WO2012008077A1

WO2012008077A1 - Mobile terminal, display control method, and display control program

Info

Publication number: WO2012008077A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/002805
Authority: WO
Inventors: 藤原　祐二
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2010-07-14
Filing date: 2011-05-19
Publication date: 2012-01-19
Also published as: JP2012023554A

Abstract

Disclosed is a mobile terminal which applicably switches the display of a display section in accordance with the hand that is holding the mobile terminal, without there being restrictions on the manner in which the user holds the mobile terminal or finger positions. The mobile terminal is provided with: a display section (101) for performing display; a sensor section (105) for detecting movement of the actual terminal; a holding-hand determination section (131) for determining, in accordance with the movement of the actual terminal detected by the sensor section (105), which hand is holding the mobile terminal; and a control section (107) for switching the display of the display section (101) to a display suitable for the hand holding the mobile device, in accordance with the determination result of the holding-hand determination section (131).

Description

Portable terminal, display control method, and display control program

The present invention relates to a portable terminal, a display control method, and a display control program, and more particularly to a portable terminal capable of determining a hand with an acceleration sensor, a display control method, and a display control program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining whether the operator's dominant hand is the right hand or the left hand based on the states of the dominant hand determination switch and the power switch. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a portable terminal in which a touch sensor detects a touch of an operator's hand, and a holding hand is determined based on the detection result.

Japanese Patent No. 4106807 Specification Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-179502

However, in Patent Document 1, although the hand is determined using the dominant hand determination switch, the dominant hand determination switch can be operated with either hand, and effective means for preventing erroneous operation is not disclosed. In addition, since the switching is performed in combination with the power switch, when the user changes the portable terminal from right to left or from left to right, it is not possible to quickly switch the holding mode.

Further, in Patent Document 2, it is determined by the pressure sensor that the user holds the portable terminal with which hand, but in order to make a correct determination, depending on the position of the pressure sensor, the user's holding method or finger There is a restriction on the position to place the Furthermore, if the size of the portable terminal is larger than the user's hand, the method disclosed in Patent Document 2 is difficult to apply.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal, a display control method, and a display control program which can switch the display of the display unit according to the handle regardless of how the user holds or the position of a finger. It is.

The present invention comprises a display unit for displaying, a sensor unit for detecting the movement of the own terminal, and a hand determining unit for judging the hand based on the movement of the own terminal detected by the sensor unit; And a control unit configured to switch the display of the display unit to a display according to the hand based on the determination result of the determination unit.

In the mobile terminal, the sensor unit is provided in a housing of the mobile terminal, the display unit is provided on a display surface constituting one surface of the housing of the mobile terminal, and the holding hand judging unit is provided. A first movement in which a left side surface of a casing of the portable terminal rotates from the display surface side toward a back surface facing the display surface by a predetermined angle or more, with the front-rear direction of the casing of the portable terminal as an axis And the right side surface of the case of the portable terminal rotates from the display surface side toward the back surface opposite to the display surface by a predetermined angle or more. When the movement of 2 is detected, it is determined that the handle is the left hand.

In the portable terminal, the sensor unit is configured of one three-axis acceleration sensor capable of detecting a gravitational acceleration.

In the portable terminal, the sensor unit is configured of two three-axis acceleration sensors provided at the centers of the side surfaces of the housing.

In the portable terminal, the sensor unit is configured by an acceleration sensor which can detect one angular velocity provided at the center between the side surfaces of the housing.

In the portable terminal, when the holding hand determining unit detects a movement that returns in the reverse direction substantially the same trajectory as the first movement after detecting the first movement, the holding hand is the right hand. After the determination and the detection of the second movement, when it is determined that the movement returning the trajectory substantially the same as the second movement in the opposite direction is detected, it is determined that the handle is the left hand.

The present invention also includes a detecting step of detecting the movement of the own terminal by the sensor unit, and a judging step of determining the holding hand based on the movement of the own terminal detected by the sensor unit by the holding hand judging unit; A display control method comprising: a display switching step of displaying a display on the display unit of the portable terminal according to the hand based on the determination result of the hand determination unit.

The present invention also provides a display control program for executing the steps of the above display control method.

According to the portable terminal of the present invention, it is possible to switch the display of the display portion according to the handle, without being restricted by the way of holding the user or the position of the finger.

Block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal 100 according to the first embodiment The figure which explains the standard axis which defines the direction which is detected by sensor section 105 Diagram (1) explaining the movement of the mobile terminal 100 Diagram (2) explaining the movement of the mobile terminal 100 Switching control flow of the display unit 101 according to the first embodiment A diagram for explaining an initial state of the mobile terminal 100 Block diagram showing configuration of portable terminal 300 according to Embodiment 2 Diagram (1) explaining the movement of the portable terminal 300 Diagram (2) explaining the movement of the mobile terminal 300 Switching Control Flow of Display Unit 101 in Second Embodiment Block diagram showing configuration of portable terminal 500 according to Embodiment 3 Diagram (1) explaining the movement of the portable terminal 500 Diagram (2) explaining the movement of the portable terminal 500 Switching control flow of display unit 101 in the third embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of mobile terminal 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile terminal 100 according to the first embodiment includes a display unit 101 that displays various functions of the mobile terminal 100 and an operation unit that allows the user to operate various functions displayed on the display unit 101. And 103, a sensor unit 105, a control unit 107, a state management unit 109, and a handle determination unit 131.

The display unit 101 displays various functions of the mobile terminal 100. The display unit 101 is configured to switch the direction, position, and size of the display screen as appropriate according to the user's hand (right hand or left hand) based on the control of the control unit 107 described later.

The sensor unit 105 is located substantially at the center of the housing 150 of the mobile terminal 100. In the first embodiment, an example in which one three-axis acceleration sensor capable of detecting a gravitational acceleration is built in the sensor unit 105 will be described. The sensor unit 105 detects (1) acceleration in the negative direction of the Z-axis and (2) change in the direction of gravity as viewed from the portable terminal 100 by an acceleration sensor built in the sensor unit 105. Then, the sensor unit 105 outputs the x, y, and z components of the gravitational acceleration as detected values to the holding hand determination unit 131. The acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction can be reworded as an acceleration in a direction from the display surface 121 side of the housing 150 of the portable terminal 100 toward the back surface 127 side.

The holding hand determination unit 131 calculates the rotation angle of the mobile terminal 100 in a predetermined direction based on the time change of the detection value of the sensor unit 105. That is, the holding hand determination unit 131 calculates a rotation angle in a predetermined direction from (1) temporal change in acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction and (2) change in gravity direction viewed from the portable terminal 100. . More specifically, the holding hand determination unit 131 determines the rotation angle around the x axis (pitch angle), the rotation angle around the y axis (roll angle), and the rotation around the z axis as each component of the rotation angle in a predetermined direction. Calculate the angle (yaw angle).

Here, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” means that, when the user's handle is the right hand, the rotation axis Y1 is closer to the right side surface 123 than the center of the housing 150 of the portable terminal 100, and the portable terminal 100 is the user It is a rotation angle at the time of rotating by a predetermined angle in the roll angle minus direction centering on the rotation axis Y1 by the handle of. Furthermore, when the user holds the right hand, the negative roll angle direction about the rotation axis Y1 located on the right side 123 side of the center of the case 150 of the portable terminal 100 is the left side of the case 150 of the portable terminal 100 The surface 125 is a direction from the display surface 121 to the back surface 127 (see FIG. 3).

In the present embodiment, the case where the user's handle is the right hand is described, but when the user's handle is the left hand, the following can be reworded. That is, when the user holds the left hand, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” means that the rotation axis Y1 is closer to the left side 125 than the center of the case 150 of the portable terminal 100, and the portable terminal 100 is the user. It is a rotation angle when rotating by a predetermined angle in the roll angle plus direction about the rotation axis Y1 by the handle. Furthermore, when the user's handle is the left hand, the roll angle plus direction centered on the rotation axis Y1 located on the left side 125 side of the center of the casing 150 of the portable terminal 100 is the right side of the casing 150 of the portable terminal 100 The surface 123 is a direction from the display surface 121 side to the back surface 127 side. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” is used in the same meaning. For example, when the gravitational acceleration immediately after the start of rotation and immediately before the end of rotation is expressed by the components of each axis (x-axis component, y-axis component, z-axis component), the portable terminal 100 rotates 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” In the present embodiment, vector G1 (a, b, c) of gravitational acceleration immediately after the start of rotation, vector G2 (c, b, -a) (see FIG. 3) of gravitational acceleration immediately before the end of rotation, or G7 (-c) , B, a) (see FIG. 4) by a known calculation method.

Then, the holding hand determination unit 131 compares the calculated rotation angle of the predetermined direction with the “determination reference of the rotation angle of the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 (hereinafter referred to as“ determination reference of the rotation angle ”), It is determined whether the user's handle is "right hand" or "left hand".

Here, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 calculated by the holding hand determination unit 131 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a reference axis that defines the direction detected by the sensor unit 105, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 100 for determining the user's hand (right hand in this figure). (1). FIG. 4 is a diagram (2) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 100 for determining the handle of the user (the left hand in this figure).

With reference to FIG. 2, an axis and a rotation angle which define the direction detected by the sensor unit 105 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, with the center of the sensor unit 105 (the center of the casing 150 of the portable terminal 100) as a center, the three axes orthogonal to each other with the direction perpendicular to the display surface 121 including the display unit 101 as the Z-axis direction. Set up an orthogonal coordinate system composed of X, Y and Z axes. Regarding the rotation angle around each axis, let the rotation angle around Z axis be the yaw angle, the rotation angle around Y axis be the roll angle, and the rotation angle around X axis be the pitch angle. That is, the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 detected by the sensor unit 105 can be defined by the rotation angle around each axis and the direction of the rotation angle.

Furthermore, the direction of the rotation angle around each axis is specified. First, regarding the pitch angle, when the X axis plus direction is viewed from the X axis in the front, the clockwise direction is "pitch angle plus direction", and the X axis is viewed counterclockwise as the X axis plus direction is viewed in the front The pitch angle is in the negative direction. Regarding the roll angle, with the Y axis positive direction centered on the Y axis, the clockwise direction is "roll angle plus direction", and the Y axis positive direction with the Y axis plus direction counterclockwise, "roll angle In the negative direction. Regarding the yaw angle, the Z axis plus direction is viewed in front about the Z axis, clockwise as "Yaw angle plus direction", and the Z axis plus direction viewed in the Z axis plus direction, counterclockwise as "Yaw angle In the negative direction.

[Movement 1 of Mobile Terminal 100]
FIG. 3 is a diagram (1) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 100 for determining the user's hand (the right hand in this figure). The Y1 axis shown in FIG. 3 is an axis parallel to the above-mentioned Y axis. Since it is parallel to the Y axis, assuming a coordinate system in which the above-mentioned orthogonal coordinate system is translated, the rotation angle in a predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 can be defined by the rotation angle around the same axis. Moreover, in FIG. 3, the gravity direction before rotation is the Z-axis minus direction. The reference axis of the rotation angle is shown at the upper left of FIG. The Y1 axis shown in FIG. 3 is an axis in the front-rear direction of the portable terminal 100.

In state 1 of the portable terminal 100 shown in FIG. 3, the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z-axis plus direction. Then, from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z-axis plus direction, the portable terminal 100 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” with the right hand (arrow P in the figure). In other words, in the “roll angle negative direction” centered on the rotation axis Y1 located on the right side surface 123 side of the center of the housing 150 of the portable terminal 100, the left side surface 125 of the housing 150 of the portable terminal 100 is the display surface 121 It is a direction from the side toward the back surface 127 side. That is, the state of the portable terminal 100 transitions from the state 1 to the state 2 rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram (2) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 100 for determining the user's hand (the left hand in this figure). Elements in common with FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 4, the gravity direction is assumed to be the Z axis negative direction. The reference axis of the rotation angle is shown at the upper left of FIG. The Y1 axis shown in FIG. 4 is an axis in the front-rear direction of the portable terminal 100.

In state 1 of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 4, the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z-axis plus direction. Then, from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z-axis plus direction, the portable terminal 100 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” with the left hand (arrow P1 in the figure). In other words, in the “roll angle plus direction” centered on the rotation axis Y1 located on the left side 125 side of the center of the case 150 of the portable terminal 100, the right side face 123 of the case 150 of the portable terminal 100 is the display surface 121 It is a direction from the side toward the back surface 127 side. That is, the state of the portable terminal 100 transitions from the state 1 to the state 4 rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction”.

When the state of the portable terminal 100 transitions from the state 1 to the state 2 (see FIG. 3) or the state 4 (see FIG. 4), the sensor unit 105 changes (1) the change in acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction, 2) A change in the direction of gravity as viewed from the portable terminal 100 is detected, and the detection results are output to the hand determining unit 131 as detection values.

Then, the holding hand determination unit 131 determines that the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 calculated by the holding hand determination unit 131 is “the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 held by the holding hand determination unit 131 It is the same as the determination criterion of the rotation angle when rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” based on the determination criterion (hereinafter referred to as “the determination criterion of the rotation angle”), and based on the detection value of the sensor unit 105 When it is determined that the sensor unit 105 detects a change in acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction, the holding hand determination unit 131 determines that the user's hand is the right hand.

Further, the holding hand determination unit 131 is configured such that the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 calculated by the holding hand determination unit 131 is “the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 held by the holding hand determination unit 131 It is the same as the determination criterion of the rotation angle when rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” based on the determination criterion (hereinafter referred to as “determination criterion of the rotation angle”), and based on the detection value of the sensor unit 105 When it is determined that the sensor unit 105 detects a change in acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction, the holding hand determination unit 131 determines that the user's hand is the left hand. In addition, the holding hand determination unit 131 holds the determination reference of the rotation angle based on the rotation angle around each axis in advance in a storage element (not shown) as data.

The holding hand determination unit 131 outputs the determination result of the user's hand to the control unit 107.

The control unit 107 compares the determination result of the user's hand, which is input from the handle determination unit 131, with the information of the user's currently held hand. When the information on the current user's hand is different from the determination result of the user's hand input from the hand determination unit 131, the control unit 107 determines that the user's information on the current user's hand is held. Update based on the hand judgment result. When the information on the user's hand currently held is the same as the determination result of the user's hand input from the hand holding determination unit 131, the control unit 107 holds the user's current hand. Do not update the information of

Further, the control unit 107 controls the display unit 101 to change the direction, position, and size of the display screen of the display unit 101 based on the information of the current user's hand held. The control unit 107 also controls various functions displayed on the display unit 101 based on the input from the operation unit 103.

The state management unit 109 manages information on the hand of the user of the mobile terminal 100 as information indicating the current state of the mobile terminal. The information indicating the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 100 is 90 degrees rotation in the “roll angle minus direction” when the holding hand is determined to be the right hand, and “rolling when the holding hand is determined to be the left hand It is a 90 degree rotation in the angle plus direction.

Next, switching control of the display unit 101 in the portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a switching control flow of the display unit 101.

In step ST401, the sensor unit 105 detects (1) the acceleration in the negative direction of the Z-axis and (2) the change in the gravity direction as viewed from the portable terminal as a detection value of the sensor unit 105. Then, the process transitions to step ST403.

In step ST403, the holding hand determination unit 131 determines a rotation angle in a predetermined direction (rotation angle around the x axis (pitch angle), rotation angle around the y axis (roll angle) from time change of the detection value of the sensor unit 105). And the rotation angle (yaw angle) about the z axis. Then, the user's hand is determined from the calculated rotation angle in the predetermined direction. Then, the process transitions to branch ST405.

In branch ST405, the holding hand determination unit 131 determines whether the user's holding hand is the right hand. If it is determined that the user's hand is the right hand (in the case of Yes), the process transitions to step ST407, and if not (in the case of No), the process transitions to branch ST409.

In step ST407, the holding hand determination unit 131 outputs the determination result (right hand) of the user's hand to the control unit 107. Then, the process transitions to branch ST411.

In branch ST411, the control unit 107 compares the determination result (right hand) of the user's hand with the information indicating the user's hand held by the state management unit 109, and determines whether they are different. If they are different (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST415. If they are the same (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST401.

In step ST 415, control unit 107 updates information (left hand) indicating the user's hand held by state management unit 109 based on the determination result of the user's hand, and displays display unit 101 for the right hand. Switch to the screen.

In branch ST409, the holding hand determination unit 131 determines whether the user's holding hand is the left hand. If it is determined that the user's hand is the left hand (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST413. If not (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST401.

In step ST413, the holding hand determination unit 131 outputs the determination result (left hand) of the user's holding hand to the control unit 107. Then, the process transitions to branch ST417.

In branch ST417, the control unit 107 compares the determination result (left hand) of the user's hand with the information indicating the user's hand held by the state management unit 109, and determines whether they are different. When they are different (in the case of Yes), the process transitions to step ST419, and in the case of the same (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST401.

In step ST419, control unit 107 updates the information indicating the user's hand held by state management unit 109 based on the determination result of the user's hand, and switches display unit 101 to the display screen for the left hand. .

The portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment is determined based on (1) acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction detected by the sensor unit 105 and (2) temporal change in the direction of gravity seen from the portable terminal. By calculating the rotation angle in the predetermined direction, it is possible to determine the user's hand (assuming one hand in the present embodiment). Therefore, portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment can switch the display of display unit 101 according to the user's hand. Therefore, portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment can perform convenient display for the user through the display unit 101 in accordance with the user's hand.

Furthermore, in the mobile terminal 100 according to the present embodiment, the three-axis acceleration sensor is provided in the housing 150. Therefore, at the time of detection, it is assumed that the palm of the user's right or left hand is facing the back of the portable terminal 100 and the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z-axis plus direction. There is no restriction on holding the portable terminal 100 by placing a finger on any part of the portable terminal 100. It is desirable that the sensor unit 105 be located near the center of the opposite side surface.

Furthermore, in portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment, the palm of the user's right hand is facing the back of portable terminal 100, and the user is looking at display surface 121 from the Z-axis positive direction, as a normally assumed use state. When the portable terminal 100 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle negative direction” from the state, the holding hand is determined to be the right hand. However, in the normally assumed use state, when the left hand is the holding hand, the portable terminal 100 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z axis plus direction. I can not let it go. That is, in the normally assumed use state, it is out of the range of the movable range of the left hand. Therefore, in portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment, in the normally assumed use state, portable terminal 100 is 90 degrees in the “roll angle negative direction” from the state where the user is looking at display surface 121 from the Z axis positive direction. In the case of rotation, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous determination of the holding hand.

Similarly, as a normally assumed use state, the palm of the left hand of the user is facing the back of the portable terminal 100, and the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z-axis plus direction. When the terminal 100 is rotated 90 degrees, the handle is determined to be the left hand. However, in the normally assumed use state, when the right hand is the holding hand, the portable terminal 100 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 121 from the Z axis plus direction. I can not let it go. That is, in the normally assumed use state, it is out of the range of the movable range of the right hand. Therefore, in portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment, in a normally assumed use state, portable terminal 100 is 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” from the state where the user is looking at display surface 121 from the Z axis plus direction. In the case of rotation, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous determination of the holding hand.

When the portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment is 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction”, it is determined that the user's hand is the right hand, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in order to prevent an erroneous determination, the portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment can set the rotation angle in the “roll angle minus direction” to a rotation angle larger than 90 degrees or 90 degrees or more. It may be determined that the hand is the right hand. Similarly, in order to prevent an erroneous determination, the portable terminal 100 according to the present embodiment is a user when the rotation angle of the “roll angle plus direction” is a rotation angle larger than 90 degrees or a rotation angle of 90 degrees or more. It may be determined that the holding hand of the is the left hand. Furthermore, instead of using a rotation angle larger than 90 degrees or a rotation angle larger than 90 degrees, a rotation angle larger than a predetermined angle or a rotation angle larger than a predetermined angle may be used.

[Movement 2 of Mobile Terminal 100]
As indicated by an arrow T in FIG. 3, (3) the portable terminal 100 returns from the state 2 back to the state 1, that is, after the portable terminal 100 rotates 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” When rotated by 90 degrees in the plus direction, the holding hand determination unit 131 may determine that the user's hand is the right hand. Similarly, as indicated by an arrow T1 in FIG. 4, the portable terminal 100 returns from the state 4 back to the state 1, that is, after the portable terminal 100 rotates 90 degrees in the "roll angle plus direction", the "roll angle minus direction When rotating by 90 degrees, the holding hand determination unit 131 may determine that the user's hand is the left hand. In this way, if (A) the initial state (in the case of the present embodiment, the state 1) determines that the holding hand is against the user's intention, (B) the user does not hold the hand. It is possible to prevent an erroneous determination such as when the hand mode is switched unintentionally in a state. For example, in the case of the right hand, the mobile terminal 100 placed with the display surface 121 facing downward is held by the left hand and erroneous determination is made by the operation of pointing the display surface 121 to the user himself. The case where it is judged that it moves and it is misjudged that it rotated 90 degree | times in the "roll angle minus direction" etc. can be considered.

In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 3, in the state 1 of the portable terminal 100, the state in which the gravity direction is the Z axis minus direction is described as the initial state of the portable terminal 100. Not exclusively. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an initial state of the mobile terminal 100. As shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the present embodiment can be applied even if the state where only the angle α is rotated in the “roll angle minus direction” is the initial state as the state 3. That is, from the state 3 shown in FIG. 6 rotated from the state 1 shown in FIG. 3 by the angle α, the user rotates the mobile terminal 100 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” with the right hand (see FIG. When transitioning to a state 5 in which the arrow S) and the “roll angle minus direction” are rotated 90 degrees, the mobile terminal 100 according to the present embodiment can determine that the user's hand is the right hand.

In the present embodiment, it is described that one 3-axis acceleration sensor capable of detecting the gravitational acceleration is built in the sensor unit 105, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of acceleration sensors may be incorporated depending on the type and arrangement of the acceleration sensors.

Second Embodiment
Here, the position of the sensor unit 105 does not have to be the center of a straight line connecting opposing surfaces of the surfaces (side surfaces) perpendicular to the display surface 121 of the portable terminal 100. However, for example, when the sensor unit 105 is located in the vicinity of the side surface of the portable terminal 100, there is a possibility that the value of acceleration detected in the negative direction of the Z axis is small and hardly detected. Also, when the direction of gravitational acceleration is completely parallel to the Y axis shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, or when it is weightless, there is a possibility that the sensor unit 105 can not detect it.

Therefore, in the mobile terminal 300 according to the second embodiment, the sensor section 305 configured of two three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B capable of detecting an acceleration instead of the configuration of the sensor section 105 is a display surface of the mobile terminal 300. Of the faces (side faces) perpendicular to 321, one each is disposed in the vicinity of the opposing face (see FIG. 8).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of mobile terminal 300 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the portable terminal 300 according to the second embodiment includes a display unit 101 that displays various functions of the portable terminal 300 and an operation unit that allows the user to operate various functions displayed on the display unit 101. 103, a sensor unit 305 provided inside the housing 350 of the portable terminal 300 and configured of two three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B capable of detecting acceleration, display of the display unit 101, and various functions of the portable terminal 300 A control unit 307 that controls, a state management unit 309, and a handle determination unit 331 are provided.

The display unit 101 displays various functions of the mobile terminal 300. In addition, the display unit 101 is configured to appropriately change the direction, the position, and the size of the display screen according to the user's hand under the control of the control unit 307 described later.

The sensor unit 305 includes two three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B capable of detecting an acceleration. Although the

triaxial acceleration sensors

305A and 305B are used, in the present embodiment, changes in acceleration only in the Z-axis direction are used for determination. The two three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B are respectively disposed in the vicinity of the two opposing

surfaces

323 and 325 of the surfaces (side surfaces) perpendicular to the display surface 321 of the portable terminal 300. The 3-axis acceleration sensor 305A is disposed in the vicinity of the left side surface 325 of the housing 350 of the portable terminal 300, and the 3-axis acceleration sensor 305B is disposed in the vicinity of the right side surface 323 of the housing 350 of the portable terminal 300.

The two three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B that constitute the sensor unit 305 respectively detect the acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction, and output the detected acceleration to the holding hand determination unit 331. Although the details will be described later, when the user's handle is the right hand, the absolute value of the Z axis minus direction acceleration detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 305A is the absolute value of the Z axis minus direction acceleration detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 305B. Takes a larger value than When the user's hand is the left hand, the absolute value of the Z-axis negative direction detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 305B is larger than the absolute value of the Z-axis negative direction detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 305A. Take The sensor unit 305 may not be configured by a three-axis acceleration sensor. The acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction can be reworded as an acceleration in a direction from the display surface 321 side of the housing 350 of the portable terminal 300 toward the back surface 327 side.

Then, from the acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction detected by each of the 3-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B, the holding hand determination unit 331 uses a known method based on the amount of movement of each 3-axis acceleration sensor and the difference thereof. Calculate the rotation angle of the direction of. More specifically, the holding hand determination unit 331 calculates a rotation angle (roll angle) around the y axis.

Here, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” means that, when the user's handle is the right hand, the rotation axis Y3 is on the right side 323 side of the center of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 and the portable terminal 300 is the user The roll angle is a rotation angle when rotating by a predetermined angle in the minus roll angle direction about the rotation axis Y3. Furthermore, when the user holds the right hand, the negative roll angle direction about the rotation axis Y3 located on the right side 323 side of the center of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 is the left side of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 The surface 325 is a direction from the display surface 321 to the back surface 327 (see FIG. 8).

In the present embodiment, the case where the user's handle is the right hand is described, but when the user's handle is the left hand, the following can be reworded. That is, when the user holds the left hand, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” means that the rotation axis Y3 is closer to the left side 325 than the center of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300, and the portable terminal 300 is the user. It is a rotation angle when rotating by a predetermined angle in the roll angle plus direction about the rotation axis Y3 by the handle. Furthermore, when the user's handle is the left hand, the roll angle plus direction centered on the rotation axis Y3 located on the left side 325 side of the center of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 is the right side of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 The surface 323 is a direction from the display surface 321 side to the back surface 327 side. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” is used in the same meaning.

In the present embodiment, the

acceleration sensors

305A and 305B are respectively disposed in the vicinity of two opposing

surfaces

323 and 325 in the surface (side surface) perpendicular to the display surface 321 of the portable terminal 300. Therefore, it can be expected that the value of the acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction detected by any one of the acceleration sensors becomes small.

Further, in the present embodiment, even when the holding hand is the left hand, the portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment is 90 in the “roll angle plus direction” as the rotation angle of the portable terminal 300 in the predetermined direction. The degree can be detected.

Here, the x, y, z components of the acceleration detected by the sensor unit 305 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram (1) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 300 for determining the user's hand (the right hand in this figure). FIG. 9 is a diagram (2) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 300 for determining the user's hand (the left hand in this figure).

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the axis defining the direction detected by the sensor unit 305 and the rotation angle are the same as in FIG. In other words, orthogonal to each other with three axes X, Y, and Z orthogonal to each other, with the direction perpendicular to the display surface 321 including the display unit 101 as the Z axis direction with the centers of the three

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B as centers. Set coordinate system. Regarding the rotation angle around each axis, let the rotation angle around Z axis be the yaw angle, the rotation angle around Y axis be the roll angle, and the rotation angle around X axis be the pitch angle. The movement amount of the mobile terminal 300 in the predetermined direction detected by the sensor unit 305 can be defined by the rotation angle around each axis and the direction of the rotation angle.

The Y3 axis shown in FIG. 8 is an axis parallel to the above-mentioned Y axis. Since it is parallel to the Y axis, assuming a coordinate system in which the above-described orthogonal coordinate system is translated, the movement amount of the portable terminal 300 in the predetermined direction can be defined at the same rotation angle around the axis. The reference axis of the rotation angle is shown at the upper left of FIG. The Y3 axis shown in FIG. 8 is an axis in the front-rear direction of the portable terminal 300.

[Motion 1 of Mobile Terminal 300 in a Specified Direction]
In state 1 of the portable terminal 300 shown in FIG. 8, the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction. Then, from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction, the portable terminal 300 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” with the right hand (arrow Q in the figure). In other words, in the “roll angle negative direction”, the left side surface 325 of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 centered on the rotation axis Y3 located on the right side 323 side of the center of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 is the display surface 321 It is a direction from the side to the back surface 327 side. That is, the state of the portable terminal 300 transitions from the state 1 to the state 2 rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction”.

FIG. 9 is a diagram (2) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 300 for determining the handle of the user (the left hand in this figure). Elements in common with FIG. 8 are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted. The reference axis of the rotation angle is shown at the upper left of FIG. The Y3 axis shown in FIG. 9 is an axis in the front-rear direction of the portable terminal 300.

In state 1 of the portable terminal 300 shown in FIG. 9, the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction. Then, from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction, the portable terminal 300 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” with the left hand (arrow Q1 in the figure). In other words, in the “roll angle negative direction”, the left side surface 325 of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 centered on the rotation axis Y3 located on the left side 325 side of the center of the case 350 of the portable terminal 300 is the display surface 321 It is a direction from the side to the back surface 327 side. That is, the state of the portable terminal 300 transitions from the state 1 to the state 4 rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction”.

When the state of the portable terminal 300 transitions from the state 1 to the state 2 (see FIG. 8) or the state 4 (see FIG. 9), the sensor unit 305 moves in the Z axis negative direction based on the three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B. The change in acceleration is detected and output to the hand determining unit 331 as a detected value.

In the case of the present embodiment, when the portable terminal 300 rotates in the “roll angle negative direction”, it can be expected that the change in acceleration in the Z axis negative direction becomes small by the three-axis acceleration sensor 305B on the rotation axis Y1 side. . Similarly, when the portable terminal 300 rotates in the “roll angle plus direction”, it can be expected that in the 3-axis acceleration sensor 305A on the rotation axis Y1 side, the change in acceleration in the Z-axis minus direction becomes smaller.

The holding hand determination unit 331 calculates the rotation angle of the mobile terminal 300 in the predetermined direction based on the detection value of the sensor unit 305 described above, and the user's hand is “right hand” from the calculated rotation angle in the predetermined direction. And "left hand" is determined.

The method for calculating the rotation angle (the direction of rotation and the angle thereof) of the mobile terminal 300 in the predetermined direction in the holding hand determination unit 331 is calculated from the acceleration in the Z-axis direction detected by each of the three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B. It can be calculated by a known method based on the amount of movement and the difference thereof.

Then, the holding hand determination unit 331 determines that the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 300 calculated by the holding hand determination unit 331 is “the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 300” held by the holding hand determination unit 331. It is the same as the determination criterion of the movement amount when rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” based on the determination criterion (hereinafter referred to as “determination criterion of rotation angle”), and based on the detection value of the sensor unit 305 When it is determined that the sensor unit 305 detects a change in acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction, the holding hand determination unit 331 determines that the user's hand is the right hand.

Further, the holding hand determination unit 331 sets the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 300 calculated by the holding hand determination unit 331 to “the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 300” held by the holding hand determination unit 331. It is the same as the determination criterion of the rotation angle when rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” based on the determination criterion (hereinafter referred to as “determination criterion of the rotation angle”), and based on the detection value of the sensor unit 105 When it is determined that the sensor unit 105 detects a change in acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction, the holding hand determination unit 331 determines that the user's hand is the left hand. In addition, the holding hand determination unit 131 holds the determination reference of the rotation angle based on the rotation angle around each axis in advance in a storage element (not shown) as data.

The holding hand determination unit 331 outputs the determination result of the user's hand to the control unit 307.

The control unit 307 compares the determination result of the user's hand, which is input from the handle determination unit 331, with the information of the user's currently held hand. If the information on the current user's hand is different from the determination result of the user's hand input from the hand determination unit 331, the control unit 307 holds the information on the user's current hand held by the user. Update based on the hand judgment result. When the information on the user's hand currently held is the same as the determination result of the user's hand input from the hand holding determination unit 331, the control unit 307 holds the current user's hand. Do not update the information of

Further, the control unit 307 controls the display unit 101 to change the direction, the position, and the size of the display screen of the display unit 101 based on the information of the current user's hand held. The control unit 307 also controls various functions displayed on the display unit 101 based on the input from the operation unit 103.

In addition, the state management unit 309 manages information on the hand of the user of the portable terminal 300 as information indicating the current state of the portable terminal. The information indicating the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 300 is 90 degrees rotation in the “roll angle minus direction” when the holding hand is determined to be the right hand, and “rolling when the holding hand is determined to be the left hand It is a 90 degree rotation in the angle plus direction.

Next, switching control of the display unit 101 in the portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a switching control flow of the display unit 101 according to the second embodiment.

In step ST801, the sensor unit 305 detects x, y, z components (detection values) of the acceleration of the mobile terminal 300. That is, the sensor unit 305 detects x, y, and z components of the acceleration of the acceleration sensor 305A and x, y, and z components (detection values) of the acceleration of the acceleration sensor 305B. Then, the process transitions to step ST803.

In step ST803, the holding hand determination unit 331 calculates a rotation angle in a predetermined direction based on the movement amount calculated from the acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction detected by each of the 3-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B and the difference thereof. Then, the process transitions to branch ST 805.

In branch ST805, the holding hand determination unit 331 compares the calculated rotation angle in a predetermined direction with the determination criterion of the rotation angle, and determines whether the user's hand is the right hand. If it is determined that the user's hand is the right hand (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST807, and if not (in the case of No), the process proceeds to branch ST809.

In step ST 807, the holding hand determination unit 331 outputs the determination result (right hand) of the user's hand to the control unit 307. Then, the process transitions to branch ST811.

In branch ST811, the control unit 307 compares the determination result (right hand) of the user's hand with the information indicating the user's hand held by the state management unit 309, and determines whether they are different. If they are different (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST815, and if they are the same (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST801.

In step ST815, control unit 307 updates information (left hand) indicating the user's hand held by state management unit 309 based on the determination result of the user's hand, and displays display unit 101 for the right hand. Switch to the screen.

In branch ST809, the holding hand determination unit 331 determines whether the user's holding hand is the left hand. If it is determined that the user's hand is the left hand (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST813. If not (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST801.

In step ST813, the holding hand determination unit 331 outputs the determination result (left hand) of the user's holding hand to the control unit 307. Then, the process transitions to branch ST 817.

In branch ST 817, the determination result (left hand) of the user's handle is compared with the information indicating the user's handle held by the state management unit 309, and it is determined whether or not they are different. If they are different (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST819. If they are the same (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST801.

In step ST 819, control unit 307 updates the information indicating the user's handle held by state management unit 309 based on the determination result of the user's hand, and switches display unit 101 to the display screen for the left hand. .

The portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment has x, y, z components of the acceleration detected by the sensor unit 305 (that is, x, y, z components of the acceleration of the acceleration sensor 305A, and x of the acceleration of the acceleration sensor 305B). The rotation angle in a predetermined direction can be calculated by the y, z components), and the user's hand (assuming one hand in the present embodiment) can be determined. Therefore, portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment can switch the display of display unit 101 according to the user's hand. Therefore, portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment can perform convenient display for the user via display unit 101, in accordance with the user's handle.

Furthermore, in the portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment, the three-

axis acceleration sensors

305A and 305B are provided in the housing 350. Therefore, at the time of detection, it is assumed that the palm of the user's right or left hand is directed to the back of portable terminal 300 and the user is looking at display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction. There is no restriction on holding the portable terminal 300 by placing a finger on any part of the portable terminal 300.

In portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment,

acceleration sensors

305A and 305B are respectively disposed in the vicinity of two opposing

surfaces

323 and 325 in the surface (side surface) perpendicular to display surface 321 of portable terminal 300. . Therefore, it can be expected that the value of the acceleration in the negative direction of the Z axis detected by any one of the acceleration sensors will be small.

Furthermore, in portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment, the palm of the user's right hand is facing the back of portable terminal 300 and the user is looking at display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction, as a normally assumed use state. When the portable terminal 300 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle negative direction” from the state, the holding hand is determined to be the right hand. However, in the normally assumed use state, when the left hand is the holding hand, the portable terminal 300 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z axis plus direction. I can not let it go. That is, in the normally assumed use state, it is out of the range of the movable range of the left hand. Therefore, in portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment, in a normally assumed use state, portable terminal 300 is 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” from the state where the user is looking at display surface 321 from the Z axis plus direction. In the case of rotation, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous determination of the holding hand.

Similarly, as a normally assumed use state, the palm of the left hand of the user is facing the back of the portable terminal 300, and the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction. When the terminal 300 is rotated 90 degrees, the handle is determined to be the left hand. However, in the normally assumed use state, when the right hand is the holding hand, the portable terminal 300 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z axis plus direction. I can not let it go. That is, in the normally assumed use state, it is out of the range of the movable range of the right hand. Therefore, in portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment, in a normally assumed use state, portable terminal 300 is 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” from the state where the user is looking at display surface 321 from the Z axis plus direction. In the case of rotation, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous determination of the holding hand.

In the case where the mobile terminal 300 according to the present embodiment is 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction”, the mobile terminal 300 determines that the user's hand is the right hand, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in order to prevent an erroneous determination, the portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the rotation angle in the “roll angle minus direction” is greater than 90 degrees or 90 degrees or more. It may be determined that the hand is the right hand. Similarly, in order to prevent an erroneous determination, the portable terminal 300 according to the present embodiment is a user when the rotation angle of the “roll angle plus direction” is a rotation angle larger than 90 degrees or a rotation angle of 90 degrees or more. It may be determined that the holding hand of the is the left hand. Furthermore, instead of setting the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees or the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees, the rotation angle larger than the predetermined angle or the rotation angle larger than the predetermined angle may be used.

[Movement 2 of Mobile Terminal 300]
As indicated by the arrow U in FIG. 8, (3) the portable terminal 300 returns from the state 2 back to the state 1 again, that is, the portable terminal 300 is 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction”. After rotating, when rotating 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction”, the holding hand determination unit 331 may determine that the user's hand is the right hand. Similarly, as shown by arrow U1 in FIG. 9, the portable terminal 300 returns from the state 4 to the state 1 again, that is, after the portable terminal 300 is rotated 90 degrees in the "roll angle plus direction", the "roll angle minus direction When rotating by 90 degrees, the holding hand determination unit 331 may determine that the user's hand is the left hand. As a result of such determination, (A) the case where the hand is judged to be against the user's intention in the initial state (state 1 in the case of the present embodiment), or (B) the user holds the hand. It is possible to prevent an erroneous determination such as the case where the hand mode is switched unintentionally in the absence state. For example, in the case of the right hand, the mobile terminal 300 placed with the display surface 321 facing downward is held with the left hand, and erroneous determination is caused by the operation of pointing the display surface 321 to the user itself. It is possible that there is a case in which it is determined that the wheel moves inward and is rotated 90 degrees in the "roll angle minus direction".

In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 is not affected by the direction of gravity, and in any initial state, from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 321 from the Z-axis plus direction to the “roll angle minus direction”. Can be determined to be the right hand.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of mobile terminal 500 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the portable terminal 500 according to the third embodiment includes a display unit 101 for displaying various functions of the portable terminal 500, and an operation unit for the user to operate various functions displayed on the display unit 101. 103, a sensor unit 505 including an angular velocity sensor 505A that can detect an angular velocity, a control unit 507 that controls the display of the display unit 101 and various functions of the mobile terminal 500, a state management unit 509, and a handle determination unit 531; Equipped with

The display unit 101 displays various functions of the mobile terminal 500. The display unit 101 is configured to appropriately change the direction, position, and size of the display screen according to the user's hand under the control of the control unit 507 described later.

The sensor unit 505 is configured of one angular velocity sensor 505A that can detect an angular velocity. Angular velocity sensor 505A is provided substantially in the center between opposing

surfaces

523 and 525 of the surfaces (side surfaces) perpendicular to display surface 521 of portable terminal 500, and is provided in housing 550 of portable terminal 500. . The sensor unit 505 detects an angular velocity in a predetermined direction by the angular velocity sensor 505A. The sensor unit 505 outputs the “angular velocity of the roll angle” to the hand determining unit 531 using the angular velocity in a predetermined direction as a detected value. Note that the position of the angular velocity sensor 505A may be approximately at the center between the

surfaces

523 and 525 facing each other in the surface (side surface) perpendicular to the display surface 521 of the portable terminal 500.

Here, with reference to FIG. 12, an angular velocity in a predetermined direction detected by the sensor unit 505 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram (1) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 500 for determining the user's hand (right hand in this figure), and FIG. 13 is for determining the user's hand (left hand in this figure) It is a figure (2) explaining the motion of the portable terminal 500 for doing.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the axis defining the direction detected by the sensor unit 505 and the rotation angle are the same as in FIG. That is, an orthogonal coordinate system including three axes X, Y, and Z orthogonal to each other is set, with the direction perpendicular to the display surface 521 including the display unit 101 as the Z axis direction around the center of the angular velocity sensor 505A. Do. Regarding the rotation angle around each axis, let the rotation angle around Z axis be the yaw angle, the rotation angle around Y axis be the roll angle, and the rotation angle around X axis be the pitch angle. That is, the angular velocity in the predetermined direction detected by the sensor unit 505 can be defined by the angular velocity around each axis and the direction thereof.

The Y5 axis shown in FIG. 12 is an axis parallel to the above-mentioned Y axis. Since it is parallel to the Y axis, assuming a coordinate system in which the above-described orthogonal coordinate system is translated, an angular velocity in a predetermined direction can be defined at a similar rotation angle around the axis. The reference axis of the rotation angle is shown at the upper left of FIG. The Y5 axis illustrated in FIG. 12 is an axis in the front-rear direction of the portable terminal 500.

[Movement 1 of Mobile Terminal 500]
In state 1 of the portable terminal 500 shown in FIG. 12, the user is looking at the display surface 521 from the Z-axis plus direction. Then, from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 521 from the Z-axis plus direction, the portable terminal 500 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” with the right hand (arrow R in the figure). Here, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” means that the rotational axis Y5 is closer to the right side surface 523 than the center of the case 550 of the portable terminal 500 when the user's handle is the right hand, as in the first embodiment. This is a rotation angle when the portable terminal 500 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the minus roll angle direction about the rotation axis Y5 by the user's handle. Furthermore, when the user holds the right hand, the negative roll angle direction about the rotation axis Y5 on the right side 523 side of the center of the case 550 of the portable terminal 500 is the left side of the case 550 of the portable terminal 500. The surface 525 is a direction from the display surface 521 side to the back surface 527 side (see FIG. 12). That is, the state of the portable terminal 500 transitions from the state 1 to the state 2 rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction”.
In the present embodiment, the case where the user's handle is the right hand is described, but when the user's handle is the left hand, the following can be reworded. That is, when the user holds the left hand, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” means that the rotation axis Y5 is closer to the left side surface 525 than the center of the case 550 of the portable terminal 500, and the portable terminal 500 is the user. It is a rotation angle when rotating by a predetermined angle in the roll angle plus direction about the rotation axis Y5 by the handle. Furthermore, when the user holds the left hand, the roll angle plus direction centering on the rotation axis Y5 on the left side 525 side of the center of the case 550 of the portable terminal 500 is the right side of the case 550 of the portable terminal 500. The surface 523 is a direction from the display surface 521 side to the back surface 527 side. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, “rotational angle in a predetermined direction” is used in the same meaning.

FIG. 13 is a diagram (2) for explaining the movement of the portable terminal 500 for determining the handle of the user (the left hand in this figure). Elements in common with FIG. 12 are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted. The reference axis of the rotation angle is shown at the upper left of FIG. The Y5 axis illustrated in FIG. 13 is an axis in the front-rear direction of the portable terminal 500.

In state 1 of the portable terminal 500 shown in FIG. 13, the user is looking at the display surface 521 from the Z-axis plus direction. Then, from the state where the user is looking at display surface 521 from the Z-axis plus direction, portable terminal 500 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” with the left hand (arrow R1 in the figure). That is, the state of the portable terminal 500 transitions from the state 1 to the state 4 rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction”.

When the state of the portable terminal 500 transitions from the state 1 to the state 2 (see FIG. 12) or the state 4 (see FIG. 13), the sensor unit 505 performs (1) Z axis negative direction based on detection by the angular velocity sensor 505A. (2) The angular velocity of the roll angle is detected, and the detection results are output to the holding hand determination unit 531 as detection values. The acceleration in the negative Z-axis direction can be reworded as an acceleration in the direction from the display surface 521 side of the housing 550 of the portable terminal 500 toward the back surface 527 side.

The holding hand determination unit 531 calculates the rotation angle of the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 500 based on the detection value (angular velocity and its direction) of the sensor unit 505 described above, and the user calculates the rotation angle of the predetermined direction. It is determined whether the handle is "right hand" or "left hand".

The method for calculating the rotation angle in the predetermined direction from the temporal change of the angular velocity detected by the sensor unit 505 as a detection value can be obtained by a known calculation method. Specifically, the rotation angle can be determined by integrating the angular velocity.

Then, the holding hand determination unit 531 determines that the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 500 calculated by the holding hand determination unit 531 is “the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 500 held by the holding hand determination unit 531. This is the same as the determination criterion of the rotation angle when rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” based on the determination criterion (hereinafter referred to as “determination criterion of the rotation angle”), and based on the detection value of the sensor unit 505 When it is determined that the sensor unit 505 detects a change in acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction, the holding hand determining unit 531 determines that the user's holding hand is the right hand.

Further, the holding hand determination unit 531 is configured such that the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 500 calculated by the holding hand determination unit 531 is “the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 500 held by the holding hand determination unit 531. This is the same as the determination criterion of the rotation angle when rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” based on the determination criterion (hereinafter referred to as “determination criterion of rotation angle”), and based on the detection value of the sensor unit 505 When it is determined that the sensor unit 505 detects a change in acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction, the holding hand determining unit 531 determines that the user's holding hand is the left hand. In addition, the holding hand determination unit 531 holds the determination reference of the rotation angle based on the rotation angle around each axis in advance in a storage element (not shown) as data.

The handle determination unit 531 outputs the determination result of the user's handle to the control unit 507.

The control unit 507 compares the determination result of the user's hand, which is input from the handle determination unit 531, with the information of the user's currently held hand. If the currently held information of the user's hand is different from the determination result of the user's hand input from the holding hand determination unit 531, the control unit 507 determines that the currently held user's hand information is It updates based on the determination result of the user's hand, and outputs the information of the user's hand currently held to the control unit 507. When the information on the user's hand currently held is the same as the determination result of the user's hand input from the hand determination unit 531, the control unit 507 holds the user's currently held hand Do not update the information of

The control unit 507 controls the display unit 101 to change the direction, the position, and the size of the display screen of the display unit 101 based on the information of the current user's hand held. The control unit 507 also controls various functions displayed on the display unit 101 based on the input from the operation unit 103.

The state management unit 509 manages information on the hand of the user of the portable terminal 500 as information indicating the current state of the portable terminal. The information indicating the rotation angle in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 500 is 90 degrees rotation in the “roll angle minus direction” when the holding hand is determined to be the right hand, and “rolling when the holding hand is determined to be the left hand It is a 90 degree rotation in the angle plus direction.

Next, switching control of display unit 101 in portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a switching control flow of the display unit 101 according to the third embodiment.

In step ST1101, the sensor unit 505 detects (1) a change in acceleration in the negative direction of the Z axis, and (2) an angular velocity of the roll angle. Then, the process transitions to step ST1103.

In step ST1103, the holding hand determination unit 531 calculates a rotation angle in a predetermined direction based on the detection value of the sensor unit 505. Then, the process transitions to branch ST1105.

In branch ST1105, the holding hand determination unit 531 compares the calculated rotation angle in a predetermined direction with the determination criterion of the rotation angle, and determines whether the user's hand is the right hand. If it is determined that the user's hand is the right hand (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST1107. If not (in the case of No), the process proceeds to branch ST1109.

In step ST1107, the holding hand determination unit 531 outputs the determination result (right hand) of the user's holding hand to the control unit 507. Then, the process transitions to branch ST1111.

In branch ST1111, the control unit 507 compares the determination result (right hand) of the user's hand with the information indicating the user's hand held by the state management unit 509, and determines whether they are different. If they are different (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST1115. If they are the same (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST1101.

In step ST1115, the control unit 507 updates the information indicating the user's hand held by the state management unit 509 based on the determination result of the user's hand, and switches the display unit 101 to the display screen for the right hand.

In branch ST1109, the holding hand determination unit 531 determines whether the user's holding hand is the left hand. If it is determined that the user's hand is the left hand (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST1113; otherwise (the case of No), the process returns to step ST1101.

In step ST1113, the holding hand determination unit 531 outputs the determination result (left hand) of the user's holding hand to the control unit 507. Then, the process transitions to branch ST1117.

In branch ST1117, the control unit 507 compares the determination result (left hand) of the user's hand with the information indicating the user's hand held by the state management unit 509, and determines whether they are different. If they are different (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step ST1119. If they are the same (in the case of No), the process returns to step ST1101.

In step ST1119, the control unit 507 updates the information indicating the user's hand held by the state management unit 509 based on the determination result of the user's hand, and switches the display unit 101 to the display screen for the left hand.

The portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment calculates the rotation angle in the predetermined direction by the angular velocity in the predetermined direction of the portable terminal 500 detected by the sensor unit 505, and the user holds the hand (in the present embodiment, one hand). Can be determined. Therefore, portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment can switch the display of display unit 101 according to the user's hand. Therefore, portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment can perform convenient display for the user through the display unit 101 in accordance with the user's hand. Furthermore, portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment detects an angular velocity in a predetermined direction by using angular velocity sensor 505A provided in housing 550. Therefore, at the time of detection, it is assumed that the palm of the user's right or left hand is directed to the back of portable terminal 500 and the user is looking at display surface 521 from the Z-axis plus direction. Regardless of where on the mobile terminal 500 the finger is placed to grip the mobile terminal 500, detection of the angular velocity is not restricted.

Furthermore, in portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment, the palm of the user's right hand is facing the back of portable terminal 500, and the user is looking at display surface 521 from the Z-axis plus direction When the portable terminal 500 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle negative direction” from the state, the holding hand is determined to be the right hand. However, in the normally assumed use state, when the left hand is the holding hand, the portable terminal 500 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction” from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 521 from the Z axis plus direction. I can not let it go. That is, in the normally assumed use state, it is out of the range of the movable range of the left hand. Therefore, in portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment, in a normally assumed use state, portable terminal 500 is 90 degrees in the “roll angle negative direction” from the state where the user is looking at display surface 521 from the Z axis positive direction. In the case of rotation, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous determination of the holding hand.
Similarly, as a normally assumed use state, the palm of the left hand of the user is facing the back of the portable terminal 500, and the user is looking at the display surface 521 from the Z-axis plus direction. When the terminal 500 is rotated 90 degrees, the handle is determined to be the left hand. However, in the normally assumed use state, when the right hand is the holding hand, the portable terminal 500 is rotated 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” from the state where the user is looking at the display surface 521 from the Z axis plus direction. I can not let it go. That is, in the normally assumed use state, it is out of the range of the movable range of the right hand. Therefore, in portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment, in a normally assumed use state, portable terminal 500 is 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” from the state where the user is looking at display surface 521 from the Z axis plus direction. In the case of rotation, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous determination of the holding hand.

In the case where the mobile terminal 500 according to the present embodiment is 90 degrees in the “roll angle minus direction”, it is determined that the user's hand is the right hand, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in order to prevent an erroneous determination, it is assumed that the portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment is the right hand of the user's hand when the rotation angle in the “roll angle minus direction” is larger than 90 degrees. You may judge. Similarly, in order to prevent an erroneous determination, the portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment is the left hand of the user's hand when the rotation angle in the “roll angle plus direction” is larger than 90 degrees. It may be determined that In this case, instead of setting the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees, the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees or the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees, or the rotation angle larger than the predetermined angle or the rotation angle larger than the predetermined angle It is also good.

[Movement 2 of Mobile Terminal 500]
As indicated by the arrow W in FIG. 12, (3) the portable terminal 500 returns from the state 2 back to the state 1 again, that is, the portable terminal 500 is 90 degrees in the "roll angle minus direction". When rotated by 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction” after rotation, the holding hand determination unit 531 may determine that the user's hand is the right hand. Similarly, as shown by arrow W1 in FIG. 13, portable terminal 500 returns from state 4 to state 1 again, that is, after portable terminal 500 is rotated by 90 degrees in the “roll angle plus direction”, “roll angle minus direction When rotating by 90 degrees, the holding hand determination unit 531 may determine that the user's hand is the left hand. In this case, instead of setting the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees, the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees or the rotation angle larger than 90 degrees, or the rotation angle larger than the predetermined angle or the rotation angle larger than the predetermined angle It is also good.
As a result of such determination, (A) the case where the hand is judged to be against the user's intention in the initial state (state 1 in the case of the present embodiment), or (B) the user holds the hand. It is possible to prevent an erroneous determination such as the case where the hand mode is switched unintentionally in the absence state. For example, in the case of the right hand, the mobile terminal 500 placed with the display surface 521 facing downward is held by the left hand and erroneous determination is made by the operation of pointing the display surface 521 to the user itself It is possible that there is a case in which it is determined that the wheel moves inward and is rotated 90 degrees in the "roll angle minus direction".

In the present embodiment, mobile terminal 500 is not affected by the direction of gravity, and in any initial state, from the state where the user is looking at display surface 521 from the Z-axis positive direction, to portable terminal 500 in the “roll angle negative direction”. Can be determined to be the right hand.

Each function block employed in the description of each of the aforementioned embodiments may typically be implemented as an LSI constituted by an integrated circuit. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include some or all. Although an LSI is used here, it may be called an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. After the LSI is manufactured, a programmable field programmable gate array (FPGA) may be used, or a reconfigurable processor may be used which can reconfigure connection and setting of circuit cells in the LSI.

Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology comes out to replace LSI's as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or a derivative other technology, it is naturally also possible to carry out function block integration using this technology. The application of biotechnology etc. may be possible.

Although the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application (No. 2010-159878) filed on Jul. 14, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The portable terminal according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to switch the display of the display portion according to the handle without being restricted by the way the user holds or the position of the finger, and as a portable telephone etc. It is useful.

100, 300, 500 mobile terminal 101 display unit 103

operation unit

105, 305, 505

sensor unit

107, 307, 507

control unit

109, 309, 509

state management unit

121, 321, 521

display surface

123, 323, 523

right side surface

125 , 325, 525

Left side surface

127, 327, 527

Rear surface

150, 350, 550

Housing

131, 331, 531 Holding hand judgment unit

Claims

A display unit for displaying;
A sensor unit that detects the movement of the own terminal;
A handle determination unit that determines a handle based on the movement of the own terminal detected by the sensor unit;
A control unit for switching the display of the display unit to a display according to the hand based on the determination result of the holding hand determination unit;
Mobile terminal equipped with
The sensor unit is provided in a housing of the mobile terminal, and the display unit is provided on a display surface that constitutes one surface of the housing of the mobile terminal.
The holding hand determination unit
A first motion in which the left side surface of the casing of the portable terminal rotates from the display surface side toward the back side facing the display surface with a predetermined angle or more, with the longitudinal direction of the casing of the portable terminal as an axis If detected, it is determined that the handle is the right hand,
When the right hand side surface of the casing of the portable terminal detects a second movement rotating from the display surface side toward the back side opposite to the display surface by a predetermined angle or more, the handle is the left hand judge,
The portable terminal according to claim 1.
The sensor unit is configured of one three-axis acceleration sensor capable of detecting a gravitational acceleration.
The portable terminal according to claim 2.
The sensor unit is composed of two three-axis acceleration sensors provided at the center of each side surface of the housing.
The portable terminal according to claim 2.
The sensor unit is configured by an acceleration sensor that can detect one angular velocity provided at the center between the side surfaces of the housing.
The portable terminal according to claim 2.
The holding hand determination unit
After detecting the first movement, when detecting a movement that returns in the reverse direction substantially the same trajectory as the first movement, it is determined that the handle is the right hand,
After detecting the second movement, when detecting a movement that returns in the reverse direction substantially the same trajectory as the second movement, it is determined that the handle is the left hand.
The portable terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
A detection step of detecting the movement of the own terminal by the sensor unit; a judgment step of determining the holding hand based on the movement of the own terminal detected by the sensor unit;
A display control method, comprising: a display switching step of displaying a display on a display unit of the portable terminal according to the hand on the basis of the judgment result of the hand holding judgment unit.
The display control program for making a computer perform each step of Claim 7.