JP6345476B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of executing a predetermined process according to a detection result of a contact sensor.

  Conventionally, there is a technique for determining a process to be executed by an information processing device in accordance with a detection result by a sensor provided in the information processing device such as a smartphone. For example, in Patent Document 1, the electrodes of a capacitance sensor are arranged at both ends of a mobile terminal that is an information processing apparatus, and the process is executed on the mobile terminal depending on whether or not both electrodes are touched and the number of touched fingers. A technique for determining the processing to be performed is disclosed.

JP 2011-119959 A (released on June 16, 2011)

  In the contact sensor described in Patent Document 1, the sensor value when the object is not in contact may change due to a change in environment such as temperature. Therefore, the reference level for representing the sensor value in the non-contact state is periodically calibrated. The threshold for determining whether or not an object has touched is changed according to the increase or decrease of the reference level.

  The sensor value output from the contact sensor may change temporarily due to external factors (such as noise of electromagnetic waves such as wireless communication, impact caused by dropping, etc.). Here, if the capacitance increases due to the user's hand touching the contact sensor, etc., the sensor value will “decrease”, and if the capacitance decreases due to an increase in the impedance of the wiring section, etc. Suppose the value is “rising”. In the conventional technique, it is conceivable that the reference level is calibrated when the sensor value is temporarily increased due to, for example, noise. In that case, the reference level is set to a value larger than the sensor value when there is no noise in the non-contact state. In addition, the threshold value for determining whether or not the object has touched according to the reference level is also corrected following the threshold level, so that it is set larger than the above threshold value when there is no noise. As a result, there arises a problem that it is erroneously determined whether or not an object is in contact.

  An object of this invention is to provide the information processing apparatus which can prevent the misjudgment of a contact sensor.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a contact sensor that outputs a sensor value provided at a position where a user's hand holding a gripping unit touches, and provides a reference for determining whether or not the gripping is performed An information processing apparatus in which a reference value for expressing the sensor value when not being gripped is set to be changeable, and a direction that changes as the sensor value is gripped is defined as a negative direction If the amount of increase in the sensor value from the first time to the second time is greater than the positive first threshold and the sensor value at the second time is greater than the reference value at the first time, the first A first determination means for determining that the condition is satisfied; an increase amount of the sensor value from a third time to a fourth time after the second time is greater than a positive second threshold value; The sensor value is the base of the third time. If both of the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the reference value is corrected in the positive direction when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied. And calibration means for setting the reference value to the value at the first time when one of the second conditions is not satisfied.

  A control method for an information processing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a contact sensor that is provided at a position where a user's hand that grips a gripping unit touches and outputs a sensor value, and a reference for determining whether or not the grip is held In order to change the reference value for representing the sensor value when the sensor value is not gripped, and the direction in which the sensor value changes as the sensor value is gripped. When the negative direction is defined, the increase amount of the sensor value from the first time to the second time is larger than the positive first threshold value, and the sensor value at the second time is the reference value at the first time. If it is larger, the first determination step for determining that the first condition is satisfied, the amount of increase in the sensor value from the third time to the fourth time after the second time is greater than the positive second threshold, and The sensor at the fourth time Is greater than the reference value at the third time, the second determination step for determining that the second condition is satisfied, and when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the reference value is set in the positive direction. And a calibration step for correcting the reference value to the value of the first time when one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to avoid an erroneous determination caused by unnecessary calibration of a reference value due to a short-term and temporary increase in sensor value due to external factors such as noise.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a principal part structure of the portable terminal (information processing apparatus) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the external appearance of the portable terminal (information processing apparatus) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the calibration process of the reference | standard level in a reference example when it receives to the influence by periodic electromagnetic wave noise. It is a timing chart which shows the determination process of the raise determination part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the calibration process of the reference | standard level of the raise calibration part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the calibration process of the reference level in one Embodiment of this invention when it receives to the influence by periodic electromagnetic wave noise. It is a timing chart which shows the calibration process of the reference | standard level of the raise calibration part in other embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the calibration process of the reference | standard level of the raise calibration part in other embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the example of the calibration process of the reference level in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the example of the calibration process of the reference level in other embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the example of the calibration process of the reference level in other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The configuration of the following specific items (embodiments) may be omitted if it is the same as the configuration described in other items. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in each item are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the following description, a portable terminal is taken as an example of an information processing apparatus, and a case of a portable terminal is taken as an example of a gripping portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and has a portion that a person grips. The present invention can be applied to any device. Examples of the information processing device include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a remote controller, a dryer, a vacuum cleaner, and other information processing devices operated with a handle. The information processing apparatus performs processing according to the presence or absence of gripping.

Embodiment 1
(Configuration of mobile terminal 1)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment. The mobile terminal 1 includes a display unit 10 (such as a touch panel) on at least one surface of the housing. Note that the surface provided with the display unit 10 is referred to as the “front” of the mobile terminal 1. In addition, the mobile terminal 1 includes a contact sensor 11 at a position where a user's hand holding the casing of the mobile terminal 1 contacts the mobile terminal 1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 1 is in contact with two surfaces adjacent to the long side of the front (the two surfaces are referred to as “side surfaces” of the mobile terminal 1). A sensor 11 is provided. Note that the number of contact sensors 11 and the range in which the contact sensors 11 are arranged are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2. For example, a plurality of contact sensors 11 may be arranged on each side surface. The contact sensor 11 may be disposed on the entire side surface. The contact sensor 11 may be exposed to the outside of the casing or may be disposed in the casing. In other words, the contact sensor should just be provided in the position corresponding to the position of the user's hand holding the housing.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of the mobile terminal 1. The mobile terminal 1 is an information processing apparatus that includes a contact sensor 11, a grip determination unit 12 (grip determination device), and a host control unit 13. In FIG. 1, some arrows are omitted in consideration of the visibility of the drawing.

  The contact sensor 11 is a sensor that detects contact of an object such as a user's hand. In the present embodiment, the contact sensor 11 is a capacitance sensor, but is not limited to this example. As the contact sensor 11, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or the like can be used. Note that the capacitance sensor can detect the proximity of the hand (contact between the housing and the hand) even if the housing is interposed between the capacitance sensor and the user's hand. The contact sensor 11 outputs a sensor value corresponding to the presence or absence of an object contact to the grip determination unit 12 based on an instruction from the grip determination unit 12. Specifically, the contact sensor 11 outputs a sensor value corresponding to a change in electrostatic capacitance of an electrode disposed on the side surface of the housing to the grip determination unit 12. For example, when the potential of the output signal of the contact sensor 11 is used as the sensor value, whether the potential decreases or increases when the housing is gripped depends on the type of the contact sensor. Here, in order to unify the description, the direction in which the sensor value changes as the casing is gripped is defined as the negative direction. That is, the sensor value when the casing is gripped is smaller than the sensor value when the casing is not gripped.

  The host control unit 13 mainly performs control on the host side of the mobile terminal 1. For example, the host control unit 13 controls the display unit 10. The host control unit 13 changes the display of the display unit 10 according to the determination result of the presence / absence of gripping in the gripping determination unit 12.

(Configuration of gripping determination unit 12)
The grip determination unit 12 includes a sensor control unit 21, a contact determination unit 22, a calibration unit 23, a rise determination unit 24, and a rise calibration unit 25 (calibration means). In addition, the grip determination unit 12 includes a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit stores a reference level (reference value), a gripping threshold value, a release threshold value, and the like. Each unit of the grip determination unit 12 can read and write these stored values from the storage unit.

  The reference level is for representing a sensor value when the casing is not gripped by the user. The gripping threshold value is a threshold value for determining that the housing is gripped. The release threshold value is a threshold value for determining that the hand is released from the grip (the hand is released). For example, the gripping threshold is set to a value smaller than the reference level. The release threshold is set to a value smaller than the reference level and larger than the grip threshold. The difference between the reference level and the grip threshold and the difference between the reference level and the release threshold are set in advance. That is, when the reference level is determined, the gripping threshold value and the release threshold value are automatically determined accordingly. As described above, the reference level is a variable that is set to be changeable in order to provide a reference (gripping threshold value, release threshold value) for determining whether or not there is gripping. Here, the gripping threshold value and the release threshold value are different in order to determine the presence / absence of gripping as hysteresis, but they may be the same value. In addition, the reference level, the grip threshold, and the release threshold are set for each contact sensor 11.

  The sensor control unit 21 operates the contact sensor 11 at a predetermined timing, and acquires a sensor value as an output of the contact sensor 11. The sensor control unit 21 acquires a sensor value from the contact sensor 11 at regular intervals. When there are a plurality of contact sensors 11, the sensor control unit 21 acquires sensor values from the respective contact sensors 11 at regular intervals. The sensor control unit 21 outputs the sensor value to the contact determination unit 22.

  The contact determination unit 22 compares the sensor value with the gripping threshold value, and determines that the user's hand is in contact with the contact sensor 11 (via the housing) when the sensor value becomes smaller than the gripping threshold value. Moreover, the contact determination part 22 memorize | stores that the contact sensor 11 is a contact state at this time. Furthermore, the contact determination unit 22 compares the sensor value with the release threshold value, and determines that the user's hand is separated from the contact sensor 11 (released from gripping) when the sensor value is greater than the release threshold value. Moreover, the contact determination part 22 memorize | stores that the contact sensor 11 is a non-contact state at this time. If the sensor value is greater than or equal to the grip threshold and less than or equal to the release threshold, the contact determination unit 22 determines that the immediately previous state (contact state or non-contact state) continues and continues to store the state.

  The contact determination part 22 determines with the user's hand holding the housing | casing (mobile terminal 1), when the some (both sides) contact sensor 11 is a contact state. For example, when only the contact sensor 11 on one side is in contact and the contact sensor 11 on the other side is in a non-contact state, the contact determination unit 22 determines that the user's hand is not gripping the housing. Also good. When there is only one contact sensor 11 provided in the mobile terminal 1, the contact determination unit 22 determines the presence or absence of gripping based on the contact state of the contact sensor 11. The contact determination unit 22 outputs determination result information regarding the presence or absence of gripping to the host control unit 13. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, determination of the contact state of one contact sensor 11 will be described.

  The calibration unit 23 acquires the sensor value from the sensor control unit 21 at a predetermined timing, and calibrates the reference level based on the sensor value. For example, the calibration unit 23 calibrates the reference level at regular intervals. The calibration unit 23 also calibrates the reference level when the mobile terminal 1 is turned on and when the grip determination function is turned on. The calibration unit 23 acquires sensor values a plurality of times, and sets an average value (or intermediate value) of the plurality of sensor values as a reference level. When the reference level is changed, the gripping threshold value and the release threshold value are also changed based on the information for changing the reference level. Thereby, the reference level for expressing the sensor value at the time of non-contact can be calibrated according to environmental changes, such as temperature.

The rise determination unit 24 acquires a sensor value from the sensor control unit 21. The rise determination unit 24 includes a first rise determination unit 24a (first determination unit) and a second rise determination unit 24b (second determination unit). The first rise determination unit 24a determines whether or not the sensor value is rising at a slope equal to or greater than a predetermined slope in the first period Pa having a predetermined length. Specifically, the first rise determination unit 24a
(A) Increase amount of sensor value in first period Pa> positive first threshold value,
(B) sensor value at the end of the first period Pa> reference level at the start of the first period Pa;
When satisfy | filling, it determines with satisfy | filling 1st conditions. Here, the increase amount of the sensor value is obtained by subtracting the sensor value at the start of the first period Pa from the sensor value at the end of the first period Pa. When the sensor value is decreasing in the first period Pa, the “sensor value increase amount” is a negative value. Since the first threshold value is a predetermined positive value, the determination formula A is used to determine whether or not the sensor value is rising with a gradient equal to or greater than a predetermined gradient.

The second increase determination unit 24b determines whether or not the sensor value is increasing with a gradient equal to or greater than a predetermined gradient in the second period Pb having a predetermined length. Specifically, the second rise determination unit 24b
(C) sensor value increase amount in second period Pb> positive second threshold value,
(D) sensor value at the end of the second period Pb> reference level at the start of the second period Pb;
When satisfying, it determines with satisfy | filling 2nd conditions. Here, the end of the second period Pb is after the end of the first period Pa. The second rise determination unit 24b determines whether or not the sensor value is rising at a slope equal to or greater than a predetermined slope at a timing after the first rise determination section 24a. The length of the first period Pa and the length of the second period Pb, and the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be the same or different. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are large values such that the determination formulas A and C are not satisfied when the sensor value increases with temperature. The increase determination unit 24 outputs the determination result of the first increase determination unit 24a and the determination result of the second increase determination unit 24b to the increase calibration unit 25.

  The rising calibration unit 25 calibrates the reference level to increase when the sensor value tends to increase. Specifically, when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the rising calibration unit 25 corrects the reference level in the positive direction after the end of the second period Pb, that is, increases the reference level. . For example, the ascending calibration unit 25 changes the reference level to the sensor value at the end of the second period Pb. On the other hand, when any one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied, the rising calibration unit 25 does not increase the reference level.

  Since the change in the sensor value due to the environmental temperature change is slow, the above-described determination formulas A and C are not satisfied by the normal temperature change. For the temperature change, calibration (increase / decrease) of the reference level is performed by the calibration unit 23 at different timings. On the other hand, when the calibration is performed by the calibration unit 23 in a state where the user holds the mobile terminal 1 or slightly touches the contact sensor 11 (a state where the sensor value decreases), the reference level is a sensor in a non-contact state. It will be set below the value. The same can occur when calibration is performed by the calibration unit 23 when the portable terminal 1 is placed on a metal desk (having a large capacitance). Thereafter, when the user releases his / her hand from the portable terminal 1 (away from the desk), the sensor value greatly increases from the reference level set low. The increase of the sensor value when the hand is released satisfies the determination formulas A and C. The rise determination unit 24 detects, for example, such an increase in sensor value when the hand is released, and the rise calibration unit 25 raises the reference level set low to an appropriate value. The ascending calibration unit 25 corrects the reference level in the positive direction according to the sensor value increase. Since the sensor value can be lowered due to a user's grip or the like, the rising calibration unit 25 does not change the reference level when the sensor value is lowered. If the reference level is lowered in accordance with the drop in the sensor value, the gripping threshold is also lowered, and the user's grip cannot be detected.

(Reference example)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a reference level calibration process in the reference example when affected by periodic electromagnetic noise. In the reference example, the increase determination unit performs only the determination of the first condition, for example, and the increase calibration unit performs the increase correction of the reference level based only on the determination result of the first condition. That is, in the reference example, the reference level is calibrated so as to increase the reference level when the sensor value increases with a gradient equal to or greater than a predetermined value in one period. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents values such as sensor values. In the following drawings, the reference level and the sensor value are appropriately shifted for easy viewing.

  (1) When periodic electromagnetic noise is generated due to wireless communication of a mobile terminal, the sensor value may temporarily increase due to the influence. The period during which the sensor value increases due to such noise (the width of one peak of the sensor value) is typically 1 second or less, for example, about 400 milliseconds.

  (2) In the reference example, the increase in the sensor value is detected, and the reference level is increased to the peak of the sensor value. As the reference level increases, the grip threshold Th1 and the release threshold Hys1 also increase by the same amount.

  (3) Thereafter, the sensor value drops to the original value, but the reference level is maintained at the height of the peak. For this reason, the sensor value becomes smaller than the grip threshold Th1, and it is erroneously determined that the contact sensor is in a contact state. Until the sensor value rises again due to noise and the sensor value becomes larger than the release threshold value Hys1, the contact state is erroneously determined. While noise is occurring, the contact state is erroneously detected in accordance with the noise cycle.

  (4) When the user grips the mobile terminal, the sensor value decreases greatly, and when released, the sensor value returns to the original level. However, even if the user performs an operation of gripping / releasing the mobile terminal, the sensor value only changes below the grip threshold Th1, and thus the timing of gripping / releasing of the user cannot be detected correctly.

  (5) Further, after the generation of noise stops, it is erroneously determined that the contact state continues even though the user is not touching. If the reference level is corrected to be increased based on the increase in the sensor value for only one period, the reference level is corrected to increase when the sensor value is temporarily increased due to noise or impact of dropping, and this problem occurs.

(Operation example)
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing determination processing of the ascent determination unit 24 of the present embodiment. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents sensor values. A solid curve represents a variation example of the sensor value when the hand is released from the contact sensor 11. The dashed curve represents an example of sensor value variation due to noise. Black dots in the figure indicate sensor values that the sensor control unit 21 acquires at regular intervals. For example, the sensor control unit 21 acquires (senses) the sensor value at a period of about 60 milliseconds. The predetermined first period Pa is for three sensing periods, and the predetermined first period Pb is for four sensing periods. Further, the delay period Dx from the start of the first period Pa to the start of the second period Pb is set to five sensing cycles. These periods can be set arbitrarily.

  The time at which the first rise determination unit 24a starts determining the first condition (at the start of the first period Pa) is t1 (first time). The time after the first period Pa from the determination start (at the end of the first period Pa) is defined as t2 (second time). The first increase determination unit 24a acquires the sensor value and the reference level at time t1, and acquires the sensor value at time t2.

  The first increase determination unit 24a specifies the increase amount Ra of the sensor value from time t1 to time t2. Increase amount Ra = (sensor value at time t2) − (sensor value at time t1). The first increase determination unit 24a determines that the first condition is satisfied if (A) the increase amount Ra is greater than the positive first threshold and (B) the sensor value at time t2 is greater than the reference level at time t1. To do. For example, even if the increase amount Ra is sufficiently large, if the sensor value at time t2 is equal to or lower than the reference level at time t1, there is no need to correct the reference level for increase. The solid curve and the dashed curve shown in the figure satisfy the first condition.

  The time after the delay period Dx from the time t1 (at the start of the second period Pb) is defined as t3 (third time). The time after the second period Pb from the time t3 (at the end of the second period Pb) is defined as t4 (fourth time). Here, the time t3 is after the time t1, but may be the same as the time t1 or may be before the time t1. However, time t4 is after time t2. The second increase determination unit 24b acquires the sensor value and the reference level at time t3, and acquires the sensor value at time t4.

  The second increase determination unit 24b specifies the increase amount Rb of the sensor value from time t3 to time t4. Increase amount Rb = (sensor value at time t4) − (sensor value at time t3). The second increase determination unit 24b determines that the second condition is satisfied if (C) the increase amount Rb is greater than the positive second threshold and (D) the sensor value at time t4 is greater than the reference level at time t3. To do. If the amount of increase in the solid curve shown is Rb1, the amount of increase Rb1 is larger than the positive second threshold value. The solid curve shown satisfies the second condition.

  On the other hand, since the broken curve representing the fluctuation due to noise has a short period during which the sensor value rises, even if the first condition is satisfied, the second condition is not satisfied. In the case of the fluctuation (broken line) due to the noise shown in the figure, if the increase amount is Rb2, the increase amount Rb2 becomes a negative value. When either one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied (in the case of a broken line), the rising calibration unit 25 does not perform the increase correction of the reference level, and the reference level is left at the value at the time t1. The

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the reference level calibration process of the ascending calibration unit 25. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents sensor values. A solid curve represents a variation example of the sensor value when the hand is released from the contact sensor 11. The reference level is indicated by a thin line. Since the fluctuation of the sensor value satisfies both the first condition in the first period Pa and the second condition in the second period Pb, the ascending calibration unit 25 sets the reference level to the sensor value at time t4 after time t4. Raise (correct in the positive direction). The reference level may be corrected to the immediately preceding sensor value as described above, or may be corrected to a representative value (such as an average value) obtained by using several sensor values. Further, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the reference level may be corrected in the positive direction so as to be larger than the reference level at time t1. Regardless of whether or not the first condition is satisfied, the correction (increase correction) in the positive direction of the reference level is not performed until time t4 when the determination of the second condition is performed.

  The first period Pa, the positive first threshold value, the second period Pb, the positive second threshold value, and the delay period Dx are sensor value fluctuations (rising slope, fluctuation amount, fluctuation) that are not to be corrected for the reference level. It is preferable to set according to the period. The length from time t1 to time t4 is typically 1 second or less, for example, so that the reference level can be increased and corrected according to the fluctuation of the sensor value when the hand is released, ignoring the fluctuation of the sensor value due to noise. Can be set to 600 milliseconds or less. Further, the lengths of the first period Pa, the second period Pb, and the delay period Dx can be set so that the interval from time t2 to time t4 is equal to or greater than the interval from time t1 to time t2. By doing in this way, it is possible to determine the first condition and the second condition for determining the increasing tendency of the sensor value at a timing that is separated to some extent. Therefore, it is possible to discriminate between a short-term fluctuation of the sensor value due to noise and a fluctuation of the sensor value caused by releasing the hand from the mobile terminal 1 or releasing a metal body. Further, by setting the first period Pa to be short, it is possible to quickly detect the increasing tendency of the sensor value, so that the setting of the second period Pb can be made close to the sensor value fluctuation period that is not a target. For this reason, the period of one ascent correction (from time t1 to time t4) is shortened, and it becomes possible to detect the sensor value fluctuation of the calibration target in a shorter cycle.

  When the second period (second condition) is determined by the second increase determination unit 24b, the first increase determination unit 24a sets the first period again after time t4 (for example, from the next sensing at time t4). Set and start determining the first condition. As described above, by repeatedly determining the first period Pa and the second period Pb, the reference level can be corrected to be increased without overlooking the increase in the sensor value when the hand is released from the contact sensor 11. If the first condition is not satisfied, the second condition is not subsequently determined, the first period is set again before time t4, and the first rise determination unit 24a starts determining the first condition. May be. By doing so, it is possible to omit the useless determination of the second condition and promptly follow the reference level with the increase in the sensor value.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a reference level calibration process in the present embodiment when affected by periodic electromagnetic wave noise. The horizontal and vertical axes are the same as in FIG.

  (1) The sensor value temporarily rises due to the influence of electromagnetic noise.

  (2) In the present embodiment, since the temporary sensor value increase for a short period does not satisfy either the first condition or the second condition, the reference level is maintained at the original value. For example, if the determination of the first condition is started (time t1) while the sensor value is increasing due to the influence of noise, the first condition is not satisfied.

  (3) When the user grips the mobile terminal 1, the sensor value exceeds the grip threshold Th1, and when released, the sensor value exceeds the release threshold Hys1. Therefore, the grip determination unit 12 can correctly detect the grip / release timing of the user.

  According to the mobile terminal 1 of the present embodiment, a reference level that is set low (calibrated) when the user is gripping or placed on a metal body by determining an upward tendency of the sensor value. Can be corrected upward. In addition, by determining the rising tendency of the sensor value in two stages (the first rising determination unit 24a and the second rising determination unit 24b), a short-term and temporary sensor value caused by electromagnetic noise or a drop impact, etc. It is possible to avoid an unnecessary reference level calibration that causes an erroneous determination due to an increase in.

[Embodiment 2]
In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the reference level is once corrected to be increased when the first condition is satisfied. The configuration of the portable terminal 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. The determination process of the rise determination unit 24 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment. 7 to 11, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents sensor values.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the reference level calibration process of the ascending calibration unit 25 in the present embodiment. A solid curve represents a variation example of the sensor value when the hand is released from the contact sensor 11. This change in sensor value satisfies both the first condition in the first period Pa and the second condition in the second period Pb. When it is determined that the first condition is satisfied (after time t2), the rising calibration unit 25 increases the reference level to the sensor value at time t2. Thereafter, the second increase determination unit 24b determines the second condition in the second period Pb. When it is determined that the second condition is satisfied (after time t4), the rising calibration unit 25 further increases the reference level to the sensor value at time t4. As described above, in this embodiment, when the first condition is satisfied, the reference level is once corrected to be increased.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the reference level calibration process of the ascending calibration unit 25 in the present embodiment. The dashed curve represents an example of sensor value variation due to noise. This change in sensor value satisfies the first condition in the first period Pa, but does not satisfy the second condition in the second period Pb. When it is determined that the first condition is satisfied (after time t2), the rising calibration unit 25 increases the reference level to the sensor value at time t2. The ascending calibration unit 25 stores the reference level before the change (time t1). Thereafter, when it is determined that the second condition is not satisfied (after time t4), the ascending calibration unit 25 returns the reference level to the reference level at time t1. That is, the change of the reference level once raised is canceled.

  According to the mobile terminal 1 of the present embodiment, the reference level set low (calibrated) can be appropriately increased and corrected. In addition, it is possible to avoid an unnecessary reference level calibration that causes erroneous determination due to a short-term and temporary increase in sensor value due to electromagnetic noise or drop impact.

(Comparison of operation of Embodiments 1 and 2)
Hereinafter, the case where the user holds the mobile terminal 1 during the period from the end of the determination of the first condition to the end of the determination of the second condition (time t2 to time t4) is described in the first and second embodiments. Compare behavior.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the reference level calibration process in the first embodiment. The fluctuation of the sensor value indicated by the dotted line satisfies both the first condition and the second condition. In the first embodiment, even if it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, the reference level increase correction indicated by the solid line is not performed until it is determined that the second condition is also satisfied. Only at time t4 when it is determined that the second condition is satisfied, the reference level is corrected to increase to the sensor value at time t4.

  (1) However, the sensor value in the non-contact state increases between time t1 and time t4 due to reasons such as the mobile terminal 1 being separated from the metal body.

  (2) It is assumed that the user grips the mobile terminal 1 between time t2 and time t4. At this time, the sensor value in the non-contact state increases, but the grip threshold Th1 has not been changed yet. For this reason, the sensor value that is lowered by gripping may remain larger than the gripping threshold Th1. In such a case, the grip determination unit 12 may not be able to correctly detect the grip of the user's mobile terminal 1.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a reference level calibration process according to the second embodiment. The fluctuation of the sensor value indicated by the dotted line is the same as that in FIG. If it is determined that the first condition is satisfied at time t2, the reference level indicated by the solid line is corrected to be increased to the sensor value at time t2. As the reference level increases, the gripping threshold Th1 and the release threshold Hys1 also increase. Thereafter, when it is determined that the second condition is satisfied at time t4, the reference level is corrected to be increased to the sensor value at time t4.

  (1) Similar to the example shown in FIG. 9, the sensor value in the non-contact state increases between time t1 and time t4.

  (2) It is assumed that the user grips the mobile terminal 1 between time t2 and time t4. The grip threshold Th1 is corrected for increase after time t2. Therefore, the sensor value that is lowered by gripping becomes smaller than the gripping threshold Th1. As described above, the grip determination unit 12 according to the second embodiment can correctly detect the user's grip performed before the determination of the second condition. In the second embodiment, the reference level can be quickly followed by the fluctuation of the sensor value in the non-contact state, and the user operability can be improved.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a reference level calibration process according to the second embodiment. The fluctuation of the sensor value indicated by the dotted line satisfies the first condition but does not satisfy the second condition.

  (1) Between time t1 and time t3, the sensor value temporarily rises due to noise or the like and returns to the original value.

  (2) When it is determined that the first condition is satisfied at time t2, the reference level indicated by the solid line is once corrected to be increased to the sensor value at time t2. As the reference level increases, the gripping threshold Th1 and the release threshold Hys1 also increase.

  (3) Assume that the portable terminal 1 is placed on a desk or the like between the time t3 and the time t4 after the temporary increase in the sensor value returns. At time t2, the gripping threshold Th1 is once corrected for increase. For this reason, even if the decrease in the sensor value caused by placing it on the desk is a fluctuation that does not normally fall below the gripping threshold value Th1, the sensor value may fall below the gripping threshold value Th1 in this case. Therefore, in the second embodiment, there is a possibility that a case where the fluctuation range of the sensor value that is not determined to be gripped is small is erroneously determined to be gripped. When it is determined that the second condition is not satisfied at time t4, the reference level is returned to the reference level at time t1.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the reference level and the grip threshold Th1 are not increased at the time t2. Therefore, even if the fluctuation of the sensor value that satisfies the first condition is due to noise or the like, a small fluctuation (down) of the sensor value after the noise is not erroneously determined as gripping.

[Example of software implementation]
Control blocks of mobile terminal 1 (particularly grip determination unit 12, sensor control unit 21, contact determination unit 22, calibration unit 23, rise determination unit 24 (first rise determination unit 24a, second rise determination unit 24b), and rise calibration The unit 25) may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

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

[Summary]
An information processing apparatus according to aspect 1 of the present invention is provided with a contact sensor that outputs a sensor value provided at a position where a user's hand holding a gripping unit touches, and provides a reference for determining whether or not the gripping is performed An information processing apparatus (mobile terminal 1) in which a reference value for representing the sensor value when not being gripped is set to be changeable, and has a negative direction that changes as the sensor value is gripped. When the direction is defined, the increase amount of the sensor value from the first time to the second time is larger than the positive first threshold value, and the sensor value at the second time is higher than the reference value at the first time. If it is larger, the first determination means (first increase determination unit 24a) that determines that the first condition is satisfied, and the increase amount of the sensor value from the third time to the fourth time after the second time is positive. Greater than the second threshold and the fourth time If the sensor value is greater than the reference value at the third time, the second determination means (second increase determination unit 24b) determines that the second condition is satisfied, and both the first condition and the second condition Is satisfied, the reference value is corrected in the positive direction, and if one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied, the calibration means (the rising calibration unit 25) sets the reference value to the value at the first time. ).

  According to said structure, it is determined in two steps whether the sensor value is rising by 1st condition and 2nd condition. Thereby, the reference value set (calibrated) low can be appropriately corrected in the positive direction. Furthermore, avoiding unnecessary calibration of reference values that may cause erroneous determination due to short-term and temporary increase in sensor value due to electromagnetic noise or drop impact, etc., by two-step determination Can do.

  In the information processing apparatus according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, the calibration means corrects the reference value in the positive direction until the fourth time regardless of whether or not the first condition is satisfied. If both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the reference value is corrected in the positive direction after the fourth time.

  According to the above configuration, even if a temporary increase in sensor value due to noise or the like satisfies the first condition, the reference value is not corrected in the positive direction unless the second condition is satisfied. Therefore, even if there is a small change (decrease) in the sensor value that should not be determined as gripping between the second time and the fourth time, it can be avoided that the sensor value is erroneously determined as gripping.

  In the information processing apparatus according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, when the first condition is satisfied, the calibration unit corrects the reference value in the positive direction before the fourth time, and then If the second condition is satisfied, the reference value is further corrected in the positive direction after the fourth time, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the reference value is set to the first time after the fourth time. Return to value.

  According to the above configuration, since the reference value is corrected in the positive direction before the fourth time when the first condition is satisfied, the reference value is quickly followed to the fluctuation of the sensor value in the non-contact state, and the grip determination is performed. The sensitivity can be improved.

  In the information processing apparatus according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 3, if the first condition is not satisfied, the second determination unit does not wait for the determination of the second condition and starts from the fourth time. The first determination means starts determining the first condition again before.

  According to said structure, determination of useless 2nd conditions can be abbreviate | omitted and a reference value can be made to follow a raise of a sensor value promptly.

  In the information processing apparatus according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 4, the third time is after the first time.

  In the information processing apparatus according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 5, the interval from the second time to the fourth time is not less than the interval from the first time to the second time.

  The control method of the information processing device according to aspect 7 of the present invention is provided with a contact sensor that outputs a sensor value provided at a position where a user's hand holding the gripping unit comes into contact, and a reference for determining whether or not the gripping is performed In order to change the reference value for representing the sensor value when the sensor value is not gripped, and the direction in which the sensor value changes as the sensor value is gripped. When the negative direction is defined, the increase amount of the sensor value from the first time to the second time is larger than the positive first threshold value, and the sensor value at the second time is the reference value at the first time. If it is larger, the first determination step for determining that the first condition is satisfied, the amount of increase in the sensor value from the third time to the fourth time after the second time is greater than the positive second threshold, and The sensor at the fourth time Is greater than the reference value at the third time, the second determination step for determining that the second condition is satisfied, and when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the reference value is set in the positive direction. And a calibration step for correcting the reference value to the value of the first time when one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied.

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

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

  The present invention can be used for an information processing device (a smart phone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a remote controller, a dryer, a vacuum cleaner, and other information processing devices operated with a handle) including a contact sensor.

1 Mobile terminal (information processing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display part 11 Contact sensor 12 Grasp determination part (gripping determination apparatus)
13 Host Control Unit 21 Sensor Control Unit 22 Contact Determination Unit 23 Calibration Unit 24 Ascent Determination Unit 24a First Ascent Determination Unit (First Determination Unit)
24b 2nd rise judgment part (2nd judgment means)
25 Ascent calibration unit (calibration means)

Claims (6)

Provided at the position where the user's hand that grips the gripping part comes into contact, and includes a contact sensor that outputs a sensor value,
In order to give a reference for determining the presence or absence of gripping, an information processing apparatus in which a reference value for representing the sensor value when not gripped is set to be changeable,
When the direction that changes as the sensor value is gripped is defined as the negative direction,
If the amount of increase in the sensor value from the first time to the second time is greater than a positive first threshold and the sensor value at the second time is greater than the reference value at the first time, the first condition First determination means for determining that the condition is satisfied;
The amount of increase in the sensor value from the third time to the fourth time after the second time is greater than the positive second threshold, and the sensor value at the fourth time is the reference value at the third time. A second determination means for determining that the second condition is satisfied if greater,
When both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the reference value is corrected in the positive direction, and when one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied, the reference value is set to the first time. An information processing apparatus comprising calibration means for setting the reference value.   Regardless of whether the first condition is satisfied, the calibration means does not correct the reference value in the positive direction until the fourth time, and both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is corrected in a positive direction after the fourth time. The calibration means includes
When the first condition is satisfied, the reference value is corrected in the positive direction before the fourth time,
Thereafter, when the second condition is satisfied, the reference value is further corrected in the positive direction after the fourth time, and when the second condition is not satisfied, the reference value is changed to the first value after the fourth time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus returns to the reference value of time.   If the first condition is not satisfied, the first determination means starts the determination of the first condition again before the fourth time without waiting for the determination of the second condition by the second determination means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third time is after the first time. Provided at the position where the user's hand that grips the gripping part comes into contact, and includes a contact sensor that outputs a sensor value,
In order to give a reference for determining the presence or absence of gripping, a control method for an information processing apparatus in which a reference value for representing the sensor value when not gripped is set to be changeable,
When the direction that changes as the sensor value is gripped is defined as the negative direction,
If the amount of increase in the sensor value from the first time to the second time is greater than a positive first threshold and the sensor value at the second time is greater than the reference value at the first time, the first condition A first determination step for determining that the condition is satisfied;
The amount of increase in the sensor value from the third time to the fourth time after the second time is greater than the positive second threshold, and the sensor value at the fourth time is the reference value at the third time. A second determination step for determining that the second condition is satisfied if greater,
When both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the reference value is corrected in the positive direction, and when one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied, the reference value is set to the first time. And a calibration step for setting the reference value to the above-mentioned reference value.

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