Patent Publication Number: US-2019187950-A1

Title: Electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2017-242426, filed Dec. 19, 2017, and Japanese Application No. 2018-207865, filed Nov. 5, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a wearable type electronic device which is worn on a human body. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, for example, a wearable type electronic device which is worn on a human body such as an arm or the like appears. In such a wearable type electronic device, when a user wears the electronic device on the human body, it is very convenient that power automatically becomes ON. For example, in a mobile device, there is an invention which controls ON/OFF of a back light with using a proximity sensor and an acceleration sensor (for example, see JP 2013-232804 A). 
     However, in the conventional wearable type electronic devices, when the electronic device is worn on the human body, there is not electronic devices which are automatically powered ON. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electronic device comprising: a first sensor which detects motion; a second sensor which detects proximity; and a controller which sets power of the electronic device ON when the electronic device is in a stand-by state, the first sensor detects motion and the second sensor detects proximity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating appearance of a wearable speaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a constitution of a wearable speaker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating operation of an acceleration sensor and so on. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a transition state of power of the wearable speaker. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a constitution of a wearable speaker according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a transition state of power of the wearable speaker. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device which is automatically powered ON when the electronic device is worn on the human body. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating appearance of a wearable speaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the wearable speaker  1  (electronic device) includes an almost U shape type enclosure  8  and is worn on a neck of a user. Namely, the wearable speaker  1  is a wearable type speaker which is worn on the neck of the user. For example, the enclosure  8  is made of resin. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a constitution of a wearable speaker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The wearable speaker  1  performs wireless communication with a smartphone  101  according to Bluetooth (registered trademark) (hereinafter referred as to “BT”) standard. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wearable speaker  1  includes an SoC  2  (System on Chip)  2 , an amplifier  3 , speaker units  4  and  5 , an acceleration sensor  6 , a proximity sensor  7  and so on. 
     The SoC  2  (controller) has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a memory and so on, and controls respective section composing the wearable speaker  1 . Further, the SoC  2  has a BT communication function and performs BT wireless communication with the smartphone  101 . For example, the SoC  2  receives an audio signal from the smartphone  101 . The SoC  2  outputs the audio signal which is received from the smartphone  101  to the amplifier  3 . 
     The audio signal of I2S system is output to the amplifier  3  from the SoC  2 . The amplifier  3  amplifies the audio signal and outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker units  4  and  5 . An L channel audio signal is output to the speaker unit  4 . An R channel audio signal is output to the speaker unit  5 . The speaker units  4  and  5  output an audio based on the audio signal to external. In this manner, the wearable speaker  1  reproduces audio based on the audio signal which is output from the smartphone  101 . 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating operation of the acceleration sensor and so on. The acceleration sensor  6  (first sensor) detects motion of the wearable speaker  1 . For example, the acceleration sensor  6  is provided at any one of distal sides of the almost U shape enclosure  8  and in the enclosure  8 . The acceleration sensor  6  is a three axis acceleration sensor. A threshold of the acceleration sensor  6  which detects motion can be set, and the SoC  2  sets the threshold. Even when power of the wearable speaker  1  is ON or OFF, the acceleration sensor  6  waits in a low electric power consumption state. When acceleration which exceeds the threshold occurs, the acceleration sensor  6  generates event pulse. For example, when the user takes up the wearable speaker  1  putted on a table or the like, acceleration not less than the threshold occurs, and the acceleration sensor  6  detects motion. In other words, the acceleration sensor  6  detects action that the user takes up the wearable speaker  1 . Electric power consumption of the acceleration sensor  6  is less than the proximity sensor  7 . When the threshold is exceeded by change of acceleration, the acceleration sensor  6  detects motion of the wearable speaker  1 . 
     The proximity sensor  7  (second sensor) detects proximity of an object such as clothes or the like or a part of the human body such as a neck or the like. In a state that the wearable speaker  1  is hanged on the neck, the proximity sensor  7  is provided at a position which faces to the neck and in the enclosure  8 . The proximity sensor  7  is a reflection type optical proximity sensor, flashes infrared rays, and detects proximity of the object or the like by reflected rays. A threshold of the proximity sensor  7  which detects proximity can be set, and the SoC  2  sets the threshold. For example, when the user wears the wearable speaker  1  on the neck, the neck comes close to the proximity sensor  7 . For this reason, the proximity sensor  7  detects proximity of the neck. In other words, the proximity sensor  7  detects a state that the user wears the wearable speaker  1  on the neck. Further, electric power consumption of the proximity sensor  7  is more than the acceleration sensor  6 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a transition state of power of the wearable speaker. Second sleep corresponds to a stand-by state of the wearable speaker  1  and is in a state that the wearable speaker  1  operates in low electric consumption. In the second sleep, only the acceleration sensor  6  is ON, and the others are in a sleep state. For example, the acceleration sensor  6  operates every second (intermittent operation). In the second sleep (when the wearable speaker  1  is in a stand-by state), when the acceleration sensor  6  does not detect motion, the wearable speaker  1  is still in the second sleep. In the second sleep, when the acceleration sensor  6  detects motion, the SoC  2  transits the wearable speaker  1  to first sleep. Namely, the SoC  2  sets the proximity sensor  7  ON, performs setting that the proximity sensor  7  operates every second, and sleeps. In the first sleep, the acceleration sensor  6  and the proximity sensor  7  operate every second. 
     In the first sleep, when the proximity sensor  7  does not detect proximity, the wearable speaker  1  is still in the first sleep. In the first sleep, when the proximity sensor  7  detects proximity, interrupt is applied to the SoC  2 , and the SoC  2  becomes an operation state. Namely, the SoC  2  sets power of the wearable speaker  1  ON. After the SoC  2  sets power of the wearable speaker  1  ON, the SoC  2  performs wireless connection (BT) with the smartphone  101  (the other device) that pairing is set. When power of the wearable speaker  1  is ON and the proximity sensor  7  detects proximity, power of the wearable speaker  1  is still ON. 
     When power of the wearable speaker  1  is ON and the proximity sensor  7  does not detect proximity in a predetermined time, the SoC  2  transits the wearable speaker  1  to the first sleep (time out). In the first sleep, when the proximity sensor  7  does not detect proximity in a predetermined time, the SoC  2  transits the wearable speaker  1  to the second sleep. 
     Herein, in “stand-by state”, the wearable speaker  1  energizes and is in a low electric power consumption mode, and the SoC  2  (controller) operates with low clock (corresponding to the second sleep). Further, in a state of “power ON of the wearable speaker  1 ”, the wearable speaker  1  energizes and is in a normal mode, and the SoC  2  (controller) operates with normal clock. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, when the wearable speaker  1  is in the stand-by state (second sleep), the acceleration sensor  6  detects motion, and the proximity sensor  7  detects proximity, the SoC  2  sets power of the wearable speaker  1  an ON state. When the wearable speaker  1  is in the stand-by state and the user takes up the wearable speaker  1  which is putted on a table or the like, motion is detected by the acceleration sensor  6 . Further, when the user wears the wearable speaker  1  on the neck, proximity of the human body (for example, the neck which is a part of the human body) is detected by the proximity sensor  7 . Thus, when the wearable speaker  1  is in the stand-by state, the SoC  2  sets power of the wearable speaker  1  ON. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the wearable speaker  1  is worn on the human body, power of the wearable speaker  1  can be automatically set ON. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, when the wearable speaker  1  is in the stand-by state, the proximity sensor  7  is OFF, and the acceleration sensor  6  detects motion, the SoC  2  sets the proximity sensor  7  ON. In this manner, when the wearable speaker  1  is in the stand-by state, electric power consumption can be reduced by setting the proximity sensor  7  in which electric power consumption is large OFF. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, after the SoC  2  sets power of the wearable speaker  1  ON, the SoC  2  performs wireless connection (BT) with the smartphone  101 . Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the wearable speaker  1  is worn on the human body, wireless connection with the smartphone  101  can be automatically performed. 
     Further, when the user removes the wearable speaker  1  from the neck (human body), proximity of the human body (for example, the neck which is a part of the human body) is not detected by the proximity sensor  7 . Thus, when power of the wearable speaker  1  is ON, the SoC  2  sets the wearable speaker  1  the stand-by state. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the wearable speaker  1  is removed from the neck (human body), the wearable speaker  1  can be automatically set to the stand-by state. Thus, electric power consumption in a case where the wearable speaker  1  is not used can be reduced. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present disclosure is described below. In the second embodiment, with regard to the same constitution as the first embodiment, description is omitted. 
     In the first embodiment, two kinds of sleep modes (the first sleep and the second sleep) are generated by using the acceleration sensor  6  (motion sensor) and the proximity sensor  7 . However, in the first embodiment, when the wearable speaker  1  in a soft bag or the like is carried, it is thought that motion and proximity are detected and the wearable speaker  1  becomes ON. In order to avoid this, it is thought that a hard case is attached to the wearable speaker  1  and proximity is not detected in the case. In the second embodiment, as a trigger that power of the wearable speaker becomes ON, voice is added. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a constitution of a wearable speaker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the wearable speaker  201  includes a BT speaker sub system  202  and a sensor sub system  203 . The BT speaker system  202  performs wireless communication with a smartphone (not shown) according to BT standard and outputs an audio to external. The sensor sub system  203  includes a sensor  204  for setting power of the wearable speaker  201  ON. 
     The BT speaker sub system  202  includes a main processor  205 , an amplifier  206 , a speaker unit  207 , a power button  208 , and so on. The main processor  205  has an antenna  209  and performs wireless communication with the smartphone according to BT standard. For example, the main processor  205  receives an audio signal from the smartphone. The main processor  205  outputs the audio signal of I2S system to the amplifier  206 . The amplifier  206  amplifies the audio signal which is output from the main processor  205  and outputs the amplified signal to the speaker unit  207 . The speaker units  207  outputs the audio to external based on the audio signal. The power button  208  is a button for receiving power ON/OFF of the wearable speaker  201 . 
     The sensor subsystem  203  includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor)  210 , the sensor  204 , a microphone  211  and so on. The DSP  210  (controller) recognizes trigger voice (predetermined voice). The microphone  211  collects the audio. The audio which is collected by the microphone  211  is output to the DSP  210 . The sensor  204  has an acceleration sensor  212  and a proximity sensor  213 . The acceleration sensor  212  (first sensor) detects motion of the wearable speaker  1 . The proximity sensor  213  (second sensor) detects proximity of object such as clothes or the like or a part of the human body such as the neck. 
     Power supply voltage from a battery  214  is supplied to the BT speaker sub system  202  and the sensor sub system  203  via switching regulators  215  and  216 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a transition state of power of the wearable speaker  201 . In the second sleep, when the acceleration sensor  6  does not detect motion, the wearable speaker  1  is still in the second sleep. In the second sleep (the wearable speaker is in a stationary state), when the user takes up the wearable speaker  201 , the acceleration sensor  6  detects motion and the DSP  210  transits the wearable speaker  201  to the first sleep. When the wearable speaker  201  is transited to the first sleep, the proximity sensor  213  begins sensing of a proximity state. 
     In the first sleep, when the proximity sensor  213  does not detect proximity, the wearable speaker  201  is still in the first sleep. In the first sleep, when the user wears the wearable speaker  201  on the neck, the proximity sensor  213  detects proximity and the DSP  210  transits the wearable speaker  201  to third sleep (sleep V). In the third sleep, the DSP  210  becomes a waiting state of voice input. In the third sleep, when the user speaks trigger voice (hot word), the DSP  210  recognizes the trigger voice and sets power of the wearable speaker  201  ON. In this time, the DSP  210  sets the main processor  205  ON. The main processor  205  begins connection with a paired device (for example, the smartphone). 
     When there is not the paired device, the main processor  205  only becomes ON and the wearable speaker  201  cannot connect to the device. When it is not possible to connect to the device (in vendor shipment where any device is not paired or the like), a signal which corresponds to long press of the power button is output, and the wearable speaker  201  automatically transits to a pairing mode. When the wearable speaker  201  cannot connect to the device, the wearable speaker  201  returns to the third sleep. The trigger voice is preferably voice for power ON, but may be voice which enables a voice recognition function. 
     Power of the BT speaker sub system  202  including the main processor  205  can be set ON or OFF by the power button  208  or control from the sensor sub system  203 . When power of the BT speaker sub system  202  becomes ON, power of the sensor sub system  203  also becomes ON. Even if power of the BT speaker sub system  202  becomes OFF, power of the sensor sub system  203  can be maintained to ON by control from the sensor sub system  203 , and in this state, three kinds of sleep modes (the second sleep, the first sleep, and the sleep V) operate. 
     Control of the sensor sub system  203  is performed by the DSP  210 , and the DSP  210  monitors voice input from the microphone  211  and performs activation of the BT speaker sub system  202  by voice. In a state where the BT speaker sub system  202  activates, the DSP  210  monitors voice input, and when the DSP  210  detects the trigger voice, notifies it to the main processor  205 , and sends a subsequent voice command by a communication means such as UART or the like. 
     Next, operation of the DSP  210  in the sleepmode is described. The DSP  210  senses that power of the main processor side is turned off by a Power mon signal, and becomes the sleep mode when power is turned off. The DSP  210  performs a state transition between sleep modes based on an event (interrupt signal) from the sensor  204  (the acceleration sensor  212  and the proximity sensor  213 ). In a waiting state of voice input, when there is voice input (trigger voice) of power ON, the DSP  210  generates a signal for activating the main processor  205 . When the main processor  205  activates, the sleep mode ends. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the DSP  210  sets power of the wearable speaker  201  ON when the wearable speaker  201  is in the stand-by state, the acceleration sensor  212  detects motion, the proximity sensor  213  detects proximity, and the DSP  210  recognizes predetermined voice. Thus, even if the acceleration sensor  212  erroneously detects motion and the proximity sensor  213  erroneously detects proximity, it is prevented that power of the wearable speaker  201  becomes ON. 
     The embodiment of the present disclosure is described above, but the mode to which the present disclosure is applicable is not limited to the above embodiment and can be suitably varied without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as illustrated below. 
     In the above described embodiment, the SoC  2  controls the acceleration sensor  6  and the proximity sensor  7 , and performs ON/OFF of the proximity sensor  7  based on detection of motion by the acceleration sensor  6  and power control and the like of the wearable speaker  1  based on detection of motion by the acceleration sensor  6  and detection of proximity by the proximity sensor  7 . Not limited to this, a microcomputer which is different from the SoC  2  or the like may control the above described control and in cooperation with the microcomputer or the like and the SoC  2 , the above described control may be performed. 
     In the above described embodiment, as a wearable type electronic device which is worn on the human body, the wearable speaker  1  which is worn on the neck is illustrated. Not limited to this, the electronic device may be a watch type wearable type electronic device which is worn on an arm. Further, the electronic device may be a wearable type electronic device of a headset, an earphone, or a headphone which is worn on an ear. 
     In the above described embodiment, as a sensor (first sensor) which detects motion, the acceleration sensor  6  is illustrated. Not limited to this, the sensor may be the other sensor which detects motion. Further, as a sensor (second sensor) which detects proximity, the proximity sensor  7  is illustrated. Not limited to this, the sensor may be the other sensor such as an illuminance sensor which detects proximity. 
     In the above described embodiment, the DSP  210  sets power of the wearable speaker  201  ON when the wearable speaker  201  is in the stand-by state, the acceleration sensor  212  detects motion, the proximity sensor  213  detects proximity, and the DSP  210  recognizes the predetermined voice. Not limited to this, the wearable speaker may include a sensor and a controller which sets power of the wearable speaker ON when the wearable speaker is in a stand-by state, the sensor detects, the controller recognizes predetermined voice. For example, the sensor is an acceleration sensor which detects motion, a proximity sensor which detects proximity or the like. In this case, even if the sensor performs erroneous detection, it is prevented that power of the wearable speaker becomes ON. 
     The present disclosure can be suitably employed in a wearable type electronic device which is worn on a human body.