Patent ID: 7356437
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: G01P,G11B

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: an acceleration detecting part which detects an acceleration generated in the information processing apparatus; a storage part which stores history information based on information detected by the acceleration detecting part; and a control part which executes a determination process whether the information processing apparatus is in a falling state based on information detected by the acceleration detecting part and history information stored in the storage part, wherein the control part is configured to execute: a first determination process which determines whether the information processing apparatus is in a zero gravity state based on information detected by the acceleration detecting part; and a second determination process which executes a determination process whether the information processing apparatus is in the falling state by applying acceleration detection information in the past about the information processing apparatus based on history information stored in the storage part when it is determined that the information processing apparatus is in the zero gravity state in the first determination process, wherein for the second determination process, the control part is configured to acquire acceleration detection information from the storage part for a period right before a period that the information processing apparatus reaches the zero gravity state, to execute a determination process whether a force equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is applied to the information processing apparatus in a period before the information processing apparatus reaches the zero gravity state based on the acceleration detection information in the period, and to determine whether the information processing apparatus is in the falling state based on the determination result.