JP2007198888A - Sensor apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor apparatus which has a high attachable probability and impairs no handleability of the whole electronic equipment after being attached thereto. <P>SOLUTION: The sensor apparatus 100 is in the form of a size AA battery. A detection sensor 150a detects respective data as motion information about an X-axis gyro (pitch), a Y-axis gyro (roll) and a Z-axis gyro (yaw). A motion information storing section 150b stores the detected motion information into a memory in a sensor circuit 150. An information outputting section 150c outputs the stored motion information through a positive electrode terminal 120 and a negative electrode terminal 130. A power supply outputting section 150d controls an output of power supply from the motion information, thereby controlling an operation of the electronic equipment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor device having a detection sensor for movement information such as a gyro sensor in a housing.

  In recent years, sensors that detect movement of a gyro or the like have been incorporated into an electronic device to correct or control the function of the electronic device, or to control another electronic device using an electronic device that incorporates a gyro. Also came to be done.

  For example, in a digital camera, movement information of the digital camera is acquired using a gyro, and a captured image is corrected based on the movement information to prevent camera shake. Further, in Patent Document 1, a technique for sending motion information to a mobile phone by inserting a card with a built-in gyro into a card slot provided in the mobile phone, and performing a TV function operation using the communication function of the mobile phone. Is also disclosed.

JP 2003-271302 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a space necessary for incorporating a gyro in the card, and therefore the outer shape becomes larger than the original size of the card. As a result, when the card is mounted, the amount of popping out of the casing of the mobile phone increases, and there is a problem that the entire device with the gyro mounted becomes unhandled. In addition, there is a problem that a gyro cannot be attached to a mobile phone without a card slot.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor device that has a high probability of being mounted and that does not impair the handleability of the entire electronic device even after mounting.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a sensor device having a detection sensor for motion information such as a gyro sensor in a housing, wherein the shape of the housing is a predetermined battery shape.

  According to this configuration, since the sensor device in the electronic device to which the battery is attached is used in the same shape as the battery used by the electronic device, the sensor device can be set in the attachment space of the battery. Therefore, it is not necessary to newly provide a space for setting the sensor device in the electronic device. In particular, when the battery is mounted inside the electronic device, the set sensor device does not jump out of the electronic device, and the handling of the electronic device is not impaired.

  Here, the predetermined battery shape may be a shape defined by an official standard such as Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS).

  The types and shapes of batteries are defined by official standards such as JIS and ANSI (American National Standard Institute), and batteries with shapes defined by these official standards are usually used as power sources for electronic devices. Often done. Therefore, by setting the shape of the sensor device to the battery shape defined by this official standard, the probability that the sensor device can be set in the battery space provided in the electronic device is increased.

  Furthermore, the sensor device of the present invention may include a battery having a shape determined according to the predetermined battery shape in the housing.

  In this way, by having the battery in the sensor device, the sensor device can function as a power source for the electronic device. Also, it is not necessary to supply power necessary for the sensor device to function from outside the sensor device. Therefore, it is possible to function only with the sensor device.

  For example, when the battery shape is that of an AA alkaline battery (JIS name: LR6), an alkaline battery defined by an official standard having a size that can be inserted into the housing of the sensor device (for example, It is preferable to provide a AAA alkaline battery or a AAA alkaline battery. Of course, the battery incorporated in the sensor device may have any shape as long as it can be incorporated into the sensor device, and may not be defined by such official standards.

  The sensor device of the present invention may further include an orientation sensor that detects a posture direction of the housing in the housing, and the detection sensor detects the motion information based on a detection result of the orientation sensor. Good.

  In particular, when the shape of the sensor device is the shape of an AA alkaline battery as described above, the sensor device has a cylindrical shape and thus freely rotates around the axis of the cylinder. Therefore, for a detection sensor related to motion information such as a gyro sensor, the direction of the detected motion information changes due to rotation of the sensor device. Therefore, in order to determine which direction the motion is detected, it is equipped with a direction sensor that detects the direction that becomes the reference of the motion, and even if the sensor device rotates, the direction or direction obtained from this direction sensor As a reference, it is possible to accurately grasp the moving direction of the electronic device from the movement information.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the sensor device of the present invention includes a motion information recording unit that records the motion information detected by the detection sensor in the housing.

  In this way, since the motion information is recorded in the sensor device, the recorded motion information can be acquired from the sensor device even after the motion information is detected. For example, after removing the sensor device from the set electronic device, it is possible to grasp the movement of the electronic device from the movement information recorded in the sensor device.

  Here, the housing may be provided with electrode terminals for positive electrodes and negative electrodes, and an information output unit that outputs the motion information from the electrode terminals may be provided in the housing.

  If it carries out like this, the movement information of an electronic device can be output via an electrode terminal. Therefore, motion information can be supplied simultaneously with the supply of power to the electronic device. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a special interface for supplying motion information between the sensor device and the electronic device.

  Furthermore, the information output unit may output the motion information according to a detection result of the motion information detected by the detection sensor.

  In this way, when the electronic device performs a predetermined movement, it is possible to output movement information regarding the predetermined movement.

  The housing may further include a power output unit that outputs, from the electrode terminal, a voltage and a current that conform to the official standard determined from the predetermined battery shape.

  In this way, the sensor device can be handled as one of the batteries used by the electronic device. As a result, the operation of the electronic device is not impaired even when the sensor device is set.

  Here, the power supply output unit may control the output of at least one of the voltage and current output from the electrode terminal according to a detection result of the motion information detected by the detection sensor.

  In this way, if the electronic device is a portable TV, for example, if the motion information is a detection result indicating that the electronic device is turned over, the TV screen cannot be viewed, so the voltage or current is suppressed. By turning off or darkening the TV screen, battery consumption can be prevented.

  In addition, the power output unit may detect the motion information detected by the detection sensor when a vibration state having an amplitude greater than or equal to a first threshold continues for a predetermined time, or an amplitude within a second threshold. When either one of the cases where the vibration state having a continuity is satisfied, control may be performed so as to suppress the output of at least one of the voltage and current output from the electrode terminal.

  For example, in the case where the electronic device is a portable TV that can be carried around, the viewer usually watches while moving with the portable TV in hand. In such a case, the mobile TV may vibrate greatly during movement. In such a case, it is difficult to view the TV screen, and most TV viewers stop watching the TV screen. Therefore, when such a large vibration state continues for a predetermined time, the voltage or current is controlled. In this way, the TV screen can be turned off or darkened, and as a result, battery consumption can be prevented.

  In addition, when the portable TV is not carried around and is left on a desk or the like, the TV screen is often not viewed. In such a case, the mobile TV may be considered to be in a state of hardly vibrating or a small vibration state. Therefore, when such a small vibration state continues for a predetermined time, the voltage or current is controlled. In this way, the TV screen can be turned off or darkened, and as a result, battery consumption can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described using examples.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the sensor device of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an electronic device in which the sensor device shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor device 100 has a cylindrical shape, and in this embodiment, is a AA battery shape defined by the JIS standard. The sensor device 100 is configured around the X, Y, and Z axes when the cylindrical axis direction is the X axis, and the two axes that are orthogonal to the X axis and are orthogonal to each other are the Y axis and the Z axis, respectively. The data on the pitch, roll, and yaw that will be the motion (gyro) of is detected as motion information.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the electronic device is a portable TV and uses four AA size batteries BT as a power source. Therefore, since the sensor device 100 has an AA battery shape, the sensor device 100 can be incorporated in a space corresponding to one dry battery BT. Then, the motion information of the mobile TV is detected by the built-in sensor device, and the operation of the mobile TV is controlled using the detected motion information as will be described later.

  Normally, an electronic device includes a power switch button SW that controls power output by turning on and off the power as shown in FIG. 2, and the operation of the electronic device is controlled by operating the power switch button SW. By incorporating the sensor device 100 into the electronic device as in the present embodiment, it is possible to control the operation of the electronic device in addition to controlling the power output by operating the power switch button SW. For example, when the mobile TV is placed on a desk or the like, the sensor device detects motion information indicating that there is no motion. In such a case, if the mobile TV is controlled to be turned off, even if the TV viewer forgets to turn off the power, the power is automatically turned off and the consumption of the battery can be suppressed.

  Now, a specific configuration of the sensor device 100 that performs such operation control will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sensor device 100. The sensor device 100 includes a sensor circuit 150, a sub-battery 110, a positive electrode terminal 120, and a negative electrode terminal 130, which are electrically connected by connecting means 171, 172, and 173. . The connecting means 171 to 173 may be anything as long as they are electrically conductive, such as lead wires and springs. Further, it is better to configure the connection means 171 and 173 so that the sub battery 110 can be attached and detached so that the sub battery can be replaced.

  With such a configuration, the sub battery 110 may function as a power source for operating the sensor circuit 150, or may function as a power source that supplies power from the positive electrode terminal 120 and the negative electrode terminal 130 to the outside. it can. That is, the sensor device 100 can function as a single battery. In the present embodiment, since the sensor device 100 has an AA battery shape, the size of the sub-battery 110 is smaller than the AA battery shape, for example, an AA battery shape. Of course, as long as it can be stored in the sensor device 100, other battery shapes may be used regardless of the battery shape defined by official standards such as the JIS standard.

  The sensor circuit 150 includes a detection sensor 150a, a motion information recording unit 150b, an information output unit 150c, and a power output unit 150d. Although the sensor circuit 150 is shown in a cylindrical shape in FIG. 3 for convenience, it is basically composed of electronic components such as a semiconductor and a circuit board and a gyro sensor as a detection sensor. It may be stored in a cylindrical case as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the detection sensor 150a detects each data about the X-axis gyro (pitch), the Y-axis gyro (roll), and the Z-axis gyro (yaw) as motion information. The motion information recording unit 150b records the detected motion information in a memory (described later) in the sensor circuit 150. The information output unit 150c outputs the recorded motion information via the positive electrode terminal 120 and the negative electrode terminal 130. The power output unit 150d controls the operation of the electronic device by controlling the output of the power based on the motion information.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of the sensor circuit 150. The sensor circuit 150 includes a CPU 155, a RAM 156, a ROM 157, an input interface (I / F) 152, and an output interface (I / F) 158. The CPU 155 controls these via a bus line. The input I / F 152 is an interface circuit that takes in data from the detection sensor 150a that has been subjected to analog / digital (A / D) conversion, and outputs motion information to a bus line as a data value in a predetermined format. The output I / F 158 is an interface circuit that controls the output of the power source including the sub battery 110. The RAM 156 is a memory for recording motion information output from the input I / F 152. The CPU 155 functions as the motion information recording unit 150b, the information output unit 150c, and the power output unit 150d described above by appropriately reading and executing the program stored in the ROM 157.

  Of course, in this embodiment, the sensor circuit 150 is configured by a software circuit in which the CPU saves and reads data in the RAM in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. However, for example, a logic circuit combined with a gate circuit, etc. The sensor circuit 150 may be configured by a hardware circuit that does not use a CPU.

  Next, functions performed by the motion information recording unit 150b, the information output unit 150c, and the power output unit 150d described above will be sequentially described with specific examples.

(Motion information recording part)
In FIG. 4, the CPU 155 reads the data value as the motion information from the input I / F 152 and records it in the RAM 156 as the memory described above, thereby operating as the motion information recording unit 150a. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the start and end of recording of motion information is performed when the operator of the electronic device operates the power switch button SW in FIG. Of course, when a channel button operation or a volume control button (not shown) is operated, recording may be started or ended in accordance with a predetermined button operation.

  In this case, the CPU 155 detects a change in power output such as a change in voltage value or current value according to a predetermined button operation via the output I / F 158, and records motion information according to the detected change. The start or end may be determined.

  After starting the recording of the motion information, the recording is performed at a predetermined time interval. The time interval is lengthened when the motion is roughly detected, and the time interval is shortened when the motion is detected finely. Of course, the time interval may be changed from the result of the motion information. By doing so, the recording frequency is changed in accordance with the state of movement, so that the movement information can be recorded almost accurately.

  Further, the motion information may be recorded for a predetermined time and stored in a FIFO (first in first out) format. In this way, the memory capacity can be reduced.

  By the way, when the sub battery 110 is not accommodated in the sensor device 100, power is not supplied to the sensor circuit 150 in a state where the sensor device 100 is not incorporated in an electronic device. In such a case, it is preferable to use a memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) that does not require a memory holding operation as the RAM 156. In this way, the recorded motion information can be retained in the memory even when the sensor device 100 is detached from the electronic device.

(Information output part)
Next, the function of the information output unit 150c will be described. In FIG. 4, the CPU 155 reads the motion information recorded from the RAM 156 and outputs it from the electrode terminal via the output I / F 158, thereby operating as the information output unit 150c.

  Since the motion information is usually composed of binary data values “1” and “0”, the motion information can be superimposed on the power supply output by amplitude-modulating the output voltage based on the binary data. it can. As a result, motion information can be output from the electrode terminal as a power output. In addition to this, the motion information may be superimposed on the power supply output and output from the electrode terminal by a method such as frequency modulation of the output voltage.

  The motion information data is output at the predetermined time interval described above while the power is output from the sensor device 100. By doing so, it is possible to grasp the trajectory of movement of the electronic device incorporating the sensor device 100 from the output movement information at a predetermined time interval. For example, in the case where the electronic device is the portable TV shown in FIG. 2, a map is displayed on the TV screen of the portable TV, and the locus of movement of the portable TV is displayed on the displayed map. It can also be used.

(Power output section)
Next, the function of the power output unit 150d will be described. In FIG. 4, the CPU 155 reads the motion information recorded from the RAM 156 and controls the power output from the electrode terminal via the output I / F 158 to operate as the power output unit 150 d.

  The control of the power output performed by the power output unit 150d in the present embodiment will be described. The CPU 155 reads the motion information recorded in the RAM 156 and examines the amplitude change of the motion information. When the examined amplitude change is a vibration state where the change in amplitude is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value or less than the predetermined threshold value, and this vibration state continues for a predetermined time Ts, the output I / F 158 is controlled to cut off the power supply output. . Of course, the power supply output may not be interrupted and may be suppressed to lower the output voltage or output current, or may be limited to a predetermined voltage value or less or a predetermined current value or less.

  FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the vibration state in which the amplitude change of the motion information exceeds the first threshold value S1, which is a predetermined threshold value, continues. Here, it is assumed that the CPU 155 has read out one of the above-described pitch, roll, and yaw data as motion information. Of course, a plurality of data among these three data may be read out as motion information.

  FIG. 5A shows a state where the vibration state in which the amplitude exceeds the first threshold value S1 starts from the time t1 and continues until the time t2 exceeding the predetermined time Ts. When such a vibration state continues, the power output is cut off at time t2. When the electronic device is a portable TV as shown in FIG. 2, it is difficult to view the TV screen if there is a vibration having such a large amplitude. Therefore, in such a state, the portable TV is turned off to suppress battery consumption.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows a state where the vibration state in which the amplitude is less than the second threshold value S2 starts from the time t3 and continues until the time t4 exceeding the predetermined time Ts. When such a vibration state continues, the power output is cut off at time t4. When the electronic device is a portable TV as shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the vibration having such a small amplitude continues in a state where the portable TV is not used and left on a desk or the like. Therefore, in such a state, the portable TV is turned off to suppress battery consumption.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the probability that the sensor device can be mounted on an electronic device is increased by making the sensor device into an AA battery shape defined by public standards. In addition, since the sensor device can be mounted in a battery space that is normally provided in the electronic device and does not jump out of the electronic device, the handling of the entire electronic device is not impaired even after the mounting.

  Further, by providing a battery in the sensor device, the sensor device can also function as one battery, and the operation of the electronic device is not impaired. In addition, since the power supply output of the electronic device is controlled according to the vibration state detected by the sensor device, it is possible to suppress battery consumption.

  The embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can of course be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. is there.

(First modification)
For example, in the above embodiment, the information output unit 150c outputs motion information data at predetermined time intervals for the purpose of using the mobile TV as a navigation. Therefore, as a first modification, when a predetermined signal based on a predetermined motion is input to the sensor device 100 instead of a predetermined time interval, only the motion information recorded at that time may be output.

  For example, when the motion information largely changes by a predetermined threshold or more, the greatly changed motion information may be used as a predetermined signal. Since the detection value of the detection sensor changes greatly due to sudden movement of the electronic device, the motion information output from the input I / F 152 also changes greatly. Thus, movement information is output using such a sudden movement of the electronic device as a trigger. In this way, a predetermined signal can be obtained by causing the electronic device to move suddenly, for example, by hitting the electronic device.

  An application example of the sensor device in the first modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating processing of motion information output from the information output unit 150c by incorporating the sensor device 100 having a battery shape into a digital camera. Of course, these functional blocks are configured in the digital camera.

  The sensor device 100 housed in the battery space indicated by the broken line in the figure detects vibrations exceeding a predetermined threshold of the digital camera as a predetermined motion, and the motion information recorded at that time is output to the power output as described above. Superimpose and output. In this modification, a predetermined threshold value is set in consideration of vibration generated in the digital camera when the shutter button is pressed. By doing so, it is possible to output motion information from the sensor device when the shutter is released.

  On the other hand, the power output is used as an original direct current power source for a digital camera by removing a modulation portion by data of motion information by a filter. On the other hand, motion information data is extracted from the power supply output, and the extracted data is recorded in the Exif format or the like as captured image tag data.

  According to this modification, the vibration state of the digital camera when the shutter is released can be recorded as additional information of the photographed image, so that processing of the photographed image such as camera shake correction is facilitated.

(Second modification)
Moreover, in the said Example, the sensor apparatus was made into AA type battery shape. In this case, even if the sensor device is installed in the electronic device with the direction determined, the battery shape has a cylindrical shape, so that rotation around the cylindrical axis is likely to occur, and when rotated, the Y axis and Z axis shown in FIG. Will change the direction after installation. Therefore, the detection direction may not be detected correctly.

  Therefore, as a second modification, an orientation sensor that detects a reference direction may be provided in the sensor device. In this way, even if the sensor device rotates, the motion information with respect to the detection direction can be correctly grasped by correcting the direction of the motion information with reference to the direction or orientation obtained from the orientation sensor.

  For example, in FIG. 4, an input I / F 152 outputs azimuth data obtained from an azimuth sensor (not shown) together with motion information. Then, the CPU 155 performs a predetermined calculation using the output motion information and azimuth data, and corrects by obtaining gyro data around the initially set X, Y, and Z axes. The CPU 155 can record the movement of the electronic device with high accuracy by recording each axis gyro data after correction in the RAM 156 as movement information.

  As the direction sensor, a gravity sensor that detects gravity, a magnetic sensor that detects geomagnetism, or the like can be used. In addition, an acceleration sensor or the like may be used.

(Third modification)
In the above embodiment, the shape of the sensor device is an AA battery shape which is the battery shape of the name LR6 in the official standard. However, the shape of the sensor device is not limited to this. A square battery shape such as 006P may be used. The type of battery is not limited to a primary battery such as a dry battery, and may be a secondary battery such as a rechargeable battery.

  In particular, when the sensor device has a rectangular battery shape, it may be considered that the sensor device is unlikely to rotate after being incorporated into an electronic device. In this case, the orientation sensor may not be provided in the housing of the sensor device. .

(Fourth modification)
Further, in the above embodiment, the power output unit 150d controls the power output. However, the power output of the sub battery 110 may be controlled in addition to this.

  As described above, since the sub-battery 110 is housed in the sensor device 100, it is not possible to supply a voltage value or a current value that should be inherent according to the type of battery of the official standard determined by the battery shape of the sensor device 100. Cases can happen. In such a case, the power supply output unit 150d controls the voltage value by stepping up or down, or controls the current value by current amplification or current limiting, so that the battery of an official standard determined by the shape of the sensor device 100 is used. The voltage value and the current value according to the type are output. These controls may be performed using a well-known technique such as a voltage booster circuit technique or a current amplifier circuit technique.

Explanatory drawing explaining one Example of the sensor apparatus of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows one Example of the electronic device with which the sensor apparatus of this invention is integrated. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the sensor apparatus in an Example. The block block diagram about the sensor circuit in a sensor apparatus. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the vibration state in which the amplitude change of motion information exceeds 1st threshold value S1 continues. (B) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the vibration state in which the amplitude change of motion information falls below 2nd threshold value S2 continues. The utilization example at the time of incorporating the sensor apparatus of this invention in a digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Sensor apparatus, 110 ... Sub battery, 120 ... Electrode terminal for positive electrodes, 130 ... Electrode terminal for negative electrodes, 150 ... Sensor circuit, 150a ... Detection sensor, 150b ... Motion information recording part, 150c ... Information output part, 150d DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Power supply output part 152 ... Input I / F, 155 ... CPU, 156 ... RAM, 157 ... ROM, 158 ... Output I / F, 171-173 ... Connection means, BT ... Dry cell, SW ... Power switch button.

Claims (10)

A sensor device having a detection sensor for movement information such as a gyro sensor in a housing,
The sensor device characterized in that the shape of the casing is a predetermined battery shape. The sensor device according to claim 1,
The predetermined battery shape is a shape determined by an official standard such as Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2,
A sensor device comprising a battery having a shape determined according to the predetermined battery shape in the housing. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A sensor device comprising an orientation sensor for detecting a posture direction of the housing in the housing, wherein the detection sensor detects the motion information based on a detection result of the orientation sensor. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A sensor device comprising a motion information recording unit for recording the motion information detected by the detection sensor in the housing. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A sensor device, wherein the housing is provided with electrode terminals for a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and an information output unit that outputs the movement information from the electrode terminals is provided in the housing. The sensor device according to claim 6,
The information output unit outputs the motion information according to a detection result of the motion information detected by the detection sensor. The sensor device according to claim 6 or 7,
The sensor device further comprising a power output unit that outputs a voltage and a current according to the official standard determined from the predetermined battery shape from the electrode terminal in the housing. The sensor device according to claim 8,
The power supply output unit controls the output of at least one of the voltage and current output from the electrode terminal according to a detection result of the motion information detected by the detection sensor. The sensor device according to claim 9,
The power output unit has a detection result of the motion information detected by the detection sensor when a vibration state having an amplitude greater than or equal to a first threshold continues for a predetermined time, or has an amplitude within a second threshold. When satisfy | filling any one when a vibration state continues, it controls so that the output of at least one of the said voltage and electric current output from the said electrode terminal may be suppressed.

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