Detachable device, attachment / detachment determination method and program

Abstract

A part for a purpose other than attachment / detachment determination is also used for attachment / detachment determination. [Solution] The detachable device 100 includes a terminal arranged to be close to the target, and is equipped with a dual-purpose circuit section 130 for performing predetermined functions other than the judgment function of determining whether the device is attached or detached to the target, a judgment circuit section 140 connected to the dual-purpose circuit section 130 for enabling the judgment function to be performed, and a processing section 110 for performing the judgment function in cooperation with the dual-purpose circuit section 130 and the judgment circuit section 140.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a removable device, a method for determining whether or not a removable device is attached, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, even in detachable devices that can be worn on and off the human body, such as smart watches, an increasing number of devices are equipped with functions that require security assurance, such as an electronic payment function. In order to enhance security, such devices often have specifications that determine whether or not the device is worn on the human body, and when it detects that the device has been removed from the human body (removal detection), the device is locked to prevent unauthorized use by others. As an example of such a device equipped with a function to determine whether or not the device is worn, Patent Document 1 discloses a wristwatch-type pulse measuring device that starts measuring the pulse after confirming that the device is worn by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-129526 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the pulse measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a wearing sensor having four metal pins protruding from the bottom surface of the main body determines whether the pulse measuring device is worn on the user's arm. In this way, in order to determine whether a conventional detachable device is worn or detached, it is necessary to provide a dedicated part for judging whether the device is worn or detached (for example, the above-mentioned four metal pins), which is an obstacle in terms of cost reduction, miniaturization, mounting area, etc.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a removable device, a method for determining attachment / detachment, and a program that enable parts intended for purposes other than attachment / detachment determination to also be used for attachment / detachment determination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the detachable device according to the present invention is to a dual-purpose circuit section including a plurality of terminals provided so as to be accessible to the target, the dual-purpose circuit section executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the target; a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section and capable of executing the determination function; a switch section that exclusively shorts any one of the plurality of terminals of the dual-purpose circuit section to the determination circuit section; a processing unit which executes the determination function by cooperation between the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit; Equipped with 、 When executing the determination function, the processing unit applying a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section via the determination circuit section; determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the target based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage; When it is determined that the device itself is not attached to the target, the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit connected to the determination circuit is switched from one of the plurality of terminals to another terminal by the switch. . Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a part for an application other than attachment / detachment determination can also be used for attachment / detachment determination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a detachable system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a detachable device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the detachable device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between a processing unit, a dual-purpose circuit unit, and a determination circuit unit of the removable device in accordance with the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of a wearing / detaching determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a detachable device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between a processing unit, a dual-purpose circuit unit, a determination circuit unit, and a switch unit in a removable device according to embodiment 2. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart of a wearing / detaching determination process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram illustrating a case where the removable device is in contact with the arm at an angle. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between a processing unit, a dual-purpose circuit unit, a determination circuit unit, and a switch unit in a removable device according to embodiment 3. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a wearing / detaching determination process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A removable device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) For ease of understanding, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the removable device 100 according to the first embodiment is applied to a removable system 1000 shown in Fig. 1. In this example, the removable system 1000 includes the removable device 100 and a charger 200 connected to a PC (Personal Computer) 250 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 230.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the removable device 100 according to the first embodiment is a wristwatch-type device having USB terminals 131, 132, 133, and 134 on the back of a main body 190. When the main body 190 of the removable device 100 is set in a charging frame 201 of a charger 200, the terminals 131, 132, 133, and 134 come into contact with terminals 211, 212, 213, and 214 of the charger 200, respectively, thereby charging the removable device 100. The charger 200 is connected to a PC 250 by a USB cable 230, and receives a supply of charging power from the PC 250. Data communication can be performed between the removable device 100 and the PC 250 via the charger 200. The charger 200 does not necessarily have to be connected to the PC 250, and may be connected to a USB port of a power strip by the USB cable 230, for example, to receive a supply of charging power.

[0012] USB Type-A, which is used as a USB port on a PC or a power strip, has four terminals according to the standard, but in removable device 100, these four terminals are arranged in the following order on the back of main body 190, as shown in FIG. 1: D+ terminal 131, which is a positive terminal for data transfer; VBUS terminal 132 to which a voltage of 5V is supplied; GND terminal 133, which determines 0V as the voltage reference; and D- terminal 134, which is a negative terminal for data transfer.

[0013] In a normal USB Type-A terminal, the order of these terminals is from the end to the end: VBUS terminal, D- terminal, D+ terminal, and GND terminal. In the removable device 100, the terminals for data transfer (D+ terminal and D- terminal) are arranged at both ends in order to use the terminals also used for attachment / detachment determination as terminals for data transfer. The charger 200 also has a D+ terminal 211, a VBUS terminal 212, a GND terminal 213, and a D- terminal 214 in this order, as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the removable device 100. Since a voltage of 5V is applied to the VBUS terminal during charging, it is preferable not to use it for other purposes for safety reasons. In addition, the GND terminal is a terminal that determines the voltage reference, and it is preferable not to connect it to anything other than GND for stable operation of the device. Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminals for data transfer are used as terminals also used for attachment / detachment determination.

[0014] When a user wears removable device 100 on arm 300, terminals 131, 132, 133, and 134 come into contact with arm 300 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of removable device 100 taken along dashed line A-A' in Fig. 1 when removable device 100 is worn on arm 300.

[0015] The removable device 100 according to the first embodiment includes, as its functional components, a processing unit 110, a memory unit 120, a dual-purpose circuit unit 130, a determination circuit unit 140, a charging unit 150, a display unit 160, and an operation unit 170, as shown in FIG.

[0016] The processing unit 110 is configured with a microcontroller including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like. The processing unit 110 executes a later-described attachment / detachment determination process and other processes for the removable device 100 to fulfill its functions, using a program stored in the storage unit 120. The processing unit 110 supports a multi-thread function that executes multiple processes in parallel. The processing unit 110 also has a function of counting time using an RTC (Real Time Clock) or the like.

[0017] 4, the processing unit 110 includes a plurality of input / output ports 111, 112, 113, and 114. The input / output ports 111 and 112 are assigned to the USB D+ and D- input / output ports, respectively. The input / output port 113 is assigned to a VC input port that determines whether a voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal (whether the removable device 100 is set in the charger 200).

[0018] Furthermore, the input / output port 114 is assigned as a VO output port that applies a square wave voltage to the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 through the judging circuit unit 140. The input / output port 114 (VO output port) is set to have high impedance when a square wave voltage or the like is not being applied. The input / output port 112 (D-input / output port) is also used as a VI input port that detects the waveform of the voltage applied to the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 by the VO output port.

[0019] The storage unit 120 stores the programs executed by the processing unit 110 and necessary data. The storage unit 120 may include, but is not limited to, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. Note that the storage unit 120 may be provided inside the processing unit 110.

[0020] 4, the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 includes four USB terminals (D+ terminal 131, VBUS terminal 132, GND terminal 133, and D- terminal 134) and a connection line 135 that connects the USB D- terminal 134 and the input / output port 112 (USB D- input / output port) of the processing unit 110. The D+ terminal 131 and the D- terminal 134 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 are terminals used for USB data transfer, and are connected to the input / output port 111 (USB D+ input / output port) and the input / output port 112 (USB D- input / output port) of the processing unit 110, respectively. The VBUS terminal 132 is a terminal to which USB power of +5V is supplied, and is connected to the charging unit 150. The GND terminal 133 is a ground terminal that is the reference for the USB voltage, and is connected to GND. For this reason, the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 can be used to execute the USB data transfer function and charging function. In this embodiment, the USB D-terminal 134 provided in the dual-purpose circuit section 130 is a terminal that is also used for attachment / detachment determination (hereinafter referred to as the "determination terminal"), and as will be described later, the dual-purpose circuit section 130 can also be used to execute the attachment / detachment determination function by cooperating with the determination circuit section 140.

[0021] 4, the determination circuit section 140 includes a capacitor and a resistor, both ends of which are connected to the connection line 135 and the input / output port 114 (VO output port) of the processing section 110, respectively. Because of this circuit configuration, when a rectangular wave voltage is applied from the input / output port 114 of the processing section 110 to the connection line 135 of the combined circuit section 130, the voltage waveform detected at the input / output port 112 (VI input port) changes depending on whether the determination terminal (D- terminal 134) of the combined circuit section 130 is in contact with the human body or not. Therefore, by checking this voltage waveform using the combined circuit section 130 and the determination circuit section 140 in the processing section 110, it becomes possible to determine whether the removable device 100 is attached or detached.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the charging section 150 charges the rechargeable battery of the removable device 100 with power from the VBUS terminal 132 of the dual-purpose circuit section 130.

[0023] The display unit 160 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and displays the current time and the like.

[0024] The operation unit 170 is a user interface such as a push button switch, and receives operation input from the user.

[0025] Next, the attachment / detachment determination process executed by the processing unit 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The removable device 100 starts the attachment / detachment determination process automatically when the power is turned on, or by a user operation (for example, when the user wants to perform the attachment / detachment determination).

[0026] First, the processing unit 110 judges whether the attachment / detachment judgment condition is satisfied (step S101). The type of the attachment / detachment judgment condition can be arbitrarily set, and can be, for example, "the operation unit 170 does not accept an operation from the user for a predetermined period (for example, one hour) (i.e., there is no user operation for a predetermined period)", "the current time has reached the expected attachment detection time", or, in the case where the removable device 100 is equipped with an acceleration sensor (not shown), "the detection value by the acceleration sensor is constant for a predetermined period (for example, one minute) (i.e., the removable device 100 is stationary for a predetermined period)". The expected attachment detection time is a time set as a time for judging whether the removable device 100 is attached or not. For example, if it is desired to frequently judge whether the removable device 100 is attached or detached in order to enhance security, the expected attachment detection time can be set to the current time +α hours (α hours is, for example, one minute) so that the attachment / detachment judgment is performed every α hours. Then, while the attachment / detachment judgment process judges that the device is "attached", the attachment / detachment judgment process may be repeatedly executed. Furthermore, when prioritizing power saving over security, the scheduled time for mounting detection may be set to, for example, "every day at noon" in order to reduce the frequency of mounting / removal determination.

[0027] If the attachment / detachment determination condition is not met (step S101; No), the processing unit 110 returns to step S101 and repeats step S101 until the attachment / detachment determination condition is met.

[0028] If the attachment / detachment determination condition is met (step S101; Yes), processing unit 110 determines whether or not USB data transfer is being performed in dual-purpose circuit unit 130 (step S102). If USB data transfer is being performed (step S102; Yes), processing unit 110 determines that "detachable device 100 is connected to another device such as a PC or charger 200, and is not worn on arm 300" (step S103), and ends the attachment / detachment determination process.

[0029] If USB data transfer is not being performed (step S102; No), the processing unit 110 checks the VC input port (input / output port 113) and judges whether a VBUS voltage of +5V is applied to the VC input port (step S104). If the VBUS voltage is confirmed at the VC input port (step S104; Yes), the processing unit 110 advances the process to step S103. In steps S102 and S104, it is judged whether the USB terminal (including the determination terminal) of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is connected to another device such as a PC or charger 200. In other words, if it is confirmed that data transfer is being performed or that the VBUS voltage is being applied, the processing unit 110 judges that "the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is connected to another device."

[0030] When the removable device 100 is attached to the arm 300, a voltage may be applied to the VC input port due to static electricity charged on the arm 300. To prevent erroneous determination due to this, the processing unit 110 may check the voltage applied to the VC input port multiple times in step S104. For example, the processing unit 110 checks the voltage applied to the VC input port multiple times (for example, twice) at intervals of, for example, 1 millisecond. Then, if the absolute value of the difference between the multiple confirmed voltages (the amount of change in voltage) is equal to or less than a predetermined reference amount of change (for example, 0.5 V) and each of the multiple confirmed voltages is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference voltage (a voltage slightly lower than the +5 V voltage of VBUS, for example, +4.5 V), it can be determined that a stable +5 V voltage of VBUS is applied, not an unstable voltage such as static electricity, and the processing unit 110 determines that "the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is connected to another device."

[0031] If the voltage of VBUS cannot be confirmed at the VC input port (step S104; No), the processing unit 110 determines that "the judgment terminal of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is not connected to another device," applies a square wave voltage of amplitude Va (a square wave voltage that repeats a minimum voltage 0 and a maximum voltage Va at a predetermined time interval) to the VO output port (input / output port 114), and checks the waveform of the voltage detected at the VI input port (input / output port 112) (step S105). This square wave voltage is also called a voltage for detachment judgment. In step S105, when the processing unit 110 applies a square wave voltage to the VO output port (input / output port 114), the square wave voltage is applied to the D- terminal 134 via the VO output port and the connection line 135, which corresponds to applying a predetermined voltage for detachment judgment to the terminal (the D- terminal 134, which is a judgment terminal) of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130. In addition, the voltage detected at the VI input port (input / output port 112) in a state in which the processing unit 110 applies a square wave voltage to the VO output port (input / output port 114) (a state in which a square wave voltage is applied to D- terminal 134) corresponds to the voltage from the determination terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to this terminal (D- terminal 134, which is a determination terminal). The voltage detected at the VI input port (input / output port 112) is equal to both the voltage detected at the connection line 135 and the voltage detected at the D- terminal 134. Therefore, attachment / detachment determination may be performed using, for example, a voltage detected by a voltmeter directly connected to the D- terminal 134 instead of the voltage detected at the VI input port.

[0032] Then, the processing unit 110 judges whether or not the time from when the voltage exceeds the threshold value Vt from 0 in the waveform of the voltage detected at the VI input port is less than the reference time T (step S106). The value of this threshold value Vt is set to a value (for example, Vt=0.7×Va, etc.) slightly smaller than the amplitude Va of the square wave output to the VO output port in step S105. The value of the reference time T is set to a time (for example, T=1.1×Tt, etc.) slightly longer than the time Tt from when the voltage detected at the VI input port exceeds the threshold value Vt from 0 when the square wave voltage is applied when the device is not worn on the arm 300. The reference time T may be set based on design data when the removable device 100 is designed, or may be set based on an actual measurement value by actually applying a square wave voltage when the removable device 100 is shipped from the factory, etc. The value of the threshold value Vt and the value of the reference time T are stored in the storage unit 120 in advance.

[0033] If the determination terminal of dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is in contact with arm 300, the voltage applied to the VO output port is transmitted to arm 300, and the time until the voltage detected at the VI input port exceeds Vt increases. Therefore, processing unit 110 can perform attachment / detachment determination based on the voltage waveform detected at the VI input port. The determination in step S106 is performed by processing unit 110 checking the waveform of the voltage detected at the VI input port when a square wave voltage is applied to connection line 135 connected to the determination terminal of dual-purpose circuit unit 130 via determination circuit unit 140, and therefore can be said to be attachment / detachment determination performed by cooperation between dual-purpose circuit unit 130 (determination terminal) and determination circuit unit 140. In step S106, the processing unit 110 compares the voltage detected at the VI input port with a threshold value Vt to perform attachment / detachment determination. Since the threshold value Vt is a value determined based on the attachment / detachment determination voltage Va (for example, Vt=0.7×Va), this attachment / detachment determination can be said to be performed based on the relationship between the voltage (voltage from the determination terminal) detected at the VI input port (input / output port 112) and the attachment / detachment determination voltage. In this embodiment, a square wave voltage is applied to the VO output port as the attachment / detachment determination voltage, but the applied attachment / detachment determination voltage is not limited to a square wave voltage. It is also possible to perform attachment / detachment determination by applying, for example, a constant voltage Va as the attachment / detachment determination voltage.

[0034] In the waveform detected at the VI input port, if the time taken for the voltage to go from 0 to exceed the threshold voltage Vt is equal to or longer than the reference time (step S106; No), the processing unit 110 determines that "the removable device 100 is attached to the arm 300" (step S107), and terminates the attachment / detachment determination process.

[0035] If the time taken for the voltage to go from 0 to exceed the threshold voltage Vt in the waveform detected at the VI input port is less than the reference time (step S106; Yes), the processing unit 110 determines that "the detachable device 100 is not attached to the arm 300" (step S108), and terminates the attachment / detachment determination process.

[0036] In order to continuously determine whether the removable device 100 has been removed from the target for attachment such as the arm 300, the attachment / detachment determination process may be repeatedly started even after the attachment / detachment determination process is completed. If it is determined that the removable device 100 is not attached to the arm 300 even once, the processing unit 110 may then request the user to input a password before performing a process requiring high security (e.g., electronic payment process) in the removable device 100.

[0037] The above describes the attachment / detachment determination process. This attachment / detachment determination process allows the removable device 100 to use the USB terminal for attachment / detachment determination as well, without having to include a dedicated component for attachment / detachment determination.

[0038] In the above-described removable device 100, the processing unit 110 uses the VC input port to determine whether a voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal (whether the removable device 100 is set in the charger 200), but the processing unit 110 may obtain information regarding whether a voltage is applied to the VBUS terminal from the charging unit 150, in which case the processing unit 110 does not need to be provided with a VC input port.

[0039] By using a USB terminal as dual-purpose circuit unit 130, removable device 100 can reliably determine whether dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is connected to another device by checking the voltage applied to USB VBUS terminal 132. Furthermore, by using a USB data transfer terminal as the determination terminal (terminal connected to the VI input port) of dual-purpose circuit unit 130 to which connection line 135 connecting determination circuit unit 140 is connected, attachment / detachment determination can be performed more safely than when a power supply terminal or the like is used. However, the determination terminal of dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is not limited to a data transfer terminal, and VBUS terminal 132 or GND terminal 133 may be used as the determination terminal.

[0040] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the judging circuit section 140 is always connected to the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit section 130. The input / output port 114 (VO output port), which is the other end of the judging circuit section 140, is in a high impedance state while a square wave voltage is not being applied, so as not to interfere with USB data transfer. However, if some kind of malfunction occurs and the port does not become in a high impedance state, there is a possibility that the USB data transfer will be interfered with. Therefore, in order to more reliably eliminate the possibility of interfering with USB data transfer, a second embodiment will be described in which a switch is provided for switching whether or not the judging circuit section 140 and the dual-purpose circuit section 130 are connected.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the removable device 101 according to the second embodiment has a functional configuration in which a switch unit 180 is added to the removable device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0042] 7, the switch section 180 includes a switch that switches whether or not to connect the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 to the determination circuit section 140. Also, the processing section 110 of the removable device 101 includes, as an input / output port 115, a SW output port that controls the switch of the switch section 180, as shown in FIG.

[0043] The wearing / removal determination process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This process is the same as the wearing / removal determination process according to the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 5, except that step S111 is added between steps S104 and S105, step S112 is added between steps S106 and S107, and step S113 is added between steps S106 and S108. Therefore, these added steps will be mainly described.

[0044] In step S111, the processing unit 110 controls the SW output port to connect the switch of the switch unit 180. As a result, the judging circuit unit 140 is connected to the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130. Also, in steps S112 and S113, the processing unit 110 controls the SW output port to disconnect the switch of the switch unit 180. As a result, the judging circuit unit 140 is disconnected from the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130.

[0045] Other than what has been described above, removable device 101 is the same as removable device 100, and removable device 101 can use the USB terminal for attachment / detachment determination as well without having a dedicated part for attachment / detachment determination. Also, switch section 180 can switch between connecting / detaching connection line 135 of dual-purpose circuit section 130 and determination circuit section 140, so that it is possible to reliably prevent determination circuit section 140 from interfering with USB data transfer.

[0046] (Embodiment 3) In the above-described embodiment, only the D- terminal 134 of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 is used as a determination terminal for determining whether the removable device 100, 101 is attached or detached. Normally, this is not a problem, but for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the removable device 100 is attached at an angle, the D- terminal 134 floats and does not contact the arm 300. For this reason, in the state shown in FIG. 9, the removable device 100 is determined to be not attached. Also, when the removable device 100 is attached at an angle, conversely, the D+ terminal 131 may float and not contact the arm 300.

[0047] Thus, a third embodiment will be described in which the attachment / detachment determination can be performed correctly even when the removable device 100 is attached in an inclined state.

[0048] The functional configuration of the removable device 102 according to the third embodiment is similar to that of the removable device 101 according to the second embodiment, and is shown in FIG.

[0049] 10, however, combined circuit section 130 according to the third embodiment includes connection line 136 that connects USB D+ terminal 131 and input / output port 111 (USB D+ input / output port) of processing section 110, in addition to four USB terminals (D+ terminal 131, VBUS terminal 132, GND terminal 133, D- terminal 134) and connection line 135. D+ terminal 131 and D- terminal 134 are used as determination terminals of combined circuit section 130.

[0050] 10, switch section 180 according to the third embodiment includes a switch for switching between connecting determination circuit section 140 to nothing, connecting determination circuit section 140 to connecting line 135 of dual-purpose circuit section 130, or connecting determination circuit section 140 to connecting line 136 of dual-purpose circuit section 130. Input / output port 115 (SW output port) included in processing section 110 of removable device 102 controls the switch of switch section 180, as shown in FIG.

[0051] In addition, the input / output port 111 (D+ input / output port) of the processing unit 110 in embodiment 3 is also used as a first VI input port (VI1 input port) that detects the waveform of the signal output by the input / output port 114 (VO output port) to the connection line 136 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130, and the input / output port 112 (D- input / output port) is also used as a second VI input port (VI2 input port) that detects the waveform of the signal output by the input / output port 114 (VO output port) to the connection line 135 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130.

[0052] It is not necessary to limit the number of VI input ports for detecting the waveform of the signal outputted to the dual-purpose circuit section 130 by the input / output port 114 (VO output port) to two. For example, the input / output port 113 (VC input port) connected to the VBUS terminal 132 of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 may be the third VI input port, or another input / output port provided in the processing section 110 may be connected to the GND terminal 133 of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 to be the fourth VI input port. Furthermore, a terminal other than a USB terminal that may come into contact with the human body when worn may also be used as the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section 130. In this case, it is sufficient to connect these terminals to other input / output ports provided in the processing section 110 and use the input / output ports as the third or subsequent VI input ports.

[0053] The wearing / removal determination process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In this process, steps S121 and S122 are added instead of step S111 in the wearing / removal determination process according to the second embodiment described with reference to Fig. 8, step S123 is added between step S106 and step S113, and a process of returning to step S105 after step S124 if the determination in step S123 is No is added, so the description will mainly focus on these added processes.

[0054] In step S121, the processing unit 110 acquires the number of VI input ports and switch changeover information. Specifically, the processing unit 110 acquires "2", which is the number of VI input ports of the processing unit 110 according to the third embodiment. Then, the processing unit 110 acquires information on how to control the SW output port of the processing unit 110 when the switch of the switch unit 180 is connected to the connection line connected to the n-th VI input port and when it is not connected to either of them. Since the processing unit 110 can acquire the number of VI input ports and the switch changeover information in this way in step S121, this attachment / detachment determination process can perform attachment / detachment determination using all the VI input ports even when the number of VI input ports is greater than two.

[0055] In step S122, the processing unit 110 switches the switch of the switch unit 180 so that the connection line connected to the first VI input port and the determination circuit unit 140 are connected, based on the information acquired in step S121.

[0056] In step S123, the processing unit 110 determines whether or not the switches of the switch unit 180 have been switched to all VI input ports based on the information acquired in step S121. If the switches have been switched (step S123; Yes), the processing proceeds to step S113.

[0057] If the switching has not been completed (step S123; No), the processing unit 110 switches the switch of the switch unit 180 based on the information acquired in step S121 so that the connection line connected to the next VI input port is connected to the judgment circuit unit 140 (step S124), and proceeds to step S105.

[0058] In steps S112 and S113, the processing unit 110 switches the switch of the switch unit 180 based on the information acquired in step S121 so that the determination circuit unit 140 is not connected to any VI input port. As a result, the determination circuit unit 140 is disconnected from the connection lines 135 and 136 of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130.

[0059] Other than what has been described above, removable device 102 is similar to removable device 101, and does not require a dedicated part for attachment / detachment determination; the USB terminal can also be used for attachment / detachment determination, and switch unit 180 can reliably prevent determination circuit unit 140 from interfering with USB data transfer. Furthermore, removable device 102 can reliably determine whether or not it is attached to arm 300, even when removable device 102 is attached at an angle as shown in FIG. 9.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 is a USB terminal (e.g., D- terminal 134). However, the determination terminal is not limited to a USB terminal. Any terminal that comes into contact with the human body when attached can be used as the determination terminal. For example, if a terminal for communication other than USB or a terminal for charging comes into contact with the human body when the removable device is attached, these terminals can be used as the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section 130.

[0061] In this case, a configuration is made in which connection lines from those terminals used as determination terminals are connected to the VI input port of processing unit 110. Then, if those terminals are not connected to other devices (such as a PC or charger 200), processing unit 110 uses switch unit 180 to connect those terminals to the VO output port of processing unit 110 via determination circuit unit 140 and apply a square wave voltage. In this state, processing unit 110 can determine whether or not the removable device is attached to arm 300 by checking the waveform of the signal detected at the VI input port.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the judging circuit section 140 is a circuit including a capacitor and a resistor, but the configuration of the judging circuit section 140 is not limited to this.

[0063] For example, the determination circuit section 140 may include a touch sensor IC (Integrated Circuit) used to configure a touch sensor. The touch sensor IC (or a circuit board including the same) includes a terminal for connecting a metal pad for detecting a touch, and is configured to connect a determination terminal (e.g., D- terminal 134) of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 to this terminal. Then, the processing section 110 can determine whether or not a human body is in contact with the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section 130 by the touch sensor IC.

[0064] In this case, if the touch sensor IC determines that arm 300 is in contact with the determination terminal of dual-purpose circuit unit 130, processing unit 110 determines that "detachable devices 100, 101, 102 are worn on arm 300." If the touch sensor IC determines that arm 300 is not in contact with the determination terminal of dual-purpose circuit unit 130, processing unit 110 determines that "detachable devices 100, 101, 102 are not worn on arm 300."

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the arm 300 (particularly the wrist) is assumed as the target on which the removable devices 100, 101, 102 are to be worn, but the target is not limited to the arm 300. Any part (e.g., waist, leg, head, face, neck, chest, etc.) can be the target of the wear as long as the determination terminal of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 can be brought into close proximity when the removable devices 100, 101, 102 are worn. In addition, the target of the wear is not limited to a part of the human body, and any object (e.g., metal pipe, wire mesh, reinforcing bar, etc.) can be the target of the wear as long as it is an electrically conductive object.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the predetermined function other than the attachment / detachment determination function of the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 is assumed to be a USB data transfer function and a charging function, but the predetermined function is not limited to these. For example, the dual-purpose circuit unit 130 may have only a charging function or only a data transfer function as a predetermined function other than the attachment / detachment determination function, or these functions may be realized by a terminal other than the USB.

[0067] Each function of the removable devices 100, 101, 102 can be implemented by a computer such as a normal PC. Specifically, in the above embodiment, the program for the removable device 100, 101, 102 to execute the removable device determination process and the like has been described as being stored in advance in the memory of the processing unit 110 or the ROM of the storage unit 120. However, the program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), a memory card, a USB memory, or the like and distributed, and the program may be read and installed in a computer to configure a computer capable of implementing each of the above-mentioned functions.

[0068] Furthermore, the program may be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program may be distributed by posting it on a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication network. The program may then be started and executed under the control of an operating system (OS) in the same manner as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 110 is configured as a microcontroller including a processor, but as long as it has multiple input / output ports, the processing unit 110 may be configured as any processor alone, such as a single processor, a multiprocessor, a multicore processor, etc. Furthermore, the processing unit 110 may be configured by combining any of these processors with a processing circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0070] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present invention includes the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. The inventions described in the original claims of this application are listed below.

[0071] (Appendix 1) a dual-purpose circuit section including a terminal provided so as to be accessible to the target, the dual-purpose circuit section executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the target; a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section and capable of executing the determination function; a processing unit which executes the determination function by cooperation between the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit; A detachable device comprising:

[0072] (Appendix 2) When executing the determination function, the processing unit applying a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section via the determination circuit section; determining whether the device itself is attached to or detached from the target based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage; 13. A detachable device as described in claim 1.

[0073] (Appendix 3) The processing unit includes: determining whether or not the terminal is connected to a device other than the target and the own device based on a voltage applied to the terminal; 10. A detachable device as described in claim 2.

[0074] (Appendix 4) The processing unit includes: determining that the terminal is connected to the other device when the voltage applied to the terminal is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference voltage and the amount of fluctuation in the voltage applied to the terminal is equal to or smaller than a predetermined reference amount of fluctuation; 13. A detachable device as described in appended claim 3.

[0075] (Appendix 5) The processing unit includes: determining whether the terminal is connected to a device other than the target and the own device; when it is determined that the terminal is not connected to the other device, the determination function is executed by cooperation between the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit. 5. A detachable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0076] (Appendix 6) the terminal provided so as to be accessible to the target includes a terminal for data transfer; The processing unit executes the determination function in cooperation with the data transfer terminal and the determination circuit unit. 6. A detachable device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[0077] (Appendix 7) a switch unit for switching whether or not the determination circuit unit is connected to the dual-purpose circuit unit, The processing unit includes: when it is determined that the terminal is not connected to any device other than the target and the own device, the switch unit connects the determination circuit unit to the dual-purpose circuit unit, and the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit cooperate to execute the determination function. 7. A detachable device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

[0078] (Appendix 8) A method for determining whether a removable device is attached or detached, comprising: a dual-purpose circuit section including a terminal provided so as to be accessible to an object, the dual-purpose circuit section executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached or detached to the object; a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section, the determination function being executable; and a processing section, When the processing unit executes the determination function, applying a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section via the determination circuit section; determining whether the device itself is attached to or detached from the target based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage; Method for determining fit / unfit.

[0079] (Appendix 9) A method for determining whether a removable device is attached or detached, comprising: a dual-purpose circuit section including a terminal provided so as to be accessible to an object, the dual-purpose circuit section executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached or detached to the object; a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section, the determination function being executable; and a processing section, The processing unit, determining whether the terminal is connected to a device other than the target and the own device; when it is determined that the terminal is not connected to the other device, the determination function is executed by cooperation between the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit. Method for determining fit / unfit.

[0080] (Appendix 10) A computer for a removable device includes a terminal provided so as to be accessible to an object, and includes a dual-purpose circuit section for executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the object, a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section for enabling the determination function to be executed, and a processing section, applying a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section via the determination circuit section; determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the target based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage; program.

[0081] (Appendix 11) A computer for a removable device includes a terminal provided so as to be accessible to an object, and includes a dual-purpose circuit section for executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the object, a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section for enabling the determination function to be executed, and a processing section, determining whether the terminal is connected to a device other than the target and the own device; when it is determined that the terminal is not connected to the other device, the determination function is executed by cooperation between the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit. program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100, 101, 102...detachable device, 110...processing unit, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115...input / output port, 120...storage unit, 130...combined circuit unit, 131, 132, 133, 134, 211, 212, 213, 214...terminal, 135, 136...connecting line, 140...determination circuit unit, 150...charging unit, 160...display unit, 170...operation unit, 180...switch unit, 190...main unit, 200...charger, 201...charging frame, 230...USB cable, 250...PC, 300...arm, detachable system...1000

Claims

1. a dual-purpose circuit section including a plurality of terminals provided so as to be accessible to the target, the dual-purpose circuit section executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device itself is attached to or detached from the target; a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section and capable of executing the determination function; a switch section that exclusively shorts any one of the plurality of terminals of the dual-purpose circuit section to the determination circuit section; a processing unit which executes the determination function by cooperation between the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit; Equipped with When executing the determination function, the processing unit applying a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section via the determination circuit section; determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the target based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage; A removable device that, when it is determined that the device itself is not attached to the target, switches the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit unit connected to the determination circuit unit from one of the multiple terminals to another terminal by the switch unit.

2. The processing unit includes: determining whether or not the terminal is connected to a device other than the own device based on a voltage applied to the terminal; The removable device of claim 1 .

3. The processing unit includes: determining that the terminal is connected to the other device when the voltage applied to the terminal is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference voltage and the amount of fluctuation in the voltage applied to the terminal is equal to or smaller than a predetermined reference amount of fluctuation; The removable device of claim 2.

4. The processing unit includes: determining whether the terminal is connected to a device other than the own device; when it is determined that the terminal is not connected to the other device, the determination function is executed by cooperation between the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit. A removable device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a switch unit for switching whether or not the determination circuit unit is connected to the dual-purpose circuit unit, The processing unit includes: when it is determined that the terminal is not connected to any other device other than the device itself, the switch unit connects the determination circuit unit to the dual-purpose circuit unit, and the dual-purpose circuit unit and the determination circuit unit cooperate to execute the determination function. A removable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for determining whether a removable device is attached or detached, comprising: a dual-purpose circuit section including a plurality of terminals provided so as to be accessible to an object, the dual-purpose circuit section being configured to execute a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached or detached to the object; a determination circuit section being connected to the dual-purpose circuit section and configured to enable the determination function to be executed; a switch section exclusively shorting any one of the plurality of terminals of the dual-purpose circuit section to the determination circuit section; and a processing section, When the processing unit executes the determination function, applying a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section via the determination circuit section; determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the target based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage; when it is determined that the device itself is not attached to the target, the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit connected to the determination circuit is switched from one of the plurality of terminals to another terminal by the switch unit; Method for determining fit / unfit.

7. a dual-purpose circuit section including a plurality of terminals provided so as to be accessible to an object and for executing a predetermined function other than a determination function for determining whether the device is attached to or detached from the object; a determination circuit section connected to the dual-purpose circuit section and for enabling the determination function to be executed; a switch section for exclusively shorting any one of the plurality of terminals of the dual-purpose circuit section to the determination circuit section; and a processing section, applying a predetermined attachment / detachment determination voltage to the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit section via the determination circuit section; determining whether the device itself is attached to or detached from the target based on a relationship between a voltage from the terminal in a state in which the attachment / detachment determination voltage is applied to the terminal and the attachment / detachment determination voltage; when it is determined that the device itself is not attached to the target, the terminal of the dual-purpose circuit connected to the determination circuit is switched from one of the plurality of terminals to another terminal by the switch unit; program.

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