JP2953436B2 - Electronic device provided with light beam type input device and proximity warning method in electronic device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an electronic apparatus having an optical input apparatus for measuring a distance between an optical input apparatus and an electronic apparatus body and issuing a warning when the distance is short. In the proximity warning method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electronic device such as a home video game machine, an electronic device such as a video game machine main body is used to increase a degree of freedom of a position of a person who operates an input device such as a controller for inputting operation contents. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device provided with a wireless controller unit for performing operation content input to an apparatus main body by infrared communication.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of such a conventional home video game machine, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing only the video game machine main body and a controller section. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a television game machine, 2 denotes a controller for a wireless television game machine, and 3 denotes a television monitor. The TV game machine main unit 1 and the TV game machine controller unit 2 include infrared transmission / reception units 4 and 5, respectively, and data transmission / reception is performed via the infrared transmission / reception units 4 and 5.
A video output for displaying a game screen, which is an execution content of the TV game machine main body 1, is transmitted from the TV game machine main body 1 to the TV monitor 3.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the home video game machine shown in FIGS.

First, FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the controller section 2. In step S1, it is determined whether or not a button operation of the controller section 2 has been performed. Button data is created, and if the determination is negative, the process directly proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the transmission data is transmitted, and in step S4, the controller unit 2
Wait for the timer built in the timer to expire, and when the timer expires, reset the timer in step S5 and return to step S1. As a result, data is transmitted from the controller unit 2 every predetermined time (regardless of whether or not a button is operated).

Next, FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the video game machine main unit 1, and is shown in step S6.
Waits for data reception from the controller 2, and if data is received, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether or not the received data includes button data. If the determination is affirmative, the button data is reflected on the game machine main body 1 in step S8, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S6.

[0007]

However, the prior art has the following problems.

That is, when the wireless controller unit 2 is used, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the position of the operating person increases. However, in this case, if the controller unit (operating person) 2 is at a position where it can be operated, it will be an extreme story, that is, wherever it is. If you become enthusiastic, you may just come close to the TV monitor 3. It is said that long-term operation at a position close to the TV monitor 3 causes a decrease in visual acuity, but there has been a problem that no countermeasure has been taken against it, in particular.

In a television receiver, a personal computer, or the like, a distance sensor is provided on the side of the television receiver or the like, and a warning signal is issued when a viewer or the like approaches a certain distance or less. (JP-A-62-2
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 21280, JP-A-3-187687), when this is applied to a home video game machine,
Special components such as a distance sensor are required, which causes an increase in cost.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus having an optical input device capable of inexpensively realizing a function to warn of the approach of an operator and an electronic apparatus. It is to provide a proximity warning method in an electronic device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is to provide a light input device having first transmitting means for transmitting an operation light signal corresponding to an inputted operation content, and an operation light from the light input device. An electronic device comprising: an electronic device main body having first receiving means for receiving a signal; and a display device for displaying an execution content of the electronic device main body, wherein the electronic device main body has a distance in response to reception of an operation light signal. The optical input device includes a second transmitting unit that transmits a measuring light signal, a second receiving unit that receives a distance measuring light signal from the electronic apparatus main body, a transmission timing of the operation light signal, and a distance measurement. Distance measuring means for measuring the distance between the light beam type input device and the electronic device main body from the time difference from the reception timing of the light beam signal for use, and a case where the distance measurement result by the distance measuring means is shorter than a predetermined minimum distance. And a third transmitting means for transmitting a warning light signal, further electronic apparatus body includes a third receiving means for receiving a warning light signal from the light input device to,
An electronic apparatus having a light beam type input device, comprising: display control means for displaying a warning screen on a display device in response to receiving a warning light signal.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a home video game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a video game machine main body, and 11 denotes a video game machine controller. The video game machine main body 10 and the controller 11 transmit and receive data by infrared transmission / reception units 12 and 13 provided respectively. Do.

In the case of the configuration according to the present embodiment, the controller section 11 transmits and receives distance check data in addition to the original video game console operation data. Upon receiving the data, the game machine body 10 performs conventional processing on the operation data for the video game machine, and transmits the distance check data to the controller 11 as it is. When the controller unit 11 receives this data, the time required for data transmission and reception can be calculated.

However, since the time for one data transmission / reception using the wireless controller unit 11 is insignificant, the data transmission / reception time is measured for a certain number of times or more. Then, when data transmission / reception is performed a certain number of times or more, the time required for the data transmission and sample data (the time required for data transmission / reception between the main body and the controller unit (eg, 3 m) for a certain number of times (eg, 10,000 times)) If the data transmission / reception time is shorter than the sample data, the warning data is transmitted to the game machine body 10. Upon receiving the warning data, the game machine body 10 causes a monitor (display device) (not shown) to display a warning screen previously stored in a storage medium such as a memory.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 and the timing chart of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the controller unit 11. First, when the power is turned on, variables S and T are reset in step S11. In step S12, it is determined whether or not a button operation of the controller unit 11 has been performed. If the determination is affirmative, button data is created in step S13. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S14. Since the controller unit 11 is usually provided with a plurality of buttons,
The button data is composed of a combination of pulses as shown in FIG. 4, and unique button data is predetermined for each button.

In step S14, transmission data is created. The transmission data includes controller ID data, button data, and distance check data as shown in FIG. Controller ID data is 1
In some cases, a plurality of controller units 11 are connected to one game machine main body 10. Therefore, the plurality of controller units 11 are configured by a combination of pulses so that data unique to each of the controller units 11 connected to the same game machine 10. You. The distance check data is data for checking a distance between the game machine body 10 and the controller unit 11 as described later, and is one pulse in the illustrated example. Therefore, when there is a button operation, transmission data including the button data is created and transmitted as shown in FIGS. As shown in f), transmission data not including the button data is created and transmitted. In step S15, the transmission data created in step S14 is transmitted.

In step S16, the timer 2 built in the infrared transmitting / receiving unit 13 starts counting time. In step S17, data reception from the game machine main body 10 is waited. When data is received, the process proceeds to step S18, and the counting of the timer 2 is terminated.
The count time of the timer 2 at 18 is added to a variable S indicating the total number of data transmission / reception times.

In step S20, a variable T indicating the number of times of data transmission / reception is set to the number of times of transmission / reception Tmax necessary for proximity warning determination.
(Example: 10,000 times) is determined, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S21, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S21, the variable S is
Sample data (approximately 10,000 times between the main unit and the controller (example: 3 m))
It is determined whether or not the time is longer than or equal to Smax. If the determination is affirmative, warning data is transmitted and the variable T is reset in step S22. Proceed to S23.

In step S23, the variable T is incremented. In step S24, the infrared transmitting / receiving unit 13
Wait for the timer 1 built in the timer to time out, and in step S25, reset the timer 1 and return to step S12. It is preferable that the time-up time of the timer 1 be set to such a short time that the operator does not feel stress during continuous input.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the game machine body 10. First, in step S31, data reception from the controller unit 11 is waited, and when there is data reception, transmission data is transmitted in step S32. This transmission data is composed of controller ID data + distance check data as shown in FIG. In step S33, it is determined whether or not the received data includes button data. If the received data includes button data, the button data is reflected on the game machine body 10 in step S34. Then step S3
At 5, it is determined whether or not warning data is included. If warning data is included, a warning screen display is commanded to a monitor (not shown) in step S36.

The home video game machine according to the embodiment is configured as described above, and has the following effects.

That is, when the conventional video game machine is operated, the minimum distance between the television monitor and the person operating the video game machine is unclear to the user, which is harmful. Vision loss due to time manipulation), but by being displayed on the screen,
Users can easily recognize.

In order to perform such processing, a special component (distance sensor or the like) has been required in the past. However, an infrared transmitting / receiving unit often used in the current wireless controller unit has been used. If there is, as a part of the user interface, the processing is performed by software, so that the cost as a product can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a preferable one in applying the present invention.

As an example, in the above-described embodiment, the signal is transmitted from the controller unit 11 every predetermined time. However, the signal transmission may be started only when a button or the like of the controller unit 11 is operated. Good. In this way, power can be saved. In particular, since the wireless controller is driven by a battery, the power saving effect is great.

Although the above-described embodiment has been applied to a home video game machine, the present invention is not limited to this, but can be applied to an electronic device such as a personal computer having a wireless input device.

Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-mentioned constituent members are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but can be set to suitable numbers, positions, shapes, etc. for implementing the present invention.

[0030]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, if there is a light beam transmission / reception unit often used in current wireless input devices, the process of warning the operator's proximity can be performed by software, so that the cost as a product can be suppressed, and the proximity of the operator can be reduced. The warning function can be realized at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a home video game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a controller unit according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the game machine main body of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating an infrared transmission / reception method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional home video game machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main body and a controller of a conventional home video game machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a conventional controller unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a conventional game machine main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 10 Game console body 2, 11 Controller unit 3 TV monitor 4, 5, 12, 13 Infrared transmitting / receiving unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ identification symbol FI H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301E 311 311U (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 5/00 H04N 5/38-5/46 H04N 7/18 H04Q 9/00 A63F 9/22

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light beam input device having a first transmitting means for transmitting an operation light signal corresponding to an input operation content, and a first receiving means receiving an operation light signal from the light beam input device. An electronic device comprising: an electronic device main body having: and a display device for displaying an execution content of the electronic device main body, wherein the electronic device main body transmits a distance measurement light signal in response to receiving the operation light signal. A second transmission unit that receives a distance measurement light signal from the electronic device main body; a transmission timing of the operation light signal; and the distance measurement light. A distance measuring means for measuring a distance between the light beam input device and the electronic device main body from a time difference from a signal reception timing; and a distance measurement result by the distance measuring means being a predetermined maximum value. And a third transmitting means for transmitting a warning light signal if a shorter distance, further wherein the electronic equipment body, the third to receive the warning light signal from the light input device
An electronic device comprising a light beam type input device, comprising: a receiving means for receiving a warning light signal; and a display control means for displaying a warning screen on the display device in response to receiving the warning light signal. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation light signal, the distance measuring light signal, and the warning light signal are all infrared signals. 3. The distance measuring means measures the distance between the light beam input device and the electronic device main body a plurality of times and sums the results, and the third transmitting means calculates the sum of the distances. 3. An electronic apparatus comprising a light beam type input device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether a warning light signal is transmitted based on a distance measurement result. 4. An electronic device for receiving an operation light signal corresponding to an input operation content transmitted from a light beam type input device in an electronic device main body and displaying an execution content of the electronic device main body on a display device. A proximity warning method, comprising: transmitting a distance measurement light signal from the electronic device main body in response to receiving the operation light signal; and Receiving at the device, measuring a distance between the light beam type input device and the electronic device main body from a time difference between a transmission timing of the operation light beam signal and a reception timing of the distance measuring light beam signal; Sending a warning light signal from the light input device if the result is less than a predetermined minimum distance; and a warning light signal from the light input device. The received in the electronic device body, the proximity warning method in an electronic device, characterized in that it comprises a step of displaying a warning screen on the display device in response to reception of the warning light signal. 5. The proximity warning method for an electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the operation light signal, the distance measuring light signal, and the warning light signal are all infrared signals. 6. The distance measuring step includes a step of measuring a distance between the light beam input device and the electronic device main body a plurality of times and summing up the results. 6. The proximity warning method for an electronic device according to claim 4, further comprising a step of determining whether a warning light signal is transmitted based on the distance measurement result.