JP2006072516A - Input support device, and cellular phone incorporating the input support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an excellent input support device capable of inputting precise information with good operability, and a cellular phone incorporating the input support device. <P>SOLUTION: The input support device 1 comprises an attitude detection part 1a detecting a yaw angle, a roll angle and a pitch angle that are rotating angles around three axes which are mutually orthogonal; a switch circuit part 1b for performing switching between a detection mode for detecting the yaw angle, roll angle and pitch angle by the attitude detection part 1a and a non-detection mode; and a transmitting part 1c transmitting attitude information including the yaw angle, roll angle and pitch angle detected by the attitude detection part 1a or processed information obtained by processing the attitude information to external equipment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input support device for inputting information to an external device and a mobile phone incorporating the input support device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, as an input support device for a computer, there is an aerial mouse that realizes a pointing function using accelerations in three axis directions orthogonal to each other detected by a three-dimensional acceleration sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an aerial mouse, three-dimensional position information is obtained by integrating each acceleration. A mouse operation in a three-dimensional space is realized by converting the coordinates of the three-dimensional position information into a two-dimensional position on the computer screen.

  However, the conventional input support apparatus has the following problems. When the position information is obtained by integrating the acceleration, there is a possibility that error components are accumulated and the position accuracy is not sufficient. Therefore, the input support device may not be able to input highly accurate position information to the computer device.

JP 2002-287890 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and in an input support device for inputting information to an external device, it has excellent operability and can input highly accurate information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a support device and a mobile phone incorporating the input support device.

The first invention is an input support apparatus for inputting information to an external device,
An attitude detection unit that detects a pitch angle, a yaw angle, and a roll angle that are rotation angles around three axes orthogonal to each other, and a detection mode that detects the pitch angle, yaw angle, and roll angle by the attitude detection unit, and a non-detection mode A switch circuit unit for switching between and a transmission for transmitting to the external device the posture information formed by the pitch angle, the yaw angle and the roll angle detected by the posture detection unit or the processing information obtained by processing the posture information And an input support device characterized in that the input support device is provided.

The input support device according to the first aspect of the invention detects a pitch angle, a yaw angle, and a roll angle, which are rotation angles around three axes orthogonal to each other, and detects whether each rotation angle is detected by the posture detection unit. A switch circuit unit for switching whether or not, and a transmission unit for transmitting the posture information or the processing information to the external device.
The input support device detects the pitch angle, the yaw angle, and the roll angle using the posture detection unit. Then, the posture information or the processing information is transmitted to the external device such as a computer device using the transmission unit.

  When the input support device is operated in a three-dimensional space and the pitch angle, the yaw angle, or the roll angle is changed, the posture information or the processing information can be transmitted to an external device via the transmission unit. That is, according to the input support device, for example, the posture information and the like can be input to an external device without a work surface such as an office desk. Here, using the pitch angle, the yaw angle, and the roll angle detected by the posture detection unit, for example, as compared with the case of calculating position information by integrating motion information such as acceleration and speed, Highly accurate information can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the input support apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention includes the switch circuit unit for switching between a detection mode and a non-detection mode by the posture detection unit. Therefore, there is little possibility that the posture information or the like is inadvertently transmitted when the input support device is held. When the input support device is operated in a state where the detection mode of the posture detection unit is selected using the switch circuit unit, desired posture information or the like can be transmitted to the external device.

  In addition, as said switch circuit part, it can comprise using an operation button, for example. For example, if the input support device is operated while pressing the operation button, the posture information and the like can be generated according to the relative motion after the operation button is pressed. Furthermore, the switch circuit unit may be configured without a button so that the detection mode is started when a predetermined operation is input to the input support device, for example. As this predetermined operation, for example, there is an operation such as a shake (movement that generates vibration), an operation that rotates in the roll direction, and an operation that stands vertically.

A second invention is a mobile phone configured to connect to a public telephone line network by wireless communication,
A cellular phone comprising the input support device according to the first aspect of the invention (claim 6).

The mobile phone of the second invention incorporates the input support device of the first invention. Therefore, according to this mobile phone, it is possible to input the posture information and the like to the external device using the function provided by the input support device.
If this mobile phone is used, the posture information and the like can be input to the external device such as a computer device. For example, the mobile phone can be used as an aerial mouse used in a computer. When a presentation is performed using a computer screen, it is very convenient if an arbitrary position on the computer screen can be pointed using a mobile phone. Further, for example, the mobile phone can be operated like a writing instrument to digitally sign in a three-dimensional space. If this electronic signature is used, personal authentication can be performed with high accuracy. Such usage is effective, for example, for maintaining high security in connection with the infrastructure side terminal in the mobile phone also serving as an electronic wallet or the like.

  Examples of the external device that captures the posture information from the input support device according to the first invention or the mobile phone according to the second invention include, for example, home appliances such as computers, televisions and air conditioners, stores, banks, etc. Information terminals (infrastructure side terminals) installed in For example, when used as an input support device for a computer, the input support device or a mobile phone can be used as if it were an aerial mouse (three-dimensional mouse). Furthermore, for example, a TV or an air conditioner can be controlled using the input support device.

  The transmission unit may be wired communication or wireless communication using radio waves or infrared rays. In particular, in the case of wireless communication, the operability of the input support device or the mobile phone can be significantly improved. Furthermore, for example, if a standardized communication standard such as Bluetooth is adopted, it can be connected to various external devices.

In the first invention, the external device is a computer having a display for displaying a computer screen,
The input support device calculates horizontal position information that is horizontal position information of the computer screen based on the yaw angle, and a vertical position that is vertical position information of the computer screen based on the pitch angle. Trigger information for calculating information and causing the external device to execute a predetermined operation is generated based on the roll angle, and the horizontal position information, the vertical position information, and the trigger information are transmitted as the processing information. It is preferable to be configured as described above (claim 2).

In this case, the horizontal position information can be obtained accurately using the yaw angle, and the vertical position information can be obtained accurately using the pitch angle. Based on the highly accurate horizontal position information and the vertical position information, any point on the computer screen can be pointed (pointed) with high accuracy.
Furthermore, if trigger information for executing a predetermined operation such as page feed or page return is generated based on the roll information, the content displayed on the display can be changed based on the trigger information. it can.

  In addition, the posture detection unit includes a posture detection sensor, and the posture detection sensor includes three magnetic sensing units that detect magnetic field strengths in three axis directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and acceleration in two axis directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other. It is preferable to have two acceleration sensing units that detect.

  According to the two acceleration sensing units, it is possible to detect the inclination angle of the plane defined by the two axes orthogonal to each other by detecting the acting gravitational acceleration. According to the three magnetic sensing units, the rotation angle that is the rotation angle that rotates on the spot can be detected regardless of the inclination angle. The posture detection unit including the posture detection sensor can detect the pitch angle, the yaw angle, and the roll angle based on the tilt angle and the rotation angle.

The magnetic sensing unit includes a magnetic sensing body and an electromagnetic coil wound around the outer circumference of the magnetic sensing body, and a potential difference is generated between both ends of the electromagnetic coil in accordance with a peripheral magnetic field and a change in current flowing through the magnetic sensing body. Consisting of MI elements that generate
The acceleration sensing unit has a support post protruding in a normal direction from the surface of the substrate and one end supported by the support post so as to rotate along the surface of the substrate around the support post. It is preferable to have a cantilever having a cantilever shape and having the magnet body disposed at the other end, and a magnetic detection head composed of an MI element configured to detect displacement of the magnet body. Item 4).

  Here, the MI element utilizes the MI phenomenon. This MI phenomenon occurs in a magnetic sensitive body made of a magnetic material having an electron spin arrangement in a circumferential direction with respect to the direction of current to be supplied. When the energization current of the magnetic body is changed abruptly, the magnetic field in the circulation direction changes abruptly, and the change in the spin direction of electrons occurs according to the peripheral magnetic field due to the effect of the magnetic field change. A phenomenon in which changes in internal magnetization, impedance, etc. of the magnetic sensitive member at that time occur is the above-described MI phenomenon.

  The MI element uses a magnetosensitive body made of a magnetic material having an electron spin arrangement in a circumferential direction with respect to a current direction to be supplied. When the energization current of the magnetic body is changed abruptly, the magnetic field in the circulation direction changes abruptly, and the change in the spin direction of electrons occurs according to the peripheral magnetic field due to the effect of the magnetic field change. The element configured to convert changes in internal magnetization and impedance of the magnetic body at that time into a voltage or current generated in the magnetic body, or a voltage or current generated at both ends of the electromagnetic coil arranged on the outer periphery of the magnetic body. Is an MI element. For example, a combination of this MI element and an electronic circuit is called an MI sensor.

  And, when the magnetic sensing unit or the magnetic detection head is composed of MI elements that generate a potential difference at both ends of the electromagnetic coil in accordance with a change in the current applied to the magnetosensitive body, highly sensitive magnetic detection is possible. Thus, the displacement of the magnet body can be detected with high accuracy. Examples of the magnetic sensitive body include those formed in a linear shape and those formed in a thin film shape. Examples of the material of the magnetic sensitive body include FeCoSiB and NiFe.

  And when the said magnetic sensing part is comprised by the said MI element, the said magnetic field intensity along each said axial direction can be measured with high precision. Further, when the magnetic detection head in the acceleration sensing unit is configured by an MI element, the tilt angle of the substrate, that is, the rotation angle around the axis along the longitudinal direction of the cantilever can be detected with high accuracy.

Moreover, it is preferable that the transmission unit is configured to perform wireless communication with the external device.
In this case, the degree of freedom of operation of the input support device can be significantly increased. The wireless communication includes wireless communication using a wireless LAN or Bluetooth, wireless communication using infrared communication, or the like.

Example 1
This example is an example related to the input support apparatus 1 for inputting information to an external device. This content will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the input support apparatus 1 of this example is for inputting information to an external device such as a computer. The input support apparatus 1 includes a posture detection unit 1a that detects a pitch angle φ, a yaw angle θ, and a roll angle η, which are rotation angles about three axes orthogonal to each other, and a pitch angle φ, A switch circuit unit 1b for switching between a detection mode for detecting θ and a roll angle η and a non-detection mode, and posture information including a pitch angle φ, a yaw angle θ, and a roll angle η detected by the posture detection unit 1a And a transmission unit 1c for transmitting the processing information obtained by processing the posture information to an external device.
Hereinafter, this content will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input support device 1 has an approximately cylindrical outer shape with a diameter of about 30 mm and an easily gripped shape. For example, a speaker who makes a presentation using a computer screen is configured to be easily operated. The speaker can use the input support device 1 to control the position of a cursor (indicated point) on a computer screen, for example. The casing 11d of the input support device 1 is made of ABS resin. An operation button 11b for turning on / off the input support function and two click buttons (right click 11R, left click 11L) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 11d. The operation button 11b constitutes the switch circuit portion 1b as shown in FIG.

  The switch circuit unit 1b includes the operation button 11b and a processing routine by software on the microcomputer 12a that takes in the position (on / off state) of the operation button 11b and generates a status signal. This processing routine is configured to input an on status signal indicating the on state of the operation button 11b to the posture detection sensor 11a. When the on status signal is 1, the posture detection sensor 11a detects accelerations Gx, Gy and magnetic field strengths Hx, Hy, Hz. On the other hand, the microcomputer 12a calculates the relative angles of the pitch angle φ, the yaw angle θ, and the roll angle η with reference to the rising timing of the on status signal. As described above, the input support apparatus 1 of this example calculates the pitch angle φ, the yaw angle θ, and the roll angle η based on the on status signal. Thereby, the person who operates can cancel the attitude | position fluctuation | variation which acted on the input assistance apparatus 1 unconsciously.

  In this example, two click buttons 11R and 11L are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 11d. Instead, the input buttons are omitted so that the click buttons 11R and 11L are omitted, and a roll angle of 90 ° or more clockwise is recognized as a right click, and a roll angle of 90 ° or more counterclockwise is recognized as a left click. 1 can also be configured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 11d includes a posture detection sensor 11a, which is a custom IC, a microcomputer 12a in which a CPU 121a, a ROM 122a, and a RAM 123a (see FIG. 2) are integrated on a single chip, and the transmitter 1c. The circuit board 13d on which the communication IC 11c to be mounted is mounted is accommodated. A battery 12d is housed as a power source for an electronic circuit formed on the circuit board 13d. And in the input assistance apparatus 1 of this example, the said attitude | position detection part 1a (FIG. 2) is comprised by the attitude | position detection sensor 11a and the microcomputer 12a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the posture detection sensor 11 a includes three magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 that detect magnetic field strengths Hx, Hy, and Hz in three axial (X, Y, and Z) directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other. Controls two acceleration sensing units 2a, 2b that detect accelerations Gx, Gy in two substantially orthogonal (X, Y) directions and the magnetic sensing units 41-43 or the acceleration sensing units 2a, 2b. The IC chips 12 and 14 are arranged and modularized on a substrate (in this example, an IC substrate; hereinafter referred to as an IC substrate 10 as appropriate). Here, each of the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b is configured by combining a magnet body 21 configured to be displaced in accordance with an acting gravitational acceleration and a magnetic detection head 23 that detects a magnetic field generated by the magnet body 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the acceleration sensing units 2 a and 2 b in the posture detection sensor 11 a detect accelerations Gx and Gy due to gravity acting in two axial directions along two substantially orthogonal sides of the substantially rectangular IC substrate 10. It is arranged as follows. In addition, the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 have two axes along two substantially orthogonal sides of the IC substrate 10 having a substantially rectangular shape, and an axis orthogonal to the two axes (axis in the normal direction of the IC substrate 10). It arrange | positions so that the magnetic field intensity Hx, Hy, and Hz of a triaxial direction may be detected, respectively. Furthermore, an IC chip 14 for a magnetic sensing unit and an IC chip 12 for an acceleration sensing unit are disposed on the surface of the IC substrate 10. In the following description, the axes along two substantially orthogonal sides of the IC substrate 10 are the X axis 10x and the Y axis 10y, and the normal direction axis of the IC substrate 10 is the Z axis 10z.

  Each of the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 uses an amorphous wire having a length of 1 mm and a wire diameter of 20 microns as the magnetic sensitive body 44 (hereinafter referred to as an amorphous wire 44 as appropriate). The magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 are obtained by winding an electromagnetic coil 45 having an inner diameter of 200 microns or less around an outer peripheral side of a tube-shaped insulating resin (not shown) extrapolated to the amorphous wire 44.

  That is, the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 utilize the MI (Magneto-impedance) phenomenon exhibited by the amorphous wire 44 as a magnetic sensitive body, in which the impedance changes greatly according to the intensity of the peripheral magnetic field. In this example, the intensity of the peripheral magnetic field is detected by measuring the induced voltage generated in the electromagnetic coil 45 when a pulsed current (hereinafter referred to as a pulse current) is applied to the amorphous wire 44. ing. In this example, the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 have the same specifications, and the longitudinal directions of the amorphous wire 44 are the X-axis 10x direction, the Y-axis 10y direction, and the Z-axis 10z direction, respectively. is there.

  The IC chip 14 is configured to control the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the IC chip 14 includes a signal generator 141 that generates a pulse current (FIG. 5A) input to the amorphous wire 44, and an induced voltage e (FIG. It has an electronic circuit including a signal processing unit 142 that outputs a measurement signal according to b)). The signal generator 141 is configured to generate a pulse current having an energization time of 40 nsec and a pulse interval of 5 μsec. Further, the signal generator 141 of this example is configured to output a trigger signal synchronized with the falling edge of the pulse current toward the analog switch 142a of the signal processing unit 141.

  The signal processing unit 142 is connected to the electromagnetic coil 45 via the analog switch 142a and the analog switch 142a that turn on and off the electrical connection between the electromagnetic coil 45 and the signal processing unit 142 in synchronization with the trigger signal. This is configured by combining a synchronous detection circuit including a capacitor 142c and functioning as a so-called peak hold circuit, and an amplifier 142b.

  Here, the magnetic detection method by the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 of this example will be briefly described. In this magnetic detection method, as shown in FIG. 5, the induced voltage e (FIG. 5) generated in the electromagnetic coil 45 at the fall of the pulse current (FIG. 5A) supplied to the amorphous wire 44. (B)) is measured. In this example, the cutoff time for the pulse current to fall from 90% to 10% of the steady value (current value 150 mA) was 4 nanoseconds.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at the moment when the pulse current applied to the amorphous wire 44 placed in the magnetic field is interrupted, the induction of the magnitude of the magnetic field in proportion to the longitudinal component of the amorphous wire 44 is induced. A voltage e is generated at both ends of the electromagnetic coil 45. In the IC chip 14 of this example, the induced voltage e of the electromagnetic coil 45 is accumulated in the capacitor 142c via the analog switch 142a turned on by the trigger signal. Thereafter, the signal is amplified by the amplifier 142b and output from the output terminal 145.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the IC chip 14 for the magnetic sensing unit of this example includes an electric circuit between the signal generator 141 and the magnetic sensitive body 44 of each of the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43, and a signal processing unit 142. An electronic switch 148 that switches an electric circuit between each electromagnetic coil 45 is provided. Thereby, in this example, about the three magnetic sensing parts 41-43 which measure the intensity | strength of the magnetic field along each axis | shaft of the X-axis 10x, the Y-axis 10y, and the Z-axis 10z (refer FIG. 3), it is for magnetic sensing parts. The IC chip 14 is shared in a time-sharing manner.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b of the present example include a cantilever 22 having a cantilever structure in which a magnet body 21 is disposed at a free end, and a magnetic detection head that detects the magnetic field strength generated by the magnet body 21. 23. The acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b manifest the magnitude of gravitational acceleration acting on the cantilever 22 according to the tilt angle as the displacement of the magnet body 21 disposed at the free end, and change the magnetic field strength due to the displacement. The magnetic detection head 23 is configured to detect.

  As shown in the figure, the cantilever 22 is an elastic body having a cantilever structure in which one end in the longitudinal direction is supported by a support post 24p disposed so as to protrude in the normal direction of the surface of the IC substrate 10. is there. And the magnet body 21 is arrange | positioned in the free end, ie, the edge part on the opposite side of the support post 24p. The cantilever 22 of this example is made of a material NiP and has a substantially rectangular plate shape with a width of 0.3 mm, a length of 1.5 mm, and a thickness of 5 microns. Furthermore, in this example, the width 0 is extended from the base portion on the support post 24p side to a position reaching 0.38 mm before the free end so that the displacement amount of the magnet body 21 can be increased by reducing the rigidity against the force in the thickness direction. A 22 mm long hole 220 is provided.

  In this example, by providing the long hole 220, the natural frequency of the cantilever 22 is set in a range of approximately 50 Hz to 60 Hz. In this example, the long hole 220 is provided on the side surface of the cantilever. However, instead of this, a flat plate-like cantilever having no opening can be applied.

  The magnet body 21 is disposed on the side surface of the end portion on the free end side of the cantilever 22. In this example, the magnetic body 21 was formed by applying a magnetic coating material to this side surface, and then magnetizing after drying and curing. Here, in this example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first magnet body 21 a with the N pole facing outward and the second magnet body 21 b with the S pole facing outward are connected to the cantilever 22. Adjacent along the longitudinal direction. That is, in the first magnet body 21a and the second magnet body 21b, the magnetization directions M are opposite to each other, and magnetic moments in opposite directions are generated.

  Therefore, when the magnet body 21 of this example is placed in a magnetic field, reverse torque acts on the first magnet body 21a and the second magnet body 21b. Therefore, in each of the magnet bodies 21a and 21b, the rotation directions for rotating the cantilever 22 by the torque are opposite to each other. Therefore, the magnet body 21 as a whole can cancel the torque when the peripheral magnetic field acts, and can suppress the displacement of the cantilever 22. Therefore, in the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b of this example, there is little possibility that the magnet body 21 is displaced due to the influence of the peripheral magnetic field such as geomagnetism, and the tilt angle can be measured with high accuracy. In addition, it is also possible to comprise the magnet body 21 with a single magnet body.

Further, in the magnet body 21, as shown in FIG. 7A, the magnetic field acting around the first magnet body 21a and the magnetic field acting around the second magnet body 21b form a closed loop magnetic field. Form. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when a single magnet is arranged, an open-loop magnetic field is formed around the magnetic body, and the magnetic field leaks around it, which may cause electromagnetic noise and the like. There is.
That is, the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b (FIG. 3) of the present example include the magnet body 21 that suppresses leakage of the magnetic field to the surroundings, and are less likely to cause electromagnetic noise with respect to the peripheral circuit. In this example, the size of each of the magnet bodies 21a and 21b is set to a width (dimension in the longitudinal direction of the cantilever 22) W of 0.5 mm, a height of 0.3 mm, and a thickness of T100 microns.

  And the magnetic detection head 23 (FIG. 3) which comprises the acceleration sensing parts 2a and 2b is a thing of the same specification as the said magnetic sensing parts 41-43. That is, in the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b of this example, similarly to the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43, a combination of the amorphous wire 24 (FIG. 8) as a magnetosensitive body and the electromagnetic coil 25 (FIG. 8) is combined with high sensitivity. A magnetic detection head 23 is configured.

As shown in FIG. 8, the acceleration sensing unit IC chip 12 has substantially the same specifications as the magnetic sensing unit IC chip 14 (FIG. 6). As described above, the amorphous wire 24 is energized. A signal generator 121 that generates a pulse current and a signal processing unit 122 that outputs a measurement signal corresponding to the induced voltage of the electromagnetic coil 25 are included.

  In addition, the IC chip 12 for the acceleration sensing unit of this example includes an electric circuit between the signal generator 121 and the amorphous wire 24 of each acceleration sensing unit 2a, 2b, and a signal processing unit 122 and each electromagnetic coil 25. And an electronic switch 128 for switching an electric circuit therebetween. Thus, the two acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b of the present example share one acceleration sensing unit IC chip 12 in a time-sharing manner. In addition, since the magnetic detection method by the magnetic detection head 23 in the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b of this example is the same as the magnetic detection method in the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a method in which the microcomputer 12a calculates the pitch angle φ, the yaw angle θ, and the roll angle η will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 9, the posture detection sensor 11a detects accelerations Gx and Gy generated along two axes along two sides of the IC substrate 10 (see FIG. 3) (step S10) and the orthogonality described above. The magnetic field strengths Hx, Hy, and Hz in the three-axis directions are detected (step S20).

As shown in FIG. 9, the microcomputer 12a uses the measured biaxial accelerations Gx, Gy and orthogonal triaxial magnetic field strengths Hx, Hy, Hz, and the pitch angle φ, yaw angle θ, and roll angle. Calculate η. In step S30, the roll angle η and the pitch angle φ are calculated. In this example, the roll angle η is approximated as sin ⁻¹ Gy, and the pitch angle φ is approximated as sin ⁻¹ Gx. In step S40, the inclination of the XY plane (the plane formed by the IC substrate 10 (FIG. 3)) is corrected, and the magnetic field strengths H′x and H′y acting on the horizontal X′Y ′ plane are calculated. . In this example, H′x is approximated as (Hx · cosφ + Hy · sinηsinφ−Hz · cosηsinφ), and H′y is approximated as (Hy · cosη + Hz · sinη). In step S50, the yaw angle θ was calculated from tan ⁻¹ (H′y / H′x).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the microcomputer 12a generates horizontal position information 100h based on the yaw angle θ and generates vertical position information 100v based on the pitch angle φ. As described above, the input support apparatus 1 of this example functions as an input device when a presentation using the computer screen 100 is performed, for example. Then, the input support apparatus 1 of this example transmits horizontal position information 100 h and vertical position information 100 v corresponding to the computer screen 100. The input support apparatus 1 calculates the horizontal position information 100h based on the yaw angle θ detected by the attitude detection sensor 11a, and calculates the vertical position information 100v based on the pitch angle φ detected by the attitude detection sensor 11a. A computer as an external device (not shown) moves the position of an instruction point such as a cursor on the computer screen 100 based on the horizontal position information 100h and the vertical position information 100v captured from the input support apparatus 1.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 12a generates trigger information for executing page feed or page return based on the roll angle η. Specifically, page turning trigger information is generated when a roll angle of 90 degrees or more in the clockwise direction occurs, and page return trigger information is generated when a roll angle of 90 degrees or more in the counterclockwise direction is generated. .
The communication IC 11c is configured to take in the processing information composed of the horizontal position information, the vertical position information, and the trigger information, modulate the processing information, and transmit it from the transmission antenna 12c.

  The trigger information may be, for example, for adjusting a gain when the cursor is displaced on the computer screen 100 with respect to the operation amount of the input support apparatus 1. For example, when a roll angle of 90 degrees or more in the clockwise direction occurs, the amount of displacement of the cursor with respect to the operation amount of the input support device 1 is increased, and when a roll angle of 90 degrees or more in the counterclockwise direction occurs, the input is performed. The amount of cursor displacement relative to the operation amount of the support device 1 can be reduced.

  As described above, the input support device 1 of this example includes the posture detection sensor 11a in which the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b and the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 are integrated into a module. And according to the attitude | position detection part 1a containing this attitude | position detection sensor 11a, the pitch angle (phi), yaw angle (theta), and roll angle (eta) which acted on the input assistance apparatus 1 are detectable. Based on the pitch angle φ, yaw angle θ, and roll angle η, the horizontal position information and the vertical position information of the computer screen can be obtained with high accuracy. In particular, the input support device 1 of this example has the operation button 11b. The posture information is calculated when the operation button 11b is in the on state. Therefore, in the input support device 1 of the present example, the posture variation that has acted on the input support device 1 unconsciously by the operator can be canceled with high certainty.

  In the attitude detection sensor 11a, two acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b and three magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 are modularized. Therefore, in this attitude detection sensor 11a, the overall power consumption can be suppressed and the size can be reduced as compared with the case where the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b and the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 are individually mounted. . In addition, according to the modular attitude detection sensor 11a of this example, the relative axial accuracy of each of the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b and each of the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 can be maintained high, and the pitch angle, yaw angle, and roll angle can be maintained. Measurement accuracy can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in this attitude detection sensor 11a, the two acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b share the IC chip 12 (FIG. 8) as an electric circuit for control, and the three magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 include The IC chip 14 (FIG. 6) is shared as an electric circuit for control. Therefore, the posture detection sensor 11a and the input support apparatus 1 including the posture detection sensor 11a are small in size and have low power consumption.

  As described above, the magnetic detection head 23 of this example and the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 have the same specifications. In particular, the longitudinal direction of the amorphous wire 44 substantially coincides with the magnetic detection head 23 and the magnetic sensing unit 42 of the acceleration sensing unit 2a and the magnetic detection head 23 and the magnetic sensing unit 41 of the acceleration sensing unit 2b.

  Therefore, each of the electromagnetic coils 25 and 45 wound around the amorphous wire 44 whose longitudinal directions substantially coincide with each other outputs an induced voltage having a substantially coincident magnitude with respect to the peripheral magnetic field due to geomagnetism or the like. Therefore, if correction is performed by subtracting the output signal of the magnetic sensing unit 42 from the output signal of the magnetic detection head 23 of the acceleration sensing unit 2a, the influence of the peripheral magnetic field is eliminated from the output signal of the acceleration sensing unit 2a, and the detection is performed. The accuracy can be further improved. The same applies to the acceleration sensing unit 2b.

  Furthermore, as described above, the magnetic detection head 23 of this example and the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 have the same specifications, and furthermore, the electric circuit of the IC chip 14 for the magnetic sensing unit and the acceleration sensing unit The electric circuit of the IC chip 12 has substantially the same specifications. Therefore, a single control circuit can be shared in a time-sharing manner for all the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 and the acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b. For example, if the electronic switch 148 or 128 in the IC chip 14 or the IC chip 12 is changed to a 5-channel switching type, the other IC chip can be omitted.

(Example 2)
This example is an example in which the configuration of the posture detection sensor 11a is changed based on the input support device of the first embodiment. Specifically, this is an example in which the IC substrate constituting the attitude detection sensor 11a is configured in two pieces. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.
The IC substrate 10 of this example is a perpendicular magnet that detects the magnetic field strength in the normal direction of the IC substrate 10 (Z-axis direction indicated by the arrow 10z in FIG. 3) of at least the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43. It consists of a first IC substrate 101 on which the sensing unit 43 is arranged and a second IC substrate 102 held on the first IC substrate 101. The perpendicular magnetic sensing unit 43 is mounted on a portion of the first IC substrate 101 that faces the second IC substrate 102 that does not face the second IC substrate 102. Furthermore, in the posture detection sensor 1 of this example, the surface of the mounting surface of the IC substrate 101 that does not face the second IC substrate 102 is compared with the magnetic sensing units 41 and 42, the IC chips 12 and 14, and the like. Acceleration sensing units 2a and 2b having large dimensions in the height direction are also arranged.

  In this example, the second IC substrate 102 is a double-sided mounting substrate provided with two through holes 105. The first mounting surface 102a facing the same side as the mounting surface of the first IC substrate 101 in the second IC substrate 102 is parallel to the first mounting surface 102a and orthogonal to each other. Two magnetic sensing units 41 and 42 for detecting the magnetic field strength in the axial direction and an IC chip 14 for controlling the magnetic sensing units 41 to 43 are mounted. Further, an IC chip 12 for controlling each acceleration sensing unit 2a, 2b is mounted on the second mounting surface 102b corresponding to the back surface of the first mounting surface 102a of the second IC substrate 102.

As described above, in the posture detection sensor 11a of this example, the IC substrate 10 is configured as a two-story structure of the first IC substrate 101 and the second IC substrate 102, and a component having a large height dimension (perpendicular magnetic field) Sensing unit 43, acceleration sensing units 2a, 2b, etc.) are efficiently arranged in the portion where both IC substrates 101, 102 are not overlapped in the height direction. Therefore, the posture detection sensor 11a of this example is a small module having a high mounting density of internal elements.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Example 3)
This example is an example relating to a mobile phone in which the input support apparatus according to the first or second embodiment is incorporated. This will be described with reference to FIG.
The mobile phone 6 of this example enables two-way voice calls by wireless communication. The mobile phone 6 includes an internal substrate 65, a posture detection sensor 11a, a one-chip microcomputer 62 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a communication IC constituting a transmission unit, and a memory storing an operation program. An element (not shown) is mounted.

The attitude detection sensor 1 inputs the accelerations Gx, Gy in the biaxial direction and the magnetic field strengths Hx, Hy, Hz in the triaxial direction to the microcomputer 62 as detection values. Then, the microcomputer 62 calculates the rotation angles around the X, Y, and Z axes, that is, the roll angle η, the pitch angle φ, and the yaw angle θ, with the mobile phone 6 as the origin. In this example, the microcomputer 62 uses the communication IC to perform horizontal position information based on the yaw angle θ, vertical position information based on the pitch angle φ, and trigger information based on the roll angle η (page feed (return) information). Is output.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first or second embodiment.

Example 4
In this example, the pitch angle φ, the yaw angle θ, and the roll angle η are output based on the input support device of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the input support apparatus 1 of this example is configured to transmit a pitch angle φ, a yaw angle θ, and a roll angle η to a computer as an external device. The computer can change the posture of the three-dimensional object described by, for example, a wire frame model based on the received pitch angle φ, yaw angle θ, and roll angle η.

For example, during the presentation, the posture of the three-dimensional object can be arbitrarily changed on the computer screen, and the presentation effect can be greatly enhanced. Further, for example, during the three-dimensional CAD work, the design work efficiency can be remarkably improved by arbitrarily changing the posture of the three-dimensional object to be designed using the input support device of this example. . In particular, when changing the posture of a three-dimensional object using the input support device of this example, the posture is accurately changed as if the user is holding a three-dimensional object instead of the input support device that is actually gripped. Can be made.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

1 is a perspective view showing an input support device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an input support device in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an attitude detection sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an electric circuit of an IC chip for a magnetic sensing unit in the first embodiment. The graph which shows the relationship between the pulse current which energizes an amorphous wire in Example 1, and the induced voltage which generate | occur | produces in an electromagnetic coil. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an electric circuit of an IC chip for a magnetic sensing unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the periphery of a magnet body in an acceleration sensing unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an electric circuit of an IC chip for an acceleration sensing unit in the first embodiment. The block diagram explaining the processing step which calculates a pitch angle, a yaw angle, and a roll angle in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a computer screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view showing an attitude detection sensor in Embodiment 2. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of an attitude | position detection sensor in Example 2 (AA arrow directional cross-sectional view in FIG. 11). FIG. 9 is a partial cut view showing a mobile phone in the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input support device 10 IC board 11a Attitude detection sensor 11b Operation button 12, 14 IC chip 12a Microcomputer 2a, 2b Acceleration sensing part 21 Magnet body 22 Cantilever 23 Magnetic detection head 24p Support post 41, 42, 43 Magnetic sensing part 24, 44 Amorphous wire 25, 45 Electromagnetic coil

Claims (6)

An input support device for inputting information to an external device,
An attitude detection unit that detects a pitch angle, a yaw angle, and a roll angle that are rotation angles around three axes orthogonal to each other, and a detection mode that detects the pitch angle, yaw angle, and roll angle by the attitude detection unit, and a non-detection mode A switch circuit unit for switching between and a transmission for transmitting to the external device the posture information formed by the pitch angle, the yaw angle and the roll angle detected by the posture detection unit or the processing information obtained by processing the posture information And an input support apparatus. In Claim 1, the external device is a computer including a display for displaying a computer screen,
The input support device calculates horizontal position information that is horizontal position information of the computer screen based on the yaw angle, and a vertical position that is vertical position information of the computer screen based on the pitch angle. Trigger information for calculating information and causing the external device to execute a predetermined operation is generated based on the roll angle, and the horizontal position information, the vertical position information, and the trigger information are transmitted as the processing information. It is comprised so that it may carry out. The input assistance apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   3. The posture detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the posture detection unit includes a posture detection sensor, and the posture detection sensor includes three magnetic sensing units that detect magnetic field strengths in three axial directions orthogonal to each other, and two substantially orthogonal to each other. An input support apparatus comprising: two acceleration sensing units that detect axial acceleration. The magnetic sensing unit according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic sensing unit includes a magnetic sensitive body and an electromagnetic coil wound around the outer peripheral side of the magnetic sensitive body, and the magnetic sensing portion of the electromagnetic coil is changed according to a peripheral magnetic field and a change in current flowing through the magnetic sensitive body. It consists of MI elements that generate a potential difference at both ends,
The acceleration sensing unit has a support post protruding in a normal direction from the surface of the substrate and one end supported by the support post so as to rotate along the surface of the substrate around the support post. A cantilever having a cantilever shape and having the magnet body disposed on the other end thereof, and a magnetic detection head composed of an MI element configured to detect displacement of the magnet body. Input support device.   The input support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit is configured to perform wireless communication with the external device. A mobile phone configured to be connected to a public telephone network by wireless communication,
A mobile phone comprising the input support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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