INFORMATION EQUIPMENT FOR DETECTING FALL

• US 20090287449A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Nagashima, Fumio
• Granted Patent: US 8,024,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/043 by detecting a free-fall condition

Abstract

Acceleration is detected by an acceleration sensor in information equipment and information of detected acceleration is compared with a threshold value. Then, if the information of the detected acceleration is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the information equipment is in a weightless condition.

Claims

1. Information equipment, comprising:

an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration;

a storage device for storing information of detected acceleration; and

a process device for comparing the information of the detected acceleration with a threshold value, determining that the information equipment is in a weightless condition if the information of the detected acceleration is equal to or less than the threshold value and recording a determination result in the storage device.

2. The information equipment according to claim 1, wherein

the process device determines that the information equipment is in the weightless condition when a state where the information of the detected acceleration is equal to or less than the threshold value continues for a certain time.

3. The information equipment according to claim 1, further comprising

an audio input device for obtaining audio information, wherein

the process device activates the audio input device when determining that the information equipment is in the weightless condition, determines whether there has been shock on the basis of the obtained audio information and recording shock detection information in the storage device if the process device determines that there has been shock.

4. The information equipment according to claim 3, wherein

the process device estimates a maximum acceleration from an audio waveform indicated the audio information and determines that there has been shock if the maximum acceleration is equal to or more than a threshold value.

5. The information equipment according to claim 3, further comprising

an imaging device for taking a motion picture, wherein

the process device activates the imaging device when determining that the information equipment is in the weightless condition, and records the motion picture in the storage device;

6. The information equipment according to claim 1, further comprising

an imaging device for taking a motion picture, wherein

the process device activates the imaging device when determining that the information equipment is in the weightless condition, and records the motion picture in the storage device.

7. A detection method for detecting a weightless condition of information equipment, comprising:

detecting acceleration by an acceleration sensor in the information equipment; and

recording information of detected acceleration;

comparing the information of the detected acceleration with a threshold value and determining that the information equipment is in the weightless condition if the information of the detected acceleration is equal to or less than the threshold value.

8. Information equipment, comprising:

acceleration sensor means for detecting acceleration;

storage means for storing information of detected acceleration; and

process means for comparing the information of the detected acceleration with a threshold value, determining that the information equipment is in a weightless condition if the information of the detected acceleration is equal to or less than the threshold value and recording a determination result in the storage device.