JP7460908B2 - Mobile devices - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a mobile terminal that can perform wireless operations with a specific device in a situation where the mobile terminal is placed on the specific device.

Patent document 1 discloses a power supply device that wirelessly charges a mobile terminal. The power supply device includes an LED and a control circuit. When the mobile terminal is not placed on the power supply device, the control circuit turns on an LED indicating that the mobile terminal is on standby. When the mobile terminal is placed on the power supply device, the control circuit starts wireless charging of the mobile terminal and turns on an LED indicating that the mobile terminal is on the power supply device, instead of the LED indicating that the mobile terminal is on standby.

There are also mobile terminals that can perform wireless communication with NFC tags. When a mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection with an NFC tag, it reads specific information from the NFC tag.

JP 2013-27074 A

Generally, in non-contact charging (i.e., wireless charging) using a power supply device, it is necessary to adjust the position of the mobile terminal with respect to the power supply device. For this reason, if the position of the mobile terminal changes without the user's knowledge, wireless charging may fail. Also, in wireless communication with an NFC tag, if the position of the mobile terminal changes, the wireless connection may fail.

This specification discloses a technique for notifying a user that the state of wireless operation has changed from a normal state to an abnormal state without the user's knowledge.

A mobile terminal disclosed in this specification includes, in a situation where the mobile terminal is placed on a specific device, a wireless unit for performing a wireless operation using wireless communication with the specific device, an acceleration sensor, and a user. and a control unit. The control unit is configured to adjust the fluctuation indicated by the output value of the acceleration sensor to a predetermined reference value when the state of the wireless operation changes from a normal state to an abnormal state after the wireless operation by the wireless unit is started. When the following conditions occur, the notifying unit is caused to issue a notification indicating the abnormal state of the wireless operation.

For example, if the fluctuation indicated by the acceleration sensor output value is relatively large, it is assumed that there is a high possibility that the user has moved the mobile terminal away from the specific device (e.g., lifted it up) in order to stop wireless operation. On the other hand, if the fluctuation indicated by the acceleration sensor output value is relatively small, it is, for example, when the mobile terminal has shifted slightly above the specific device. In this case, it is assumed that the cause is, for example, the user's clothes or the like hitting the mobile terminal without the user's knowledge. In the above configuration, the mobile terminal issues a notification indicating an abnormal state when it is assumed that there is a high possibility that the position of the mobile terminal has changed without the user's knowledge. It is possible to notify the user that the state of wireless operation has changed from a normal state to an abnormal state without the user's knowledge.

Further, the wireless unit may be a power receiving coil for performing the wireless operation, which is power reception in wireless charging.

The above configuration can notify the user that a change has occurred, without the user's knowledge, from a normal state in which wireless charging of the mobile device is being performed normally to an abnormal state in which wireless charging of the mobile device is not being performed normally.

Further, the output value may be a value output from the acceleration sensor when the state of the wireless operation changes from the normal state to the abnormal state.

In the above configuration, the output value of the acceleration sensor obtained when the wireless operation state changes from a normal state to an abnormal state is used. This can improve the accuracy of the notification.

Further, the control unit may stop the notification by the notification unit when the state of the wireless operation returns to the normal state after the state of the wireless operation changes from the normal state to the abnormal state. .

In the above configuration, the user can recognize that the notification has stopped and know that the wireless operation state has returned to normal from an abnormal state.

Further, the output value may be a value indicating an acceleration in a direction in which the mobile terminal placed on the specific device is lifted up.

Generally, when a user wishes to stop wireless operation, the user lifts the mobile terminal. If the wireless operation state changes to an abnormal state even though the fluctuation in acceleration in the direction in which the mobile terminal is lifted is below a predetermined reference value, it is highly likely that the wireless operation state has changed to an abnormal state even though the user has not lifted the mobile terminal. By using the acceleration in the direction in which the mobile terminal is lifted, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the notification to the user.

1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the external appearance of a portable terminal and a wireless charger according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable terminal and a wireless charger according to a first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing an abnormality determination process according to the first embodiment; It is a graph showing an output value of an acceleration sensor when wireless charging of a mobile terminal is stopped without the user's knowledge. It is a graph showing an output value of an acceleration sensor when wireless charging of a mobile terminal is stopped due to an intended operation performed by a user.

(Example)
A mobile terminal 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The mobile terminal 10 is a mobile terminal device. The mobile terminal 10 is an information code reading device (so-called barcode handheld terminal) for reading data recorded in various information codes such as two-dimensional barcodes. For example, the mobile terminal 10 reads information recorded in information codes attached to luggage, products, etc. present within a specified area. The mobile terminal 10 is carried by a user who is engaged in work within a specified area. In a modified example, the mobile terminal 10 is not limited to an information code reading device, and may be a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a tablet PC, an RFID (short for Radio Frequency Identification), a reader/writer, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user places the mobile terminal 10 on the wireless charger 40. As a result, the mobile terminal 10 is charged by receiving power from the wireless charger 40 via wireless charging. Note that an XYZ coordinate system is shown in FIG. 1. The Z-axis direction indicates the direction in which the mobile terminal 10 is lifted when placed on the wireless charger 40 (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the surface of the wireless charger 40). The X-axis and Y-axis directions indicate the horizontal direction.

The wireless charger 40 is a device that can perform wireless charging based on the Qi standard, which is an international wireless charging standard established by WPC (Wireless Power Consortium).

(Configuration of mobile terminal 10; Figs. 1 and 2)
The mobile terminal 10 includes an information code acquisition unit 12 , a display unit 14 , an operation unit 16 , a memory 18 , a receiving coil 20 , a battery 22 , an acceleration sensor 24 , an alarm unit 26 , and a control unit 28 .

The information code acquisition unit 12 is a device capable of acquiring various information codes such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes. The information code acquisition unit 12 includes, for example, a CCD (short for Charge-Coupled Device) sensor. Note that the method of acquiring the information code is not limited to the CCD method, and may be, for example, a laser method or a pen method.

The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. For example, the display unit 14 can display information recorded in the information code acquired by the information code acquisition unit 12. The display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display. In a modified example, the display unit 14 may be a touch panel display.

The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions into the mobile terminal 10 by operating a plurality of keys. In a modification, the display section 14 and the operation section 16 may be configured as a touch panel that has both functions.

Memory 18 includes RAM, ROM, non-volatile memory, etc. Memory 18 also stores various types of information (e.g., programs).

The receiving coil 20 is a coil capable of receiving power in wireless charging that complies with the Qi standard. When the receiving coil 20 receives power from the wireless charger 40, an electromotive force is generated and a current flows. Then, the current flows to the battery 22, thereby charging the battery 22.

The battery 22 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. The mobile terminal 10 operates using the power stored in the battery 22.

Acceleration sensor 24 is built into mobile terminal 10 . The acceleration sensor 24 is, for example, a piezoelectric sensor, a capacitance sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, or the like. The acceleration sensor 24 detects and outputs acceleration of the mobile terminal 10 in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. For example, when the mobile terminal 10 is lifted while the mobile terminal 10 is placed on the wireless charger 40, the acceleration sensor 24 outputs an output value different from the output value indicating gravitational acceleration in the Z-axis direction. .

The notification unit 26 is a device that performs notification to the user. The notification unit 26 is a speaker that can output various sounds (for example, various notification sounds, message sounds, etc.). In a modification, the notification unit 26 is not limited to a speaker, but may be a light that can emit light, a vibration device that can vibrate the mobile terminal 10, or the like.

The control section 28 is electrically connected to each section 12-26 described above, and can control each of these sections 12-26. The control unit 28 executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory 18 of the mobile terminal 10.

(Configuration of wireless charger 40; FIGS. 1 and 2)
The wireless charger 40 includes a power transmission coil 42 , a power supply unit 44 , a memory 46 , and a control unit 48 .

The power transmission coil 42 is a coil capable of transmitting power in wireless charging conforming to the Qi standard. The power transmission coil 42 transmits power by an electromagnetic induction method using electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from several tens of kHz to several hundreds of kHz. The electromagnetic induction method is a method of transmitting power by generating an electromotive force in the power receiving coil 20 through electromagnetic induction caused by changes in the magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil 42. The power transmission coil 42 can transmit power to the power receiving coil (e.g., 20) when the power receiving coil is located within a predetermined range from the power transmission coil 42.

The power supply unit 44 is a device for supplying power from an external power source to the wireless charger 40. The power supply unit 44 includes a plug that can be inserted into an electrical outlet. When the power supply unit 44 is inserted into an electrical outlet, power is supplied to the wireless charger 40 via the power supply unit 44. In a modified example, the power supply unit 44 may be a battery built into the wireless charger 40. The battery may be, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery.

The control unit 48 is electrically connected to each of the above-described units 42-46, and can control each of these units 42-46. Control unit 48 executes various processes according to programs stored in memory 46 of wireless charger 40.

(Anomaly detection process; Figure 3)
Referring to FIG. 3, an abnormality detection process for detecting an abnormal stop of wireless charging and notifying the user of the abnormal stop will be described. The abnormality detection process is executed when the power of the mobile terminal 10 is turned on as a trigger.

In S2, the control unit 28 of the mobile terminal 10 monitors whether wireless charging has started. For example, the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has started when a sensor (not shown) that detects the current flowing from the power receiving coil 20 to the battery 22 detects a current equal to or higher than a predetermined value. When the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has started (YES in S2), the process proceeds to S4. In the modified example, the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has started when a predetermined signal compliant with the Qi standard is received from the power transmitting coil 42 via the power receiving coil 20 after the power receiving coil 20 receives power. You may.

In S4, the control unit 28 starts acquiring an output value from the acceleration sensor 24. When the control unit 28 acquires an output value from the acceleration sensor 24, the control unit 28 stores the output value in the memory 18. In other words, the history of the output values of the acceleration sensor 24 is stored.

In S6, the control unit 28 monitors whether wireless charging has stopped. Specifically, when a sensor (not shown) detects that a current of a predetermined value or more continues to flow from the power receiving coil 20 to the battery 22, the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has not stopped. to decide. On the other hand, the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has stopped when the sensor detects that the current flowing from the power receiving coil 20 to the battery 22 is less than a predetermined value. When the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has stopped (YES in S6), the process proceeds to S8. In addition, in the modified example, the control unit 28 periodically receives a specific signal compliant with the Qi standard from the power transmitting coil 42 via the power receiving coil 20 during wireless charging, and It may be determined that wireless charging has stopped when periodic reception of the wireless charging has stopped.

Here, a situation in which wireless charging stops is assumed, for example, when the user lifts the mobile terminal 10. In this case, the power receiving coil 20 moves out of the predetermined range from the power transmitting coil 42, so that the power receiving coil 20 cannot receive power from the power transmitting coil 42, and wireless charging stops. In addition, as another situation, for example, a situation in which the user's clothes or the like hits the mobile terminal 10 without the user's knowledge, and the mobile terminal 10 shifts slightly on the wireless charger 40, changing the position of the mobile terminal 10. In this case, wireless charging stops because the power receiving coil 20 moves out of the predetermined range from the power transmitting coil 42. In addition, as another situation, for example, a situation in which the power supply unit 44 of the wireless charger 40 is removed from the outlet without the user's knowledge is assumed. In this case, power supply to the power transmitting coil 42 stops, and wireless charging stops.

In S8, the control unit 28 uses the latest output value in the Z-axis direction among the history of output values stored in the memory 18 to adjust the fluctuation (for example, the output value) indicated by the output value of the acceleration sensor 24. (absolute value of) is below a predetermined reference value. The predetermined reference value is stored in the memory 18 in advance. The reference value is, for example, 3 m/s ² . Further, the latest output values are two or more output values including one output value at the timing determined as YES in S6 (for example, two or more output values before and after the timing). Note that in a modified example, only one output value at the timing may be used. If the control unit 28 determines that the fluctuation indicated by the output value in the Z-axis direction is less than or equal to the reference value (YES in S8), the process proceeds to S10. On the other hand, when the control unit 28 determines that the fluctuation indicated by the output value in the Z-axis direction is less than the reference value (NO in S8), the control unit 28 returns to the monitoring in S2.

In S10, the control unit 28 causes the notification unit 26 to output an alarm sound indicating that wireless charging has stopped.

In S12, the control unit 28 monitors whether wireless charging has resumed. For example, wireless charging resumes when the user adjusts the position of the mobile terminal 10 and moves the receiving coil 20 within a predetermined range from the transmitting coil 42, or when the power supply unit 44 of the wireless charger 40 is plugged back into the outlet. If the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has resumed (YES in S12), it proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the control unit 28 determines that wireless charging has not resumed (NO in S12), it proceeds to S16.

In S14, the control unit 28 stops the notification by the notification unit 26. The user can recognize that the notification has stopped and know that wireless charging has resumed. After S14, the control unit 28 returns to monitoring in S6.

In S16, the control unit 28 monitors whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the notification unit 26 outputs the notification sound in S10. If the control unit 28 determines that the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S16), it returns to the monitoring in S2. On the other hand, if the control unit 28 determines that the predetermined period has not elapsed (NO in S16), it returns to the monitoring in S12.

(effect)
When the portable terminal 10 determines that the fluctuation of the output value indicating the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is equal to or less than a reference value (YES in S8) in the case where the wireless charging is stopped (YES in S6), the portable terminal 10 outputs an alarm sound indicating that the wireless charging has stopped (S10). For example, when the fluctuation indicated by the output value of the acceleration sensor 24 is relatively large, it is presumed that the user has moved the portable terminal 10 away from the wireless charger 40 (for example, lifted it up) in order to stop the wireless charging. On the other hand, when the fluctuation indicated by the output value of the acceleration sensor 24 is relatively small, for example, the portable terminal 10 is slightly shifted on the wireless charger 40. In this case, it is presumed that the cause is, for example, the user's clothes or the like hitting the portable terminal 10 without the user's knowledge. In the above configuration, when it is presumed that the position of the portable terminal 10 is likely to have changed without the user's knowledge, the portable terminal 10 executes an alarm indicating that the wireless charging has stopped. It is possible to notify the user that the wireless charging has stopped without the user's knowledge.

For example, a comparative example is envisaged in which, in S8, it is determined whether the fluctuation indicated by a past output value other than the latest output value in the Z-axis direction among the output value history stored in memory 18 is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. In this comparative example, an output value from a timing earlier than the timing when wireless charging actually stopped is used, which may result in a deterioration in the accuracy of the notification. In contrast, in this embodiment, the latest output value, i.e., the output value from a timing close to the timing when wireless charging actually stopped, is used. Compared to the comparative example, the accuracy of the notification can be improved. Note that, as a modified example, the above comparative example may be adopted.

In addition, in this embodiment, the output value in the Z-axis direction output by the acceleration sensor 24 is used. A situation in which wireless charging stops without the user's knowledge is, for example, a situation in which the user's clothes or the like hit the mobile terminal 10 and the mobile terminal 10 shifts slightly. FIG. 4 is a graph showing output values in the XYZ-axis directions in that situation. As shown in FIG. 4, the output value in the Z-axis direction fluctuates less than the output value in the XY-axis direction. In addition, when the power supply unit 44 of the wireless charger 40 is removed from the outlet, the same output value as in FIG. 4 is shown. In addition, FIG. 5 is a graph showing output values in the XYZ-axis directions in a situation in which the user lifts the mobile terminal 10 and wireless charging stops. As shown in FIG. 5, the output value fluctuates relatively little in the XY-axis direction, and the output value in the Z-axis direction is larger than the output value in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when wireless charging stops even though the fluctuation of the output value indicating the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value, it is highly likely that wireless charging has stopped even though the user has not lifted the mobile terminal 10. By using the acceleration in the Z-axis direction, the accuracy of the notification to the user can be improved.

(correspondence)
The mobile terminal 10, the wireless charger 40, the acceleration sensor 24, the notification section 26, and the control section 28 are respectively referred to as a "mobile terminal", a "specific device", an "acceleration sensor", and a "notification section". This is an example of a "control unit." The power receiving coil 20 is an example of a "wireless section" and a "power receiving coil." Wireless charging is an example of "wireless operation." A state where wireless charging is being performed and a state where wireless charging is being performed are examples of a "normal state" and an "abnormal state", respectively. A notification indicating that wireless charging has stopped is an example of "a notification indicating an abnormal state of wireless operation." Acceleration in the Z-axis direction is an example of "acceleration in the direction of lifting the mobile terminal placed on the specific device."

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

(Variation 1)
The portable terminal 10 of the first modification may be configured to have the notification unit 26 output an alarm sound when the charging efficiency of wireless charging becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value. Specifically, the control unit 28 monitors whether or not the charging efficiency of wireless charging has decreased, instead of S6 in FIG. 3. For example, the control unit 28 determines that the charging efficiency has decreased when the difference between a reference current value of the current flowing through the power receiving coil 20 immediately after the start of wireless charging and a current current value of the current flowing through the power receiving coil 20 at the present time is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. When the control unit 28 determines that the charging efficiency has decreased, it causes the notification unit 26 to output an alarm sound in S10. In this modification, a state in which the charging efficiency has not decreased and a state in which the charging efficiency has decreased are examples of a "normal state" and an "abnormal state", respectively.

(Modification 2)
The mobile terminal 10 of Modification 2 may be configured to perform notification regarding the state of a wireless connection established with a communication device capable of performing NFC communication. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 may include an NFC forum device. Instead of S2 in FIG. 3, the control unit 28 monitors whether a wireless connection has been established between the NFC forum device and the communication device. When determining that the wireless connection has been established, the control unit 28 starts acquiring an output value from the acceleration sensor 24 in S4. Furthermore, instead of S6, the control unit 28 monitors whether the wireless connection is disconnected. When the control unit 28 determines that the wireless connection has been disconnected, the control unit 28 causes the notification unit 26 to output a notification sound in S10. Note that in another modification, the control unit 28 may monitor whether the communication strength of the wireless connection has decreased, instead of S6. For example, the control unit 28 determines that the communication strength of the wireless connection has decreased when the communication strength of the wireless connection is less than or equal to a predetermined value. When the control unit 28 determines that the communication strength of the wireless connection has decreased, the control unit 28 may cause the notification unit 26 to output a notification sound in S10. In Modification 2, wireless connection is an example of "wireless operation." The above communication device and NFC forum device are examples of a "specific device" and a "wireless unit", respectively. In Modification 2, a state in which a wireless connection is established and a state in which the wireless connection is disconnected are examples of a "normal state" and an "abnormal state", respectively. In another modification, a state where the communication strength is greater than a predetermined value and a state where the communication strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value are examples of a "normal state" and an "abnormal state", respectively.

(Variation 3)
The mobile terminal 10 of the third modification may be configured not to execute the processes from S12 to S16 in Fig. 3. In this modification, "stopping the notification" can be omitted.

(Variation 4)
The "output value" is not limited to a value indicating the acceleration in the Z-axis direction, but may be, for example, a value (e.g., an average value) calculated using the acceleration in the X-axis or Y-axis directions, or the acceleration in the XYZ-axis directions.

The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

10: Portable terminal 12: Information code acquisition unit 14: Display unit 16: Operation unit 18, 46: Memory 20: Power receiving coil 22: Battery 24: Acceleration sensor 26: Notification unit 28, 48: Control unit 40: Wireless charger 42: Power transmission coil 44: Power supply unit

Claims (5)

A mobile terminal,
a wireless unit for performing a wireless operation using wireless communication with the specific device in a situation where the mobile terminal is placed on the specific device;
acceleration sensor and
a notification unit that performs notification to the user;
comprising a control unit;
The control unit includes:
After the wireless operation by the wireless section is started, when the state of the wireless operation changes from a normal state to an abnormal state, when the fluctuation indicated by the output value of the acceleration sensor becomes less than a predetermined reference value. , a mobile terminal that causes the notification unit to issue a notification indicating the abnormal state of the wireless operation. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the wireless unit is a receiving coil for performing the wireless operation, which is receiving power in wireless charging. 3. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the output value is a value output from the acceleration sensor when the state of the wireless operation changes from the normal state to the abnormal state. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit stops the notification by the notification unit when the wireless operation state returns to the normal state after the wireless operation state changes from the normal state to the abnormal state. The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the output value is a value indicating an acceleration in a direction in which the mobile terminal placed on the specific device is lifted.

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