JP6520580B2 - Electronic device and sealed state determination program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a sealed state determination program.

BACKGROUND In recent years, portable information processing apparatuses (hereinafter, also referred to as electronic devices) having a waterproof function have become widespread. For example, a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a personal data assistance (PDA), a digital camera, a game device, etc. can be exemplified as a portable information processing apparatus. A user of the information processing apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as a user) can be used in a rainy weather or in a leisure who receives splashes such as water droplets within the range where the waterproof function is guaranteed.

  In an information processing apparatus having a waterproof function, for example, a connector to which an external interface is connected is provided with a connector cap or the like for preventing water immersion or the like. In the information processing apparatus having a waterproof function, water can be prevented from being flooded into the housing from the opening of the connector to which the external interface is connected by closing the connector cap.

  The following patent documents exist as prior art documents in which techniques related to the techniques described in the present specification are described.

JP, 2010-151656, A

  In the information processing apparatus having the waterproof function described above, there is a risk that the connector cap may be forgotten to close or the connector cap may be loosened. When the connector cap is forgotten to be closed or loosened, it is difficult to keep the inside of the case in a sealed space, and the inside of the case is likely to be flooded. In the information processing apparatus, for example, there is a possibility that a water-wet failure may occur due to water immersion or the like into a housing from a connector or the like to which an external interface is connected.

  For example, a barometric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. are mounted in a housing, and a sealed state is judged by calculating a vapor pressure etc. based on the information detected by each sensor, etc. It is assumed that the alarm by However, in the case where a plurality of sensors for detecting the environmental state in the housing are provided, the number of parts is increased, so that the cost of the information processing apparatus is relatively increased. In addition, since a plurality of sensor outputs are used to determine the closed state, the processing load on the CPU or the like increases. An increase in the processing load on the CPU or the like may shorten the usage time of the information processing apparatus because, for example, the power consumption on the battery or the like is accelerated.

  In one aspect, the present invention provides a technology that enables determination of the sealed state of an electronic device with a simple mechanism.

  The above technology can be exemplified by the configuration of the following electronic device. That is, the electronic device determines the sealed state in the housing based on the detection unit that detects the movement of the member that fluctuates the pressure in the housing, and the time required to return to the reference position when the member is operated. And a processing unit.

  According to the above-described electronic device, it is possible to provide a technology that enables determination of the sealed state of the electronic device with a simple mechanism.

It is a figure explaining the waterproof function of the electronic device of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the waterproof function of the electronic device of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the time change of the electrostatic capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode provided in the electronic device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the electronic device of the first embodiment. It is a flow chart which illustrates judgment processing of a sealed state. It is a figure explaining the waterproof function of the electronic device of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure explaining the waterproof function of the electronic device of Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the electronic device of the second embodiment. It is a figure explaining the waterproof function of the electronic device of Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the electronic device of the third embodiment. It is a figure explaining the waterproof function of the electronic device of a modification form. It is a figure explaining the time change of the electrostatic capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode provided in the electronic device of a deformation | transformation form.

  Hereinafter, an electronic device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the following embodiment is an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment of the electronic device. Hereinafter, the electronic device will be described based on the drawings of FIGS. 1 to 7.

First Embodiment
The electronic device of the present embodiment is, for example, a portable information processing apparatus having a waterproof function. Examples of the electronic device include a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a PDA (Personal Data Assistance), a digital camera, a game device, and the like. The electronic device may be a music player having a waterproof function, or a wearable electronic device that can be worn on the user's body, such as a wristwatch, wristband, or glass type.

  The electronic device of the present embodiment includes a connector for connection to use an external interface. The electronic device provides, for example, a charging function by the power supplied from the charging adapter connected via the connection connector. Also, the electronic device provides a recording function to a portable recording medium such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory or an SD (Secure Digital) card connected via a connection connector, for example.

  An electronic device having a waterproof function may be provided with, for example, an open / close connector cap or the like that can be closed in the opening of the connection connector for using the above-mentioned external interface. In the electronic device, for example, by closing an openable connector cap into the opening of the connection connector, the inside of the case is sealed, and intrusion of water or the like into the case from the opening is prevented (water immersion) It is possible to For example, the electronic device in a sealed state can provide the user with a use form in a rainy season, a leisure receiving splashes such as water droplets, and the like within a range where the waterproof function is guaranteed.

An explanatory view of a waterproofing function about an electronic device provided with an opening-and-closing type connector cap of this embodiment to Drawing 1A and 1B is illustrated. The electronic device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B is an example of a mobile phone including, for example, an openable / closable connector cap (hereinafter also referred to as a cap). FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the entire electronic device 10, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG.

  In the perspective view illustrated in FIG. 1A, the electronic device 10 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 15a for outputting information, for example. In addition, the electronic device 10 includes an input device such as an input button 14a for inputting information. An opening of a connector for connection for using an external interface is provided on a side surface of the housing case 10a in which a plurality of input buttons 14a and the like are arranged, and the opening is used to prevent water immersion into the housing The openable / closable connector cap 10g is attached.

As illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1B, a water blocking gasket 10h is provided around the openable / closable connector cap 10g. The water blocking gasket 10 h is, for example, a sealing material such as a fluorine resin such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), a silicon resin, or a rubber. FIG. 1B
In the illustrated electronic device 10, for example, the water blocking gasket 10h and the housing case 10a provided along the outer periphery of the connector cap 10g by closing the openable connector cap 10g into the opening of the connector for connection. And the inside of the case is sealed. A sealed space 10z is formed inside the housing of the sealed electronic device 10.

  The housing case 10a of the electronic device 10 includes, for example, an internal substrate 10c such as an electronic substrate on which various devices for providing functions such as a cellular phone are mounted, and a battery. The internal mount 10c and the connector for connection are connected by a wire not shown. In the case 10a sealed by the close contact between the water blocking gasket 10h and the case 10a, for example, a waterproof function is provided to prevent a water leak failure due to water immersion or the like through the opening of the connector for connection. Ru. In the electronic device 10 in which the openable-closable connector cap 10g is closed, the waterproof function enables use of a mobile phone or the like in a rainy day or the like.

  When the openable-closable connector cap 10g is closed and sealed, for example, there is a possibility that the user may feel uncomfortable to press the input button 14a or the like arranged in the casing case 10a.

  For this reason, the electronic device 10 provided with the openable-closable connector cap 10g of the present embodiment, for example, has an open hole 10b for air pressure adjustment as illustrated in FIG. 1B. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the air pressure adjustment opening hole 10b is provided on the back side facing the surface on which the input buttons 14a and the like of the housing case 10a are arranged in a plurality. However, if the space for providing the opening hole 10b can be secured, the opening hole 10b for air pressure adjustment may be provided on the other side surface of the housing case 10a except the back surface side. For example, the air pressure adjustment opening hole 10b may be provided on the other side of the housing case 10a opposite to the side on which the openable connector cap 10g is mounted.

  Further, a waterproof sheet 10d is provided on the inner wall surface of the casing case 10a provided with the opening hole 10b for adjusting the air pressure so as to cover the opening hole 10b. The waterproof sheet 10d is, for example, a sealing material such as a fluorine resin such as PTFE or a silicone resin. The waterproof sheet 10d is provided to be in contact with the inner wall surface around the opening hole 10b of the housing case 10a.

  Even when the open-close connector cap 10g is closed by the opening 10b and the waterproof sheet 10d provided on the inner wall surface of the housing case 10a so as to cover the opening 10b, the electronic device 10 is The pressure inside the housing can be adjusted to be constant. In addition, the electronic device 10 can prevent water or the like from being flooded into the housing through the opening hole 10 b provided in the housing case 10 a.

  For example, when the open / close connector cap 10g is closed and the air pressure in the housing of the electronic device 10 changes temporarily to increase, the air inside the housing flows out to the outside of the housing through the opening hole 10b. Thus, the pressure adjustment inside the housing is performed. The pressure inside the housing of the electronic device 10 is adjusted to balance with the pressure outside the housing. When the air inside the case flows out to the outside of the case through the opening 10b, the waterproof sheet 10d covering the opening 10b is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the case 10a around the opening 10b. As a result, the electronic device 10 is sealed by closing the openable connector cap 10g.

  When the input button 14a or the like is pressed (pushed to the inside of the case) in a state where the electronic device 10 is sealed, the closed space 10z inside the case is pressed by pressing the input button 14a or the like. Pressure is applied. Due to a change in pressure accompanying depression of the input button 14a and the like, air inside the housing flows out of the opening hole 10b to the outside of the housing, and air pressure adjustment is performed. In the electronic device 10 in which the air pressure adjustment has been performed, even when the openable connector cap 10g is closed, the user does not feel uncomfortable with the pressing operation of the input button 14a or the like.

  Here, in a state in which the input button 14a and the like are pushed to the inside of the housing by the pressing operation, the waterproof sheet 10d covering the opening 10b of the electronic device 10 has the outflow of the air inside the housing and around the opening 10b. Close contact with the inner wall surface. The inside of the housing is under negative pressure as the air flows out.

  Here, for example, when a finger or the like is released from the input button 14a or the like, the pressure in the negative pressure state of the housing draws air from the outside of the housing into the inside of the housing through the opening hole 10b. The pressure in the negative pressure case acts, for example, to push it into the case and increase the volume inside the case to return to the state before the input button 14a and so on.

  In the electronic device 10, when the input button 14a or the like is pressed, a sucker effect is generated due to the flexibility of the waterproof sheet 10d closely attached to the inner wall surface around the opening 10b. In the housing of the electronic device 10 in which the suction effect is generated, for example, a force acts in a direction to maintain the pressed state of the input button 14a and the like.

  For this reason, for example, the amount of air flowing into the housing of the electronic device 10 through the opening hole 10b is limited. In a state where the inflow of air into the housing is limited via the opening 10b, the volume increase (the pace of increase) per unit time inside the housing is limited. Within the housing of the electronic device 10, a negative pressure state continues relatively until the pressed input button 14a returns to the state before the pressing (hereinafter also referred to as the initial position).

  The suction cup effect by the waterproof sheet 10d which covers the opening 10b and is in close contact with the inner wall surface around the opening 10b tends to depend on the inflow of air flowing in through the opening 10b. Therefore, for example, by adjusting the size of the opening area of the opening hole 10b, the inflow of external air is limited, and the period until it returns to the initial position of the pressed-in input button 14a etc. is a sense of discomfort with operability. It is possible to adjust so as not to occur.

  The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, relative to the inside of the housing based on a period until the pressed-in input button 14a or the like returns to the initial position in a state adjusted using the suction cup effect by the waterproof sheet 10d. The tight seal condition.

In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, for example, a period until the pressed-in input button 14a or the like returns to the initial position is adjusted so as to prevent a sense of incongruity with operability, using a suction cup effect. For example, by adjusting the opening area of the opening 10b, the increase pace of the volume inside the housing pushed down and reduced by the input button 14a or the like is made larger than the inflow of air from the opening 10b. be able to.

  For example, the relative relationship between the opening area of the opening 10b and the time to return to the initial position of the pressed-in input button 14a or the like in a closed state is experimentally obtained. Then, based on the acquired relative relationship, if the period until the pressed-in input buttons 14a and the like return to the initial position is secured so as to prevent a sense of discomfort with respect to operability after securing the sucker effect. Good. The opening area of the opening 10 b can be adjusted according to the housing size, the outer shape, the arrangement of the input button 14 a and the like of the electronic device 10.

  The suction effect depends on the inflow of air flowing in through the opening 10b in a state where the waterproof sheet 10d is in close contact with the inner wall surface around the opening 10b. Therefore, for example, based on the material, thickness and the like of the waterproof sheet 10d, the increase pace of the volume inside the housing pushed down by the input button 14a and the like is larger than the inflow of air from the opening hole 10b. It may be adjusted to The inflow of air may be adjusted by combining the opening area of the opening 10b with the material, thickness and the like of the waterproof sheet 10d.

  In a closed state in which the openable connector cap 10g is properly closed, the period until the pushed-in input button 14a and the like return to the initial position will depend on the adjusted suction cup effect.

  On the other hand, when there is a forget to close or loosen the connector cap 10g, for example, air flows into the housing through the opening of the connector for connection. Since the external air flows in without passing through the opening hole 10b with the suction effect, in the electronic device 10, the period until the pushed-in input button 14a and the like return to the initial position is relatively relative to the closed state. It becomes short. That is, in response to the pressing operation, the time change of the member such as the input button 14a which operates to flow air from the inside of the case to the outside of the case or to flow the air from the outside of the case to the inside of the case is captured. Thus, the sealed state in the housing can be determined.

  The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a means for detecting the movement of a member such as the input button 14a which is pushed into the inside of the housing by pressing operation of the user or the like and fluctuates the pressure inside the housing. Equipped with

  In the electronic device 10, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the electrode 10e is provided on the inside of the housing of the push-down input button 14a. Similarly, in the electronic device 10, the electrode 10f is provided on the internal mounting 10c housed in the housing case 10a. The electrode 10 e and the electrode 10 f are provided at positions facing each other so as to be a parallel plate electrode with the air layer inside the housing as a gap.

  The electrode 10 e provided on the push-down input button 14 a is an example of the “first electrode”. Further, the electrode 10 f provided on the internal mounted object 10 c is an example of the “second electrode”.

  Here, the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode having the air layer as a gap by the electrode 10e and the electrode 10f can be expressed by the following equation (1).

Capacitance value (C) = ε * S / d ... Equation (1)
In equation (1), “ε” represents the dielectric constant of the air layer to be the gap of the parallel plate electrodes, “S” represents the electrode area of the electrode 10 e and the electrode 10 f, and “d” represents the electrode 10 e and the electrode It represents the inter-electrode distance between 10f and 10f. As shown in Formula (1), the capacitance value (C) of the parallel plate electrode by the electrode 10e and the electrode 10f changes in inverse proportion to the inter-electrode distance (d).

  The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the parallel plate electrode including the electrodes 10 e and 10 f, and the member such as the input button 14 a that operates in the direction to change the pressure inside the housing by the user's pressing operation or the like. The movement of the sensor can be detected as a change in capacitance value. The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the parallel plate electrodes configured of the electrodes 10 e and 10 f, thereby changing the distance from the initial position of the input button 14 a and the like to the pressed position as the change of the capacitance value (C). It becomes possible to capture. The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment can measure the time period until it returns to the initial position of the pressed input button 14a or the like by measuring the time change of the capacitance value (C).

  FIG. 2 illustrates an explanatory view of the time change of the capacitance value (C) of the parallel plate electrode by the electrodes 10 e and 10 f. FIG. 2 shows the change of the capacitance value (C) of the parallel plate electrode with the pressing operation of the input button 14a provided with the electrode 10e. In the explanatory diagram of FIG. 2, the vertical axis represents the capacitance of the parallel plate electrode by the electrodes 10e and 10f, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time associated with the pressing operation on the input button 14a.

  Further, in the explanatory view illustrated in FIG. 2, the graph G1 is a graph showing the time change of the capacitance value when the openable connector cap 10g is closed and is in a sealed state. Further, the graph G2 is a graph showing a time change of the capacitance value in the case where there is a forgetting of closing or loosening of the open-close connector cap 10g.

  The capacitance value Cs represents the capacitance value at the initial position before the pressing operation, and the capacitance value Cp is the capacitance value at the position where the pressing position of the input button 14a is peaked by the pressing operation. Represents In the following description, it is assumed that the operating finger or the like in contact with the input button 14a is separated at a position where the pressed position of the input button 14a is at the peak.

  As shown in the graph G1, in the electronic device 10 in a sealed state, the electrostatic capacitance of the parallel plate electrode by the electrodes 10e and 10f is such that the pressing position becomes a peak position from the start of the pressing operation on the input button 14a (start time ts) To increase. The capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode changes so as to increase from the capacitance value Cs at the start of the pressing operation to the capacitance value Cp at the peak of the pressing position.

  Similarly, the capacitance of the parallel plate electrode from when the operation finger is released at the position where the pressing position of the input button 14a is peaked to when it returns to the initial position is from the capacitance value Cp to the capacitance value Cs. Change to decrease between. In the electronic device 10 in a closed state, the capacitance of the parallel plate electrode changes so as to decrease in a period adjusted so as not to cause a sense of incongruity with operability, accompanied by a suction cup effect by the waterproof sheet 10 d.

  On the other hand, in the electronic device 10 in which there is forget to close or loosen the open / close connector cap 10g, the change in the capacitance of the parallel plate electrode from the start of the pressing operation on the input button 14a to the peak position is Change in the same manner as in the case of the closed state. The capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode changes so as to increase from the capacitance value Cs at the start of the pressing operation to the capacitance value Cp at the peak of the pressing position.

  Further, the capacitance of the parallel plate electrode from when the operation finger is released at the position where the pressing position of the input button 14a is peaked to when it returns to the initial position is between the capacitance value Cp and the capacitance value Cs. Change to decrease.

However, in the case where there is forget to close or loosen the connector cap 10g, air flows into the housing through the opening of the connector for connection. For this reason, as shown by the broken line region of the graph G2, the slope of the change of the capacitance which decreases between the capacitance value Cp and the capacitance value Cs is relative to the slope of the decrease change of the graph G1. Steeply.

  For example, the threshold value for determining that the input button 14a is pressed is set within the capacitance range that changes between the capacitance value Cs and the capacitance value Cp in response to the pressing operation of the input button 14a. Set to capacitance value C0. Similarly, a threshold value for determining that the input button 14a pressed down by the pressing operation has returned to the initial position (returned) is set to the capacitance value C1. The relative magnitude relationship of each capacitance value is Cp> C0> C1> Cs.

  In the electronic device 10 provided with parallel plate electrodes of the electrodes 10e and 10f, for example, the elapsed time measured by measuring the elapsed time of the decrease change from the capacitance value C0 serving as the threshold to the capacitance value C1. It is possible to determine the relative sealed state in the housing based on the time.

  In FIG. 2, for example, the time when the capacitance value C0 serving as the threshold value is detected after the capacitance value Cp is detected is set as the reference time t0. When the connector cap 10g is closed and is in a sealed state, an elapsed time from detection of the capacitance value C0 to detection of the capacitance value C1 is t1. On the other hand, when there is a forget to close or loose connector cap 10g, the elapsed time from detection of capacitance value C0 to detection of capacitance value C1 is t2. The relative magnitude relationship between the elapsed times is t1> t2.

  For example, the electronic device 10 holds in advance the elapsed time t1 from the detection of the capacitance value C0 when the connector cap 10g is closed to the sealed state to the detection of the capacitance value C1 as a threshold value Do. Then, the electronic device 10, for example, the inside of the housing based on the magnitude relationship between the elapsed time t from the detection of the capacitance value C0 to the detection of the capacitance value C1 and the held threshold value t1. It is possible to determine the closed state of the In the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, the sealed state can be determined by a simple mechanism. The electronic device 10 can warn of the forgetting of closing or loosening of the connector cap 10g based on the determination result of the sealed state.

〔Device configuration〕
An example of the hardware constitutions of the electronic device 10 of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. The electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a CPU (Central Processing) mutually connected by the connection bus B1.
Unit) 11, a main storage unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, an input unit 14, an output unit 15, and a communication unit 16. The main storage unit 12 and the auxiliary storage unit 13 are recording media readable by the electronic device 10.

  The electronic device 10 of this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 includes electrodes 10 e and 10 f and a capacitance detection unit 101. The electrode 10e and the electrode 10f constitute a parallel plate electrode as described in FIG. 1B and the like. The electrode 10e is connected to the electrostatic capacitance detection unit 101, and the electrode 10f is connected to, for example, the GND terminal of the internal mount 10c illustrated in FIG. 1B. In the parallel plate electrodes, charges for detecting an increase or decrease in capacitance value corresponding to a change in inter-electrode distance due to a pressing operation of the input button 14a or the like are stored.

  The electrostatic capacitance detection unit 101 detects, for example, the electrostatic capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode from the charge (Q) with respect to the applied voltage (V). For example, as described in FIG. 2, the CPU 11 of the electronic device 10 seals the inside of the housing of the electronic device 10 based on the change on the time axis of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode by the electrodes 10e and 10f. Determine

  In the electronic device 10, the CPU 11 expands the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 into the work area of the main storage unit 12 so as to be executable, and controls the peripheral device through the execution of the program. Thereby, the electronic device 10 can provide the function meeting the predetermined purpose.

  The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic device 10. The CPU 11 performs processing in accordance with the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13. The main storage unit 12 is a storage medium in which the CPU 11 caches programs and data, and expands a work area. The main storage unit 12 includes, for example, a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). The CPU 11 may be a microcomputer, a chip set, or the like.

  The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores various programs and various data in a recording medium in a readable and readable manner. The auxiliary storage unit 13 is also called an external storage device. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores, for example, an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, and the like. The OS includes a communication interface program that exchanges data with an external device or the like connected via the communication unit 16. The external apparatus and the like include, for example, an information processing apparatus such as a PC and a server on a wired and wireless network, an external storage apparatus and the like.

The auxiliary storage unit 13 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a solid state drive device, a hard disk drive (HDD, Hard Disk Drive) device or the like. Further, as the auxiliary storage unit 13, for example, a CD drive device, a DVD drive device, a BD drive device, etc. can be presented. Examples of the recording medium include a silicon disk including a non-volatile semiconductor memory (flash memory), a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, a BD, a universal serial bus (USB) memory, and a secure digital (SD) memory card.

  The input unit 14 receives an operation instruction or the like from an operator or the like. The input unit 14 is an input device such as an input button 14 a, a touch sensor, a pointing device, or a microphone. The input unit 14 may include a keyboard, a wireless remote control, and the like. The pointing device includes, for example, a touch panel in which a touch sensor and a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 15 a of the output unit 15 are combined, a mouse, a track ball, a joystick, and the like.

  As described in FIG. 1B, the input button 14a is provided with the electrode 10e. However, the input button 14a provided with the electrode 10e may be limited to an input device such as a cross key, for example. Based on the capacitance value stored in the parallel plate electrode configured of the electrode 10e provided on the input button 14a and the electrode 10f provided opposite to the electrode 10e, the capacitance value associated with the pressing operation of the input button 14a It should be possible to detect an increase or decrease in

The output unit 15 outputs data processed by the CPU 11 and data stored in the main storage unit 13. The output unit 15 is an output device such as an LCD 15a, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, an organic EL panel, a printer, and a speaker.

  The communication unit 16 is, for example, an interface with a wired or wireless network connected to the electronic device 10. The network includes, for example, a public network such as the Internet, a wireless network such as a mobile phone network, a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like.

  The electronic device 10 provides the capacitance detection unit 101 together with the execution of the target program by the CPU 11 reading out the OS, various programs and various data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 to the main storage unit 12 and executing the program. Do. However, a part of the capacitance detection unit 101 may be operated by a hardware circuit. Further, the electronic device 10 includes, for example, an auxiliary storage unit 13 as a storage destination of data to which the capacitance detection unit 101 refers or manages.

[Processing flow]
Hereinafter, the determination processing of the sealed state of the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of a process of determining the sealed state inside the housing of the electronic device 10 based on the change in the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode due to the electrodes 10e and 10f. The process illustrated in FIG. 4 is executed by, for example, a computer program expanded by the CPU 11 in the main storage unit 12 so as to be executable.

  In the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4, the start of the determination processing of the sealed state can be exemplified, for example, when the input button 14 a provided with the electrode 10 e is pressed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the electrode 10e provided on the input button 14a or the like is opposed to the electrode 10f provided on the internal mounting 10c, and a parallel plate electrode in which the air layer inside the housing is a gap is used. Configure. The capacitance value (C) of the parallel plate electrode consisting of the electrodes 10e and 10f changes in inverse proportion to the interelectrode distance (d). The capacitance value (C) of the parallel plate electrode is detected by, for example, the capacitance detection unit 101.

  The electronic device 10 acquires the capacitance value (C) detected via the capacitance detection unit 101 at a constant cycle interval of, for example, 1 ms (S1). The electronic device 10 temporarily stores, for example, the acquired capacitance value (C) and the time information for acquiring the capacitance value (C) in a predetermined area of the main storage unit 12 in association with each other. . In addition, time information which acquired electrostatic capacitance value (C) may be count values, such as a timer with which electronic device 10 is provided, for example. In the electronic device 10, time series data of the capacitance value (C) acquired at a constant cycle interval is acquired.

  In the process of S2, the electronic device 10 executes, for example, the pressing operation of the input button 14a based on the time-series data of the capacitance value (C) acquired via the capacitance detection unit 101. Determine In the electronic device 10, for example, as described in FIG. 2 and the like, the time change of the acquired capacitance value (C) tends to decrease, and the acquired capacitance value (C) is input. It is determined to be relatively smaller than a threshold (C0) for determining execution of the pressing operation of the button 14a. At the initial position before the pressing operation of the input button 14a, as described in FIG. 2, the capacitance value (C) is "C = Cs".

  For example, the electronic device 10 calculates a difference value (ΔC) between the capacitance value (C) acquired in the process of S1 and the capacitance value (C ′) acquired in the immediately preceding sampling cycle. The electronic device 10 also compares, for example, the capacitance value (C) acquired in the process of S1 with the threshold Cs for determining the pressing operation of the input button 14a. Then, the electronic device 10 determines whether the calculated difference value (ΔC) satisfies “ΔC <0” and the capacitance value C acquired in the process of S1 satisfies “C <C0”. judge.

  For example, when “ΔC <0” and “C <C0” are not satisfied (S2, NO), the electronic device 10 proceeds to the process of S1, and repeats the process of S1-S2. In the electronic device 10, the time change of the acquired capacitance value (C) tends to decrease, and the acquired capacitance value (C) is a threshold for determining the pressing operation of the input button 14a. The process of S1-S2 is repeated until it becomes less than (C0).

  On the other hand, when the electronic device 10 satisfies, for example, “ΔC <0” and “C <C0” (S2, YES), the electronic device 10 proceeds to the process of S3. In the process of S3, the electronic device 10 temporarily stores, for example, the time information of the capacitance value (C) acquired in the process of S1 as a “reference time t0” in a predetermined area of the main storage unit 12.

In the process of S4, the electronic device 10, for example, continues the process of acquiring the capacitance value (C). The acquired capacitance value (C) is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the main storage unit 12 in association with time information.

  In the process of S5, for example, the electronic device 10 determines that the capacitance value (C) acquired in the process of S4 is that the input button 14a pressed down by the pressing operation has returned (returned) to the initial position. It is determined to be less than the threshold C1 of The threshold C1 has been described in FIG.

  For example, when the capacitance value (C) acquired in the process of S4 does not satisfy “C <C1” (S5, NO), the electronic device 10 proceeds to the process of S4, and the electronic device 10 proceeds to S4-S5. Repeat the process. The electronic device 10 repeats the processes of S4-S5 until the acquired capacitance value (C) becomes less than the threshold C1 for determining that the initial position of the input button 14a has returned.

  On the other hand, if the capacitance value (C) acquired in the process of S4 satisfies “C <C1” (S5, YES), the electronic device 10 proceeds to the process of S6. In the process of S6, the electronic device 10 temporarily stores, for example, the time information of the capacitance value (C) acquired in the process of S4 in a predetermined area of the main storage unit 12 as the “arrival time t1”.

  In the process of S7, the electronic device 10 calculates, for example, the difference value (Δt) between the “reference time t0” stored in the process of S3 and the “arrival time t1” stored in the process of S6. For example, the electronic device 10 calculates the difference value (Δt) as “Δt = t1−t0”. The calculated difference value (Δt) is handed over to the process of S8.

  The electronic device 10 determines the sealed state inside the housing based on, for example, the difference value (Δt) delivered in the process of S7 (S8). The determination of the closed state based on the elapsed time that is the difference value (Δt) between “reference time t0” and “reach time t1” has been described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the electronic device 10 determines whether the difference value (Δt) delivered in the process of S7 is equal to or greater than a threshold (tref) which is an elapsed time for determining the sealed state inside the housing. For example, when the difference value (Δt) delivered in the process of S7 is equal to or greater than the threshold (tref) (S8, YES), the electronic device 10 proceeds to the process of S9.

  In the process of S9, the electronic device 10 determines that the sealed state inside the housing can provide a waterproof function. After the process of S9, the electronic device 10 ends the process of determining the closed state in process. When the electronic device 10 determines that the sealed state inside the housing can provide a waterproof function in the process of S9, for example, a display such as “waterproof determination OK” is displayed on the display device such as the LCD 15a. You may do it.

  Further, for example, when the difference value (Δt) delivered in the process of S7 is not greater than or equal to the threshold (tref) (S8, NO), the electronic device 10 proceeds to the process of S10. In the process of S10, the electronic device 10 determines that the sealed state inside the housing is not in a state where the waterproof function can be provided. When the electronic device 10 determines that the sealed state inside the housing is not in a state capable of providing a waterproof function in the process of S10, for example, a display such as “waterproof determination NG” is displayed on a display device such as the LCD 15a. Alarm notification is performed (S11). The electronic device 10 can notify the user of forgetting to close or loosening the connector cap 10 g by performing alarm notification of the determination result of the sealed state. In addition, the method of alarm notification can be set arbitrarily. For example, a warning sound may be transmitted via the speaker of the output unit 15 of the electronic device 10, or the LCD 15a or the like may be blinked. Any method may be used as long as it indicates that the sealed state of the electronic device 10 is not in the state of providing a waterproof function.

Here, the process of S1-S6 executed by the electronic device 10 is an example of a detection step of detecting the movement of the member that changes the pressure in the housing. Moreover, CPU11 grade | etc., Of the electronic device 10 performs the process of S1-S6 as an example of a detection part which detects the motion of the member which fluctuates the pressure in a body.

  The processes of S7 to S11 executed by the electronic device 10 are an example of a process step of determining the sealed state in the housing based on the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated. In addition, the CPU 11 or the like of the electronic device 10 executes the processes of S7 to S11 as an example of a processing unit that determines the sealed state in the housing based on the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated. .

  As described above, the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the parallel plate electrode including the electrode 10 e provided on the input button 14 a and the like, and the electrode 10 f provided on the internal mounting object 10 c. The electrode 10e and the electrode 10f face each other in a pair, and are pushed into the inside of the case by the user's pressing operation or the like, and the movement of members such as the input button 14a operating in the direction to change the pressure inside the case is static. A parallel plate electrode is configured to be detected as a change in capacitance value.

  And the electronic device 10 of this embodiment can determine execution of pressing-down operation of the input button 14a based on the time change of the electrostatic capacitance value of a parallel plate electrode. Similarly, the electronic device 10 can determine that it has returned (returned) to the initial position of the input button 14a after the pressing operation of the input button 14a is performed. The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment specifies the time required for returning to the initial position at the time of pressing the input button 14a as the elapsed time based on the time change of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode. Can.

  In the electronic device 10, for example, the elapsed time in the closed state tends to be relatively longer than the elapsed time in the non-closed state. The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment can determine the sealed state in the housing based on the specified elapsed time. As a result, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, the sealed state can be determined by a simple mechanism.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, as the electronic device 10 having a waterproof function, a mobile phone provided with a plurality of input buttons 14a and the like has been described as an example. The determination processing of the sealed state in the case described in the first embodiment can be applied to the electronic device 10 provided with a member that operates in the direction of changing the pressure in the case. The electronic device 10 according to the second embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as the present embodiment) is an example of a smartphone, a tablet PC, a PDA, or the like provided with, for example, a push-type fingerprint sensor.

  5A and 5B illustrate an explanatory view of the electronic device 10 provided with the push-type fingerprint sensor of the present embodiment. The electronic device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B is an example of a smartphone provided with, for example, the touch-sensitive fingerprint sensor 14c. Similar to Embodiment 1, the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B includes an openable and closable connector cap (hereinafter also referred to as a cap). 5A is a perspective view of the entire electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG.

  In the explanatory views illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment includes the touch panel 10j. The touch panel 10 j is, for example, a pointing device in which an input device such as the touch sensor 14 b and a display device such as the LCD 15 a are combined. In the touch panel 10j, for example, a contact position of a finger or the like in contact with a display device surface such as the LCD 15a is detected via the touch sensor 14b. The user of the electronic device 10 can perform an operation instruction on the display component displayed on the display device by, for example, bringing a finger or the like into contact with the display device surface such as the LCD 15a and operating the operation.

  In addition, the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 5A includes the push-type fingerprint sensor 14 c in the input unit 14. The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment has a sleep mode function of turning off the display screen, for example, when the touch operation on the touch panel 10 j or the like is not detected in a predetermined time. By having the sleep mode function, the electronic device 10 can suppress power consumption consumed by the display device such as the LCD 15 a in a period in which the user operation is not detected.

  The press-type fingerprint sensor 14 c detects, for example, a press operation on the sensor 14 c by a finger or the like of the user. The electronic device 10 that has detected the pressing operation via the pressing-type fingerprint sensor 14 c restores, for example, the display device such as the LCD 15 a that has shifted to the sleep mode to the lighting state.

  Further, the push-type fingerprint sensor 14c detects the fingerprint of the finger of the user who is in contact with the sensor 14c. The electronic device 10 that has detected the fingerprint of the touch finger via the push-type fingerprint sensor 14 c performs, for example, collation with the fingerprint of the touch finger of the user registered in advance to perform fingerprint authentication. In the electronic device 10 in which the fingerprint authentication has been performed, for example, unlocking is performed to receive a touch operation input to the electronic device 10 that has shifted to the sleep mode via the touch panel 10j.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the push-type fingerprint sensor 14c is provided, for example, on the back side of a housing provided with the touch panel 10j. In the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, by providing the press-type fingerprint sensor 14c on the back side of the housing, the pressing operation by the finger or the like in contact with the sensor 14c is detected and the fingerprint of the contact finger detected is detected. Fingerprint authentication becomes possible. For example, the user of the electronic device 10 may simultaneously perform the lock release for receiving the operation input to the touch panel 10 j by returning the LCD 15 a to the lighting state without replacing the finger in contact with the push-type fingerprint sensor 14 c. It becomes possible. In the electronic device 10 in which the push-type fingerprint sensor 14 c is provided on the rear side of the housing, for example, the convenience for returning from the sleep mode and unlocking can be improved.

  As illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5B, the electronic device 10 has a connector for connection for using an external interface on the side surface side of the housing case 10a as in the first embodiment. At the opening of the connector for connection, an openable / closable connector cap 10g for preventing water immersion into the inside of the housing is attached.

  As in the first embodiment, the electronic device 10 includes the water blocking gasket 10 h around the open-close connector cap 10 g, and the inside of the housing is sealed by the close contact between the water blocking gasket 10 h and the housing case 10 a. I assume. With the closing of the connector cap 10 g with respect to the opening of the connector for connection, a sealed space 10 z is formed in the housing of the electronic device 10. Further, in the housing of the electronic device 10, for example, an internal mounting object 10c such as an electronic substrate on which various devices for providing a function of a smartphone are mounted is included.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5B, as in the first embodiment, the electronic device 10 has an opening 10b for air pressure adjustment, and the inner wall surface of the housing case 10a is waterproof so as to cover the opening 10b. A seat 10d is provided. Also in the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 5B, adjustment of the suction cup effect by the waterproof sheet 10 d is performed as in the first embodiment.

In the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 5B, means is provided for detecting the movement of the member operating in the direction in which the pressure inside the housing is fluctuated, with respect to the depression-type fingerprint sensor 14c on which the user's depression operation is performed. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment has the electrode 10e on the inside of the case of the push-down type fingerprint sensor 14c, and on the side of the internal mounting 10c housed in the case 10a. An electrode 10f is provided. The electrode 10e and the electrode 10f are provided opposite to a position to be a parallel plate electrode with the air layer inside the housing as a gap.

  Here, the electrode 10 e provided on the touch-sensitive fingerprint sensor 14 c is an example of the “first electrode”. Further, the electrode 10 f provided on the internal mounted object 10 c is an example of the “second electrode”.

  The electrode 10e and the electrode 10f face each other in a pair, and are pressed into the inside of the housing by the user's pressing operation or the like, and the movement of the pressing fingerprint sensor 14c, which is a member operating in a direction to change the pressure inside the housing The parallel plate electrode is detected to detect the change in the capacitance value. As a result, also in the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine the sealed state based on the time change of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode.

  An example of the hardware constitutions of the electronic device 10 of this embodiment is illustrated to FIG. 5C. The electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 5C is different from the configuration of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 in that the input unit 14 includes the touch sensor 14b and the push-down fingerprint sensor 14c described above. The configuration is the same as that of the electronic device 10 of the first embodiment. The touch sensor 14 b and the touch-type fingerprint sensor 14 c have been described with reference to FIG. 5A and the like.

  The capacitance detection unit 101 illustrated in FIG. 5C is connected to, for example, an electrode 10 e provided on the touch-sensitive fingerprint sensor 14 c. The electrode 10 f is connected to, for example, the GND terminal of the internal mount 10 c illustrated in FIG. 5B. For example, a change in the inter-electrode distance due to the pressing operation of the press-type fingerprint sensor 14c on the parallel plate electrode configured of the electrode 10e provided on the press-type fingerprint sensor 14c and the electrode 10f provided on the internal mounting 10c. The charge for detecting the increase and decrease of the capacitance value corresponding to

  The electronic device 10 of the present embodiment is based on the time change of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode configured of the electrode 10 e provided on the push-down type fingerprint sensor 14 c and the electrode 10 f provided on the internal mounting object 10 c. Then, the determination processing of the sealed state illustrated in FIG. 4 is executed.

  As a result of the determination process, the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment can determine, for example, the execution of the pressing operation of the pressing-type fingerprint sensor 14c. In addition, the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment can determine that it has returned (returned) to the initial position of the sensor 14c, for example, after the pressing operation of the press-type fingerprint sensor 14c is performed. The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment specifies the time taken to return to the initial position at the time of the pressing operation of the pressing-type fingerprint sensor 14 c based on the time change of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode as the elapsed time can do.

  As a result, also in the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine the sealed state in the housing provided in the touch-type fingerprint sensor 14 c based on the specified elapsed time. In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, since the electrode 10e is provided in the push-type fingerprint sensor 14c, it is possible to determine the closed state inside the housing together with the recovery from the sleep state and the authentication of unlocking. Therefore, the user of the electronic device 10 can check the waterproof performance inside the housing without being aware of the waterproof function, and the convenience can be improved. In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated button or the like for checking the waterproof function, it is possible to adapt to the demand for downsizing of the housing and reduction of the product cost.

Embodiment 3
The electronic device 10 according to the third embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as the present embodiment) is an example of a smartphone, a tablet PC, a PDA, or the like including the touch panel 10k, for example. However, the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment includes a capacitive touch panel 10k having a pressure detection function. In the capacitive touch panel 10k having a pressure detection function, for example, pressing at a touch position of a finger or the like by detecting a pressing force of the user's finger or the like in contact with the surface of the touch panel 10k to the inside of the case Detect the operation. As in the first and second embodiments, the electronic device 10 according to the third embodiment includes the openable connector cap (hereinafter, also referred to as a cap). Also in the electronic device 10 according to the third embodiment, the closed state of the housing is secured by closing the connector cap.

  FIG. 6A illustrates an explanatory view of the electronic device 10 including the capacitive touch panel 10k having a pressure detection function according to the present embodiment. The electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6A is an example of a smart phone as an electronic device including, for example, a capacitive touch panel 10k having a pressure detection function. FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view in the direction from the touch panel 10k provided on the surface of the electronic device 10 to the back side.

  Moreover, an example of the hardware constitutions of the electronic device 10 of this embodiment is illustrated to FIG. 6B. The electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6B is different from the configuration of the electronic device 10 of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5C in that the input unit 14 includes the touch panel 10k and the deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102. The remaining configuration is the same as that of the electronic device 10 according to the second embodiment except for the above different configurations, so in the following description, the touch panel 10k different from the second embodiment and the deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102 are mainly used. Explain to.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6A, as in the first and second embodiments, the electronic device 10 has a connection connector for using an external interface on the side of the housing case 10a. At the opening of the connector for connection, an openable / closable connector cap 10g for preventing water immersion into the inside of the housing is attached.

  As in the first and second embodiments, the electronic device 10 is provided with a water blocking gasket 10 h around the open-close connector cap 10 g, and the inside of the case is sealed by the close contact between the water blocking gasket 10 h and the housing case 10 a. Sealed. With the closing of the connector cap 10 g with respect to the opening of the connector for connection, a sealed space 10 z is formed in the housing of the electronic device 10.

  Further, as in the first and second embodiments, the electronic device 10 has the opening hole 10b for air pressure adjustment, and the inner wall surface of the housing case 10a is provided with the waterproof sheet 10d so as to cover the opening hole 10b. Be In addition, also in the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6A, adjustment of the suction cup effect by the waterproof sheet 10 d is performed as in the first and second embodiments.

  In the electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6A, the housing of the electronic device 10 includes, for example, an internal mount 10c such as an electronic substrate on which various devices for providing the function of a smartphone are mounted. A module such as an LCD 15a which is a display device is disposed on the front surface side of the internal mount 10c. For example, an electrode 10 f for detecting a pressing force P of a finger X or the like on the touch panel 10 k is provided on the surface of the LCD 15 a or the like which is a display device. The touch panel 10k and the electrode 10f provided on the surface of the LCD 15a or the like, for example, insert an air layer in the housing and face each other.

  In the electronic device 10 including the touch panel 10k, for example, as described in FIG. 5A and the like, a touch operation on a display component or the like displayed on a display device such as the LCD 15a is detected. The contact position of the finger X in contact with the touch panel 10k is detected by, for example, the touch sensor 14b combined with the LCD 15a.

The capacitive touch panel 10k having a pressure detection function has a matrix such that, for example, a receiving electrode and a transmitting electrode, which are transparent electrodes such as ITO (indium tin oxide tin-doped indium oxide), cross two layers in length and width. The touch sensor 14 b is arranged in a shape of a circle. The touch sensor 14b is, for example, for the contact position of the finger X in contact with the touch panel 10k,
A change in the electric field at the intersection of the receiving electrode and the transmitting electrode is detected as a detection signal.

  The electronic device 10 detects, for example, the contact position of the finger X in contact with the touch panel 10k based on a detection signal of the touch sensor 14b. The electronic device 10 has, for example, an upper left corner of the combined display device such as the LCD 15a as an origin, a horizontal direction of the display device as an X axis, and a vertical direction as a Y axis. The contact position of the finger X in contact with 10 k is detected.

  Further, the touch panel 10k of the electronic device 10 detects the amount of bending of the finger X to the inside of the case at the contact position. The deflection amount detected by the electronic device 10 is converted by the deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102 into a pressing force P to the inside of the housing of the finger X.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the touch panel 10k of the electronic device 10 functions as, for example, an electrode 10e as a means for detecting the movement of a member operating in the direction in which the pressure inside the housing is changed. And the touch panel 10k which functions as the electrode 10e comprises the parallel plate electrode which made the air layer of the inside of a housing | casing a gap between the electrodes 10f provided in the surfaces, such as LCD15a. The parallel plate electrode detects the movement of the touch panel 10k, which is a member operating in the direction of fluctuating the pressure inside the housing, as a change in capacitance value as illustrated in FIG.

  Here, the touch panel 10k functioning as the electrode 10e is an example of the "first electrode". The electrode 10 f provided on the surface of the LCD 15 a or the like is an example of the “second electrode”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the electronic device 10 detects the amount of deflection with respect to the touch panel 10k as a change in capacitance value. The detected capacitance value is delivered to, for example, the deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102. The deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102 specifies the pressing force associated with the delivered capacitance value based on the relative relationship between the predetermined capacitance value and the pressing force. The electronic device 10 determines, for example, based on the pressing force specified by the deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102, acceptance of an operation instruction to the display component displayed at the contact position of the finger X or the like.

  Similarly, the electronic device 10 is in the closed state illustrated in FIG. 4 based on the time change of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode which changes corresponding to the movement of changing the pressure inside the housing of the touch panel 10k. Execute determination processing.

  As a result of the determination process, the electronic device 10 can determine, for example, pressing of the touch panel 10k in the touch operation based on the threshold value C0. Similarly, the electronic device 10 can determine that it has returned (returned) to the initial position of the touch panel 10k based on the threshold C1, for example, after detection of pressing in the touch operation of the touch panel 10k. When the electronic device 10 returns to the initial position when pressing the touch operation on the touch panel 10k based on the time change of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode, the elapsed time (the decrease tendency threshold C0- It can be specified as the arrival time to C1).

  As a result, in the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment as well as in the first and second embodiments, the electrostatic force of the parallel plate electrode changes corresponding to the movement of the pressure inside the housing of the touch panel 10k. It is possible to determine the sealed state based on the time change of the capacity value. In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, the sealed state inside the housing can be determined based on the pressing force when the finger X or the like is in contact with the surface of the touch panel 10k. Therefore, the user of the electronic device 10 can check the waterproof performance inside the housing without being aware of the waterproof function, and the convenience can be improved. In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated button or the like for checking the waterproof function, it is possible to adapt to the demand for downsizing of the housing and reduction of the product cost.

  By the way, in the capacitive touch panel 10k having a pressure detection function, there is a possibility that the return stroke amount (the distance change amount between the electrodes) may fluctuate depending on the pressing amount. When the stroke amount fluctuates, fluctuation of the elapsed time until the touch panel 10k returns to the initial position may occur.

  In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, a threshold value C0 for determining pressing of the touch panel 10k at the time of touch operation can be set independently of the deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102. Similarly, in the electronic device 10, in order to determine that the touch panel 10k has returned (returned) to the initial position after detection of pressing in the touch operation, independently of the deflection amount / pressure conversion unit 102. Threshold C1 can be set. As a result, in the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, even if the stroke amount fluctuates depending on the push amount, for example, the value of the threshold C0 for determining the push at the time of the touch operation of the touch panel 10k is C1 side By moving, it becomes possible to measure time to determine the sealed state. In the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the erroneous determination of the sealed state caused by the change in the amount of pressing on the capacitive touch panel 10k having the pressure detection function.

<Modified form>
In the electronic device 10 of the embodiment 1-3, for example, the sealed state is based on the inflow of the air limited by the suction effect obtained by the opening hole 10b for air pressure adjustment and the waterproof sheet 10d provided in the housing case 10a. It was judged.

  The determination processing of the sealing state in the housing based on the elapsed time until the return to the initial position of the member operating in the direction to change the pressure inside the housing by the pressing operation is configured without the opening hole 10b and the waterproof sheet 10d Even, it is applicable.

  FIG. 7A illustrates an explanatory view of the electronic device 10 in a modified form which does not have the opening hole 10 b and the waterproof sheet 10 d. The electronic device 10 illustrated in FIG. 7A is, for example, a configuration example of a mobile phone having the waterproof function described in the first embodiment when the opening 10b and the waterproof sheet 10d are not included.

  In the case where the air pressure adjustment opening hole or the like is not provided, the inside of the housing of the electronic device 10 is in a sealed state in which the inflow and outflow of air do not occur by closing the connector cap 10g. In the sealed state in which the air does not flow in and out, the air enclosed in the housing causes, for example, a sense of discomfort that the user does not easily press the input button 14a or the like arranged in the housing case 10a.

  However, since the air sealed in the case can be elastically compressed in a certain pressure range, the electronic device 10 can receive the pressing operation of the input button 14a or the like. That is, in a state of being pushed into the inside of the housing along with the pressing operation of the input button 14a and the like, the air enclosed in the housing is elastically compressed and temporarily becomes a positive pressure state. In the electronic apparatus 10 in the positive pressure state, a repulsive force by the compressed air pressure acts on the pressed-in input button 14 a and the like. Therefore, when the finger or the like is released from the input button 14a or the like, the air pressure in the housing acts so as to return to the state before pressing in a relatively short time.

On the other hand, when there is a forget to close or loosen the connector cap 10g, for example, air flows in and out through the opening of the connector for connection. For example, when there is a forget to close or loosen the connector cap 10g, when the input button 14a or the like is pressed, the air in the housing flows out through the opening, and the air pressure with the outside of the housing balances. When the pressure outside the housing and the pressure inside the housing are in balance, the repulsive force in the positive pressure state does not act on the pressed-in input button 14a. For this reason, when there is a forget to close or loose connector cap 10g, the period until it returns to the initial position which is the state before pressing becomes relatively long as compared with the sealed state.

  Therefore, even in the case of a sealed state in which the inflow and outflow of air do not occur, the sealed state in the housing is determined based on the elapsed time until the initial position of the member operating in the direction of fluctuating the pressure in the housing. It is possible to determine. In the electronic device 10 according to the modified embodiment, as in the embodiment 1-3, the input button 14a or the like pushed in based on the time change of the capacitance value of the parallel plate electrode by the electrode 10e and the electrode 10f. It is possible to measure the period until returning to the initial position.

  In the explanatory view of FIG. 7A, the electronic device 10 according to the modification includes, for example, an electrode 10e on the inside of the case of the push-down input button 14a, and an electrode on the side of the internal mounting 10c housed in the case 10a. Provide 10f. The electrode 10e and the electrode 10f are provided opposite to a position to be a parallel plate electrode with the air layer inside the housing as a gap. The parallel plate electrode composed of the electrodes 10e and 10f can capture the change in distance from the initial position of the input button 14a or the like to the pressed position as a change in capacitance value (C). Also in the electronic device 10 of the modified embodiment, by measuring the time change of the electrostatic capacitance value (C), it is possible to measure the period until the initial position of the pressed input button 14a and the like is returned.

  FIG. 7B illustrates a time change of the capacitance value (C) of the parallel plate electrode due to the electrodes 10 e and 10 f in the sealed state in which the inflow and outflow of air do not occur. In the explanatory view of FIG. 7B, the vertical axis represents the capacitance of the parallel plate electrode by the electrodes 10e and 10f, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time associated with the pressing operation on the input button 14a. The graph G3 shows the time change of the capacitance value when the openable connector cap 10g is closed and is in the closed state, and the graph G4 shows that the openable connector cap 10g has forgotten to close or loose, etc. Represents the change in capacitance value over time.

  As exemplified in the graphs G3 and G4, in the electronic device 10 of the electronic device 10 of the modified form as well, the capacitance value from the start of the pressing operation on the input button 14a (start time ts) to the peak position of the pressing position Changes as in the embodiment 1-3.

  Further, the capacitance of the parallel plate electrode from when the operation finger is released at the position where the pressing position of the input button 14a is peaked to when it returns to the initial position changes in the same manner as in Embodiment 1-3. However, as shown by the broken line region of the graph G4, the slope of the change of the capacitance which decreases between the capacitance value Cp and the capacitance value Cs is relative to the slope of the decrease change of the graph G3. Slope gently.

  In the same manner as in the embodiment 1-3, the input button 14a is pressed in the capacitance range that changes between the capacitance value Cs and the capacitance value Cp in response to the pressing operation of the input button 14a. The threshold value for determining that it is not set is set to the electrostatic capacitance value C0. Further, a threshold value for determining that the input button 14a pressed down by the pressing operation has returned to the initial position (returned) is set to the capacitance value C1. The relative magnitude relationship of each capacitance value is Cp> C0> C1> Cs. In addition, the time when the electrostatic capacitance value C0 which becomes a threshold value after the electrostatic capacitance value Cp is detected is detected as the reference time t0.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7B, in the graph G3, the elapsed time from the detection of the electrostatic capacitance value C0 to the detection of the electrostatic capacitance value C1 is t3, and in the graph G4, the electrostatic capacitance value C0 is detected. The elapsed time from when the capacitance value C1 is detected to when the capacitance value C1 is detected is t4. The relative magnitude relationship between the elapsed times is t4> t3.

  In the sealed state in which the connector cap 10g is closed, the elapsed time t3 is relatively short as compared with the case where the cap 10g is forgotten to be closed or loosened, because it receives a repulsive force from the air pressure in the housing. In the electronic device 10 of the modified embodiment, for example, the elapsed time t3 from the detection of the capacitance value C0 when the connector cap 10g is closed to the sealed state to the detection of the capacitance value C1 is set as a threshold value. Pre-hold as. Then, the electronic device 10 according to the modified embodiment is, for example, a case based on the magnitude relationship between an elapsed time t from detection of the capacitance value C0 to detection of the capacitance value C1 and the held threshold value t3. The closed state inside the body may be determined.

  For example, in the process of S8 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4, the electronic device 10 of the modified embodiment is an elapsed time for determining the sealed state of the inside of the housing from the difference value (Δt) delivered from the process of S7 in the process of S8 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. It is sufficient to hold "t3" as the threshold value (tref). Then, when the difference value (Δt) delivered in the process of S7 exceeds the threshold value (tref = “t3”) (S8, YES), the electronic device 10 of the modified embodiment executes the process of S10 to S11. do it. In addition, when the difference value (Δt) delivered in the process of S7 is equal to or less than the threshold (tref = “t3”) (S8, NO), the electronic device 10 of the modified embodiment performs the process of S9. Just do it.

  In the electronic device 10 according to the modified embodiment, even in the sealed state in which the inflow and outflow of air do not occur, the process of returning the member operating in the direction to change the pressure inside the case accompanying the pressing operation to the initial position The determination processing of the sealed state in the housing based on time can be executed.

<< Computer-readable recording medium >>
A program that causes a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter referred to as a computer or the like) to realize any of the functions described above can be recorded in a recording medium readable by the computer or the like. Then, the function can be provided by causing a computer or the like to read and execute the program of the recording medium.

  Here, a recording medium readable by a computer etc. is a recording medium which can store information such as data and programs electrically, magnetically, optically, mechanically or chemically and read from a computer etc. Say Among such recording media, those removable from the computer etc. include, for example, memory such as flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R / W, DVD, Blu-ray disk, DAT, 8 mm tape, flash memory etc. There is a card etc. Further, as a recording medium fixed to a computer or the like, there is a hard disk, a ROM or the like.

<< Others >>
The above embodiment further includes an aspect called “additional note” below. The components included in each of the following supplementary notes can be combined with the configurations included in the other supplementary notes.
(Supplementary Note 1)
A detection unit that detects the movement of a member that fluctuates the pressure in the housing;
A processing unit that determines the sealed state in the housing based on the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated;
An electronic device comprising the
(Supplementary Note 2)
The detection unit is configured based on a temporal change in capacitance between a first electrode provided to the member and a second electrode provided to be the parallel electrode and the first electrode. The electronic device according to Appendix 1, which detects movement.
(Supplementary Note 3)
The electronic apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit provides a threshold for starting measurement of time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated.
(Supplementary Note 4)
When the processing unit has an opening provided in the housing, the inside of the housing is sealed when the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The electronic device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, which is determined to be.
(Supplementary Note 5)
The processing unit seals the inside of the housing when the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined time when there is no opening provided in the housing. The electronic device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, which is determined to be.

(Supplementary Note 6)
On the computer
Detecting the movement of a member that fluctuates the pressure in the housing;
A processing step of determining the sealed state in the housing based on the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated;
Sealed state judgment program for executing.
(Appendix 7)
The detecting step is performed based on a time change of capacitance between a first electrode provided to the member and a second electrode provided to be the parallel electrode and the first electrode. The closed state determination program according to appendix 6, which detects movement.
(Supplementary Note 8)
The sealed state determination program according to claim 6, wherein the processing step provides a threshold for starting measurement of a time taken to return to a reference position when the member is operated.
(Appendix 9)
In the processing step, when there is an opening provided in the housing, the inside of the housing is sealed when the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated is a predetermined time or more The sealed state determination program according to any one of supplementary notes 6 to 8, which is determined to be.
(Supplementary Note 10)
In the processing step, when there is no opening provided in the housing, the inside of the housing is sealed when the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined time. The sealed state determination program according to any one of supplementary notes 6 to 8, which is determined to be.

10 Electronic equipment 10a Case case 10b Opening hole 10c Internal mounting material 10d Waterproof sheet 10e Electrode 10f Electrode 10g Connector cap 10h Gasket for water blocking 10j Touch panel 10k Capacitive touch panel 11 CPU with pressure detection function
12 main storage unit 13 auxiliary storage unit 14 input unit 14a input button 14b touch sensor 14c push-down type fingerprint sensor 15 output unit 15a LCD
101 Capacitance detection unit 102 deflection amount / pressure conversion unit

Claims (5)

A detection unit that detects the movement of a member that fluctuates the pressure in the housing;
And a processing unit that determines the sealed state in the housing based on the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated .
The detection unit is configured based on a temporal change in capacitance between a first electrode provided to the member and a second electrode provided to be the parallel electrode and the first electrode. Detect movement,
An electronic device comprising the The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit provides a threshold for starting measurement of a time taken to return to a reference position when the member is operated. When the processing unit has an opening provided in the housing, the inside of the housing is sealed when the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein it is determined that The processing unit seals the inside of the housing when the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated is equal to or less than a predetermined time when there is no opening provided in the housing. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein it is determined that On the computer
Detecting the movement of a member that fluctuates the pressure in the housing;
Performing a processing step of determining the sealed state in the housing based on the time taken to return to the reference position when the member is operated ;
The detecting step is performed based on a time change of capacitance between a first electrode provided to the member and a second electrode provided to be the parallel electrode and the first electrode. Detect movement,
Sealed state judgment program for executing.

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