JP5879986B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device.

  Conventionally, an electronic device including a touch sensor on a side surface of a housing is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the case of the mobile phone exemplified in Patent Document 1, a total of four touch sensors are provided, one on each side portion.

JP 2010-231653 A

However, the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is impossible to know a finger that is in contact with each side surface portion.
The present invention provides a technique for estimating a finger in contact with a side part.

In order to solve the above problem, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a side sensor that includes a detection region on a side surface of a housing and outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with the detection region. An estimation unit that estimates a finger in contact with the side surface based on a detection value from the side sensor, and the side sensors are arranged one by one on each side surface, and the estimation unit has a detection value of The side part where the largest side sensor is disposed is recognized as the first side part, the side part opposing the first side part is recognized as the second side part, and the second side part is contacted. to have determined that the finger is a thumb, and wherein Rukoto to have a said a determining finger determination unit a finger in contact with the first side face portion is a finger other than the thumb.

In order to solve the above problem, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a side surface sensor that has a detection region on a side surface portion of a housing and outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with the detection region.
  An estimation unit for estimating a finger in contact with the side surface based on a detection value from the side sensor;
  With
  The side sensors are arranged one by one on each side part,
  The estimation unit includes
  The side part recognition part which recognizes the side part which arranged the side sensor with the largest increase / decrease rate of the detection value with time as the second side part, and recognizes the side part opposite to the second side part as the first side part. When,
  A finger determination unit that determines that the finger in contact with the second side surface is a thumb, and determines that the finger in contact with the first side surface is a finger other than the thumb;
  It is characterized by having.

  In order to solve the above problem, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a side surface sensor that has a detection region on a side surface portion of a housing and outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with the detection region.
  An estimation unit for estimating a finger in contact with the side surface based on a detection value from the side sensor;
  With
  The side sensors are arranged one by one on each side part,
  Each detection area is
  Depending on the position of the side surface in the longitudinal direction, the length in the short direction is different,
  The estimation unit includes
  The side part recognition part which recognizes the side part which arranged the side sensor with the largest increase / decrease rate of the detection value with time as the second side part, and recognizes the side part opposite to the second side part as the first side part. When,
  A finger determination unit that determines that the finger in contact with the second side surface is a thumb, and determines that the finger in contact with the first side surface is a finger other than the thumb;
  It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to estimate a finger in contact with the side surface.

1 is a schematic external view of an electronic device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of the electronic device 1. FIG. 4 is an example of information stored in a storage unit 400. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st process mode of the side part authentication part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st process mode of the side part authentication part. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the electronic device 1. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd processing mode of the side part estimation part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd processing mode of the side part estimation part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 3rd processing mode of the side part estimation part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 3rd processing mode of the side part estimation part. It is an external appearance schematic diagram of the electronic device 2 by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 3 is an example of a functional block diagram of the electronic device 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process of the side part estimation part 212. FIG. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the electronic device. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other example of the electronic device 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process of the side part estimation part 212. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the electronic device 3 by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 3 is an example of a functional block diagram of the electronic device 3. FIG.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of an electronic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a display screen. 1A is a perspective view of the display screen 11 with the display screen 11 facing forward, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the display screen 11 with the display screen 11 up, and FIG. 1C is a display view. It is a perspective view in the state where the screen 11 was laid down.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the electronic device 1 includes a front surface portion 10, side surface portions 20, 30, 40, 50 and a back surface portion 60. The front surface portion 10 and the back surface portion 60 are square, and the electronic device 1 is used without distinction between the top, bottom, left, and right in terms of the outer shape. The same applies to electronic devices 2 and 3 described later.
Reference numeral 120R on the side surface portion 20 is a detection region of the side surface sensor 120 (see FIG. 2). The same applies to the reference numeral 130R on the side surface portion 30, the reference numeral 140R on the side surface portion 40, and the reference numeral 150R on the side surface portion 50.

FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of the electronic device 1. FIG. 3 is an example of information stored in the storage unit 400. FIG. 3 is an example of information stored in the storage unit 400.
The electronic device 1 also includes a sensor unit 100, an estimation unit 200, an operation reception unit 300, and a storage unit 400, as shown in FIG. The sensor unit 100 includes a plurality of side sensors (side sensors 120, 130, 140, 150).
The side sensor 120 outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact amount to the detection region 120R (see FIG. 1) to the estimation unit 200 and the operation reception unit 300. Side sensor 130 outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with detection region 130R (see FIG. 1) to estimation unit 200 and operation reception unit 300. The side sensor 140 outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact amount to the detection region 140R (see FIG. 1) to the estimation unit 200 and the operation reception unit 300. The side sensor 150 outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact amount to the detection region 150R (see FIG. 1) to the estimation unit 200 and the operation reception unit 300.

  That is, the configuration of the side sensor 120 is not a configuration for recognizing a contact position in the detection region 120R and outputting information for specifying the contact position as a detection value (configuration having a resolution related to the contact position), but the entire detection region 120R. This is a configuration that recognizes the contact amount and outputs the contact amount as one detection value (configuration having a resolution related to the contact amount). In other words, the side sensor 120 does not simply output the presence / absence of contact at any contact position on the detection region 120R as a detection value, but outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact area of the contact at any contact position. It is configured to output. The same applies to the side sensors 130, 140, 150. The same applies to the other side sensors 121, 122-X, 131, 132-X, 141, 142-X, 151, 152-X, and rear sensors 161-167, which will be described later.

The method of the side sensor 120 is not particularly limited as long as it outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact area of contact at any contact position.
For example, in the case of the projection-type capacitance method, the electrodes (the number of electrodes is 1) constituting the side sensor 120 are arranged inside (inside) the side surface 20 (the position and shape of the detection region 120R are Depending on the position and shape of the electrode placed inside).
The capacitance of the electrode arranged on the inner side of the side surface portion 20 changes according to the contact area on the detection region 120R. Therefore, the side sensor 120 outputs, for example, the capacitance of the electrodes or the voltage between the electrodes as a detection value corresponding to the contact area on the detection region 120R. The same applies to the side sensors 130, 140, 150. The same applies to the other side sensors 121, 122-X, 131, 132-X, 141, 142-X, 151, 152-X, and rear sensors 161-167, which will be described later.

  The estimation unit 200 acquires detection values from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150. The estimation unit 200 estimates a finger that is in contact with the side surfaces 20, 30, 40, 50 based on the detection values acquired from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, 150. That is, the estimation unit 200 estimates the finger that is in contact with the side surfaces 20, 30, 40, 50 based on the respective contact amounts of the detection regions 120R, 130R, 140R, 150R. Details of the processing of the estimation unit 200 will be described later.

The operation reception unit 300 receives a contact with the housing as an input operation. In other words, the operation reception unit receives a detection value as input information from the sensor unit 100.
In addition, the operation receiving unit 300, when the estimation unit 200 estimates that the predetermined finger contacts the one side surface (any one of the side surfaces 20, 30, 40, and 50), The contact of the side surface with the detection region is accepted as an input operation (contact with other detection regions is ignored). For example, when the thumb is defined in the storage unit 400 as a predetermined finger (described later) and the contact with the side surface 50 by the thumb is estimated by the estimation unit 200, the operation reception unit 200 will be described on the side surface 50 thereafter. Contact with the detection region 150R is accepted as an input operation. That is, the operation accepting unit 300 accepts, as an input, an operation on the side surface part 50 that is estimated to be contacted with a thumb that is a predetermined finger.

  The storage unit 400 stores various information. For example, the storage unit 400 stores information related to a predetermined finger that the operation receiving unit 300 receives as an input operation. For example, the storage unit 400 has a relationship between a status ID representing the operating state of the electronic device 1 and a rejection pattern ID representing a combination of operation permission / inhibition of each finger in the electronic device 1 as information on a predetermined finger (FIG. 3). (A)) and the relationship between the rejection pattern ID and the rejection pattern (FIG. 3B) is stored. According to the example illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the state of the electronic device 1 is a state B (for example, an interrupt occurrence state such as an alarm or a mail reception notification) during execution of the application 1 (status ID “ST-102”). ”), A thumb is defined as a predetermined finger that the operation receiving unit 300 receives as an input operation (permission / rejection pattern ID“ P2 ”).

(First processing mode of the estimation unit 200)
4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams for describing a first processing mode of the side surface recognition unit 210. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the estimation unit 200 includes a side surface recognition unit 210 and a finger determination unit 220. The side face recognition unit 210 recognizes the side face provided with the side sensor having the maximum detected value as the first side face, and the side face facing the first side face (opposite side face) as the second side face. Authorize (first processing mode). The finger determination unit 220 determines that the finger in contact with the second side surface is a thumb, and determines that the finger in contact with the first side surface is a finger other than the thumb.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the user holds the electronic device 1 with the front surface portion 10 on the near side and the side surface portion 20 on the upper side, the contact state on the side surface portions 20, 30, 40, 50 is For example, it is expressed as shown in FIG. The “x” mark schematically represents the contact position. The number of “x” marks represents the contact amount.

  The side surface estimation unit 210 acquires detection values from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150, and compares the detection values acquired from the side sensors. As described above, the detection value acquired from each side sensor is a value corresponding to the amount of contact with each side surface portion (contact region). Therefore, in the case of the example in FIG. 4, the detection value is acquired from each side sensor. The detected values have a magnitude relationship as shown in FIG. Subsequently, as a result of the comparison, the side surface portion estimation unit 210 recognizes the side surface portion on which the side surface sensor having the maximum detection value is disposed as the first side surface portion, and determines the side surface portion facing the first side surface portion as the first side surface portion. Approved as two side parts. For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 4, the side surface estimation unit 210 recognizes the side surface portion 30 on which the side sensor 130 having the maximum detection value is disposed as the first side surface portion and is in a positional relationship facing the side surface portion 30. The part 50 is recognized as the second side part.

  The finger determination unit 220 determines that the finger in contact with the side surface 50 (detection region 150R) as the second side surface is the thumb, and contacts the side surface 30 (detection region 130R) as the first side surface. The finger is determined to be a finger other than the thumb.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart showing a processing flow of the electronic device 1. In addition, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 has shown the flow of the process in case the side part estimation part 210 processes in the above-mentioned 1st process aspect.

  The side part estimation part 210 acquires the detection value according to the contact amount from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150 (step S10). The side surface estimation unit 210 recognizes the side surface portion on which the side sensor having the maximum detected value is disposed as the first side surface portion, and recognizes the side surface portion facing the first side surface portion as the second side surface portion (step S20). The finger determination unit 220 determines that the finger in contact with the second side surface is a thumb, and determines that the finger in contact with the first side surface is a finger other than the thumb (step S30).

  The operation accepting unit 300 accepts a contact of the predetermined finger to the housing as an input operation based on the determination result of the finger determining unit 220 and information on the predetermined finger stored in the storage unit 400 (step S40). . For example, the operation reception unit 300 obtains determination information from the finger determination unit 220 that the finger in contact with the side surface unit 50 is a thumb and the finger in contact with the side surface unit 30 is a finger other than the thumb. At the same time, when the definition information indicating that the predetermined finger is the thumb is obtained from the storage unit 400, contact with the detection region 150R on the side surface unit 50 is thereafter accepted as an input operation. Then, this flowchart ends.

(Second processing mode of estimation unit 200)
7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the second processing mode of the side surface recognition unit 210. FIG. As described above, the first processing mode of the side surface recognition unit 210 is to authenticate the side surface based on the maximum value of the detection value. However, the second processing mode of the side surface authentication unit 210 is the detection method. The side portion is authorized based on the maximum value increase / decrease rate. Note that the processing of the finger determination unit 220 is the same as the first processing mode.

  The side face recognition unit 210 recognizes the side face provided with the side sensor having the largest increase / decrease rate of the detected value with time as the second side face, and recognizes the side face facing the second side face as the first side face. (Second processing mode).

  For example, when the index finger that has been separated from the side surface portion 30 is attached or detached from the state of FIG. 4A (that is, when the index finger is tapped), the contact state on the side surface portion 30 is, for example, FIG. It changes with time as shown in 7 (b). Further, when the thumb attached to the side surface portion 50 is released or attached from the state of FIG. 4A (that is, when the thumb is tapped), the contact state on the side surface portion 50 is, for example, FIG. As shown in FIG. 7 (d), it changes with time. The increase / decrease in the number of “x” marks represents the increase / decrease in the contact amount. In the case of a thumb tap and an index finger tap, the contact state on the side surface 20 and the contact state on the side surface 40 do not normally change as shown in FIGS.

  In the case of the second processing mode, the side surface estimation unit 210 acquires detection values from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150 over time, and calculates the increase / decrease rate of the detection values acquired from the side sensors. To do. In the case of the example in FIG. 7, the increase / decrease rate of the detection value of each side sensor has a magnitude relationship as shown in FIG. Various methods are conceivable for calculating the increase / decrease rate of the detection value. For example, the side surface estimation unit 210 uses {("the maximum value of the detection value within a certain period of time"-"the detection value within a certain period of time. "Minimum value") / "Maximum detected value within a certain period of time"} is defined as "Detection value increase / decrease rate" (however, zero when the maximum value is zero). Subsequently, as a result of the calculation, the side surface portion estimation unit 210 recognizes the side surface portion on which the side surface sensor having the largest increase / decrease rate of the detection value is disposed as the second side surface portion, and the side surface in a positional relationship facing the second side surface portion. The part is recognized as the first side part. For example, in the case of the example in FIG. 8, the side surface estimation unit 210 recognizes the side surface portion 50 on which the side sensor 150 with the largest increase / decrease rate of the detection value is disposed as the second side surface portion, and the positional relationship facing the side surface portion 50. The side surface portion 30 located at is recognized as the first side surface portion.

  The finger determination unit 220 determines that the finger in contact with the side surface 50 (detection region 150R) as the second side surface is the thumb, and contacts the side surface 30 (detection region 130R) as the first side surface. The finger is determined to be a finger other than the thumb.

(Third processing mode of the estimation unit 200)
9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams for explaining a third processing mode of the side surface recognition unit 210. FIG. 9A is a perspective view in a state where the display screen 11 is set to the front side, FIG. 9B is a detection region in each of the side surfaces 20, 30, 40, and 50, and FIG. 9C is a sensor unit. 102.
The second processing mode of the side surface recognition unit 210 is to authenticate the side surface based on the maximum value of the increase / decrease rate of the detection value at the time of tapping, but the third processing mode of the side surface authentication unit 210 is The side portion is certified based on the maximum value of the increase / decrease rate of the detected value during sliding. Note that the processing of the finger determination unit 220 is the same as the first processing mode.

  In the case of the third processing mode, the shape of the detection region of each side sensor is different from the shape of the detection region in the case of the first and second processing modes. That is, in the first and second processing modes, the shape of the detection region of each side sensor has a constant length in the short direction regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction of the side surface (for example, rectangular as shown in FIG. 1). However, in the case of the third processing mode, the length in the short direction differs depending on the position of the side surface in the longitudinal direction. For example, in the case of the third processing mode, the detection area of each side sensor has a shape as shown in FIGS.

  That is, in the case of the third processing mode, the electronic device 1 includes the side sensor 120 having the detection region 120R, the side sensor 130 having the detection region 130R, the side sensor 140 having the detection region 140R, and the side surface having the detection region 150R. Instead of the sensor unit 100 including the sensor 150, as shown in FIG. 9C, a side sensor 121 having a detection region 121R, a side sensor 131 having a detection region 131R, a side sensor 141 having a detection region 141R, and a detection region The sensor part 102 provided with the side sensor 151 which has 151R is provided.

  Since the detection regions 121R, 131R, 141R, and 151R have different lengths in the vertical direction (short direction) depending on the position in the slide direction (longitudinal direction), the side sensors 121, 131, 141, and 151 The detection value that changes according to the slide is output.

  For example, from the state of FIG. 4A, when the index finger is slid to the side surface portion 30 (that is, when the index finger is slid), the contact state on the side surface portion 30 is, for example, FIG. As shown in FIG. In the case of FIG. 10A, the contact area to the side surface portion 30 does not change during the slide, but the contact area on the detection region 131R changes, so the detection value changes according to the slide. Further, when the thumb attached to the side surface portion 50 is slid from the state of FIG. 4A (that is, when the thumb is slid), the contact state on the side surface portion 50 is, for example, FIG. ) And changes over time. In the case of FIG. 10B, in addition to the contact area on the detection region 151R, the contact area to the side surface portion 50 also changes during sliding. In FIG. 10, the increase / decrease in the number of “x” marks represents the increase / decrease in the contact amount.

  In the case of the third processing mode, the side surface estimation unit 210 acquires detection values from the side sensors 121, 131, 141, and 151 over time, and uses the same method as in the second processing mode, The increase / decrease rate of the detection value acquired from each side sensor is calculated. Subsequently, the side surface portion estimation unit 210 recognizes the side surface portion in which the second processing mode and the side surface sensor having the largest increase / decrease rate of the detection value are disposed as the second side surface portion, and is in a positional relationship facing the second side surface portion. A side part is recognized as the first side part.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a schematic external view of an electronic device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 11A is a perspective view in a state where the display screen 11 is stood with the display screen 11 facing forward, FIG. 11B is a perspective view in a state where the display screen 11 is laid down, and FIG. FIG.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the electronic device 2 includes a front surface portion 10, side surface portions 20, 30, 40, 50, and a back surface portion 60, as with the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment. . In addition, the electronic device 2 includes detection regions 120R, 130R, 140R, and 150R in the side surface portions 20, 30, 40, and 50, as in the first embodiment (first and second processing modes).
The electronic device 2 includes a detection area 161R of the back sensor 161 (see FIG. 12), a detection area 162R of the back sensor 162 (see FIG. 12), and a detection area 163R of the back sensor 163 (see FIG. 12) on the back surface portion 60. . The shape of the detection region 161R (the same applies to the detection region 162R and the detection region 163R) is a shape whose width is gradually reduced (for example, a wedge shape or an acute triangle).

FIG. 12 is an example of a functional block diagram of the electronic device 2.
The electronic device 2 also includes a sensor unit 104, an estimation unit 202, an operation reception unit 300, and a storage unit 400, as shown in FIG. The operation reception unit 300 and the storage unit 400 are the same as those included in the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment. The sensor unit 104 includes a plurality of side sensors (side sensors 120, 130, 140, 150, back sensors 161, 162, 163). The side sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150 are the same as those provided in the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment. The electronic device 2 includes an acceleration sensor (not shown).

  The back sensor 161 outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact amount to the detection region 161R (see FIG. 11) to the estimation unit 202 and the operation reception unit 300. The back sensor 162 outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact amount to the detection region 162R (see FIG. 11) to the estimation unit 202 and the operation reception unit 300. The side sensor 163 outputs a detection value corresponding to the contact amount to the detection region 163R (see FIG. 11) to the estimation unit 202 and the operation reception unit 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the estimation unit 202 includes a side surface recognition unit 212 and a finger determination unit 220. The finger determination unit 220 is the same as that provided in the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment.
The side surface authentication unit 212 acquires detection values from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, 150 and the back sensors 161, 162, 163. The side surface authorization unit 212 authorizes the first side surface part and the second side surface part side part described above based on the detection values acquired from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, 150 and the back sensors 161, 162, 163.

  For example, the side surface recognition unit 212 tentatively recognizes the first side surface and the second side surface based on the detection values acquired from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, 150, and from the back sensors 161, 162, 163. The left and right hands holding the electronic device 2 are determined based on the acquired detection values, and the consistency between the temporary recognition result and the left and right hand determination results is determined. If it is not in a state, it is determined that the provisional authorization result is appropriate (the first side face part and the second side face part part are authorized based on the provisional authorization result).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for describing processing of the side surface portion estimation unit 212.
Hereinafter, the process of the side surface part estimation part 212 is demonstrated in detail. First, the side surface estimation unit 212 tentatively recognizes the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion side surface portion based on the detection values acquired from the side surface sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150. In addition, temporary recognition of the 1st side surface part and 2nd side surface part side surface part by the side surface part estimation part 212 is the 1st side surface part and 2nd side surface part side surface by the side surface part estimation part 210 of the electronic device 1 of 1st Embodiment. The process is the same as the certification of the department.

Subsequently, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 determines the left and right hands holding the electronic device 2 based on the detection values acquired from the back sensors 161, 162, and 163.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the user holds the electronic device 2 with the left hand with the front surface portion 10 on the front side and the side surface portion 20 on the upper side, the contact area on the side surface portion 30 side located on the index finger side. Is higher than the position of the contact region on the side surface portion 50 side located on the thumb side, so that the contact portion on the back surface portion 60 is represented as the lower part of the one-dot chain line in FIG. On the other hand, when holding with the right hand in the same orientation, the position of the contact area on the side face 50 side located on the index finger side becomes higher than the position of the contact area on the side face 30 side located on the thumb side. The contact portion is represented as the lower part of the two-dot chain line in FIG.

Further, the user places the electronic device 2 in the left hand with the front face portion 10 on the front side and the side face portion 50 on the upper side (in a posture rotated 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the front face portion 10 in FIG. 4A). The contact area on the side face 20 side located on the index finger side is higher than the position on the side face 40 side located on the thumb side. It is represented as the lower part of the alternate long and short dash line of 13 (b). On the other hand, when holding with the right hand in the same orientation, the position of the contact area on the side face 40 side located on the index finger side is higher than the position of the contact area on the side face 20 side located on the thumb side. The contact portion is represented as the lower part of the two-dot chain line in FIG.
Further, when the user holds the electronic device 2 with the left hand with the front face portion 10 on the front side and the side face portion 40 on the upper side, the position of the contact area on the side face portion 50 side located on the index finger side is located on the thumb side. Since the height is higher than the position of the contact area on the side surface portion 30 side, the contact portion on the back surface portion 60 is represented as the lower portion of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. On the other hand, when holding with the right hand in the same direction, the position of the contact area on the side surface 30 side located on the index finger side is higher than the side surface 50 side located on the thumb side, so the contact portion on the back surface portion 60 is It is represented as the lower part of the two-dot chain line in FIG.
In addition, the user places the electronic device 2 in the left hand with the front surface portion 10 on the front side and the side surface portion 30 on the upper side (in a posture rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the front surface portion 10 in FIG. 4A). The contact area on the side face 40 side located on the index finger side is higher than the position on the side face 20 side located on the thumb side. It is expressed as the lower part of the one-dot chain line of 13 (d). On the other hand, when holding with the right hand in the same orientation, the position of the contact area on the side face 40 side located on the index finger side is higher than the position of the contact area on the side face 20 side located on the thumb side. The contact portion is represented as the lower part of the two-dot chain line in FIG.
In addition, the side surface part estimation part 212 judges the attitude | position (side part located in an upper side) of the electronic device 2 based on the detected value of an acceleration sensor.

  Accordingly, when the side surface portion 20 is on the upper side, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 places the electronic device 2 in the left hand when the detection value of the back sensor 161> the detection value of the back sensor 163 as shown in FIG. If the detected value of the rear sensor 163> the detected value of the rear sensor 161, it is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand. Similarly, when the side surface portion 40 is on the upper side, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 detects the electronic device 2 when the detection value of the back sensor 163> the detection value of the back sensor 161 as shown in FIG. It is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand. If the detected value of the rear sensor 161> the detected value of the rear sensor 163, it is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand. In addition, when the side part 50 is an upper side, as shown in FIG.13 (b), the side part estimation part 212 cannot discriminate | determine the left and right hand holding the electronic device 2. FIG. Moreover, when the side part 30 is an upper side, as shown in FIG.13 (d), the side part estimation part 212 cannot discriminate | determine the left and right hand holding the electronic device 2. FIG.

  Subsequently, the side surface estimation unit 212 determines the consistency between the provisional authorization result and the left and right hand discrimination result. For example, when the side surface portion 30 is temporarily recognized as the first side surface portion (finger side other than the thumb) and the side surface portion 50 is temporarily recognized as the second side surface portion (thumb side), the front surface portion When it is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the left hand with 10 on the front side and the side surface portion 20 on the upper side (in FIG. 13A, it is determined that the lower part of the one-dot chain line is the contact range of the back surface portion 60. ), Since the position of the thumb side by the recognition result of the temporary authorization and the discrimination result of the left and right hands is the same on the side surface portion 50 side, the authorization result of the temporary authorization and the discrimination result of the left and right hands Are considered consistent. On the other hand, in the case of temporary authorization as described above, when it is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand with the front surface portion 10 on the near side and the side surface portion 20 on the upper side (two-dot difference line in FIG. 13A). The lower side of the contact area of the back surface portion 60 is determined), the position of the thumb side according to the discrimination result of the left and right hands is on the side surface portion 30 side and does not match the side surface portion 50 side which is the provisional certification result. Therefore, it is determined that the authorization result of the temporary authorization and the discrimination result of the left and right hands are not consistent.

  FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart showing a processing flow of the electronic device 2. The side part estimation part 212 acquires the detection value according to the contact amount from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150 (step S110). The side part estimation part 212 acquires the detection value according to the contact amount from the back sensors 161, 162, and 163 (step S112). The side surface estimation unit 212 tentatively recognizes the side surface on which the side sensor having the maximum detection value from the side sensors 120, 130, 140, and 150 is disposed as the first side surface, and determines the side surface facing the first side surface. The second side surface portion is temporarily certified (step S120).

  The side surface estimation unit 212 determines the left and right hands holding the electronic device 2 based on the detection values of the back sensors 161, 162, and 163 and the acceleration sensor (step S122). As described above, the side surface estimation unit 212 may not be able to distinguish between the left and right hands depending on the posture of the electronic device 2 (in the case of FIGS. 13B and 13D).

  The side surface estimation unit 212 determines whether or not the provisional authorization result in step S120 matches the left and right hand discrimination results in step S122 (step S124). Note that the side surface estimation unit 212 determines that the left and right hands can be determined in step S122, and the determination result is true (Yes) when the determination result is consistent with the authorization result. On the other hand, the side surface estimation unit 212 determines the left and right hands in step S122, and determines the left and right hands in step S122 when the determination result does not match the recognition result. If it cannot be determined, it is determined to be false (No).

  When the operation reception unit 300 determines that the answer is true (Yes) (step S124: Yes), the finger determination unit 220 determines that the finger in contact with the temporarily certified second side surface is a thumb, It is determined that the finger in contact with the certified first side surface is a finger other than the thumb (step S130). Subsequent to step S <b> 130, the operation accepting unit 300 performs an input operation on the contact of the predetermined finger to the housing based on the determination result of the finger determination unit 220 and information on the predetermined finger stored in the storage unit 400. (Step S140). Then, this flowchart ends.

  On the other hand, when the operation reception unit 300 determines that it is false (No) (Step S124: No), Steps S130 and S140 are skipped, and this flowchart ends.

  In step S124, the side surface estimation unit 212 determines the consistency between the provisional recognition result and the left and right hand determination results, and determines true (Yes) when in the aligned state, otherwise. Is determined to be false (No), but may be determined to be false (No) when in an inconsistent state, and may be determined to be true (Yes) in other cases. That is, the side surface estimation unit 212 may determine true in step S124 if the left and right hands cannot be determined in step S122.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the electronic apparatus 2. FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a state in which the display screen 11 is laid down, that is, a state in which the display unit 11 is laid down with the back surface portion 60 facing up. FIG. 15B shows the configuration of the sensor unit 106.
As shown in FIG. 15A, the electronic device 2 has a detection area 164R, a detection area 165R, a detection area 166R, and a detection area 167R on the back surface portion 60 instead of the detection area 161R, the detection area 162R, and the detection area 163R. You may have. That is, the electronic device 2 replaces the sensor unit 104 including the back sensor 161 having the detection region 161, the back sensor 162 having the detection region 162R, and the back sensor 163 having the detection region 163R with reference to FIG. As shown, the sensor unit 106 includes a back sensor 164 having a detection area 164, a back sensor 165 having a detection area 165R, a back sensor 166 having a detection area 166R, and a back sensor 167 having a detection area 167R. Also good.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the processing of the side surface portion estimation unit 212 when the rear surface sensors 164, 165, 166, and 167 are provided.
For example, when the side surface portion 20 is on the upper side, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 moves the electronic device 2 to the left hand when the detection value of the back sensor 165> the detection value of the back sensor 167 as shown in FIG. If the detected value of the rear sensor 167> the detected value of the rear sensor 165, it is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand.
Similarly, when the side surface portion 50 is on the upper side, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 uses the electronic device 2 when the detection value of the back sensor 164> the detection value of the back sensor 166 as shown in FIG. It is determined that the electronic device 2 is held by the right hand, and when the detection value of the back sensor 166> the detection value of the back sensor 164, the electronic device 2 is determined to be held by the right hand.
Similarly, when the side surface portion 40 is on the upper side, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 sets the electronic device 2 when the detection value of the back sensor 167> the detection value of the back sensor 165 as shown in FIG. It is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand. When the detection value of the back sensor 165> the detection value of the back sensor 167, it is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand.
Similarly, when the side surface portion 30 is on the upper side, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 sets the electronic device 2 when the detection value of the back sensor 167> the detection value of the back sensor 165 as shown in FIG. It is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand. When the detection value of the back sensor 165> the detection value of the back sensor 167, it is determined that the electronic device 2 is held with the right hand.

  As described above, when the electronic device 2 includes the rear sensors 164, 165, 166, and 167, the side surface portion estimation unit 212 has the electronic device 2 regardless of which side surface portion is on the upper side. The left and right hands can be distinguished. In addition, since the right and left hands can be discriminated, the accuracy of judgment of consistency between the recognition result of the temporary authorization by the side portion and the discrimination result of the left and right hands is improved, so that the accuracy of finger judgment is also improved.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an electronic apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 17A is a perspective view in a state where the display screen 11 is set to the front side, and FIG. 17B represents a detection region in each side surface portion 20, 30, 40, 50 of the electronic device 3. FIG.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the electronic device 3 includes a front surface portion 10, side surface portions 20, 30, 40, 50, and a back surface portion 60, similar to the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment. In addition, the electronic device 3 includes, on the side surface portion 20, a detection region 122-1R of the side sensor 122-1R (see FIG. 18), a detection region 122-2R of the side sensor 122-2R (see FIG. 18), and a side sensor 122-. 3R (see FIG. 18) detection area 122-3R and side sensor 122-4R (see FIG. 18) detection area 122-4R. The same applies to the side surface portions 30, 40, 50.

FIG. 18 is an example of a functional block diagram of the electronic device 3. As shown in FIG. 18, the electronic device 3 also includes a sensor unit 108, an estimation unit 204, an operation reception unit 300, and a storage unit 400. The sensor unit 100 includes a plurality of side sensors (side sensors 122-1, ..., side sensors 122-4, side sensors 132-1, ..., side sensors 132-4, side sensors 142-1, ..., side sensors 142-. 4, side sensor 152-1, ..., side sensor 152-4).
Side sensor 122-1R outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with detection region 122-1R (see FIG. 17) to estimation unit 204 and operation reception unit 300. The same applies to the other side sensors.

As shown in FIG. 18, the estimation unit 204 includes a side surface authentication unit 214 and a finger determination unit 220. The finger determination unit 220 is the same as that provided in the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment.
The side surface authentication unit 214 includes each side sensor (side sensor 122-1, ..., side sensor 122-4, side sensor 132-1, ..., side sensor 132-4, side sensor 142-1, ..., side sensor 142. -4, side sensor 152-1, ..., side sensor 152-4). The side surface authorization unit 214 authorizes the above-described first side surface part and second side surface part side part based on the detection value acquired from each side sensor.
Specifically, the side surface recognition unit 214 calculates a detection value for each side surface part by adding the detection values for each side surface sensor in units of side surface parts, and recognizes the side surface part with the maximum detection value as the first side surface part. The side part facing the first side part is recognized as the second side part. Specifically, the side surface authentication unit 214 adds the detection values of the side surface sensors 122-1,..., The side surface sensor 122-4 as the detection values of the side surface portion 20, and the side surface sensor 132- 1,..., The detection values of the side surface sensor 132-4 are added up, and the detection values of the side surface sensor 142-1,. The detection values of the side sensors 152-1,..., Side sensor 152-4 are added together, the detection values of the side parts are compared, the side part having the maximum detection value is recognized as the first side part, and the first The side part facing the side part is recognized as the second side part.
Thereby, the electronic device 3 can determine a finger similarly to the electronic devices 1 and 2 in the first and second embodiments.

  In addition to the detection value for each side surface part (the sum of the detection values of the side surface sensor for each side surface part), the side surface part recognition unit 214 determines the first side surface part and the second side surface based on the detection value for each side surface sensor. Departments may be certified. For example, it holds information indicating the characteristics of the detection values of the side sensors at each position when held with the right hand and information indicating the characteristics of the detection values of the side sensors at each position when held with the left hand. Even if the left and right hands holding the electronic device 3 are determined from the detection values for each side sensor, and the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion are authorized in the same manner as the electronic device 2 in the second embodiment. Good. That is, the side surface recognition unit 214 tentatively recognizes the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion from the detection value for each side surface portion, determines the left and right hands from the respective detection values of the side surface sensor, and certifies the temporary authentication. It may be determined whether or not the result matches the determination result of the left and right hands, and finally the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion may be authorized.

In the second embodiment, the electronic device 2 has an example in which the back surface 60 has detection areas 161R to 163R of the back sensors 161 to 163 and an example of having detection areas 164R to 167R of the back sensors 164 to 167. However, the number of back sensors and the shape of each detection region are not limited to this. That is, the electronic device 2 only needs to have a back sensor capable of discriminating between the left and right hands in at least one posture (for example, a posture with the side surface portion 20 facing upward) on the back surface portion 60.
In the third embodiment, the example in which the electronic device 3 has four rectangular detection areas on each of the side surface parts 20, 30, 40, 50 has been described. The quantity of each and the shape of each detection area are not limited to this. For example, the electronic device 3 may include two or more side sensors each having a detection region (for example, the detection region in FIG. 9) having a different width in the sliding direction for each side surface portion.

  In the second embodiment, the electronic device 2 discriminates the left and right hands by the back sensor, but the electronic device 2 detects the temperature (heat) that rises due to the contact or approach to the back surface portion 60. A temperature sensor may be provided, and the left and right hands may be determined by the temperature sensor. In other words, the side surface recognition unit 212 discriminates the left and right hands holding the electronic device 2 based on the detection values of the temperature sensor and the acceleration sensor, and the first side surface part and the second side by the detection value of the side sensor. It may be determined whether or not the result of the provisional authorization of the side face is consistent, and finally the first side face and the second side face may be authorized.

  Note that a program for executing the processing of the electronic devices 1 to 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Accordingly, the above-described various processes related to the electronic devices 1 to 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be performed. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, an SD card, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, and a computer system. A built-in storage device such as a hard disk.

  Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” means a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic DRAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)), etc., which hold programs for a certain period of time. The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

1, 2, 3, ... Electronic equipment, 10 ... Front part, 11 ... Display part 20, 30, 40, 50 ... Side part 60 ... Back part 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 ... Sensor part 120, 121, 122, 130, 131, 132, 140, 141, 142, 150, 151, 152 ... Side sensor 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167 ... Back sensor 200, 202, 204 ... Estimator 210, 212, 214 ... Side surface recognition unit 220 ... finger determination unit 300 ... operation reception unit 400 ... storage unit

Claims (5)

A side sensor that has a detection region on the side surface of the housing and outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with the detection region;
An estimation unit that estimates a finger in contact with the side surface based on a detection value from the side sensor , and
The side sensors are arranged one by one on each side part,
The estimation unit includes
A side surface portion that recognizes the side surface portion on which the side sensor having the maximum detection value is disposed as a first side surface portion, and a side surface portion that faces the first side surface portion is recognized as a second side surface portion;
A finger determination unit that determines that the finger in contact with the second side surface is a thumb, and determines that the finger in contact with the first side surface is a finger other than the thumb;
Child equipment power with. A side sensor that has a detection region on the side surface of the housing and outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with the detection region;
An estimation unit for estimating a finger in contact with the side surface based on a detection value from the side sensor;
With
The side sensors are arranged one by one on each side part,
The estimation unit includes
The side part recognition part which recognizes the side part which arranged the side sensor with the largest increase / decrease rate of the detection value with time as the second side part, and recognizes the side part opposite to the second side part as the first side part. When,
A finger determination unit that determines that the finger in contact with the second side surface is a thumb, and determines that the finger in contact with the first side surface is a finger other than the thumb;
Child equipment power with. A side sensor that has a detection region on the side surface of the housing and outputs a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact with the detection region;
An estimation unit for estimating a finger in contact with the side surface based on a detection value from the side sensor;
With
The side sensors are arranged one by one on each side part,
Each detection area is
Depending on the position of the side surface in the longitudinal direction, the length in the short direction is different,
The estimation unit includes
The side part recognition part which recognizes the side part which arranged the side sensor with the largest increase / decrease rate of the detection value with time as the second side part, and recognizes the side part opposite to the second side part as the first side part. When,
A finger determination unit that determines that the finger in contact with the second side surface is a thumb, and determines that the finger in contact with the first side surface is a finger other than the thumb;
Child equipment power with. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An operation accepting unit that accepts a contact with the casing by a predetermined finger as an input operation;
The operation reception unit
When the contact with the side surface by the predetermined finger is estimated by the estimation unit, the contact with the detection area of the side surface is subsequently accepted as an input operation.
Electronic equipment. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
It has a detection area on the rear portion of the housing, further comprising a rear sensor for outputting a detection value corresponding to the amount of contact to the detection region of the back surface portion,
The side portion certification unit is
Based on detection values of the side sensor and the back sensor, the first side part and the second side part are certified.
Electronic equipment.

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