JP7027045B2 - Terminal holding device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a terminal holding device that holds a terminal device.

For example, it has been conventionally proposed to detect that the driver of a vehicle is dozing and call attention by sound, vibration, or the like.

As one of the methods for detecting such a doze, the state of the driver's blink is detected based on the image of the driver's face taken by the camera, and the vertical width of the eyes before the blink and the eyes when the eyes are closed at the time of blinking are detected. A method of estimating drowsiness based on the vertical width, the closing time of blinking eyes, and the like has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-304705

In recent years, it has become possible to execute applications such as navigation on mobile terminals such as smartphones. At this time, it is held and fixed by a holding device installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Then, in this type of terminal device, it is also possible to execute a function of estimating drowsiness based on the driver's face image as described above.

However, in a situation where the interior of the vehicle becomes dark, such as at night or in a tunnel, it becomes difficult to take a facial image with a clarity sufficient to estimate drowsiness, and there is a problem that drowsiness cannot be estimated.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides, for example, a terminal holding device capable of capturing a face image capable of performing a predetermined function even in a dark surrounding of the user. Make it an issue.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a terminal holding device provided with a holding unit that holds a terminal device capable of performing a predetermined function based on a user's face image, and the predetermined invention . It is characterized by including a light emitting unit for irradiating infrared rays toward the user's face so that the function of the above can be executed .

It is a front view and the side view of the terminal holding device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the terminal holding device shown in FIG. It is a front view and the side view of the terminal holding device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the terminal holding device shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the terminal holding device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the terminal holding device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the terminal holding device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the terminal holding device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The terminal holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a terminal holding device provided with a holding unit that holds a terminal device capable of performing a predetermined function based on a user's face image, and is directed toward the user's face. It is equipped with a light emitting unit for irradiating infrared rays. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate the user's face direction with infrared rays from the light emitting unit, and it is possible to take a face image even when the surroundings of the user are dark. Further, since infrared rays are irradiated, the user does not feel discomfort such as glare as compared with the case of irradiating visible light such as a flash.

Further, the terminal device usually does not have a light emitting unit such as an infrared light source, and if such a light emitting unit is provided, it becomes difficult to make the terminal device smaller or thinner, the number of parts increases, and the cost increases. Therefore, by providing a light emitting unit in addition to the terminal device, it is possible to execute a predetermined function in a dark situation even if an existing terminal device not provided with the light emitting unit is used. Furthermore, by equipping the terminal holding device with a light emitting unit, the camera (terminal device) that shoots an image and the part that emits infrared rays are close to each other, and it is easy to make the shooting range of the camera and the infrared irradiation range close to each other. It becomes.

Further, the light emitting unit may be capable of irradiating infrared rays when the holding unit holds the terminal device. By doing so, it is possible to stop the light emission when the terminal device is not held and the light emission of infrared rays is unnecessary. Therefore, for example, when it is installed in a vehicle, it is possible to prevent the battery of the vehicle from being wasted.

Further, the light emitting portion may be provided in the holding portion. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays without affecting the screen display of the terminal device or the like.

Further, the holding portion may include a pair of holding members for holding by sandwiching the side surface portions at both ends of the terminal device. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the irradiation of infrared rays from being blocked even if the terminal device is held.

Further, an illuminance sensor for detecting the illuminance around the terminal holding device may be further provided, and the light emitting unit may irradiate infrared rays based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays at a timing when infrared irradiation is required, such as at night or in a tunnel. Therefore, for example, when it is installed in a vehicle, it is possible to prevent the battery of the vehicle from being wasted.

Further, a time acquisition unit for acquiring the current time may be further provided, and the light emitting unit may irradiate the infrared rays when the current time is in a predetermined time zone. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays only at a time zone when infrared irradiation is required, such as at night. Therefore, for example, when it is installed in a vehicle, it is possible to prevent the battery of the vehicle from being wasted.

Further, the predetermined function may be an estimation of drowsiness of the user. By doing so, when estimating drowsiness with the terminal device, it is possible to take a face image that can estimate drowsiness even when the surroundings of the user are dark.

Further, the predetermined function may be security authentication of the terminal device. By doing so, when performing security authentication on the terminal device, it is possible to take a face image that enables security authentication even when the surroundings of the user are dark.

The terminal holding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The terminal holding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed, for example, on a dashboard in the passenger compartment of an automobile. The terminal holding device 1 includes a lower holding portion 11, an upper holding portion 12, a back holding portion 13, an arm portion 14, a base portion 15, an infrared light emitting portion 16, and a power cable 17. .. In this embodiment, the lower side indicates the base portion 15 side (the side where the terminal holding device 1 is installed), and the upper side indicates the opposite side of the lower side.

The lower holding portion 11 holds the lower end portion of the mobile terminal 2 as a terminal device. The lower holding portion 11 is provided with a terminal 11a for connecting to an external connection terminal provided on the mobile terminal 2.

The upper holding portion 12 holds the upper end portion of the mobile terminal 2. The upper holding portion 12 is capable of sliding in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction of the terminal holding device 1 in this embodiment) according to the shape of the mobile terminal 2 so that the mobile terminal 2 can be held.

Therefore, the lower holding portion 11 and the upper holding portion 12 are a pair of holding members that hold the mobile terminal 2 so as to sandwich the side surface portions at both ends in the vertical direction. The side surface portion of the mobile terminal 2 in this embodiment means a surface on which a display screen or a camera is provided and a surface orthogonal to the surface opposite to the surface.

The terminal for data communication with the mobile terminal 2 may be provided in the upper holding portion 12. Further, the lower holding portion 11 may be slidable.

The back surface holding portion 13 holds the back surface of the mobile terminal 2, and is provided with a lower holding portion 11 and an upper holding portion 12 at both ends (upper end portion and lower end portion) in the vertical direction thereof.

The arm portion 14 is erected on the base portion 15 and is connected to a substantially central portion of a surface opposite to the surface of the back surface holding portion 13 that holds the mobile terminal 2.

The base portion 15 functions as a base when the terminal holding device 1 is attached to a dashboard or the like. A fixing member such as a suction cup is provided on the lower surface of the base portion 15, and the base portion 15 is fixed to the dashboard or the like by the suction cup or the like. Further, the base portion 15 accommodates an electronic circuit board or the like related to a functional block described later.

The infrared light emitting unit 16 is provided on the front surface portion 12a facing the driver of the upper holding portion 12. The infrared light emitting unit 16 emits light by controlling from the control unit 22 (see FIG. 2) and emits infrared rays. Further, the infrared light emitting unit 16 may be provided on the front surface portion 11b of the lower holding portion 11. By providing it at such a position, the infrared rays from the infrared light emitting unit 16 can be applied to the user's face without being blocked by the held mobile terminal 2. The infrared light emitting unit 16 may be located at a position other than the lower holding unit 11 and the upper holding unit 12 so as to be capable of irradiating infrared rays toward the driver's face while the mobile terminal 2 is held. For example, it may be provided on the base portion 15.

The power cable 17 is attached to the base portion 15 and supplies power for charging the mobile terminal 2 and operating the electronic circuit board from, for example, a cigar socket of a vehicle. If power can be supplied from the mobile terminal 2 via the terminal 11a, the power cable 17 may be omitted.

In the mobile terminal 2 described in this embodiment, it is assumed that the camera is provided on the front surface (the surface not held by the back holding portion 13) while being held by the terminal holding device 1 as shown in FIG.

Next, a functional block diagram of the terminal holding device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal holding device 1 includes an I / F 21 and a control unit 22 in addition to the infrared light emitting unit 16 described above.

The I / F 21 serves as an interface (I / F) for data communication with the mobile terminal 2, and includes the terminal 11a described above.

The control unit 22 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor (microcomputer) having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like. When the I / F 21 detects the mobile terminal 2, the control unit 22 turns on the infrared light emitting unit 16 to irradiate infrared rays. The control unit 22 may be hardware such as a logic circuit instead of a microcomputer.

The operation of the terminal holding device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. First, the installation position of the terminal holding device 1 is adjusted in advance so that the mobile terminal 2 can photograph the driver's (user's) face, that is, infrared rays are emitted toward the driver's face. .. Next, when the mobile terminal 2 is sandwiched and held between the lower holding portion 11 and the upper holding portion 12, the mobile terminal 2 is electrically connected through the terminal 11a. Then, the I / F 21 detects that the mobile terminal 2 is held by the terminal holding device 1, and notifies the control unit 22 of the detection. Then, the control unit 22 receives the notification from the I / F 21 and causes the infrared light emitting unit 16 to emit light. That is, the infrared light emitting unit 16 can irradiate infrared rays when the lower holding unit 11 and the upper holding unit 12 (holding unit) hold the mobile terminal 2 (terminal device).

Then, on the mobile terminal 2, for example, an application for estimating the driver's drowsiness from the face image of the driver is taken (may be started before being held in the terminal holding device 1). .. Since infrared rays are emitted from the infrared light emitting unit 16 toward the driver, a clear face image can be taken even when the vehicle interior is dark, such as at night or in a tunnel, and drowsiness estimation by the above-mentioned application can be performed. It will be possible.

The detection that the mobile terminal 2 is held is not limited to the terminal 11a. For example, a mechanical switch may be provided at a portion of contact between the lower holding portion 11 and the upper holding portion of the mobile terminal 2 for detection.

According to this embodiment, the terminal holding device 1 is provided with a lower holding portion 11 and an upper holding portion 12 for holding a mobile terminal 2 capable of performing drowsiness estimation based on a driver's face image, and is a driver. It is provided with an infrared light emitting unit 16 for irradiating infrared rays toward the face. By doing so, it becomes possible to irradiate the driver's face with infrared rays from the infrared light emitting unit 16, and it is possible to take a face image even when the surroundings of the driver are dark. Further, since infrared rays are irradiated, the user does not feel discomfort such as glare as compared with the case of irradiating visible light such as a flash.

Further, the mobile terminal 2 is usually not provided with the infrared light emitting unit 16, and if the mobile terminal 2 is provided with the infrared light emitting unit 16, it becomes difficult to make the mobile terminal 2 smaller or thinner, the number of parts increases, and the cost increases. Therefore, by equipping the terminal holding device 1 with the infrared light emitting unit 16, drowsiness can be estimated even in a dark situation even if an existing mobile terminal 2 not provided with the infrared light emitting unit 16 is used. Further, by providing the terminal holding device 1 with an infrared light emitting unit 16, the camera of the mobile terminal 2 that shoots an image and the portion that emits infrared rays are close to each other, and the shooting range of the camera and the infrared irradiation range are close to each other. Will be easy.

Further, the infrared light emitting unit 16 irradiates infrared rays when the lower holding unit 11 and the upper holding unit 12 hold the mobile terminal 2. By doing so, it is possible to stop the light emission when the mobile terminal 2 is not held and the light emission of infrared rays is unnecessary. Therefore, for example, when it is installed in a vehicle, it is possible to prevent the battery of the vehicle from being wasted.

Further, the infrared light emitting unit 16 is attached to the upper holding portion 12 which is one of the lower holding portion 11 and the upper holding portion 12, which are a pair of holding members held by sandwiching the side surfaces of both ends in the vertical direction of the mobile terminal 2. It is provided. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays without affecting the screen display of the mobile terminal 2. Further, by providing the upper holding portion 12, it is possible to prevent the irradiation of infrared rays from being blocked even if the mobile terminal 2 is held.

Next, the terminal holding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but further includes an illuminance sensor 18.

Like the infrared light emitting unit 16, the illuminance sensor 18 is provided on the front surface portion 12a of the upper holding portion 12 facing the driver (see FIG. 3). As is known, the illuminance sensor 18 is a sensor that detects the brightness around the illuminance sensor 18. The illuminance sensor 18 may be provided at a position other than the upper holding portion 12 as long as it is exposed to the outside even when the mobile terminal 2 is held.

The illuminance sensor 18 detects the brightness around the terminal holding device 1A and outputs it to the control unit 22 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the control unit 22 causes the infrared light emitting unit 16 to emit light when the mobile terminal 2 is held and the detection result of the illuminance sensor 18 is less than a predetermined brightness. The predetermined brightness is such that the mobile terminal 2 can take a face image capable of estimating drowsiness without causing the infrared light emitting unit 16 to emit light. This brightness may be set in advance from the performance of the camera of the mobile terminal 2 that can be installed in the terminal holding device 1A. That is, the infrared light emitting unit 16 irradiates infrared rays based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 18.

According to this embodiment, an illuminance sensor 18 for detecting the illuminance around the terminal holding device 1A is provided, and the infrared light emitting unit 16 irradiates infrared rays based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 18. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays at a timing when infrared irradiation is required, such as at night or in a tunnel. Therefore, for example, when it is installed in a vehicle, it is possible to prevent the battery of the vehicle from being wasted.

Next, the terminal holding device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those of the first and second embodiments described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment has the same basic configuration as the second embodiment, but has a clock function for acquiring the current time, and the clock 23 is responsible for this function (see FIG. 5). That is, the clock 23 functions as a time acquisition unit for acquiring the current time. Although the terminal holding device 1 includes the clock 23 in FIG. 5, the I / F 21 may acquire the time information as long as the time information can be acquired from the mobile terminal 2. In that case, the clock 23 can be omitted.

In this embodiment, the control unit 22 is an infrared light emitting unit 16 when the current time acquired from the clock 23 is a time zone (predetermined time zone) in which the space in which the terminal holding device 1 is installed becomes dark, such as at night. To emit light.

According to this embodiment, a clock 23 for acquiring the current time is provided, and the infrared light emitting unit 16 causes the infrared light emitting unit 16 to emit light when the current time is in a predetermined time zone. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays at a time zone such as at night when infrared irradiation is required. Therefore, for example, when it is installed in a vehicle, it is possible to prevent the battery of the vehicle from being wasted.

Although the illuminance sensor 18 is also provided in FIG. 5, for example, in the case of the above-mentioned predetermined time zone, if the infrared light emitting unit 16 is made to emit light regardless of the detection of the illuminance sensor 18, the illuminance sensor 18 is provided in the time zone. It is possible to stop the power supply to 18, and it is possible to save power.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the illuminance sensor 18 is also provided, the infrared light emitting unit 16 can emit light when the detection result of the illuminance sensor 18 is less than or equal to a predetermined brightness or when the time zone is predetermined. Therefore, the infrared light emitting unit 16 can emit light not only in a predetermined time zone but also in a tunnel or the like.

The terminal holding device is not limited to the one that holds the side surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 (so-called vertical installation), and as shown in FIG. 6, the hand of the mobile terminal 2 is short. It may be one that holds the side surfaces at both ends in the direction (so-called horizontal placement). In this case, for example, by configuring the back surface holding portion 13 so as to be expandable and contractible, it is possible to support both vertical installation and horizontal installation. Alternatively, the back holding portion 13 may be rotatably configured around the connecting portion between the arm portion 14 and the back holding portion 13 so that vertical placement and horizontal placement can be switched.

Further, the terminal holding device is not limited to the form of sandwiching the side surface portion of the mobile terminal 2, and as shown in FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 2 is placed on the base portion 31 and placed on the terminal provided on the base portion 31. It may be in the form of connecting the mobile terminal 2. In the terminal holding device 1C shown in FIG. 7, the base portion 31 is provided with a terminal 31a for connecting to the external connection terminal of the mobile terminal 2. That is, in the case of FIG. 7, the base portion 31 also has the function of the holding portion. Further, a back holding portion 32 for holding the lower back portion of the mobile terminal 2 is erected from the base portion 31. An infrared light emitting unit 33 is provided on the front surface (the surface facing the driver) of the base unit 31.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the estimation of drowsiness of the driver (user) has been described as a predetermined function that can be executed by the terminal device, but the acquisition of the user face image for security authentication such as unlocking of the terminal device is performed. It can also be used for (shooting).

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, as the terminal device, for example, a mobile terminal 2 such as a smartphone has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A terminal holding device other than a smartphone, which is installed at a predetermined place, has a camera for taking a face image of a user, and holds a terminal device capable of performing a predetermined function by the face image may be used.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above examples. That is, those skilled in the art can carry out various modifications according to conventionally known knowledge within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. As long as the terminal holding device of the present invention is still provided by such a modification, it is, of course, included in the category of the present invention.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C Terminal holding device 2 Mobile terminal (terminal device)
11 Lower holding part (holding part, pair of holding members)
12 Upper holding part (holding part, pair of holding members)
16, 33 Infrared light emitting part (light emitting part)
18 Illuminance sensor 23 Clock function (time acquisition unit)
31 Base part (holding part)

Claims (9)

A terminal holding device provided with a holding unit that holds a terminal device capable of performing a predetermined function based on a user's face image.
A terminal holding device including a light emitting unit for irradiating infrared rays toward the user's face so as to be able to perform the predetermined function . The terminal holding device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit irradiates the infrared rays so as to have a predetermined brightness in the vicinity of the user's face so that the predetermined function can be executed. The terminal holding device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the light emitting unit is capable of irradiating the infrared rays when the holding unit holds the terminal device. The terminal holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the light emitting unit is provided in the holding unit. The terminal holding device according to claim 4 , wherein the holding portion includes a pair of holding members that hold by sandwiching side surface portions at both ends of the terminal device. Further equipped with an illuminance sensor that detects the ambient illuminance,
The terminal holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the light emitting unit irradiates the infrared rays based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor. It also has a time acquisition unit that acquires the current time.
The terminal holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the light emitting unit irradiates the infrared rays when the current time is in a predetermined time zone. The terminal holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the predetermined function is an estimation of drowsiness of the user. The terminal holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the predetermined function is security authentication of the terminal device.

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