Removable device, removal determination method, and recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a detachable device, a method for determining attachment and detachment, and a recording medium. The detachable device comprises: a dual-purpose circuit including a terminal disposed close to an object, capable of performing both a determination function for determining attachment and detachment of the device relative to the object and a predetermined function other than the determination function; and a processing unit for executing the determination function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detachable device, a detachable determination method, and a recording medium. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increase in detachable devices such as smartwatches that can be installed on or removed from the human body and that are equipped with functions that require safety assurance, such as electronic settlement functions. In order to improve safety, most of these devices have a mechanism to determine whether the device is installed on the human body. If the device is detected to be detached from the human body (disassembly is detected), a mechanism is implemented to prevent others from using the device at will. As an example of such a device that has the function of determining whether the device is installed, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-129526 discloses a wristwatch-type pulse rate monitor that starts measuring the pulse after confirming that the device is installed on the user.

[0003] The pulse rate monitor disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-129526 uses a mounting sensor comprising four metal pins protruding from the bottom surface of the main body to determine whether the pulse rate monitor is attached to the user's arm. Conventional detachable devices require dedicated components (such as the four metal pins) for determining attachment and detachment, which presents obstacles in terms of cost reduction, miniaturization, and installation space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention is a loading and unloading device comprising: a dual-use circuit including terminals arranged in a manner capable of approaching an object, capable of being used for both a determination function of the loading and unloading of the object by the device and a predetermined function other than the determination function; and a processing unit that performs the determination function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an overview of the detachable system according to the first embodiment.

[0006] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the detachable device according to the first embodiment.

[0007] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the detachable device according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the connection relationship among the processing unit, the dual-purpose circuit unit, and the determination circuit unit of the detachable device according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the loading and unloading determination process in the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 6This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the detachable device according to the second embodiment.

[0011] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the connection relationship among the processing unit, the dual-purpose circuit unit, the determination circuit unit, and the switch unit of the detachable device according to the second embodiment.

[0012] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the loading and unloading determination process in the second embodiment.

[0013] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a situation in which a detachable device contacts an arm at an angle.

[0014] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the connection relationship among the processing unit, the dual-purpose circuit unit, the determination circuit unit, and the switch unit of the detachable device according to the third embodiment.

[0015] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of the loading and unloading determination process in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The detachable device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0017] (Implementation Method 1)

[0018] For easy understanding, the following is an example of applying the detachable device 100 of embodiment 1 to a Figure 1 The following description will take the case of a detachable system 1000 as an example. In this example, the detachable system 1000 includes a detachable device 100 and a charger 200 connected to a PC (Personal Computer) 250 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 230 .

[0019] like Figure 1As shown, the detachable device 100 of Embodiment 1 is a wristwatch-type device with USB terminals 131, 132, 133, and 134 on the back of the main body 190. When the main body 190 of the detachable device 100 is placed in the charging frame 201 of the charger 200, the terminals 131, 132, 133, and 134 come into contact with the terminals 211, 212, 213, and 214 of the charger 200, respectively, thereby charging the detachable device 100. The charger 200 is connected to the PC 250 via a USB cable 230 and receives charging power from the PC 250. Furthermore, data communication between the detachable device 100 and the PC 250 is possible through the charger 200. Furthermore, the charger 200 does not necessarily need to be connected to the PC 250; for example, it can be connected to a USB port on a power strip via the USB cable 230 to receive charging power.

[0020] The USB Type-A used as a USB port of a PC or a power strip has four terminals according to the specification, but in the detachable device 100, the four terminals are as follows. Figure 1 As shown, the back side of the main body 190 is provided with a positive terminal for data transmission, namely a D+ terminal 131, a VBUS terminal 132 supplied with a 5V voltage, a GND terminal 133 for determining a voltage reference, namely 0V, and a negative terminal for data transmission, namely a D- terminal 134.

[0021] In addition, in a conventional USB Type-A terminal, the order of these terminals from the end is VBUS terminal, D- terminal, D+ terminal, GND terminal. In the detachable device 100, in order to use the terminals used for attachment and detachment determination as terminals for data transmission, the terminals for data transmission (D+ terminal and D- terminal) are arranged at both ends. The charger 200 also cooperates with the detachable device 100, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device includes, in order, a D+ terminal 211, a VBUS terminal 212, a GND terminal 213, and a D- terminal 214. Furthermore, a 5V voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal during charging, so for safety reasons, it is preferably not used for other purposes. Furthermore, the GND terminal determines the voltage reference and, for stable device operation, is preferably not connected to anything other than GND. Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal used for data transmission also serves as a terminal for attachment and detachment determination.

[0022] When the user installs the detachable device 100 on the arm 300, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, terminals 131, 132, 133, and 134 are in contact with arm 300. Figure 2 When the detachable device 100 is mounted on the arm 300, Figure 1 sectional view of the detachable device 100 cut along the dashed line AA'.

[0023] As a functional structure, the detachable device 100 of the embodiment 1 is as follows Figure 3 The device includes a processing unit 110 , a storage unit 120 , a dual-purpose circuit unit 130 , a determination circuit unit 140 , a charging unit 150 , a display unit 160 , and an operation unit 170 .

[0024] The processing unit 110 is comprised of, for example, a microcontroller including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. Using programs stored in the storage unit 120, the processing unit 110 executes the attachment / detachment determination process (described later) and other processes necessary for the detachable device 100 to function. Furthermore, the processing unit 110 supports multithreading capabilities that allow multiple processes to be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the processing unit 110 includes a function for counting time using, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock).

[0025] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, processing unit 110 includes multiple input / output ports 111, 112, 113, and 114. Input / output ports 111 and 112 are assigned to the USB D+ and D- input / output ports, respectively. Furthermore, input / output port 113 is assigned to the VC input port, which determines whether a voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal (i.e., whether the detachable device 100 is installed in the charger 200).

[0026] Furthermore, input / output port 114 is assigned as the VO output port, which applies a rectangular wave voltage to shared circuit section 130 via determination circuit section 140. When no rectangular wave voltage is applied, input / output port 114 (VO output port) is set to high impedance. Furthermore, input / output port 112 (D-input / output port) is also used as the VI input port, which detects the voltage waveform applied to connection line 135 of shared circuit section 130 via the VO output port.

[0027] The storage unit 120 stores programs and necessary data executed by the processing unit 110. The storage unit 120 may include, but is not limited to, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash memory. Alternatively, the storage unit 120 may be located within the processing unit 110.

[0028] The dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is as follows Figure 4The device shown has four USB terminals (D+ terminal 131, VBUS terminal 132, GND terminal 133, D- terminal 134), and a connecting line 135 that connects the USB D- terminal 134 to the input / output port 112 (D- input / output port of USB) of the processing unit 110. The D+ terminal 131 and the D- terminal 134 of the shared circuit unit 130 are terminals for USB data transmission and are connected to the input / output port 111 (D+ input / output port of USB) and the input / output port 112 (D- input / output port of USB) of the processing unit 110, respectively. The VBUS terminal 132 is a terminal to which the USB +5V power is supplied and is connected to the charging unit 150. The GND terminal 133 is a ground terminal that serves as a reference for the USB voltage and is connected to GND. Therefore, the shared circuit unit 130 can be used to perform both the USB data transmission function and the charging function. In addition, in this embodiment, the USB D-terminal 134 possessed by the dual-use circuit unit 130 is a terminal also used for loading and unloading judgment (hereinafter referred to as the "judgment terminal"). As described later, the dual-use circuit unit 130 can also be used to perform the loading and unloading judgment function by cooperating with the judgment circuit unit 140.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, determination circuit unit 140 includes a capacitor and a resistor, with both ends connected to connection line 135 and input / output port 114 (VO output port) of processing unit 110, respectively. Due to this circuit configuration, when a rectangular wave voltage is applied from input / output port 114 of processing unit 110 to connection line 135 of shared circuit unit 130, the voltage waveform detected by input / output port 112 (VI input port) changes depending on whether the determination terminal (D-terminal 134) of shared circuit unit 130 is in contact with the human body or not. Therefore, by confirming this voltage waveform using shared circuit unit 130 and determination circuit unit 140, processing unit 110 can determine whether detachable device 100 is attached or detached.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, the charging unit 150 charges the rechargeable battery of the detachable device 100 using the power from the VBUS terminal 132 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 .

[0031] The display unit 160 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and displays the current time and the like.

[0032] The operation unit 170 is a user interface such as a button switch, and receives operation input from the user.

[0033] Next, refer to Figure 5The following describes the attachment and detachment determination process executed by the processing unit 110. The detachable device 100 starts the attachment and detachment determination process automatically when the power is turned on or by a user operation (for example, when the user desires to perform attachment and detachment determination).

[0034] First, the processing unit 110 determines whether a mounting and dismounting determination condition is satisfied (step S101). The mounting and dismounting determination condition can be set arbitrarily. For example, it can be set to "the operating unit 170 has not received any operation from the user within a predetermined period (e.g., 1 hour) (i.e., there has been no user operation within the predetermined period)" or "the current time has become the scheduled installation detection time." Or, if the detachable device 100 is equipped with an acceleration sensor (not shown), it can be set to "the detection value of the acceleration sensor remains constant for a predetermined period (e.g., 1 minute) (i.e., the detachable device 100 remains stationary for a predetermined period)." In addition, the scheduled installation detection time is a time set as the time for determining whether the detachable device 100 is mounted. For example, if it is desired to frequently perform dismounting determinations to improve safety, the scheduled installation detection time can be set to the current time + α time (α time is, for example, 1 minute), and the mounting and dismounting determination can be performed every α time. Furthermore, the mounting and dismounting determination process can be repeatedly executed while the mounting and dismounting determination is "mounted" in the mounting and dismounting determination process. Furthermore, when prioritizing power saving over safety, the scheduled installation detection time may be set to, for example, "noon every day" in order to reduce the frequency of installation and removal determinations.

[0035] If the attachment and detachment determination condition is not satisfied (step S101 : No), the processing unit 110 returns to step S101 and repeats step S101 until the attachment and detachment determination condition is satisfied.

[0036] If the attachment / detachment determination condition is met (step S101: YES), the processing unit 110 determines whether USB data transfer is being performed by the shared circuit unit 130 (step S102). If USB data transfer is being performed (step S102; YES), the processing unit 110 determines that "the detachable device 100 is connected to another device such as a PC or charger 200 and is not attached to the arm 300" (step S103), and terminates the attachment / detachment determination process.

[0037] If USB data transfer is not in progress (step S102: No), processing unit 110 checks the VC input port (input / output port 113) and determines whether the +5V voltage of VBUS is being applied to the VC input port (step S104). If the VBUS voltage is confirmed at the VC input port (step S104: Yes), processing unit 110 proceeds to step S103. Through steps S102 and S104, it is determined whether the USB terminals (including the determination terminals) of shared circuit unit 130, i.e., the USB terminals, are connected to another device (other than the device to be installed or the detachable device 100), such as a PC or charger 200. In other words, if data transfer is confirmed to be in progress or the VBUS voltage is being applied, processing unit 110 determines that the determination terminals of shared circuit unit 130 are connected to another device.

[0038] Furthermore, when the detachable device 100 is mounted on the arm 300, a voltage may be applied to the VC input port due to static electricity charged on the arm 300. In order to prevent erroneous judgments caused by this, the processing unit 110 may also confirm the voltage applied to the VC input port multiple times in step S104. For example, the processing unit 110 confirms the voltage applied to the VC input port multiple times (for example, twice) at intervals of 1 millisecond. Furthermore, if the absolute value of the difference between the multiple confirmed voltages (the amount of voltage variation) is less than a predetermined reference variation (for example, 0.5V), and the multiple confirmed voltages are respectively greater than a predetermined reference voltage (a voltage slightly lower than the +5V voltage of VBUS, for example, +4.5V), it can be determined that a stable +5V voltage of VBUS is applied, rather than an unstable voltage such as static electricity, and the processing unit 110 therefore determines that "the determination terminal of the shared circuit unit 130 is connected to another device."

[0039] If the VBUS voltage cannot be confirmed at the VC input port (step S104: No), the processing unit 110 determines that the determination terminal of the shared circuit unit 130 is not connected to another device. It then applies a rectangular wave voltage with an amplitude of Va (a rectangular wave voltage that repeats a minimum voltage of 0 and a maximum voltage of Va at predetermined intervals) to the VO output port (input / output port 114) and verifies the waveform of the voltage detected by the VI input port (input / output port 112) (step S105). This rectangular wave voltage is also referred to as the attachment / removal determination voltage. In step S105, when the processing unit 110 applies the rectangular wave voltage to the VO output port (input / output port 114), the rectangular wave voltage is applied to the D-terminal 134 via the VO output port and the connection line 135. This is equivalent to applying the predetermined attachment / removal determination voltage to the terminal of the shared circuit unit 130 (D-terminal 134, serving as the determination terminal). Furthermore, when processing unit 110 applies a rectangular wave voltage to the VO output port (input / output port 114) (when the rectangular wave voltage is applied to D-terminal 134), the voltage detected by the VI input port (input / output port 112) is equivalent to the voltage from the terminal (D-terminal 134) when the attachment / removal determination voltage is applied to the terminal. Furthermore, the voltage detected by the VI input port (input / output port 112) is also equal to the voltage detected by connecting line 135 and the voltage detected by D-terminal 134. Therefore, attachment / removal determination can be performed using, for example, a voltage detected by a voltmeter directly connected to D-terminal 134, instead of the voltage detected by the VI input port.

[0040] Then, the processing unit 110 determines whether the time from when the voltage is detected at the VI input port to when it exceeds the threshold value Vt is less than the reference time T in the waveform of the voltage detected at the VI input port (step S106). The value of the threshold value Vt is set to a value slightly smaller than the amplitude Va of the rectangular wave output to the VO output port in step S105 (for example, Vt = 0.7×Va, etc.). In addition, the value of the reference time T is set to a time slightly longer than the time Tt from when the voltage detected at the VI input port is detected to when it is detected to when it exceeds the threshold value Vt when the rectangular wave voltage is applied when the device is not mounted on the arm 300 (for example, T = 1.1×Tt, etc.). The reference time T can be determined based on design data when the detachable device 100 is designed, or it can be determined based on a measured value when the rectangular wave voltage is actually applied at the time of shipment from the factory of the detachable device 100. Then, the value of the threshold value Vt and the value of the reference time T are respectively stored in advance in the storage unit 120.

[0041] When the determination terminal of the shared circuit unit 130 contacts the arm 300, the voltage applied to the VO output port is transmitted to the arm 300, and therefore, the time until the voltage detected at the VI input port exceeds Vt becomes longer. Therefore, the processing unit 110 can perform a loading and unloading judgment based on the voltage waveform detected by the VI input port. The judgment in step S106 is a loading and unloading judgment performed by confirming the waveform of the voltage detected by the VI input port when the processing unit 110 applies a rectangular wave voltage to the connecting line 135 connected to the determination terminal of the shared circuit unit 130 via the determination circuit unit 140. Therefore, it can be said that the loading and unloading judgment is performed by the cooperation of the shared circuit unit 130 (determination terminal) and the determination circuit unit 140. Furthermore, in step S106, processing unit 110 compares the voltage detected by the VI input port with a threshold value Vt to perform a loading / unloading determination. However, since threshold value Vt is determined based on the loading / unloading determination voltage Va (for example, Vt = 0.7 × Va), this loading / unloading determination can be considered to be a loading / unloading determination based on the relationship between the voltage detected by the VI input port (input / output port 112) (the voltage from the determination terminal) and the loading / unloading determination voltage. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a rectangular wave voltage is applied to the VO output port as the loading / unloading determination voltage. However, the applied loading / unloading determination voltage is not limited to a rectangular wave voltage. For example, a constant voltage Va may be applied as the loading / unloading determination voltage to perform loading / unloading determination.

[0042] In the waveform detected by the VI input port, if the time from when the voltage changes from 0 to when it exceeds the threshold value Vt is longer than the reference time (step S106; no), the processing unit 110 makes a loading and unloading judgment as "the loading and unloading device 100 is installed on the arm 300" (step S107), and ends the loading and unloading judgment processing.

[0043] In the waveform detected by the VI input port, if the time from when the voltage changes from 0 to when it exceeds the threshold value Vt is less than the reference time (step S106; yes), the processing unit 110 makes a loading and unloading judgment as "the loading and unloading device 100 is not installed on the arm 300" (step S108), and ends the loading and unloading judgment processing.

[0044] Furthermore, in order to continue determining whether the detachable device 100 is detached from the arm 300 or other attachment object, the attachment determination process may be repeatedly executed after the attachment determination process is completed. Furthermore, even if the detachable device 100 is determined to be "not attached to the arm 300" once, the processing unit 110 may subsequently request the user to enter a password before performing a process for which security is desired to be enhanced (e.g., electronic payment processing) in the detachable device 100.

[0045] The above has described the attachment and detachment determination process. This attachment and detachment determination process allows the detachable device 100 to use the USB terminal also for attachment and detachment determination without having a dedicated component for attachment and detachment determination.

[0046] In addition, in the detachable device 100, the processing unit 110 uses the VC input port to determine whether voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal (whether the detachable device 100 is set on the charger 200), but the processing unit 110 can also obtain information from the charging unit 150 whether voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal. In this case, the processing unit 110 may not have a VC input port.

[0047] By using a USB terminal as the shared circuit unit 130, the detachable device 100 can reliably determine whether the shared circuit unit 130 is connected to another device by checking the voltage applied to the USB VBUS terminal 132. Furthermore, by using a USB data transmission terminal as the connection destination for the connection line 135 of the connection determination circuit unit 140 (the terminal connected to the VI input port), attachment and detachment determination can be performed more safely than using a power supply terminal, etc. However, the shared circuit unit 130's determination terminal is not limited to a data transmission terminal; the VBUS terminal 132 or the GND terminal 133 may also be used as a determination terminal.

[0048] (Implementation Method 2)

[0049] In the first embodiment, determination circuit unit 140 is always connected to connection line 135 of dual-purpose circuit unit 130. While the other end of determination circuit unit 140 is connected to input / output port 114 (VO output port), it exhibits high impedance when no rectangular wave voltage is applied, which does not hinder USB data transmission. However, if certain adverse conditions occur and high impedance is not achieved, USB data transmission may be hindered. Therefore, to more reliably eliminate the possibility of interference with USB data transmission, the second embodiment will be described, in which a switch is provided to switch whether determination circuit unit 140 and dual-purpose circuit unit 130 are connected.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown, the detachable device 101 according to the second embodiment has a functional configuration in which a switch unit 180 is added to the detachable device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the switch section 180 includes a switch for switching whether to connect the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 and the determination circuit section 140. Figure 7As shown, the processing unit 110 of the detachable device 101 includes a SW output port for controlling the switching of the switch unit 180 as the input / output port 115 .

[0052] Reference Figure 8 The loading and unloading determination process according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 5 In the loading and unloading determination process of the first embodiment described above, step S111 is added between steps S104 and S105, step S112 is added between steps S106 and S107, and step S113 is added between steps S106 and S108. Therefore, these additional processes will be mainly described.

[0053] In step S111, processing unit 110 controls the SW output port to connect the switch of switch unit 180. This connects determination circuit unit 140 to connection line 135 of shared circuit unit 130. Furthermore, in steps S112 and S113, processing unit 110 controls the SW output port to disconnect the switch of switch unit 180. This disconnects determination circuit unit 140 from connection line 135 of shared circuit unit 130.

[0054] Except for the above, the detachable device 101 is the same as the detachable device 100. Even if the detachable device 101 does not have a dedicated component for attachment and detachment determination, it can still use the USB terminals for attachment and detachment determination. In addition, the switch unit 180 can switch whether to connect the connecting line 135 of the dual-use circuit unit 130 to the determination circuit unit 140, thereby reliably preventing the determination circuit unit 140 from interfering with USB data transmission.

[0055] (Implementation 3)

[0056] In the above embodiment, only the D-terminal 134 of the shared circuit unit 130 is used as a determination terminal for determining whether the detachable device 100 or 101 is attached or detached. Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the detachable device 100 is installed at an angle, the D-terminal 134 floats and does not contact the arm 300. Figure 9 In such a state, it is determined that the detachable device 100 is not mounted. In addition, when the detachable device 100 is mounted at an angle, conversely, there may be a state where the D+ terminal 131 is floating and not in contact with the arm 300.

[0057] Thus, the third embodiment will be described in which attachment and detachment determination can be performed accurately even when the detachable device 100 is attached in a tilted state.

[0058] The functional structure of the detachable device 102 of embodiment 3 is the same as that of the detachable device 101 of embodiment 2. Figure 6 shown.

[0059] However, if Figure 10 As shown, in addition to the four USB terminals (D+ terminal 131, VBUS terminal 132, GND terminal 133, and D- terminal 134) and connection line 135, shared circuit unit 130 of Embodiment 3 further includes connection line 136 that connects USB D+ terminal 131 to input / output port 111 (USB D+ input / output port) of processing unit 110. Furthermore, D+ terminal 131 and D- terminal 134 serve as determination terminals for shared circuit unit 130.

[0060] In addition, if Figure 10 As shown, the switch section 180 of the third embodiment includes a switch that switches whether the determination circuit section 140 is connected to nowhere, connected to the connection line 135 of the shared circuit section 130, or connected to the connection line 136 of the shared circuit section 130. Figure 10 As shown, the input / output port 115 (SW output port) included in the processing unit 110 of the detachable device 102 controls the switching of the switch unit 180 .

[0061] In addition, the input / output port 111 (D+ input / output port) of the processing unit 110 involved in embodiment 3 is also used as the first VI input port (VI1 input port) for detecting the waveform of the signal output from the connection line 136 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 through the input / output port 114 (VO output port), and the input / output port 112 (D- input / output port) is also used as the second VI input port (VI2 input port) for detecting the waveform of the signal output from the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 through the input / output port 114 (VO output port).

[0062] Furthermore, the number of VI input ports that detect the waveform of the signal output to the shared circuit unit 130 via the input / output port 114 (VO output port) does not need to be limited to two. For example, the input / output port 113 (VC input port) connected to the VBUS terminal 132 of the shared circuit unit 130 may be used as the third VI input port, or another input / output port included in the processing unit 110 may be connected to the GND terminal 133 of the shared circuit unit 130 to provide the fourth VI input port. Furthermore, in addition to USB terminals, terminals that may come into contact with the human body during installation may be used as the determination terminals of the shared circuit unit 130. In this case, these terminals can be connected to other input / output ports included in the processing unit 110, and these input / output ports can be used as the third and subsequent VI input ports.

[0063] Reference Figure 11 The loading and unloading determination process according to the third embodiment will be described. This process adds steps S121 and S122 instead of referring to Figure 8 In the described embodiment 2, step S111 of the loading and unloading determination process adds step S123 between step S106 and step S113. If the determination in step S123 is negative, the process of returning to step S105 is added after step S124. Therefore, the description will mainly focus on these additional processes.

[0064] In step S121, the processing unit 110 obtains the number of VI input ports and switch switching information. Specifically, the processing unit 110 obtains the number of VI input ports of the processing unit 110 in Implementation Example 3, which is "2." Furthermore, the processing unit 110 obtains information on how to control the SW output port of the processing unit 110 when the switch of the switch unit 180 is connected to the connection line connected to the n-th VI input port and when it is not connected to any of them. Furthermore, because the processing unit 110 can obtain the number of VI input ports and switch switching information in step S121 in this manner, even when the number of VI input ports is greater than 2, the attachment and detachment determination process can use all VI input ports for attachment and detachment determination.

[0065] In step S122 , the processing unit 110 switches the switch of the switch unit 180 so that the connection line connected to the first VI input port is connected to the determination circuit unit 140 based on the information acquired in step S121 .

[0066] In step S123, the processing unit 110 determines whether the switches of the switch unit 180 have been switched to all VI input ports based on the information obtained in step S121. If they have been switched (step S123: Yes), the process proceeds to step S113.

[0067] If not switched (step S123: No), the processing unit 110 switches the switch of the switch unit 180 based on the information obtained in step S121 to connect the connection line connected to the next VI input port to the determination circuit unit 140 (step S124), and proceeds to step S105.

[0068] Furthermore, in steps S112 and S113, based on the information acquired in step S121, the processing unit 110 switches the switch unit 180 so that the determination circuit unit 140 is not connected to any VI input port. This disconnects the determination circuit unit 140 from the connection lines 135 and 136 of the shared circuit unit 130.

[0069] In addition to the above, the detachable device 102 is the same as the detachable device 101. Even if it does not have a dedicated component for attachment and detachment determination, it can also use the USB terminal for attachment and detachment determination. In addition, the switch unit 180 can reliably prevent the determination circuit unit 140 from interfering with USB data transmission. Figure 9 Even when the detachable device 102 is attached at an angle as shown, the detachable device 102 can reliably determine whether it is attached to the arm 300 .

[0070] In addition, in the above embodiment, the determination terminal of the dual-use circuit unit 130 is a USB terminal (e.g., D-terminal 134). However, the determination terminal is not limited to a USB terminal. Any terminal can be used as a determination terminal as long as it comes into contact with the human body during installation. For example, if a communication terminal or a charging terminal other than a USB terminal comes into contact with the human body when a detachable device is installed, these terminals can be used as the determination terminal of the dual-use circuit unit 130.

[0071] In this case, the connection lines from these terminals serving as determination terminals are connected to the VI input port of processing unit 110. Then, if these terminals are not connected to another device (such as a PC or charger 200), processing unit 110 connects these terminals to the VO output port of processing unit 110 via determination circuit unit 140 using switch unit 180, thereby applying a rectangular wave voltage. In this state, processing unit 110 can determine whether a detachable device is attached to arm 300 by checking the waveform of the signal detected by the VI input port.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the determination circuit unit 140 is a circuit including capacitors and resistors, but the configuration of the determination circuit unit 140 is not limited thereto.

[0073] For example, the determination circuit unit 140 may include a touch sensor IC (Integrated Circuit) used in the touch sensor configuration. The touch sensor IC (or a circuit board incorporating it) includes a terminal for connecting to a metal pad for touch detection. This terminal is then connected to a determination terminal (e.g., D-terminal 134) of the shared circuit unit 130. The processing unit 110 can then determine, via the touch sensor IC, whether a human body has made contact with the determination terminal of the shared circuit unit 130.

[0074] In this case, after the touch sensor IC determines that the arm 300 is in contact with the determination terminals of the shared circuit unit 130, the processing unit 110 determines that the detachable device 100, 101, 102 is attached to the arm 300. If the touch sensor IC then determines that the arm 300 is not in contact with the determination terminals of the shared circuit unit 130, the processing unit 110 determines that the detachable device 100, 101, 102 is not attached to the arm 300.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the arm 300 (particularly the wrist) is assumed as the target to which the detachable devices 100, 101, and 102 are attached. However, the attachment target is not limited to the arm 300. When the detachable devices 100, 101, and 102 are attached, any area (e.g., the waist, feet, head, face, neck, chest, etc.) can be attached, as long as it is accessible to the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130. Furthermore, the attachment target is not limited to any part of the human body; any conductive object (e.g., a metal pipe, metal mesh, steel bars, etc.) can be attached.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the USB data transfer function and charging function are envisioned as predetermined functions of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 in addition to the attachment and detachment determination function. However, the predetermined functions are not limited to these functions. For example, the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 may have only a charging function or only a data transfer function as predetermined functions in addition to the attachment and detachment determination function, and these functions may be implemented using terminals other than the USB.

[0077] Furthermore, the functions of the detachable devices 100, 101, and 102 can also be implemented by a conventional computer such as a PC. Specifically, in the above embodiment, a program for the attachment and detachment determination process and the like executed by the detachable devices 100, 101, and 102 is pre-stored in the memory of the processing unit 110 or the ROM of the storage unit 120. However, the program can also be distributed by storing it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), memory card, or USB memory, and then reading and installing the program on a computer, thereby forming a computer capable of implementing the above functions.

[0078] Furthermore, the program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program can be distributed by posting it on a bulletin board (BBS) on a communication network. Furthermore, the program can be activated and executed under the control of an OS (Operating System) in the same manner as other application programs, thereby enabling the aforementioned processing to be performed.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 110 is composed of a microcontroller including a processor. However, as long as it has multiple input and output ports, the processing unit 110 may be composed of any single processor, such as a single processor, multiple processors, or a multi-core processor. Furthermore, the processing unit 110 may be composed of any of these processors combined with a processing circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0080] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and encompasses inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A detachable device, characterized in that: The detachable device has: a dual-purpose circuit including a terminal provided so as to be close to an object, capable of serving both a determination function of determining attachment or detachment of the device relative to the object and a predetermined function other than the determination function; as well as a processing unit that performs the determination function, The detachable device includes a determination circuit connected to the dual-purpose circuit and configured to enable the determination function to be executed. The processing unit performs the determination function by cooperating with the dual-purpose circuit and the determination circuit. The detachable device further includes a switch for switching whether the determination circuit is connected to the dual-purpose circuit. When the processing unit determines that the terminal is not connected to a device other than the own device, the processing unit connects the determination circuit to the shared circuit via the switch, and performs the determination function through the cooperation of the shared circuit and the determination circuit. When executing the determination function, the processing unit applies a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the shared circuit via the determination circuit, and determines attachment / detachment of the device relative to the object based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal when the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage. When it is determined that the time from the voltage from the terminal to the voltage exceeding the threshold value determined based on the loading and unloading judgment voltage is less than the reference time, the terminal of the shared circuit connected to the judgment circuit is switched from any one of the multiple terminals to another terminal through the switch.

2. The detachable device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing unit determines whether the terminal is connected to a device other than the own device based on the voltage applied to the terminal.

3. The detachable device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The processing unit determines that the terminal is connected to the other device when the voltage applied to the terminal is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference voltage and a fluctuation amount of the voltage applied to the terminal is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference fluctuation amount.

4. The detachable device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The processing unit determines whether the terminal is connected to a device other than the own device. When it is determined that the terminal is not connected to the other device, the determination function is executed by cooperation between the shared circuit and the determination circuit.

5. The detachable device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The terminal provided in such a manner as to be close to the object includes a terminal for data transmission, The processing unit performs the determination function through cooperation between the terminal for data transmission and the determination circuit.

6. A method for determining attachment and detachment of a detachable device, the detachable device comprising: a dual-purpose circuit including a terminal disposed so as to be accessible to an object, the circuit being capable of performing both a determination function of determining attachment and detachment of the device relative to the object and a predetermined function other than the determination function; a processing unit that performs the determination function; a determination circuit connected to the shared circuit and configured to enable the shared circuit to perform the determination function; and a switch for switching whether the determination circuit is connected to the shared circuit, characterized in that: The processing unit performs the determination function by cooperating with the dual-purpose circuit and the determination circuit. When the processing unit determines that the terminal is not connected to a device other than the own device, the processing unit connects the determination circuit to the shared circuit via the switch, and performs the determination function through the cooperation of the shared circuit and the determination circuit. When executing the determination function, the processing unit applies a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the shared circuit via the determination circuit, and determines attachment / detachment of the device relative to the object based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal when the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage. When it is determined that the time from the voltage from the terminal to the voltage exceeding the threshold value determined based on the loading and unloading judgment voltage is less than the reference time, the terminal of the shared circuit connected to the judgment circuit is switched from any one of the multiple terminals to another terminal through the switch.

7. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program executable by a computer of a detachable device, the detachable device comprising: a dual-purpose circuit including a terminal provided so as to be accessible to an object, the circuit being capable of serving both a determination function of determining attachment or detachment of the device relative to the object and a predetermined function other than the determination function; a processing unit that performs the determination function; a determination circuit connected to the shared circuit and configured to enable the shared circuit to perform the determination function; and a switch for switching whether the determination circuit is connected to the shared circuit, characterized in that: The program causes the computer to execute the following processing: The determination function is performed by the cooperation of the shared circuit and the determination circuit. When it is determined that the terminal is not connected to a device other than the own device, the switch connects the determination circuit to the shared circuit, and the shared circuit and the determination circuit cooperate to perform the determination function. When executing the determination function, a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal of the shared circuit via the determination circuit, and the attachment / detachment of the device relative to the object is determined based on the relationship between the voltage from the terminal when the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage. When it is determined that the time from the voltage from the terminal to the voltage exceeding the threshold value determined based on the loading and unloading judgment voltage is less than the reference time, the terminal of the shared circuit connected to the judgment circuit is switched from any one of the multiple terminals to another terminal through the switch.

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