Electronic apparatus, notification control method, program, and notification system

Abstract

To enable issuing a notification over a required period.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus includes a control section for controlling an operation of a notification section. The control section performs: discriminating whether a user is in a predetermined physical state by a predetermined method; performing notification control to allow the notification section to repetitively issue a notification indicating that the user is in the predetermined physical state in a predetermined period and at predetermined intensity when it is discriminated that the user is in the predetermined physical state; acquiring battery residual amount information of a battery for supplying power to the notification section in the notification control; and adjusting at least one of the period and intensity of the notification based on the battery residual amount information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic device worn by a user has been used to detect that the user has fallen into a predetermined physical state such as a dangerous state during activities such as diving, and to notify the surroundings by lighting or flashing a light source mounted on the electronic device (for example, Patent Document 1). In a situation where the user cannot get out of the dangerous state by themselves, the above notification can be used to seek help from other people around.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when there are no other people around the user, it is necessary to continue the notification until help arrives near the user. If the notification is performed wastefully in such a case, there is a problem that in a wearable or portable electronic device with a limited battery level, the battery level may run out before help arrives and the notification cannot be performed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable notification to be executed over a necessary period.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls the operation of the notification unit, wherein the control unit It is determined by a predetermined method whether the user is in a predetermined physical state. When it is determined that the user is in the predetermined physical state, notification control is executed to repeatedly cause the notification unit to perform notification indicating that the user is in the predetermined physical state at a predetermined cycle and intensity. In the notification control, battery remaining amount information of a battery that supplies power to the notification unit is acquired, and at least one of the cycle and the intensity of the notification is adjusted based on the battery remaining amount information.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to execute notification over a necessary period.

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

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0010] (First Embodiment) <Configuration of Electronic Watch> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic watch 10 (electronic device). The electronic watch 10 is a wristwatch (wearable device) that is worn on the user's wrist and used. The electronic watch 10 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 timekeeping unit 16, a position information acquisition unit 17, a communication unit 18, a sensor unit 19, a notification unit 20, and a power supply unit 21. Each unit of the electronic watch 10 is connected via a communication path such as a bus.

[0011] The CPU 11 reads and executes the program 131 stored in the storage unit 13, and functions as a processor that controls the operation of the electronic watch 10 by performing various arithmetic processes. Note that the electronic watch 10 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. The RAM 12 provides a working memory space for the CPU 11 and stores temporary data.

[0012] 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 a notification setting table 132 and battery remaining amount data 133 (magnetic remaining amount information) referred to in the notification control process described later.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal panel that combines a segment method and a dot matrix method, and a drive circuit for the liquid crystal panel. The display unit 14 performs digital display such as time, date, and day of the week on the liquid crystal panel according to the control signal and image data transmitted from the CPU 11 to the drive circuit. Further, the display unit 14 performs display regarding the notification state described later.

[0014] The operation unit 15 has operation buttons 151 shown in FIG. 2, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressed operation button 151 to the CPU 11. The operation unit 15 may include another input device such as a touch panel provided overlaid on the liquid crystal panel of the display unit 14.

[0015] The timekeeping unit 16 includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency division circuit, a timekeeping circuit, etc. The timekeeping unit 16 divides the clock signal generated by the oscillation circuit by the frequency division circuit, and the timekeeping circuit counts the divided signal to derive and hold the current date and time.

[0016] The position information acquisition unit 17 receives and decodes the transmission radio wave from the positioning satellite of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) such as GPS (Global Positioning System) to calculate the current position. The position information acquisition unit 17 calculates the current position under the control of the CPU 11 and outputs the result to the CPU 11.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The sensor unit 19 includes a motion sensor 191, a pressure sensor 192, a water detection sensor 193, a temperature sensor 194, a pulse wave sensor 195, and an illuminance sensor 196, and outputs the detection results of each sensor to the CPU 11. The motion sensor 191 is one aspect of a sensor that detects the movement of the user. The pulse wave sensor 195 is one aspect of a sensor that detects the biological information of the user. The pressure sensor 192, the water detection sensor 193, the temperature sensor 194, and the illuminance sensor 196 are one aspect of sensors that detect information related to the environment around the user.

[0019] The motion sensor 191 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis angular velocity sensor, and detects the acceleration and angular velocity generated in the electronic watch 10 according to the movement of the user's wrist. The pressure sensor 192 is a semiconductor pressure sensor that utilizes, for example, the piezoresistive effect, and detects the atmospheric pressure and the magnitude of the water pressure in water. The CPU 11 derives the altitude on land and the water depth in water based on the detection result by the pressure sensor 192. The water detection sensor 193 detects that the electronic watch 10 is wet with water, for example, when the electrical resistance between conductors exposed outside the electronic watch 10 decreases due to water. The temperature sensor 194 detects the temperature around the electronic watch 10 (the outside air temperature on land and the water temperature in water). The pulse wave sensor 195 includes a light emitting element that emits green light that is easily absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood, and a light receiving element that detects the reflected light of this light by the skin, and detects the pulse wave (biological information) of the user's wrist based on the change in the detection intensity of the light by the light receiving element. The CPU 11 derives the heart rate (pulse rate) based on the waveform of the detected pulse wave. The illuminance sensor 196 includes a light receiving element that outputs a signal according to the intensity of the incident light, and detects the brightness around the electronic watch 10.

[0020] The notification unit 20 includes a light emitting unit 201 and a sound output unit 202, and performs notification of a predetermined pattern by at least one of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 201 and the sound emitted by the sound output unit 202. The light emitting unit 201 includes a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and emits light according to the control by the CPU 11. In the present embodiment, the backlight of the liquid crystal panel of the display unit 14 is used as the light emitting unit 201. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 201 may have a light source 201a that emits light outward on the side surface of the housing of the electronic clock 10 separately from the backlight. The light emitting unit 201 emits light with a light emission luminance (notification intensity) corresponding to the magnitude of the input power. The power consumed by the light emitting unit 201 per unit time increases as the light emission luminance is higher. The sound output unit 202 includes a speaker and outputs a sound such as a beep sound according to the control by the CPU 11. The magnitude of the sound output by the sound output unit 202 (notification intensity) is set according to the magnitude of the input power. The power consumed by the sound output unit 202 per unit time increases as the magnitude of the output sound is higher. The light emission luminance of the light emitting unit 201 and the magnitude of the sound output by the sound output unit 202 are controlled by the CPU 11.

[0021] The power supply unit 21 includes a battery 211 that supplies power to each part of the electronic clock 10, and a remaining amount detection unit 212 that detects the remaining amount of the battery 211. The battery 211 of the present embodiment is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged. The battery 211 may be a solar cell that accumulates the power generated by sunlight. Further, the battery 211 may be a primary battery such as a button battery. The detection method of the battery remaining amount by the remaining amount detection unit 212 is not particularly limited. For example, a method of estimating the battery remaining amount from the decrease state of the terminal voltage of the battery 211, or a Coulomb counter method of estimating the battery remaining amount from the difference between the integrated value of the current flowing into the battery 211 during charging and the integrated value of the current flowing out of the battery 211 may be used. The remaining amount detection unit 212 detects the remaining amount of the battery 211 and outputs battery remaining amount information indicating any one of six levels of battery remaining amount (see FIG. 5) described later to the CPU 11. The latest battery remaining amount information output from the remaining amount detection unit 212 is stored in the battery remaining amount data 133.

[0022] <Operation of the Electronic Watch> Next, the operation of the electronic watch 10 will be described. The operation mode of the electronic watch 10 of the present embodiment transitions from the normal mode of displaying the time and the like to the activity mode in response to a predetermined operation. In the activity mode, the electronic watch 10 measures the motion state and exercise time of the user during the activity and displays this information on the display unit 14. The activity may be, for example, diving, running, and trekking, etc., and is not limited thereto. In the activity mode, the CPU 11 records and analyzes the movement of the user's body based on the detection result by the motion sensor 191, measures the altitude on the ground or the water depth in the water based on the detection result by the pressure sensor 192, and measures the user's heart rate based on the pulse wave detected by the pulse wave sensor 195. Also, the CPU 11 may monitor the environment during the activity by the water detection sensor 193, the temperature sensor 194, the illuminance sensor 196, etc. After the activity ends, the activity mode can be terminated by a predetermined operation to transition to the normal mode.

[0023] Also, the electronic watch 10 has a function of detecting that the user has fallen into a dangerous state (a predetermined physical state) and causing the notification unit 20 to execute a notification indicating that the user is in a dangerous state. The said notification is executed when the notification setting is valid by a predetermined operation. The said notification may be executed only in the activity mode, or may be executed even in the normal mode. By making it executable only in the activity mode, unintended notifications can be prevented from being sent. When the notification setting is valid, as shown in FIG. 2, a notification valid mark 141 is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0024] When the notification setting is enabled, the CPU 11 determines, by a predetermined method, whether the user is in any one of a plurality of different predetermined dangerous states. For example, when the acceleration detected by the motion sensor 191 or the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 17 has not changed for a certain period of time despite the activity mode continuing, or when an abnormality is detected in the heart rate, the CPU 11 determines that the user is in a dangerous state due to an injury or sudden illness or the like. Further, when the atmospheric pressure detected by the pressure sensor 192 drops rapidly, the CPU 11 determines that the user is in a dangerous state due to a slip or the like during mountain climbing. Further, when the CPU 11 detects from the detection results of the pressure sensor 192 or the water detection sensor 193 that the user has been in water for a longer time than the previously input scheduled diving time, the CPU 11 determines that the user is in a dangerous state. Alternatively, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the start of the activity mode for performing an activity in water, the CPU 11 may determine that the user is in a dangerous state where the user cannot surface due to some abnormality regardless of the output content of the sensor unit 19. The types of dangerous states that the CPU 11 can determine and the determination methods thereof are not limited to the above.

[0025] When it is determined that the user is in a dangerous state, the electronic clock 10 causes the notification unit 20 to execute a notification indicating that the user is in a dangerous state. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the electronic clock 10 during the execution of the notification. During the execution of the notification, a notification execution mark 142 indicating that the notification is being performed is displayed on the display unit 14. Further, the light emitting unit 201 emits light in a predetermined pattern, and the sound output unit 202 outputs a sound in a predetermined pattern.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a notification pattern by the light emitting unit 201 and the sound output unit 202. Light and sound may be output according to the pattern of FIG. 4, or only one of light and sound may be output according to the pattern of FIG. 4. In the present embodiment, an SOS Morse signal is used as the notification pattern. In FIG. 4(a), the intensity of the output light and sound switches between "0" and "1", and in FIG. 4(b), the intensity of the output light or sound switches between "0" and "0.5". The intensity "1" represents a state where the light emitting unit 201 emits light at the maximum luminance or the sound output unit 202 outputs the maximum sound. Hereinafter, a state where the intensity is "0" is referred to as an off state, and a case where the intensity is "other than 0" (in FIG. 4, "1" or "0.5") is referred to as an on state. The notification pattern is a pattern that repeats a notification pattern P corresponding to the SOS Morse signal at a predetermined transmission cycle (period). Each notification pattern P is composed of three short on states and is arranged in the order of a first pattern P1 corresponding to the "S" Morse signal, a second pattern P2 composed of three long on states and corresponding to the "O" Morse signal, and the first pattern P1. The length of the on state in the first pattern P1 can be, for example, about 100 milliseconds to 1 second. The length of the on state in the second pattern P2 can be about several times (in this embodiment, 3 times) the length of the on state in the first pattern P1.

[0027] By increasing the transmission cycle of the notification pattern P or decreasing the intensity of the ON state, the power consumed per unit time by the notification unit 20 can be reduced. Therefore, the notification period, that is, the period during which the transmission of the notification pattern P can be continued, can be extended. In Fig. 4(a), the transmission cycle is T (seconds) and the notification intensity is "1", whereas in Fig. 4(b), the transmission cycle is T×2 and the notification intensity is "0.5". Therefore, by performing notification in the notification mode of Fig. 4(b), notification can be continued for a longer period than in the case of performing notification in the notification mode of Fig. 4(a). From the opposite perspective, the shorter the transmission cycle of the notification pattern P and the greater the intensity of the ON state, the higher the possibility that others will notice the notification. Therefore, it is preferable to shorten the transmission cycle and increase the notification intensity within the range where notification can be continued for only the necessary period. Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 4(a), a notification setting in which the transmission cycle of the notification pattern P is T and the intensity is "1" will be referred to as the "basic notification setting".

[0028] The transmission cycle of the notification pattern P and the notification intensity are determined based on the latest battery remaining amount information of the battery 211 stored in the battery remaining amount data 133 and the notification setting table 132. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the content of the notification setting table 132. The "battery remaining amount" in Fig. 5 represents six-level battery remaining amount information that can be stored in the battery remaining amount data 133. "H", "M3", "M2", "M1", and "L" represent battery remaining amounts when notification by light and sound is executed in the basic notification setting, and the notification continuation possible time is "72 hours or more", "48 hours or more", "24 hours or more", "4 hours or more", and "less than 4 hours", respectively. Also, "C" represents a state in which the battery remaining amount has decreased to a level where the notification operation cannot be performed.

[0029] In the notification setting table 132, for each of the above battery remaining amounts, a notification mode that can continue notification for the target time is determined and registered for each target time for continuing notification. The notification mode is represented by a combination of the transmission cycle of the notification pattern P and the notification intensity. Also, a plurality of notification modes (notification mode A and notification mode B in Fig. 5) with different combinations of the transmission cycle and intensity are registered.

[0030] For example, the setting of notification mode A when the target time is 72 hours is as follows. When the battery level is "H", since a 72-hour notification is possible with the basic notification setting, the transmission cycle is set to "T" and the intensity is set to "1". When the battery level is "M3", the transmission cycle is set to "T×1.5" and the intensity is set to "1" so that a 72-hour notification is possible. When the battery level is "M2", the transmission cycle is set to "T×3" and the intensity is set to "1". When the battery level is "M1", the transmission cycle is set to "T×18" and the intensity is set to "1". When the battery level is "L", although it may not be possible to continue the notification for 72 hours, the transmission cycle is set to "T×18" and the intensity is set to "0.5" so that the notification can be made for as long as possible. In this way, notification mode A is a mode that adjusts the transmission cycle according to the battery level while maintaining the intensity at "1" as much as possible.

[0031] Also, the setting of notification mode B when the target time is 72 hours is as follows. When the battery level is "H", since a 72-hour notification is possible with the basic notification setting, the transmission cycle is set to "T" and the intensity is set to "1". When the battery level is "M3", the transmission cycle is set to "T" and the intensity is set to "0.67" so that a 72-hour notification is possible. When the battery level is "M2", the transmission cycle is set to "T×1.5" and the intensity is set to "0.5". When the battery level is "M1", the transmission cycle is set to "T×9" and the intensity is set to "0.5". When the battery level is "L", similar to notification mode A, the transmission cycle is set to "T×18" and the intensity is set to "0.5". In this way, notification mode B is a mode that balances the adjustment of the transmission cycle and the intensity within the range where the intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit value (here, "0.5").

[0032] Similarly, for the case where the target time is 48 hours or 24 hours, notification modes A and B are set for each remaining battery level so that notification can be continued for a time period equal to or longer than the target time. The CPU 11 determines the notification continuation time h for which notification needs to be continued based on the type of dangerous state the user is in, etc., and refers to the notification setting table 132 to obtain the setting of the notification mode corresponding to the remaining battery level and the notification continuation time h. Then, after adjusting the transmission cycle and intensity to be the obtained notification mode, the light emitting unit 201 and the sound output unit 202 are made to execute the notification. Regarding which of notification modes A and B to select, the user may be able to select in advance. When the determined notification continuation time h is the median value of the target times set in the notification setting table 132, the setting of the minimum target time greater than the notification continuation time h may be referred to, or the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity may be determined by performing linear interpolation or the like based on the settings of the two target times sandwiching the notification continuation time h. Also, in the notification setting table 132, notification modes may be set for more finely divided target times (for example, for each target time at 1-hour intervals). Also, for each target time, three or more types of notification modes may be set, or only one type of notification mode may be set.

[0033] The notification duration h is predetermined for each of a plurality of different dangerous situations. In this embodiment, when a dangerous situation is determined in a situation where the user is on land, the notification duration h is set to 72 hours, which is a guideline for the survival time in the event of a disaster on land. Further, when a dangerous situation is determined in a situation where the user is in water, the notification duration h is set to 4 hours, which is a guideline for the survival time in a shipwreck. Furthermore, the notification duration h may be adjusted according to information related to the environment such as air temperature or water temperature, or atmospheric pressure. Also, the dangerous situations on land and in water may be classified in more detail, and the CPU 11 may determine which classified dangerous situation it is based on the detection results of the respective sensors of the sensor unit 19, and use the notification duration h associated with the determined classified dangerous situation. Whether the user is in water or not may be determined based on the output of the pressure sensor 192 and / or the water detection sensor 193, or may be determined based on whether or not there is an operation by the user declaring the start of an activity in water.

[0034] The CPU 11 may execute only one of the notification by the light of the light emitting unit 201 and the notification by the sound of the sound output unit 202 according to the situation. Thereby, the power consumption of the battery 211 can be reduced. For example, when the brightness around the user satisfies a predetermined brightness condition, the CPU 11 may perform only the sound notification because the light notification will be buried in the surrounding brightness and not recognized. Further, when the brightness condition is not satisfied, the CPU 11 causes the light and sound notifications (or only the light notification) to be performed. The brightness condition is defined so as to be satisfied when it is the brightness during the day or the brightness when the lighting is on indoors. For example, the CPU 11 determines that the brightness condition is satisfied when the detection result by the illuminance sensor 196 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may determine that the brightness condition is satisfied when the current time is between sunrise and sunset on the premise that the user is outdoors. Also, a volume sensor may be provided in the electronic clock 10, and the sound notification may be omitted when the ambient sound is equal to or greater than a predetermined volume (such as when there is a waterfall nearby).

[0035] After the start of the notification, the CPU 11 periodically (for example, every hour) updates the battery remaining amount data 133 (battery remaining amount information) based on the detection result of the remaining amount of the battery 211 by the remaining amount detection unit 212. Then, based on the latest battery remaining amount information, the notification mode is periodically adjusted by referring to the notification setting table 132. As a result, when the power consumption of the battery 211 becomes less than expected by omitting the notification by either light or sound, it can be adjusted to an appropriate notification mode according to the remaining amount of the battery. Also, when the battery 211 is a solar cell and the battery 211 is charged by sunlight, it can be adjusted to an appropriate notification mode according to the remaining amount of the battery after charging.

[0036] Next, the notification control process executed by the CPU 11 to realize the above-described operation will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the notification control process. The notification control process starts when the notification setting is enabled in the electronic clock 10. When the notification control process starts, the CPU 11 executes a danger state detection process (step S101).

[0037] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the dangerous state detection process. When the dangerous state detection process is called, the CPU 11 starts acquiring the output of the sensor unit 19 (step S201). The CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether the user is in any of the plurality of dangerous states by the method described above (step S202). When it is determined that the user is in any of the dangerous states ( "YES" in step S202), the CPU 11 determines whether it is a dangerous state in water (step S203). When it is determined that it is a dangerous state in water ( "YES" in step S203), the CPU 11 sets the notification duration h to 4 hours (step S204). That is, 4 is substituted into the variable h representing the notification duration h. Further, the CPU 11 corrects the notification duration h (variable h) based on the detection result of the water temperature by the temperature sensor 194 so that the lower the water temperature, the shorter the notification duration h (step S205). When it is determined that it is a dangerous state on land ( "NO" in step S203), the CPU 11 sets the notification duration h to 72 hours (substitute 72 into the variable h) (step S206). Even on land, the notification duration h may be corrected so that the lower the air temperature, the shorter the notification duration h. When step S205 or S206 ends, the CPU 11 turns off the functions not used for notification (step S207). For example, the CPU 11 stops supplying power to the position information acquisition unit 17, the communication unit 18, and the sensor unit 19 (excluding sensors used in the notification control process such as the illuminance sensor 196). Then, the CPU 11 ends the dangerous state detection process and returns the process to the notification control process.

[0038] When the dangerous state detection process (step S101) in FIG. 6 ends, the CPU 11 acquires the latest battery remaining amount information (step S102). Here, the CPU 11 causes the remaining amount detection unit 212 to detect the battery remaining amount of the battery 211 at that time, and updates and acquires the battery remaining amount information of the battery remaining amount data 133 based on the detection result. Then, the CPU 11 refers to the notification setting table 132 and determines the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity corresponding to the battery remaining amount represented by the battery remaining amount information and the notification duration h (step S103).

[0039] Based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 196 or the current time, the CPU 11 determines whether the brightness around the user satisfies a predetermined brightness condition (step S104). If it is determined that the brightness condition is satisfied (\"YES\" in step S104), the CPU 11 causes only the sound notification of the sound output unit 202 to be executed at the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity (step S105). If it is determined that the brightness condition is not satisfied (\"NO\" in step S104), the CPU 11 causes the light from the light emitting unit 201 and the sound notification of the sound output unit 202 to be executed at the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity (step S106).

[0040] The CPU 11 determines whether a predetermined operation for the user to stop the notification has been performed (step S107). If it is determined that the operation has been performed (\"YES\" in step S107), the notification control process is terminated. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed (\"NO\" in step S107), the CPU 11 determines whether one hour has elapsed since the last execution of step S105 or step S106 (step S108). If it is determined that one hour has not elapsed (\"NO\" in step S108), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S107. If it is determined that one hour has elapsed (\"YES\" in step S108), the CPU 11 substitutes h - 1 into the variable h representing the notification continuation time h (step S109). The variable h after substitution represents the remaining time for which the notification should continue. If the variable h after substitution is greater than 0 (\"YES\" in step S110), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S102. Thereafter, the CPU 11 acquires the latest battery remaining amount information in step S102, determines the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity corresponding to the battery remaining amount information and the remaining notification continuation time h represented by the variable h (step S103), and continues the notification at the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity (step S105 or S106). By repeating the loop process of steps S102 to S110, a notification mode capable of continuing the notification for the required notification continuation time h is selected every hour and the notification is executed. Also, the loop process corresponds to \"notification control\".

[0041] In step S110, if the variable h after substitution is 0 (i.e., "NO" in step S110), it means that the notification has been executed for the initial notification duration h determined in the dangerous state detection process. Therefore, hereinafter, until the remaining amount of the battery 211 runs out, the CPU 11 causes the basic notification setting to execute the notification by light and sound (step S111). Further, the CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether a predetermined operation for stopping the notification has been performed by the user (step S112). If it is determined that the operation has been performed (i.e., "YES" in step S112), the notification control process is terminated.

[0042] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the notification is executed by the notification system 1 shown in FIG. 8. The notification system 1 includes an electronic clock 10 and a smartphone 30 (terminal device) that are owned and used by the same user.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the smartphone 30. The smartphone 30 includes a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a storage unit 33 in which a program 331 and battery remaining amount data 332 are stored, a display unit 34, an operation unit 35, a communication unit 36, a notification unit 37 having a light emitting unit 371 and a sound output unit 372, and a power supply unit 38 having a battery 381 and a remaining amount detection unit 382. The functions of the CPU 31, RAM 32, storage unit 33, display unit 34, operation unit 35, communication unit 36, notification unit 37, and power supply unit 38 are the same as those of the CPU 11, RAM 12, storage unit 13, display unit 14, operation unit 15, communication unit 18, notification unit 20, and power supply unit 21 of the electronic clock 10, respectively, so detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The smartphone 30 and the electronic clock 10 can transmit and receive data to and from each other by short-range wireless communication such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) via the communication unit 36 of the smartphone 30 and the communication unit 18 of the electronic clock 10. The battery remaining amount data 332 stores battery remaining amount information (hereinafter referred to as "first battery remaining amount information") representing the remaining amount of the battery 381 detected by the remaining amount detection unit 382. The remaining amount of the battery of the smartphone 30 is also represented by six levels similar to those of the electronic clock 10. The notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30 corresponds to the "first notification unit", and the battery 381 corresponds to the "first battery".

[0044] The configuration of the electronic clock 10 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the notification setting table 132 stores a table of notification modes by the notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30 in addition to the table of notification modes by the notification unit 20 of the electronic clock 10 shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the notification unit 20 of the electronic clock 10 corresponds to the "second notification unit", and the battery 211 corresponds to the "second battery". Hereinafter, the battery remaining amount information of the battery remaining amount data 133 of the electronic clock 10 is referred to as "second battery remaining amount information".

[0045] The CPU 11 of the electronic clock 10 can cause the notification unit 37 (light emitting unit 371 and sound output unit 372) of the smartphone 30 to perform notifications at a specified transmission cycle and intensity by transmitting predetermined control information to the smartphone 30 via the communication unit 18. More specifically, the CPU 31 of the smartphone 30 that has received the control information causes the notification unit 37 to perform notifications at the specified transmission cycle and intensity. The CPU 11 of the electronic clock 10 determines the notification unit that performs notifications among the notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30 and the notification unit 20 of the electronic clock 10 based on the first battery remaining amount information of the smartphone 30 and the second battery remaining amount information of the electronic clock 10. Further, the CPU 11 refers to the notification setting table 132 and, based on the first battery remaining amount information, the second battery remaining amount information, and the determined notification duration h, independently adjusts the transmission cycle and intensity of the notification by the notification unit 20 of the electronic clock 10 and the transmission cycle and intensity of the notification by the notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0046] In the notification control process of this embodiment, the contents of steps S102 and S103 in FIG. 6 are changed to the contents shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, in step S102, the CPU 11 acquires the latest first battery remaining amount information of the battery remaining amount data 332 of the smartphone 30 and the latest second battery remaining amount information of the battery remaining amount data 133 of the electronic clock 10. Thereafter, the CPU 11 executes step S103, which includes the following steps S1031 to S1036.

[0047] The CPU 11 determines whether the remaining battery level of one of the electronic clock 10 and the smartphone 30 is less than or equal to a reference level (step S1031). The reference level is not particularly limited, but may be a relatively small remaining amount, for example, "L" in FIG. 5. When it is determined that the remaining battery level of one of them is less than or equal to the reference level ( "YES" in step S1031), the CPU 11 determines the device with a remaining battery level higher than the reference level among the electronic clock 10 and the smartphone 30 as the device that performs notification by light and sound (step S1032). Further, the CPU 11 refers to the notification setting table 132 and determines the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity corresponding to the remaining battery level of the device and the remaining notification duration h at that time (step S1033).

[0048] When it is determined that the remaining battery levels of both the electronic clock 10 and the smartphone 30 are higher than the reference level ( "NO" in step S1031), the CPU 11 determines one of the electronic clock and the smartphone as the device that performs notification by light and the other as the device that performs notification by sound based on the first remaining battery level information and the second remaining battery level information (step S1034). For example, since the power consumption per unit time of notification by light is higher than that of notification by sound, the device with a higher remaining battery level may be determined as the device that performs notification by light, and the device with a lower remaining battery level may be determined as the device that performs notification by sound.

[0049] The CPU 11 refers to the notification setting table 132 and determines the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity corresponding to the remaining battery level of the smartphone 30 and the remaining notification duration h at that time (step S1035). Separate setting tables for the notification mode when notification is performed only by the light emitting unit 371 of the smartphone 30 and the notification mode when notification is performed only by the sound output unit 372 of the smartphone 30 are created separately, and in step S1035, either of these setting tables may be referred to.

[0050] Subsequently, the CPU 11 refers to the notification setting table 132 and determines the adjusted transmission cycle and intensity corresponding to the remaining battery level of the electronic clock 10 and the remaining notification duration h at that time (step S1036). In the notification setting table 132, a notification mode setting table for the case where notification is performed only by the light emitting unit 201 of the electronic clock 10 and a notification mode setting table for the case where notification is performed only by the sound output unit 202 of the electronic clock 10 are separately created, and in step S1036, either of these setting tables may be referred to.

[0051] When step S1033 or S1036 ends, the CPU 11 executes the processes after step S104 in FIG. 5. When causing the smartphone 30 to execute notification in step S105 or S106 in FIG. 5, the CPU 11 transmits control information for causing the smartphone 30 to execute notification. Each time the loop process of steps S102 to S110 is performed, in step S103 in FIG. 10, notification by light and / or sound is reassigned to the smartphone 30 and the electronic clock 10 respectively, and the notification mode is readjusted, so that the notification mode can be flexibly adjusted according to the decrease in the remaining battery level of each device. Note that the notifications (light and / or sound) performed by the smartphone 30 and the electronic clock 10 respectively may be fixed with the content determined in the first step S103.

[0052] Also, in steps S1035 and S1036, the notification modes of the electronic clock 10 and the smartphone 30 were adjusted independently. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30 and the notification unit 20 of the electronic clock 10 may perform notifications in the same notification mode. Further, when branching to "NO" in step S1031, although an example of a mode in which the smartphone 30 and the electronic clock 10 share notifications by light and sound was illustrated, instead of this, a mode in which one device with a larger remaining battery level at that time executes notifications by light and sound and the other device does not execute notifications may be adopted. Further, the device that performs notifications may be fixed to the smartphone 30 equipped with a battery 381 having a larger capacity, and notifications may always be performed only by the notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30. Further, a notification setting table 132 that defines the notification mode by the notification unit 20 of the electronic clock 10 is stored in the storage unit 13 of the electronic clock 10, and a notification setting table that defines the notification mode by the notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30 may be stored in the storage unit 33 of the smartphone 30. In this case, the CPU 11 of the electronic clock 10 determines whether the electronic clock 10 and the smartphone 30 perform which of the notifications by light and sound, and the notification mode may be determined by the CPU of each device based on the notification setting table stored in the storage unit of its own device.

[0053] Further, the CPU 31 of the smartphone 30 may control the notifications (including adjustment of the transmission cycle and intensity) of the notification unit 20 of the electronic clock 10 and / or the notification unit 37 of the smartphone 30. In this case, the electronic clock 10 corresponds to the "terminal device", the smartphone 30 corresponds to the "electronic device", and the CPU 31 of the smartphone 30 corresponds to the "control unit".

[0054] (Modification example) Subsequently, a modification example of each of the above embodiments will be described. This modification example may be applied to either the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from each of the above embodiments will be described.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the electronic clock 10 and its display unit 14 according to the modified example. The display unit 14 of this modified example displays information such as time in an analog manner by the hands 1413 including the hour hand, the minute hand, and the second hand. The notification operations described in the above embodiments may be applied to the analog electronic clock 10 as in this modified example. The light emitting unit 201 of this modified example includes a light source 201a that emits light outward on the side surface of the housing of the electronic clock 10, and a light source 201b that is also used for illuminating the dial. Further, the display unit 14 has a sub-display unit 144 capable of displaying predetermined information. The sub-display unit 144 may be a liquid crystal panel, or may be a part of a rotating body such as a day wheel exposed through a small window. During the execution of the notification, the characters "HELP" are displayed on the sub-display unit 144. Further, during the execution of the notification, it may be displayed by instructing the position of a predetermined mark by any of the hands 143 or a mode hand (not shown). The display unit 14 may combine an analog method using the hands 1413 and a digital method using a liquid crystal panel.

[0056] (Effect) As described above, the electronic clock 10 according to each of the above embodiments includes a CPU 11 that controls the operation of the notification unit 20. The CPU 11 determines whether the user is in a dangerous state as a predetermined physical state by a predetermined method, and when it is determined that the user is in a dangerous state, executes notification control to cause the notification unit 20 to repeatedly perform a notification indicating that the user is in a dangerous state at a predetermined transmission cycle and intensity. In the notification control, the CPU 11 acquires the remaining battery level information of the battery 211 that supplies power to the notification unit 20, and adjusts at least one of the transmission cycle and intensity of the notification based on the remaining battery level information. According to this, since it is possible to increase the transmission cycle or reduce the intensity according to the smallness of the remaining battery level, it is possible to perform the notification for a necessary period even when the remaining battery level is small.

[0057] Further, in the notification control, the CPU 11 causes the notification unit 20 to perform at least one of a notification by sound and a notification by light. Thereby, the notification can be performed in a manner that is easily recognizable by people around the user of the electronic clock 10.

[0058] Also, in notification control, the CPU 11 determines whether the ambient brightness around the user satisfies a predetermined brightness condition based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 196 that detects the ambient brightness around the user or the current time. When it is determined that the brightness condition is satisfied, the notification unit 20 is made to perform only audio notification. When it is determined that the brightness condition is not satisfied, the notification unit 20 is made to perform at least light notification. Thereby, it is possible to prevent light notification from being performed in a bright environment where light notification is difficult to recognize. Therefore, unnecessary power consumption by the notification unit 20 can be suppressed, and notification can be performed for a longer period of time.

[0059] Also, the CPU 11 identifies which of a plurality of different dangerous states the user is in, and in notification control, based on the battery remaining amount information, adjusts at least one of the transmission cycle and intensity of the notification so that the notification can be continued for a predetermined notification duration corresponding to the identified dangerous state. Thereby, it is possible to continue the notification for a necessary period according to the dangerous state the user has fallen into.

[0060] Also, in notification control, the CPU 11 acquires the battery remaining amount information again at a predetermined timing after acquiring the battery remaining amount information, and adjusts at least one of the transmission cycle and intensity based on the latest battery remaining amount information. Thereby, when the remaining amount of the battery 211 decreases faster than expected due to low temperature or water temperature, or when the power consumption amount becomes less than expected due to omission of light notification, or when the battery 211 is charged by sunlight, subsequent notification can be performed in an appropriate notification mode according to the latest battery remaining amount.

[0061] In addition, the CPU 11 determines whether the user is in a dangerous state based on the detection results of at least one of a motion sensor 191 that detects the user's movement, a pulse wave sensor 195 that detects the user's biological information, and a pressure sensor 192, a water detection sensor 193, a temperature sensor 194, and an illuminance sensor 196 that detect information related to the environment around the user. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the user is in a dangerous state and the type of the dangerous state.

[0062] In addition, by using a dangerous state as a predetermined physical state, it is possible to perform notification for seeking rescue for a required period when the user has fallen into a dangerous state.

[0063] In addition, according to the notification control method of each of the above embodiments executed by the CPU 11, notification can be performed for a required period even when the remaining battery level is low.

[0064] In addition, the program 131 of each of the above embodiments causes the CPU 11 to function as control means for executing the above operations. Thereby, notification can be performed for a required period even when the remaining battery level is low.

[0065] In addition, the notification system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a smartphone 30 having a notification unit 37 and a battery 381, and a digital clock 10 having a CPU 11 that controls the operation of the notification unit 37. The CPU 11 determines whether the user is in a dangerous state by a predetermined method, and when it is determined that the user is in a dangerous state, executes notification control for repeatedly causing the notification unit 37 to perform notification indicating that the user is in a dangerous state at a predetermined transmission cycle and intensity. In the notification control, battery remaining amount information of the battery 381 is acquired, and at least one of the transmission cycle and intensity of the notification is adjusted based on the battery remaining amount information. Thereby, even when the remaining battery level of the digital clock 10 is low, the smartphone 30 can be caused to perform notification. Further, even when the remaining battery level of the smartphone 30 is low, by adjusting the transmission cycle and / or intensity of the notification, notification can be performed for a required period.

[0066] Also, the notification system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a smartphone 30 having a notification unit 37 and a battery 381, and an electronic clock 10 having a notification unit 20, a battery 211, and a CPU 11. The CPU 11 determines whether the user is in a dangerous state by a predetermined method, and when it is determined that the user is in a dangerous state, at least one of the notification unit 37 and the notification unit 20 is caused to repeatedly perform a notification indicating that the user is in a dangerous state at a predetermined transmission cycle and intensity. In the notification control, the first battery remaining amount information of the battery 381 and the second battery remaining amount information of the battery 211 are acquired, and based on the first battery remaining amount information and the second battery remaining amount information, the notification unit that performs the notification among the notification unit 37 and the notification unit 20 is determined, and at least one of the transmission cycle and intensity of the notification is adjusted. Thereby, according to the respective battery remaining amounts of the smartphone 30 and the electronic clock 10, the device that performs the notification can be flexibly switched so that the notification can be performed for a required period. Therefore, the notification can be more reliably performed for a required period.

[0067] Also, in the notification control, the CPU 11 of the second embodiment causes one of the notification unit 37 and the notification unit 20 to perform a notification by light and the other notification unit to perform a notification by sound. Thereby, for example, it is possible to make an assignment such that the device with a larger battery remaining amount performs a notification by light. For this reason, the notification by light and sound can be executed for a longer period.

[0068] Also, in the notification control, when the CPU 11 of the second embodiment causes the notification unit 37 to perform a first notification and the notification unit 20 to perform a second notification, based on the first battery remaining amount information and the second battery remaining amount information, the transmission cycle and intensity of the first notification and the transmission cycle and intensity of the second notification are independently adjusted. Thereby, the notification mode can be flexibly adjusted so that the smartphone 30 and the electronic clock 10 can each continue to perform the notification for a required period.

[0069] (Others) Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the CPU 11 determines whether the user is in a dangerous state based on the detection result of the sensor unit 19 or the elapsed time in the activity mode. In addition to this, or instead of this, the user may be determined to be in a dangerous state when a user operation for reporting being in a dangerous state is performed.

[0070] Further, the notification is not limited to being by sound or light. For example, the notification may be performed by intermittently transmitting a predetermined signal (for example, a beacon signal in BLE) by the communication unit 18. In this case, it is desirable that the transmission of the signal from the electronic clock 10 when in a dangerous state be registered in advance in the electronic device of the rescuer.

[0071] Also, the notification pattern P is not limited to the SOS Morse code signal. It may be a Morse code signal representing other characters, or a pattern for transmitting information by a method other than the Morse code signal.

[0072] In addition, although an aspect of determining the transmission cycle and intensity after adjustment of the notification with reference to the notification setting table 132 is illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, calculation formulas for deriving the transmission cycle and light emission luminance of the light emission unit 201 and the transmission cycle and sound volume of the sound output unit 202 from the remaining battery level and the notification duration h may be determined in advance, and the transmission cycle and intensity after adjustment may be determined based on the calculation formulas.

[0073] Also, although a dangerous state is illustrated as the predetermined physical state, it is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined physical state may be a state in which the movement pace or activity amount of the user performing the activity deviates from a predetermined target range. Further, the predetermined physical state may be a state in which a user such as a protected infant or child is active after waking up from sleep.

[0074] Also, although the electronic clock 10 was exemplified as the electronic device, the present invention is not limited thereto. The electronic device may be any wearable device such as a motion sensor terminal that measures a motion state or an activity meter, which is worn on the user's body and used. Further, the electronic device may be a portable device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Also, although the smartphone 30 was exemplified as the terminal device, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the terminal device may be any of the devices exemplified as the electronic device above.

[0075] Also, in the above description, an example in which the flash memory of the storage unit 13 is used as the computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention was disclosed, but the present invention 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 data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line, a carrier wave is also applied to the present invention.

[0076] Also, regarding the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the electronic clock 10 and the smartphone 30 in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that they can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0077] 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.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1…Notification system, 10…Electronic clock (electronic device), 11…CPU (control unit, control means), 132…Notification setting table, 133…Battery remaining amount data (battery remaining amount information, second battery remaining amount information), 19…Sensor unit, 20…Notification unit (second notification unit), 201…Light emitting unit, 202…Sound output unit, 211…Battery (second battery), 30…Smartphone (terminal device), 332…Battery remaining amount data (first battery remaining amount information), 37…Notification unit (first notification unit), 371…Light emitting unit, 372 Sound output unit, 381…Battery (first battery)

Claims

1. It is provided with a control unit that controls the operation of the notification unit, The control unit, discriminates whether the user is in a predetermined physical state by a predetermined method, and when it is discriminated that the user is in the predetermined physical state, executes notification control to repeatedly cause the notification unit to perform a notification indicating that the user is in the predetermined physical state at a predetermined cycle and intensity, In the notification control, acquires battery remaining amount information of a battery that supplies power to the notification unit, and adjusts at least one of the cycle and the intensity of the notification based on the battery remaining amount information, An electronic device.

2. In the notification control, the control unit causes the notification unit to perform at least one of the notification by sound and the notification by light, The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. In the notification control, the control unit discriminates whether the ambient brightness around the user satisfies a predetermined brightness condition based on a detection result of a sensor that detects the ambient brightness around the user or the current time. When it is discriminated that the brightness condition is satisfied, the control unit causes the notification unit to perform only the notification by sound, and when it is discriminated that the brightness condition is not satisfied, the control unit causes the notification unit to perform at least the notification by light, The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit, specifies which of a plurality of different predetermined physical states the user is in, In the notification control, based on the battery remaining amount information, adjusts at least one of the cycle and the intensity of the notification so that the notification can be continued for a predetermined notification duration corresponding to the specified physical state, The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. In the notification control, the control unit acquires the battery remaining amount information again at a predetermined timing after acquiring the battery remaining amount information, and adjusts at least one of the cycle and the intensity based on the latest battery remaining amount information. The electronic device according to claim 1.

6. Based on the detection result by a sensor that detects at least one of the movement of the user, the biometric information of the user, and the information related to the environment around the user, the control unit determines whether the user is in the predetermined physical state. The electronic device according to claim 1.

7. The predetermined physical state is a dangerous state. The electronic device according to claim 1.

8. A notification control method executed by a computer, determining whether a user is in a predetermined physical state by a predetermined method, and when it is determined that the user is in the predetermined physical state, executing notification control to repeatedly cause a notification unit to perform a notification indicating that the user is in the predetermined physical state at a predetermined cycle and intensity, In the notification control, acquiring battery remaining amount information of a battery that supplies power to the notification unit, and adjusting at least one of the cycle and the intensity of the notification based on the battery remaining amount information. Notification control method.

9. Functioning a computer as control means for controlling the operation of a notification unit, The control means, determining whether a user is in a predetermined physical state by a predetermined method, and when it is determined that the user is in the predetermined physical state, executing notification control to repeatedly cause the notification unit to perform a notification indicating that the user is in the predetermined physical state at a predetermined cycle and intensity, In the notification control, acquiring battery remaining amount information of a battery that supplies power to the notification unit, and adjusting at least one of the cycle and the intensity of the notification based on the battery remaining amount information. Program.

10. A terminal device having a notification unit and a battery that supplies power to the notification unit, An electronic device having a control unit that controls the operation of the notification unit, comprising: The control unit: determines whether a user of the terminal device and the electronic device is in a predetermined physical state by a predetermined method, and when it is determined that the user is in the predetermined physical state, executes notification control to cause the notification unit to repeatedly perform a notification indicating that the user is in the predetermined physical state at a predetermined cycle and intensity, In the notification control, acquires battery remaining amount information of the battery, and adjusts at least one of the cycle and the intensity of the notification based on the battery remaining amount information. A notification system.

11. A terminal device having a first notification unit and a first battery that supplies power to the first notification unit, An electronic device having a second notification unit, a second battery that supplies power to the second notification unit, and a control unit that controls the operations of the first notification unit and the second notification unit, comprising: The control unit: determines whether a user of the terminal device and the electronic device is in a predetermined physical state by a predetermined method, and when it is determined that the user is in the predetermined physical state, executes notification control to cause at least one of the first notification unit and the second notification unit to repeatedly perform a notification indicating that the user is in the predetermined physical state at a predetermined cycle and intensity, In the notification control, acquires first battery remaining amount information of the first battery and second battery remaining amount information of the second battery, determines a notification unit that performs the notification among the first notification unit and the second notification unit based on the first battery remaining amount information and the second battery remaining amount information, and adjusts at least one of the cycle and the intensity of the notification. A notification system.

12. In the notification control, the control unit causes one of the first notification unit and the second notification unit to perform the notification by light, and causes the other of the first notification unit and the second notification unit to perform the notification by sound. The notification system according to claim 11.

13. In the notification control, when the control unit causes the first notification unit to perform the first notification and causes the second notification unit to perform the second notification, based on the first battery remaining amount information and the second battery remaining amount information, the control unit independently adjusts the period and intensity of the first notification and the period and intensity of the second notification. The notification system according to claim 11.

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