Mobile terminal and water depth estimation method

Abstract

To provide a mobile terminal and a water depth estimation method with which it is possible to properly estimate a depth of water irrespective of the watertightness of one's own terminal.SOLUTION: A mobile terminal 5 comprises: a housing 6 which is accommodated in an airtight and hard separate container; an atmospheric pressure sensor 13 for measuring the atmospheric pressure in the container 20 when the container 20 is placed in water and accommodated in the housing 6; and an estimation unit 15 for estimating the water depth of one's own terminal on the basis of the pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure sensor 13 and accommodated in the housing 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for estimating water depth and a method for estimating water depth. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a digital camera has been proposed that calculates the water depth value of a housing based on an air pressure value detected by an air pressure sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This digital camera includes a housing, a waterproof breathable membrane, an air pressure sensor, and a controller. The waterproof breathable membrane covers an air hole that communicates with the inside and outside of the housing. The waterproof breathable membrane prevents water from entering through the air hole and is made of a breathable material. In the atmosphere, the internal pressure of the housing follows the atmospheric pressure due to the breathability of the waterproof breathable membrane.

[0003] As the water gets deeper, the water pressure increases, causing the housing to deform so that its volume gradually becomes smaller. As this deformation occurs, the air pressure inside the housing gradually increases. The air pressure sensor measures the amount of air pressure change inside the housing, and the controller estimates the water depth based on the relationship between the amount of air pressure change and the water pressure (water depth). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-163938 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above digital camera, the housing needs to have a watertight structure. Furthermore, since the air pressure sensor needs to operate properly in the air and underwater, the above digital camera needs to have a waterproof and breathable membrane. Thus, water depth cannot be estimated unless the electronic device has a configuration that can be placed underwater. There is a demand for a configuration that can estimate water depth using a general mobile terminal such as a conventional smartphone without adding special hardware configuration such as a watertight structure to the mobile terminal.

[0006] Incidentally, when considering measuring water depth using a mobile terminal that does not require a special hardware configuration such as a watertight structure, it is possible to ensure watertightness by housing the mobile terminal in a waterproof soft case. However, most general mobile terminals are manufactured with the intention of being used in the atmosphere, and the upper limit of the air pressure that can be measured by the air pressure sensor equipped in the mobile terminal is set to a value only slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. When the mobile terminal is placed underwater, the waterproof soft case is significantly deformed as the water depth increases, and the change in pressure inside the waterproof soft case increases. Therefore, even at a shallow water depth, the air pressure inside the waterproof soft case may reach the upper limit of the air pressure that can be measured by the air pressure sensor. Therefore, it may be difficult to measure deep water depths with an electronic device housed in a waterproof soft case.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a mobile terminal and a water depth estimation method that can appropriately estimate water depth regardless of the watertightness of the terminal itself. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the portable terminal of the present invention comprises a housing housed inside a separate sealed hard container, a barometric pressure sensor housed inside the housing for measuring the barometric pressure inside the container when the container is placed underwater, and an estimation unit housed inside the housing for estimating the water depth of the terminal based on the barometric pressure measured by the barometric pressure sensor.

[0009] In the portable terminal according to the present invention, the container placed underwater is pressed with a force corresponding to the water depth, and the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor of the portable terminal fluctuates. This allows the estimation unit to estimate the water depth of the terminal itself. Furthermore, the portable terminal according to the present invention can estimate the water depth without having a special hardware configuration such as a watertight structure. Furthermore, since the container that houses the portable terminal according to the present invention is hard, it has a higher rigidity than a general soft case and is suppressed from being significantly deformed by changes in water pressure. Therefore, the degree of increase in air pressure inside the container with increasing water depth becomes gradual, making it difficult for the air pressure sensor to reach the upper limit of the air pressure that can be measured. Therefore, even if the portable terminal is placed deep underwater, the estimation unit can appropriately estimate the water depth of the terminal itself.

[0010] The water depth estimation method of the present invention includes the steps of preparing the above-mentioned portable terminal, housing the portable terminal inside a sealed hard container, placing the container underwater after the housing step, measuring the air pressure inside the container by the portable terminal during the placing step, and estimating the water depth of the portable terminal by the portable terminal based on the air pressure measured in the measuring step.

[0011] The water depth estimation method according to the present invention has the same effects as those of the above-mentioned portable terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mobile terminal and a water depth estimation method that can appropriately estimate water depth regardless of the watertightness of the terminal itself. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a water depth estimation device including a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water depth estimation device including a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows another example of the screen displaying the estimated water depth. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for generating an estimation model by the water depth estimation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a water depth estimation device during a depressurization step. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a water depth estimation method performed by the water depth estimation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between air pressure and water depth in the first embodiment when the pressure inside the container is reduced. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between air pressure and water depth in the second embodiment when the inside of the container is not depressurized. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between air pressure and water depth in a comparative example when a mobile terminal is stored in a soft case. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a water depth estimation device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a water depth estimation device 1 including a mobile terminal 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exterior configuration of a water depth estimation device 1 including a mobile terminal 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water depth estimation device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device that estimates water depth based on air pressure. When the water depth estimation device 1 is placed underwater, it estimates the water depth at which it is located. For example, a user carries the water depth estimation device 1 and dives underwater, causing the water depth estimation device 1 to be placed underwater.

[0016] The water depth estimation device 1 includes a mobile terminal 5 and a container 20 that accommodates the mobile terminal 5. The mobile terminal 5 is a conventional smartphone and does not need to have a waterproof function. In the water depth estimation device 1, the container 20 accommodates the mobile terminal 5, so that the water depth can be estimated without submerging the mobile terminal 5, regardless of whether the mobile terminal 5 is waterproof or not. As the water depth increases, the water pressure increases, and the container 20 is pressed and deformed so that the volume of the space inside the container 20 (space 29 described later) becomes smaller. For example, as the water depth increases by 1 m, a water pressure of about 100 hPa is applied to the container 20. With this deformation, the air pressure inside the container 20 gradually increases. In this way, the water depth corresponds to the air pressure inside the container 20. The mobile terminal 5 obtains information indicating the water depth by measuring the air pressure inside the container 20, which corresponds to the water depth (magnitude of water pressure).

[0017] First, the hardware configuration of the container 20 will be described. The container 20 is sealable. The container 20 has, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The container 20 has a space 29 formed therein that can accommodate the mobile terminal 5. The container 20 can be sealed after, for example, accommodating the mobile terminal 5 in the space 29. "Sealable" means that at least liquid cannot flow from the outside of the container 20 into the space 29 accommodating the mobile terminal 5. The container 20 has the same configuration as a conventional container that can be opened and closed so as to communicate between its inside and outside, and can be tightly closed so as not to create gaps after accommodating the mobile terminal 5 in the space 29. The container 20 covers the mobile terminal 5 without any gaps. The container 20 is waterproof.

[0018] Here, in order for the water depth estimation device 1 to be able to estimate deeper water depths, it is necessary that the air pressure inside the container 20 does not reach the upper limit of the air pressure that can be measured by the air pressure sensor 13 (described later) of the mobile terminal 5 at a relatively shallow water depth. For this reason, the air pressure inside the container 20 needs to change gradually with the change in water depth. The air pressure inside the container 20 increases according to the degree of reduction in the volume of the space 29. Therefore, in order for the air pressure inside the container 20 to change gradually with the change in water depth, it is necessary that the degree of deformation of the container 20 with respect to the change in water depth is small. For this reason, the container 20 has the characteristic of being hard.

[0019] The container 20 being hard means that it has low flexibility or no flexibility. The container 20 being hard means that it has high rigidity. The container 20 being hard means that it has a property of being difficult to deform. The container 20 being hard means that it does not deform excessively (is difficult to deform) in water when the portable terminal 5 estimates the water depth. The container 20 being hard means that it does not deform excessively in water when only water pressure and gravity act. Not deforming excessively means, for example, that the degree of deformation such as bending is within an appropriate length when the portable terminal 5 estimates the water depth. The container 20 is, for example, a hard case having high rigidity compared to a bag-shaped soft case. The container 20 may have elasticity.

[0020] The container 20 has a main surface 20a (see FIG. 1) and a back surface 20b (see FIG. 2) that is the surface opposite to the main surface 20a. When the mobile terminal 5 is stored inside the container 20, at least a part of the inner surface of the container 20 is separated from the mobile terminal 5. In other words, a gap is formed between the mobile terminal 5 and the container 20, and at least a part of the container 20 is deformable toward the inside of the container 20.

[0021] The container 20 has a first window 21 (see FIG. 1) provided on the main surface 20a, a second window 22 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface 20b, and an operation unit 23 (see FIG. 1) provided on the main surface 20a. The first window 21 and the second window 22 are transparent portions. The first window 21 and the second window 22 have a property of transmitting light so that a user can visually recognize the inside of the space 29 from the outside of the container 20. The first window 21 and the second window 22 are, for example, glass.

[0022] The operation unit 23 is provided so as to be able to operate the mobile terminal 5 housed inside the container 20 from outside the container 20. The operation unit 23 is provided in a part of the first window portion 21. The operation unit 23 protrudes outside the container 20 and into the space 29. One end of the operation unit 23 is exposed to the outside of the container 20. The other end of the operation unit 23 protrudes into the space 29 and is disposed at a position where it can contact the mobile terminal 5 placed in the space 29. When one end of the operation unit 23 is touched by a user outside the container 20, the other end of the operation unit 23 protruding into the space 29 can transmit an electric signal to the mobile terminal 5 similar to that of the user touching the operation unit 23. This allows the operation unit 23 to operate a touch panel display 11 (described later) of the mobile terminal 5 housed in the container 20.

[0023] As described above, it is necessary to prevent the air pressure inside the container 20 from reaching the upper limit of the air pressure that can be measured by the air pressure sensor 13 (described later) of the portable terminal 5. For this reason, it is necessary to widen the range of air pressure that can be measured by the air pressure sensor 13 (described later) of the portable terminal 5 by setting the air pressure inside the container 20 below atmospheric pressure in advance. In this case, it is necessary to configure the container 20 so that the air pressure inside the container 20 can be reduced.

[0024] The container 20 having the above-mentioned configuration capable of reducing pressure is provided with an air vent 24, and the container 20 has a pressure control valve 25 and a lid 26. The air vent 24, the pressure control valve 25 and the lid 26 have the same configuration as a conventional configuration for controlling air pressure. The back surface 20b of the container 20 has an air vent 24 formed therein, which communicates with the inside and outside of the container 20. The pressure control valve 25 is provided at the air vent 24 and has a configuration capable of allowing gas to flow from the inside (space 29) of the container 20 to the outside of the container.

[0025] When gas in space 29 is aspirated manually by a user or by control of a suction device, pressure control valve 25 in vent hole 24 opens and closes in response to the suction, thereby adjusting the amount of gas aspirated from space 29 and controlling the pressure in space 29 to a set value. Pressure control valve 25 may be, for example, a check valve that prevents gas and liquid from flowing into container 20 from the outside.

[0026] The lids 26 close the air vents 24. The lids 26 are made of a waterproof material. Therefore, when the container 20 is placed in water, it is possible to prevent water from entering through the air vents 24. The numbers of the air vents 24, the pressure control valves 25, and the lids 26 are not limited. For example, the container 20 is provided with the same number of lids 26 as the number of the air vents 24.

[0027] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 5. The mobile terminal 5 is, for example, a smartphone equipped with an air pressure sensor. A user can generate a water depth estimation model and estimate water depth by performing an input operation on the mobile terminal 5.

[0028] The mobile terminal 5 has a housing 6. The housing 6 is, for example, in the shape of a generally rectangular plate. The housing 6 does not need to have a watertight structure. The housing 6 houses each component of the mobile terminal 5. The mobile terminal 5 further has a touch panel display 11 (see FIG. 1) that accepts operations by a user, an air pressure sensor 13 (see FIG. 3 described later), and a lens 16a (see FIG. 2) of an imaging unit 16 that can capture an image of an object by a user operation. The air pressure sensor 13 is housed in the housing 6. The air pressure sensor 13 is, for example, the same as an air pressure sensor in a conventional smartphone.

[0029] The housing 6 of the mobile terminal 5 has a main surface 5a (see FIG. 1) on which a touch panel display 11 (see FIG. 1) is provided, and a back surface 5b (see FIG. 2) which is the surface opposite to the main surface 5a on which a lens 16a of an imaging unit 16 is provided. When the mobile terminal 5 is accommodated in the container 20, the touch panel display 11 is disposed so as to face the first window portion 21, and the lens 16a of the imaging unit 16 is disposed so as to face the second window portion 22.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a mobile terminal 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the mobile terminal 5 has an input receiving unit 12, an air pressure sensor 13, a generating unit 14, an estimating unit 15, an imaging unit 16, a display control unit 17, and a storage unit 18. The mobile terminal 5 generates an estimation model for estimating water depth by controlling each of the above-mentioned functional units, estimates water depth using the estimation model, and utilizes the estimated water depth. Each function may be executed by an application corresponding to the function.

[0031] First, a functional unit that generates an estimation model for estimating water depth will be described. The estimation model is a model that indicates the correspondence between air pressure and water depth, and is a model that outputs a water depth corresponding to air pressure when air pressure is input as input information. The estimation model is, for example, a linear regression model. The estimation model may be, for example, a non-linear regression model. In generating the estimation model, first, the mobile terminal 5 acquires, as teacher data, data in which a predetermined water depth is associated with air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 at the water depth. Then, the mobile terminal 5 generates the estimation model based on the teacher data.

[0032] The input acceptance unit 12 accepts information input to the mobile terminal 5. The input acceptance unit 12 accepts an input operation by the user via the touch panel display 11. Specifically, when the user performs an input operation such as touching the operation unit 23 or moving away from the operation unit 23, the input acceptance unit 12 accepts the input operation by the user via the touch panel display 11.

[0033] The input receiving unit 12 receives, for example, information indicating water depth input by a user via the operation unit 23. The information indicating water depth is information in meters. The information indicating water depth is the water depth (position) at which the water depth estimation device 1 is to be placed, which is predetermined by the user. The input receiving unit 12 receives the information indicating the water depth before, after, or while the water depth estimation device 1 is placed in the water. The input receiving unit 12 outputs the information indicating the water depth to the generation unit 14. The input receiving unit 12 receives information indicating multiple water depths. For example, when generating an estimation model, the input receiving unit 12 receives an input of the water depth before the water depth estimation device 1 is placed in the water.

[0034] The air pressure sensor 13 measures the air pressure inside the container 20. When generating an estimation model, the air pressure sensor 13 measures the air pressure inside the container 20 at least when the water depth estimation device 1 is placed at the water depth input in the input receiving unit 12. The air pressure sensor 13 may, for example, constantly measure the air pressure. The air pressure sensor 13 outputs information indicating the measured air pressure to the generating unit 14. The information indicating the air pressure is information in units of Pascal (Pa). The information indicating the air pressure is a value related to the water pressure in the water where the water depth estimation device 1 is placed. Since the air pressure sensor in a conventional smartphone is intended for use on land (in the atmosphere), the upper limit value is about 1100 hPa or more and about 1300 hPa or less. Note that the upper limit value differs depending on the air pressure sensor 13 mounted on the mobile terminal 5, and the upper limit value is a value that is appropriately set according to the air pressure sensor 13.

[0035] The generating unit 14 generates an estimation model that estimates water depth from air pressure based on a plurality of predetermined water depths and the air pressure inside the container 20 measured by the air pressure sensor 13 for each of the plurality of water depths. The plurality of predetermined water depths is information indicating a plurality of water depths received by the input receiving unit 12. The plurality of water depths and the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 become teacher data. A method of acquiring the teacher data will be described later. The generating unit 14 generates the estimation model by applying a conventional method such as the least squares method to the obtained teacher data.

[0036] The memory unit 18 stores the water depth input by the input receiving unit 12, the teacher data and the estimation model generated by the generation unit 14, etc.

[0037] Next, a functional unit that estimates water depth using the estimation model will be described. For example, after the estimation model is generated, when a user dives underwater carrying the water depth estimation device 1, the air pressure sensor 13 measures the air pressure inside the container 20. The air pressure sensor 13 outputs the air pressure to the estimation unit 15.

[0038] The estimation unit 15 estimates the water depth of the terminal itself based on the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13. The estimation unit 15 acquires the air pressure from the air pressure sensor 13 as a variable associated with the water depth. The estimation unit 15 acquires an estimation model from the storage unit 18. The estimation unit 15 estimates the water depth of the terminal itself (mobile terminal 5) based on the estimation model and the air pressure. The estimation unit 15 acquires the water depth corresponding to the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 by inputting the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 into the estimation model. The estimation unit 15 may determine, for example, the timing at which the air pressure is acquired from the air pressure sensor 13 or the timing at which the air pressure is measured by the air pressure sensor 13 as the timing at which the water depth estimation device 1 is located at the estimated water depth. Hereinafter, the timing at which the water depth estimation device 1 is located at the estimated water depth will be referred to as the estimation timing.

[0039] The storage unit 18 stores the water depth estimated by the estimation unit 15. The storage unit 18 may store the estimation timing and the water depth at the estimation timing in association with each other.

[0040] The estimation unit 15 may estimate the moving speed in the gravity direction of the container 20 that accommodates the mobile terminal 5 based on the estimated timing and the water depth. The moving speed in the gravity direction includes at least one of an ascending speed (surfacing speed) toward the water surface and a descending speed toward the water bottom. First, the estimation unit 15 acquires a plurality of estimated timings and a plurality of water depths corresponding to the plurality of estimated timings from the memory unit 18. Next, the estimation unit 15 estimates the moving speed in the gravity direction by dividing the difference between the plurality of water depths by the difference between the plurality of estimated timings.

[0041] Next, a functional unit that utilizes the estimated water depth will be described. As an example of utilization, the mobile terminal 5 has a functional unit that presents information such as the water depth estimated by the estimation unit 15 so that the user can recognize it. The imaging unit 16 captures an image. The imaging unit 16 is, for example, a camera provided in a conventional smartphone. As shown in FIG. 2, the lens 16a of the imaging unit 16 is provided on the back surface 10b of the mobile terminal 5. The imaging direction of the imaging unit 16 is, for example, perpendicular to the back surface 10b. When the mobile terminal 5 is accommodated in the space 29 of the container 20, the imaging unit 16 captures an image of an object outside the container 20 through the second window portion 22. For example, when the input receiving unit 12 receives that a predetermined input has been made, the imaging unit 16 captures an image.

[0042] Referring again to Fig. 3, the display control unit 17 controls the display of the touch panel display 11. For example, the display control unit 17 controls the display of information related to water depth on the touch panel display 11. The user can view the touch panel display 11 from outside the container 20 through the first window portion 21.

[0043] 1, the display control unit 17 displays a screen including real-time information 70 such as air pressure and water depth as an example of information related to water depth. The real-time information 70 includes, for example, first information 71 indicating the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13, second information 72 indicating the water depth estimated by the estimation unit 15, third information 73 indicating the time the container 20 containing the mobile terminal 5 has been placed in the water, and fourth information 74 indicating the moving speed in the direction of gravity estimated by the estimation unit 15. The display control unit 17 acquires the third information 73 by a conventional method.

[0044] Fig. 4 is another example of a screen displaying an estimated water depth. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the display control unit 17 displays a screen in which an image 76 and at least a part of the real-time information 70 (e.g., second information 72) are superimposed on the image 76. The display control unit 17 may also display fifth information 75 relating to a subject included in the image 76 (a red jellyfish in Fig. 4) superimposed on the image 76.

[0045] Below, a series of steps in the operation method of the water depth estimation device 1 will be described. First, a method for generating an estimation model will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for generating an estimation model by the water depth estimation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the method for generating an estimation model for the water depth estimation device includes a preparation step (S11), a storage step (S12), a depressurization step (S13), an input step (S14), a placement step (S15), a measurement step (S16), a data generation step (S17), a determination step (S18), and a model generation step (S19).

[0046] First, in a preparation step (S11), a user prepares a mobile terminal 5. In the preparation step (S11), for example, a string-like member (not shown) capable of measuring a length is attached to the container 20 by the user.

[0047] Next, in a storage step (S12), the mobile terminal 5 is stored inside the hard container 20 sealed by the user. The user opens the container 20, stores the mobile terminal 5 inside the container 20, and then seals the container 20. By sealing the container 20, at least the inflow of liquid into the space 29 is suppressed.

[0048] Next, in the decompression step (S13), the air pressure inside the container 20 is reduced by the user. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a water depth estimation device performing the decompression step (S13). As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the user removes the lid 26, and a decompression pump 30 is provided directly above the pressure control valve 25, and gas in the space 29 of the container 20 is sucked in until the air pressure inside the container 20 reaches a predetermined air pressure. The predetermined air pressure is, for example, 800 hPa or more and less than 1013 hPa. The lower limit of the air pressure inside the container 20 may be set appropriately depending on the material and configuration of the container 20, and may be less than 800 hPa. A pressure gauge (not shown) may be provided on the pressure control valve 25, and the inside of the container 20 may be decompressed by the decompression pump 30 while the pressure inside the container 20 is measured appropriately.

[0049] 5 again. Next, in an input step (S14), the user inputs the water depth at which the container 20 containing the mobile terminal 5 is to be placed into the mobile terminal 5. The input receiving unit 12 receives information indicating the water depth input by the user to the touch panel display 11 via the operation unit 23, and outputs the information to the generating unit 14.

[0050] Next, in a placement step (S15), the user places the water depth estimation device 1 (container 20 housing the mobile terminal 5) in water. For example, the user places the container 20 in water so that the water depth input in the input step (S14) from the water surface is the same as the length below the water surface of the string-like member attached to the container 20. This places the water depth estimation device 1 at the water depth input in the input step (S14).

[0051] Next, in a measurement step (S16), the air pressure sensor 13 measures the air pressure inside the container 20 during the placement step (S15). The measurement step (S16) is executed for a predetermined time during the placement step (S15). That is, the air pressure sensor 13 of the mobile terminal 5 measures the air pressure inside the container 20 placed at the water depth input in the input step (S14) for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is at least the time required for the air pressure sensor 13 to measure the air pressure multiple times. By ensuring the time for the air pressure sensor 13 to measure the air pressure multiple times, it is possible to reduce the variation in the air pressure measured at the water depth input in the input step (S14). The air pressure sensor 13 outputs the measured air pressure to the generation unit 14.

[0052] Next, in a data generation step (S17), the generation unit 14 associates the water depth input in the input step (S14) with the air pressure measured in the measurement step (S16). This will be described in detail below. The generation unit 14 acquires information indicating the water depth from the input reception unit 12. The generation unit 14 acquires information indicating the air pressure from the air pressure sensor 13.

[0053] The generating unit 14 estimates the time during which the water depth estimation device 1 was placed at the water depth input in the input step (S14). The time refers to a time (period) during which the air pressure sensor 13 can measure the air pressure multiple times after the placement step (S15) is executed and the amount of fluctuation in the air pressure value measured by the air pressure sensor 13 is within a threshold. The threshold is set appropriately by, for example, a user. The time may be a time (period) during which the air pressure sensor 13 can measure the air pressure multiple times after a predetermined time has elapsed since the placement step (S15) was executed. The predetermined time is, for example, one minute.

[0054] The generation unit 14 acquires the air pressure measured during the time that the water depth estimation device 1 was placed at the water depth input in the input step (S14). The generation unit 14 calculates a feature amount of the air pressure based on the air pressure measured during that time. The feature amount may be an average value or a median value. The generation unit 14 generates teacher data that associates the water depth input in the input step (S14) with the feature amount of the air pressure. The generation unit 14 stores the teacher data in the memory unit 18.

[0055] Next, in a determination step (S18), the generation unit 14 determines whether the number of teacher data has reached a predetermined number of data. The number of teacher data refers to the number of pairs of one water depth and one feature of air pressure. Here, data having the same water depth as the teacher data already stored is not newly counted in the number of teacher data. Here, since the estimation model is a regression model, at least two teacher data are required to generate the estimation model. Therefore, in the determination step (S18), by determining whether the number of data in the teacher data is two or more, the teacher data required to generate the estimation model can be secured. Note that the number of teacher data may be two or more, and may be three, five, or ten.

[0056] 5, the generation unit 14 determines that the predetermined number of data has been reached when the number of teacher data is 2 or more. If it is determined that the number of teacher data has not reached the predetermined number of data (S18: NO), the process proceeds to the input step (S14) again. If it is determined that the number of teacher data has reached the predetermined number of data (S18: YES), the process proceeds to the model generation step (S19).

[0057] If it is determined that the number of teacher data has not reached the predetermined number of data (S18: NO), a water depth other than the previously inputted water depth is input in the input step (S14) that is executed again. For example, in the input step (S14), the user removes the water depth estimation device 1 from the water and inputs a new water depth into the mobile terminal 5. This makes it possible to obtain information indicating air pressure at different water depths in the subsequent steps, and obtain teacher data for different water depths.

[0058] When it is determined that the number of teacher data has reached a predetermined number of data (S18: YES), the generation unit 14 generates an estimation model that estimates water depth based on the measured air pressure, as a model generation step (S19). The generation unit 14 generates the estimation model by applying a conventional method such as the least squares method to the obtained multiple teacher data. The generation unit 14 may increase the number of generated teacher data to three or more to improve the accuracy of the estimation model. In this way, the generation unit 14 generates the estimation model by calibrating the linear regression model using the multiple teacher data. The generation unit 14 stores the generated estimation model in the storage unit 18. For example, when the generation unit 14 stores the generation model in the storage unit 18, the method of generating an estimation model of the water depth estimation device 1 is terminated.

[0059] Next, we will explain the water depth estimation method using the water depth estimation device 1. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the water depth estimation method of the water depth estimation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, the method of generating an estimation model for the water depth estimation device includes a preparation step (S21), a storage step (S22), a depressurization step (S23), a placement step (S24), a measurement step (S25), an estimation step (S26), and an output step (S27).

[0060] First, as a preparation step (S21), a user prepares a mobile terminal 5. The preparation step (S21) is executed after the estimation model generation method is executed. As the preparation step (S21), for example, a user prepares a mobile terminal 5 in which an estimation model is stored in the storage unit 18.

[0061] Next, in a storage step (S22), the user stores the mobile terminal 5 inside the sealed hard container 20. For example, in the storage step (S22), the same process as in the above-mentioned storage step (S12) is executed.

[0062] Next, in a depressurization step (S23), the pressure inside the container 20 is reduced based on a threshold value by the user. For example, the same process as the above-mentioned depressurization step (S13) is executed in the depressurization step (S23). The threshold value in the depressurization step (S23) is, for example, the same value as the air pressure inside the container 20 reduced in the above-mentioned depressurization step (S13). In the depressurization step (S23), for example, the pressure inside the container 20 is reduced to the threshold value by the user.

[0063] Next, in a placement step (S24), the container 20 accommodating the mobile terminal 5 is placed in water by the user. For example, the user carries the container 20 accommodating the mobile terminal 5 and dives into water, thereby placing the container 20 in water.

[0064] Next, as a measurement step (S25), the atmospheric pressure inside the container 20 is measured by the portable terminal 5 during the placing step (S25) using the atmospheric pressure sensor 13. The measurement step (S25) is executed at any time while the placing step (S15) is being executed. That is, the atmospheric pressure sensor 13 of the portable terminal 5 may constantly measure the atmospheric pressure inside the container 20 while the container 20 is placed in water. The atmospheric pressure sensor 13 outputs the atmospheric pressure information to the estimation unit 15.

[0065] Next, in an estimation step (S26), the estimation unit 15 estimates the water depth of the portable terminal 5 based on the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13. The estimation unit 15 acquires a calibrated estimation model stored in the memory unit 18. The estimation unit 15 acquires air pressure information from the air pressure sensor 13 and inputs the air pressure included in the air pressure information to the estimation model. The estimation unit 15 estimates the water depth corresponding to the air pressure using the estimation model as the water depth of the portable terminal 5 at the timing when the air pressure included in the air pressure information was measured. Note that in the estimation step (S26), the estimation unit 15 may estimate the moving speed of the water depth estimation device 1 in the gravity direction based on the estimation timing and the water depth.

[0066] Next, in an output step (S27), at least the water depth estimated by the estimation unit 15 is output. The estimation unit 15, for example, causes the memory unit 18 to store the estimated water depth in association with the air pressure used in the estimation model. The estimation unit 15 may store at least one of the estimation timing and the moving speed of the water depth estimation device 1 in the gravity direction in the memory unit 18. The estimation unit 15, for example, outputs the estimated water depth to the display control unit 17 in association with the air pressure used in the estimation model. The display control unit 17, for example, displays a screen including the first information 71 and the second information 72 on the touch panel display 11 based on the estimated water depth and air pressure.

[0067] Furthermore, the estimation unit 15 may, for example, output the estimated moving speed of the water depth estimation device 1 in the gravity direction to the display control unit 17. The display control unit 17 may, for example, display a screen including the fourth information 74 on the touch panel display 11 based on the moving speed of the water depth estimation device 1 in the gravity direction.

[0068] While the placing step (S24) is being performed, i.e., while the user is underwater, the measuring step (S25), the estimating step (S26), and the output step (S27) may be performed at predetermined time intervals. For example, the predetermined time intervals include time intervals at which the air pressure sensor 13 can measure air pressure. When the user removes the water depth estimation device 1 from the water, the water depth estimation method using the water depth estimation device 1 is terminated.

[0069] Here, the relationship between the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 of the portable terminal 5 and the water depth will be described using examples and comparative examples. A first example will be described in which the inside of the container 20 in the water depth estimation device 1 is depressurized through the pressure control valve 25, a second example will be described in which the inside of the container 20 in the water depth estimation device 1 is not depressurized, and a comparative example will be described in which the portable terminal 5 is stored inside a soft case and the inside of the soft case is not depressurized.

[0070] In the first example, the water depth estimation device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment was used to execute the method for generating an estimation model, and the air pressure was measured. In the first example, the depressurization step (S13) of the method for generating an estimation model was executed, and the inside of the container 20 was depressurized through the pressure control valve 25. In the second example, the water depth estimation device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment was used to execute the method for generating an estimation model, excluding the depressurization step (S13), and the air pressure was measured. That is, in the second example, the depressurization step (S13) of the method for generating an estimation model was not executed, and the inside of the container 20 was not depressurized through the pressure control valve 25. In the comparative example, in the storage step (S12), the mobile terminal 5 of the above-mentioned embodiment was stored in a soft case that is softer than the container 20, and the depressurization step (S13) of the method for generating an estimation model was not executed. The other processes (steps) in the comparative example were executed in the same manner as the method for generating an estimation model of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the air pressure was measured.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between air pressure and water depth according to the first embodiment when the inside of the container 20 is depressurized. The vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG. 8 shows the air pressure (hPa) inside the container 20, and the horizontal axis shows the water depth (m). The graph shown in FIG. 8 shows the results of the air pressure inside the container 20 measured by the air pressure sensor 13 for each predetermined water depth (plotted points). As shown in FIG. 8, in the container 20 of the first embodiment, the inside of the container 20 is depressurized in advance via the pressure control valve 25, so that the air pressure sensor 13 can measure the air pressure inside the container 20 in the range from the depressurized air pressure (800 hPa in FIG. 8) to the above-mentioned upper limit value (for example, 1310 hPa). It was also confirmed that the air pressure increases as the water depth increases. It was confirmed that the relationship between air pressure and water depth is approximately linear, and that the air pressure increases at an approximately constant rate or quadratically as the water depth increases.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between air pressure and water depth according to the second embodiment when the inside of the container 20 is not depressurized. The vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG. 9 shows the air pressure (hPa) inside the container 20, and the horizontal axis shows the water depth (m). The graph shown in FIG. 9 shows the results of the air pressure inside the container 20 measured by the air pressure sensor 13 for each predetermined water depth (plotted points). In the container 20 of the second embodiment, the inside of the container 20 is not depressurized in advance via the pressure control valve 25, so that the air pressure sensor 13 can measure the air pressure inside the container 20 in the range from atmospheric pressure (1013 hPa in FIG. 9) to the above-mentioned upper limit value (for example, 1310 hPa). By comparing the first embodiment with the second embodiment, it became clear that there is a difference in the range of air pressure that the air pressure sensor 13 can measure. Therefore, when the pressure inside the container is reduced, compared to when the pressure inside the container is not reduced, the air pressure sensor 13 can measure the air pressure inside the container 20 even at deeper water depths, and the estimation unit 15 can estimate a wider range of (deeper) water depths.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between air pressure and water depth in a comparative example when a mobile terminal is housed in a soft case. The vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG. 10 indicates the air pressure (hPa) inside the soft case, and the horizontal axis indicates the water depth (m). The graph shown in FIG. 10 shows the results of the air pressure inside the container 20 measured by the air pressure sensor 13 for each predetermined water depth (plotted points). The soft case of the comparative example is softer (has less rigidity) than the container 20 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, so it easily deforms even at a relatively shallow water depth. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the air pressure inside the soft case easily changes at a relatively shallow water depth (a water depth of 0 m or more and less than 3 m in FIG. 10). Also, the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 reaches the upper limit value (1310 hPa in FIG. 10) that the air pressure sensor 13 can measure at a relatively shallow water depth (a water depth of 3 m in FIG. 10). Furthermore, the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 remains at the upper limit value at depths deeper than 3 m. Therefore, according to the comparative example, the air pressure at depths of 3 m or more cannot be properly measured. Also, depending on the type of air pressure sensor of the smartphone, it may not be possible to properly measure the air pressure at depths of 1 m or more. Compared to the case where the mobile terminal 5 is stored in a soft case, when the mobile terminal 5 is stored inside the container 20, the amount of change in air pressure inside the container 20 due to changes in water depth can be kept small, so that the air pressure inside the container 20 is prevented from immediately reaching the upper limit value of the air pressure that the air pressure sensor 13 can measure. Therefore, the air pressure sensor 13 of the mobile terminal 5 stored in the container 20 can measure air pressures over a wider range, and the estimation unit 15 of the mobile terminal 5 stored in the container 20 can estimate a wider range of (deeper) water depths.

[0074] As described above, in the water depth estimation device 1 and the portable terminal 5 according to the present embodiment, the container 20 placed underwater is pressed with a force according to the water depth, so that the container 20 deforms so that the volume inside the container 20 becomes smaller, and the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13 of the portable terminal 5 changes. Since the air pressure inside the container 20 corresponds to the water depth, in the estimation step (S26) of the water depth estimation method, the estimation unit 15 can estimate the water depth of the terminal itself (the portable terminal 5). Furthermore, the portable terminal 5 according to the present embodiment can estimate the water depth while being prevented from being submerged by being accommodated inside the sealable container 20, even without having a special hardware configuration such as a watertight structure. Furthermore, the container 20 that accommodates the portable terminal 5 according to the present embodiment is hard, so that it has a higher rigidity than a general soft case, and is prevented from being significantly deformed by a change in water pressure. Therefore, the degree of increase in the air pressure inside the container 20 with an increase in water depth becomes gentle, so that the air pressure sensor 13 is less likely to reach the upper limit of the air pressure that can be measured. Therefore, even if the portable terminal 5 is placed deep underwater in the placement step (S25) of the water depth estimation method, the estimation unit 15 can appropriately estimate the water depth of its own terminal (portable terminal 5) in the estimation step (S26). Also, while a portable terminal housed in a soft case could only estimate a water depth of less than 3 m at most, the portable terminal 5 housed in the container 20 of this embodiment can estimate a water depth of about several tens of meters. Also, the portable terminal 5 of this embodiment can estimate water depth without using a dedicated dive computer, etc., so that costs can be reduced compared to the case of introducing a dedicated dive computer, and many users can easily grasp the water depth.

[0075] The water depth estimation device 1 and the portable terminal 5 further include a generation unit 14 that generates an estimation model for estimating water depth from air pressure. As shown in the method of generating an estimation model in Fig. 5, the generation unit 14 can calibrate the estimation model according to the type of the portable terminal 5, the usage history of the portable terminal 5, the usage environment of the portable terminal 5, the hardness (rigidity) of the container 20, the air pressure inside the container 20, and the like. The estimation unit 15 estimates the water depth of the terminal itself based on the estimation model generated by the generation unit 14 and the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 13. This allows the estimation unit 15 to estimate the water depth with high accuracy.

[0076] The estimation model may be a linear regression model. With this configuration, the generation unit 14 can easily generate the estimation model even when the number of training data including the air pressure and the water depth is small.

[0077] In addition, the hard container 20 in the water depth estimation device 1 as in this embodiment has a pressure control valve 25 provided in the air hole 24 and capable of discharging gas from inside the container 20 to outside the container 20. In the depressurization steps (S12, S22) of the estimation model generation method and the water depth estimation method, the inside of the container 20 can be depressurized through the pressure control valve 25. Here, a typical mobile terminal is often manufactured with the intention of being used in the atmosphere, and the upper limit value of the air pressure that can be measured by the air pressure sensor provided in the mobile terminal is set only to a value slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure (for example, 1100 hPa or more and 1300 hPa or less). In other words, if the inside of the container is not depressurized, the air pressure sensor can only properly measure pressure in the range from the atmospheric pressure to the upper limit value. For this reason, if the inside of the container is not depressurized, depending on the degree of deformation of the container, the pressure inside the container may reach the upper limit value of the air pressure that can be measured by the air pressure sensor even at a shallow depth. However, in the container 20 of this embodiment, the inside of the container 20 can be depressurized in advance via the pressure control valve 25, so that the air pressure sensor 13 can measure the pressure inside the container 20 in the range from the depressurized pressure to the above-mentioned upper limit value. Therefore, compared to a case where the inside of the container is not depressurized, the air pressure sensor 13 of this embodiment can measure the pressure inside the container 20 even at a deeper water depth, and the estimation unit 15 can estimate a deeper water depth.

[0078] Furthermore, the estimation unit 15 may estimate the moving speed of the container 20 housing the mobile terminal 5 in the direction of gravity based on the air pressure and the timing at which the air pressure was measured or acquired. That is, the estimation unit 15 may estimate the moving speed of the container 20 housing the mobile terminal 5 in the direction of gravity based on the estimation timing and the water depth. In this case, the display control unit 17 displays the water depth and the moving speed on the screen of the touch panel display 11, so that the water depth and the moving speed can be presented to the user, thereby reducing the risk of decompression sickness for the user.

[0079] Furthermore, the display control unit 17 can superimpose the estimated water depth on the image acquired from the imaging unit 16 and display it on the screen of the touch panel display 11. In this way, real-time information 70 such as water depth underwater can be linked with information from other applications, creating new underwater interactions.

[0080] The mobile terminal 5 is not limited to a smartphone, and may be any device provided with the housing 6, the air pressure sensor 13, and the estimation unit 15. In other words, the mobile terminal 5 may be replaced by a device provided with only the housing 6, the air pressure sensor 13, and the estimation unit 15. The mobile terminal 5 does not need to generate an estimation model. In this case, the mobile terminal 5 does not need to include the generation unit 14. The estimation unit 15 may obtain an estimation model stored in advance in the storage unit 18 and estimate the water depth.

[0081] Furthermore, an estimation model generated in the mobile terminal 5 or another terminal may be stored in advance in the storage unit 18. The generation unit 14 may input teacher data to the estimation model stored in advance in the storage unit 18 and calibrate the estimation model. In this case, the determination step (S18) may not be necessary.

[0082] Also, the operation unit 23 may be, for example, a button. In this case, by pressing one end of the operation unit 23 toward the space 29 outside the container 20, the other end of the operation unit 23 protruding into the space 29 is pressed toward the mobile terminal 5 and can contact the mobile terminal 5. In addition, in a state in which one end of the operation unit 23 is not pressed outside the container 20, the other end of the operation unit 23 protruding into the space 29 is disposed at a position in the space 29 separated from the mobile terminal 5. This allows the operation unit 23 to operate the touch panel display 11 of the mobile terminal 5 contained in the container 20. In this case, since the user does not press the operation unit 23 toward the space 29 in the depressurization steps (S13, S23) and the measurement steps (S16, S25), the fluctuation in the initial value of the atmospheric pressure inside the container 20 and the fluctuation in the measured value of the atmospheric pressure can be suppressed, respectively.

[0083] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. The method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by using one device that is physically or logically combined, or may be realized by using two or more devices that are physically or logically separated and directly or indirectly connected (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.). The functional blocks may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0084] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocation, mapping, assignment, etc. For example, a functional block (component) that performs the function of transmission is called a transmitting unit or a transmitter. In either case, as described above, there is no particular limitation on the method of realization.

[0085] For example, the mobile terminal 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the information processing of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-mentioned mobile terminal 5 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like.

[0086] In the following description, the term "apparatus" may be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 5 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0087] Each function of the mobile terminal 5 is realized by loading a specific software (program) onto hardware such as the processor 1001, memory 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations, controls communication via the communication device 1004, and controls at least one of the reading and writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0088] The processor 1001, for example, operates an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, each function in the mobile terminal 5 described above may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0089] Moreover, the processor 1001 reads out a program (program code), a software module, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to the read out programs. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above-mentioned embodiment is used. For example, each function of the mobile terminal 5 may be realized by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above-mentioned various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line.

[0090] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), software modules, etc. that are executable to perform information processing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, and the like. Storage 1003 may be called an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium provided in mobile terminal 5 may be, for example, a database including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003, a server, or other appropriate medium.

[0092] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0093] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that performs output to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0094] In addition, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0095] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 5 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0096] The order of the steps, sequences, flow charts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0097] The input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. The output information may be deleted. The input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0098] The determination may be based on a value represented by a single bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0099] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched according to execution. In addition, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is the case") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., not notifying the specific information).

[0100] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0101] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0102] Additionally, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired and / or wireless technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave, etc.), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0103] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0104] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0105] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, search, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and the like. In addition, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc., to be a "judgment" or "decision." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering some action to be a "judgment" or "decision." In addition, "judgment" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0106] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0107] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0108] Any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0109] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Further, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0110] In this disclosure, where articles have been added due to translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0111] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0112] The mobile terminal, water depth estimation device, and water depth estimation method of the present disclosure have the following configuration. [1] A housing housed inside a sealed, rigid, separate container; an air pressure sensor housed within the housing for measuring air pressure inside the container when the container is submerged in water; an estimation unit that is accommodated in the housing and that estimates the water depth of the terminal based on the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor; A mobile terminal comprising: [2] A generating unit that generates an estimation model for estimating a water depth from air pressure based on a plurality of predetermined water depths and the air pressure inside the container measured by the air pressure sensor for each of the plurality of water depths; The estimation unit estimates the water depth of the terminal based on the estimation model generated by the generation unit and the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor. [1] A mobile terminal according to the present invention. [3] The mobile terminal according to [2], wherein the estimation model is a linear regression model. [4] A step of preparing a mobile terminal according to any one of [1] to [3]; housing the mobile terminal within a sealed hard container; After the containing step, placing the container in water; measuring an air pressure inside the container by the mobile terminal during the placing step; a step of estimating the water depth of the portable terminal by the portable terminal based on the air pressure measured in the measuring step; A method for estimating water depth, comprising: [5] After the containing step, a step of reducing the pressure inside the container to less than atmospheric pressure; The placing step is performed after the depressurizing step. The water depth estimation method described in [4]. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1...water depth estimation device, 5...mobile terminal, 6...housing, 13...air pressure sensor, 14...generation unit, 15...estimation unit, 20...container, 24...vent, 25...pressure control valve, 1001...processor, 1002...memory, 1003...storage, 1004...communication device, 1005...input device, 1006...output device, 1007...bus.

Claims

1. a housing housed within a separate, sealed, rigid container; an air pressure sensor housed within the housing for measuring air pressure inside the container when the container is placed underwater; an estimation unit that is accommodated in the housing and that estimates the water depth of the terminal based on the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor; A mobile terminal comprising:

2. a generating unit that generates an estimation model for estimating a water depth from air pressure based on a plurality of predetermined water depths and the air pressure inside the container measured by the air pressure sensor for each of the plurality of water depths; The estimation unit estimates the water depth of the terminal based on the estimation model generated by the generation unit and the air pressure measured by the air pressure sensor. The mobile terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The mobile terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the estimation model is a linear regression model.

4. A step of preparing a mobile terminal according to claim 1; housing the mobile terminal within a sealed hard container; After the containing step, placing the container in water; measuring an air pressure inside the container by the mobile terminal during the placing step; a step of estimating the water depth of the portable terminal by the portable terminal based on the air pressure measured in the measuring step; A method for estimating water depth, comprising:

5. After the containing step, reducing the pressure inside the container; The placing step is performed after the depressurizing step. The method for estimating water depth according to claim 4.

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