JP2003143683A - Command entry device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a command entry device with excellent operability and user-friendliness. SOLUTION: An acceleration sensor or the like is incorporated in the command entry device 1 such as an earphone microphone and senses vibration when a user knocks a microphone main body or the body close to a microphone wearing position by a finger 2A or the like. The vibration is continuously produced through continuous knocking and pulses corresponding to the vibration are converted into a simple command such as on-hook or off-hook. Thus, the user can simply enter a command without the need for the user to seek a small button or the like provided to the microphone main body.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a command input device, and more particularly to a command input device used in a device that is attached to a user's body and performs an operation corresponding to an input command.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Mobile phones and PHSs (Personal)
Handheld devices such as the Handyphone System) have rapidly spread in recent years. The housing of this type of mobile device is often provided with a jack terminal for mounting an earphone microphone. By attaching an earphone microphone to this jack terminal, a call or the like can be performed without using an earphone or a microphone as a handset provided in the main body of the mobile device.

There are various types of earphone microphones, but earphone insertion type is the most popular. An ear canal insert type earphone microphone is an insertion part for insertion into an ear canal, a plug for insertion into a jack terminal provided on the housing of a portable device, and a cable for exchanging signals between the insertion part and the plug. It consists of and. A small speaker for outputting voice is provided at the end of the insertion portion, and a receiver with the function of an earphone is realized. Also,
A microphone is provided in a part of the insertion portion, for example, near the connection portion with the cable, and a microphone is realized.

[0004]

For the command input operation to the ear canal insertion type earphone microphone and the like described above, a method of pushing a button provided on the housing with a fingertip is used. However, in this method, it is difficult to find and press the small button after wearing the earphones.
It has the drawback of poor operability. Moreover, since a certain amount of force is required to push the button, the wearing state of the earphone is deviated from the initial position when the button is pushed. For this reason, it has to be returned to the original state when it is attached, which is a disadvantage in that it is inconvenient to use.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and its object is to provide a command input device which is easy to operate and easy to use.

[0006]

A command input device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a command input device for use in a device that performs an operation corresponding to an input command, and a vibration generated by a user of the device itself is generated. It is characterized in that it includes a vibration detecting means for detecting and a converting means for converting the vibration detected by the vibration detecting means into the command, and is mounted on the body of the user.

A command input device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the command input device according to the first aspect, wherein the converting means includes a filter for extracting a specific frequency component contained in the vibration. A command input device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the command input device according to the second aspect, wherein the converting means is a binary code according to the length of the time interval between the pulses for the pulse train of the specific frequency component extracted by the filter. It is characterized by converting to.

A command input device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the command input device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the vibration is caused by an impact directly applied to the housing of the device itself. Characterize. A command input device according to claim 5 of the present invention is the command input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In the paragraph, the vibration is generated by an impact applied to the vicinity of the mounting site of the self device.

A command input device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, at least a part of the own device is mounted near an ear canal. A command input device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, at least a part of the own device is attached near a wrist. In short, in the present invention, the command is input by tapping the device housing (any part may be used) or by tapping a human body part near the housing mounting part. By doing this,
There is no need to search for a small button, so operability is good, and since the device mounting position does not shift due to the pressing operation, it is easy to use. Therefore, it is possible to realize prompt information input in the mobile device.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings referred to in the following description, the same parts as those in the other drawings are designated by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a command input device according to the present invention, in which the command input device is an earphone microphone of a mobile phone.

As shown in FIG. 1, the command input device 1 according to the present embodiment is used by inserting it into the ear canal of the face 20 of the user.
1, a microphone (hereinafter, referred to as a microphone) 12, and a cable 100 provided between a plug inserted in a jack terminal (not shown) of a mobile phone (TEL) 10. In the command input device configured as described above, as described later, the device 1 is operated by the finger 2A or the like.
You can input commands by hitting the case of.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the command input device. In the figure, the command input device of this example includes an acceleration sensor (SN) 13 for detecting a vibration generated by a user, and an acceleration sensor, in addition to the earphone (EARP) 11 and the microphone (MIC) 12 described above. Amplifier (SA) 1 for amplifying the detection output of
4, a bandpass filter (BPF) 15 for extracting a specific frequency component from the amplified detection output, and a comparator (CMP) for converting the output of the bandpass filter 15 into a pulse by comparison with a predetermined level. 16
, A timer (TIM) 17, and a command table (CC that stores and holds commands to be sent to the mobile phone).
B) 18, output of timer 17 and command table 1
8 is referred to, the command generator (C which converts the pulse output from the comparator 16 into a corresponding command).
AM) 19 and the like. It should be noted that each of the above components is provided inside the apparatus housing 1a.

A command input operation using the command input device having the above configuration will be described below. When the housing 1a of the earphone microphone is lightly tapped by the user's finger 2A, the impact acceleration is detected by the acceleration sensor 13. The detected signal is amplified by the sensor amplifier 14, and the band-pass filter 15 selects only the specific frequency component when hit with a finger. In this case, 80 ~
By extracting and using the frequency components near 100 Hz,
Noise caused by motions other than tapping with a finger can be eliminated.

After that, the timing pulse train TY which is converted into one pulse per hitting operation by the comparator 16 and consists of a binary code of "0" or "1".
It is sent to the command generation unit 19 as P. The command generation unit 19 determines the timing of the transmitted pulse train by referring to the pulse output from the timer 17, and determines the command CCM based on the relationship between the timing described in the command table 18 and the command. The determined command CCM is sent to the mobile phone 10.

Next, an example of a method of generating a command from the timing pulse train TYP will be described with reference to FIG. The timing pulse train TYP is generated once for each striking operation, and its pulse width M is constant. The time T1 and the time T2 are time constants for identification, and in this example, T1
1 <T2. The length of this time depends on the timer 17
It can be measured by the output data of. The tapping action is performed,
When one pulse is generated, the length of the time until the next pulse is generated, that is, the time interval between pulses is determined based on the pulse rising time. When the next pulse occurs within T1 hours from the first pulse rising time, it is regarded as "0", the reference time is reset to 0, and the next pulse is waited. Also, from the first pulse rising time, T
When the next pulse occurs within T2 after one hour has passed, it is regarded as "1", the reference time is reset to 0, and the next pulse is waited. If the next pulse does not occur within T2 hours, the pulse train analysis is terminated.

By the above method, the code sequence of "0" and "1" can be formed like Morse code by using the pulse generation time intervals. Unlike the Morse code, the final code of the code string generated by this method is always "1". Referring to FIG. 3A, since the second pulse P2 is not generated within T2 time after the first pulse P1 is generated, it is converted into the final code “1”. Also,
Referring to FIG. 3B, since the second pulse P2 is generated within T1 time after the first pulse P1 is generated, it is regarded as "0". After that, since the next pulse has not been generated within the time T2, the final code "1" is added and converted to "01".

Further, referring to FIG. 2C, since the second pulse P2 has been generated within T2 time after the first pulse P1 has been generated and T1 time has elapsed, it is regarded as "1". Be done. After that, since the next pulse is not generated within the time T2, the final code "1" is added and converted to "11". Similarly, referring to FIG. 3D, the time from the first pulse P1 to the second pulse P2 is within T1 time, and from the second pulse P2 to the third pulse P3 is T
Within 1 hour, within T2 hours, within 3 hours from the third pulse P3 to the fourth pulse P4 within T1 hours, and within the fourth pulse P4
To the fifth pulse P5 within T2 time after T1 time has elapsed, and the next pulse has not occurred within T2 time after the fifth pulse P5. Therefore, the final code “1” is added and converted to “01011”.

The keystroke command obtained as described above,
That is, the code string of “0” and “1” is converted into the transmission command CCM by referring to the table 18. When this transmission command CCM is sent to the mobile phone 10,
A predetermined operation is performed in the mobile phone 10. An example of the operation command is shown in FIG. The operation command, in order to avoid ambient noise and malfunction due to normal operation,
Some length is required. However, for those whose use situation is clear, such as numbers on the dial, it is possible to improve operability by using a short command.

In this embodiment, the command "1101" is assigned as off-hook and the command "0101" is assigned as on-hook. Therefore, if the apparatus housing or the like is struck so that the intervals of the three pulses are within T2 time after T1 time, within T2 time after T1 time, and within T1 time, "1" is finally displayed. It is added to generate the code string “1101”. When this code string “1101” is sent to the mobile phone, the mobile phone goes off-hook.

Similarly, if the apparatus casing is struck such that the intervals of the three pulses are within T1 time, within T1 time, within T2 time, and within T1 time, "1" is added at the end. , The code string “0101” is generated. This code string "0
When "101" is sent to the mobile phone, the mobile phone goes on-hook. Although the pulse width M is constant in this example, it is possible to generate a more complicated command by detecting the strength of the hitting motion and giving different pulse widths, by using the strength of the hitting motion.

Here, a method of generating a keystroke command will be further described with reference to FIG. The figure is a flowchart showing the process of generating a command from a pulse train. In the figure, it is in a waiting state until a pulse is input by an input operation such as hitting the housing (step S501), and if the next pulse is input within T1 time from the first pulse, it is regarded as "0". (Steps S502 → S503).
On the other hand, if the next pulse is input within T2 after a lapse of T1 time from the first pulse, it is considered as "1" (steps S502 → S504 → S505). By repeating the above processing, the input interval between the pulses is replaced with the code of "0" or "1".

If the next pulse is not input even after T2 time has elapsed from the first pulse, "1" is added to the end to determine the pulse code (step S504 → S).
506). By configuring the command input device as described above, you can control the telephone by hitting any part of the entire device housing, searching for and pressing the small button provided on the device housing as in the past. There is no need to do it. Therefore, the wearing state of the earphone does not deviate from the initial position, which is convenient.

In this embodiment, the casing 1a is directly touched with a fingertip.
In addition to this, the input can also be performed by lightly tapping the cheekbone 2B, which is the portion near the portion where the earphone microphone is attached, the bone behind the ear, the temple, the nose, the jaw, etc., with the fingertip. Also in this case, noise can be eliminated by appropriately selecting the constant of the bandpass filter 15 according to each input method. Often 8
It is effective to use a component near 0 to 100 Hz.

In this embodiment, an ear canal insertion type earphone microphone is used, but it is obvious that the present invention can be widely applied to a device worn on the body of a user. That is, it may be an ear-hook type that is attached to the auricle or a type that is installed on the head or neck with a band like headphones. Further, in addition to the input operation using the fingertip, the acceleration sensor 13 may detect impact acceleration generated by repetitive operations such as an operation of meshing teeth. In this case, the operation of engaging the teeth 2C
The vibration generated by is transmitted through the jaw and the skull, and is detected by the acceleration sensor 13. In this case, the pass frequency of the bandpass filter 15 is 600 to
By setting it near 650 Hz, detection can be performed efficiently. With the above configuration, a hands-free input operation can be realized.

In addition to the operation of a mobile phone or a voice recorder as an earphone / microphone, a combination with an eyeglass-type information terminal device or the like is possible. Also in this case, vibration caused by a shock applied directly to the housing of the device or the vicinity of the mounting position of the device (around the ear canal or temple)
The vibration generated by the impact given to the device may be detected by the acceleration sensor and converted into a command. Furthermore, a combination with a wristwatch type or a ring type information terminal is also conceivable. Even in this case, the acceleration sensor detects the vibration caused by the impact applied directly to the housing of the device and the vibration caused by the impact applied near the mounting site of the device (near the wrist or the arm) to the command. Just convert it. It is obvious that the present invention can be widely applied to command input devices used for other devices.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, the vibration generated by the user is detected, and the detected vibration is converted into a command and output, so that the operability and the usability are good. There is an effect that a command input device can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment showing a usage example of a command input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a command input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of processing for generating a command from a pulse train.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between pulse trains and commands.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of generating a command from a pulse train according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Command input device 1a housing 10 mobile phones 11 earphones 12 microphones 13 Accelerometer 14 sensor amplifier 15 bandpass filter 16 comparator 17 timer 18 Command table 19 Command generator 100 cables

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A command input device for use in a device that performs an operation corresponding to a command to be input, the vibration detecting means detecting vibration generated by a user of the device, and the vibration detected by the vibration detecting means. And a conversion means for converting the command into the command, and the command input device is mounted on the body of the user. 2. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means includes a filter for extracting a specific frequency component included in the vibration. 3. The conversion means converts the pulse train of the specific frequency component extracted by the filter into a binary code according to the length of the time interval between the pulses. Command input device. 4. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is generated by an impact applied directly to a housing of the device itself. 5. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is generated by an impact applied near a mounting portion of the device itself. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the device itself is mounted near an ear canal.
The command input device according to item. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the device itself is mounted near a wrist.
The command input device according to item.