JP2006266931A - Tilt sensor and information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tilt sensor and an information terminal capable of providing reduced size. <P>SOLUTION: The tilt sensor 30 is provided with: a container 12 which is mounted on the information terminal 10 and in which two kinds of fluids 21, 22 having radio wave transmissivity and different specific gravity and not mixed with each other are sealed; a radio wave detection part 13 detecting the radio wave transmitted through the container 12 at a prescribed position; and a tilt detection part 14 detecting the tilt of the information terminal 10 on the basis of the radio wave detected by the radio wave detection part 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tilt sensor and an information terminal.

As shown in the following Patent Document 1, a sensor for detecting the inclination of a detected object with respect to the direction of gravity has been proposed. The sensor described in Patent Document 1 detects the tilt of the detection object by enclosing a liquid and bubbles in a container, and detecting light transmitted through the container by emitting light to the container.
JP 2003-269956 A

  However, the sensor described in Patent Document 1 must include a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a light detection element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) in order to detect inclination. A power supply for operating the components is required. Thus, since the structure for detecting the light is a relatively complicated structure, it is difficult to reduce the size of the sensor.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an inclination sensor and an information terminal that can be miniaturized.

  In order to achieve the above object, an inclination sensor according to the present invention is an inclination sensor attached to an object to be detected, and encloses two kinds of fluids that have different radio wave permeability and specific gravity and are not mixed with each other. Characterized by comprising: a container; a radio wave detection means for detecting a radio wave transmitted through the container at a predetermined position; and an inclination detection means for detecting the tilt of the detected object based on the radio wave detected by the radio wave detection means. To do.

  In the tilt sensor according to the present invention, the specific gravities of the two types of fluids enclosed in the container are different from each other. Therefore, the positions of the two types of fluids in the container change according to the tilt of the tilt sensor. Further, since the two kinds of fluids have different radio wave transmissivity, the radio wave transmissivity at each position in the container changes according to the change in the position of the fluid. Therefore, when a radio wave is incident on the container, the intensity of the radio wave transmitted at each position in the container changes according to the tilt of the tilt sensor. Therefore, the radio wave detection means can detect the radio wave at a predetermined position, and the tilt detection means can detect the tilt of the detected object based on the detected radio wave.

  Usually, since various radio waves are flying in the natural world and the radio waves need to be incident, a radio wave generator is not particularly required. In addition, for example, if an antenna that can directly use the activated power as a signal is used as the radio wave detection means, it is not necessary to supply power to the radio wave detection means, and a power supply for that is required. is not. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide these components, it is possible to provide a tilt sensor that can be miniaturized.

  An information terminal according to the present invention is an information terminal having a display device, and includes a container enclosing two types of fluids having different radio wave permeability and specific gravity and not mixed with each other, and radio waves transmitted through the container. Radio wave detection means for detecting the position, tilt detection means for detecting the tilt of the terminal based on the radio wave detected by the radio wave detection means, and the direction of display on the display device based on the tilt detected by the tilt detection means Display direction control means for controlling. In the information terminal according to the present invention, the display direction control means controls the display direction on the display device based on the detected inclination of the information terminal. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a radio wave generator and power supply as described above, the tilt can be detected by a configuration that can be miniaturized, and the display direction on the display device is controlled based on the detected tilt. can do.

  The information terminal according to the present invention preferably further includes a communication device that performs communication using radio waves. According to this configuration, since the terminal generates a radio wave used for detecting the tilt, the tilt can be detected more reliably even in a place where the radio wave is weak. Note that when the present invention is applied to a mobile communication terminal or the like, the communication apparatus is provided in advance as a function of the terminal itself, and therefore it is not necessary to newly provide it.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the inclination of the detection target based on the radio wave detected through the container. Usually, since various radio waves are flying in the natural world and the radio waves need to be incident, a radio wave generator is not particularly required. In addition, for example, if an antenna that can directly use the activated power as a signal is used as the radio wave detection means, it is not necessary to supply power to the radio wave detection means, and a power supply for that is required. is not. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide these components, it is possible to provide a tilt sensor that can be miniaturized.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the tilt sensor and the information terminal of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, the dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the information terminal 10 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information terminal 10 includes a display device 11 configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays information by a user operation or the like. Specifically, the information terminal 10 corresponds to, for example, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and the like, and is configured by components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The display on the display device 11 is displayed with its orientation controlled according to the inclination of the information terminal 10 with respect to the gravity direction G.

  The inclination of the information terminal 10 is detected by an inclination sensor built in the information terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the information terminal 10 includes a container 12 (generic name for each container 12a, 12b) and a radio wave detection unit 13 (generic name for each radio wave detection unit 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) that are components of the tilt sensor. Is provided. The two containers 12a and 12b are provided such that the axes of the rectangular tube-shaped containers 12 are orthogonal to each other. The axis of the container 12a is in the vertical direction in the information terminal 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the axis of the container 12b is in the horizontal direction.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the side surfaces of the container 12a and the radio wave detection units 13a and 13b. The container 12b and the radio wave detection units 13c and 13 have the same configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 12 has a sealed rectangular tube shape and encloses two kinds of fluids 21 and 22. The container 12 is composed of a member that transmits radio waves.

  The two types of fluids 21 and 22 do not mix with each other and have different specific gravities. Therefore, the fluids 21 and 22 are divided into two upper and lower layers in the gravity direction G. When the information terminal 10 is tilted and the container 12 is tilted, the positions of the fluids 21 and 22 in the container 12 change according to the tilt.

  One of the fluids 21 and 22 is a substance that shields radio waves, and the other is a substance that transmits radio waves. Specifically, for example, the fluids 21 and 22 correspond to the following. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fluid 21 having a large specific gravity located in the lower layer includes a magnesium chloride aqueous solution (specific gravity 1.5), a zinc dilute hydrochloric acid solution (specific gravity 7.2), and a barium sulfate aqueous solution (specific gravity). A metal solution having a specific gravity of 4.5). The fluid 22 having a small specific gravity is edible corn oil (specific gravity 0.9), air, or the like, which is a substance that transmits radio waves.

  The container 12 is filled with the fluid 21 and the fluid 22, and the volume ratio of the fluid 21 and the fluid 22 to the container 12 is 50%. However, the container 12 is not necessarily filled with the fluid 21 and the fluid 22. Further, the ratio of the fluid 21 and the fluid 22 may be appropriately changed according to the properties of each substance, the sensitivity of the inclination sensor, and the like.

  The radio wave detection unit 13 is a radio wave detection unit that detects a radio wave transmitted through the container 12 at a predetermined position. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the radio wave detection unit 13 is provided one by one at the end of one outer side surface of the rectangular tube-shaped container 12. The radio wave detection unit 13 is realized by, for example, a small parabolic antenna as shown in FIG. 2, and reaches the portion of the container 12a shown in FIG. 2 where the radio wave detection units 13a and 13b are provided through the container 12. Radio waves are detected by collecting radio waves and generating electric power. The radio wave detection unit 13 is connected to an information processing module such as a CPU provided in the information terminal 10, and the detected radio wave information is transmitted to an inclination detection unit 14 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the fluid 21 that transmits radio waves is located in the portion where the radio wave detection unit 13 a is provided, the radio wave detection unit 13 a detects the radio waves. On the other hand, if the fluid 21 that shields radio waves is located in the portion where the radio wave detection unit 13b is provided, the radio wave detection unit 13b hardly detects radio waves. In addition, it is preferable to cover with the member which interrupts | blocks an electromagnetic wave except the surface which contact | connects a container so that only the electromagnetic wave which permeate | transmitted the container 12 is detected. The antenna may be a horn type antenna or the like other than the parabolic one. In addition, it is preferable to use an antenna that can use the activated power directly as a signal.

  Next, information processing functions of the information terminal 10 will be described. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the information terminal 10 includes an inclination detection unit 14 and a display direction control unit 15 in addition to the display device 11, the container 12, and the radio wave detection unit 13. The tilt detection unit 14 and the display direction control unit 15 are realized by a CPU or the like, and have functions described below.

  The inclination detection unit 14 is an inclination detection unit that receives information on the radio wave detected by the radio wave detection unit 13 and detects the inclination of the information terminal 10 based on the information. As shown in FIG. 3, the tilt detection unit 14 is a component of the tilt sensor 30 along with the container 12 and the radio wave detection unit 13. In the present embodiment, the detection of the inclination is to determine which of the following four states corresponding to the inclination state is applicable. The four states are the state in which the information terminal 10 is not inclined with respect to the gravity direction G as shown in FIG. 1, and the information terminal 10 is turned upside down with respect to the gravity direction G (a state where the information terminal 10 is inclined by 180 ° with respect to the gravity direction G). It is to determine whether one of the four states of the state, the state inclined to the left, and the state inclined to the right is applicable. A specific method for detecting the inclination will be described later. Information on the detected tilt is transmitted to the display direction control unit 15. The display direction control unit 15 is a display direction control unit that receives information on the tilt detected by the tilt detection unit 14 and controls the display direction on the display device based on the information. The display direction control is, for example, control so that the information terminal 10 is displayed in a fixed direction with respect to the direction of gravity even when the information terminal 10 is tilted. Details will be described later.

  Subsequently, operations of the inclination sensor 30 and the information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. This operation is performed when the display device 11 of the information terminal 10 performs display while controlling the display direction. The trigger for this operation is, for example, that the user performs a display request operation on the information terminal 10.

  First, the positions of the fluids 21 and 22 in the containers 12 a and 12 b correspond to the inclination of the information terminal 10. FIG. 4A schematically shows only the state of the fluids 21 and 22 in the containers 12 a and 12 b and the display device 11. For example, when there is no inclination from the state shown in FIG. 1, the positions of the fluids 21 and 22 in the containers 12a and 12b are those shown in FIG. 4 (a). Since the axis of the container 12a is along the direction of gravity, the fluid 21 and the fluid 22 are separated above and below the axis. The part corresponding to the position of the radio wave detection unit 13 a is filled with the fluid 22, and the part corresponding to the position of the radio wave detection unit 13 b is filled with the fluid 21. Moreover, about the container 12b, since the axis | shaft is perpendicular | vertical to the gravitational direction, the fluid 21 and the fluid 22 are divided along the axial direction. The portions corresponding to the positions of the radio wave detection unit 13c and the radio wave detection unit 13d are filled with the fluid 21 and the fluid 22 in half.

  Under such a state in the container 12, each radio wave detection unit 13 detects the radio wave transmitted through the container 12. Since the fluid 22 transmits radio waves, the radio wave detection unit 13a detects radio waves having an intensity incident on the container 12a. Since the fluid 21 shields radio waves, the radio wave detector 13b does not detect radio waves. In addition, the radio wave detectors 13c and 13d detect radio waves having an intensity that is approximately half the intensity of the radio waves incident on the container 12b. The intensity of the detected radio wave is represented by the relative magnitude of the electromotive force at the antenna of each radio wave detection unit 13, the radio wave detection unit 13a is 10, the radio wave detection unit 13b is 0, the radio wave detection unit 13c is 5, The radio wave detector 13d is 5. Here, the radio waves detected by being incident on the containers 12a and 12b are, for example, radio waves flying in the natural world and electromagnetic noise generated from other electronic devices, and are generated particularly by the information terminal 10. There is no need. Information on the intensity of the radio wave detected by each radio wave detection unit 13 is transmitted to the inclination detection unit 14.

  The inclination detection unit 14 detects the inclination of the information terminal 10 based on the received radio wave intensity information detected by each radio wave detection unit 13. Specifically, the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12a (the difference between the intensity detected from the radio wave detection unit 13a and the intensity detected from the radio wave detection unit 13b) and the detection in the container 12b. The inclination is detected according to a predetermined rule from the difference in intensity between the two radio waves (difference between the intensity detected from the radio wave detector 13c and the intensity detected from the radio wave detector 13d). Since the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12a is 10, and the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12b is 0, the container 12a having a larger difference in radio wave intensity is in the direction of gravity. On the other hand, it is determined that the inclination is small. Further, since the intensity detected from the radio wave detector 13a is greater than the intensity detected from the radio wave detector 13b, it is determined that the direction in which the radio wave detector 13a is located is up. From these determinations, it is determined that “the information terminal 10 is not inclined with respect to the gravity direction G as shown in FIG.

  The tilt detection unit 14 transmits information about the detected tilt, that is, information on the determined state to the display direction control unit 15. The display direction control unit 15 controls the display direction on the display device 11 based on the information. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, control is performed so that the gravity direction and the vertical direction of the characters are displayed in the same direction.

  Another example of the inclination is shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 4B is a state inclined about 20 ° to the left from the example shown in FIG. The positions of the fluids 21 and 22 in the containers 12a and 12b correspond to the inclination as shown in FIG. In such an inclined state, the amount of the fluid 21 that shields the radio wave at the portion where the radio wave is detected by the radio wave detector 13c increases. In addition, the amount of the fluid 22 that transmits radio waves in the portion where radio waves are detected by the radio wave detection unit 13d increases. When the intensity of the detected radio wave in this state is expressed by the relative magnitude of the electromotive force at the antenna of each radio wave detection unit 13, the radio wave detection unit 13a is 10, the radio wave detection unit 13b is 0, and the radio wave detection unit 13c. Is 2, and the radio wave detector 13d is 8.

  The difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12a is 10, and the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12b is 6. Therefore, the inclination detector 14 has the container 12a with a large difference in radio wave intensity. It is judged that the inclination is smaller with respect to the direction of gravity. Further, since the intensity detected from the radio wave detection unit 13a is greater than the intensity detected from the radio wave detection unit 13b, it is determined that the direction in which the radio wave detection unit 13a is located is up. From these determinations, the inclination detection unit 14 determines that “the information terminal 10 is not inclined with respect to the direction of gravity G as shown in FIG. 1” as in FIG. The direction control unit 15 performs display control similar to that in the case of FIG.

  Furthermore, another example of the inclination is shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 5A is a state in which it is inclined 90 ° to the left from the example shown in FIG. The positions of the fluids 21 and 22 in the containers 12a and 12b correspond to the inclination as shown in FIG. That is, in such an inclined state, the portions corresponding to the positions of the radio wave detection unit 13a and the radio wave detection unit 13b are filled with the fluid 21 and the fluid 22 in half. A portion corresponding to the position of the radio wave detection unit 13 c is filled with the fluid 22, and a portion corresponding to the position of the radio wave detection unit 13 d is filled with the fluid 21. When the intensity of the detected radio wave in this state is expressed by the relative magnitude of the electromotive force at the antenna of each radio wave detection unit 13, the radio wave detection unit 13a is 5, the radio wave detection unit 13b is 5, and the radio wave detection unit 13c. Is 0, and the radio wave detector 13d is 10.

  Since the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12a is 0, and the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12b is 10, the inclination detector 14 detects that the difference in radio wave intensity is large. It is judged that the inclination is smaller with respect to the direction of gravity. Further, since the intensity detected from the radio wave detection unit 13d is greater than the intensity detected from the radio wave detection unit 13c, it is determined that the direction in which the radio wave detection unit 13d is located is up. From these determinations, the inclination detection unit 14 determines that “the information terminal 10 is inclined leftward with respect to the gravity direction G from the state illustrated in FIG. 1”. As shown in FIG. 5A, the display direction control unit 15 performs control so that the gravity direction and the vertical direction of the characters are displayed in the same direction.

  Furthermore, another example of the inclination is shown in FIG. It is in a state where it is inclined 20 ° to the right from the example shown in FIG. The positions of the fluids 21 and 22 in the containers 12a and 12b correspond to the inclination as shown in FIG. In such an inclined state, the amount of the fluid 21 that shields the radio wave at the portion where the radio wave is detected by the radio wave detector 13b increases. In addition, the amount of the fluid 22 that transmits radio waves in the portion where the radio waves are detected by the radio wave detector 13a increases. The intensity of the detected radio wave in this state is expressed by the relative magnitude of the electromotive force at the antenna of each radio wave detection unit 13, the radio wave detection unit 13a is 2, the radio wave detection unit 13b is 8, and the radio wave detection unit 13c. Is 0, and the radio wave detector 13d is 10.

  Since the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12a is 6, and the difference in intensity between the two radio waves detected in the container 12b is 10, the inclination detection unit 14 uses the container 12b having a large difference in radio wave intensity. It is judged that the inclination is smaller with respect to the direction of gravity. Further, since the intensity detected from the radio wave detector 13d is greater than the intensity detected from the radio wave detector 13c, it is determined that the direction in which the radio wave detector 13d is located is up. From these determinations, the inclination detection unit 14 determines that the information terminal 10 is “a state in which the information terminal 10 is inclined to the left with respect to the gravity direction G from the state illustrated in FIG. 1” as in the case of FIG. Then, the display direction control unit 15 performs display control similar to that in the case of FIG.

  According to the inclination sensor 30 according to the present embodiment, the inclination of the information terminal 10 can be detected based on the radio wave detected through the container 12. In addition, as in the present embodiment, if a radio wave flying in the natural world or electromagnetic noise generated from another electronic device is used, a radio wave generation unit is not particularly necessary. However, a radio wave generator may be provided in the tilt sensor 30 in order to more reliably detect the tilt even in a place where the radio wave is weak. Further, as in the present embodiment, the radio wave detection unit 13 can also use a popular device such as the antenna described above, which contributes to miniaturization and cost reduction. In addition, since the power activated in the antenna can be directly used as a signal, the circuit configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Therefore, the inclination sensor 30 according to the present embodiment enables downsizing and cost reduction, and in turn increases the feasibility of the inclination sensor. In addition, if the antenna that can directly use the power that activates the radio wave detection unit 13 as a signal without using the radio wave generation unit as described above, it is not necessary to supply power. It is not always necessary to provide a power source for supplying power to the battery, which contributes to downsizing and cost reduction.

  Moreover, according to the information terminal 10 which concerns on this embodiment, inclination can be detected by the structure in which size reduction and cost reduction are possible, and the direction of the display on the display apparatus 11 is controlled based on the detected inclination. can do. In turn, the possibility of implementing the information terminal 10 that controls the display direction by tilting is increased. In addition, since it is possible to reduce the number of components that require power as described above, it is possible to realize a more power-saving information terminal 10.

  In addition, the information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment is preferably a mobile phone having a communication device that performs communication using radio waves such as a mobile communication module. According to this configuration, since the radio wave used for the terminal 10 to detect the tilt is generated, the tilt can be more reliably detected even in a place where the radio wave is weak.

  In the present embodiment, the tilt sensor 30 is included in the information terminal 10, but only the tilt sensor 30 may be configured and used independently. For example, the inclination sensor 30 is attached to construction equipment or the like, and the inclination of the construction machine is detected at a construction site with an inclination, and when the construction machine is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle, an alarm is generated to inform the crew of the danger. Also good. In particular, if the small cylindrical container 12 as described in the above-described embodiment is used, a small inclination sensor 30 that can be installed in a narrow place such as a gap in a construction machine can be realized. The feasibility of the sensor 30 is improved.

  In the present embodiment, two containers 12 are provided. However, for example, when it is desired to detect an inclination in only one direction, only one container 12 may be provided. In addition, when more than one direction of inclination is desired to be detected, or when it is desired to detect inclination with higher accuracy, three or more containers 12 may be provided. Moreover, although the radio wave detection unit 13 is two for each container 12, it may be one or three or more similarly. In the present embodiment, four states corresponding to the inclination are determined, but the inclination angle may be obtained.

  Further, the shape of the container 12 is not limited to the cylindrical shape described in the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a ring-shaped container 42 may be used. In this case, a small amount of the fluid 22 that transmits radio waves having a low specific gravity is enclosed, and the radio wave detection unit 43 provided along the container 42 transmits the portion of the fluid 22 positioned at the top of the container 42. To detect the inclination.

  In addition, the ring-shaped container is not limited to a circular cross section in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 6, but may have a substantially rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. In this case, a small amount of the fluid 22 that transmits radio waves having a low specific gravity is sealed, and the radio wave detectors 53 provided on each of the four sides of the rectangle are transmitted through the portion of the fluid 22 positioned at the top of the container 52. The detected radio wave is detected to detect the tilt. Accordingly, the container 52 of this shape detects the inclination by determining which of the four sides of the rectangle is at the top.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (a) and a top view of FIG. 8 (b), a dish-like container 62 having a circular flat bottom may be used. Inclination is detected by detecting the position of the fluid 22 that transmits radio waves having a light specific gravity according to the inclination of the container by means of a radio wave detector 63 provided on the bottom (outside) of the container 62.

It is the figure which showed the structure of the information terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the container and radio wave detection part with which an information terminal is provided. It is a block diagram of the information terminal concerning an embodiment. It is the figure which showed the state of the container and the direction of a display typically. It is the figure which showed the state of the container and the direction of a display typically. It is the figure which showed another example of the container. It is the figure which showed another example of the container. It is the figure which showed another example of the container.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information terminal, 11 ... Display apparatus, 12, 42, 52, 62 ... Container, 13, 43, 53, 63 ... Radio wave detection part, 14 ... Inclination detection part, 15 ... Display direction control part, 21, 22 ... Flow Body, 30 ... tilt sensor.

Claims (3)

An inclination sensor to be mounted on a detection object,
A container containing two kinds of fluids having different radio wave permeability and specific gravity and not mixed with each other;
Radio wave detecting means for detecting radio waves transmitted through the container at a predetermined position;
An inclination detecting means for detecting an inclination of the detected object based on the radio wave detected by the radio wave detecting means;
A tilt sensor comprising: An information terminal having a display device,
A container containing two kinds of fluids having different radio wave permeability and specific gravity and not mixed with each other;
Radio wave detecting means for detecting radio waves transmitted through the container at a predetermined position;
Inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the terminal based on the radio wave detected by the radio wave detecting means;
Display direction control means for controlling the direction of display on the display device based on the inclination detected by the inclination detection means;
An information terminal comprising: The information terminal according to claim 2, further comprising a communication device that performs communication using radio waves.

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