Electronic apparatus, control method of electronic apparatus and program

Abstract

To timely execute a function of accepting input operation by magnetism and other functions of using magnetism detection result.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus comprises a magnetic sensor and a control section. The control section operates the electronic apparatus in a first mode in which input operation by magnetism is accepted when the amplitude of magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is a first threshold or more, and operates the electronic apparatus in a second mode having a function of causing a display section to display information on a direction identified based on the magnetism detection result when the amplitude of magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is less than the first threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an electronic device equipped with a magnetic sensor, there is a technique for receiving an input operation based on magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting the movement of a magnetic body operated by a user with a magnetic sensor and operating an electronic device according to the detected movement of the magnetic body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when receiving an input operation by magnetism, there is a problem that other functions using the detection result of magnetism, such as a function of detecting geomagnetism and displaying the direction, cannot be used.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable timely execution of a function of receiving an input operation by magnetism and other functions using the detection result of magnetism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention is a magnetic sensor, a control unit, and is an electronic device provided with wherein the control unit is When the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the electronic device is operated in a first mode for accepting an input operation by the magnetic field. When the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor is less than the first threshold value, the electronic device is operated in a second mode having a function of specifying an azimuth based on the detection result of the magnetic field and displaying information regarding the azimuth on a display unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately execute a function of accepting an input operation by a magnetic field and another function using the detection result of the magnetic field.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Configuration of Electronic Watch) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an electronic watch 1 (electronic device). The electronic watch 1 includes a housing 101 in which a display unit 14 and a circuit board (not shown) are housed, and two bands 102 attached to the housing 101. The electronic watch 1 is a wristwatch (wearable device) that is worn on the user's wrist by winding the band 102 around the wrist and used. The electronic watch 1 is a smartwatch capable of displaying various information related to the application by executing various application programs (hereinafter referred to as "apps") in addition to basic information such as time and date on the display unit 14. Further, the electronic watch 1 is a divers' watch that can also be used when the user is performing an activity underwater. Examples of activities underwater include, but are not limited to, diving and swimming.

[0011] As means for receiving the user's input operation, the electronic watch 1 includes an operation button 151 provided on the side surface of the housing 101 and a touch panel 152 provided so as to overlap the display surface of the display unit 14. Further, the electronic watch 1 can also receive an input operation by magnetism. In this specification, "magnetism" shall refer to a magnetic field or magnetic flux density. The input operation by magnetism will be described in detail later.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic clock 1. The electronic clock 1 includes a CPU 11 (Central Processing Unit) (control unit, control means), a RAM 12 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, a sensor unit 16, a timekeeping unit 17, and a communication unit 18. Each unit of the electronic clock 1 is connected via a communication path such as a bus.

[0013] The CPU 11 is a processor that functions as a control unit for controlling the operation of the electronic clock 1 by reading and executing the program 131 stored in the storage unit 13 and performing various arithmetic processes. Note that the electronic clock 1 may have a plurality of processors (for example, a plurality of CPUs), and the plurality of processes executed by the CPU 11 in the present embodiment may be executed by the plurality of processors. In this case, the control unit is configured by the plurality of processors. In this case, the plurality of processors may be involved in common processing, or the plurality of processors may independently execute different processes in parallel.

[0014] The RAM 12 provides a working memory space for the CPU 11 and stores temporary data.

[0015] The storage unit 13 is a non-temporary recording medium readable by the CPU 11 as a computer, and stores the program 131 and various data. The storage unit 13 has a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, for example. The program 131 is stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of program code readable by a computer. Examples of the data stored in the storage unit 13 include threshold data 132 and magnetic pattern data 133 (magnetic pattern information) that are referred to when receiving a magnetic input operation. The contents of the threshold data 132 and the magnetic pattern data 133 will be described later.

[0016] The display unit 14 is equipped with a liquid crystal display and performs digital display in a dot matrix format on the liquid crystal display according to the control signal and image data transmitted from the CPU 11. Instead of the liquid crystal display, other displays such as an organic EL display may be used. The display unit 14 displays, for example, the current time, date, day of the week, alarm time, elapsed time of the timer, various information (azimuth, water depth, diving time, water temperature, etc.) based on the detection results by the sensor unit 16, the operation mode and operation mode of the electronic clock 1, and the like.

[0017] The operation unit 15 receives the user's input operation and outputs an input signal corresponding to the input operation to the CPU 11. The operation unit 15 includes the above-described operation buttons 151 and the touch panel 152. The operation button 151 detects the pressing operation by the user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressed operation button 151 to the CPU 11. The touch panel 152 detects the contact position of the user's finger (operation means) on the display surface of the display unit 14 and outputs the detection result to the CPU 11. As the touch panel 152, for example, a capacitance method that detects the contact position of the finger based on the change in capacitance between the finger and the touch panel 152 is used. The operation means of the touch panel 152 is not limited to the finger and may be a stylus or the like.

[0018] The sensor unit 16 includes a magnetic sensor 161, a pressure sensor 162, a water detection sensor 163, and a temperature sensor 164. The sensor unit 16 may further include sensors not shown in FIG. 2, for example, a motion sensor that detects acceleration, angular velocity, etc. according to the movement of the electronic clock 1, and a pulse wave sensor that detects the pulse wave of the user's wrist.

[0019] The magnetic sensor 161 detects the direction and magnitude (magnetic flux density) of the magnetic field and outputs the detection result to the CPU 11. For example, the magnetic sensor 161 detects the magnitude of the magnetic components in each of the three orthogonal axial directions. The magnetic detection method is not particularly limited, and for example, a magnetoresistive element (MR element) whose resistance value changes according to the magnetic flux density may be used. Based on the detection result of the geomagnetism by the magnetic sensor 161, the azimuth in which the electronic clock 1 is facing can be derived. Also, as will be described later, the magnetic sensor 161 is also used for detecting an input operation using magnetism.

[0020] The pressure sensor 162 is a semiconductor pressure sensor that utilizes the piezoresistive effect. The pressure sensor 162 outputs a detection value corresponding to the magnitude of the water pressure to the CPU 11 in water. The CPU 11 derives the water depth based on this detection value.

[0021] The water detection sensor 163 detects that the electronic clock 1 is wet with water and outputs the detection result to the CPU 11. The detection method of the water detection sensor 163 is not particularly limited, and for example, a method of detecting that the electrical resistance between conductors exposed outside the electronic clock 1 has decreased due to water may be used. Also, the touch panel 152 may be used as the water detection sensor 163. That is, it may be detected that it is wet with water based on the change in capacitance due to water coming into contact with the touch panel.

[0022] The temperature sensor 164 detects the temperature around the electronic clock 1 (the outside air temperature on land and the water temperature in water) and outputs the detection result to the CPU 11.

[0023] The timing unit 17 includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency division circuit, a timing circuit, and the like. The timing unit 17 divides the clock signal generated by the oscillation circuit by the frequency division circuit, and the timing circuit counts the divided signal to derive and hold the current date and time.

[0024] The communication unit 18 is a communication module having an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc., and performs wireless data communication with an external device according to a predetermined communication standard.

[0025] (Operation of the electronic clock) Next, the operation of the electronic clock 1 will be described. The electronic clock 1 can switch the operation mode between a land mode for use on land and a diving mode (underwater mode) for use underwater. In the land mode, in addition to basic information such as time, various information according to the executed application can be displayed on the display unit 14. When the pressure sensor 162 detects a water pressure equal to or higher than the reference value, or when the water detection sensor 163 detects that the electronic clock 1 is in contact with water, the operation mode switches from the land mode to the diving mode. It may also be possible to switch to the diving mode by a predetermined operation on the operation button 151 or the touch panel 152. In the diving mode, information necessary for diving, such as the water depth, diving time, and water temperature, is displayed. Also, in the diving mode, at least a part of the information displayed in the land mode may be displayable.

[0026] In addition, from the perspective of the method of receiving input operations from the user, the electronic clock 1 can switch the operation mode between a normal operation mode (second mode) and a magnetic operation mode (first mode). In the magnetic operation mode, the electronic clock 1 receives an input operation by the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161. On the other hand, in the normal operation mode, the electronic clock 1 receives a contact operation on the touch panel 152 as an input operation and does not receive an input operation by magnetism. The switching of the operation mode is controlled by the CPU 11.

[0027] In the normal operation mode, intuitive input operations such as tap operations and swipe operations on the display surface of the display unit 14 are possible. A tap operation is an operation of selecting a desired position on the display surface (more precisely, the touch panel 152 on the display surface, or the protective layer of the touch panel 152) by touching and then releasing a finger on the position. A swipe operation is an operation of inputting a direction by moving a finger while keeping the finger in contact with the display surface, and is used to scroll or switch the display screen in the moving direction of the finger. As an operation similar to the swipe operation, a flick operation of quickly moving the finger slightly is also acceptable.

[0028] In the normal operation mode, the magnetic sensor 161 is used for detecting geomagnetism. For example, when an application for displaying an azimuth is executed, the CPU 11 acquires the geomagnetism detection result from the magnetic sensor 161 and derives the azimuth of the electronic clock 1. Based on the derived azimuth result, the CPU 11 causes the display unit 14 to perform, for example, the azimuth display shown in FIG. 3. Note that in the normal operation mode, when magnetism significantly larger than the geomagnetism (for example, equal to or greater than a first threshold value T1 described later) is detected, it is regarded as an abnormal state and the azimuth display is not performed.

[0029] As described above, in the normal operation mode, input operations are mainly received by the touch panel 152. However, the capacitive touch panel 152 does not function in water. This is because when water, which is a conductive liquid, intervenes, the change in capacitance caused by a finger cannot be correctly detected. In addition, gloves are often worn during diving, and for this reason too, the touch panel 152 is not suitable as an input device in water. In a small wrist-mounted list band type terminal such as the electronic clock 1, since the touch panel 152 is a particularly important input device, there has been a problem that it is difficult to introduce a list band type terminal assuming use in water.

[0030] Therefore, the electronic clock 1 of the present embodiment is also operable in a magnetic operation mode that enables input operations with the same operating feel as the touch panel 152 even in water. In both the on-land mode and the diving mode, the electronic clock 1 operates in the normal operation mode by default. Further, the electronic clock 1 transitions from the normal operation mode to the magnetic operation mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the diving mode. The control related to the transition from the normal operation mode to the magnetic operation mode will be described in detail later.

[0031] In the magnetic operation mode, the dedicated glove 20 shown in FIG. 4 is used. A magnet 21 (magnetic body) is embedded at the tip of the index finger of the glove 20. For example, in the magnet 21, the tip side of the fingertip is the N pole, and generates magnetism represented by magnetic force lines m that radiate in the extending direction of the finger. Note that the tip side of the fingertip of the magnet 21 may be the S pole. In this case, the direction of the magnetism (the direction of the magnetic force lines m) in FIG. 4 and the subsequent description is opposite to that in FIG. 4. In the magnetic operation mode, the presence or absence and content of the input operation are determined based on the result of detecting the magnetism generated by the magnet 21 by the magnetic sensor 161. In the magnetic operation mode, since the magnetic sensor 161 is exclusively used to detect the magnetism of the magnet 21, the CPU 11 does not derive and display the azimuth based on the detection result of the geomagnetism. In other words, in the magnetic operation mode, the CPU 11 sets the function of specifying the azimuth based on the detection result of the magnetism to be invalid. The electronic clock 1 and the glove 20 constitute a magnetic input system capable of receiving magnetic input operations.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a method of performing a swipe operation in a magnetic operation mode. Hereinafter, directions are represented by an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. When parallel to the display surface 14a of the display unit 14 and facing the display surface 14a directly, the right direction is defined as the X direction, and the upward direction when parallel to the display surface 14a and facing the display surface 14a directly is defined as the Y direction. Further, the normal direction of the display surface 14a is defined as the Z direction. Also, the +X direction is denoted as the right direction, the -X direction as the left direction, the +Y direction as the upward direction, and the -Y direction as the downward direction. In FIG. 5, a swipe operation is being performed from the left side of the display surface 14a of the display unit 14 through the center of the display surface 14a toward the right side of the display surface 14a. Also, it is assumed that the magnetic sensor 161 is located at the center of the circular display surface 14a of the display unit 14 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0033] The arrow Dx marked at the lower part of the left and right figures in FIG. 5 represents the component in the X direction (a predetermined first direction parallel to the display surface 14a) of the magnetic orientation detected by the magnetic sensor 161. As shown in the left figure of FIG. 5, when the fingertip of the glove 20 is located on the left side of the display unit 14, the X-direction component of the magnetic orientation indicated by the arrow Dx is directed in the +X direction. As shown in the middle figure of FIG. 5, when the fingertip of the glove 20 is located at the center of the display surface 14a of the display unit 14, the detected magnetic orientation has no X-direction component (there is no arrow Dx in the middle figure of FIG. 5). As shown in the right figure of FIG. 5, when the fingertip of the glove 20 is located on the right side of the display unit 14, the X-direction component of the magnetic orientation indicated by the arrow Dx is directed in the -X direction. These are due to the fact that magnetic fields radiating radially from the fingertip are generated as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, when a swipe operation in a certain first direction is performed, during the swipe operation, the component of the detected magnetic field in the first direction changes in the opposite direction. Therefore, when the component of the detected magnetic field in the first direction changes in the opposite direction, the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation in the first direction has been performed. Specifically, when the tip side of the magnet 21 is the N pole, the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation from the negative direction to the positive direction in the first direction has been performed when the component of the detected magnetic field in the first direction changes from the positive direction to the negative direction with respect to the first direction. When the tip side of the magnet 21 is the S pole, the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation in the opposite direction has been performed. In addition, when both the X-direction component and the Y-direction component of the magnetic orientation change in the opposite direction, the swipe operation may be determined by focusing only on the direction with the larger change width among the X-direction component and the Y-direction component. When a rightward swipe operation shown in FIG. 5 is received, for example, the time display screen shown in the left figure of FIG. 5 transitions to the menu screen shown in the right figure via the intermediate progress screen in the middle figure. In FIG. 5, the screen slides in real time following the movement of the fingertip. However, the screen slide may be started at the timing when the swipe operation is detected by the above method. That is, there may be a slight time difference between the movement of the finger and the slide movement of the screen.

[0034] In addition, when the condition that "the magnitude of the magnetic field at a predetermined timing during the swipe operation (for example, the timing when the direction switches to the opposite direction) is within a predetermined range" is further satisfied, it may be determined that the swipe operation has been performed. The above-mentioned predetermined range may be determined in advance based on the magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 21 of the glove 20 and stored in the storage unit 13 for storage.

[0035] Next, a method of performing a tap operation (an operation of selecting a point on the display surface 14a) in the magnetic operation mode will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, an example will be described in which a Yes button 141 and a No button 142 are displayed on the display unit 14, and a tap operation of selecting one of them is performed.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a tap operation for selecting the Yes button 141. FIG. 7 is a side view of the electronic clock 1 performing the display shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from the +X direction. In FIG. 7, the range in which the Yes button 141 and the No button 142 are displayed is indicated by a thick line (the same applies to FIG. 8). When selecting the Yes button 141, the user keeps the fingertip of the glove 20 positioned on the Yes button 141 and remains stationary for a predetermined operation reference time (second reference time) or more. The operation reference time may be, for example, about 1 second. The CPU 11 determines that a tap operation has been performed when magnetism that is within the angle range R shown on the right side of FIG. 7 and has a constant orientation (does not change) for the operation reference time or more is detected by the magnetic sensor 161. Here, the angle range R is the range of the angle of magnetism that can be detected when any position on the display unit 14 is tapped. In FIG. 7, the angle range R in the YZ plane is shown, but the angle range R is similarly defined in the XZ plane. The angle range R is predetermined and stored in the storage unit 13. The CPU 11 specifies the point on the display surface 14a selected by the tap operation based on the detected magnetic orientation D shown on the right side of FIG. 7. Specifically, the CPU 11 specifies the position of the tap operation in the Y direction from the angle θ1 formed by the magnetic orientation D projected onto the YZ plane and the Z axis. In the case of FIG. 7, it can be specified that the tap position in the Y direction from the angle θ1 is the position of the Yes button 141. The angle θ1 and the position of the tap operation in the Y direction may be stored in the storage unit 13 in advance in association with each other.

[0037] Similarly, the position of the tap operation in the X direction can be specified from the angle formed by the Z axis in the XZ plane and the orientation D. The point on the display surface 14a selected by the tap operation can be specified from the positions of the tap operations in the X and Y directions. In this way, the position selected by the tap operation can be specifically detected based on the detected magnetic orientation D.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a tap operation of selecting the No button 142. For the No button 142 as well, the position selected by the tap operation can be specified in the same manner as the Yes button 141. As shown on the right side of FIG. 8, the angle θ2 formed by the magnetic orientation D projected onto the YZ plane and the Z axis is different from the angle θ1 in FIG. 7. This difference reflects the difference in the Y-direction positions between the Yes button 141 and the No button 142. From this angle θ2, it can be determined that the tap position in the Y direction is the position of the No button 142.

[0039] In addition, when the condition "when the magnetic sensor 161 detects magnetic field with a constant orientation for a time period equal to or longer than the operation reference time and the magnitude of the magnetic field is within a predetermined range" is further satisfied, it may be determined that a tap operation has been performed. The above-mentioned predetermined range may be determined in advance based on the magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 21 of the glove 20 and stored in the storage unit 13.

[0040] In order to make it easier to specify the position of the tap operation by the above method, the two selectable objects (the Yes button 141 and the No button 142 in FIG. 6) by the tap operation may be displayed near the opposite ends of each other on the display unit 14. Also, when there are three or more selectable objects, the display positions of the selectable objects may be determined so that the mutual distance is maximized.

[0041] Also, by applying the method for specifying the position of the tap operation, a flick operation may be discriminated. Here, the flick operation is assumed to have a shorter moving distance of the magnet 21 than the swipe operation and the moving range does not cross the center of the display surface 14a (that is, the first direction component of the magnetic orientation does not change in the opposite direction). To discriminate such a flick operation, for example, when the detected magnetic orientation changes quickly in a short time, the operation positions on the display surface 14a by the finger (magnet 21) before and after the change are specified respectively. Then, it may be determined that a flick operation has been performed from the position before the change of the magnetic orientation to the position after the change.

[0042] Next, the control related to the switching between the normal operation mode and the magnetic operation mode will be described. In the electronic clock 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 11 automatically makes a transition from the normal operation mode to the magnetic operation mode based on the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 161 and the like. Specifically, the CPU 11 operates the electronic clock 1 in the magnetic operation mode when all of the following first to fourth conditions are satisfied. That is, when operating in the normal operation mode, it makes a transition to the magnetic operation mode.

[0043] The first condition is that the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value T1 (see FIG. 9) and less than a second threshold value T2 (see FIG. 9) that is greater than the first threshold value T1. The first threshold value T1 and the second threshold value T2 are preset and registered in the threshold data 132. The first threshold value T1 is set within a range that is less than the magnitude of the magnetic field of the magnet 21 detected by the magnetic sensor 161 when the magnet 21 of the glove 20 is at a position of a reference distance from the electronic clock 1 and is greater than the magnitude of the geomagnetic field. The reference distance may be, for example, about the maximum distance between the electronic clock 1 and the magnet 21 when an input operation by the user due to the magnetism of the magnet 21 can be performed, and may be about 10 to 20 cm, for example. By setting the magnetic operation mode only when the magnitude of the magnetic field is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1, it is possible to prevent a problem in which an unintended operation is accepted based on the geomagnetic field in the magnetic operation mode.

[0044] When the electronic clock 1 worn on the wrist and the glove 20 worn on the opposite hand are in a normal positional relationship where no operation is performed (for example, when there is a distance of about several tens of cm), the magnitude of the magnetic field of the magnet 21 detected by the magnetic sensor 161 may be adjusted so as to be less than the magnitude of the geomagnetic field. By doing so, in the above-described normal positional relationship, the magnitude of the magnetic field of the magnet 21 detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is less than the first threshold value T1, so the electronic clock 1 operates in the normal operation mode. Also, since the magnitude of the magnetic field of the magnet 21 detected at this time is less than the magnitude of the geomagnetic field, the geomagnetic field can be detected with a certain degree of accuracy, and azimuth display can also be performed underwater.

[0045] The second threshold value T2 is set to a value as close to the lower limit as possible within a range greater than the magnitude of the magnetism of the magnet 21 detected by the magnetic sensor 161 when the magnet 21 of the glove 20 is closest to the magnetic sensor 161 (when contacting the electronic clock 1). By setting the magnetic operation mode only when it is less than the second threshold value T2, in the magnetic operation mode, when magnetism greater than the magnetism generated by the magnet 21 is generated from a source other than the magnet 21, it is possible to prevent a problem that an unintended operation is accepted based on the magnetism.

[0046] In a case where there is no possibility of generating magnetism greater than the magnetism generated by the magnet 21, etc., it may not be necessary to perform discrimination based on the second threshold value T2. That is, the first condition may be "the magnitude of the detected magnetism is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1".

[0047] The second condition is that the magnetic sensor 161 continuously detects magnetism that satisfies the first condition for a transition reference time (first reference time) or more. The transition reference time can be, for example, about several seconds. By providing the second condition, it is possible to prevent unintentional transition to the magnetic operation mode due to temporary magnetic fluctuations around the electronic clock 1 (including the case where the glove 20 is unconsciously brought close). In a case where mode transition due to the above magnetic fluctuations is allowed, etc., the second condition may be excluded from the conditions for operating in the magnetic operation mode.

[0048] The third condition is that the change over time of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 and the change pattern of the magnetism registered in the magnetic pattern data 133 satisfy a predetermined approximation condition. Here, the change over time of the detected magnetism and the registered change pattern may include at least a change in the magnitude of the magnetism and may further include a change in the direction of the magnetism. In the magnetic pattern data 133, a change pattern of magnetism when the user brings the magnet 21 of the glove 20 close to the electronic clock 1 for operation is registered in advance.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a magnetic change pattern registered in the magnetic pattern data 133 and setting of approximation conditions. The line L in FIG. 9 indicates the registered magnetic change pattern. This change pattern is a pattern in which the magnitude of the magnetic field increases from the geomagnetic field Te at a constant speed and becomes constant when it reaches a magnitude intermediate between the first threshold value T1 and the second threshold value T2. The approximation conditions can be, for example, that the average increase rate of the detected magnetic field until it becomes constant is within the range of ±α% with respect to the increase rate of the line L, and that the magnitude after becoming constant is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 and less than the second threshold value T2. That is, it can be assumed that the change over time of the detected magnetic field falls between the lines L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 9. The value of α% is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, about 20%. Note that the approximation conditions are not limited to this and can be appropriately determined according to the application and the like. By providing the third condition, it is possible to prevent a transition to the magnetic operation mode when a magnetic source other than the magnet 21 of the user generates a magnetic field. In a case where a magnetic source other than the magnet 21 is not considered, the third condition may be excluded from the conditions for operating in the magnetic operation mode.

[0050] Note that the magnetic change pattern registered in the magnetic pattern data 133 may be a change pattern of the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field when a user wearing the glove 20 (magnet 21) performs a predetermined gesture. Thereby, it is possible to make a transition to the magnetic operation mode on the condition that the user has performed a predetermined gesture.

[0051] Also, when one of the second condition and the third condition is satisfied, the other condition may be excluded from the conditions for operating in the magnetic operation mode. That is, when magnetism that satisfies the approximation condition with the registered magnetic change pattern is detected and the third condition is satisfied, it is possible to shift to the magnetic operation mode without determining whether the transition reference time has elapsed (whether the second condition is satisfied). Thereby, when magnetism that satisfies the approximation condition with a predetermined change pattern is detected, mode switching can be performed immediately before the transition reference time elapses. Also, when magnetism having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first threshold value is continuously detected for a transition reference time or longer and the second condition is satisfied, it may be possible to shift to the magnetic operation mode without determining whether magnetism that satisfies the approximation condition with a predetermined change pattern is detected (whether the third condition is satisfied). Thereby, regardless of the pattern of the temporal change of magnetism, if magnetism having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first threshold value is detected for a transition reference time or longer, mode switching can be performed.

[0052] The fourth condition is that the electronic clock 1 is being operated underwater. As described above, in the present embodiment, this is because the magnetic operation mode is mounted for the purpose of realizing the same input operation as the touch panel 152 in the diving mode. Specifically, when the pressure sensor 162 detects a water pressure equal to or higher than a reference value, and / or when the water detection sensor 163 detects that the electronic clock 1 is in contact with water, it is determined that the fourth condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the fourth condition may be that the electronic clock 1 is operating in the diving mode.

[0053] However, in cases such as when accepting input operations in the magnetic operation mode even outside water, the fourth condition may be excluded from the conditions for operating in the magnetic operation mode. For example, in the winter outdoors, when accepting input operations in the magnetic operation mode while the user is wearing gloves, the fourth condition may be excluded.

[0054] When the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is less than the first threshold value T1 (or greater than or equal to the second threshold value T2), or when it is determined that the electronic clock 1 is not in water (or when the electronic clock 1 has transitioned to the land mode), the operation mode of the electronic clock 1 transitions from the magnetic operation mode to the normal operation mode. Therefore, when the user moves the glove 20 away from the electronic clock 1, it automatically transitions from the magnetic operation mode to the normal operation mode. When transitioning to the normal operation mode, the CPU 41 uses only the detection result by the magnetic sensor 161 for deriving the direction and does not use it for discriminating input operations such as flick operations and touch operations. In other words, the CPU 11 sets the function of accepting input operations by magnetism to be invalid in the normal operation mode. When the state where the detected magnitude of the magnetic field has decreased below the first threshold value T1 continues for a predetermined reference time or more, it may be set to transition from the magnetic operation mode to the normal operation mode. The reference time in this case may be the same length as the above transition reference time. Also, it may be set to transition to the normal operation mode when a predetermined user operation in the magnetic operation mode is performed.

[0055] Next, the operation control process executed by the CPU 11 to realize the above-described operation will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the operation control process. The operation control process is started, for example, when the electronic clock 1 is activated.

[0056] When the operation control process is started, the CPU 11 sets the operation mode to the land mode and the operation mode to the normal operation mode (step S101). The CPU 11 starts acquiring the output from each sensor of the sensor unit 16 (step S102). The CPU 11 determines whether an operation instructing azimuth display has been performed (step S103). The operation is, for example, an operation of starting an azimuth display application. When it is determined that the operation has been performed (YES in step S103), the CPU 11 derives the direction in which the electronic clock 1 is facing based on the detection result of the geomagnetism by the magnetic sensor 161 and causes it to be displayed on the display unit 14 (step S104). When step S104 ends, the CPU 11 returns the process to step S103.

[0057] When it is determined that no operation for instructing the direction indication has been performed ( "NO" in step S103), the CPU 11 determines whether the electronic clock 1 is underwater (step S105). Here, as described above, the CPU 11 determines that the electronic clock 1 is underwater when the pressure sensor 162 detects a water pressure equal to or higher than the reference value and / or when the water detection sensor 163 detects that the electronic clock 1 is in contact with water. When the CPU 11 determines that the electronic clock 1 is not underwater ( "NO" in step S105), the process returns to step S103. When the CPU 11 determines that the electronic clock 1 is underwater ( "YES" in step S105), the operation mode is changed from the land mode to the diving mode (step S106).

[0058] The CPU 11 determines whether the magnetic sensor 161 detects a magnetic field having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 and less than the second threshold value T2 (step S107). When it is determined that the magnetic field of this magnitude is detected ( "YES" in step S107), the CPU 11 determines whether the magnetic sensor 161 continuously detects a magnetic field having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 and less than the second threshold value T2 for a transition reference time or more (step S108). When it is determined that the detection continues for a transition reference time or more ( "YES" in step S108), the CPU 11 determines whether the change over time of the detected magnetic field and the change pattern of the magnetic field registered in the magnetic pattern data 133 satisfy the above-described approximation condition (step S109). When the approximation condition is satisfied ( "YES" in step S109), all of the above-described first condition ( "YES" in step S107), second condition ( "YES" in step S108), third condition ( "YES" in step S109), and fourth condition ( "YES" in step S105) are satisfied. Therefore, the CPU 11 changes the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the magnetic operation mode (step S110). Subsequently, the CPU 11 executes the magnetic operation process (step S111).

[0059] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the magnetic operation process. When the magnetic operation process is called, the CPU 11 determines whether it has detected the movement of the magnet 21 of the glove 20 from the change in the direction of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 161 (step S201). If it is determined that the magnet 21 has moved ( "YES" in step S201), the CPU 11 determines whether the magnet 21 has moved from left to right (from the left side to the right side through the center of the display surface 14a) (step S202). Here, when the X-direction component of the detected magnetic field changes from the positive direction to the negative direction, the CPU 11 determines that the magnet 21 has moved from left to right (when the tip side of the magnet 21 is the N pole). If it is determined that the magnet 21 has moved from left to right ( "YES" in step S202), the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation to the right has been performed (step S203). Similarly, if it is determined that the magnet 21 has moved from right to left ( "YES" in step S204), the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation to the left has been performed (step S205). If it is determined that the magnet 21 has moved from top to bottom ( "YES" in step S206), the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation downward has been performed (step S207). If it is determined that the magnet 21 has moved from bottom to top ( "YES" in step S208), the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation upward has been performed (step S209). If it is determined in any of steps S203, S205, S207, and S209 that a swipe operation has been performed, the CPU 11 executes the process corresponding to the swipe operation and causes the display unit 14 to display the display corresponding to the swipe operation.

[0060] If the program branches to "NO" in all of steps S202, S204, S206, and S208, or if it is determined in step S201 that the movement of the magnet 21 has not been detected (i.e., "NO" in step S201), the CPU 11 determines, using the magnetic sensor 161, whether magnetic force with a constant orientation has been detected for a period equal to or longer than the operation reference time (step S210). If it is determined that such magnetic force has been detected (i.e., "YES" in step S210), the CPU 11 determines, for each of the XZ plane and the YZ plane, whether the orientation of the magnetic force is within a predetermined angular range R (step S211). If it is determined that the orientation of the magnetic force is within the angular range R (i.e., "YES" in step S211), the CPU 11 identifies the operation position based on the orientation of the magnetic force by the method described above, and determines that a tap operation has been performed at the identified operation position (step S212). Further, the CPU 11 executes processing corresponding to the tap operation and causes the display unit 14 to perform a display corresponding to the tap operation.

[0061] When any of steps S203, S205, S207, S209, and S212 has ended, or when the program branches to "NO" in either of steps S210 and S211, the CPU 11 determines, using the magnetic sensor 161, whether the magnitude of the magnetic force detected has dropped below a first threshold value T1 (step S213). If it is determined that the magnitude of the magnetic force is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 (i.e., "NO" in step S213), the CPU 11 returns the processing to step S201. If it is determined that the magnitude of the magnetic force has dropped below the first threshold value T1 (i.e., "YES" in step S213), the CPU 11 ends the magnetic operation processing and returns the processing to the operation control processing shown in FIG. 10. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 11 may also end the magnetic operation processing if it determines during the magnetic operation processing that the electronic clock 1 has come out of the water (i.e., is not in the water).

[0062] When the magnetic operation process (step S111) in FIG. 10 ends, the CPU 11 transitions the operation mode from the magnetic operation mode to the normal operation mode (step S112). The CPU 11 determines whether an operation to turn off the power of the electronic clock 1 has been performed (step S113). If it is determined that the operation has not been performed (in step S113, “NO”), the CPU 11 determines whether the electronic clock 1 is in water (step S114). If it is determined that the electronic clock 1 is in water (in step S114, “YES”), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S107. If it is determined that the electronic clock 1 is not in water (in step S114, “NO”), the CPU 11 transitions the operation mode from the diving mode to the land mode (step S115) and returns the process to step S103. If it is determined in step S113 that an operation to turn off the power has been performed (in step S113, “YES”), the CPU 11 ends the operation control process.

[0063] (Modification example) In the above embodiment, the case where the electronic clock 1 is a smartwatch is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be an ordinary wristwatch other than a smartwatch. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display unit 14 of a diver's watch (electronic device) capable of digital liquid crystal display combining segment display and dot matrix display. When this diver's watch transitions to the diving mode, as shown on the left side of FIG. 12, the depth 143 and the diving time 144 are segment-displayed on the display unit 14, and the time 145 is dot-matrix displayed. Further, when an operation A for changing the display content is performed, instead of the time 145, the water temperature 146 detected by the temperature sensor 164 is dot-matrix displayed. When the operation B is performed in the state where the water temperature 146 is displayed, the display returns to the time 145 shown on the left side of FIG. 12. These operations A and B are input operations by the magnetism of the magnet 21 in the magnetic operation mode of the above embodiment. For example, the operation A may be a magnetic swipe operation to the right, and the operation B may be a magnetic swipe operation to the left. Further, instead of the swipe operation, a magnetic tap operation, a flick operation, or the like may be used. Although the states of displaying the time 145 and displaying the water temperature 146 are exemplified, there may be other display states, and the transition to the display state may be enabled by an input operation in the magnetic operation mode. Further, it may be possible to switch the on / off of the measurement of various information by a magnetic input operation.

[0064] (Effect) As described above, the electronic clock 1 according to the present embodiment includes a magnetic sensor 161 and a CPU 11. When the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value T1, the CPU 11 operates the electronic clock 1 in a magnetic operation mode for receiving an input operation by magnetism. When the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is less than the first threshold value T1, the CPU 11 operates the electronic clock 1 in a normal operation mode having a function of specifying the direction based on the detection result of the magnetism and displaying information regarding the direction on the display unit 14. By setting the magnetic operation mode when the magnitude of the magnetism is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is possible to bring the electronic clock 1 into a state where an input operation by magnetism can be received by a simple operation of bringing the magnet 21 close to the electronic clock 1. Further, since the magnetic operation mode is not set when the magnitude of the magnetism is less than the first threshold value, it is possible to prevent a problem that an unintended operation is received based on the geomagnetism. Further, when the magnet 21 is brought close, the derivation of the direction based on the detection result of the geomagnetism cannot be normally performed due to the influence of the magnetism. By setting the magnetic operation mode when the magnitude of the magnetism is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is possible to prevent a detection error of the direction. Further, by setting the normal operation mode when the magnitude of the magnetism is less than the first threshold value, it is possible to bring the electronic clock 1 into a state where information regarding the direction can be displayed by a simple operation of moving the magnet 21 away from the electronic clock 1. As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the function of receiving an input operation by magnetism and other functions using the detection result of the magnetism can be executed in a timely manner. Further, in the magnetic operation mode, an input operation can be performed with the same operation feeling as that of the touch panel 152 using magnetism such as the magnet 21. Further, unlike the touch panel 152, it is not always necessary to perform an operation within the range of the display surface 14a of the display unit 14. Therefore, in a small list band type terminal or the like in which the touch panel 152 is small and difficult to perform a fine operation, the operation can be performed more easily.

[0065] Further, when the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is equal to or greater than a second threshold value T2 that is greater than the first threshold value T1, the CPU 11 operates the electronic clock 1 in the normal operation mode. This can prevent a malfunction in which an unintended operation is accepted based on the magnetic field when a magnetic field greater than the magnetic field generated by the magnet 21 is generated from a source other than the magnet 21 in the magnetic operation mode.

[0066] Also, in the magnetic operation mode, the CPU 11 sets the function of specifying the direction based on the magnetic field detection result to be invalid. This can prevent a malfunction in which a direction detection error occurs due to the influence of the magnetic field when the magnet 21 approaches.

[0067] In the normal operation mode, the CPU 11 also sets the function of accepting input operations by magnetic fields to be invalid. This can prevent a malfunction in which an unintended operation is accepted based on the geomagnetic field.

[0068] The CPU 11 also determines whether or not the electronic clock 1 is in water by a predetermined method. When it is determined that the electronic clock 1 is in water and a magnetic field with a magnitude equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 is continuously detected by the magnetic sensor 161 for a predetermined transition reference time or longer, the CPU 11 operates the electronic clock 1 in the magnetic operation mode. This can realize an operation feeling similar to that of the touch panel 152 by an operation using a magnetic field in water. Also, by operating in the magnetic operation mode when a magnetic field equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 is continuously detected for the transition reference time or longer, it is possible to prevent unintentional transition to the magnetic operation mode due to temporary magnetic field fluctuations around the electronic clock 1.

[0069] Further, when the user brings the magnet 21 close to the electronic clock 1 for operation, the CPU 11 operates the electronic clock 1 in the magnetic operation mode based on the magnetic pattern data 133 related to the magnetic change pattern when the magnetic change over time detected by the magnetic sensor 161 and the change pattern of the magnetic pattern data 133 satisfy a predetermined approximation condition. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a transition to the magnetic operation mode when a magnetic generation source other than the user's magnet 21 generates magnetism.

[0070] Further, when the user wearing the magnet 21 makes a predetermined gesture, the CPU 11 may operate the electronic clock 1 in the magnetic operation mode based on the magnetic pattern data 133 related to the magnetic change pattern when the magnetic change over time detected by the magnetic sensor 161 and the change pattern of the magnetic pattern data 133 satisfy a predetermined approximation condition. Also by this, it is possible to prevent a transition to the magnetic operation mode when a magnetic generation source other than the user's magnet 21 generates magnetism.

[0071] Further, the electronic clock 1 includes a display unit 14 having a display surface 14a, and in the magnetic operation mode, when the component of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 in a predetermined first direction parallel to the display surface 14a changes in the reverse direction, the CPU 11 determines that a swipe operation in the first direction has been performed. Thereby, a swipe operation can be performed by an intuitive operation of moving the magnet 21 in the first direction on the display surface 14a of the display unit 14. Also, since the movement of the magnet 21 (finger) for the swipe operation is accepted in a range wider than the display surface 14a, the swipe operation can be performed more easily.

[0072] Further, in the magnetic operation mode, when the magnetic sensor 161 detects magnetism whose direction is within a predetermined angle range R and whose direction has been constant for a predetermined operation reference time or more, the CPU 11 determines that a tap operation for selecting a point on the display surface 14a has been performed. Thereby, a tap operation can be realized in the magnetic operation mode.

[0073] Further, the CPU 11 identifies a point on the display surface 14a selected by a tap operation based on the direction of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161. Thereby, the point selected by the tap operation can be accurately identified.

[0074] Also, the first threshold value T1 is set within a range less than the magnitude of the magnetism of the magnet 21 detected by the magnetic sensor 161 when the operation magnet 21 used by the user is at a position of a reference distance from the electronic clock 1. Thereby, when the user is about to perform an operation using the magnet 21, the electronic clock 1 can be operated in the magnetic operation mode.

[0075] Also, the control method of the electronic clock 1 according to the present embodiment operates the electronic clock 1 in a magnetic operation mode for receiving an input operation by magnetism when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1, and when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is less than the first threshold value T1, the electronic clock 1 is operated in a normal operation mode having a function of specifying the direction based on the detection result of the magnetism and displaying information regarding the direction on the display unit 14. Thereby, the function of receiving an input operation by magnetism and other functions using the detection result of the magnetism can be executed in a timely manner.

[0076] Also, the program 131 according to the present embodiment causes the CPU 11 to function as a control means, and the control means operates the electronic clock 1 in a magnetic operation mode for receiving an input operation by magnetism when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1, and when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 161 is less than the first threshold value T1, the electronic clock 1 is operated in a normal operation mode having a function of specifying the direction based on the detection result of the magnetism and displaying information regarding the direction on the display unit. Thereby, the function of receiving an input operation by magnetism and other functions using the detection result of the magnetism can be executed in a timely manner.

[0077] (Others) Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, although the magnet 21 used in the magnetic operation mode was described as being embedded in the fingertips of the glove 20, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may hold the magnet 21 by hand and operate it, or may operate it by means of an operation means such as a stylus to which the magnet 21 is attached at the tip.

[0078] Also, the magnetism detected in the magnetic operation mode is the magnetism obtained by synthesizing the magnetism of the magnet 21 of the glove 20 and the geomagnetism. Therefore, the magnitude and direction of the geomagnetism detected in the normal operation mode may be stored in the storage unit 13, and in the magnetic operation mode, correction may be performed by subtracting the geomagnetism component stored in the storage unit 13 from the detected magnetism. By using the corrected magnetism, it is possible to more accurately receive an input operation by the magnetism of the magnet 21. This method is particularly effective when the magnitude of the magnetism of the magnet 21 is relatively close to the magnitude of the geomagnetism (for example, several to several tens of times the geomagnetism).

[0079] Also, although it was assumed that the glove 20 is worn and input operations are performed by magnetism in water, button operations using the operation button 151 may be performed after removing the glove 20. In this case, if any of the first to fourth conditions is not satisfied, the electronic clock 1 operates in the normal operation mode, and since the geomagnetism can be detected by the magnetic sensor 161, it is also possible to perform azimuth display in water according to the button operation.

[0080] Also, as input operations that can be received in the magnetic operation mode, a swipe operation, a tap operation, and a flick operation were exemplified, but it may be possible to receive input operations other than these by magnetism. For example, by stationary the magnet 21 at a predetermined position on the side surface of the housing 101 for a time equal to or longer than the operation reference time, it may be regarded that the operation button 151 at that position has been operated.

[0081] Also, as the display method of the electronic clock 1, the digital method using the display unit 14 equipped with a liquid crystal display has been exemplified, but it is not limited to this. An analog method of displaying information such as time by a pointer may be used, or a digital method and an analog method may be used in combination.

[0082] Also, although the electronic clock 1 has been exemplified as the electronic device, it is not limited to this. The electronic device may be any wearable device worn on the user's body, such as a motion sensor terminal that measures the motion state or a pedometer. Also, the electronic device may be a portable device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0083] Also, in the above description, an example of using the flash memory of the storage unit 13 as the computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention has been disclosed, but it is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, information recording media such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and CD-ROM can be applied. Also, as a medium for providing the program data according to the present invention via a communication line, a carrier wave is also applied to the present invention.

[0084] Also, regarding the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the electronic clock 1 in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that they can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0085] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1 Electronic clock (electronic device) 11 CPU (control unit, control means) 14 Display unit 14a Display surface 20 Gloves 21 Magnet (magnetic body) 133 Magnetic pattern data (magnetic pattern information) 161 Magnetic sensor T1 First threshold value T2 Second threshold value

Claims

1. A magnetic sensor, A control unit, An electronic device comprising: The control unit: When the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, operates the electronic device in a first mode for receiving an input operation by the magnetism; When the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is less than the first threshold value, operates the electronic device in a second mode having a function of specifying an orientation based on the detection result of the magnetism and causing an information display unit to display information regarding the orientation. An electronic device.

2. The control unit operates the electronic device in the second mode when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit sets the function of specifying an orientation based on the detection result of the magnetism to be invalid in the first mode. The electronic device according to claim 1.

4. The control unit sets the function of receiving an input operation by the magnetism to be invalid in the second mode. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. The control unit: Determines whether the electronic device is in water by a predetermined method, When it is determined that the electronic device is in water and the magnetic sensor continuously detects magnetism having a magnitude equal to or greater than the first threshold value for a first reference time or longer, operates the electronic device in the first mode. The electronic device according to claim 1.

6. When the magnetic change pattern information related to the magnetic change pattern when the user approaches a predetermined magnetic body for operation satisfies a predetermined approximation condition between the change over time of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor and the change pattern of the magnetic pattern information, the control unit operates the electronic device in the first mode. The electronic device according to claim 1.

7. When the magnetic change pattern information related to the magnetic change pattern when the user wearing a predetermined magnetic body makes a predetermined gesture satisfies a predetermined approximation condition between the change over time of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor and the change pattern of the magnetic pattern information, the control unit operates the electronic device in the first mode. The electronic device according to claim 1.

8. It includes a display unit having a display surface. In the first mode, when the component of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor in a predetermined first direction parallel to the display surface changes in the reverse direction, the control unit determines that a swipe operation in the first direction has been performed. The electronic device according to claim 1.

9. It includes a display unit having a display surface. In the first mode, when the magnetic sensor detects magnetism whose direction is within a predetermined angular range and whose direction has been constant for a second reference time or more, the control unit determines that an operation of selecting a point on the display surface has been performed. The electronic device according to claim 1.

10. The control unit specifies the point on the display surface selected by the operation based on the direction of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor. The electronic device according to claim 9.

11. The first threshold value is set within a range less than the magnitude of the magnetism of the magnetic body detected by the magnetic sensor when a predetermined magnetic body for operation used by the user is at a position of a reference distance from the electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 1.

12. A method for controlling an electronic device including a magnetic sensor, when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, operating the electronic device in a first mode for accepting an input operation by the magnetism, when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is less than the first threshold value, operating the electronic device in a second mode having a function of specifying an orientation based on the detection result of the magnetism and displaying information regarding the orientation on a display unit. A method for controlling an electronic device.

13. A program that causes a computer provided in an electronic device including a magnetic sensor to function as control means, wherein the control means when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, operates the electronic device in a first mode for accepting an input operation by the magnetism, when the magnitude of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is less than the first threshold value, operates the electronic device in a second mode having a function of specifying an orientation based on the detection result of the magnetism and displaying information regarding the orientation on a display unit. Program.

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