary state (YES in S2). On the other hand, when the detection value is equal to or larger than the threshold, the stationary state determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 is in the non-stationary state (NO in S2).

  When the determination result of the stillness determination unit 24b is the stationary state, the sensor control unit 21 determines whether the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 is being controlled to be turned off (or suppressed) (S3). The determination in S3 may be made by the sensor control unit 21 storing the current power supply control mode as the ON mode or the OFF (or suppression) mode, and making the determination based on the storage. The determination may be performed based on whether or not a signal is input to the unit 10 (specifically, at least one of the accommodation determination unit 20 and the grip determination unit 22).

  If the determination result in S3 is NO, the sensor control unit 21 controls the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 to be turned off (or suppressed) (S4), and thereafter, the process returns to S1. If the determination result in S3 is YES, the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 is controlled to be appropriately turned off (or suppressed) with respect to the stationary state of the electronic device 1, and the process returns to S1.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of the stillness determination unit 24b in S2 is a non-stationary state, the sensor control unit 21 determines whether the power of the proximity sensor group 14 is being controlled to be turned off (or suppressed), as in S3. (S5). If the determination result in S5 is YES, the sensor control unit 21 controls the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 to be turned on (or release the suppression) (S6), and thereafter, the process returns to S1. If the determination result in S5 is NO, the process returns to S1 because the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 is appropriately turned on in the non-stationary state of the electronic device 1.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, as Embodiment 2, a specific method of detecting and determining the stationary state of the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process for determining whether or not the electronic device 1 is in a stationary state, and embodies the processes of S1 and S2 in the flowchart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 24a is a three-axis acceleration sensor. The three axes are assumed to be three-dimensional orthogonal axes of the x axis, the y axis, and the z axis.

  First, the stillness determination unit 24b acquires the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis signals output from the acceleration sensor 24a a predetermined number of times at predetermined time intervals, and obtains a detection value based on each signal (S11). The predetermined time interval is, for example, 30 ms, and the predetermined number of times is 16 sets, for example, five times as one set.

  Next, the stillness determination unit 24b statistically processes the detected values obtained for the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, obtains a statistical value for each axis, and stores the statistical value in the storage unit 18. For example, as statistical processing, the standard deviation σv of each of the five detection values obtained for the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis is calculated. The calculation of the standard deviation σv is repeated for 16 sets (S12). The standard deviation σv of 16 axes thus calculated corresponds to the statistical value of each axis.

  The statistical value may be an average value or a root-mean-square value, and is not limited to the standard deviation. As the statistical value representing the random movement of the electronic device 1, the variance of the movement of the center of gravity of the electronic device 1 may be used. A standard deviation capable of grasping the state is preferable. For example, if the average value includes only one larger value, the average value is biased toward the larger value, so that the determination accuracy of the stationary state is lower than the standard deviation.

  Next, the stillness determination unit 24b determines whether the statistic of the x-axis is less than the first threshold (S13). Specifically, the stillness determination unit 24b determines whether all of the 16 standard deviations σv obtained for the x-axis are less than the first threshold. This is the same as judging whether or not the condition that the standard deviation σv determined as five sets as one set is less than the first threshold value for 16 sets in succession is satisfied. Similar determinations are made for each of the y-axis and z-axis statistical values (S14, S15).

  If all the determinations in S13 to S15 are YES, the electronic device 1 is stationary for all three axes, or there is no movement exceeding the reference. Is determined by the stillness determination unit 24b (S16). Thereafter, the processing shifts from S16 to S3 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if any one of the determinations in S13 to S15 is NO, the stillness determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 is not placed in the stationary state, and the The standard deviation σv of 16 axes is deleted, that is, the statistical value stored in the storage unit 18 is reset (S17). Then, the process returns from S17 to S11.

  The first threshold value is set so that the user can distinguish between leaving the electronic device 1 untouched (in a state where the user does not touch it) and holding the electronic device 1 in the hand. The adjustment of the first threshold value may be performed by the manufacturer before the electronic device 1 is shipped, or may be performed by the user so as to reflect the individuality of the user's usage.

  As described above, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the stationary state by confirming that the electronic device 1 does not move beyond the reference in the three axes of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis. Therefore, even if the electronic device 1 is not in a stationary state, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a problem that the proximity sensor group 14 does not normally operate against the user's intention occurs.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, as a third embodiment, FIG. 6 illustrates a specific detection and determination method for canceling the determination after the stillness determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 is in the stationary state. It will be described with reference to FIG. In other words, a specific detection and determination method when the determination result of the stillness determination unit 24b transitions from the stationary state to the non-static state will be described below. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process of determining whether the electronic device 1 has transitioned from the stationary state to the non-stationary state. More specifically, FIG. 6 is a specific example of the processing of S1 and S2 that is further executed when the processing returns to S1 after the processing of YES in S2 is performed in the flowchart of FIG. It is.

  First, the stillness determination unit 24b acquires the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis signals output from the acceleration sensor 24a once, obtains a detection value based on each signal (S21), and stores the detection value in the storage unit 18. (S22). Subsequently, after a predetermined time (for example, 30 ms), the stillness determination unit 24b acquires the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis signals output from the acceleration sensor 24a once, and calculates a detection value based on each signal. It is determined (S23).

  Next, the stillness determination unit 24b calculates a difference between the latest detection value on the x-axis and the detection value obtained one time before the x-axis, and determines whether the calculated difference is greater than a second threshold value ( S24). Similar determinations are made for the y-axis and z-axis detection values (S25, S26).

  If any one of the determinations in S24 to S26 is YES, the electronic device 1 is in a non-stationary state with respect to any one of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, that is, a motion exceeding the reference. Will be. Therefore, in this case, the stationary state determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 is placed in the non-stationary state (S27). Thereafter, the processing shifts from S27 to S6 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if all the determinations in S24 to S26 are NO, the electronic device 1 is stationary for all three axes, or there is no movement exceeding the reference, and the electronic device 1 maintains the stationary state. Therefore, the process returns from S26 to S21. Before the process returns from S26 to S21, a step may be added in which the stationary state determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 is maintaining the stationary state.

  Note that the second threshold value is, like the first threshold value, so that the electronic device 1 can be distinguished from a state in which the electronic device 1 is not left (a state in which the user is not touching) and a state in which the user holds the electronic device 1 in the hand. Is set. The adjustment of the second threshold value may be performed by the manufacturer before the electronic device 1 is shipped, or may be performed by the user so as to reflect the individuality of the user's usage.

  As described above, in any one of the three axes, when there is a movement exceeding the reference in the electronic device 1, the stationary state determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 has transitioned from the stationary state to the non-static state. The sensitivity for detecting the non-stationary state of the electronic device 1 can be increased. Therefore, even if the electronic device 1 is in the non-stationary state, it is possible to reduce a possibility that a problem that the proximity sensor group 14 does not perform a normal operation against the user's intention occurs.

[Embodiment 4]
As a fourth embodiment, when the proximity sensor group 14 detects a state in which an object is close to the electronic device 1 placed in a non-stationary state or a state in which a user is holding the electronic device 1, the proximity sensor The configuration and operation of the electronic device 1 that controls the power supply of the group 14 in more detailed cases will be described.

  First, returning to FIG. 1, elements according to the fourth embodiment in the configuration of the electronic device 1 will be described. The difference between the electronic device 1 according to the fourth embodiment and the electronic device 1 according to the first to third embodiments lies in the function of the control unit 10 and the configuration of the switching element and the proximity sensor group 14.

  First, in the electronic device 1 according to the fourth embodiment, switching elements 12a and 12b are provided instead of the switching element 12, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The switching element 12a is provided between the power supply circuit 11 and the accommodation determination sensor 141, and is provided for collectively controlling the power supplies of the proximity sensors 141a and 141b included in the accommodation determination sensor 141. The switching element 12b is provided between the power supply circuit 11 and the grip determination sensor 142, and is provided to control the power of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b included in the grip determination sensor 142 collectively. Note that there is no difference in configuration between the switching element 12 and the switching elements 12a and 12b, and the above description regarding the switching element 12 applies to the switching elements 12a and 12b.

  The proximity sensor group 14 roughly includes a storage determination sensor 141 (first sensor) and a grip determination sensor 142 (second sensor). The accommodation determination sensor 141 is a sensor group including one or more proximity sensors, and includes, for example, proximity sensors 141a and 141b. The proximity sensor 141a and the proximity sensor 141b detect the proximity of an object to the housing 2 of the electronic device 1. The detection signals output by the proximity sensors 141a and 141b are processed by the accommodation determination unit 20 (described later).

  The installation positions of the proximity sensors 141a and 141b on the electronic device 1 are as already described briefly with reference to FIG. 3. It is preferable to be provided in a place where the user's hand does not touch when gripping the surface. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the "state in which the user holds the electronic device 1" from being erroneously determined as the "accommodated state", and as a result, it is possible to more accurately determine the accommodation of the own device. Become.

  On the other hand, the installation positions of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b on the electronic device 1 are also as already schematically described with reference to FIG. 3. Is preferably provided in an area where the probability that the user's hand touches when gripping both side surfaces of the user is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. This is because holding the case 2 with one hand so as to sandwich both sides of the case 2 is the most common way of holding the case 2 when using the electronic device 1. The predetermined value may be appropriately determined according to the number and arrangement pattern of the gripping determination sensors 142, the detection range and the detection accuracy of each of the gripping determination sensors 142, and the like.

  The types of the proximity sensors 141a and 141b are not particularly limited as long as they can detect the proximity of an object. For example, the proximity sensors 141a and 141b may be infrared type proximity sensors or optical type proximity sensors.

  The grip determination sensor 142 is a sensor group including a plurality of proximity sensors, and includes, for example, proximity sensors 142a and 142b. The type of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b is not particularly limited as long as the proximity of the object can be detected, but is preferably an infrared proximity sensor, and detects the proximity of the object to the housing 2 of the electronic device 1. The detection signals output by the proximity sensors 142a and 142b are processed by the grip determination unit 22 (described later).

  The control unit 10 includes, in addition to the sensor control unit 21, the mode control unit 23, and the stillness determination unit 24b, an accommodation determination unit 20 (first proximity state determination unit) as a functional block, a sensor control unit 21, Unit 22 (second proximity state determination unit).

  Based on the detection signal from the housing determination sensor 141, the housing determination unit 20 is in a state (housed state) in which the electronic device 1 is housed in an arbitrary housing subject (for example, a user's clothes pocket or bag). It is determined whether or not there is.

  When the stationary state determination unit 24b determines that the electronic device 1 is placed in the non-stationary state, the sensor control unit 21 determines the grip determination sensor 142 or the storage determination Control of both the sensor 141 for grasping and the sensor 142 for grasp determination is controlled.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor control unit 21 determines that the stillness determination unit 24b determines that “the electronic device 1 is in the non-resting state”, and that the accommodation determination unit 20 determines that “the electronic device 1 is Is determined to be in the non-accommodated state ", the detection function of the gripping determination sensor 142 (or the power supply of the gripping determination sensor 142) is turned on regardless of the detection state of the gripping determination sensor 142. Note that the accommodation determination unit 20 determines that all of the accommodation determination sensors 141 have not detected the proximity (that is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, both the detection states of the proximity sensors 141a (front) and 141b (back) are F ), It is determined that “the electronic device 1 is in the non-accommodated state”.

  In addition, when the accommodation determination unit 20 determines that “the electronic device 1 is in the accommodation state”, the sensor control unit 21 turns off the detection function (or the power supply) of the grip determination sensor 142 so that the grip determination The power consumed by the sensor 142 is suppressed. Note that the accommodation determination unit 20 detects the proximity even with any one of the accommodation determination sensors 141 (that is, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the proximity sensors 141a (front) and 141b (back)). In the case where the detection state is N), it is determined that the electronic device 1 is in the housed state irrespective of the detection state of the gripping determination sensor 142 (left and right).

  The grip determination unit 22 determines whether or not the user holds the electronic device 1 (grip state) based on a detection signal from the grip determination sensor 142. Specifically, the grip determination unit 22 determines that at least one grip determination sensor 142 (in the example of FIG. 3, both the proximity sensors 142a and 142b) are close to each other on each of the two opposing surfaces of the housing 2. When the electronic device 1 is detected, it is determined that the electronic device 1 is in the holding state. When none of the gripping determination sensors 142 (in the example of FIG. 3, none of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b) has detected the proximity, the gripping determination unit 22 determines that the electronic device 1 is not in a gripping state (non-gripping). State). In addition, when the gripping determination sensor 142 on one of the two surfaces detects the proximity (in the example of FIG. 3, one of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b) detects the proximity, The result of the grip determination is maintained.

  The mode control unit 23 determines the control mode of the electronic device 1 based on at least one of the determination results of the accommodation determination unit 20, the grip determination unit 22, and the stillness determination unit 24b. Here, the control mode defines a control method for various devices built in or external to the electronic device 1, and is, for example, one of two types of a “normal mode” and a “sleep mode”. .

  The “normal mode” is a mode in which various devices of the electronic device 1 are driven under the control of the control unit 10. The “sleep mode” is a mode in which power consumption is reduced by stopping driving of various devices of the electronic device 1 (a sleep state or turning off a power supply). In the present embodiment, as an example, when the control mode is the sleep mode, the control unit 10 stops driving the display unit 17 to realize power saving. However, the control unit 10 may realize power saving by performing mode control of a camera, a speaker, a microphone, a touch panel, and the like provided in the control unit 10 instead of or together with the display unit 17.

  The sensor control unit 21 of the present embodiment has a function of suppressing the operation of the gripping determination sensor 142 based on the detection signal output from the storage determination sensor 141 or the determination result output from the storage determination unit 20. Have. Specifically, when at least one of the proximity sensor 141a and the proximity sensor 141b detects proximity, the sensor control unit 21 suppresses the operation of the proximity sensor 142a and the proximity sensor 142b. More specifically, the sensor control unit 21 turns off the power of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b, inhibits the proximity sensors 142a and 142b from detecting a nearby object, and inhibits the output of a detection signal. Accordingly, the functions of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b are stopped. In this way, while the operation of the gripping determination sensor 142 is suppressed by the sensor control unit 21, the power consumption of the electronic device 1 is reduced as compared with the case where the gripping determination sensor 142 is operating. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, each time the detection signal detected by the accommodation determination sensor 141 changes, the accommodation determination unit 20 determines the accommodation state or the non-accommodation state of the electronic device 1, and outputs the determination result to the sensor control unit 21. And the grip determination unit 22 is notified. The sensor control unit 21 controls the gripping determination sensor 142 according to the notified determination result. That is, the operation of the grip determination sensor 142 is suppressed as necessary.

(Recommended location and example of installation of accommodation judgment sensor)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a recommended installation position of the accommodation determination sensor 141 according to the present embodiment. In the following, each surface of the housing 2 is defined as a back surface 2a, a right side surface 2b, and a left side surface 2c as shown in FIG.

The accommodation determination sensor 141 is provided, for example, in a place where the user's hand does not touch when the user grips one side of the housing 2 with one hand as shown by a broken line in FIG. Is preferred. Therefore, in the following, in the following electronic devices to be measured, data on the contact area of the hand was collected in the following manner, and the recommended installation position of the accommodation determination sensor 141 was examined.
Size of target electronic device:
Length of electronic device in the longitudinal direction (H): about 140 mm × length in the lateral direction (W): about 75 mm × thickness (D): about 10 mm In order to obtain more effective data, a large-sized electronic device was used as a measurement target.)
Data acquisition procedure:
The rear surface 2a, the right side surface 2b, and the left side surface 2c of the housing 2 of the electronic device were divided into predetermined areas, and the subject held the housing 2 of the electronic device with one hand and touched the hand. Add points to the area.
Number of subjects:
47 right handed, 56 left handed (total 103)
In this way, an area where the hand is easy to touch and an area where the hand is hard to touch when more users hold is investigated.

  In each area shown in FIG. 7, the area of 0 points indicates an area where none of the 103 subjects touched. That is, the area is an area where the probability that the user's hand touches when the user grips both sides of the housing with one hand is 0% or less than 1%. The area of 1 to 5 points indicates the area touched by the hands of 1 to 5 subjects out of 103 persons. That is, the area is an area in which the probability of the user's hand touching is less than 5%. The area with 6 to 10 points indicates the area touched by 6 to 10 subjects out of 103. In other words, the area is an area where the probability of touch by the user's hand is less than 10%.

  In this embodiment, since the front of the electronic device is provided with the display unit 17, when the user holds the electronic device to use the electronic device, his / her hand touches the front. It is assumed that there is almost no case (that is, the entire front area is an area where the probability of the user's hand touching when the user grips both sides of the housing with one hand is 0% or less than 1%). are doing.

  Based on the above measurement results, in the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment, preferably, a plurality of proximity sensors constituting the accommodation determination sensor 141 are gripped by the user with one hand so as to sandwich both sides of the housing. , Is provided in an area where the probability of the user's hand touching is less than 10%. More preferably, the plurality of proximity sensors constituting the accommodation determination sensor 141 are provided in an area where the probability that the user's hand touches when the user grips the both sides of the housing with one hand is less than 5%. ing. Even more preferably, the plurality of proximity sensors constituting the accommodation determination sensor 141 are provided in an area where the probability that the user's hand touches when the user grips the both sides of the housing with one hand is less than 1%. Have been. Most preferably, the plurality of proximity sensors constituting the accommodation determination sensor 141 are provided in an area where the probability that the user's hand touches when the user holds one side of the housing so as to sandwich both sides thereof is 0%. I have.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the “state in which the user holds the electronic device 1” from being erroneously determined as the “accommodated state”, and as a result, the accommodation determination of the own device is performed with higher accuracy. It becomes possible.

(Recommended position and example of installation of gripping sensor)
Further, the position where the gripping determination sensor 142 is arranged will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The gripping determination sensor 142 is preferably provided in an area where the probability that the user's hand touches when the user grips the right side 2b and the left side 2c of the housing 2 with one hand is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. This is the most common way of holding the housing 2 when using the electronic device 1, “holding the right and left sides 2 b and 2 c of the housing 2 with one hand”. Because. The predetermined value may be appropriately determined according to the number and arrangement pattern of the gripping determination sensors 142, the detection range and the detection accuracy of each of the gripping determination sensors 142, and the like.

  To give a specific example, the predetermined value is preferably 60% or more. When the measurement result as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained, the area touched by 60% or more of the 103 subjects, that is, the area with a score of 62 or more, is the area with the predetermined value of 60% or more. is there. Therefore, it is desirable that at least one gripping determination sensor 142 is provided in each of the right side surface 2b and the left side surface 2c in an area having a score of 62 or more. Specifically, one or more grip determination sensors 142 (for example, the proximity sensor 142b) are provided in any of the right side 2b in any of the back side, the middle side, and the front side. It is desirable. In addition, one or more gripping determination sensors 142 (for example, the proximity sensor 142a) may be provided in any of the left side surface 2c in any of the back side, the middle side, and the front side. preferable.

  Furthermore, it is more preferable that the predetermined value is 65% or more. In other words, according to the measurement results in FIG. 7, the gripping determination sensor 142 determines whether the right side 2b has any of the back side, the middle side, and the front side, and the left side 2c. More preferably, one or more are provided in any of the back side case, the middle side case, and the front side case.

  More preferably, the predetermined value is more preferably 70% or more. In other words, according to the measurement results in FIG. 7, the gripping determination sensor 142 has any one of the back side, the middle side, and the front side of the right side 2b and the back side of the left side 2c. It is more preferable that at least one is provided in any one of the area (a), (b), (m), and (c).

  In this way, by devising the position where the grip determination sensor 142 is provided in the housing 2, the grip determination sensor 142 can be provided in an area where the probability of the user's hand touching is high. Therefore, the grip determination unit 22 can perform the grip determination more accurately.

(Flow of power control processing based on state determination)
FIG. 8 illustrates a procedure of a process for controlling the power supply of the proximity sensor group 14 according to the detection state of the proximity sensor group 14 when the electronic device 1 according to the fourth embodiment is placed in a non-stationary state. It is a flowchart shown. The flow illustrated in FIG. 8 is executed instead of the processing of S6 to S8 when S2 in the flow illustrated in FIG. 4 is NO (when the electronic device 1 is in the non-stationary state). 8 , as an example, the electronic device 1 includes proximity sensors 141a and 141b as the accommodation determination sensor 141 and proximity sensors 142a and 142b as the grip determination sensor 142. 7 shows a flow of processing when the information processing apparatus further includes a grip determination unit 22.

  Changes in detection signals from at least one of the proximity sensors 141a and 141b and / or the proximity sensors 142a and 142b (from proximity "1" to non-proximity "0" or from non-proximity "0" to proximity " 1) (YES in S41), the electronic device 1 starts the power control process in S42 and thereafter.

  Specifically, first, the accommodation determination unit 20 determines accommodation / non-accommodation based on the detection signals of the proximity sensors 141a and 141b (S42). When both the proximity sensors 141a and 141b detect non-proximity (NO in S42), the housing determination unit 20 determines that the state of the electronic device 1 is the non-housed state, and determines the determination result with the sensor control unit 21 and the grip. The determination unit 22 is notified. When the power of the gripping determination sensor 142 is not turned on (NO in S43), the sensor control unit 21 that has received the notification controls the switching element 12b to be closed, so that the gripping determination sensor 142 Is turned on (S44). If the power supply has already been turned on (YES in S43), sensor control unit 21 maintains the on state. When the electronic device 1 is in a non-stationary state, the switching element 12a is always controlled to be closed by the sensor control unit 21, and the power of the accommodation determination sensor 141 is always on.

  The grip determination unit 22 that has received the notification of the non-housing state from the storage determination unit 20 acquires a detection signal from the grip determination sensor 142 whose power is on, and determines grip / non-grip based on the detection signal. (S45). Specifically, when all of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b detect the proximity (YES in S45), it is considered that the object (finger) has hit all the parts to which the user's hand should hit at the time of holding, so the holding determination unit The control unit 22 determines that the state of the electronic device 1 is the holding state (S46).

  On the other hand, when not all but one of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b detects proximity (NO in S47), the grip determination unit 22 maintains the previous determination result (S48). This is because the fact that the object partially hits the place where the user's hand should hit when grasping is considered that some fingers have come off the housing 2 during use by the user. This is to prevent the determination of grip / non-grip from being unnecessarily repeated depending on the change of. Maintaining the previous determination result means that the grip / non-grip determination result output in S46, S48 or S51 is inherited before S41 which is the trigger of the current state determination process occurs. I do.

  On the other hand, when all of the proximity sensors 142a and 142b detect non-proximity (YES in S47), it is assumed that the object (finger) does not hit any part of the place where the user's hand should hit at the time of holding. The determination unit 22 determines that the state of the electronic device 1 is the non-holding state (S51). Although not shown, the determination result of grip / non-grip in S46, S48, or S51 is notified to the mode control unit 23, and is used for the mode control unit 23 to perform mode control.

  On the other hand, when at least one of the proximity sensors 141a and 141b detects proximity (YES in S42), the accommodation determination unit 20 determines that the state of the electronic device 1 is the accommodation state, and determines the determination result. It notifies the sensor control unit 21 and the grip determination unit 22. When the power of the gripping determination sensor 142 is turned on (YES in S49), the sensor control unit 21 that has received the notification controls the switching element 12b to open, and thereby the gripping determination sensor 142 from the power supply circuit 11. Is turned off (S50). If the power has not been turned on already (NO in S49), the sensor control unit 21 maintains the off state.

  The grip determination unit 22, which has received the notification that the state is the storage state from the storage determination unit 20, outputs the detection signal from the grip determination sensor 142 because the operation of the grip determination sensor 142 is suppressed by the sensor control unit 21. If the electronic device 1 cannot be acquired, the state of the electronic device 1 is determined to be the non-holding state based on the fact (S51).

  When the state determination process for one time is thus completed, the process returns to S1 of the flow of FIG. 4, and the stillness determination unit 24b determines whether or not the electronic device 1 is in the stationary state based on the output of the acceleration sensor 24a. It returns to the state where it is determined.

  According to the configuration and method of the fourth embodiment, first, whether or not the electronic device 1 is in the housed state is determined based on the detection signal from the housing determination sensor 141. Here, if at least one of the accommodation determination sensors 141 detects the proximity, it is understood that the electronic device 1 is accommodated (that is, there is a high possibility that the user is not holding the electronic device 1). Therefore, it is not necessary to determine whether the user is holding the electronic device 1 during the period in which the electronic device 1 is accommodated. Therefore, during such a period, the sensor control unit 21 suppresses unnecessary operation of the gripping determination sensor 142. Accordingly, erroneous detection of the gripping determination sensor 142 can be prevented, and the power consumed by the gripping determination sensor 142 can be suppressed, thereby realizing power saving when the electronic device 1 is placed in a non-stationary state. It becomes possible.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (especially the accommodation determination unit 20, the sensor control unit 21, the grip determination unit 22, the mode control unit 23, and the stillness determination unit 24b) in the control unit 10 of the electronic device 1 are formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. It may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) or by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the electronic device 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software for realizing 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 The storage device 18 includes a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”) and a storage unit 18 that functions as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program. Then, the object of the present invention is achieved when the computer (or CPU) reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program. As the recording medium, a “temporary tangible medium”, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (a communication network, a broadcast wave, or the like) capable of transmitting the program. Note that 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 electronic device (1) according to the first aspect of the present invention includes at least one sensor that detects a state in which an object is close to the electronic device (1) or a state in which a user is holding the electronic device (1). (Proximity sensor group 14), a stationary detection section (24) for detecting whether or not the electronic device (1) is in a stationary state, and a power supply of the at least one sensor (proximity sensor group 14). A sensor power control unit (sensor control unit 21), and the sensor power control unit (sensor control) in response to the stationary state detection unit (24) detecting the stationary state of the electronic device (1). The unit 21) is configured to suppress the power.

  In the above configuration, the stationary state of the electronic apparatus is, for example, a state in which the user does not hold the electronic apparatus and puts it on a desk, or a state in which the electronic apparatus is left in a bag or a pocket of clothes. Can be considered. In such a stationary state, there is no need to detect whether the user is holding the electronic device or not, and to detect whether an object is approaching the electronic device.

  According to the above configuration, the sensor power control unit suppresses the power of the sensor when the stationary state of the electronic device is detected by the stationary detection unit, and when the stationary state of the electronic device is not detected by the stationary detection unit, That is, when there is movement in the electronic device, the power supply of the sensor is not suppressed. When the number of sensors is plural, the sensor power control unit suppresses power for at least one sensor.

  As a result, normal power for turning on the sensor is not always supplied to the sensor, so that power consumption of the electronic device can be suppressed.

  In the electronic device (1) according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the stillness detecting unit (24) includes a three-axis motion detector (acceleration sensor 24a), and the three-axis motion detector (24). A condition that a detection value based on an output of each axis from the acceleration sensor 24a) is acquired a predetermined number of times at a predetermined time interval, and a statistical value obtained by statistically processing the acquired detection value of each axis is less than a first threshold. May be determined when the electronic device (1) is in the stationary state.

  According to the above configuration, the three-axis motion detector is not zero when the electronic device has movement in a total of three directions, that is, the vertical direction and two directions orthogonal to each other and perpendicular to the vertical direction. Outputs a detection signal. The stillness detection unit compares the statistical value obtained by statistically processing the detection value based on the output of the three-axis motion detector with a first threshold value, so that at least one of the three directions causes the electronic device to perform a motion exceeding the standard. Determine if there is.

  As a result, in any of the above three directions, when there is no movement exceeding the reference in the electronic device, the stillness detection unit determines that the electronic device is in a stationary state. As a result, the accuracy of the determination of the stationary state is increased, and thus, even if the electronic device is not in the stationary state, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the sensor does not operate normally against the user's intention. Can be.

  In the electronic device (1) according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the stillness detection unit (24) includes a three-axis motion detector (acceleration sensor 24a). After detecting the stationary state, a detection value based on the output of each axis from the three-axis motion detector (acceleration sensor 24a) is obtained at predetermined time intervals, and the latest detection value of each axis is obtained, A difference from a detection value obtained one time before the latest is obtained, and when an event in which the difference exceeds a second threshold occurs for any one of the axes, the electronic device (1) It may be determined that the vehicle is not in the stationary state.

  According to the above configuration, the stillness detection unit obtains the output of the three-axis motion detector described above, and in any one of the three directions, when the electronic device has a motion exceeding the reference, The stillness detection unit determines that the electronic device has exited the stillness state.

  As a result, the sensitivity of detecting the non-stationary state of the electronic device is increased, so that the sensor does not operate normally against the user's intention despite the non-stationary state of the electronic device. Can be reduced.

  Note that the stillness detection unit may perform an operation in which the above-described aspect 2 and the above-described aspect 3 are combined.

  In the electronic device (1) according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the sensor (proximity sensor group 14) is a position on the electronic device (1), and A first sensor (accommodation determination sensor 141) that detects a state in which an object is approaching the electronic device (1) at a position where the electronic device (1) does not touch the electronic device (1); And a second sensor (gripping determination sensor 142) for detecting a state in which the electronic device (1) is gripping the electronic device. Based on the outputs of the first proximity state determination unit (the accommodation determination unit 20) that determines whether an object is approaching the electronic device (1) and the output of the second sensor (the grip determination sensor 142), Grips the electronic device (1) And a second proximity state determination unit (grip determination unit 22) for determining whether the electronic device (1) is in a non-stationary state. When the first proximity state determination unit (the accommodation determination unit 20) determines that the object is approaching the electronic device (1), the sensor power control unit (the sensor control unit) 21), the power supply of the second sensor (the grip determination sensor 142) may be suppressed.

  According to the above configuration, at a position on the electronic device where the user does not touch the electronic device, when the first proximity state determination unit determines that the object is approaching the electronic device, Is likely to be housed in a bag or pocket of clothes. In such a case, there is no need to determine whether the user is holding the electronic device. Therefore, in such a case, the sensor power supply control unit suppresses the power supply of the second sensor, so that erroneous detection by the second sensor can be prevented, and the power consumed by the second sensor can be reduced. It is possible to realize power saving when the device is placed in a non-stationary state.

  The power supply control method for the electronic device (1) according to the fifth aspect of the present invention detects a state in which an object is close to the electronic device (1) or a state in which a user is holding the electronic device (1). The electronic device (1) including at least one sensor (proximity sensor group 14) and a power supply (power supply circuit 11) for supplying power to the sensor (proximity sensor group 14) is in a stationary state. When the electronic device (1) detects, the electronic device (1) suppresses power supply from the power supply (power supply circuit 11) to the sensor (proximity sensor group 14).

  According to the above method, the normal power for turning on the sensor is not always supplied to the sensor, so that the power consumption of the electronic device can be suppressed.

  A power supply control program according to an aspect 6 of the present invention provides the electronic device (1) according to any one of the aspects 1 to 4, wherein the stationary detection section (24) and the sensor power supply control section (the sensor control section 21). ), Let the computer function.

  Such a power supply control program and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording the power supply control program are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, 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, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1 electronic equipment 11 power supply circuit (power supply)
14 Proximity sensor group (sensor)
20 accommodation judgment section (first proximity state judgment section)
21 Sensor control unit (sensor power control unit)
22 Grasping judgment unit (second proximity state judgment unit)
24 Stillness detection unit 24a Acceleration sensor (3-axis motion detector)
141 accommodation judgment sensor (first sensor)
142 Grasping judgment sensor (second sensor)

Claims (5)

At least one sensor for detecting a state in which an object is close to the electronic device, or a state in which the user is holding the electronic device;
A stillness detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is in a stationary state,
A sensor power control unit for controlling the power of the at least one sensor,
The sensor power supply control unit, the stationary state of the electronic apparatus in response to the detection of the upper SL still detection unit is intended to suppress the power,
A first sensor for detecting a state in which an object is in proximity to the electronic device at a position on the electronic device where the user does not touch the electronic device; A second sensor for detecting a state of holding the device,
The electronic device further includes:
A first proximity state determination unit that determines whether an object is approaching the electronic device based on an output of the first sensor;
A second proximity state determination unit that determines whether a user is holding the electronic device based on an output of the second sensor,
The sensor power control unit,
When the stillness detection unit detects that the electronic device is in a non-stationary state, and the first proximity state determination unit determines that an object is close to the electronic device. An electronic device , wherein the power supply of the second sensor is suppressed . The above-mentioned stillness detection unit,
Including a three-axis motion detector,
Acquiring a detection value based on the output of each axis from the three-axis motion detector a predetermined number of times at predetermined time intervals;
When the statistical values obtained by statistically processing the acquired detection values of the respective axes satisfy respective conditions that are less than a first threshold, the electronic device is determined to be in the stationary state. The electronic device according to claim 1. The above-mentioned stillness detection unit,
Including a three-axis motion detector,
After detecting the stationary state of the electronic device, obtain a detection value based on the output of each axis from the three-axis motion detector at predetermined time intervals,
The difference between the most recently obtained detection value of each axis and the detection value obtained one time before the latest is obtained,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the event in which the difference exceeds a second threshold occurs for any one of the axes, the electronic device is determined to be out of the stationary state. Electronics.   A power control method for an electronic device,
  A first sensor for detecting a state in which an object is close to the electronic device at a position on the electronic device where the user does not touch the electronic device; A second sensor that detects a state of holding the electronic device,
  The power control method,
  A stillness detection step of detecting whether the electronic device is in a stationary state,
  A first proximity state determination step of determining whether an object is approaching the electronic device based on an output of the first sensor;
  A second proximity state determination step of determining whether a user is holding the electronic device based on an output of the second sensor;
  Controlling a power supply of at least one sensor.
  In the sensor power control step,
    In response to the stationary state of the electronic device being detected in the stationary detection step, the power supply is suppressed,
    When the electronic device is determined to be in a non-stationary state in the stationary detection step, and it is determined in the first proximity state determining step that an object is approaching the electronic device. And a power supply control method for the electronic device, wherein a power supply of the second sensor is suppressed.   A computer as the stillness detection unit, the sensor power control unit, the first proximity state determination unit, and the second proximity state determination unit included in the electronic device according to claim 1. Functioning
A power control program characterized by the following.

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